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25 Positive Affirmations to Share with Your Younger Self

25 Positive Affirmations to Share with Your Younger Self

by | Aug 15, 2018 | Wellness

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Inspiring self-worth in our children is a mothers manifest destiny. The road of life is filled with unexpected twists and turns. This trip doesn’t come with a road map, it’s all word of mouth! It is our duty to share with our children these fundamental truths that can empower them to find their own true path. Please share your thoughts with your loved ones and we would love to hear from you too.

Inspired by a Facebook post, author unknown.

“Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light.”

-Yogi Bhajan

• It’s okay to cry when you’re hurt. It’s also okay to smash (some) things; but, wash your face, clean your mess, and get up off the floor when you’re done. You don’t belong down there.

Happiness is not a permanent state. Wholeness is. Don’t confuse these.

Be less sugar, more spice, and only as nice as you’re able to without compromising yourself.

Can’t isn’t a word.

If you’re going to curse, be clever. If you’re going to curse in public, know your audience.

Seek out the

people and places

that resonate with your

soul.

5-second rule. It’s just dirt.

There are worse things in a fast food cheeseburger.

Just because you can,

doesn’t mean you should.

Hold your heroes to a high standard.

Never

lie

to

yourself.

If you can’t smile with your eyes, don’t smile. Insincerity is nothing to aspire to.

Wish on stars and dandelions, then get to work to make them happen.

Your body.

your rules.

If you have an opinion, you better know why.

Ask for what you want. The worst thing they can say is no.

Fall in love often. Particularly with ideas, art, music, literature, food and far-off places.

Say Please, Thank You, and Pardon Me, whenever the situation warrants it.

Reserve “I’m sorry” for when you truly are.

Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Question everything, except your own intuition.

You have enough. You are enough.

You are amazing! Don’t let anyone ever make you feel you are not. If someone does….walk away. You deserve better.

No matter where you are, you can always come home.

Be happy and remember your roots, family is EVERYTHING.

No one will ever love

you more than I do.

Remember to follow your own advice and give yourself the hardest rule: Learn to let go and forgive. -Sat Nam

Inspired Posts from IG land

5 Investment Pieces Every Woman Should Have

5 Investment Pieces Every Woman Should Have

by | Aug 11, 2018 | Fashion

What’s better than a good deal? A good investment!

Here at Style Beyond Age, we love to keep our money where we can see it: In our closet! There’s nothing quite like treating yourself to a well earned (and researched) Splurge!  Whether it’s an iconic handbag or watch that you can pass down for generations or a beautiful pair of sunglasses that make you feel like a million bucks. The quality of one of these classic investment pieces can transcend seasons and trends. Start saving your pennies and doing your research ladies! Here are my top 5 Key pieces every woman should own.

The Iconic Handbag

Even if big ticket items are not your thing, I am sure that you have lusted after one of these Iconic Handbags. When it comes to investing in a luxury bag be sure that it is something you really love and educate yourself on which ones will retain their value like the Hermes Birkin which is estimated to go up in value by double in the next ten years!

Chose Classics that can be styled and appreciated in many ways.

Often times these bags get better with age so don’t shy away from retailors like the Real Real for gently used and pre-owned luxury items.  

Birkin 35 Smooth Satchel Bag, Black Pre-Owned $15,000

Chanel 2.55 Vintage $3,800

Ralph Lauren Soft Ricky Pre-Owned $1,025

Christian Dior 2017 Large Lady Dior Pre-Owned $3,400

Louis Vuitton Epi Marly MM Pre-Owned $1,725

The Shoe

Shoes are hands down my favorite thing to shop for! I love how they can literally and physically elevate your outfit instantly. And despite what size jeans I am wearing at the time I can always fit into my favorite pair of shoes! Your shoes are one of the first thing that gets noticed when you walk into a room so step out on the right foot!  Be sure to take them for a test drive before you buy! Take your time when you’re in the shoe salon and make sure you can WALK in them! I also recomend to take your new shoes to your shoe guy immediately and get a slip resistant pad on the bottoms before you go out on the town!  

Christian Louboutin So Kate 120 Suede $725

Chanel Tweed Espadrilles $725 

Saint Laurent Tribute Suede Platform Sandal $995

Valentino Rockstud T-Strap Pump $995

Jimmy Choo Anouk Suede Pump $650

The Coat

Another fabulous investment that will withstand the test of time is a great coat.

  • Look for quality: Check the labels and fabric content. Polyester will not keep you warm in the winter!
  • If at first you don’t succeed, try try again! It may take a few tries to find the right coat fit for you. Don’t get discouraged and don’t make any rushed purcahes!
  • Have enough room under the coat for your layers. Seems obvious but you’d be supprised how many designers forget this rule!

Burberry Double-Breasted Cashmere Trench Coat $2,895

Moncler Belted Quilted Shell Jacket $1,200

Belstaff Biker Jacket $1,500

Ralph Lauren Buffy Wool-Silk Tuxedo Jacket $2,650

Chanel Vintage Boucle Tweed Jacket $2,537

The Sunglasses

I know, I know! You’re probably rolling your eyes at this! Quality shades get a bad wrap. Who wants to spend the money on something you’re just going to throw in your purse? YOU DO. There is nothing like teaching responsibility, how to care and value your well-earned items than owning a pair of high end shades!

Saint Laurent Loulou Heart Sunglasses $498

Dior Inspired Cat Eye Sunglasses $750

Celine Black Square Sunglasses $400

Gucci Black Round Sunglasses $350

Saint Laurent Aviator Sunglasses $371

The Watch

Buying yourself a beautiful quality  timepiece is anything but instant gratification! Like investing in a luxury car, the resale value of fine watches depends on the make and model.

It is said that purchasing a vintage or previously owned watch is the best bang for your buck when you are purchasing a timepiece.

These vintage pieces continuously increase in value while some newer styles may depreciate upon leaving the jeweler. Here are the names in timepieces that you should look for.

Vacheron Constantin $488,828

Tag Heuer Carrera $3,045

Rolex Day Date Masterpiece $75,075

Cartier Must Tank Watch Vintage $1,432

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We could go on and on with this extravagant list but regardless of your budget , do your research and purchase the best quality you can afford and you will only have to buy it once.

Hiking Over 50

Hiking Over 50

by | Aug 8, 2018 | Wellness

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I have always loved the Wild.

Being out in nature; be it on the lake or in the mountains, is where I am able to feel grounded and at peace. Since moving to Montana, I have taken up nature exploration more than I was able to in West Texas. Montana is a land bursting with wonders that must be experienced. Between it’s National Parks and natural beauty there is a trail for experienced hikers and novices alike. There is very little else that gets you as closely in touch with nature and yourself as a hike in the woods. If you are in one of our National Parks or in your own back yard, the sights and sounds bring you back into peace.

Hiking is one of the greatest things that you can do for your mental and physical health.

Getting out there doesn’t require much in gear or expertise either. As a matter of fact you can take up this hobby with nothing more than the willingness to do so. And maybe a snack or two! Although “going on a hike” can sound a little daunting, it doesn’t have to be. It can be as simple as a jaunt around the neighborhood, exploring the “back 40” or a hike with your girlfriends on a nature trail.

Basically any time you are walking out in nature is a hike!

Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park

Be prepared before you go though. Pack a light knapsack before you head down the road less traveled with these easy essentials:

  • water
  • trail mix
  • your favorite sunblock
  • a powered up cell phone
  • camera
  • and don’t forget the bear spray!

Visiting a National Park; whether hiking or by car, is a transportive experience.

At the end of the day, you come to realize and appreciate that all you ever really needed was the connection with family and friends in nature.

Styled By Serena: 

If you’re going to go out and explore the trails you might as well look good doing it! It’s my personal (and professional) opinion that if you treat yourself to new exercise gear you are more than likely to show off those new sneakers or sports bra while you exercise!! Check out these looks and let me know what you think! 

Wildflowers off the beaten path 

Onzie Elastic Bra Top $45

Ultracor “Stealth Botanica” Bomber Jacket $275

Outdoor Voices Warmup Legging $75

New Balance Cayman Trail Running $55

Bodyism “I Am Calm” Sportsbra $74 On Sale

Outdoor Voices Crewneck Sweatshirt $60

Beyond Yoga Palomino High Waisted Legging $99

adidas Originals NMD_R1 $140

Athlete $46

Back Country Maloja Softjacket $99 On Sale 

Outdoor Voices Warmup Legging $75

APL Ascend Sneakers $200

Under Armour $30

Columbia Fleece-Linded Windbreaker Jacket $45 

REI Co-op Streetlowe Leggings $59

Nike Air Zoom Wildhorse $55

Top 5 Fall Fashion Trends for 2018

Top 5 Fall Fashion Trends for 2018

by | Aug 4, 2018 | Fashion

We may be in the full swing of Summer but it’s never too early to start prepping for your Fall wardrobe! With so many trends popping up at the blink of an eye, I’ve found the 5 strongest Fall Fashion Trends that you can start playing with NOW! Weather they are already in your archives or treasures yet to be found! These looks are so hot you’ll need to crank up your A.C., get cozy and take a peek at what we think you need to put in your shopping cart for Fall.

Frame Fall 2018

DVF Fall 2018

Cynthia Rowley Fall 2018

Johanna Ortiz Fall 2018

“I’ve always loved autumn. This is a kind of Indian summer, with all the leaves. It’s a beautiful mood.” Karl Lagerfeld

Animal Print

Animal print has been a long time favorite in our household! As a matter of fact, we still have pieces from when I was in high school hanging in the archives! Just goes to show you Quality over Quantity wins every time!

This fall we will see animal prints of all kind from leopard to zebra. I’ve always felt that a combination of leopard outerwear paired with bold color and print is a winning combination! I love this layered look from Alice & Olivia (note: the hoodie underneath) but if the floor length coat is too much for you I’ve found more options that will flatter your silhouette and wallet!

Shop Now:

Photo Cred Alice & Olivia Fall 2018

Kate Spade $245.90

Smythe $268

House of Harlow $218

River Island $150

Plaids & Checks

I love a play on plaids. You can mix and match all kinds if you keep the color story in the same tone and hue. Glenn Checks and Tartan Plaids always bring to mind classic menswear pairings like strong structured blazers and high waisted trousers. I personally love the strong lines of this long coat with the soft femininity of the metallic shirtdress. Have fun mixing and matching and maybe throw a little animal print in there!

Remember our 4 tips on mixing prints:

  1. Match COLORS not prints
  2. Simple prints and graphics are easiest to pair together
  3. Spread the print out throughout the outfit
  4. Don’t forget to break it up with a solid!

Shop Now:

Photo Cred Alice & Olivia Fall 2018

L’Agence $195

Lucy Paris $68

Gabriela Hearst $1076

Sacai $427

Tough Boots 

The 90’s called, they want you to pull out  your old combat boots! I love my dainty beautiful pumps just as much as the next girl. But what I really love is a shoe that I can run around in. I’ve been wise to this one for a bit now as the combat boot has been with us for sometime now. I love to mix the super tough with the ultra feminine.

The key to pulling off this look (and not going full on punk rock or goth) is to soften it up. Pair it with an unexpected plaid or floral and a feminine silhouette like this trumpet skirt from Alice & Olivia. Whatever you do, the look should feel effortless and not too “done”.  When in doubt it is all about proportion.

Shop Now:

Photo Cred Alice & Olivia Fall 2018

Marc Fisher $249

Frye $199

Barney New York $450

Stuart Weitzman $698

Scarves

Any way you tie it, we love a good scarf. If you are anything like me, scarves are another staple that I can never part with. I have tons of vintage scarves handed down to me from my Grandmother in addition to every single scarf I’ve ever bought. Luckily for us scarf hoarders, designers are taking inspiration from these little silk squares creating playful and fabulous dresses, outerwear and entire outfits!

Tie one on as  a headpiece, neckercherif or belt or TRY one of these playful separates now. There’s no getting around it, scarves and scarf prints are back and not going anywhere. I predict you’ll see lots of billowy silk scarf kaftans come Summer 2019.

Shop Now:

Photo Cred: DVF Fall 2018

Eliza J $158

KAS $149

Roberto Cavalli $2195

Chantel $98

Wild West

This one is my personal favorite. I’ve always been known to turn up the Western vibes any chance I get. My fashion was heavily influenced by my younger years spent in West Texas in the 80’s. I love how this trend has evolved and softened over the years.

You can pair your Western styled shirts with unexpected textures and prints. Think more Prairie Girl instead of Cowboy when you play with this look. Mix your sunwashed florals with denim and leather and do not forget the silver hardware!

Shop Now:

Photo Cred: Dsquared Fall 2018

Urban Outfitters $98

Sandro $265

Veronica Beard $395

Michael Kors $165

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How to choose a lipstick for your skin tone

How to choose a lipstick for your skin tone

by | Jul 31, 2018 | Skincare

Back in the good old days, I would buy myself a new lipstick as an inexpensive celebratory treat! A simple change of lipstick can change your look AND your mood! But if you’re like me, you have colors in your beauty bag that just don’t work. That’s most likely because the lipstick color does’t complement your skin tone. 

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To begin with, we should get down to finding out wether you have a cool or warm skin tone. Simply look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they look blue to you, you are cool skin tone and if they look green or yellow to you, you have warm skin tone. If they are blue AND green than you are a neutral.

Cool skin tones will look best with a blue undertone. A good example is the YSL color or the left which has a blue undertone while the other three have a more orange hue and better suited for warmer skin tones. I have warm skin tone. That YSL shade was a purchase gone wrong in my case!

This simple formula will work for choosing colors for your outfits as well. 

Cool skin tones look great in color with cool undertones like blues and lavenders and warm skin tones look healthy and radiant in warmer undertones.

If you can’t decided there are another ways to determine your tone. Does silver (cool) or gold (warm) look best on you? When you put a white sheet of paper next to your skin in clear daylight, does your skin look blue or yellow?

If you don’t see a difference you might be one of the fortunate one’s with a neutral tone. Lucky you! You can wear any color and look great!

Whatever you chose remember to have fun! If you are one of the adventurous ones who wants to try this seasons NEON trends report back! I’m dying to incorporate this summer beauty trend somehow!

x’s Sonia

DIY Natural Face Mask Recipe

DIY Natural Face Mask Recipe

by | Dec 30, 2019 | ,

There isn’t much that a face mask followed by a warm shower can´t solve; and this DIY natural face mask recipe is a good one. We´re in that limbo period between Christmas and New Year. There has been food, parties, dancing, and more food, and now it’s our chance to...

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Family Friendly Travel: Dallas Rockwall Hilton

Family Friendly Travel: Dallas Rockwall Hilton

by | Jul 28, 2018 | Travel

We spend a lot of time in Dallas. Between visiting the kids (and now our granddaughter) or escaping the Montana Winters, we like to find hotels that we can call home. We’ve stayed at ALL of the posh places in Dallas but the newly remodeled Hilton Dallas Rockwall Lakefront is our home away from home when we are visiting the family!
Our suite is expansive and just the ticket for us. Between a large living area, a bedroom with a comfortable king size bed, two balconies and 1 1/2 baths it gives us all the space we could possibly need for an extended stay. Here the view from our rooms . Oh.! Did I mention a little bar area with a fridge microwave and coffee set up?!
Working out is part of my routine and this area is large enough with TV and all the equipment you would need. Bonus, the door leading directly to the pool!
The menu at the pool will get you everything you want. From salads to pizza from cocktails to sparking water. There is also a lovely shallow end away from the crowd to play with your grandkids.
Relax and meet friends or work in the newly remodeled living area. Including computers and a printer. You have everything you need.
The dinning room, Heirloom Kitchen, offers a great selection. From a breakfast buffet to a la carte dining. I found everything I wanted for myself and my picky eaters!
A rainy evening and we are off to C&B Scene for a pre dinner cocktail. In my case one of their great selection of wines !
Just outside the door of the this wonderful hotel, the amenities abound. A sunset sail. @sailwithscott is a wonderful adventure. Many and varied restaurants, outdoor entertainment and music are just a short stroll away. If you want to drive. Downtown Dallas can be as close as 30 minutes or less.
Alas! It’s time to go. But stay tuned for the remodel of the hotel rooms to be finished by mid next year. I can’t wait to show you our newly improved suite, the space is fantastic and a modern look will be just the ticket. Can’t wait. See you again soon and thanks for that great Hilton Hospitality!!
Over Fifty Fashion on a Budget

Over Fifty Fashion on a Budget

by | Jul 25, 2018 | Fashion

Recently I took a trip to Dallas and decided to challenge myself.

In light of the fact that I have limited availability near my home in Montana and I had no time to shop on the Internet, I took myself to our local TJMaxx. I spent about 2 hours there and what I was able to put together might surprise you.

For a five day trip I was able to find everything I needed and packed it all in my carry-on.

From swimwear to an anniversary evening out, here are my finds.

The key to packing light is coordinating colors. In this case a choose navy, white and a pop of orange.

Starting with my travel outfit white jeans ( typically I avoid white when traveling for obvious reasons but it was 100 degrees in Dallas ) a colorful tank, a shawl and my sneakers. ( wear your biggest shoes if you are carry on only)

  • Joe’s Jeans from TJMaxx $69
  • Striped Scarf from  TJMaxx $18
  • Silk tank JCrew
  • Sneakers Reebok

 

 

 

 

A quick change of shoes and you are shopping at the Northpark Mall!

Here I am at Lilly Pulitzer!

It’s hot and we are headed to dinner. Sometimes you just don’t want any clothes to touch you. This dress is perfect for that time.

But first: COFFEE! Early morning coffee run!

  • Pants: TJMaxx $15
  • T-shirt: is a classic from Polo Ralph Lauren.
  • Satin Slides: Target $23

Find me by the water! Swimming is my favorite pastime. Taking selfies, not so much. (Busted with my selfie stick)

  • Swimsuit TJMaxx $30.
  • Hat: Eric Javits at Nordstrom $250

This was a well earned cocktail hour!

  • Dress: TJMaxx $25
  • Earrings: TJMax $10
  • Dior purse and strap: Major splurge

Hunting down lunch for Maggie, myself or both.

  • Dress: TJMaxx $30
  • Sweater: TJMaxx $49
  • Hat: Eric Javits $250
  • Sunglasses: RayBan $225
  • Satin slides: Target Style $23

No way around a workout. Might as well look good while doing it!

JoyLab for Target

  • Top: $23
  • Leggings: $35

Our trip to Dallas was a little bit business and little bit pleasure. This jumpsuit works for both moods. Watch me go to my business meeting in my $20 jumpsuit from, you guessed it, TJMAXX!

  • Jumpsuit: TJMaxx $20
  • Shawl: TJMaxx $15
  • Belt Vintage St.John
  • Shoes Steve Madden
  • Dior clutch There is that splurge again minus the strap

Fashion Hack: the lining was too long for me on this jumpsuit so I simply cut it up higher to make the look more balanced to my frame. Don’t let a little thing like lining stop you from this great find!

Mixing prints. The key to a print mix is color coordination and print size. One large one smaller. Same color pallet. Play around with it.

  • Top: TJMaxx $15
  • Shorts: TJMaxx $17
  • Hat: Eric Javits $250
  • Straw bag: Target style $28
  • Tote: Louis Vuitton

A happy wife leads to a happy life! I look pretty happy here on our 15th (maybe 16th) Anniversary dinner!!!

  • Jeans: Joe’s Jeans TJMaxx $60
  • Silk Cami: Polo Ralph Lauren
  • Kimono: TJMaxx $17 shopped in the ladies XXL section.
  • Shoes: Steve Madden
  • Pendant: My mother’s!
  • Clutch: I DIY’d it with the bling
  • Perfume: LeLabo musc25 which was a limited scent for Los Angeles

Well there it is! I packed an entire carry-on with some wonderful deals at TJMaxx and Target. Looking good is not so much about money as it is about thinking outside of the box and not shying away from places you might not readily frequent. Have fun with fashion. Invest in great accessories and look for hidden treasures.

Floatation Therapy

Floatation Therapy

by | Jun 27, 2018 | Wellness

Nothing to fear but fear itself. Unless you’re afraid of small, dark, enclosed spaces. Don’t be! 

While it seems mysteriously intriguing, and to some of my friends even scary or intimating, floating can actually be quite fabulous.

Float therapy is unique, and in my opinion, a very relaxing form of meditation. The sessions are either 60 or 90 minutes. A combination of hydrogen peroxide and Epsom salt keep you totally afloat, so you can rest and let your mind drift away.

Flotation Therapy is said to improve Memory and Concentration. It stimulates creative thinking & problem-solving. And in many cases, it creates extra energy. And in my case, I slept like a baby!

Of course, I needed evidence…

for those of you who doubted my commitment to the work of wellness at hand. (No chickening out).

For those of you who have never done this, here is my advice. Embrace your positivity! Bring a joyful mind and a meditative spirit. It can be challenging to quiet the mind or to stay positive. Floating is the ultimate opportunity to do both.

If you want to know what I mean by this, read my blog, “The Universe Has No Sense of Humor.”

What are bio-identical hormones anyway?

What are bio-identical hormones anyway?

by | Jun 20, 2018 | Wellness

Feeling At My Very Best!

I first heard about bio-identical hormones through Suzanne Somers. Then Oprah got in the act! And they're still both right. Bio-identical hormones have significantly improved every aspect of my life.

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU READ OR HEARD ABOUT HORMONES IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS??

Maybe you have a special interest in hormones because of your age or another reason? Well, I am here to tell you that the media lumps all HORMONES into one big basket. All HORMONES are NOT created equal.

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF HORMONES.

Bio-identical hormones are one type and synthetic hormones are the other type. Let’s talk about the synthetic hormones first. Synthetic hormones are hormones that are made in a lab from either chemicals or even animal (horse) hormones. These fake hormones are put into pills, injections, creams and patches for human use. Birth control pills, Premarin/Provera, Estrace, Ogen, FemHrt, etc..are some examples of synthetic hormones. These synthetic hormones are NOT a perfect match for a woman’s hormones but hormone starved body sometimes thinks “close enough”.

On Top of the World, my weekend warrior, Dr. Jennifer Hawes,

Synthetic hormones are what almost 99% of all media is talking about especially when the article speaks of the dangers of hormones and hormone replacement. There are several studies that prove negative side effects of synthetic hormones. Doctors still prescribe them and folks still take them. WHY? I think it is because perhaps neither the doctor nor the patient knows of any alternative to synthetics. If you were sleep deprived from hot flashes you might not care what you are putting in your body!

Now let’s talk about bio-identical hormones. These hormones are from plant sources. They are tinkered with in a lab to make them active (you can’t just eat the plant and get active hormone) and then humans can use as a hormone replacer. They can be combined to form the perfect hormone regime for you…creams, gels, sublinguals, lozenges, or capsules. Bio-identicals are termed this because they are a perfect match for human hormones. Under a microscope, one could not tell the difference between plant hormone or human hormone! Doesn’t it make so much more sense to put a perfect match in our bodies? I wouldn’t choose horse estrogen when I could get a perfect human match. In theory, the bio-identicals get into far less trouble than something that looks different to our bodies hormone receptors. Are there studies saying the bio-identicals are safe? Yes, there are studies (mostly out of Europe) on each component of a hormone compound and the studies are anything BUT negative. There probably will never be a study in the USA on bio-identicals because they are non-patentable and customizable. There is NO money in a non-patentable drug. No money equals no study. The other reason they will not be studied in a huge study is that bio-identical hormones are mixed per patient and individualized per symptoms/lab tests.

You can’t put 30,000 women on the same exact mix of hormones…doesn’t that make sense too? So when a woman comes to see me with some hormonal issues, I first listen to her story and symptoms. I take in to account family history, personal history, and of course, lab testing for hormone levels. Then I may try to come up with a recipe of hormones just for her. The mix may contain estriol, estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, DHEA, or even cortisol. We might do a cream or sublingual drop…the patient gets to pick.

There are many benefits to natural hormone replacement. If you can convince your brain you are 35-40 versus 50-60, you are turning back the biological clock. One heals better, feels better, looks better, and IS better. Antiaging benefits are undeniable. So if you want to live a full, active life with a healthy body, consider hormones! There are medical benefits as well. Your brain and heart health are enhanced. Also, your bones appreciate the hormonal boost.

BIO: Dr.Jennifer Hawes was born and raised on a farm/ranch near Shelby. After medical school in Seattle, she hung up her shingle in the Flathead Valley and has practiced there for 18 years. Her philosophy is what separates her from conventional medicine practitioners: treat with natural things first and whenever possible but understand sometimes pharmaceuticals are required and necessary. Dr.Hawes uses cutting edge testing methods and treats with bioidentical hormones, nutrition, supplements, and much more.

Follow Dr. Jen on her Facebook Page