Summer Whites

As we wind down with the second half of summer I felt like it was the perfect time to pull out some of my favorite white pieces. Being from the south, classic white cotton eyelet lace is a practical and pretty textile that’s easy to keep clean. Throw the item in the washer and line dry for the best results. White cotton pieces are worn time and time again throughout the years and my go to for getting dressed quickly. I’ve rounded up a ton of pieces below for you to shop ranging from high end to Amazon finds under $20. Whatever your budget is you can find quality pieces in your budget.

Sweet Summer Moments

I believe there are seasons for everything in life. I mentioned in my post last week on listening to your inner voice how I needed to take time to enjoy the things I’ve worked hard for over this past year. After a season of grinding every day from early morning until my head hit the pillow my body was telling me to get more rest. I started incorporating more quiet time, regular massages to work out stress knots in my body, and sleep to help combat the pressure. As the days began to get longer I noticed I also shifted in my sleep schedule. I awoke a little later and went to bed later. Instead of fighting this, I decided it was time to breathe it all in and just go with it. You see, as much as goals are incredibly important so is joy. Without joy, we cannot experience the fruit of our rewards. Savoring the sweetness of summer has never been so vital for me in the past. But here we are and I’m embracing this season. Time is precious and you cannot relive moments.

Listen To Your Inner Voice

Are you one of those people that gets a strong sense of direction in the pit of your stomach? Like there’s something inside of you urging you to move one way or another? I am that person. I’ve always had a strong intuition but growing up and into my early adulthood, I didn’t always pay attention to it. In fact, sometimes I would rationalize against it. As I’ve aged (hello 35 almost 36) I’ve learned to trust that inner voice. The inner voice doesn’t steer me wrong. In fact, every time I’ve gone against it I’ve later regretted it. I believe intuition is just as important as what our minds can come up with. I find humans rationalize emotional and illogical choices to justify doing them. I also find that we lead so often with our heads and not our hearts.

Small Town Charm: Fairhope, Alabama

On my way home from my travels this week to the Florida coast I made it a point to take a short detour through Fairhope, Alabama. It’s a coastal city about half an hour South from Mobile, AL and an hour from Pensacola, Florida. The city has so much charm it felt like I was instantly transported to a little European town. From lovely boutiques to patios covered in flowers there’s no dull corner as you make your way through the streets of their small downtown area. The city dates back to late 1800’s when a group of popular reformists decided to create a southern utopia. The city was built for creative and free thinking people. Around 1908 the city was established with about 500 people.

Three Swimwear Looks I Recently Ordered

Are you a summer baby? I am! I live for the long days, pool and beachwear, delicious in-season fruits, and lightning bugs in the late evenings. I could live all day every day in a swimsuit and couldn’t wait for this year’s summer season especially after the Texas snowstorm we had. I have an upcoming trip to Florida and decided to pick up a few new swimsuits and coverups for the occasion. I grabbed a bright grass green and white one for a more classic look and the cutest red scalloped trim for a glam look. I also grabbed this adorable striped beach umbrella I can’t wait to use! Shop all three outfits below from Amazon for your next trip. What’s your favorite look - green, white or red?

Fashion, Style, TravelCrystal LowyJune 15, 2021Swimsuit, Swim, Swimwear, Summer Style, Vacation Style, Vacation, Pool, BeachComment

An Afternoon Spread to Remember

Many of us wait for the big things in life - weddings, school dances, new jobs, or moving to feel the excitement. This past year taught me so much about learning to appreciate everyday moments. Last weekend my daughter and I decided to do just that. We decided to have a spread like none other to celebrate absolutely nothing. Grabbing a variety of non-dairy cheeses, gluten-free crackers, dark sea salt caramel chocolates, fruits and olives paired with the most delicious sparkling cider and non-alcoholic wine to create the best snack ever (those were her words).

Why You Need a Nap Dress

Confession - I saw this nap dress when it launched a while back and I wish I had bought it sooner. Hill House Home has created capsule collections in limited batches of the softest most coziest nap dresses. So what is a nap dress? It’s a lightweight cotton dress than can easily transition from night to day worn as both a nightgown and day dress. After getting this pink and white version a few weeks ago I fell in love and ended up getting two more. The swiss dot pattern of this slightly sheer dress makes it both feminine and whimsical. I plan to wear this over the summer as a swimsuit cover up, a day dress for working around the house and add a belt and wedges to take myself to dinner. The pink and white stripe is not sheer at all, but the white version I’d recommend adding a slip underneath if you are wearing out.

Fitness is a Mindset

I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase before but MINDSET IS EVERYTHING. Whether you think you can or can’t, you are right. I wish I could tell my younger self this. The mind is so powerful and when you are on a fitness journey it will take a mental push to hit your goals. A few months ago I began running. For the first time in my life at age 35 I decided to start and just work my way up to 30 minutes. Each day I showed up and just did it. I pushed myself a little harder and a little harder by adding a minute or two on. Before I knew it I was at two and three miles. A month later I decided to begin training for a 10k.

Sweet Spring Picnic

As a work from home momma who also does distance learning with her kiddo, I have to tell you getting an afternoon to refill my cup is always appreciated! I love taking time to have a slower day on the weekends when my daughter visits other family. Lounging outdoors on a blanket with a picnic is seriously the best reward for a long week of hard work. Texas is just incredible during the Spring with perfect temperatures and wildflowers blooming all over the place. I couldn’t help but take advantage of the day by going to the park and reading a little Emerson for the afternoon.

How to Wear Athleisure Without Looking Frumpy

Ever since the pandemic hit, athleisure has made it’s way into my regular everyday wardrobe. As more and more places are opening up we are all itching to get out of our homes. Although I still practice social distancing, I do find myself getting into “real clothes” these days. Matching sets, rugby shirts, pastel hued yoga pants, baseball caps and other athleisure items are at the top of my list when I get dressed in the mornings. Even on web calls, you’ll oftentimes find me wearing yoga pants. I like to be put together and comfy. Today I’m sharing a few tips for wearing athleisure without looking frumpy!

Fashion, How To, Style, Shopping, Petite StyleCrystal LowyApril 23, 2021Style 30, How To, Athleisure, Style Tips, Stripes, Puma, Yoga Pants, Spring Style, Lavender, casual, Casual StyleComment

The One Beauty Item I Never Leave Home Without

Confession: I’m a total outdoors gal. You might not expect me to say that being how much I love getting dolled up, but when I’m in nature I’m at home. From sunny days to trips to the beach to aggressive hikes in the mountains… I love it all. When given the option to work out at the gym or outdoors, you’ll find me jogging outside any day. Being that I love time outdoors means a lot of exposure to the sun. With the sun comes wrinkles if I leave my skin unprotected. These days more than ever I find myself being diligent about taking care of my skin and wearing a product with SPF daily is now built into my morning routine.

Mother's Day Beauty Products She'll Love

Mother’s Day is about a month away and I’ve already begun bookmarking a few items for my own momma. Online shopping has completely shifted my time lines for purchasing items. I start looking much earlier than I used to so I can have things ordered in time of the next holiday. Spring is a the perfect time to stock up on beauty favorites for myself and for mom with the heat coming in a few weeks. As the weather warms up I constantly reach for things like moisturizing and brightening products to give my skin a beautiful glow. Giving the gift of beauty products to pamper her makes any woman feel like a million bucks. Here are my top picks for Mother’s Day!

Blue Jean Baby

Since places are opening back up I find myself reaching for something besides a house dress or yoga pants. Enter - vintage fit jeans and this pair has been my favorite pair for almost two years now. They have the perfect high waist and relaxed fit without looking frumpy. I love the bottom and how it almost flares out without looking drastic! If you are in need of a good pair of jeans that never go out of style you need Madewell in your life. I love this sustainable company with high quality materials and craftsmanship.

Two Years Without A Drink

This week marks another milestone in my life. Two years ago I gave up alcohol. After a series of panic attacks, feeling a lack of purpose, and ultimately needing peace in my life I made the decision to give up alcohol completely. Today I’m sharing the why, what I had to do to fulfill this decision and how it improved every other area of my life. It was also the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Harder than birth, harder that failure, harder than any job I’ve taken. Yet day by day I made it. Two years is 730 days, 1 million minutes and over 67 million seconds. Essentially I made the same decision over an over each day that went by to get to where I am today. Life still throws me curve balls, but it’s manageable now. Before it was not manageable. It was not enjoyable or peaceful - I was miserable. I want to preface sharing my story that I am not suggesting whether someone should drink or shouldn’t - that is a decision that has to be made on your own. I am suggesting though if you are struggling to find joy and purpose to take a long hard look at what you are doing daily and decide if you want to keep doing it.

An Afternoon of Unwinding to Get Your Glow Back

If you are currently feeling constant pressure, it’s time to put a boundary in your life for you. You have to refill your cup before you can fill others. You have to slow down, get rest, read books for fun, put your thoughts on paper, practice good skincare and treat yourself to a day for you. You may be sitting here reading this and think, I wouldn’t even know what to do with myself if I had a day. Start small, carve out time for you to take a bath each night after kids go to bed. Get up a little bit earlier so you can read a book that puts you in a good mental place. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy… so give yourself a little play time. You’ll be able to take care of your responsibilities with a renewed sense of energy and focus. You’ll be able to love on your family better and you’ll be able to recognize when something isn’t a healthy choice in your life. Go ahead and treat yo’self!

Escape to Nature

The past six weeks of my life have been filled with mostly work and taking care of my daughter. Sometimes it’s necessary to grind when you have a big goal you are going after. I’m currently working on saving enough money to purchase a home in cash and that requires a daily focus unlike anything I’ve ever done before. This week my energy was all around low. I was going to bed tired, awaking tired, and feeling tired most days. I knew right then it was time to break away from work and business building and escape to nature for a little renewal of the soul. I grabbed my dog, a few snacks, a thermos of iced coffee and set out to hit up one of our national parks. When I arrived, I was greeted with underbrush fires and immediately decided to turn around and find something else I could visit that was a safer situation. Washington-on-the-Brazos was the perfect location. It’s a beautiful 3.5 mile trek on our state’s birthplace. The perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

The Magic of Reading

Since I was a little girl books provided me an escape. We moved a lot growing up because my dad was in the military and spent tons of time in transit. I remember being six years old and when we arrived in Germany we had three tv channels that spoke English. Similarly when I was in High School we moved to Asia and there was limited tv. My sister and I grew up playing countless hours of board games and dolls together but when we were exhausted from that I would sneak of to my room and pull out a good book. Hard back binding and crisp pages with printed lettering took me away from the concrete walls of military housing and provided an outlet for my imagination. To this day, whenever I feel lost or down I pull out my favorite books and am instantly transported out of my current environment.

How to Bundle Up for the Cold When You Live in the South

Hopefully we will be back to warmer weather here soon, but as I see the forecast constantly fluctuate - having a few items that add extra warmth seems pretty wise these days. Here are few tips for layering in the cold weather when you are living in the South!

Live Your Best Life Now

After having several conversations this past week with various friends I realized there is a common theme in our speech these days - when Covid is over, when the weather gets better, when it’s back to normal… I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said this myself. The truth of the matter is that we don’t know when or if the world is going to go back to normal. In fact, we may need to accept the fact that it may never go back to normal. The world may forever be impacted by these changes and we have to be willing to pivot to the new life. Mental health issues are on the rise and I believe the longer we allow this impact to affect us, the harder its going to get. I believe we can live our best life now, not tomorrow, not next week, not next year - the power is in NOW.

Spring Accessory and Fashion Forecast

Spring is about a month away and I’m itching for this time of year. I love the color of the flowers that bloom and come out of hiding after a barren bleak Winter. As we move into the transition between Spring and Winter I try to refresh my closet with a few new added pieces. This season I’m adding touches of woven raffia (like the slides from Wal-mart featured here) and patchwork (this skirt is a total steal from Amazon). As I look to high end designers like Zimmerman, Etro and LoveShackFancy I see their inventory is flooded with mix and match prints. I love taking inspiration from luxury fashion and incorporating those themes into a budget friendly wardrobe.

Petite Style, Lifestyle, Style, Vintage, Fashion, How To, ShoppingCrystal LowyFebruary 8, 2021Spring Style, Skirts, Patchwork, Style 30, Pink, Country, Countryside, Aggieland, Texas Style, Texas, Tory BurchComment