Beyonce did it. Chrissy Teigen, Carrie Underwood, Adele, Alicia Keys, and even Sofia Vergara did it, too. Heck, you’d be hard-pressed to find any female celeb who hasn’t joined in.
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And surprisingly, it isn’t a new exercise or plastic surgery that has musicians, actresses, models, and women in the public eye getting involved. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this recent trend involves appearances—but probably not how you think.
Rather than endorsing a new makeup or beauty product, scores of celebrities are encouraging others to embrace their natural beauty and go makeup-free instead. At least for the time it takes to post an Instagram selfie, that is.
Some of the biggest names in Hollywood have posted their #nomakeup selfies all over the social media platform. Recently, Christina Aguilera was brave enough to set her makeup-free face in stone—err, print it on paper—and her barefaced Paper magazine shoot quickly sent just about everyone into a tizzy.
The hope is that these makeup-less celebrities will encourage and empower all women to be happy and confident with their makeup-less faces—happy and confident enough to let the whole world see.
And although it’s obvious that many of these gals are gorgeous with and without makeup—especially with the help of camera and Instagram filters—it raises a question about beauty and attractiveness. Are these celebs—and people in general—better looking with or without cosmetic help?
Why do women wear makeup?
According to a study conducted by beauty retailer SkinStore, the average American woman spends about $300,000 worth of eye shadow, serum, mascara, foundation, powder, moisturizer, and other beauty products in her lifetime. She’s spending eight big ones a day to get her skin glowing, her eyes popping, and her eyebrows perfectly shaped.
Considering that women spend as much as the cost of a home on beauty products in their lives and that the makeup industry makes $18 billion a year, it’s pretty evident that women think that makeup is an essential part of their beauty routines. But the question is, why?
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When a woman looks in the mirror before applying her makeup, would she think she’s beautiful? If the beauty industry failed to exist, or at least didn’t plaster images of flawless, makeup-faced celebrities all over, would she really feel she needs cosmetics to be beautiful?
Although there will likely never be an answer to that question, we can come up with a few reasons for why women wear makeup and whether or not powders, creams, colors, and beauty makeup tricks (think contouring) actually do make them more attractive.
https://twitter.com/KardashianReact/status/971267006149414913
For starters, does a woman wear makeup to please herself, or those around her? Would she want to wear makeup if the opinions of others about her appearance didn’t matter to her?
Although some women may not want to admit it, what others think about their appearances does affect them.
“I think it’s a combination,” says Dawn Maslar, aka “The Love Biologist,” adjunct biology professor and author of Men Chase, Women Choose. “A woman may try out makeup to see how she looks, then wear it out to see the effect. If she seems to get more attention or comments with makeup, that gives her positive reinforcement. Therefore, she will more likely continue to wear makeup.”
Not only can makeup help women in the romance area, it can actually help them advance their careers.
https://twitter.com/SkSamantha/status/501050904288587776
Researchers Jaclyn Wong of the University of Chicago and Andrew Penner of the University of California at Irvine found that attractive people are favored in the workplace, according to their study published in the Journal of Social Stratification and Mobility. And we’re not just talking about Employee of the Month status here—they make more cash annually. For women, this means the choice of whether to wear makeup or go au natural could make the difference between a successful career or one that is only ho-hum.
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And of course, a woman may also simply just want to wear makeup. After all, who doesn’t want radiant skin and glam lashes?
“I think women believe they need it to look ‘better’ or ‘best’,” says Sue Weinschenk, PhD, chief behavioral scientist at The Team W, Inc. and adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. “I think they want to because they think it improves their looks/makes them look younger. I think they do it both for themselves and others. Many, or most, women have a ‘self-story’ which is something like, ‘If I want to look my best, I need to wear some makeup.’
Wearing makeup is also often a way to enhance your appearance so that others may want to become romantic with you. One of the problems with this, however, is that women are often clueless as to what a man finds attractive—when it comes to makeup, that is.
Researchers Alex Jones at Bangor University and Robin Kramer at Aberdeen University in the United Kingdom conducted a study that focused on the preference of the amount of makeup a woman wears. In other words, they asked participants whether they liked more makeup or less makeup on a woman’s face.
The men in the study didn’t find too much or too little attractive; they typically liked it somewhere between the two. The women who participated thought that the men would prefer more makeup as opposed to a little or none. This means that women are often applying layers of beauty products, thinking that this is what a man wants. In reality, he might like makeup in moderation.
Why are we attracted to what we are?
By what standards are attractive people measured? Why are people attracted to some qualities but not to others? Turns out, it may be up to genetics.
“Genetically, we are attracted to people with opposite immune systems,” says Maslar. “This is called the major histocompatibility complex. The more opposite we are, the more attractive we find the other person.” [pullquote align=”center”]“We are attracted to a combination of opposite and familiar.” —Dawn Maslar, “The Love Biologist”[/pullquote]
The major histocompatibility complex gene helps the immune system detect invaders and is identified through a man’s scent. Typically, a woman is attracted to a man who has an immune system that is different than hers. It is thought that this is because children who have varied immune systems have a good chance of being healthier. Even though creating a hybrid immune system may have been more of a concern before the advent of modern medicine than it is today, it is still believed to play a role in who a person finds attractive.
The appearance of reproductive health can also impact who we find attractive. Certain characteristics in women, like an ideal hip-to-waist ratio, long hair, odor, and youthfulness, are thought to be primal signs of a reproductively healthy woman and are often a factor in whether a man is attracted.
But as you likely know, attraction is usually about more than just the physical features. Personality also usually plays a major role in attractiveness, and what we find attractive is typically what we are used to, says Maslar.
“We are attracted to a combination of opposite and familiar,” Maslar says. “We are naturally attracted to people that are genetically different than us. However, we have to have a sense of safety, and that comes from familiarity. For instance, we are more likely to pick someone who resembles our opposite sex parent at that same age if we liked that parent. Women who were raised by older parents are more likely to pick a partner older than herself.”
When it comes down to it, the answer to makeup or no makeup is one that is highly individual. Everyone has different tastes, and determining what one likes best is based on genetic, primal, and environmental factors.
The point of the #nomakeup movement is to empower women to feel comfortable in their own skins. To feel confident in their appearance, even without a stitch of makeup.
However, let’s be real: How many of these “natural” selfies are actually natural?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVctD1RAMXM/?taken-by=gal_gadot
When you factor in the amount of alterations the women in the pictures have likely made to their appearances, the no-makeup selfies are misleading. Yes, women are beautiful without makeup. But the average Jill may feel like her no makeup selfie can’t compare with a celebrity’s, who has probably had botox, lip fillers, microdermabrasion, or some type of beauty-enhancement procedure. She may feel her makeup-free picture pales in comparison to someone in the public eye because she believes the celebrity looks flawless, naturally. In reality, the celeb may only look that way because she paid to have that appearance.
The bottom line is, whether you’re team #nomakeup or team pile it on, just be happy and comfortable with why you choose what you choose.
Have you ever seen a photo or video of someone on social media and instantly known they were a kind-hearted human? That was my gut reaction as I started learning more about Morgan “Mo” Haley, known to many as The Southern Yogi. It’s easy to get lost on Morgan’s Instagram feed, as her personal flow videos show a level of strength, control, and self-awareness that is awe inspiring. She wasn’t always a graceful yogi, though. Morgan was actually a competitive swimmer for 10 years before getting a degree in vascular ultrasound. Fun fact: She is also one of seven children. Soon after completing her degree, Morgan realized that establishing a career in vascular ultrasound wasn’t what she wanted to do with her life. She pivoted and wound up working as a barista at Starbucks for six years to afford herself more flexibility in her schedule. This enabled Morgan to devote more time to finding herself and pursuing the true passions that ignited the flame inside her. It was in 2014 that she discovered yoga and downloaded the Yoga Studio app, which set her universe in motion. The more Morgan learned about the practice of yoga, the more she realized the value of listening to her body and using her mind and focused strength to achieve difficult handstands and various arm balances. It was her love for these inversions that taught Morgan the importance of core strength in one’s yoga practice. She developed her own technique, started sharing her tips and tricks, and her popular ab’asana guides were born. Morgan thoughtfully curated these ebook guides to help others build a solid foundation of core strength to assist with their yoga practice (getting great abs in the process is an added bonus). In just a few short years, this Kentucky girl has become certified in 200 CYT and Standing Acrobatics while growing her social following from 200 to over 500k. Though this success has led to a busy schedule filled with travel, social media scrutiny from strangers, and the other joys and heartaches that come with being an influencer and yoga instructor, Morgan takes it all in stride and welcomes the change. She views travel as a blessing and realizes that she will not always be able to please every human on social media. She’s shared these wise words about that topic on Instagram: “Try to focus on all the epic humans you have following you and not the small percentage that will never understand.” Although yoga is a large part of her life, her practice is just one of the many reasons we are inspired by Morgan. In a blog post that particularly resonated with us, she shared one of the hardest things she’s ever done in her life: going through a divorce after being with her partner for eight years and married for five. Morgan is especially raw in this blog post, sharing the truth about the depression she experienced during this difficult time despite knowing she was listening to her heart. Fortunately, Morgan began attending therapy and also had a tight crew of family and friends to support her (as well as her sweet husky–coyote hybrid, Kali, for those extra snuggles). We’re thankful Morgan chose to share her story, because it can truly help others who are struggling with a similar situation and may be feeling broken, unsure, guilty, or any of the other challenging emotions divorce can bring. Morgan radiates light from the inside out and it’s clear that she is genuine about her mission to share the joy she’s found in her personal yoga practice with others. There’s no denying that her life has changed since her competitive swimming days, and she’s perfectly fine with that, stating, “I sure hope that I’m not the same person I was 2, 5, 10, and even 15 years ago. I hope I’m not that same person in 5 years from now. I hope I’ve lived hundreds of different lives by the time I’m old and grey.” As a beginner yogi myself (and someone who often feels lost in her own life!), it’s inspiring to see Morgan’s progress knowing that her yoga journey began in 2014. This makes me hopeful that with enough focus, I too can achieve a new level of fluidity and grace—and hopefully find a new connection with myself in the process. I also know many others feel the exact same way. If you’re in a rut and seeking a spark to light your fire, check out Morgan’s Instagram feed and blog. Read her words, get lost in her beautiful imagery and self-expression, and then take your own first step toward your passion. It all starts with one step (or yoga pose).
A Day in the Life
What does your daily routine look like?
The very first thing I do when I wake up is brush my teeth. Even if it’s before I’ve eaten breakfast. I’m such a weirdo about oral hygiene, but my teeth and tongue have to feel clean. After that I put the kettle on and make myself a cup of black breakfast tea with a splash of milk. I usually make some style of eggs for breakfast. Afterwards I answer emails and do some work while I take my pup to the park and let her run around. My yoga practice is mid-morning before lunch. I have my own personal sweat sesh and then film or take photos for IG. The afternoon consists of more meetings/phone calls or interviews and a trip to the gym to get my HIIT workout or lift in. The nighttimes are pretty chill, and my partner and I cook dinner together and end up watching Netflix or a movie before heading to bed.
What are your favorite ways to practice self-care?
Obviously physical activity is huge for me. No matter what day it is, I try to do something active, whether it’s a walk with my dog or practicing handstands for an hour. Different days call for different activities depending on how my body feels. I also love the mental stimulation of reading a good self-help book. Right now I’m working on The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery. I think it’s always important to continue learning about yourself through every season of life. I’m also not mad about a good bath bomb and a face mask.
How do you stay inspired?
Honestly, on my days I’m not feeling so motivated, I just remember that the sole fact of taking another breath and being alive is inspiring. I also find going out into nature away from the noise and the crowds calms my soul and refuels my creativity tank.
Disclaimer: Just so you know, if you order an item through one of our posts, we may get a small share of the sale.
Loving Lately…
What are the best products you’ve discovered recently?
I always stalk @freedivegirl for her graceful, powerful movements and words of wisdom. I also love following @bo_xox for all the fitness and acrobatics inspiration. That girl is insanely strong!
What’s your go-to healthy snack?
If I’m in a salty mood I love to grab an Epic Bar. My favorite flavor is Chicken Sriracha. If I have a sweet tooth I’ll normally go for a honeycrisp apple and some almond butter.
If your pet could talk, how would they describe you?
My dog Kali: Morgan is the best friend I’ve ever known. My two cats Kovu and Bagheera: Morgan is the best peasant who’s ever walked through our kingdom.
What superpower would you like to have?
Definitely teleportation with all of my things. I’d never have to fly on a plane again!
What are you really great at (that might embarrass you to admit)?
I’m really great at not trying on clothes when I buy them, hating them once I get home, and then just giving them away because I get annoyed at returning things.
What piece of advice has impacted you the most?
Oh my goodness—why is this the hardest question? I think a few years ago when I was leaving an eight-year relationship and wasn’t sure how to make it through another day, my mom told me to stop focusing on days—on the future. Start focusing on seconds and minutes. What do you need to do to get you through the next 10 seconds? Take some breaths. Recenter yourself. I know it sounds corny, but there is no fear or anxiety in the present. So if you ever start to get too caught up in days or weeks or months, bring yourself back to the present moment. For more on Morgan, check out her Instagram and her blog, The Southern Yogi.
Think back to your last big night out on the town. Or a lunch date with your best friend. Or maybe just this morning before work. Did you stare at your clothes, thinking What the hell am I going to wear? You’re not alone: Ask any woman and she’ll likely tell you that she too has stood in front of her full closet in a towel feeling overwhelmed by the lack of options. At some point, most of us have come to the realization that what’s hanging in the closet is out of style, out of season, the wrong fit, or downright not cute. Our shelves, drawers, and hangers might be full, but that hasn’t exactly solved the I have nothing to wear problem. Your first instinct might be to go out and buy more clothes. But that’s what you’ve always done, and it isn’t working. A better solution might be to streamline what you do have. Enter the capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe quite literally limits your options, but it also encourages you to only keep items that you truly love. With a smaller, carefully chosen clothing collection, you’ll never again be staring at piles of clothes thinking you have nothing to wear. Capsule wardrobes don’t just make getting dressed each morning easier. They also cut down on clutter, reduce laundry (who wouldn’t love that?), and can even save you money in the long run. Here is everything you need to know to build a capsule wardrobe—and why one might change your life.
Capsule Wardrobe 101: Here’s What You’re Getting Into
A capsule wardrobe is one that is built around a small number of essential clothing items—pants, skirts, dresses, and tops—that all coordinate, allowing you to build multiple stylish outfits (without having an excess of clothing items you’ve only worn twice). “A capsule wardrobe is built with main quality pieces that can be mixed and matched with each other for ultimate use,” says Rayne Parvis, a Los Angeles-based style coach. The exact number of items in your capsule wardrobe can vary a bit depending on your lifestyle, but to really get the benefits of going capsule wardrobe, Parvis recommends capping your collection at 35 items. If that small number gives you anxiety, remember it doesn’t have to include things like underwear, pajamas, or activewear. Instead, the focus of your capsule should be the clothes that you wear for most of the day, whether you’re an on-the-go office worker or a stay-at-home mom who leaves the house mostly to run errands or hit the gym. The idea of a capsule wardrobe is nothing new. In fact, it’s been around since at least the 1980s, when West London boutique owner Susie Faux coined the term. At the time, Faux encouraged women to buy fewer items of a higher quality that they would wear more often. That’s a main tenet of modern-day capsule wardrobes. In recent years the idea of capsule wardrobes has grown even more popular thanks to a cultural interest in minimalism, Parvis says. Blogs like Caroline Rector’s Unfancy and Courtney Carver’s Be More With Less encourage women to work with fewer clothing items and accessories. Rector runs regular “10×10” challenges, during which she and her readers each create 10 outfits using just 10 items of clothing and wear them for 10 days. In 2010, Carver launched Project 333, which encourages people to create a capsule wardrobe of 33 items or less and to wear only those items for three months. Although a capsule wardrobe encourages you to cut down on what’s in your closet, it also involves carefully crafting a collection of clothing items that flatter your shape and look great together. “The goal is to buy less and wear your closet more, therefore saving you time, money, and stress of getting dressed,” Parvis says. So although you’re cutting back on options, the items you’re left with look great and are easy to match.
How to Build Your Capsule Wardrobe
Building a capsule wardrobe isn’t nearly as daunting as you might think, and it doesn’t need to be a complicated process. After all, you’re choosing a capsule wardrobe in order to simplify your life, not add stress. Here are are three easy steps to get you started:
1. Evaluate what you have and get rid of anything that’s not working.
The first step to streamlining with a capsule wardrobe is to look at the clothes you already have. Completely empty your closet and dresser, and consider each item one by one. Ask yourself whether you like it—do you really like it or do you just want to like it? Do you wear it? No, really, do you wear it regularly? Or have you worn it once and never again? Lili Morton, co-founder of FirstSeven, a corporate styling firm, says that it’s important to be honest and ruthless when evaluating what to get rid of and what to keep. “If you don’t love it, it needs to go. If you haven’t worn it in a year, you probably don’t love it, so it should go. If it’s dated, worn, or doesn’t fit anymore, it needs to go,” she says. It can be hard getting rid of pieces you used to wear; physical items can hold a surprising amount of sentimental value. Make like Marie Kondo and literally thank the items for serving their purpose, then sell or donate them so they can have a good life with someone else! Pro Tip: Getting rid of things can be intimidating, so focus on the end goal of looking great. “It can be hard to let go of pieces, but I always ask my clients, what type of wardrobe do you want? Do you want to build an A+ wardrobe? You can’t build an A+ wardrobe filled with C- pieces,” Morton says.
2. Think about what your capsule wardrobe needs.
As Parvis says, “What’s in your capsule depends on your lifestyle.” If you work in an office environment, you’re going to need more business clothing than casual options, for example. On the other hand, if you’re home with the kids you probably will need more laid-back, durable clothes like jeans and cotton tops. Another thing to consider is what you’re most comfortable in. If you know you hate wearing heels, don’t include four pairs of them in your capsule wardrobe. If you feel better in pants than skirts, make sure to include an extra pair or two in the final list. Finally, think about your shape as it relates to your style. Figure out what “flattering” means to you: Do you want to rock looser clothing à la normcore style, or are you more into the hourglass silhouette? Figure out what looks good on your body (as it relates to your personal style and preferences—not anyone else’s!) and evaluate accordingly. Pro Tip: Style your capsule wardrobe for the season in order to incorporate the types of clothes that you’re most likely to wear. In the summer you might only have one sweater in the rotation, while in the cooler months you’ll certainly need more than that. Parvis says that tweaking your capsule wardrobe seasonally will keep you from getting bored.
Year-Round Capsule Wardrobe Staples To Get You Started:
“I love to change it up seasonally. You can keep some pieces in the rotation and bring new ones in to keep your style fresh,” she says.
3. Build your capsule wardrobe.
Now comes the fun part: selecting the clothes that will make up your capsule wardrobe. Begin by looking at what you’ve already got: the items from your closet cleanout that you love and wear often and that will help you meet your style goals. Next, evaluate how the items will mix and match. It’s a good idea to focus on neutral colors since they look great and are easy to work with. “Choose simple, quality, basic pieces in suits, pencil skirts, blouses, blazers, dark denims, sweaters, shoes, and accessories,” Parvis says. “Avoid anything that stands out too much like a huge bow, bold stripes, or crazy silhouette.” That’s not to say you can’t sport colors or patterns in a capsule wardrobe; you just need to make sure they’re versatile enough to go with multiple pieces and that they’re not so eye-catching that people start wondering if it’s the only shirt you own. The exact breakdown of your wardrobe is up to you. Unfancy recommends a capsule wardrobe of 37 items: nine pairs of shoes, nine bottoms, 15 tops, and four slots left over for dresses and jackets. If you’re not very interested in shoes, you might like to incorporate scarves, sweaters, handbags or other items instead. In general, you’ll want more tops than bottoms, and a mix of formal and casual wear that fits your lifestyle needs. If there’s anything you need but don’t already have, create a capsule wardrobe checklist and shop specifically for those items, keeping in mind how they will fit in with the rest of your capsule wardrobe. This is a great opportunity to shop intentionally. Take the time to find quality pieces that really fit your exact requirements to ensure your new purchases are things you’ll be loving for a long time. Want to see what this looks like in practice? HealthyWay’s video manager, Robin Gillespie, reflects on her experience building and using capsule wardrobes here. Pro Tip: Although most of your capsule wardrobe will likely consist of neutral pieces, jewelry and accessories are a great way to incorporate colors and patterns that reflect your personal style and current trends.
Our Spring & Summer Accessory Picks:
“I encourage infusing a bit of color into the wardrobe, even if it’s just a bag or piece of jewelry,” Morton says. “They will add an exciting and unexpected element to your wardrobe.”
Confronting Your Capsule Wardrobe Fears
Learning about capsule wardrobes, you might be thinking “That sounds great in theory, but what about…?” Here’s what the experts have to say about three of the most common capsule wardrobe fears:
How do I deal with the changing of the seasons?
Most experts recommend creating a capsule wardrobe that will work for three months at a time. This allows you to change your wardrobe to reflect your seasonal needs if you live somewhere with dramatic changes in weather.
How do I make sure I’m not forfeiting my personal style?
You’re ultimately in control of your capsule wardrobe, so you can build it with whatever foundational pieces work for you, even if they’re a tad untraditional. “For example, I love red,” Morton says. “I could add a red blazer to my wardrobe. Yes, that sounds bold, but I can wear it layered over a black (or white) sheath dress, with a blouse and black pants or pencil skirt and with jeans and a tee. There are four looks with that red blazer.”
Do I have to ignore trends?
For the trend-lovers out there, worry not. The foundations of your capsule wardrobe should be items that will work in the long run, but there’s also plenty of opportunity to incorporate trends. “If you’re into trends, add them in accent pieces versus the basic pieces,” Parvis says. “For example, polka dots are trending. You can add this fun print in a scarf, camisole, or clutch versus in a full suit or blazer.”
Capsules Wardrobes for the Whole Family
Adults aren’t the only ones who can benefit from capsule wardrobes. In fact, kids’ wardrobes are great places to play around with the idea of limited clothing. Lest you think we’re insane (kids are messy, after all), consider Mindy Wood, a blogger at Purposefully Simple, who built a capsule wardrobe for her two daughters. Wood created a capsule wardrobe for herself and was so happy with the end result that she wanted to see how it would work for the littles. Her girls had a lot of clothes that were hand-me-downs or consignment purchases, which sometimes left them looking a bit disjointed. “Their wardrobes started to look pretty strange, so I wanted to try and streamline it,” Wood says. “I don’t really care if they have mismatched clothes at times but at some point it’s too much to have so many things that don’t go together.” She took a fairly laid-back approach to building a capsule wardrobe for her girls, but still saw the benefits. “A kid’s capsule wardrobe isn’t going to look like an adult’s. They definitely need more clothes for spills, accidents, et cetera, but that’s okay,” Wood says. “The point of creating the capsule wardrobe, for me, was to put some order to their wardrobe and make it easier for them to dress themselves if they wanted.” Now the girls, ages 3 and 6, have an easier time dressing themselves, and Wood deals with less laundry and mess. “It makes life easier because the kids can dress themselves without my help and can still look somewhat put together,” she says. She recommends that other parents try a capsule wardrobe for their kids, too. “There are no rules really: Just do what works for you, your kids, and your lifestyle.”
Mix & Match Girls’ Pieces:
Mix & Match Boys’ Pieces:
Getting on the Capsule Wardrobe Bandwagon for Good
Looking at a closet full of clothes and not seeing anything you want to wear is super frustrating. Creating a capsule wardrobe fixes that problem. “I feel like I actually have more items, not less, which is both weird and wonderful,” Brennan says. “It’s probably because I only see the clothes I really love and I find that is enough.” She says that since she began using a capsule wardrobe she is more fashionable and more open to experimenting with her clothes. “Building a capsule wardrobe helped me hone my fashion sense and focus on items and a few looks I really, truly love and feel comfortable and confident in,” she says. “When it comes time to replace an item, I may choose to go in a different direction or try a shape or color that I might have veered away from in the past.” Morton says she sees that often. “When you have a capsule wardrobe and start wearing items that make you feel amazing and you start creating your own looks using these items, your confidence will build. You’ll feel good in what you’re wearing and that will shine through in your daily routine and interactions with colleagues and clients,” she tells us. “This newfound confidence often gives my clients that little push they needed to try new things.”
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For most athletes, one Olympic appearance is a lofty goal. Five Olympic appearances seems downright impossible. Just askDanielle Scott-Arruda. She played indoor volleyball at every Olympics from 1996 to 2012, setting the U.S. record for most Olympic appearances by a female volleyball player and bringing home two silver medals in the process (along with the Best Blocker award at the 2000 games).In 2016, she was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. In her final Olympic appearance, Scott-Arruda was 39 years old—much older than the average Olympian—but still a force on the team, serving as avaluable mentor for younger players at her position. Behind the scenes, she was savoring every moment. vbhalloffame/YouTube We spoke with Scott-Arruda to find out what it’s like to compete in the Olympics, how it feels to narrowly miss out on a gold medal, and the athletes Olympians need to be in order to compete at the highest possible level. [Editorial note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.] HEALTHYWAY: Tell me how you got your start. As I understand, you didn’t have a typical path to the Olympics. DANIELLE SCOTT-ARRUDA: Well, I actually did a lot of different sports growing up, and going through to college, actually. That started with physical education classes [in grade school], just being exposed to different sports and activities. It’s unfortunate we don’t do a lot more P.E. in schools today! vbhallofame/YouTube But in those classes, that was when I was first introduced to the sport. I didn’t play with a team until my 6th grade year, which is actually pretty late when we’re talking about something like the Olympics. Of course, nowadays, there are club teams. Some parents start their kids as toddlers. At the time I started, I wasn’t even allowed to compete in 6th grade—those were the rules. So I did other sports. I did basketball, softball, and track and field through high school. Eventually, I got a scholarship for volleyball and basketball. vbhalloffame/YouTube Flash forward, and I was invited to the national volleyball team. After the 1996 Olympics, I took a couple years off and tried out for the WNBA, but I didn’t quite make it, and then I went back and continued my career in volleyball. I didn’t realize you’d tried to make the WNBA. Yeah, it wasn’t in the cards for me. Seven years had passed since my collegiate basketball days by that point, and I was pretty well-established in volleyball. I ended up putting my basketball shoes back in the closet after the third attempt. So, at what point in your athletic career did you realize that you had a chance at going to the Olympics? It was actually pretty late. I started club volleyball in my sophomore year of high school. I was 15, and kids were starting a lot earlier. It wasn’t until the end of my junior year when I started getting recruiting letters. That’s when people started telling me—”Hey, you know, you might be able to compete in the Olympics.” Had you watched many Olympics by that point? Was competing there one of your goals? Sure, we watched the Olympics at home, as a family, but I wasn’t watching it saying, “Someday, that’ll be me.” vbhalloffame/YouTube I didn’t have that sort of confidence until I had these outside influences telling me that I was pretty good. That’s important. Look—I was really shy growing up. I wasn’t the confident kid. A strange thing happened: When people started boosting my confidence, I continued to get better. By my junior year of high school, I thought the Olympics were a possibilility. By my senior year, rumors were flying around—”Maybe you’ll make the ’92 games.” So I started really working towards that. In my freshman year of college, there were tryouts for the national team, and things really spiraled from there. That started the process. It happened gradually. You’re at your first Olympic games in 1996. What did it feel like just stepping into the arena the first time? You know, it was so amazing. It was my first games, and to have it at home, in Atlanta—well, to be clear, Atlanta isn’t my home, but the United States certainly is—anyway, it was incredible. [pullquote align=”center”]“It never tapered off. In fact, all the little things that a lot of Olympians do traditionally … it was never old.” —Danielle Scott-Arruda[/pullquote] It was such a long process. To become an Olympian, you don’t work every four years, you work every day, training for six to eight hours. It’s your life. With that kind of an investment, I can’t imagine what it feels like to get the call. When you’re finally named to the team, it’s just—you don’t believe it. It stays that way, if you’re fortunate enough to compete in multiple Olympics. Each time after that it’s that same reaction: “Wow, I did it.” vbhalloffame/YouTube You know, you can work really hard to accomplish that dream, but the reality is that only 12 people make the team, along with a couple alternates. So when you finally make it, it’s just that sigh of relief. All that work was worth it. Do you have time to just sit back and enjoy that accomplishment? Oh, no! The work continues. After you’ve received the call, now you have compete and train with a small, specific group of athletes—teammates—and really hone in on your common goal. You have to know what each person’s role is, and you’ve all got to get on the same page very, very quickly. vbhalloffame/YouTube We have to know how we want to finish in the Olympics, and there’s really only one goal at that stage—win. Strategy is an enormous part of that. But, with that being said, we did get to appreciate the accomplishment, even if we weren’t “sitting back.” My first Olympics was in Atlanta, as I said, and a lot of my family was able to attend. We had so much support, being on our home turf. That was definitely exciting. vbhalloffame/YouTube And really, once I competed at that level, it got in my blood. I was like, “Okay, I’m just going to do this thing until I don’t. Until I can’t.” Did any amount of the excitement taper off with each successive Olympic invitation? It never tapered off. In fact, all the little things that a lot of Olympians do traditionally—with the pin trading, and going to opening and closing ceremonies, the flag-bearing ceremonies, all those little things—it was never old. [Editorial note: This seems like as good a place as any to mention that Olympic pin trading gets pretty crazy. Athletes, journalists, and dignitaries arrive at the Olympic games with boxes of country-specific pins, which they trade with athletes and obsessed collectors. In the modern era, pins essentially function as currency.According to one collector, “You can get in some places with a pin where you probably couldn’t get in if you handed them a $20 bill.”] At my fifth Olympics, I was the only one that went to the closing ceremonies. I’m like, “What, you guys aren’t going?” I can’t believe that! This is a once in a lifetime thing!” The closing ceremony for the 2012 Olympic Games (Cloudzilla/Flickr) And okay, we were blessed to do it more than once, but the point stands. You’ve got to appreciate every moment. It must be hard to live in the moment. I imagine the spirit of competition is just kind of weighing on you the entire time that you’re there, but you want to enjoy the experience, too. Right. Every other day, we’re competing, so you have to practice and rest the day before the competition. And it’s kind of that continuous cycle of living moment to moment. vbhalloffame/YouTube But our coaches were more conscious of letting us have a balanced experience. We were still focused, but we made time to go to chapel or spend time with friends and family. We wouldn’t necessarily watch other competitions, but at least we’d spend time with the people who went through that journey with us. From talking to you, it’s clear that you love representing the United States. I would always have this expression: If you cut me, I’ll bleed red, white, and blue. I love competing for the United States. To travel, and to represent our country—I mean, for me, it never got old. I never got burned out. You won a silver medal in 2008, right? In 2008 and 2012. Can you tell me what it was like to win that first silver medal? Winning the silver medal was kind of bittersweet, you know? By that point, I had gone to three previous Olympics, and I’d left with nothing. Of course, it’s all about the journey and all of that, but when you’re working so hard with that one big goal… vbhalloffame/YouTube And with our teams, we weren’t necessarily expected to be the top contender, but we were able to overcome some difficult obstacles. We felt like we were playing for something bigger than ourselves. Then, we won the silver, and it was great, because we were going home with something physical. But—well, I’m sure you’ve probably heard this before—when you lose the gold, it’s hard to really celebrate. So it takes a moment to realize extent of the accomplishment. I think I was able to appreciate our second silver more. Damien Dovarganes/AP via Press-Telegram But, gosh, we were so close to winning gold, and I think that’s kind of one of those things that kept me wanting to contribute, in whatever way I could, and keep playing as long as possible. [Editorial note: Close it was. In 2008, the U.S team won four of five matches in the preliminary round, only losing to Cuba, and then beat Cuba 3–0 in the knockout-stage semifinals to advance to the gold medal game. Scott-Arruda scored seven points in that game—third on her team—but they ultimately fell to Brazil three sets to one. In 2012, they came arguably closer. They won all five matches in the prelims, only dropping two sets out of 17 played. In the knockout phase, they shut out the Dominican Republic and South Korea before falling, once again, to Brazil in the finals. As a reserve, Scott-Arruda played six sets.] Did nerves play a role? I mean, I’m sure you’re used to playing in front of people by that point, but— Well, I think each person kind of deals with nerves differently. And I always felt some butterflies, but to me, that meant I was ready to compete. vbhalloffame/YouTube I’d just say, “This is part of my routine.” In fact, if I didn’t get the butterflies, I’d feel like something wasn’t right. It’s a fine line, I guess, but if you prepare properly for a game, you probably won’t have severe nervousness by that time. You’ll have it under control. I was confident in our preparation so I could dig through the anxiety. And that’s just how it was for me—everyone’s different. What other personality traits would you expect an Olympian to have? I think have that desire, that drive. There will be obstacles and setbacks. You have to be willing to learn from them. You have to have a growth-type mentality. You don’t lose, you learn. You learn from each experience. And you’ve got to be able to learn from criticism, focus in, and make adjustments. At the same time, you can’t beat yourself up or say that you don’t deserve to be there. Scott-Arruda celebrating her team’s win in the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix, which earned them an Olympic berth (vbhalloffame/YouTube) In team sports, you’ve also got to deal with a different coaching staff every time. Each staff has their own goals and plans, and you’ve got to be willing to change. Never feel like you know everything. Because in the Olympics, you’ve got to keep adding tools to your toolbag. And when I have camps and clinics, I tell the kids, “Hey, this is just something else you can add to what you already know.” I think it’s interesting—you said that you were able to get to the Olympics thanks, in part, to the the confidence instilled by coaches and family members. It’s really cool that you’re working with young players now and giving that confidence to other athletes. Definitely. It definitely gives you a sense of accomplishment. I remember this one experience, I was coaching with the 8th grade team at a local school here. And one of the athletes could not serve the ball over. But she was getting better, and I could see her effort. vbhalloffame/YouTube Still, sometimes, she would immediately come towards the bench to be subbed out. We had a great lead against another team, and I was like, “No, go ahead give it a try.” You know where this is going—she served it over, and scored a point. Those little moments, where you see a kid develop—it brings so much to the job. That self-confidence is important for sports, but it’s important for life, and it’s absolutely wonderful to watch it develop. Find out more about Danielle Scott-Arruda’svolleyball training programs here.
If you want to talk minimalism, talk to Lauren and Jamie Eichar. After getting rid of nearly everything they owned, they moved into a 160-square-foot vintage Airstream and have been traveling around the United States in it since January 2018. Let’s back up a bit. I first learned about the Eichars from stalking their Instagram. They are professional wedding photographers, so these small glimpses into their lives do look pretty Pinterest-perfect. The pictures of their Airstream (which was designed, built, renovated, and named June(!) by The Modern Caravan) have the neutral color palette and natural afternoon lighting down pat. Their whole feed looks perfectly curated. At first glance, you might think: Who are these perfect people? Nobody lives like that. Well, actually, the Eichars do live like that. And if you read the captions of their ‘grams, you’ll start to notice that they’re doing more than just posting pretty pictures. In the age of sponsored partnerships and constant #ads, they’re also writing about the stuff that a lot of people aren’t—things like maintaining a photography business on the road, what they still own (and things they still want), the strengths and weaknesses of their relationship, and how they really feel about social media. Hearing Lauren and Jamie describe their lifestyle made me think about what I post on social media. My Instagram is mostly pictures of my daughter, but I’m definitely guilty of taking dozens of photos (of my food, myself, a random window—you name it) to get that just-right shot, which completely takes me out of the moment. At this point, most of us know that what we choose to share on the internet shapes how the world sees us, and eventually it can start to shape how we see ourselves too. The Eichars recognized this in themselves, so they’ve made different choices: to live small and slow and to document the good and bad things as they see fit instead of constantly staging moments for photo ops. Jamie and Lauren also talk a lot about minimalism. That concept is, for all intents and purposes, foreign to me. I love how Scandinavian living rooms look on Pinterest, but putting minimalism into practice has never felt doable (or desirable) for me. I’ve been called a packrat several times since childhood. I hang on to notes, doodles, receipts, and books I’ll never read again. I indulge in retail therapy regularly. The floor of my room usually looks like a Forever 21 dressing room after Black Friday. I own a few too many throw pillows. I’m more of a maximalist, but thanks to how the Eichars share their lives, it starts to feel a little more attractive—and attainable. The Eichars don’t just see minimalism as an aesthetic; for them, it’s more than just getting rid of a certain number of things in a certain amount of time or creating a precious, unlivable space that looks like it came from a catalog. Instead, their minimalism focuses on making intentional choices about possessions, plans, and people. Their version is about living in the moment, embracing the (itty-bitty) space they’ve created, and making time for the people who matter most, no matter where they are in the world or how many Instagram followers they have. It’s about getting rid of the unnecessary, whether that’s a physical item or the impulse to win the rat race. Of living in a beautiful Airstream and photographing the lesser-seen parts of our country, Jamie says, “We recognize that this lifestyle is often perceived to be about the adventure, living the dreamiest life, and moving from one cool thing to the next. That’s not what it’s about for us.” I talked to them about all of this—what it is about for them, including living slow, focusing on each other, and the lessons they’ve learned. As in their Instagram captions, they were delightfully honest about all of this (and more). This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
What led you to sell all of your things and live in an Airstream?
Jamie: Lauren and I had been exploring minimalism as an idea for a while and slowly purging things from our life. We focused on getting rid of anything that felt unnecessary to our experience. If it didn’t serve a purpose or bring a sense of joy to our life, why keep it? The obvious fear is that each thing we purchase has value and gets attached to our lives in a way that we don’t even realize we are holding on to. Most of the time those things are just cluttering up our space mentally and physically. So this practice of getting rid of our things was about shedding the feeling of having our identities attached to the things we own. Lauren:We became more clear on what’s important. For us, living in an Airstream is about experiencing, learning, and growing as people. When Jamie and I started talking about changing our lives a year ago to live a more fulfilling life, I was in a place where I was ready to say yes to living tiny. I had let go of the things in my life that were holding me back before. Jamie:We knew we wanted something different from the average life. It’s so easy to get sucked into what is safe and comfortable. Being self employed, becoming minimalists, and already knowing what it is like to spend so much time together, it seemed like a natural next step to try living this lifestyle. Lauren:As we talked through options of living tiny or living in a mobile home, we followed our favorite Airstream renovators (The Modern Caravan) on Instagram and got extremely lucky with the timing that they decided to sell their own home. We put a deposit down on June and did one last huge garage sale to pare down. Jamie:We were scared, but when the perfect Airstream came up for sale, we couldn’t hold back. We took the leap and jumped in head first.
How do you maintain fewer possessions as time goes on?
Lauren:I’ve gotten in the habit of paring down my items often. I look at my stuff in categories: clothing, sports equipment, kitchen, games, office supplies, photography equipment, camping gear, crafts, and decorations. I’ll go through each category of items every few months or so and make sure that we still love and use everything in that group. Jamie:As time goes on, just like in everyone’s life there are moments where you feel like you don’t have enough. Our whole lives we have been trained to fill our sense of lack with buying objects. That feeling doesn’t just go away as soon as you get rid of things in your life … Because the space we live in is so limited, we just can’t buy any more things unless we get rid of something. We really have to face the reality of what is going on. We aren’t buying something because we need it, we are buying something to fill a void that we are not enough as we are. Being forced to face that feeling, we have learned to look at the parts of us that would normally be hidden behind buying things: lack of self-worth, feelings of not knowing who we are, feelings of not feeling loved. As we face those feelings and embrace who we are with a sense of gentleness, the need for things starts to dissipate and the yearning to work on our self-awareness, selflessness, and growth as human beings starts to become our focus.
What was your biggest fear before making the jump? How do you feel about those anxieties now?
Jamie:My biggest fear before jumping into this life was the unknown. Any big change like this, you don’t know what it will actually be like until you do it. I was fearful of the simple logistics of it. How do you tow a 27-foot Airstream? What truck do we need? How do we find campsites that work for us? Will this lifestyle be too expensive for us? What happens when something breaks? What is it like to live and be in 160 square feet? All those questions swirl around until you’re really in it. Lauren:My biggest fear was around the financial factors of this decision. It’s still my biggest fear. We spent almost six years in St. Louis, establishing ourselves and our business, and left. We now have to figure out how to sustain this lifestyle and support ourselves on the road with our business. It’s a big game of trust-as-we-go. Jamie:Looking back on those fears, I’m happy we were thinking so much about them. As much as I’d like to say it was all dreamy and perfect once we made the leap, it wasn’t. We’ve had to face all those fears head on and there have been some very stressful, tough moments. But no matter what, we have been able to work through them.
What do you miss about living “traditionally”?
Jamie:There isn’t much I miss about living traditionally. The only one that really comes to mind is that we don’t have access to a long powerful hot shower. It sounds silly, but sometimes those long, cozy showers are the best way to unwind after those stressful days. Lauren:The only thing I miss about living traditionally is the bathroom. I miss flushing toilets (now we take care of our own #1 and #2) and I miss spreading out as I shower (not being hunched over and needing to jump out of there quickly). Disclaimer: Just so you know, if you order an item through one of our posts, we may get a small share of the sale.
What are some positives you didn’t expect to gain from this experience?
[noads] Lauren:
1. Jamie and I have grown closer. Because we’re living in a small space, we have to face our arguments right then and there, and there’s no escaping our issues. It feels like we’re more on the same team now than ever before. We both love contributing to this lifestyle and to each other. We go through a lot of hard days together and we go through a lot of amazing days together. All of those days are good for our relationship.
2. The Airstream and RV community is amazing! We’ve made a lot of friends on Instagram and in real life. During our first two weeks with June, our Airstream neighbors in our RV park helped us with everything that was coming up for us or that was new for us. When we post about some challenge we’re having, we get tons of people in the community chipping in with advice or ideas.
3. Falling in love with our country. I didn’t know how beautiful the U.S. was until buying our Airstream. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to take our home wherever we go. We’re finding ourselves in the most stunning locations and just can’t get enough of life on the road.
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How do you stay healthy in a small space?
Jamie:Staying healthy can definitely be a challenge in a tiny space. Fortunately for us, we have a fully functioning kitchen. We are able to keep most of the foods we would get in our traditional life pre-Airstream. The only sacrifice we made is that we do not have a freezer or microwave, so quick, frozen meals aren’t an option. Probably for the better though. Lauren:Eating healthy is Jamie’s thing. He’s inspired me a lot with his commitment to eating healthy and eating vegetarian. Three years ago I quit drinking soda (I was very addicted to Pepsi), and now I try to just be a little more intentional about what I eat. I’m still a french fry–obsessed human being, so definitely don’t come to me for tips on eating healthy. Jamie:Working out isn’t any more of a challenge than anywhere else; we just have to be motivated, which seems to be the challenge for most of us. But if we are able to get motivated, we have the outdoors to go on a run, do some yoga, or do a bodyweight workout. We definitely don’t do anything workout wise inside the Airstream—it’s too small for anything like that to happen. Lauren:I have been on a grand adventure of learning about self-care recently, and as I read The War of Art and as we talk about a future with a family one day, I get more interested in being a person that fights the resistance in my life. Working out has given me the [opportunities for] self-care that I need to start off my day.
How do you deal with feelings of loneliness or isolation?
Lauren:When I experience loneliness, it hits me really hard. I’m an extrovert and a major people person. Recently I’ve been learning about facing my ego and my pain in a way that helps me work through it rather than fixing it quickly or avoiding it. I do this by letting myself sit with and sit in the feeling of loneliness. I try to allow myself to be lonely and not judge that that’s the feeling coming up for me. I fail at this a bunch, and I end up using Jamie as a crutch to help me by talking it out with him. The moments that I’ve sat with my loneliness have been eye opening for me to learn more about myself and to learn how to love myself with ego and all. This is a topic I could talk a lot more about, but to keep it simple, it’s something I continuously work on and learn from. Jamie:Most times, for Lauren and me, having each other is enough. But we can get on each other’s nerves or end up fighting; you just crave time with other people. We have been pretty intentional about scheduling time in locations where we have friends or family nearby so that we can have that balance in our lives. If we aren’t able to be with others though, just accepting that we feel lonely can be enough to get us through it. That may sound strange, but just allowing something to be allows it to be okay. Photo by Hannah Shea Studios
How important is community to you? How do you maintain that in a nontraditional living situation?
Jamie:Community for us is important but it hasn’t felt like we’ve been without it. In fact the greater Airstream community on social media has really supported us and we feel the love and connection to them. As far as the other communities in our life, it’s about making sure—even though we are often far away from friends and family—that we stay in touch in whatever way we can. FaceTime and phone calls are a must. Lauren:Community, family, and friendships are very important to us. Living on the road definitely makes me miss everyone back home. It makes me miss my improv comedy group. It makes me miss the soccer girls I coached. It makes me miss our close friends. And most of all, my brother, who recently started living in St. Louis before we left for this journey. We do a good job at staying in touch with everyone and making plans to visit St. Louis or have friends visit us. Although [it’s] hard, it was more important for us to start living this dream of ours than to stay in a place we didn’t feel inspired by anymore. Two months in, and we’ve gained an amazing new community of people on the road.
How has the ability to travel wherever, whenever impacted your worldview?
Jamie:So often we think we have to live according to the rules of society, but in reality this is your life, and you make up the rules. Lauren and I try to look at the rules that have been impressed upon us by school, parents, or society that we live by subconsciously, and if it doesn’t hurt someone, we see if it’s worth shifting how we do something. With that, we try to recognize how privileged we are to be living this life. Making sure we don’t take it for granted and really be present in it is a really important aspect of this experience. Lauren:As we travel, we try to grow and learn from the experiences we have. For example, now when we go to Native American–owned parklands, we’ll try to learn about the history of the land and do our best to respect and appreciate it. We’ve had experiences of visiting gorgeous land with the goal of just getting pretty photos and left feeling icky about the way we experienced that place. Now we’re visiting locations with the goal of being present and being grateful.
What’s your advice for people who want to make travel more of a priority but need to stay rooted to a home base?
Lauren:Keep your dreams and goals in mind as you work, save money, and spend money. When there’s a purpose behind the days you spend at home and the work you do, I believe you’ll be able to get closer to making those dreams a reality. Jamie and I spent six years talking about our dreams together while living in St. Louis. Even though we didn’t know exactly how everything would work out or look, we knew we were inching closer and closer to something that felt more fulfilling to us.
What’s your advice for people who can’t live out of an Airstream but still want to cut down?
Jamie:If you are interested in exploring minimalism and starting to cut out things in your life, my advice is to just start. There are many different methods of minimizing; find one that gives you a few tools and go for it. It’s so easy to look at an idea or concept and get inspired, but often people don’t take action. Go up against your resistance and give it a go. Start with one area of your life and test it out. Minimizing and getting rid of things isn’t something that ends up being right for everyone, but you never know until you try it.
[noads] Lauren:
1. Take your time with it and get in the habit of getting rid of things. Marie Kondō, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up has you do a big haul in one day, and for me that was helpful, but I needed a few years and few hauls. I got in the habit of getting rid of items about once a month, and by the time we were talking about living in an Airstream, it didn’t feel like such a scary thing to live with much less items in 160 square feet.
2. Be kind to yourself. If you’re not ready to let go of something, there’s nothing wrong with that at all.
3. Get in touch with your feelings around your possessions. Once I started realizing how things I owned made me feel, it was easier to see if the item was actually necessary in my life. Marie Kondō describes this as keeping only what “sparks joy.”
4. Have fun with the process! Minimalism is my passion. It’s become fun for me because I’ve been able to refine my taste and style and get to know myself through the process. It feels refreshing to live with less.
[/noads]
What have you learned about yourselves throughout this process?
[noads] Lauren:
1. I’ve learned that I’m better at self-care when I am living a more purposeful/meaningful life. If I’m present enough to take care of myself first before I start the work day or before Jamie and I go off on an adventure, I have a much better day and I can give my all to the day and the work that needs to be done. That’s been a major focus of mine while we’re learning how to set routines in the Airstream.
2. I’m learning that I rely on other people for my happiness. This is something I still struggle with and try to face. I’m able to see how much this is the case with Airstream life because I struggle with loneliness more than I did when living in a city filled with people I loved.
3. I’m much better off working through my issues rather than pretending that they’re not there. I used to do the latter and it didn’t go so well. One example I’m working on is accepting the fact that I can be passive aggressive and really making an effort to tell people how I feel when I’m hurt rather than holding frustration in and hoping that they know that they hurt me.
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What’s the hardest or the most important lesson you’ve learned?
Jamie:One major lesson that’s worth sharing—that we actually knew before jumping into this life—is the simple fact that living in an Airstream and traveling wasn’t going to solve all of our problems. No matter how perfect something looks on social media, it isn’t actually that way in real life for those people. Yes, we go to beautiful locations and take pretty pictures, but our life and our challenges are the same as they would be anywhere else. We have hard days, we have sad days, we have extremely happy days. Really, if anything, this lifestyle forces you to see where you need to grow and what you need to work on as a person because of how often you are challenged. We’ve come across so many people that want to live this life, and we are always up for encouraging others to go for it. But we also just want to be real about it and share that it can be really hard at times too. Lauren:One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned in jumping into Airstream life is that no lifestyle will solve my problems. I’m learning that nothing gets easier or better without facing my ego and facing resistance. There’s no way around that. It’s a constant battle, and the learning and growing doesn’t stop. In a way that lesson is also a beautiful aspect of life. Before moving into June, I was planning on having this life make my insecurities go away, give me motivation to get out of bed, work out, and meditate, start taking better care of myself. These things don’t come easier now. They just are easier to see now that there’s less stuff around and now that Jamie and I have to work though every little thing that comes up because there’s no running away. The opportunities are there for me to work on myself, and that’s both hard and beautiful. If you want to learn more about the Eichars and June, follow them @eichars_explore.
Whether you stick to drip coffee or have a soft spot for lattes topped with elaborate artwork, there’s no denying the importance (some would argue the utmost importance) of selecting the right type of coffee in the morning. The sheer number of choices when it comes to popular types of coffee drinks is both welcome and sometimes overwhelming.
If you’ve ever had questions about types of coffee or even wondered how to make your own versions of your favorite coffee drinks at home, we’re here to help you transform from being coffee-curious to a full-fledged coffee bean connoisseur and at-home barista.
Choosing Your Beans
All types of coffee drinks worth your morning devotion begin with great coffee beans, and the best place to buy exceptional coffee beans is directly from a coffee roaster. Although a whole wall of different types of coffee beans can be intimidating to choose from, you’ll find that baristas love to talk about their favorite coffee beans and how they can be used.
Ben Rugg, lead roaster and manager of Pallet Coffee in Vancouver, British Columbia, loves interacting with customers who are interested in learning more about different types of coffee. “People who work with specialty coffee are extremely passionate about coffee and typically are more than happy to share their knowledge and information on how to make a nice coffee at home.”
Choosing coffee beans can be as simple as describing some of your favorite types of coffee to a barista or roaster. Ann Hnatyshyn, head roaster at East Van Roasters (also in Vancouver), suggests thinking about what it is you enjoy about coffee drinks to begin with. “When buying coffee for home, the first thing to keep in mind is what flavor profile you’re looking for. It could be something balanced with lots of chocolate flavor notes, or maybe you enjoy a stronger bitter flavor so you can enjoy cream and sugar in your morning coffee. You can also seek out a coffee with more floral and sweet notes.”
Once you’ve identified the flavors you love, it’s time to look at the roast profile of different types of coffee beans.
The Roast With the Most
A coffee bean’s flavor profile is directly linked to the length of time it was roasted. Once you figure out the best roast for your tastes, it becomes much easier to pick out coffee beans. Hnatyshyn says that in general, “Lightly roasted coffee normally has more acidity and sweetness. Medium roasted coffee will be less acidic with some sweetness and some bitterness. Dark roast tends to be more bitter.”
If in doubt, try describing the best cup of coffee you’ve ever had to your barista and let them take it from there. Many coffee shops will offer small sample bags of beans, giving you the chance to try them out before committing to a certain roast.
Price and Origin: Their Effect on Different Types of Coffee Beans
Spencer Viehweger, co-founder and co-owner of Matchstick Coffee, suggests paying attention to price points when exploring different types of coffee beans. “Various price points typically have a flavor spectrum as well. There are many fantastic espresso-style coffees that can be purchased for around $15 to $18 a bag. They won’t have the nuance of the top end stuff, but they can still be delicious. If you’re looking for notes of raspberry or sugarplum, I would expect to pay between $20 and $25 dollars for a premium filter-style coffee.”
Viehweger says that in addition to roasting time, the geographical origin of the coffee beans has an impact on the flavors of different types of coffees. “I would also experiment with different growing regions, learn about their unique flavor profiles, and find what best appeals to you! Kenyan coffees are generally very jammy and acidic, Ethiopian coffees are generally quite tropical and floral, and Latin American coffees are typically nutty and chocolatey.”
Get the right kind of grind.
Whether you’re using a French press, a drip coffee maker, or a stovetop or electric espresso maker, it’s important to choose the right grind for the job. As a general rule, Hnatyshyn says, “If you have a home espresso machine then you have to make sure that the grind size is finer compared to a drip filter coffee machine or a French press, which will be a coarser grind size.” Cold brew and Turkish coffee also demand a specific grind, so make sure to check with a barista or coffee roaster if you’re feeling unsure.
Coffee vs. Espresso: What’s the difference?
There is a major difference between drip coffee and espresso—and it’s all about how the coffee beans are ground and treated as a beverage is being made. Beans that have been ground to make espresso are extremely fine, while drip coffee grounds are coarser in texture.
When it comes to actually making your beverage of choice, espresso is made in much smaller amounts than drip coffee. The process involves very quickly forcing extremely hot water through coffee grounds that have been tightly packed into an espresso maker. Drip coffee, on the other hand, is made by slowly filtering a larger amount of water through loosely packed coffee grounds. Although espresso has a stronger taste and darker appearance than coffee, a typical serving size actually contains less caffeine than that of drip coffee. A 2-ounce shot of espresso contains 80 mg of caffeine, whereas a 12-ounce cup of drip coffee contains 120 mg of caffeine.
How to Make Espresso and Steam Milk at Home
Although you can use drip coffee in many coffee drink recipes, it’s impossible to brew the small amount required for most types of coffee drinks, and substituting drip coffee for espresso makes it impossible to achieve the intense chocolatey taste of freshly brewed espresso in your favorite coffee drink. So how to make espresso at home? A simple stovetop maker such as this one is an inexpensive way to make great espresso without having to spend a ton of money.
For the more serious home baristas, a countertop espresso maker with a milk-foaming attachment will allow you to make almost any type of coffee drink in your own kitchen.
Whether you have a milk foaming or frothing tool or not, keep this in mind when it comes to steamed milk: When baristas heat milk for different types of coffee drinks, their goal is to end up with three layers of steamed milk—a layer of liquid milk on the bottom, a creamy layer of microfoam in the middle, and a layer of stiff foam on top.
Adding milk to coffee is a good way to sneak in some extra calcium and protein, and you can use non-fat, 2 percent, or whole milk—or any non-dairy milk—with equal success. If you don’t have an espresso maker with a steam attachment, you can approximate this same effect with milk that has been heated until just below boiling in the microwave or a saucepan. Once the milk has been heated, it can be whipped up with an immersion blender, a hand mixer, or a whisk before being added to various types of coffee drinks for a creamier experience.
12 Coffee Drinks to Try at Home
Although all different types of coffee drinks are readily available at coffee shops and cafes, it’s fun to try to replicate your favorites at home. Follow these instructions carefully, but don’t put too much stress on yourself in terms of trying to achieve perfect ratios of espresso or coffee to milk. It takes baristas months of practice to achieve the results you’re used to at your local coffee shop. Above all else, have fun making and enjoying different types of coffee drinks in the comfort of your own home!
1. Cappuccino
Made with ⅓ espresso, ⅓ steamed milk, and ⅓ foam on top, cappuccinos are traditionally served in smaller 6- or 8-ounce servings (although many coffee shops in North America sell larger versions).
To make a cappuccino at home, carefully pour ½ cup of steamed milk over 2 shots of espresso in a small cup, being careful to hold the foam back until all the liquid milk has been used. Spoon the remaining foam carefully over the espresso and milk, then add a sprinkle of unsweetened cocoa or cinnamon to taste.
2. Caffè Americano
Caffè Americano (or, Americano as it’s most commonly referred to in the United States) is a popular coffee drink made with one or two shots of espresso and hot water. Americanos have a robust flavor thanks to the espresso, and they contain lower amounts of caffeine than regular drip coffee.
Concerned about the calories in various types of coffee drinks? A black unsweetened Americano clocks in at about 15 calories per 12-ounce serving, making it a good calorie-conscious choice. Although traditionally served hot, Americanos can also be made with cold water and be served over ice.
To make an Americano at home, begin with a single or double shot of espresso, pour hot water into your cup or mug, and enjoy black or with milk, cream, and/or sugar. To make a long espresso (also known as a lungo), run the hot water through the espresso machine for a second time after the first shot has been made.
3. Espresso Macchiato
A macchiato is made of hot espresso and a very small amount of steamed milk, and it bears no resemblance to the popular version topped with whipped cream and drizzled with caramel syrup. Macchiato means “marked” in Italian and was originally used by baristas to differentiate between espresso with or without a small amount of milk. To avoid confusion at the coffee shop (and an overly saccharine drink) make sure you order an espresso macchiato.
To make a macchiato at home, begin with one or two shots of espresso in the smallest heatproof cups you have. Gently ladle about 2 tablespoons of foamed milk onto the espresso, being careful not to mix the two layers before serving.
4. Mocha
A mocha (also known as a caffè mocha or a mocaccino) is an espresso and steamed milk–based coffee drink with the addition of chocolate in the form of cocoa powder or chocolate syrup. Mochas can be made with milk, dark, or white chocolate and are sometimes topped with whipped cream and garnished with shaved chocolate pieces.
To make a traditional caffè mocha at home, you’ll need a single shot of espresso (or make it a double if you’re craving the extra caffeine) and 1 cup of steamed milk. Vigorously mix the hot espresso with 3 tablespoons of sweetened cocoa powder or 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup until completely emulsified. Carefully pour the steamed milk over the espresso and chocolate mixture, using a spoon to dollop the foamed milk on top.
5. Latte
Like cappuccinos, lattes are made from steamed milk and espresso. What makes these drinks different from each other? While a cappuccino is topped with a generous layer of foamed milk, a latte is milky throughout with a very thin layer of foam floating on top (latte art is entirely optional).
To make a latte at home you’ll need to pull a shot of espresso and top it with plenty of steamed milk, reserving a small amount of foam for the top layer. Spoon the foam carefully over the latte and enjoy the beverage hot.
6. Flat White
A flat white is a type of coffee drink somewhere in between a latte and an Americano. An Australian invention, flat whites are traditionally made with two shots of espresso and are served in a smaller cup than a latte. While a latte relies on a larger percentage of foam to steamed milk, a flat white’s super creamy texture comes from the creamy middle layer of milk.
To make a flat white at home, pull two shots of espresso into a 5- or 6-ounce cup. Carefully pour steamed milk over the espresso, being careful to use as much of the microfoamed milk as possible.
7. Turkish Coffee
Thick and super rich, Turkish coffee is made by twice boiling water with finely ground coffee beans (no filtration required!), and it is traditionally served in demitasse cups. Turkish coffee is meant to be savored and enjoyed with friends and good conversation, so the next time you’re hosting a late-afternoon meal, try making Turkish coffee at home.
To make Turkish coffee you’ll need very finely ground coffee. You can have your local coffee roaster grind it or you can buy it pre-ground. This tutorial on making Turkish coffee shows it being brewed in a special copper saucepan called a cezve or ibrik, but feel free to use a small saucepan in its place.
8. Café Au Lait
Made of freshly brewed coffee and hot milk in a roughly 1:1 ratio (experiment to see if you like a little more milk or a little less), café au lait is an easy-to-make coffee drink that’s perfect when you’re in the mood for a latte but don’t have the energy, time, or equipment to make espresso.
To make café au lait, combine brewed coffee with hot (not boiling) milk that has been briefly whisked or blended to achieve a pleasantly creamy but not overly whipped texture.
9. Irish Coffee
Irish coffee is ideal for those times when you need caffeine and a cocktail. Made with sweetened black coffee, Irish whiskey, and heavy cream, this is one coffee drink reserved for special occasions. Irish coffee is traditionally served in clear glass mugs with a footed base, but any mug will do in a pinch. Serve Irish coffee in place of a dessert or a digestif at your next dinner party or informal brunch. Regardless of the other dishes you’ve served, the richness of this coffee drink practically guarantees guest satisfaction.
To make Irish coffee at home, begin with hot black coffee that has been sweetened with brown sugar, using about 2 teaspoons of sweetener per glass. Stir in an ounce and a half of Irish whiskey (Jameson is the preferred choice of many Irish coffee drinkers). Carefully pour or dollop lightly whipped cream over the top of the coffee. The goal is to leave the cream sitting on top so that the rest of the coffee remains black. Serve while hot with a few shavings of chocolate sprinkled over the whipped cream.
10. Frappé
Icy and pleasantly sweet, frappé is a Greek invention from the 1950s. Nescafé instant coffee is blended with sugar and water until foamy. Add chocolate syrup, a drizzle of caramel, or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra sweet treat.
To make a homemade frappé, you’ll need original Nescafé instant coffee, sugar, and water. This tutorial for traditional Greek frappé calls for a specific frappé-blending tool, but feel free to use a blender, jar, or water bottle.
11. Affogato
Not so much a drink as a caffeinated dessert, affogato is made by pouring a shot (or two!) of hot espresso over vanilla ice cream or gelato. Although it originated in Italian cuisine, affogato is now widely available at coffee shops and restaurants across the country.
To make affogato at home, begin with a scoop or two of your favorite ice cream or gelato (vanilla is traditional, but chocolate or salted caramel are also delicious options). Pour a hot espresso shot over the ice cream and enjoy as is or with the addition of crumbled biscotti.
12. Cold Brew Iced Coffee
Of all the different types of coffee drinks available, a glass of iced coffee is the ultimate thirst-quencher. With a negligible calorie count (a single cup of unsweetened black iced coffee comes in at less than 5 calories), this coffee drink can easily be made at home, which is a plus for your wallet and your waistline. While you can make iced coffee from hot brewed coffee, the results are much tastier if you use the cold brew method. How come? Taking the time to brew the beans in cold water prevents the finished product from being overly bitter or acidic. For this same reason, the coffee beans should be coarsely ground to prevent any bitter flavors from developing (this also prevents excess sediment from settling on the bottom of your jug or container).
To make your own cold brew iced coffee, use a ratio of ¼ pound of coarsely ground coffee beans to 4 cups of cold water. Using a French press or an iced coffee maker, steep the coffee grounds for 12 to 24 hours before removing. Using the cold brew as a concentrate, pour over ice and add cold water in a ratio of 1:1. Top with milk, cream, and/or simple syrup.
Pairing Food With Coffee
Want to take your love of coffee a step further? Dive into food pairing!
Rugg loves to pair food with all different kinds of coffee drinks but warns against drinking coffee with overly spicy or acidic foods. His favorite pairings? “Croissants, chocolate, sweet pastries, cheese scones, biscuits, chocolate chip cookies, and toast with jam are all items I believe pair well with most coffees.”
Hnatyshyn is also a huge fan of chocolate and coffee, specifically the way the natural sweetness and bitterness of coffee and chocolate play off one another.
Rachel Cannon doesn’t wait for a pregnant woman to deliver her baby to start looking for signs of postpartum depression. Like most practitioners in her field, the Boston-based OB-GYN and instructor at Boston University begins screening for postpartum depression before a woman is anywhere near the postpartum period. She wants to know if her patients have a history of depression or anxiety. She asks what their support system is like. She makes inroads at every prenatal visit. Cannon isn’t trying to police the thoughts of moms-to-be, and she’s not being judgmental. She is trying to treat postpartum depression before it starts. What’s more, she’s aware that just 14 percent of postpartum depression sufferers actually seek and receive treatment in America, an unfortunate reality that comes down to a multitude of factors—from moms’ fear of judgment and recrimination to societal attitudes that make asking for help a taboo for hundreds of thousands of women every year. For new parents in America, the fight for postpartum depression treatment isn’t just one of awareness. Moms need to feel safe recognizing the symptoms in themselves and to feel secure saying, “hey, I need a little help.” Whether you’re expecting a baby soon or already delivered…if you’re wondering what’s part and parcel of the life changes that come with bringing a new one into the world and when it’s time to put up the white flag, here’s what the doctors say.
Postpartum Depression or Just the Baby Blues?
If you had a dime for everyone who told you that the days after you welcome a child are different, you’d be living it up like Bill Gates by now. But guess what: All those clichés that come at you during pregnancy come at you for a reason. You might as well be Dorothy waking up in Oz after you give birth. Your life has just changed. Your body has been through the wringer. And your new baby has no idea how to do much of anything without you, save for sleeping and sounding out a cry-fueled alarm that they’re hungry, tired, or have a diaper full of yuck. So it stands to reason that you might feel a little down and out in the days after having a baby, and that’s perfectly okay, Cannon says. “Every woman, her life is going to change,” she notes. “Her sleep, her appetite, her libido is going to change, and that’s normal.” And with all that change comes a plummet in mood. The American Pregnancy Association estimates that anywhere from 70 to 80 percent of new moms have these feelings, which usually hit them within a week of birth. You might feel tired. Weepy. Anxious. Unmoored. Usually dubbed the “baby blues,” this period of feeling very un-you doesn’t necessarily mean you have postpartum depression. It could just mean you’re a new mom trying to figure out a whole new life, and those feelings will go away as you adjust to your new routine. So how do you know if you have postpartum depression? It’s when the symptoms of the baby blues stick around that you need to seek an evaluation by your doctor for something more serious.
How to Know if It’s Something More: Diagnosing Postpartum Depression
For 1 in 7 women, the baby blues don’t end, at least not without help. They still feel down and out of sorts well past their baby’s arrival, even as they fall into a routine of diapering and feeding and swaddling. For some, the feeling won’t even show up right after baby’s born. Postpartum depression can begin to rear its ugly head as long as three or even six months after baby’s arrival. But before they can get help, many women face a host of misinformation that they need to wade through. In one BabyCenter poll, 77 percent of women confessed that they thought having postpartum depression meant you were a risk to your child’s safety. It’s a myth perpetuated by alarmist headlines about desperate moms who have hurt their babies. And sadly it does happen. But causing harm to your baby or yourself is just one of the possible symptoms, and it’s one that’s experienced by fewer women than other issues that are still difficult for moms, such as insomnia or anxiety. No matter how minor you may feel your issues are, they are absolutely worth a follow-up with your physician. The truth is, if you’ve gone two weeks with any of the following symptoms of postpartum depression (as outlined by the National Institutes of Health) it’s time to make that call:
Feeling sad, hopeless, empty, or overwhelmed
Crying more often than usual or for no apparent reason
Worrying or feeling overly anxious
Feeling moody, irritable, or restless
Oversleeping or being unable to sleep even when the baby is asleep
Having trouble concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
Experiencing anger or rage
Losing interest in activities that are usually enjoyable
Suffering from physical aches and pains, including frequent headaches, stomach problems, and muscle pain
Eating too little or too much
Withdrawing from or avoiding friends and family
Having trouble bonding or forming an emotional attachment with the baby
Persistently doubting her ability to care for the baby
Not sure if you fit the bill? Many doctors use the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale as an assessment tool, and the questions are available online. Although the test should not be used to self-diagnose, the 10 questions can help you make sense of what you’re feeling. If you’ve had thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby, it’s particularly important that you don’t wait to make that call, Cannon says. You may be experiencing something called postpartum psychosis. Although it’s much rarer than postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis is the leading cause of maternal death in a baby’s first year. Postpartum psychosis can result in complete psychosis, cognitive impairment, and grossly disorganized behavior. The good news is, as with postpartum depression, there is treatment—but a mom and/or a loved one has to identify the problem and get her help. [related article_ids=8030,721,6327]
The Risks of Postpartum Depression
The postpartum depression symptom list is a long one, and it’s one that many moms say makes them feel inadequate and scared even to broach the topic of postpartum depression with their healthcare providers. For many, it’s something they’ve never felt before. For half of all postpartum depression sufferers, this is the first time they’ve ever experienced these feelings, which can quickly feel like a ding on their brand-new parenting record. But postpartum depression isn’t a mom’s fault. It doesn’t mean she’s failing or that she’s ill equipped to be a parent. It comes down to our own bodies and how they’re affected by pregnancy and motherhood, says Mayra Mendez, PhD, a licensed psychotherapist and program coordinator for intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health services at Providence Saint John’s Child and Family Development Center in Santa Monica, California. “Postpartum depression is a condition resulting in emotional dysregulation impacted by hormonal and chemical imbalance associated with pregnancy,” Mendez says. “The condition impairs decision making, interferes with perceptions, [and] may impair relationships and disrupt daily living routines.” In that way, postpartum depression is much like clinical depression. Moms who struggle with postpartum depression show signs that are markedly similar to those of non-parents with depression. But a number of scientists surmise that postpartum depression differs from classic depression in large part because of the hormones that take control of a mom’s body. Although a pre-pregnancy depression diagnosis will increase a mom’s risk of developing depression postpartum, some moms have no history of depression and after treatment never experience symptoms again. If you’re feeling like you need a little help—or a loved one has picked up on the cues—you can start at your OB-GYN’s office. And there’s no need to wait for your six-week postpartum checkup. Call your doctor’s office and explain that you’d like a postpartum depression screening. Regardless of whether you’re feeling postpartum depression symptoms, the experts maintain that risk factors rest largely on genetics and societal factors. Women who have a history of depression are at higher risk than their peers, as are moms who deliver a pre-term baby, moms who lack a support system, and moms who are under other undue stressors during pregnancy or in the postpartum period. Some science even indicates that women who give birth during the winter and spring months are at higher risk than those who have summer and fall babies. Although exact causes have yet to be determined, doctors like Cannon keep a keen eye out for moms who are expressing anxious feelings during pregnancy, as postpartum depression is not singular to the days after a woman gives birth. Symptoms are as likely to crop up during pregnancy or even months after a baby’s arrival.
Help for postpartum depression is on the way.
It’s because of this that postpartum depression treatment may begin well before the postpartum period, especially for women who come into pregnancy with a previous mental health diagnosis. As many as 20 percent of women experience depression during pregnancy, and it’s been linked with adverse obstetric outcomes such as low birth weight and premature birth. That alone could be reason enough to remain on an antidepressant for the nine months of pregnancy, but doctors have also found that a pre-pregnancy depression diagnosis is one of the leading indicators that a mom may suffer from postpartum depression. These days that’s enough to leave the barn door wide open on the topic, with doctors weighing a mom’s well-being against unknown risks to her fetus. Although it was once customary for women to suspend taking antidepressants during pregnancy, an increasing number of doctors advise moms to stay the course if they feel they need the medicine in their system. “Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of data,” Cannon says of the safety of antidepressants for moms-to-be. But what data they do have indicate that some formulations of medications are safer than others, and your OB-GYN may suggest a change to a specific medicine. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests that “the use of a single medication at a higher dosage is preferred over multiple medications, and those with fewer metabolites, higher protein binding, and fewer interactions with other medications are also preferred.” And while studies continue to present a variety of factors for moms, recent research has shown that fears that antidepressants may hike a child’s autism risk are unfounded, as are fears that it will cause attention deficit disorder. If you’re debating whether to start (or restart) antidepressants during pregnancy, be aware that antidepressants may need to be started at 36 weeks of pregnancy to get adequate blood levels in a woman’s system to ward off uncontrollable emotions once the baby is born. That said, antidepressants aren’t the only tools in a mom’s arsenal if she’s fearing she may develop postpartum depression. Sherry Ross, an OB-GYN at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, suggests adding visits with a therapist to your prenatal plans if you have concerns, as they can not only help you take control of your emotions during pregnancy but also help craft plans for the postpartum period. They’ll also suggest how other important people in your life—from a friend to a sibling to a partner—can provide you support. “It’s important to establish a support team who will help you be successful avoiding the dark days associated with depression,” Ross notes. “The team should include your partner, therapist, and healthcare provider. Women suffering from this type of depression need to acknowledge and be communicative on how they are feeling and use their support team regularly.” If you’ve already given birth when you start to experience issues, you may be in new territory, but it’s never too late to get help. Symptoms for postpartum depression may crop up as long as six months after a woman gives birth, but treatment is out there. “Symptoms associated with postpartum reactivity are usually temporary and responsive to treatment,” Mendez says. That treatment can include cognitive or behavioral therapy with a therapist and/or medication. For moms who are considering breastfeeding, there’s even good news: Studies on moms with postpartum depression found that some antidepressants are safe for breastfeeding. What’s more, research on moms who stopped taking antidepressants versus those who stayed on the meds showed a direct link between staying on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and extended breastfeeding. Regardless of your medical treatment plan, there’s physical support out there too. Postpartum depression support groups exist across the country, and they’re all just a phone call away.
It’s 7:58 a.m. You’re running late for work, and you still haven’t settled on an outfit. You stare into your closet, wondering how you have all these clothes, but nothing to wear. You frantically grab something, throw it on, and spend the rest of the day feeling insecure about your appearance.
I used to do this all the time—until I discovered the capsule wardrobe.
Ever since I started doing capsule wardrobes two years ago, dressing stylishly in the morning is a breeze. Now I can save brain power for the really important decisions, like choosing a bumping playlist for my commute or organizing my schedule for the day.
It’s also resulted in me limiting my shopping trips to once a season, so I save money and end up with more staple pieces. Gone are the days when I bought something and never wore it. [pullquote align=”center”]You frantically grab something, throw it on, and spend the rest of the day feeling insecure about your appearance.[/pullquote]
But what is a capsule wardrobe, and how am I using it to minimize disruption to my morning routine? In short, it’s a collection of a limited number of pieces that you switch out every season, which means I can do more with less.
By scaling down and choosing items that work interchangeably with each other, I’ve given myself more than enough outfit combinations to dress for the season while reducing decision fatigue.
So where did I start?
Step #1: Taking Inventory
Curating a capsule wardrobe begins with doing an inventory of what you already have. I removed everything—and I mean everything—from my closet. I even took out all the clothes I had in storage.
This first part is easy—grab your favorite pieces (you know what those are) and put them back in the closet. For instance, I practically lived in this sweater during winter, and I loved the versatility of this sleeveless dress so much that I got it in two colors. All three pieces layer well and are more lightweight, so they were obvious choices for my spring capsule.
Then it was time to purge. First and foremost, I knew I needed to replace what was worn out or no longer fit. I wasn’t doing my style any favors by wearing those pieces.
I had a very threadbare Gap sweatshirt from high school that I kept even after the zipper gave out, but I finally surrendered it during this closet cleanout because I’d accepted that it was a relic of my fashion past. [pullquote align=”center”]Now I can save brain power for the really important decisions, like choosing a bumping playlist for my commute or organizing my schedule for the day.[/pullquote]
Embrace a little change and make way for the new! I was truly honest with myself about what I’d actually wear. A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn it in a year, it’s time to say goodbye (unless it’s a very specialized item of clothing like a formal jacket).
Set sentimentality aside. I held onto a black leather jacket for longer than I should have because it was a gift from a family member, but I was never in love with it. If you can’t quite bring yourself to give something away, put it in storage. If you don’t end up opening that box at all by the end of the season, consider giving those clothes away for good. You really won’t miss them.
The clothes in your closet should be like job interview candidates and dates: They are either hell yeses or definite nos.
Step #2: Planning Out the Pieces I Needed
Once I’d decided what to keep, it was time to come up with a list of what to buy. Creating this list in advance ensured I’d make intentional purchases that really contribute something to my wardrobe and personal style. I’ve found that the most important factors when curating a capsule wardrobe are lifestyle, weather, trends, and total number of pieces.
Lifestyle
Like most people, I dress mainly for work. Fortunately, my office is casual and allows for a tremendous amount of freedom. Sometimes that means yoga pants; other days it’s a pencil skirt. My office outfit almost always involves a sweater, even if it’s over 100 degrees, because I have yet to find an office building that isn’t freezing cold. [pullquote align=”center”]The clothes in your closet should be like job interview candidates and dates: They are either hell yeses or definite nos.[/pullquote]
I typically wear clothes that transition well into post-work social activities, like dinner out or drinks on a patio. I’ve gone out in this dress right after clocking out, and it isn’t too flashy for work, especially when styled with tights and ankle boots.
Weather
St. Louis is unpredictable when it comes to weather—it’s not unusual for it to be 35 degrees one day and 60 the next, meaning pieces that layer well are essential for me. When it comes to capsule wardrobes in general, layers are typically good options even if you live in a warmer climate, since you’re still probably in and out of air-conditioned buildings most days. Last season, I frequently wore this cardigan, which layers well over most tops and isn’t too heavy for spring.
Trends
You can take or leave this one, but I like browsing Pinterest for inspiration. There are the staples that seem to stick around no matter the year, but going for something new can be exciting and make your style a little more signature and modern. For spring 2018, flowy dresses, lavender, and checkered print all made the list, and I found two out of the three in this piece from Nordstrom.
Total Number of Pieces
Here’s the part that most people get stuck on: committing to a total number of pieces. The most successful capsule pieces are versatile enough to work with multiple outfits, but you have to limit it somewhere. The thing is, 35 pieces you absolutely love versus 60 pieces you have stuck in the back of the closet will make you happier and more confident. [pullquote align=”center”]When it comes to capsule wardrobes in general, layers are typically good options even if you live in a warmer climate.[/pullquote]
Don’t forget to take note of what you wore a lot the previous season; that might mean that you could use an extra or updated version of that piece. I’ve purchased the same top in multiple colors because I fell in love with the fit because I firmly believe that clothes that flatter your body type are worth snapping up when you can find them.
[related article_ids=26045]
Step #3: Shopping (and Sticking to My List)
After figuring out what I wanted for this season’s capsule, it was time to go shopping. I decided to look for the following items (and succeeded in finding them!).
Knee-length pleated skirt: I found this peach pleated midi skirt that will go great with my neutral tops.
Lightweight jacket: I’ll throw this faux leather BLANKNYC moto jacket on over the striped blouse and skirt (or swap out the skirt for my new jeans when I’m feeling more casual).
Pair of flats: To complete any outfit, I love these pointed ballet flats; they’re the perfect final touch.
Step #4: Enjoying and Evaluating
As I rotate the new pieces in with my old standbys, I do my best to take note of what integrated well with my existing wardrobe. I’ve also learned to pay attention to what didn’t mesh well and have applied that knowledge to my next capsule. For example, I didn’t end up wearing my pullover sweaters as much as the cardigans in winter, so I avoided purchasing anything that didn’t layer well. [pullquote align=”center”]Clothes that flatter your body type are worth snapping up when you can find them.[/pullquote]
Now that I’ve gone through all the seasons a couple times, I’ve started to get the system down, and I feel confident crafting a collection that effortlessly represents everything great about me—from laser focused manager to cat mama! Not every capsule will go entirely according to plan, but this approach has helped me shop more intentionally and purchase pieces that truly add something to my style.
Imagine yourself tomorrow morning, easily picking out your outfit for the day ahead as you leisurely sip your protein shake. I know that’s what I’ll be doing.
Food advertisers have one goal: to get you to buy their products.
We know, we’re not telling you anything that you don’t already know. However, manufacturers often base entire marketing campaigns on the things you actually don’t know. Consumers are impulsive, and we often make snap decisions based on product packaging. A cleverly placed “gluten-free” or “antioxidant-rich” label might influence your decision—even if you don’t really understand those terms.
We decided to look into a few common food labels to determine whether they actually had substance. Unfortunately, we found quite a bit of misleading marketing. For instance…
In recent years, the “gluten-free” market has become especially susceptible to deceptive marketers.
For people with celiac disease, accidental consumption of gluten—a set of proteins found in wheat, barley, and various other grains—can be disastrous. These people need to carefully choose gluten-free products, as exposure to even trace amounts of the proteins can bring on uncomfortable (and in some cases, life-threatening) symptoms.
However, as we’ve noted before on HealthyWay, if you’re not sensitive to gluten, “gluten-free” designations aren’t important. Most people don’t experience negative side effects after consuming gluten, and some researchers question whether non-celiac gluten sensitivity even exists.
“There’s nothing inherently healthier about gluten-free products,” registered dietitian Debra Malkoff-Cohen tells HealthyWay. “If you don’t have a sensitivity, there’s no reason to go on a gluten-free diet, and in certain circumstances, a gluten-free diet might be unhealthy.”
Still, many consumers assume that gluten-free products are somehow healthier, and food companies are more than happy to capitalize on the trend. Visit your local grocery store, and you’ll likely find items like gluten-free butter and gluten-free green peppers—never mind the fact that these products never contained gluten in the first place.
To be clear, however, some companies likely have their customers’ interests in mind. Products like beef jerky might seem safe for gluten-intolerant people, but that’s not always the case: “… there could be trace amounts of gluten present due to cross contamination not reported to us by the suppliers we get our spices from for specific products,” the company wrote. Some companies use gluten-free designations as a precautionary measure to make life easier for people with severe allergies.
With that said, some products clearly don’t need a gluten-free designation. The gluten-free label on a bottle of water, for example, means nothing—all water is free of gluten. The Gluten Bigot
“You would think that most consumers would know that bottled water is gluten-free, but surprisingly, there are still customers that look for that label,” says Kevin Liebrock, a former category buyer for Whole Foods Market. “We are also seeing that move with the ‘non-GMO’ label and ‘sugar-free’ labelling. The product always had those traits, but manufacturers want to get onboard with the growth behind these label claims and feel obliged to add a seemingly meaningless differentiator stamp to their products.”
Speaking of water…
The “raw water” trend is an especially notable case of dubious marketing.
In December 2017, The New York Times ran a story about the “raw water” trend, highlighting the growth of a small company called Live Spring Water.
Live Spring Water offers “fresh and unprocessed” water, bottled in lead-free glass jugs and delivered to consumers for $16 per jug with a four-jug minimum (additional discounts are available for larger orders). The water reportedly comes from a spring deep within the Earth and isn’t filtered prior to delivery. Leah Nash/The New York Times
“Live Spring Water is fresh and unprocessed. All other commercially available filtered, and even bottled spring waters are sterilized with ozone gas and irradiated with UV light,” the company’s website claims. “Our water still has all the healthy minerals and probiotics fully unobstructed.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds9Do2p60MQ
Probiotics, by the way, refers to species of bacteria with positive health effects, but it’s not easy to determine whether a bacteria is good or bad; most fall somewhere in between.
“We still don’t know which probiotics are helpful and which are not,” the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) explains on its website. “We also don’t know how much of the probiotic people would have to take or who would most likely benefit from taking probiotics. Even for the conditions that have been studied the most, researchers are still working toward finding the answers to these questions.”
https://twitter.com/BlueHorseShoe__/status/969601202114760704
Food columnist Tamar Haspel researched the raw water trend for The Washington Post and found raw water claims to be accurate but misleading. For instance, Tourmaline Spring, another company that produces raw water, has 1.6 milligrams of magnesium per liter, so the company can accurately declare that the product contains healthy minerals. However, a single banana has about 32 milligrams of magnesium. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an average cup of tap water has about 2 milligrams of the same mineral, so raw water doesn’t seem like a significant improvement.
Raw water probably isn’t dangerous, as each brand undergoes regular testing to comply with FDA standards. Still, the purported health benefits are questionable at best—and for the price, consumers are better off sticking with tap water.
Before you start laughing at raw water buyers, ask yourself: Eat any multigrain bread lately?
As the label implies, multigrain products contain more than one grain. That doesn’t mean that they’re any healthier than single-grain products.
Food companies might be hoping that you’ll mistake “multigrain” for “whole grain.” Whole grain foods are, in fact, healthier for most people. Unlike refined grains, whole grains utilize the bran, germ, and endosperm of each grain, which means more fiber and more essential minerals. Many multigrain products simply use several different refined grains, which might change the flavor of the food, but doesn’t necessarily provide any additional health benefits.
Recently, many companies have gone in the other direction, dubiously labeling their products as “grain-free.” Of course, “grain-free” doesn’t necessarily mean “healthier.”
“We are seeing a massive surge in popularity with products labelled ‘paleo,’ but this labelling is somewhat restrictive and implies that it is only for consumers following a paleolithic diet,” Liebrock says. “As a result, brands that want to stay ahead of the curve are choosing to label these products ‘grain-free’ in order to capture a broader audience.”
In other cases, brands take credit for the regulations that they have to follow.
Meat packaging often bears phrase like “no hormones administered,” which might seem, on its surface, to be a positive thing. On beef, that’s certainly true: The USDA requires detailed documentation for beef products making that claim.
However, with pork and chicken products, “hormone free” is essentially meaningless. As it turns out, every pork and chicken product is free of hormones.
“Hormones are not allowed in raising hogs or poultry,” the Department of Agriculture notes on a page set up for consumers. “Therefore, the claim ‘no hormones added’ cannot be used on the labels of pork or poultry unless it is followed by a statement that says ‘Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones.'” Of course, that second message doesn’t need to be nearly as noticeable as the first—it’s often in very fine print.
While we’re discussing Department of Agriculture guidelines, “chemical-free” can’t appear on the label of a food product. Why? Well, everything is composed of chemicals; the term itself is complete nonsense. You might still see “chemical-free” descriptors on cosmetics and other products, but you’re better off ignoring the labels.
https://twitter.com/emmastory/status/972197756587724805
Companies make the “chemical-free” claim for a simple reason: Consumers will believe it, since they’re not really sure what “chemical” means. In a 1997 study, Gayle Nicoll of the Purdue University Department of Chemistry polled college students regarding the definition of “chemical-free” products. About 30 percent of respondents sided with the scientific definition of “chemical,” while another 30 percent sided with the popular definition; the remaining 40 percent believed both definitions.
“A correlation may exist between the amount of television students watched as they grew up and the type of views they hold about chemicals,” Nicoll wrote.
Many food companies also tout “antioxidant-rich” products. We’ve got some bad news…
Yep, you guessed it: Most foods contain some antioxidants.
In chemistry, antioxidants are substances that (wait for it) inhibit oxidation. As oxidation can damage some cells, researchers generally believe that antioxidants are a good thing.
With that said, antioxidant supplements probably aren’t helpful, according to the NCCIH, and you can easily enjoy the benefits of antioxidants by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.
What you shouldn’t do is rely on antioxidant labels. Vitamins C and E, carotenoids, lycopene, zeaxanthin, and selenium are all common antioxidants, and those nutrients are found in thousands of foods. Here’s an extreme example, but a warning if there is any about blindly searching for antioxidants: If you dip your mozzarella sticks in marinara sauce, congratulations—you’ve just enjoyed a helping of antioxidants. That doesn’t mean you’ve eaten a healthy meal.
That’s essentially the problem with eye-catching labels: Consumers make decisions very quickly, and if they believe that they’re doing something healthy, they’ll be more inclined to make the purchase.
To make healthier choices, start reading the entire label. Ask yourself whether you really know what advertising terms mean. If you’re not sure, look it up on the FDA’s website or ask the manufacturer for more information.
Ultimately, the best way to fight the knowledge gap between consumers and advertisers is simple: Close it.
Roughly a year ago, I decided that the time had come to begin my transition to a vegan, plant-based diet. The Universe had been conspiring for years, and I was finally ready to tune in. As overwhelming as any major lifestyle change appears at first glance, I can honestly say that the entirety of my time as a plant enthusiast has exhibited a clear undercurrent of ease. Fortunately for me, I was able to maintain this fluidity throughout my dietary transition.
Research and Inspiration
What undoubtedly assisted with the drastic changes to my diet was my dedication to carefully researching a vegan approach to nutrition. After two short weeks, I had already found my groove without a single hitch. It certainly didn’t hurt that my reasons for transitioning to a plant-based diet demanded a quick and steadfast response. I’m an empath and an environmentalist. If you ask me, the combination of these two traits is an exceedingly rational reason to embrace a plant-powered life. While animal maltreatment tends to be the most commonly discussed reason for transitioning to a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, I’m opting to focus on the second key influencer (which is, notably, of equal significance) that motivated my decision. After watching Robert Kenner’sFood, Inc. on Netflix, I decided to thoroughly research the topics discussed. I was blown away, and truthfully left deeply hurting for this world. In the documentary, I learned that about 56 billion animals are killed every year to meet consumer needs. Animal agriculture, sometimes referred to as animal farming, is the leading cause of species extinction and habitat destruction. It’s responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions that the entire transportation industry, and 65 percent of the emissions from animal agriculture are nitrous oxide. For those who napped through their environmental science classes, nitrous oxide has roughly 300 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. To put it plainly, animal agriculture is burning holes in our ozone layer. Global warming and climate change exist, friends, and animal farming is the leading cause. Animal agriculture is also responsible for 91 percent of Amazon deforestation, 31 percent of water consumption, and it’s currently taking up a third of the entire planet’s land. It’s even the leading cause of oceanic dead zones, with some scientists predicting that all saltwater fish will be extinct by 2048. That’s only a terrifying 30 years away! If you want to consider how you personally may be involved in this, think about date nights at your local burger joint. The water consumption needed to make one hamburger is equivalent to two months of showering. That’s 660 gallons of water—more than most of us drink in an entire year. As someone who grounds herself in nature, I couldn’t stand the thought of contributing to these statistics. Being a meat-eating environmentalist was not only illogical, but truly impossible. The two stand in complete contradiction. I knew I had to make the change to protect Mother Nature and all her glory.
From Mother Nature to Macros
As a weightlifter, my approach to eating prior to my plant-based makeover was what people commonly refer to as “the bro diet.” In transitioning, it was clear that I was moving from one extreme to another. To support my strength training, I used to consume 150 to 170 grams of animal protein per day. As a 115-pound woman, this was quite excessive, but nonetheless, it was the prescription for an athlete training in bodybuilding and olympic weightlifting six days a week. Within a two-week diet conversion, though, I had mastered the art of fueling my body with 130 to 140 grams of plant-based protein instead. As an athlete, meeting my nutritional needs and maintaining high levels of performance is paramount. Throughout this transition, I made it a point to not allow my intake to drop below my initial baseline. This meant that I consumed the same macronutrient (carbohydrate, fat, and protein) allotments as I did when I was eating animal products. At first, meeting my protein requirements presented the greatest challenge. However, with careful planning and plenty of creativity, I quickly grew accustomed to the new foods gracing my plant-loving approach. I allowed myself to think of the changes as opportunities to have fun in the kitchen with new recipes and cooking styles. Throughout the first two weeks and those immediately following, I experienced a long list of noticeable benefits. My adult acne had started clearing up, my sleep was far more restful, my energy and strength increased, my recovery time between training sessions decreased, my IBS symptomatology decreased (after the initial influx of fiber-induced constipation was relieved), my body fat percentage and extracellular water retention dropped, my vitamin and mineral consumption skyrocketed, and my weekly grocery budget was showing a welcomed reduction.
Tips for the Transition
My number one tip when it comes to supporting yourself through a dietary transition is to review the nutritional information for the foods you’re buying and that same information for the foods you already habitually consume. Chances are you could use a refresher as it’s important to note macronutrients in the foods you’re consuming on a regular basis. As you’ll come to find, plants have protein. Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look at our dear friend, broccoli. One cup boasts 3 grams of protein and only 4 grams of carbohydrates. Load up! For a few more helpful suggestions and crucial reminders, read throughmy early blog post on the subject of all things vegan. For each one of my many nutritional needs, it takes nothing more than a stop at my local grocer or health food store to fully stock my pantry and replenish my fridge. Truth be told, I have yet to master growing my own garden to further benefit sustainability—emphasis on yet. Ideally, we’ll all get there one day. To tie things up, sit with this: So many people live their lives as if there’s a second planet to hop to once this one is deemed uninhabitable. The hard truth is, we only have one planet. Something needs to change. I may not be able to save the world by changing the current practices of human beings in totality, but I can certainly change my own habits. It all starts with one person.
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