Tips to Control Sugar Cravings

Tips to Control Sugar Cravings

Do you ever get cravings for something sweet and sugary? No matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to shake them? If so, don’t worry! You’re not alone.

What you may not know is that there are some things you can do to help avoid sugar cravings altogether. So if you’re looking for a way to finally break your sugar habit, keep reading. We’ve got some tips for you!

These Tips will Help Control Sugar Cravings

drinking from a glass in a black and white dress

Drink 8 Ounces of Water Every Morning

The first and easiest tip is to drink water. When I wake up I drink 8 ounces of water before I do anything else, even before drinking my coffee. Drinking water first thing in the morning not only helps to give my body a feeling of fullness, it also helps flush out my stomach and balances the lymphatic system so I can stay healthier.

Eat protein

When I was much younger, I tried an experiment every time I wanted sugar. When the cravings started, I scrambled an egg or ate some protein. Guess what? It worked!

I guarantee you, the cravings subsided every time. That doesn’t mean you have to eat protein all day, but it could mean that a bite or two of protein is really what your body is needing when you think it wants sugar.

Avoid Artificial Sweeteners

It seems counterintuitive, but artificial sweeteners keep your mind tricked into wanting sugar. To avoid the sweeteners, I always order water with no ice. Occasionally I will ask for a lemon wedge, which adds a bit of flavor to the water.

I drink water constantly all day long. Water flushes out my system and keeps my belly full.

Eat Fruit

This advice has to be taken very carefully. If your sugar cravings have made you put on weight and your goal is to avoid that, my advice is eat berries. Blueberries are on the top of the list followed by raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. I avoid all high in sugar fruits – like bananas, apples and oranges.

Avoid Triggering Places

If you’re not comfortable at controlling your sugar cravings, I would avoid certain places, especially ones that have a beautiful bakery counter like this. A few days ago I was going to breakfast and had to walk through a bakery. Not fair, right?

Well fair doesn’t mean that you and your family can’t go out to places like this. What it does mean, is don’t go to your destination feeling hungry. Having a full belly or a glass of water before you go out, will help you avoid unnecessary calories from beautiful sugary items.

Don’t Starve Yourself

The biggest mistake most people make is starving themselves. Don’t do it.

Your body will need to recover the lost calories by eating more than you originally did – to maintain it’s energy! My solution is to make smoothies, but probably not the kind you are used to having – with all the sugar.

My smoothies start with a bit of ice in my Nutra bullet. Add a tablespoon or so of coconut creamer (no artificial sugars), some collagen powder and powdered fruits and veggies. Whip it all up for a delicious and nutritious drink.

Eat in Small Portions

I also eat when I’m hungry in small portions throughout the day. Even if we’re going out for dinner at six and I’m hungry at four o’clock, I will get a healthy snack before I go like a piece of protein or some almonds that I always keep handy in my car.

Take a multivitamin daily

There are many great multivitamins on the market. I also add vitamin D and Zinc to my daily regimen. Remember to always read the label on the bottle and consult with your physician with any questions about what vitamins would be the best for you and your body.

Get some exercise

Exercising whether indoors or outdoors and getting out in nature are imperative to sleeping well. Being well rested also relieves stress. Start off slowly each day and build up to an exercise routine that works for you. It may be hard to get started, but once you do you’ll be glad you did.


Limit alcohol consumption

Excessive alcohol consumption can prompt your cravings for fat and sugar. Try drinking fewer cocktails throughout the week so that it does not interfere with your health goals. Everyone deserves a treat and if you love to indulge in a cocktail, plan it out in advance and add it to your food plans. Remember food plans do not have to be perfect every day. We all deserve a yummy treat or cocktail every now and then.

Indulge Discriminately

It’s inevitable. Sugar is not going away any time soon. And it’s delicious! If you are going to go for something sweet, make sure it’s for a special occasion or that you balance your sugar intake with other healthy food options throughout the day.

Always remember that sugar is not nourishing to our bodies, it’s just a delicious treat that we all deserve every once in a while.

Awareness and moderation go a long way on our journey for a healthier lifestyle and diet.

How to Wear the Feather Trend

How to Wear the Feather Trend

This post contains affiliate links for products mentioned by Style Beyond Age

Look all around. It’s not hard to see that the feather trend is all over the stores this spring. Feathers are a fun fashion trend this season, and I’m all in. I have found that when I try on these feather looks, a little indeed goes along way.

From feather designs in dresses, blazers and tops, the feather trend is all the rage this Spring and I am assuming we will continue to see it throughout the year. I want to show you how I style a few of my favorite feather pieces.

This iteration of the feather trend is the Cult Gaia halter top. It is easy to wear and fits everyone. It laces up in the back which gives it a cool look . I cover up the back of the halter but this is a great piece to share with the younger generation, if they are into this look. I love all the bright colors this season. For me, the best way to pull off this look is with some pants like these bubble gum colored high waisted ones from Zara. If you are of a certain age, the oversized blazer is definitely a great piece for your wardrobe, it covers your arms and helps pull your look together.

walking into room wearing pink pants and pale pink feather bustier

This LaMarca bustier comes in several subtle colors. The feather bustier is a fun spring staple to have in your closet that can mix and match with a lot of pieces. The best part, is that the LaMarca bustier won’t break the bank.

The feather bustier is the simplest way to incorporate the look in your spring fashion. The bustier is easy to find in stores you can look for LaMarca and Cult Gaia. I paired it with my Trina Turk flared pants, my white leather vegan blazer and some Gianvitto Rossi sandals.

You can see from these pictures that I am rotating many of the same items. You don’t need much to have multiple stylish looks. By sticking with a few favorite trends that you really like, you can be on trend without following every fashion whim.

standing with a food tray wearing vneck feather top and pink pants
Pants/ Valentino Top

For me, my favorite look for the feather trend is an elongated top. I have mentioned that I am short waisted and my body type is a consideration in everything I choose. I find that a feather V-neck top is comfortable and gives me the length I want in my torso. This particular top might be a little harder to find but definitely worth the hunt. Try looking in places like vintage stores and clothing resale shops for one of a kind clothing pieces. I always find some of my most treasured items this way.

Can you see the difference in this picture? The width of the Cult Gaia halter gives me more than I need on top and see how I paired it with my Óscar de la renta skirt?

Even with a jacket, I’m a bit overwhelmed with the fullness of my feather halter top! For you long torso ladies, this one is perfect.

white sheath dress with white ostrich feathers on the bottom

If feathers on top don’t work for your body type, you may want to try this look . I love this iteration by Oscar de la Renta. Its not too overwhelming and the trim on the bottom of the dress provides the playful look I was after. For years, before the feather trend came along, I elongated skirts I love (but were too short) with an ostrich feather trim. Doing this gave me the length I needed and I didn’t have to miss out on wearing a piece I love. Unfortunately, some items such as mini skirts are no longer for me.

Another idea, if you have a sheath dress that you are no longer wearing, is adding ostrich trim to the bottom. Take it to your tailor or do it yourself if you know how to sew. Adding trim to the bottom of a dress is an inexpensive way to rework an outdated piece with this spring trend. How fun is that!

I invest in accessories and these Chanel heels are my summer splurge. The handbag on the other hand, is reasonably priced from Amazon. The bag pouch comes in different colors, I had the claret color so I just changed it out to change the look. It’s a great copy of an very expensive purse. Why not, you’ll only use it every once in a while and it will look like a new bag every time you do.

Although everything here looks expensive, if you choose wisely you can look like a million bucks without spending a ton of money. Take a simple pair of pants and trim them out with feathers at the bottom. Look for that beautiful feather top from a great resale shop. Shop the internet and take advantage of all the many price points out there, that are within your budget.

I hope some of these fashion ideas help you with how to wear the feather trend this Spring.

If fashion is supposed to be fun, then let’s have fun with fashion! Remember, you can always kick your look up a notch with a little imagination….and some feathers.

More Fashions Posts

Spring Trends 2022 for Women Over 50

How to build a Capsule Wardrobe out of 5 easy pieces

How to wear prints and patterns at every age

How To Style The Green Trend In Your Spring Wardrobe

How To Style The Green Trend In Your Spring Wardrobe

This post contains affiliate links for products mentioned by Style Beyond Age

yellow kimono and green slip dress

Spring is filled with fresh, bright and happy colors both in nature and in our wardrobes. Green is one of the fashion colors on trend. I haven’t seen much of it in past seasons, so it is a welcomed change to my wardrobe. There are so many pretty shades of green. I find that some shades and color combinations work better than others, so I wanted to share a few tips on how to style the green trend in your wardrobe.

standing in park with pink shrubs in background wearing yellow kimono with green slip dress

I was lucky enough to find this slip dress at Zara and this topper years ago from ASOS. It was originally a dress that I reworked by opening it in the front. It was in the back of my closet just waiting for the perfect moment when I paired it with the slip dress as a kimono. This goldenrod yellow is a great complement to this shade of green with my neutral color Steve Madden slides, don’t you think?

close up of hanging pendants on a green slip dress with yellow kimono

Often times we overlook the quirkier items in our closet. Sometimes we think those pieces are a “one and done” item reserved or worn once for a special occasion, but as you can see here, they become the item that brings a look together. That’s why it’s key to step out of your fashion comfort zone and pair the most unlikely pieces together. This Kimono could actually pair well with many colors but I especially love how it pulls the green from the dress.

Never stop adding to your accessories collection. Between pendants, bracelets and earrings, you can turn a simple item that has been a forever piece in your closet, like this kimono into the real showstopper it was meant to be.

Other ways to style green in your wardrobe

walking in park wearing green shirt, pants with brown handbag and slides

Green also pairs well with brown and chartreuse. I experimented with several tones of brown. I found that a yellow, brown or caramel color worked best together. The culottes pants and puff sleeve blouse are from Zara. My Eric Javits bucket bag from last season is the perfect compliment for the outfit and works well with my comfy slides, which are also from Zara .

wearing green shirt and pants with brown handbag on garden bench

I am a big fan of never letting a fabulous look go to waste. This is especially true if you are traveling, having lunch with the ladies or taking in an afternoon show. Here’s a few more ideas on how to style your outfits using green.

light green pants, shirt and white cami in front of door

All it took was a white silk cami, (which should be a staple in every closet) to turn this look into a “ladies who lunch” outfit.

close up of green bag and green art deco belt

I picked this green belt (similar one) up at Zara. It was the perfect compliment to the art deco inspired bracelet that I already owned. The bag is over 30 years old but feels new again when I paired it with these pieces. I kept the bag all these years because it was a little ‘off the wall’ and worth the wait, don’t you think?

The semi-circle gold earrings compliment the look but of course my shoes are the real show stopper. As you know I invest in shoes and these are my summer splurge from Chanel.

standing in front of book shelf wearing green slip dress and white leather blazer

Another “city look” is pairing my vegan leather jacket from Alice and Olivia with this green mesh dress from Revolve. The dress has a slip under it which I wear individually on repeat . If you are short waisted like I am, a longer pendant will elongate your torso. I grabbed my Judith Leiber purse to compliment this dinner look.

leaning on tree in park wearing green slip dress with white flowered shirt

If blue and green is never to be seen, I am breaking all the rules. The slip from this dress can also be worn alone or combined with a shirt dress as a topper. The look-alike Valentino slides are from Sam Edelman. These slides are much better to knock around in the garden or just hanging at home.

As you know, I take every opportunity to wear my cocktail rings. Here is my beautiful Mandala piece and a set of stackable rings. Remember to elongate your look with a long pendant. I am so happy that I bought this at an outdoor stand in Greece years ago.

hanging wardrobe rack with green and yellow clothes

Green is the color of nature and can be combined in so many ways. When pairing green’s think outside the box. Try color combinations such as green and brown, chartreuse green and blue, and don’t forget the crispest of all, green and white. I hope these tips on how to style the green trend in your wardrobe will inspire you next time you look in your closet.

As always,

Spring Trends 2022 for Women Over 50

Spring Trends 2022 for Women Over 50

There are so many fashion trends this spring season. Some trends are worth embracing, some to avoid and then there are some that just need some tweaking to fit your personal style.

From all-over prints to crop tops and chunky sandals, fashion is limitless this spring. And while some spring trends might not be for me, that doesn’t mean they might not work for you. So I’ve put together a post narrowing it down to a few spring trends you can play around with.

There are four trends at play here. Let’s break them down.

Monochromatic colors are everywhere. If too much color is too much of a good thing, try white, it is everywhere this season.

Sonia in white blazer with black piping.

The blazer in all its iterations and colors is a staple for spring. In leather, satin, or cotton, they polish up a look and instantly make you look put together. Don’t be afraid to wear a satin blazer during the day.  This one is on sale, comes in black, and will live in your wardrobe for years to come.

Sonia in white pants and medium blue blazer.

Close up of Sonia's white pant - blue blazer outfit. The top is a crop-top!
Sonia with white pant suit with tropical crop top - only a peak of skin!

Another trend we are seeing is crop tops. The crop top doesn’t have to be off-limits. I got away with it by pairing it with well-fitting pants.

With this trend, a good fit is key. You don’t want anything that is too tight. Just a peek of skin is all you need to pull off this look.


Sonia posing in black dress with waist cut out.
Similar options: one | two | three

Another tricky but wearable trend is the cut-out. I love this trend, it’s daring and edgy. Tease them a little, show them your back!

Sonia walking away from camera with a blazer slung over her shoulder, revealing a cut-out back top.

The cut-outs trend is very popular this season, it’s everywhere, from tops and dresses to swimsuits. There is something for everyone, young and old! As a woman over 50, there’s no reason to shy away from this trend. The trick? A little bit of skin will do!

Sonia in maroon red cut out swimsuit with strappy neckline.
similar swimsuits here

Another popular spring trend is the all-over print. From dresses to suits, bold bright color prints are everywhere. The more the merrier!

Sonia in spring all-floral sleeveless jumpsuit and slip on yellow sandals.

Here is a look from 2020 that I’m digging back out. @lovechicosI could update this with the iconic white blazer

The PJ look is thankfully in this season and we have so many to choose from. Here are two looks from Zara that I wore in many ways.

Black pajama-look coordinates

Sonia, urban environment with high red platform heels, feather crop top, with white blazer and black pants. With red clutch.
Pants | Top | Similar platforms: 1, 2, 3, 4

Last but not least don’t be afraid to play around with feathers, platforms and color! Feathers, pops of saturated color and platforms are all spring trends you might want to incorporate into your outfits. A feather doesn’t have to be worn. It can be showcased in an accessory like this inexpensive bag.

This ostrich feather handbag from amazon is out of stock, but we found several similar handbags on Etsy. Try your favorite seller on Etsy for something similar.

Styles with 3 beautiful women of varying ages
Trends come and go but friendships are forever!

In the end, trends can be worn by just anyone. They do not have age limits. I see fashion as a way to express yourself. You should never let trends stop you!

Be bold and daring. Embrace the new and the classic, the young and the ageless.

As always,

Hotel Emma a Gem in San Antonio – Something for Everyone

Hotel Emma a Gem in San Antonio – Something for Everyone

Early morning at the hotel Emma

Packing light for any trip is always fun and challenging for me. How to be comfortable, chic, and ready for any occasion is a trick for most of us. I like a small footprint that packs a big bang! That’s always what I’m after.

Here this lightweight denim shirt suffices as a jacket for most occasions. This gorgeous Louis Vuitton luggage is from The Real Real.

For packing tips, check out my post here.

When you arrive at the Hotel Emma, you will be greeted by a lovely combination of old-world charm and excellent service. With 146 rooms and seven top-floor suites, the Hotel Emma is comfortable and unconventional, just the way I like it. This unique hotel represents a new standard of South Texas luxury!

There is beauty in every historical room in this hotel. Every day felt like an adventure!

From fantastic food to the unique history of the purveyors for everything, right down to the signature margarita glassware, (read their history here) the culture of the area is brought to light.

The lobby is just a glimpse of what lies within these walls. With new visual and sensual surprises around every corner, this hotel will keep you guessing!
I might pack light, especially where cosmetics are concerned but I always pack some nibbles to snack on.
Ready for our adventure? Our first stop was sea world. We had much fun watching the wales and it was my first time in ages going on a roller coaster ride. And there are tons to choose from!
There are times when it’s just fine to be a tourist and this is no exception. Between the river walk and The Alamo, it’s a great opportunity to teach the kiddos some history.

For authentic Mexican food, we chose the three generations strong restaurant in the heart of downtown Mi Tierra. I just know you won’t be disappointed!

Back home at the hotel, the library is a must-see for young and old alike. Acquired from the library of Sherry Kafka Wagner, a San Antonio icon, novelist, historian, Harvard Fellow, and cultural anthropologist.

This 3,700 books strong collection is housed in one of the Brewhouse’s vaulted rooms, which have been furnished with club chairs and lighting designed to seduce you into whiling away an afternoon with a good book. Browse to your heart’s content and check out books using the library’s vintage card system.

Of course, I couldn’t resist an editorial shot in this ultimate of spaces!

Hospitality is the watchword at Sternewirth, Hotel Emma’s tavern, and club room. A dramatic 25-foot vaulted ceiling soars over intimate groupings of sofas, easy chairs, and banquettes arranged to encourage conversation, celebration, and business deals. Enjoy a restorative cocktail, a notable wine, or sturdy craft beer. Come for the city bar authenticity, classic cocktails made without gimmicks and hearty small plates that satisfy your appetite for flavor and substance

Don’t miss the French restaurant called Mon Chou Chou right outside the door of the Hotel Emma.
So sad to be leaving, but we will be back to make this a yearly occasion!

As always,