Lazy Dog Days of Summer, Right?

Confession: I’m a bit of a procrastinator…I like to blame the lazy Libra in me. Yea, let’s say it’s that. But seriously, while I’ve been a constant on Instagram, I know I’ve neglected the blog in the last month and writing an actual feature. Truth be told, June is a whirlwind for me every year, and this year has been no different but even more jam packed. There were birthdays, proms, graduations, more birthdays, Father’s Day, and the ultimate — my lil man’s birthday which is always a huge deal with a party at our house. I realize June has been over for a couple of weeks and it’s now mid-July but I’ve been taking some much needed me time.

In any case, I’ve been very focused on fashion over at IG, but because this is after all a lifestyle blog, here are some tips for how to stay sane when your calendar is overloaded with responsibility, events and TONS of to do’s…AND ahem, most importantly, how to stay stylish while doing it! (((I can’t help myself!)))

NOTES – The Notes App on my iPhone is everything. There are a million things running through my head at any given time of day, so whenever I think of something I need to do, I put it down in my Notes. I work as a Project Manager for my day job so I’m very organized when planning anything. Notes is a lifesaver for my personal life. See tips on how to use Notes HERE.
RETAIL THERAPY – At my core, it’s what soothes me. Even when I’m insanely busy, I always make some time to quickly slip into one of my fav shops to pick up a little something pretty. Instant mood lifter — trust me! My girly girls know what I’m talking about. And there are tons of sales right now so it’s the perfect time to score some summer goodness at a discount! A few of my favorite shops that are having amazing sales: ZARA, & Other Stories, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, and Express. It’s impossible to walk out of these stores without something great! Go on…you know you want to.
A GOOD BOOK – I’m kind of a bookworm. A fashionista bookworm – can that be a thing? Anyway, that’s me. There’s nothing more that I enjoy than curling up with a good book at the end of a long day. I go back and forth between psychological thrillers, and romance/comedy books. I’m a little dark and twisty, but also a hopeless romantic. Take a peek at some great books I’ve read and what’s on my read list HERE. I’ve started going to the library cause books were just piling up in my house. I also started giving some away. Here are a few babies I’ve parted with (the romance/comedy “sappy” variety…it’s the Libra in me). But now they’re making someone else happy, and that makes me happy too 🙂
GOOD WINE – To pair with Tip #3, it’s so great to have a glass of wine (or a bottle, no judgement) with a current read. I’m not exclusively loyal to red or white wine. I’m typically a red drinker in the fall/winter seasons and a white drinker in the spring/summer months. Here are a couple of good recommendations for RED and WHITE. Cheers!
NAILS – When you only have time for a quick mani, do it! Sneak out of work and get a quick manicure on your lunch break. It does wonders to your spirit to have pretty nails! Just avoid any heavy housework for a few days { a mini break and good excuse – yay! } AND if you can slip it in, get a 10-minute chair massage too! — BONUS!!
GROUP TEXTS with FRIENDS – Friends are the family you’ve chosen….long gone are the single childless days so we all have busy lives and can’t get together as often as we’d like but AMEN for the group text. If you don’t have one set up with your peeps, stop reading this and do it NOW. I have 2 groups going – first is “Hoochies4life” (lol, it’s a long story) with my besties from high school…it’s nice to be able to drop a random F bomb over text to a group and have everyone rally immediately. Gotta love that. My other group text is called Ecuas because well, we’re all Ecuadorian and we’re family, so there’s that.
LUNCH OUTSIDE THE OFFICE – Wherever you work, whatever you do, I urge you to PLEASE get outside for lunch! Even if you brown bag it, find a spot to eat your lunch outside. It’s not healthy to just stay at your desk all day. Get up, go outside, move around. You’ll thank me later.
AFTER WORK QUICK DRINK – I’m so lucky that I work with one of my very best friends. We both have kids so it’s not all fun and games like it used to be, but at least once a week, we try to catch up over a drink after work. Much needed therapy. If you are able to do that with a friend or co-worker, I highly recommend it.
STAY STYLISH – The calendar is full of events, activities and to do’s. This all on top of a full time job, a significant other, and possibly some kids (aka RESPONSIBILITIES!). There’s so much to do but that doesn’t mean you can’t be stylish while doing it all! As I mentioned in tip #1, I’m a planner, so I always check the weather a few days in advance to make sure I’ll be dressed appropriately. Rain can change everything #curlyhairproblems —- Next, you want to look through your closet and pick out some outfits and shoe options in advance — as options only (they are eligible to change in a heartbeat). I’m kind of like George Costanza that way…I dress according to mood.