I get a lot of comments on my skin. I am sure that you can agree, being preventative and consistent with a skincare regime has paved the way for my skincare success. Here’s what’s on my bathroom counter, my favorite products from $2 to $200.
I have got to be honest with you. I’m a bit of an introvert. I like small intimate settings with close friends, conversation and a nice meal. It’s not very often that you’ll find me hamming it up on the dancefloor or introducing myself to ladies that I don’t know. But you know what? You can teach an old dog new tricks!
Last month Serena and I had the privilege of meeting some of the amazing women of Catherine Grace O’Connell’s “Forever Fierce” movement at FierceCon in Redondo Beach, California. The panel of speakers was top notch; to hear other women share their stories of reinvention and creative inspiration was truly inspiring. Not only did I get out of my comfort zone but I connected with fellow entrepreneurs and made new friends!
Wendy Packer of Fashion Over 50 & Patricia Rubel of The Patrish Pages
Serena and I with Tamara Batsell of TB Style Works from Dallas, Texas
We forget how important the simple act of connection is.
Serena and I maximized our time together and had a jam-packed schedule after the conference. We had meeting after meeting after photoshoot. Every day there was a new face and new experience. You may think that by the end of my week-long trip I was ready for a vacation, but honestly, I came home renewed. Having all of these new experiences and meeting so many new friends made me wonder: What are the other health benefits of talking to strangers?
Photographer Juhn Kwon and model/muse Ania Spiering
We forget that common language is always art and beauty.
Luckily for me, my friends at Kuel Life Magazine wondered the same thing. Here are 4 health benefits that might convince you to step out of your comfort zone and maybe say hello to someone you don’t know!
This post is in collaboration with Kuel Life Magazine. Check out Kuel Life and their inspiring magazine here.
Ponchos and shawls make an effortless transition into colder seasons and this lightweight collection from Lotta Stennson is no exception. They make wonderful layering pieces, or on their own as Hope Kauffman has captured here at my home in Montana. Lotta Stensson is one of our favorite collaborators. Serena and I have been champions of her work for years. When we were preparing for our multigenerational photoshoot I knew that I wanted to include pieces from Lotta’s Fall/Winter line of featherweight wool ponchos. I wanted to showcase her work in alignment with women of varying ages to show the natural beauty that we all encapsulate when we are comfortable in our skin. You may remember Lotta’s kaftans from earlier this year when we went on our Girl’s Trip to the Grand Cayman Islands. If you missed it you can check it out here.
We are fortunate enough to live in Flathead County, Montana home of Glacier National Park. Or what we refer to as “the Crown of the Continent”. Sitting on top of “The Backbone of the World” the park encompasses 1million acres including two mountain ranges, over 130 lakes and wildlife around every corner. Here you can see at least 25 glaciers and hike over 745 miles of trails. Fall has arrived in Glacier and we couldn’t resist a drive down the beautiful and colorful “Going to the Sun Road” which runs 52-miles along the Continental Divide.
Experiencing the incredible vistas and massive landscape, you can truly feel and appreciate why Glacier National Park is known as an International Peace Park. Enjoy the view…
The Little Red Bus is Iconic in the park.
The fleet of 33 buses is widely considered to be the oldest touring fleet of vehicles anywhere in the world! The buses take you to all of the main attractions in the Park. Since the views in Glacier are vertically oriented (with its very high mountain peaks) the roll-back tops are perfect to get the full majestic views of the Big Sky.
Lake McDonald
I’m a sucker for unique lighting. Here at McDonald Lodge you can curl up in front of their lifesize fireplace, sip on a hot chocolate and enjoy the view of majestic Lake McDonald.
With over 300 Grizzly Bears known to live in the park, this is about as close as you should get one!
Flathead River
You’ll drive by 10 miles of Lake McDonald before you start the climb to Logan Pass.
It’s fall so we already have snow on the mountains!
If you have the time, don’t miss Many Lakes. You leave the park on the East side and re-enter into Many Lakes. The road is a little rough but worth it. I’ve had the most grizzly bear sightings at Many Lakes when I’ve visited.
Swiftcurrent Lake and Grinnell Point have always been my view from the Many Glacier Hotel. Built in 1914 by The Great Northern Railway this beautiful lodge was commissioned to open the park to visitors and establish the area as the “American Alps”
Incredibly what took a year to build in 1914 took but a few hours to demolish in the Sprague Fire of 2017. The loss of the 104-year-old Sperry Chalet is a shock to all of us who loved it. We are heartbroken.
Safe travels to all.
There’s a trend happening in fashion right now that is throwing it back to the good ol days of Power Dressing with a hint of Dynasty. It is put-together, polished, Ladylike and I love it! Dressing for the job you want (hello, CEO of your life) has never looked so good. Now is the perfect time to look through your closet for those “quirky” items you couldn’t part with and pair it with your favorite corporate separates.
Every outfit needs a good statement piece or in this case the more, the merrier! I paired this gorgeous silk printed blouse with my favorite things of the moment! Mom’s alligator bag, an 80’s inspired chain belt (I mean, WOW!) and my favorite leopard Kate Spade pumps.
I bought these pants over a decade ago at Intermix in Dallas. Serena and I have always been huge proponents of anything animal print and fell in love with the color of these pants. How could I ever let go of such a statement piece? They have a great 90’s bootleg that works so well with my Forever21 boots that seem to go with everything! I have always loved the structure of a blazer paired with an unexpected rock tee.
This suit feels so 70’s disco to me! I love the dichotomy of the oversized pants with a cropped printed top.
Polish up your statement tunic by belting it for a strong Lady Boss Look!
Top: Zara Belt: Vintage Celine Pants: Marc Jacobs Purse: Chanel
Have you noticed that animal prints have a way of coming in and out of fashion throughout the seasons? One year they’re hot and the next year they’re not? Luckily for us, the fashion industry loves a good comeback! This is the year to dust off your old favorite animal print coat (in my case it is this Leopard one that I scored from TJMaxx for $30!) and try them in fresh and unexpected ways!
Pair it with your boyfriend Jeans and a vintage scarf
You don’t have a leopard coat you say? Our resident stylist Serena recommends 6 coats that won’t break the bank!
Combining colors, pattern and texture are one of my favorite things to do when I’m planning a “look.” It’s all about proportion, texture, and hue. Follow these three steps for a winning combo every time!
Purse: Vintage
I had no idea why I had been holding on to this purse for so long. By that, I mean 20 years or so. Neon or Lime? How long has it been since this color was in?
Choose the main pattern and work around it! In my case, my Zara scarf print skirt paired Leopard pumps. I’ve always thought that leopard was neutral and can go with anything if you have the right attitude.
Pick up on a color that is predominant on your print and pair it with something off the wall. I chose my favorite Kate Spade Leopard pumps with red heels that go back to my scarf print skirt.
This trend explosion is brought to you by BRIGHT COLORS. Work with colors that are complementary. In this case, Red & Green are complementary colors. The fact that they share the same vivid brightness is what makes it work together. Think about hue and tone when matching colors.
Home Away From Home: Hotel Palacio del Retiro
Hoping one of these fats will replace a hotel one day…
Street scenes: Madrid graffiti style
Fashion in the stores
Create your own fashion. No not the shoes. The bespoke dress.
Or you can create your own fashion. ( no not those white shoes of course). The bespoke dress I’m having made with these fabrics.
Eating well is a tradition and extended meals with friends is expected. Here are two of my favorites.
Horcher a few blocks from our hotel established in 1904 and still going strong. One of my favorites.
El Lago de Sanabria Restaurant in the Salamanca district. There is great shopping as well as dining in this neighborhood!
Lunch at Restaurante Viridiana No dinner needed
Churros and chocolate at the hotel or just….
Stay in your room and plan your next day
Leave your hotel for a morning walk you can easily visit the parks and Puerta de Alcala Walking the streets makes all that fine dining worth it
Iconic Puerta de Alcala
Parque del Retiro
Beautiful buildings are everywhere!
Room with a view
Take time for yourself and don’t forget to send postcards. They are quite unexpected nowadays. I hope you have enjoyed this mini tour. I loved sharing it with you! Ciao, June
The one minute plank will make you stronger in every part of your body.
Don’t worry too much about how you start it or how long you can keep it. Just do it!
If you can’t do a full plank start on your forearms and knees, hold it as long as you can and try to add a bit at a time.
You will be shocked how soon you start getting stronger.
We’ve teamed up with the Cool Editors of the online magazine Kuel Life to give us the 411 on this fitness phenome.
We keep hearing about the importance of weight bearing exercises, in particular, as we age. The popularity of bodyweight exercises is rapidly gaining. Why, you might wonder? There is practicality and ease in using what you already own and carry around with you, YOU!
Maintaining a strong and healthy core is essential. These series of muscles are located in your midsection, and are used almost every time you MOVE. Core muscles aid the transfer of force from one limb to another. They provide assistance to the muscles in your legs and arms. In effect, having a solid strong core yields big improvements in your ability to move and keep moving.
Not to take a backseat in importance, your abdominal muscles (part of your core) support your back and spinal column. Taking time to strengthen this set of muscles advances overall back health. I don’t know about all of you Kuel Women out there, but I personally know several people of a ‘certain age’ that struggle with chronic back pain.
Enter Planks! Planks are one of the most effective exercises out there. First, they don’t take much time. Ever try to plank for ten or twenty minutes? Second, they don’t take much room. All you need is a bit of floor space.
Even if you start at 15 seconds a pop, who cares? If you manage three times over the course of the day; you’ve planked for 45 seconds. Every few days you can add five or ten seconds; ideally getting to a minute. Let me re-iterate…WHO CARES how long this may take. What’s critical here is that you are doing SOMETHING to improve the stability of your body and your overall health.
What should you expect if you start planking everyday.
Planks engage all major core muscle groups including the transverse abdominus, the rectus abdominus, the external oblique muscle, and the glutes. If you strengthen these muscle groups you will notice:
When done properly, planking requires minimal movement and contracts all the layers of the abdominal fascia – thereby strengthening your core. A stronger core yields a healthier, pain-free back.
Good posture allows muscles to work more efficiently. You can prevent muscle fatigue and strain when your back and spine are in alignment. Issues related to overuse or back pain can be reduced. And, let’s face it you look BETTER and more confident when you stand up straight.
Strong abdominal muscles are needed to gracefully stand on one leg for an extended period of time. While it may seem silly; why do you need to stand on one leg? Don’t most of us have two? It’s not the actual act of standing on one leg that is important; that’s just the test of our balance. Balance is important for walking and going up and down the stairs. Activities we ‘take for granted’. Maintaining good balance as we age helps keep us vertical. Falling is a bad idea.
Flexibility is required to easily perform everyday activities. Activities such as; getting out of bed, lifting grocery bags, and reaching down to pick something up off the floor all require a degree of flexibility. Sadly, most of us lose flexibility as we age. I know personally the days of splits are behind me. Planking expands and stretches your shoulders, shoulder blades, hamstrings, toes and arches of your feet, helping maintain added flexibility.
Sold on PLANKING EVERYDAY?
Are you planking yet? We would love to how your progress is going!
Sonia
With the transition of Fall in the air I have switched my closet over from Spring/Summer to Fall/Winter last week with the help of our Fall Fashion Guide. I know trends can be touchy but it is my opinion that the trends that float in and out of Fashion every year are here to inspire us to look at what is already available and create new looks through fresh eyes. Here are some of the treasures that I found in my closet that I plan on carrying over to the new season. What will you be wearing?
Print blouse. High rise Marc Jacob wool slacks. Chain belt. Leopard print shoes and bag.
White House Black Market Tuxedo Jacket. Silk Palazzo Pants. Animal Print crop top. Again the white Booties.
Blue velvet yoked cowboy shirt. Fringed scarf. White Booties.
Silk Cami with ostrich feathers. Zara plaid skirt I lengthened with ostrich feathers. Black sock Booties. Prada bag.
Animal print bell bottom pants purchased at least 18 years ago at Intermix. Black silk blouse. White boots.
Oversized white sweater. Ralph Lauren plaid silk dress. White Booties.
Equestrian print jersey dress. Green sweater. Of the moment neon bag. I have matching high heel sandals too! Now I know why I kept that set 🙀.
