Isn’t there something magical about sitting down at a beautiful table? Each season I set our table with a different theme. You can scroll back to this post for a Autumn Inspired table for this week’s Thanksgiving preparations or this previous post where I show you how to come up with a theme! But tablescapes are a fun and easy way to add a little decor to your home. This year, we’ve been pulling out all of the soft green, white and pinks for our holiday decorations. I decided to carry the same color scheme I use all year round and just add a few touches that are winter themed to our living and dining room. Little bottle brush trees are scattered throughout the place (37 in total) and a few containers filled with ornaments add so much sweetness to the area this year. Since we are spending more time here than usual I decided to make the space feel warm and inviting.

What to Get Him for Christmas

Gifting a man can be a challenge. I’ve rounded up a few winners to give you ideas and inspiration. From the difficult to buy to the outdoors kind of guy here’s a bunch of options perfect for him. Most of the gifts are under $200 but I threw in a few luxury items and tech items for someone extra special. I highly recommend if you are in doubt gift socks, a belt or a wallet. Most guys do not regularly pick up these items and they are usually pretty worn by the end of the year. Also, since face masks are a necessity these days I’d recommend throwing those on the list as well.

Shopping, HolidayCrystal LowyNovember 23, 2020christmas, Gift Guide, Men's Gifts, Gifting, Gifts, holiday styleComment

Restoring Yourself in Nature This Season

Let’s go ahead and just start with how this post can benefit everyone. I mean EVERYONE right now. Whether you want to admit it or not COVID-19 forever changed us and being stuck inside all the time is rough. Currently, I work from home and homeschool my child with virtual learning. By the end of the week my routines feel monotonous and I have an itch to go explore. For most of this past year I’ve taken day trips to surrounding areas like antique shopping or exploring near by honey and lavender farms. Every time I get a chance to leave I come back feeling renewed. I gain inspiration that carries me through the coming days and weeks. My soul literally feels more joy. Last weekend my daughter and I took a trip to Cedar Park on the north side of Austin. Our activities included being mostly outside and socially distant. At the end of the weekend she said this hike in St. Edwards Park was the best thing we did. Whether you face nature alone or take your loved ones, getting a little lost in nature is often times the refresher we all need to get us through the stressful times.

The Sweater Gift Guide

I’m a fan of all things made for sweater weather. There’s something so cozy about slipping one on the first crisp cool day of the season. Sweaters are one of the perfect gift for all ages in all climates. You can wear one layered under a warm jacket in the Winter or throw on a cardigan over a tank top in the Summer. For cool nights they are nice to drape over the shoulders and there’s just nothing better than reaching for one at the beginning of Fall. I absolutely adore other things made of sweater knits like pants, dresses and even throw pillows around the home for the cozy months. Today I’ve rounded up sweaters for the entire family perfect to gift this season!

Shopping, Style, Holiday, fashionCrystal LowyNovember 18, 2020fall stye, gifts, gift guide, christmas, holiday, holiday style, sweater, style 28Comment

The Butterfly Garden

Yesterday I shared a little about our girl’s weekend trip to Austin and the incredible sunset we saw from Mt. Bonnell. The week has been full of so many magical memories and on the way here my daughter asked if we could go to a butterfly place. With all of Austin’s wildlife I figured there had to be one. I did a quick search and sure enough a few places popped up including this one. We arose yesterday morning for a quick breakfast stop at The Original Pancake House and since we were about a 15 minute minute drive away from the garden decided to add it to our itinerary for the day. It was definitely worth it! It’s also located by a food truck park and Mueller Lake Park so lots to do in the area!

Creamy Skies on an Autumn Evening

One of the best views in the city is Mt. Bonnell. You can climb up in about a five minute walk to get a breathtaking view of the entire city. I’ve share about this location before during sunrise and sunset is just as beautiful. Because the view sits on the 360 loop it’s a beautiful sunset drive up there! Highly recommend to do if you are looking to visit Austin. We dressed up for dinner and then made the walk up for a brief glimpse of sunset. It was amazing and she told me she wanted to just sit and enjoy this because we don’t get to see it every day.

Holiday Style in the South

Being located in Texas means our holiday season doesn’t stay cold for very long. Our temperatures are ranging from 50’s to 80’s right now and so pulling out tons of Winter layers isn’t the most practical. As Christmas and the holidays are quickly approaching I like dressing in festive textures with sequins and sparkles and I love incorporating reds and greens during this time. Here are a few ways to incorporate more holiday styles into a southern wardrobe while the weather is still feeling like Spring and Summer.

Fashion, Holiday, StyleCrystal LowyNovember 11, 2020Downtown Bryan, TXHoliday Style, Red, Fall Style, Three Heel Clicks Beauty, Stripes, Younqiue, Bows, YouniqueComment

Small Town Charm: Coffee and Antique Shopping in Huntsville

It’s been a minute since I posted a Small Town Charm post. Yesterday, I took a day trip to my old college stomping ground in Huntsville, TX. It’s been a few year years since I made that journey and remembered just how pretty it was during the Fall and Spring. It’s about a 45 minute drive from College Station and an hour and a half from Houston. The perfect getaway for antique shopping, coffee and lunch. The sky was a clear blue which made the drive even more enjoyable! I spent a few hours picking up a few gifts in the anitique stores and then grabbed a really delicious Sipsy’s latte at a local coffee shop. Did you know that Huntsville has a ton of history in its downtown and surrounding areas? Yep, in the mid-1800’s it was a spot where General Sam Houston stayed! In fact, the corner I’m standing on below was a location he spent time in! History is so much fun when you start imaging all of the places and situations people have been in before in the exact same spots.

Let's Talk Health and Fitness for the Holidays

Thanksgiving is a few weeks away and if you are anything like me you are already dreaming of all of the delicious dishes that will be served. I thought it was appropriate for us to have a quick discussion about health and fitness before diving into the high calorie season. You don’t have to stick to a strict diet all season. You don’t have to jump onto a crazy workout regimen. You can actually enjoy the holidays, move your body and keep the weight off with simple strategies. I’ve found over the years a few things have helped me stay in shape while enjoying all of the amazing foods our holiday traditions provide.

Holiday Beauty I Can't Live Without

The holiday season is a time to pull out all of the stops to sparkle and shine. As this year’s season approaches I’ve found I am drawing so much inspiration for the 1930’s. Did you know that during The Great Depression musicals and glamourous Hollywood scenes were used to lift the spirits of those in trying times. When you look at movies made during that era formal gowns made of satin and sequins were everywhere. Was it practical? Absolutely not. Especially when many families were barely able to make ends meet, but it served hope for many. I believe if we stop dreaming we start dying.

Resurfacing in Life

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

At the beginning of 2020 I chose the word explode for my year. When I selected that word I thought it would be my business that would explode. Little did I know God had bigger plans than that. Every single area of my life ended up changing - mentally, physically, emotionally, my home, my work, my parenting. All the energy from the past few years I put forth came together to form this new life I have now. I am obsessively grateful for where I am today, but I’ll never forget where I came from. I believe that are moments of struggle are tests of faith. As we move through those dark valleys with faith and hope we are able to make it to the other side where the blessing lie. My life is a living testimony of that. It didn’t explode until I pushed through the pain. It didn’t reap the blessings without the sacrifice.

Weekend Afternoon at the Lavender Farm

I’m a sucker for farms. There’s nothing more heavenly to me than driving out to the countryside and learning about various plants and produce. I’ve visited a variety of places over the years like picking out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch and winding through a corn maze at Barton Hills Farm. Grabbing honey at Bee Weaver Farm just a few weeks ago. I’m at heart an outdoor person and Fall in Texas is always a good time to enjoy activities like picnics and wandering aimlessly through nature. This particular Saturday I hopped over to Chappell Hill to visit their lavender fields and store.

Blogging, Fashion, Lifestyle, Petite Style, Style, TravelCrystal LowyOctober 28, 2020Cowboy boots, Fall Style, Farm, Lavender, Countryside, Travel 9, Style 28, Pink, Dresses, PortfolioComment

How to Handle a Major Break Up

Earlier this year I experienced the ending of a very very long relationship. I’m here to tell you that no matter how bad the relationship gets, the break up is not an easy path. Especially if you’ve intertwined your lives by moving in together, getting married or having a child together. I believe there is a mourning period for the end of anything in life no matter how joyful the ultimate outcome is. You can know in your mind and soul that ending the relationship is the best thing for yourself, but actually going through the breakup itself takes time to heal. The thing is, you had a life with this person and dreams and hopes. When a major relationship ends, those dreams end. The life you thought you had will never be that way and the hope for the relationship to improve ends, too. As I’ve watched many friends and famous relationships break up during COVID-19 I realized this is a topic that many could benefit from reading.

Fall Picnic in the Park

Every Fall and Spring my daughter and I make it a point to get out of the house and go for a picnic. We’ve been doing this for years at this point and it just never gets old. We’ve spent holidays like Mother’s Day on a picnic and then sometimes just go on a whim to enjoy the scenery around us. The weather in Texas is always hot. Well, at least 3/4 of the year so when weather cools down enough, we take advantage of everything nature has to offer. About a week ago we decided to pack up at golden hour and have our dinner outdoors. There were ducks swimming just feet away from us and the whole scene felt like we were in a storybook. Making memories like that with her fills my heart so much! When was the last time you had a picnic? Believe it or not they are really easy to throw together!

Fashion, Petite Style, Lifestyle, Style, TravelCrystal LowyOctober 24, 2020Research Parkpicnic, Have a Picnic, Picnic, Fall Stye, Plaid, Cropped pants, Pink, Fall Activities, outdoors, FamilyComment

An Autumn To Remember

This season is one to remember in many ways. I am filled with gratitude as I write these word sitting cross legged on my couch. My new couch for that matter. About a month ago I was attending an online yoga class and the instructor talked about how shedding baggage during Fall. You can read more about that concept in this post, but I realized I had some emotional baggage that I just needed to let go. Guess what? As soon as I let those things go that no longer served me in life I was able to make room for more gratitude. With gratitude comes joy. What no longer served me was relinquished so that I could have mental space to enjoy what was right in front of me.

Fashion, Petite Style, Style, TravelCrystal LowyOctober 21, 2020Denim, Fall Style, Jeans, White Button Up, Button Up, Hat, Hat Lady, Floppy Hat, Style 27, Navasota, Texas Style, Travel 9Comment

Bee Weaver Farm

This weekend was one of those magical moments I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Just filled with the best weather, activities, rest and joy. I believe in perfect timing in life. There is a time for everything. Sometimes we have periods of rough roads while other times are smooth sailing. This weekend was smooth sailing. A few years ago I noticed on my drives from Houston to College Station there was a little farm right outside of Navasota, TX. Usually I was traveling for overnight trips and had my dog with me so I never made the stop. Now that I live in College Station I decided to take a day trip out to the Honey Farm and check it out.

Happily Ever After

Two years ago I gained weight. Sigh - there I said it (you can scroll to the bottom for a before and after pic). That was a big one for me to let out. I’m very much a perfectionist in a lot of ways. It’s a tough attribute to deal with because no matter how hard I try - it’s impossible for me to attain perfection. I wasn’t just overweight either. I was depressed and anxious at the same time. Can we say double-whammy? I didn’t want to drive anywhere due to panic attacks. I was constantly walking around in a foggy gloom. I wondered if this was all there was to life… I had this corporate job I was frustrated being apart of because I didn’t feel like I made a difference. I didn’t fit in with any of the suburban moms. My friends were married and had multiple kids. I lacked purpose, discernment and everything felt really complicated.

My Go-To Fall Outfit

I awoke this morning and the air was crisp and chilly. It felt so good to step onto my patio and feel a cool breeze sweep through. Texas is oftentimes cold in the morning and then warms up in the afternoons. For both Spring and Fall I like to layer jackets over tee shirts and tank tops so I can remove during the warm parts of the day. Three of my favorite pieces for Fall are included in today’s outfit - a simple neutral blazer, a pair of loafers and mom jeans. These pieces can be worn separately or together for the perfect fall outfit.

Fashion, Lifestyle, Petite Style, Style, Travel, VintageCrystal LowyOctober 16, 2020Downtown BryanFall Style, Blazer, Mom Uniform, Jeans, Mom Jeans, Loafers, Fall, Casual StyleComment

Amazon Prime Day Picks

Amazon Prime Day is here!!! With the changing of the seasons and all of the cozy vibes in the air I just had to round up my favorite Fall pieces for you guys. Starting with soft sweaters and cardigans for chilly days. Then flora dresses perfect for Thanksgiving and date night. All sorts of comfy athleisure for workouts and days at home. Then rounded up the cutest nude shoes and purses! Which are your favorites?

Shopping, FashionCrystal LowyOctober 13, 2020fall stye, fall sale, fall, style 27, athleisure, sneakers, biker shorts, sweaters, ruffles, shopping, shopping guideComment

What to do When You're Mentally Bombarded

The past few years have been a mental battle for me. In many ways I’ve experienced long jumps of improvements. A few weeks ago though an incident happened in my life that left me ruminating in worry. After examining the cause of what was happening and then working towards a solution I thought to myself, I can’t be the only person going through this. Have you ever felt bombarded by doubt, confusion or worry? Bombarded to the point that it takes away from your everyday joy? Well, I’m not one to just sit around and stay in a negative place so I talked to my therapist, a few of my mentors and then I rolled up my sleeves and got to work on impacting this immediately. The worst thing I could do was continue to let worry creep over daily thoughts, right? I can firmly say that after implementing a few small changes that had a HUGE impact - I’m feeling joyful and excited with a weight lifted off my shoulders. Here are a few recommendations on what to do when you’re mentally bombarded.