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Fresh Fashion Lifestyle

These Dress Rental Companies Are A Bridesmaid's Best Friend

We all know planning a wedding can stressful. As exciting as the occasion is, it definitely takes quite a bit of fine-tuning the details to create the party of your dreams. Choosing a wedding party is just one small piece in the grand design, but it’s inarguably crucial. After all, having your dearest guys and gals accompany you on such a special day can help create a beautifully memorable experience.
What nobody wants is for the pressure of planning the perfect color palette and style for their bridesmaids’ dresses to be compounded by yet another exorbitant expense (for anyone involved). Worry no more; you can take a deep breath and check one major to-do off the list. Enter dress rental companies.

Why rent a bridesmaid dress?

While it may not be the first option that pops into your mind, it may be one of the best choices you make. Renting not only dramatically decreases the financial burden of paying for a slew of dresses that—more often than not—will only be worn once, but it also aligns impeccably with our 2018 goals of living more sustainably.
Plus, what’s not to love about the convenience? The dress is mailed straight to your door, and you pop it into a UPS drop box when you’re ready to send it back. It eliminates the hassle of jumping from one store to another and at the same time opens up a world of sartorial possibilities you might not find at a local retailer.
Check out the two best options below; we think you’ll quickly find yourself convinced.

Vow to be Chic

This company promises to save renters precious time, money, fitting issues, and sanity—things we all need more of.
Vow to be Chic’s process begins with the bride (as it should). Brides can peruse thousands of designer dress rentals and consult a bridal stylist on style and color palette. After choosing the dresses you love, you can curate a “Bridal Suite,” which serves as an online closet of options for your ’maids. The site boasts countless breathtaking styles from well-known designers like Monique Lhuillier, Theia, and Nicole Miller. Even better? Many are sitting at prices under $100.
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As the bride, you electronically send invitations through the website to each of your bridesmaids, which shows them exactly which dress options you’ve selected for them. From there, they can select a dress, send in their measurements, and pay for the rental. You can track their orders and keep up with any dress-related communication through the site’s dashboard. Talk about easy.
Your bridesmaids will receive their dress rental (and a free backup size) two weeks before the wedding. After the big day, they’ll simply mail the dress back to Vow to be Chic in the prepaid package. Did you notice that we didn’t say anything about cleaning? Yep, that’s also taken care of!

Rent the Runway

We’ve all heard of Rent the Runway, but most of us have used it when we’re attending a wedding as a guest, not as a member of the wedding party. Turns out they’ve got the latter covered too.
With the new RTR Wedding Concierge comes a premier styling package for the gals in your wedding party. You’ll get a personalized style consult for each bridesmaid, an exclusive set of dress options, and a personal concierge to walk you through the entire process.
With thousands of styles at nearly every price point, there’s a gorgeous option for every one of your bridesmaids. Free backup sizes, returns, and dry cleaning are on RTR. When the festivities are over, your bridesmaids will package their dresses with the prepaid shipping labels and thank you for being such a helpful bride.

Our Top Rental Picks

For a Minimalist Wedding

For lovers of the simple and sleek, head over to Vow to be Chic for Nouvelle Amsale’s dreamy Willa gown; the soft blue Cloud color is perfect for a sunny summer wedding. At Rent the Runway, we recommend the Sleek Navy Cut Out Gown by Elizabeth and James; the column style is perfect for a no-frills formal affair.

For White Tie Glam

Your bridesmaids can go fully white tie in the Forest Gown by Badgley Mischka. (If green’s not the color you’re going for, RTR has several glitzy Badgley Mischka gowns that will turn heads.) The Donna Morgan Tiffany dress available at Vow to be Chic kicks shiny up a notch with a beautiful embellished pattern made of beads and sequins.

For a Vintage Vibe

This Blush Christie Gown from Jay Godfrey at RTR takes us back to the 1970s in all the best ways. To go even more retro, the sweet halter-style Watters dress by Mulberry hits the ’50s mark—we love it in plum.

For a Casual Affair

Your guests won’t be able to look away from the eye-popping Tara dress from Karen Zambos; for a summer bride who loves color, it’s the obvious choice. Vow to be Chic has the Kiera from Jenny Yoo; with a variety of colors and ways to tie the dress, it’ll work for any bridesmaid. For a super casual vibe, we like it loosely draped over one shoulder.

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Categories
Well-Traveled

The Best Honeymoon Destinations For Every Couple

The best thing about getting married, of course, is knowing that you get to spend the rest of your life with your person.
The second best part of getting married? Definitely the honeymoon. (Wink, wink.)
Couples tend to be a bit more adventurous these days when it comes to their honeymoon, opting for a honeymoon destination that really fits their personality and style as a couple rather than choosing a one-size-fits-all inclusive resort (not that those aren’t great).
Consider this honeymoon destination guide our wedding gift to you (because really, you aren’t going to use 12 fancy place settings). Whether you and your soon-to-be spouse are adventure seekers, foodies, or just want to relax with each other, we’ve got the best honeymoon destinations for you.

The Best Honeymoon Destinations If…You’re Looking for Adventure

Are you the adventurous couple whose first date included skydiving lessons? If you love to go off trail in exotic locations, these wild-child honeymoon destinations are meant for you.

    • Antarctica

      Believe it or not, a cruise to Antarctica is an amazing honeymoon destination. It’s remote, it’s quiet, and it offers plenty of reasons to snuggle up with your babe. But it does require more planning than your average trip to the Caribbean.
      For starters, there aren’t a lot of hotels on the remote continent. In fact, there aren’t any. So you’ll need to book your trip through an Antarctic travel company like Quark Expeditions. To go to Antarctica, you’ll need to take a cruise. Antarctic cruises take place from November to March, because those are summer months in the Southern Hemisphere. You’ll still need to pack super warm clothes, coats, and boots, though; summer temperatures in Antarctica are still well below freezing. Balmy!
      antarctica
      Once you’re in Antarctic waters, you can leave the ship and visit the actual continent. You can look forward to guided hikes, kayaking, and seeing penguins, seals, and pods of whales up close in a truly natural habitat.

Let anyone who goes to a cheesy couples-only resort try to top that.

  • Essaouira, Morocco

    Casablanca and Marrakesh are the top tourist spots in Morocco, but the resort town of Essaouira is a truly a hidden gem, which makes it the perfect honeymoon destination for adventure seekers. We’ve included Essaouira on our list of best honeymoon destinations for adventure because of how special the experience is.
    Essaouira (pronounced “Essa-wira”) is a bustling port city located on Morocco’s southern coast. It literally means “little picture” in Arabic. And with its pristine beaches, charming blue-and-white medina (the inner walled city that looks like Princess Jasmine should live there), and brightly colored boats bobbing in the harbor, it’s easy to see why. In Essaouira, you can spend days strolling through the souks and perusing the shops’ offerings, kite-surfing off the beach, and drinking traditional Moroccan sweet mint tea.
    essaouira morocco
    Just across the water is the uninhabited Mogador Island, where the ruins of an ancient mosque still stand. Because an endangered breed of eagle lives on the island, there aren’t regular tours, but you can still visit the island from November to March. You’ll just have to obtain a permit from the city and then head down to to the pier, where you can hire a local fisherman to ferry you across.
    We recommend splurging on a stay at the Atlas Essaouira and Spa, located right on the waterfront. You can stroll their private beach then indulge in a spa treatment to wind down from the adventures you two will get into.

  • Maasai Mara Reserve, Kenya

    The Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya is the ultimate safari honeymoon destination for any couple who truly loves animals. The Serengeti is better known by Westerners, but the Maasai Mara Wildlife Reserve is widely considered the best place to see African wildlife in a natural habitat.
    Maasai Mara Reserve, Kenya
    If you have the time, most tour guides recommend taking at least two weeks to see and do everything at Maasai Mara, including a guided week-long expedition to nearby Mount Kilimanjaro. (If you can conquer Kilimanjaro, the troubles of marriage won’t have anything on you two.) Insiders also suggest scheduling your trip to the reserve between July and August, as more than a million wildebeest, zebras, and antelope migrate through the Maasai Mara Reserve.
    You’ll want to book your stay at one of the all-inclusive resorts around the perimeter of the reserve, like Richard Branson’s Mahali Mzuri, a luxury safari camp just outside of the reserve. There you can get to know the Maasai people, indulge in pan-African meals with locally sourced ingredients, and become closer than ever with your new spouse.

  • Budget Option: Tulum, Mexico

    Skip the spring breakers in Cabo and head to Tulum, a Caribbean city on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.
    There’s no shortage of places to stay in Tulum. Nueva Vida de Ramiro is one of the first eco-friendly hotels in Tulum. The hotel doesn’t skimp on luxury but still employs sustainable practices for the least amount of environmental impact.
    One of the best parts of Tulum is its central location to other incredible sites. If you rent a car, you can visit Punta Laguna Spider Monkey Preserve, about 40 miles outside of Tulum, to see more than 800 spider monkeys in their natural habitat. There are also the ruins at Cobá, which contain one of the last Mayan pyramids that tourists can still climb.
    tulum mexico
    Adventure seekers will also love rappelling down into one of the Yucatán’s many cenotes (underground pools of water formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock). It is thought that Mayans communicated with their gods in cenotes, as several skulls (believed to be sacrifices) have been found in some of the underground pools.
    Our favorite part of Tulum is the beach road. The businesses on this road are about 15 minutes south of the famous Tulum ruins, and you can spend days wandering in and out of the restaurants, shops, and bars that are located on each side of the road: right on the waterfront or ensconced in the jungle. Grab a drink and stroll the (free!) public beach as you lovebirds decide what to do that day—if anything at all.

    The Best Honeymoon Destinations If…You Want to Get Your Sweat On

    What’s the saying? The couple who sweats together stays together? Maybe not, but either way, for the newlyweds who are all about working out, you won’t want to miss these fitness-inspired honeymoon destinations.

  • Costa Rica

    Costa Rica may be known for its lush jungles and brilliant blue waters, but it’s also a fitness enthusiast’s dream honeymoon destination.
    For the couple who likes a challenge, climbing Costa Rica’s highest peak, Cerro Chirripó, is a must. The hike covers over 10,000 feet in elevation, but you’ll be rewarded at the top, where you can see both the Pacific and the Caribbean at the same time. To say it’s a good spot for a newlywed photo op is an understatement.
    costa rica
    When planning your trip, take into account that most hikers split the trek over two days, spending the night in one of several mountain huts along the trail, as tents are not allowed. (You’ll also need to make a reservation with the park before you hike. The reservation process can be a little tricky, but this website does a good job of explaining how to get your pass.)
    After an overnight camping trip, book the rest of your honeymoon accommodations at the glamorous Hacienda AltaGracia, a luxury resort that boasts private mountain biking and hiking trails, daily fitness classes, and a full-service spa.

  • Iceland

    Iceland is a popular honeymoon travel destination right now, thanks to lower airfares from a handful of major U.S. cities. For active honeymooners, Iceland is a hiker’s paradise.
    Travel junkie Maria Pimienta says, “If you do one thing in Iceland, Skógafoss Falls is a must-see.” Skógafoss Falls is a dramatic waterfall nearly 200 feet high, where you can see vivid rainbows on sunny days. The falls, which are about as tall as Disney World’s Cinderella castle, are easily accessible and are also located at the trailhead of the popular Fimmvörðuháls day hike.
    iceland
    The Fimm hike, as it’s colloquially known, features countless scenic overlooks as you trek through two glaciers and an inactive volcano. Be prepared: The hike can be done in one day, but to really take in the scenery, most travel guides recommend making it a two-day trip, with an overnight stay at the mountain hut located halfway through the hike. Cuddle up with your sweetie and enjoy the remote landscape at night—fingers crossed that you’ll get to see see the Northern Lights.
    For adventurous accommodations, Pimienta suggests staying near Mount Hekla, an active volcano that erupted four times in the 20th century. Despite being located in an active volcano chain (or maybe because of it!), the Hotel Leirubakki is highly rated on TripAdvisor for its clean rooms, Hekla information center, and beautiful scenery.

  • Kitzbühel, Austria

    If the only thing you know about Austria is that the hills are alive, you need to visit Kitzbühel, an under-the-radar honeymoon destination in Europe’s Swiss Alps. The resort town of Kitzbühel is located about four hours west of Vienna, and with its numerous ski slopes and chalets, it’s the perfect honeymoon destination for the couple who loves to play in the snow.
    Joshua Willis, who honeymooned in Austria in 2017, recommends first flying into Vienna and splurging on a meal at Silvio Nickol at Palais Coburg. “We had dinner [at Silvio Nickol] and it was insane,” Willis tells us. “It is a two-star Michelin restaurant and probably the best dining experience I’ve ever had.”
    Kitzbühel, Austria
    Once you’ve treated yourself to a honeymoon-worthy gourmet meal, book a train to Kitzbühel. Once there, consider staying at the Hotel Schloss Lebenberg, a renovated 400-year-old chalet perched just above the city, where the rooms are as dreamy as the views.
    The hotel also has a full-service spa that will be perfect after days spent tackling the Streif, one of the most famous ski runs in the world.

  • Budget Option: Rocky Mountain National Park

    If you want honeymoon adventure but can’t quite afford the airfare to Europe, look no further than Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.
    rocky mountain national park
    Summer is the best time to visit the park, but it’s also the busiest season, which will require a bit of planning. You could stay in a hotel outside the park, but to get the most out of this honeymoon destination, consider packing a sleeping bag and camping at one of the five campgrounds in the park.
    From your campsite, you can access over 300 miles of hiking trails. You won’t want to miss the panoramic view from Flattop Mountain or the stunning vistas from Baker Pass.
    The eastern base camp for the park is the town of Estes Park. Twin Owls Steakhouse has vegetarian and gluten-free options, while Seasoned offers both of those options plus some vegan menu items. In Estes Park, you can also tour the Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King’s novel The Shining. If you see a ghost, take the opportunity to cuddle up!

The Best Honeymoon Destinations If…You’re Looking for Foodie Paradise

If your first date was at an exclusive pop-up from a James Beard Award–winning chef or your idea of a casual Friday night at home is taking a crack at a seven-course dinner for the two of you, you just might be foodies. These are our top honeymoon destinations for the couple who wants to experience gastronomic excellence.

  • Bordeaux, France

    The Bordeaux region of France is best known for its wine, and to add to that, the city has recently emerged as one of the top foodie hotspots in the world.
    “I highly suggest one of the guided wine tours,” says Morgan Anthony, who recently visited Bordeaux on a romantic getaway with her husband. “In order to get to the wineries in Bordeaux, you either have to rent a car, which can be hard if you don’t speak French, or book one of these tours and let them do the work for you!”
    Bordeaux, France
    Anthony recommends booking a private tour with Bordovino, which offers a variety of wine-tasting tours throughout the Bordeaux region. That said, if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, renting a car and exploring the French countryside is an experience that can’t be replicated.
    “One restaurant in Bordeaux you don’t want to miss is Ô p’tit Bahut,” says Anthony. The bulk of Ô p’tit Bahut’s website is only en francais, but it’s fairly easy to navigate. The restaurant, which loosely translates to “the little buffet,” serves excellent charcuterie and fromage. It’s a perfect lunch stop after a day of touring wine country, but Anthony says reservations are a must, so be sure to call ahead.
    For dinner, you’ll want to try the Restaurant du Loup, which Anthony describes as classy but also cozy and casual. They’re known for their foie gras, but if goose liver isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other delicious menu selections.

  • Tokyo, Japan

    There’s nothing like a culture shock to bring two people together. Although Tokyo is easily one of the most advanced (and astonishingly clean) cities in the world, and Japanese people are incredibly welcoming, it’ll still take teamwork from the both of you to figure out where you’re going—and what to order.
    For a unique gastronomic experience, food writer and photographer Spencer Pernikoff recommends Tora-fugu Tei, which serves only fugu (pufferfish): “You can’t get it like this anywhere else in the world. They show you the live fish, then come down with it broken down, then they do like a five- to 10-course menu using the fish … All of it. Ovaries. Fins. Everything.”
    Tokyo, Japan
    When in Japan, do as the Japanese do: Eat sushi. As Pernikoff notes, “the quality of sushi basically all over the damn country is amazing,” so you really can’t go wrong anywhere.
    Specifically, he recommends Tonkatsu Yachiyo. He says, “It may seem weird to recommend a [sushi] place [that specializes in] fried pork cutlet, but it’s just amazing.” The restaurant is in Tsukiji Fish Market, and Pernikoff tells HealthyWay, “I figure foodie tourists are already going to [the market] anyway, ’cause it’s f***ing bonkers.” That’s a recommendation we’ll gladly take.
    Because of its lively nightlife and entertainment, Roppongi is a great base of operations while you’re in Tokyo. Stay at the ANA InterContinental hotel, and dine at Chef Pierre Gagnaire’s eponymous restaurant, which has had two Michelin stars since 2010.
    But there’s more to this honeymoon destination than food. No Tokyo honeymoon would be complete without participating in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, like this private ceremony in a traditional Japanese garden. You may not think of a tea ceremony as necessarily being romantic, but the quiet beauty of it will have you and your new spouse in reverent mood, perfect for reflecting on your future together.

  • Mendoza, Argentina

    Like Bordeaux in France, Mendoza is mostly wine country, known for producing Malbec wines. You’ll definitely want to take advantage of the many vineyards in the region, like Casa El Enemigo, the top-rated Mendoza vineyard on TripAdvisor. Pick out a bottle of wine together to take home and save as a special treat for your first anniversary.
    Mendoza, Argentina
    After a day of wine tasting, make like the locals and siesta for the afternoon (the perfect opportunity for some afternoon delight). Since most restaurants in Argentina don’t open for dinner until after 8 p.m., head to Silla 14 for coffee, pastries, and light sandwiches to tide you over until a late evening meal.
    For dinner, 1884, the restaurant of world-renowned Chef Francis Mallmann, is a must-do for any foodie couple traveling in Mendoza. The winery, which houses the restaurant, was built in 1884 and turned into a restaurant in 1996. The restaurant’s menu pays tribute to Argentinian culture, featuring South American items like spider crab and pacu.
    Instead of having dessert at the restaurant, head straight back to your hotel room (which is where we recommend most newlyweds spend at least 75 percent of the honeymoon anyway). On the way, pick up a few postre vigilante, a light Argentinian dessert made of cheese and quince paste that pairs perfectly with a sparkling wine like Siete Fincas Dulce Torrontes. Trust us, you’ll be glad you brought a snack back!

  • Budget Option: Thailand

    Did you know that many Thai spices are said to be sensual aphrodisiacs? It’s true, which is just one reason we’re naming Thailand one of the best honeymoon destinations—in Asia or anywhere else.
    thailand
    Make sure to get in the honeymoon mood (as if you need any help!) by having a delicious green curry meal, which is packed with ingredients such as lemongrass, cardamom, basil, ginger, and asparagus, which are traditionally said to be aphrodisiacs.
    If you only have a short amount of time in Thailand, skip Bangkok and head for the northern city of Chiang Mai to check out the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, where street vendors sell everything from televisions to sizzling barbeque along a kilometer-long stretch of Chang Khlan Road. At the night bazaar, you’ll get an authentic Thai street food experience with a variety of local dishes like sai ua (spicy lemongrass sausages).
    In Thailand, the farther north you go, the spicier the food becomes. Make sure to visit the hidden local gem Khao Soi Mae Sai for the best khao soi (a spicy curried noodle dish) in Thailand. The restaurant doesn’t have a website, but it’s located at Ratchaphruek Alley. Make sure to get there early, as the restaurant usually sells out of khao soi fast.

The Best Honeymoon Destinations If…You Want One-on-One Romance

Are you a traditionalist who prefers Romance (with a capital R) when it comes to your honeymoon destination? Well, scratch Paris from your short list, because we’ve chosen four of the most romantic honeymoon destinations sure to put you and your forever-boo in the mood for some serious lovin’.

  • Tofino, Vancouver

    If you thought the most romantic thing to do in Vancouver was a Twilight location tour, then you need to visit Tofino, a perfect honeymoon destination on Vancouver Island.
    Instead of booking your stay at one of the several resorts near Tofino, consider renting a private vacation home, like this one, through Airbnb. Home rental rates are often less expensive than hotels, meaning you can splurge on honeymoon fun, like hiring a private chef for a romantic meal. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the nosy couple in the next room when you’re trying to set the honeymoon mood.  
    Tofino, Vancouver
    For a relaxing, romantic day trip, head to Hot Springs Cove in Maquinna Provincial Park, which is accessible only by plane or boat. Once there, you’ll take a scenic walk (a little over a mile) to the springs, where you can take your pick from seven hot spring pools.
    Because it’s a bit of a trek, you should plan to spend most of the day at the springs, so pack a romantic picnic lunch and dry clothes for the return trip.  

  • Florence, Italy

    Like Dean Martin sang, “When the moon hits your eye/Like a big pizza pie/That’s amore!”
    Find your own amore in Florence, one of the best honeymoon destinations in Europe.
    Florence, Italy
    Start your trip by staying at the four-star Torre di Bellosguardo, a luxury hotel with incredible views from high above the city. The hotel even has its own small garden and offers guests the chance to take authentic Italian cooking lessons with the lady of the house, Ana Franchetti, using vegetables sourced from the hotel garden.
    If you can bring yourself to leave your bed (and the hotel grounds), take advantage of Florence’s rich Renaissance art history by visiting the famed Uffizi Gallery. (Be aware though: Art at the gallery is so beautiful, it’s been known to overwhelm those who view it in a bizarre condition called Stendhal syndrome.)
    Don’t forget to visit Boboli Gardens, a centuries-old open-air museum with sculptures, fountains, and plenty of hidden spots where your honey can steal a kiss.
    Mostly, just enjoy your time in Florence. Wander the ancient streets hand-in-hand. Stop (often) for a caffè e gelato. The romance of slowly exploring Firenze cannot be overstated.

  • Big Sur, California

    With its sweeping views and and majestic mountains, Big Sur, California, is easily one of the most romantic honeymoon destinations in America.
    “Start your trip with a drive up the rugged coast on historic Highway 1,” says Jennifer Sparks, who recently visited Big Sur. Because of the mist that’s typical along the coastal highway, Sparks says to be patient at overlooks. “There were moments when you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face [for the mist and fog], but if you waited 15 minutes, the view was completely clear.”
    Big Sur, California
    After a romantic drive up the coast, head into Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park where, Sparks gushes, “When you arrive into the park, you immediately begin to see the huge sequoias. The views are amazing!”
    For a little late-night fun, visit the hot springs at Esalen. They will open the springs between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. nightly to just 20 guests. Enjoy the view of every little star in the night sky in the clothing-optional pools; it’s an experience you and your love will never forget.
    For the ultimate in honeymoon romance, stay at the rustic-glam Post Ranch Inn, with stunning clifftop views and romantic honeymoon packages. Not feeling the $1,000-per-night price tag? (Shocking!) You might opt to stay at a more affordable bed and breakfast, like Big Sur River Inn, instead.

  • Budget Option: Croatia

    Eastern Europe may not seem like a honeymoon hotspot, but Croatia is quickly becoming one of the best honeymoon destinations in Europe for newlyweds on a budget.
    Elizabeth White, who recently honeymooned with her husband, Matt, in the walled city of Dubrovnik on Croatia’s coast, tells HealthyWay, “Try to find an Airbnb or hotel inside the city walls of Dubrovnik. We were there in the summer, and during the day the city was very crowded with tourists from cruise ships that dock for day trips.”
    But, says White, “When the sun goes down, and all of those crowds leave, the city is a completely different place. All of the restaurants set up tables in the streets, there are musicians everywhere, children playing, and awesome cliffside bars lit by candlelight.”
    croatia
    White says one of her new hubby’s favorite things was walking the city walls. “Just make sure to do it [walk the walls] early in the morning or late in the afternoon, because they get really crowded,” White notes. “My husband loved this activity because we got to visit some of the filming locations of Game of Thrones.”
    May a honeymoon in Croatia be the start of a marriage that’s better than, well, every single one on Game of Thrones.

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Categories
Fresh Fashion Lifestyle

Decode The Dress Code: What To Wear To A Wedding

Wondering what to wear to a wedding? You’re not alone. After all, who doesn’t love a wedding dress code? Well, a lot of people. And others? Oh, they want some direction! At least a little bit. No one wants to show up in a full-length gown when everyone else is in sundresses.
Unfortunately, wedding dress codes have sort of gone out of style. When was the last time you got an invite with crystal clear directives? More likely it said something like “BBQ chic” or “casual cocktail attire.” What does that even mean?
“The codes of black tie are alive and well,” explains Kelsey Motes-Conners, founder and owner of Field: A Wedding Design Studio in Montana. “But outside of the clear requirements of black tie attire, and especially outdoors, guests’ attire can really vary in formality and style. Some couples are insistent on their wedding feeling comfortable and so encourage their guests to wear sensible shoes or warm layers, taking an almost reverse approach to attire recommendations.”
Motes-Conners continues:

And although rule of thumb is to not out-dress the couple, it seems that guests’ attire has more to do with the guest than the wedding—by which I mean what the guest feels is appropriate. I’ve seen grandmas in tracksuits and grandmas in fringed flapper dresses and grandmas in floor-length gowns; uncles in white tie and uncles in denim with imposing belt buckles; friends in all manner of sundresses, wool fedoras, sequin bodycons, polished wingtips, tennis shoes. But I think the default is very much cocktail attire.

What does this mean for you, the lovely guest? No need to panic! We’re here to relieve all your anxiety as you decide what to wear to a wedding.

What to Wear to a Wedding: the Ground Rules

It’s hard to go totally wrong figuring out what to wear to a wedding, but it is possible. Here are a few choices that are a clear no:

  • Don’t wear white. Or white with flowers. Or white with stripes. Or white with teeny tiny polka dots. Leave the white to the bride. If you have to ask if it’s too white, it is.
  • Be cautious about wearing black. It’s not a funeral, and you don’t want your friend to think you think it is. That said, black is no longer totally unacceptable, especially at big-city weddings. If it’s the wedding of a close friend, check in with her to see if she has an opinion one way or another.
  • Don’t wear denim. Like, anywhere on your outfit. No jeans, no jean jackets, no cool skirts. Save it for the Friday night rehearsal dinner or the brunch.
  • Don’t dress like you’re going to the club. You know what we mean: Make sure your booty isn’t showing and your breasts are (basically) covered. Make sure nothing is ripped. If you wouldn’t wear it in front of Grandpa, save it for another time.
  • Don’t make it about you. Look your best! But don’t turn the spotlight on you. Crazy hat? Pass. Neon jumpsuit? Skip it. Let your friend have her day by not grabbing the spotlight from her.
  • Don’t wear something with stains. This means getting your clothes to the dry cleaner a few weeks before the event. There’s nothing worse than pulling out your fave outfit and realizing there’s wine on it from the last wedding you attended.

What to Wear to a Wedding With a Dress Code

What to Wear to a White Tie Wedding

The fanciest, most formal of all weddings. Think: floor-length, black (yes, black!), classy. Nothing too crazy (not the time to wear a club-appropriate bandage dress). You can even wear gloves! Men: wear a white tie.

  • This floor-length number ($388) with a sweetheart neckline and fitted bodice from Reformation will make you feel like a queen—and an eco-queen at that. Reformation uses the most eco-friendly, efficient technology possible.
  • This cap-sleeved gown from Adrianna Papell ($299) will have you shimmering on the dance floor (just stay away from the white, so you don’t upstage the bride).
  • The Symphony Dress ($440) from Anthropologie’s BHLDN is deco-inspired and incredibly chic.
  • Lulu’s Scallop Lace Mermaid Gown ($88) is a sleek option when you’d prefer to let your makeup do the talking (and it’s easy on the wallet!).

When in doubt: Go with a single color and make it as fancy as possible.

Shop White Tie Wedding Style:

What to Wear to a Black Tie Wedding

This is the second most formal option, so you’re still safe with a floor-length look, à la white tie. If you don’t want a frock that goes to the floor, you can do a cocktail dress—as long as it’s very formal and goes to your knee or beyond.

  • This gorgeous long chiffon gown from Jenny Yoo can be tied a variety of different ways to create different looks. Combine different tying methods and different statement jewelry pieces and you’ll be able to wear this versatile piece again and again throughout wedding season (and it’s under $300!).
  • This ethically made bright red showstopper ($323) from Monsoon is perfect for getting down on the dance floor.
  • This cutout back floral lace and chiffon dress ($178) is sexy in its simplicity. And at under $200, you can’t beat it.
  • Get on trend with the Winslow dress from Reformation ($268). It comes in six understated neutral hues, and the georgette fabric drapes like a dream.

When in doubt: Go floor length.

Shop Black Tie Wedding Style

What to Wear to a Black Tie–Optional Wedding

Do you want to chance being the fanciest person at the wedding? Then you can go floor length. Otherwise, a fancy knee-length option (think really snazzy cocktail attire) will work.
That brings us to…

What to Wear to a Semi-Formal or Cocktail Wedding

Jumpsuits! Short, stylish dresses. Big jewelry. Heels.

  • Try this gorgeous lace Sheath Dress from Bardot ($129). All of Bardot’s dresses are fun and flirty, great for weddings and cocktail parties, and most importantly reasonably priced.  
  • This short shimmery Elin dress from Anthropologie’s BHLDN ($200) is fabulous.
  • Comfy and adorable, the Eliza J Flounce Sleeve Sheath Dress ($118) will be a great and versatile addition to your closet. Also: pockets! Could you ask for anything more?
  • Jumpsuits are killer for cocktail attire. Try this fun halter style from Julia Jordan ($158).

When in doubt: Bold lip, heels, and a fancy—but not extravagant—dress.

Shop Semi-Formal Wedding Style

What to Wear to a Casual Wedding

Casual usually means just that: casual. But remember, no jeans. Instead, think sundresses, jumpsuits, or a fabulous skirt/shirt combo.

  • This simple and versatile silk tee dress from Cuyana ($215) would look great with some wedges and a pendant necklace.
  • The Fig Dress from Reformation ($218) is lovely in lilac. Pair this breezy dress with a fun necklace and a block heel or wedge and you’re all set for a casual affair.
  • This fun, flirty lace midi dress from ASTR the Label ($89) is perfect for a wedding outdoors or on the beach.
  • The Daphne Wrap Dress from Plenty by Tracy Reese ($158) would fit in perfectly at a garden party in the green motif.

Shop Casual Wedding Style

What to Wear to a Wedding With No Dress Code

No dress code? No problem. If the invitation says nothing about what to wear, don’t panic. Just use this handy guide.

  • What to wear to a religious ceremony: Dress modestly and/or cover your shoulders. You don’t want to feel awkward in a church, mosque, or synagogue. If you’re determined to wear a strapless affair, cover yourself entirely with a shawl that you can then remove for the party. Choose a dress that goes to your knee.
  • What to wear to an outdoor wedding: Don’t wear heels. You’ll spend the entire evening sinking into the grass. Flats or chunky low heels are the way to go.
  • What to wear to a beach wedding: Bring a hat and sunglasses. Everyone will understand if you don’t want to be burned by the sun. Just don’t make it a baseball cap or one of those frayed numbers from the thrift store.
  • What to wear to a winter wedding: Bring a change of footwear. There’s no reason you should wear snowy boots the whole time! Most venues will have a place to leave boots (with your coat). Stick a pair of flats or heels in your bag.
  • What to wear to a summer wedding: Go one notch up from a sundress and choose bright colors. Outdoor summer weddings are often informal, but you don’t want to feel like you’re out for a beer.

At the end of the day, there’s no need to obsess about what to wear to a wedding. This is all about enjoying yourself and honoring your friends. The most important thing is to feel good in what you’ve chosen. So be you! And if you’re really fretting, remember: All eyes will surely be on the couple anyway!
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Categories
Fresh Fashion Lifestyle

I’ve Done Capsule Wardrobes For 2 Years—Here’s What I’ve Learned

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.
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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!).

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.

Basics for Building Your Capsule Wardrobe

Tops (Choose 6 to 9):

Bottoms (Choose 6 to 9):

Dresses (Choose 4 to 6):

Jackets (Choose 2 to 3):

Shoes (Choose 6 to 9):

Categories
Happy x Mindful Wellbeing

Mind Over Matter: 7 Tricks That Will Make You The Master Of Your Memory

What were you doing five minutes before you started reading this? What’s your best friend’s phone number? What did you have for dinner three nights ago? If you’re stumped on any (or all) of the above, give yourself a break.
Memory is a fickle thing, and the fact that we carry around mini computers in our pockets that provide the answers to all our questions with just a few swipes has only made things worse. Scientists even have a name for the damage the internet (and our phones) has done to our memory: the Google Effect.
Reviewing four different studies on the topic, Harvard researchers determined that when it comes to difficult questions, we’re primed to think about turning to our computers for the answer. Their analysis: “The Internet has become a primary form of external…memory, where information is stored collectively outside ourselves.”
That’s not exactly bad news. Our grandparents had to resort to reminding us that “children should be seen and not heard” when we started asking tough questions about topics that they’d long since forgotten. We, on the other hand, can sneak a peek at our iPhones, and poof, our kids think we’re Einsteins.
But wouldn’t it be nice if we could finish our own…What’s that word again?…Oh yeah…sentences?
You could go back to the dark ages and give up your smartphone in the name of your memory. But first, how about giving these tricks a try?

Game On

If you don’t exercise a muscle, it begins to atrophy. The same goes for our brains. The more we depend on the internet to supply answers for basic questions, the harder it becomes to dig around in our gray matter for the sorts of solutions that were once at the top of minds.
Neuroscientists have long advocated testing our brains, using games to improve both cognition and memory. Ironically, this is where the phone that’s hurting your memory can become a useful tool: The app stores are loaded with trivia options.  
Viral craze HQ has made playing trivia tests potentially lucrative, with cash prizes for the people who manage to answer a series of brain teasers, while Heads Up!, Ellen Degeneres’ trivia twist on the kids’ game Headbandz, has made memory tests into social experiences, pitting your brain against your friends’.

Chew on this.

If your grade school offered a break from the usual “no gum in class” rules during testing week, you may already know that popping a piece of Trident in your mouth can help you kick your brain into high gear.
According to British scientists, that same piece of gum can also help you hang onto your memories. The reason? Chewing gum helps us focus, which in turn helps us pay better attention to detail, logging specifics in our brains for future recall.
Give your jaws a workout. Your brain will thank you.

Move it, move it.

Chewing gum gets your jaw moving, but getting on your feet and doing some cardio can make an even bigger difference. Along with the benefits your doctor’s always reminding you will come with a workout (ahem, better sleep, better digestion, and just plain feeling better), there’s ample proof that moving your body will help your brain.
Any kind of workout is generally better than no workout at all, but if you’re looking for help in the “where are my keys” department, skip strength training and head straight to step class or hit the treadmill. The key, Harvard researchers say, is to focus on good old-fashioned aerobic exercise. That’s the kind that will increase the size of your hippocampus, the part of the brain that’s involved in verbal memory and learning.

Funky Fonts

Arial, Times New Roman, and Helvetica all have their strong points, but if you’re fighting to remember why you walked into the kitchen a minute after you’ve opened the fridge, you might want to drop the old standbys in favor of something new.
Scientists have found that hard-to-read fonts may make us stumble, but they also promote better recall. Think about it: If you’re working harder to read something, you’re less likely to skim it, which means you’re actually focusing on the details.
Next time your coworker asks you to review a Word doc, try a yellow font on the white background or push the font size down a few points. When she asks you what you thought of paragraph three later, you won’t have to pretend that you remember what she means.

One More Time for the People in the Back

Let’s face it: No matter how much you hated repeating your multiplication tables over and over and over again, it worked. You can still spit back the answer to 8 × 9 (even if it takes you a little longer than it used to).
The more we do something, the better we are at remembering how to do it. We get even better when we practice what scientists called “spaced repetition,” meaning we repeat the same things over a course of time at increasing intervals. When you want to remember a phone number, for example, or how to ask for directions to the bathroom in German during your next vacation, practice repeating the information. Start by repeating the number or phrase a few seconds after you learn it, then a minute later, then five minutes later, and so on throughout the day.
The more you repeat it, the deeper it should lodge itself in your memory bank.

Let’s get analog, analog.

When was the last time you grabbed a pen and wrote down someone’s phone number? When’s the last time you actually forced yourself to remember someone’s phone number? If your answers to those questions are one and the same, you probably know where we’re going with this.
Writing down information isn’t just a means of giving us something physical to refer to in the future (in case you forget). It’s another means of boosting memory.
Next time someone offers you their cell phone number, leave your phone in your pocket and grab a pen. You might actually remember this one!

Clench.

No pen? No gum? No way you can duck out for a run at lunch to boost your brain?
When all you’ve got on hand is, well, your hands, you’ve still got a mighty tool in your arsenal. It turns out clenching your fist while learning might just help you hang onto memories. So grab your stress ball, and let’s do this!

Categories
Happy x Mindful Wellbeing

How To Set Realistic Self-Care Goals

Ah, self-care. We’ve all read about it, from emoji-laden Instagram captions to hot-take thinkpieces. It’s The Thing. And it’s a Good Thing, right? After all, we’re caring! For ourselves! Who can argue with that?
Unfortunately, as anyone who has ever sat on their couch staring into their suspiciously colored smoothie and moaned “I don’t care how good it is for me, I just don’t waaaaaaaanna drink it” knows, sometimes we get a little carried away with the goals we set for our own self-care.
Not all self-care is going to be rose-scented face masks, coloring in our bullet journals, or taking our fifth nap of the week. Getting back into a regular workout routine, making intentional choices about our relationships, or truly committing to our mental health can require a little pain before the gain. It’s how we go about setting those goals for the “big” pieces of self-care that can help determine our success.
And if we want all that caring for ourselves to have its intended effect, at some point we have to be realistic about our goals.  

Are you trying to fight biology?

A common piece of self-care involves identifying bad habits and correcting them in an effort to improve our day-to-day. If you aren’t getting enough exercise, for example, you might decide it’s time to get back in the game. After all, exercise is good for your body, and being good to your body is a main tenet of self-care.
But beware shooting yourself in the foot right out of the starting gate. You can’t expect a body that’s been doing a lot of Netflix and chilling to suddenly be up to marathon-level running in a week. Similarly, it’s not wise to expect a set of asthmatic lungs to adjust immediately to an Alpine skiing route.
Respect your body’s limitations and ease yourself into things. It’s more likely to stick if you aren’t treating yourself the way a drill sergeant would a new recruit.
Be aware, too, that some things simply will not change. If you’re a night owl who struggles to wake up every morning at 7 to shower and get ready for work, deciding that you should now roll out of bed at 5 for a pre-shower run may doom your new focus on a healthy body before it even starts.
Scientists have determined that the people who wake early or head to bed late are often doing so because of their genetics. If you know mornings are the worst part of the day for you, picking a time after work to hit the pavement might be a better option.
Work with what you’ve got and meet yourself where you already are; you’ll probably find much more success by accepting that you (just like everyone else) have some limits.
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Is the goal attainable?

It’s good to think big. It’s how we grow. But we need to remember to make self-care goals that are truly attainable, not arbitrary.
A plan to make at least one new friend in your new neighborhood is attainable. A demand that you make three new friends in one weekend is big thinking…and it’s also arbitrary. It can easily lead to frustration as you spend a weekend in a new town, foisting yourself on unsuspecting strangers at the museum or library, desperately trying to find a friend for the sake of meeting this goal.
Scientists have found that it’s helpful to build your goals around tasks rather than outcomes. This helps makes them more attainable, as the former is something we can control, while the latter we can’t.
We can’t control whether going for walks will help us add a specific amount of muscle mass or cure our depression. We can, however, control whether we commit to a walking goal and stick to it. And the more we do it, the more benefits we’re likely to reap.  
Avoid putting such strict limitations on yourself that your “self-care” turns into self-imposed torture.

Is the goal too vague?

Even as you need to be wary of goals that are too strict, a goal that’s too vague isn’t terribly motivating. When researchers from the University of Liverpool and the University of Exeter studied the goals set by people with depression versus those without, they found that depression patients tend to make their goals too abstract, making them harder to attain.
For example, the researchers said, a depressed person might say their goal is “to be happy,” whereas their non-depressed peer might say they’re planning “to improve my time running the local 10K race.” The problem, researchers found, was that the non-specific goals were simply not motivating. They held no action component.
So how do you find that happy medium between being too strict and too vague?

Make sure your self-care goal has measurable results.

“I want to be happy” is subjective. It’s not easy to look back on a month and see if you were “happier” during that time. A goal such as “I want to take more walks to take advantage of nature therapy” is measurable. You can look back on a week and determine if you met the goal of talking a walk—or several!
“I want to go to therapy at least three times a month” is measurable too. Though you can’t predict what will happen in those sessions or the outcomes that result, you can make sure you schedule (and attend!) those appointments.
Remember, the best self-care goals aren’t the ones that you only wish you could accomplish. They’re the ones you can actually achieve. And the biggest positive of creating self-care goals with intention? You’ll feel like you’re taking even better care of yourself when you do.

Categories
In the Kitchen Nosh

Handling Food Waste Like A Pro: How To Get Creative With Food Scraps In The Kitchen

Food waste is a major issue in the United States. In fact, recent data collected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that between 30 and 40 percent of all food ends up in municipal landfills. Not only could food that winds up wasted be used to feed families who are in need of nutritious food, but the process of decomposition results in the buildup and release of methane gas that makes American landfills the third largest source of methane gas emissions in the country.
Although the stats appear dire, the USDA has developed an initiative called the U.S. Food Waste Challenge, a program that encourages food processors and distributors, grocery stores, industry groups, NGOs, and government bodies to improve their food management systems in order to lower the amount of food waste in our landfills. On an individual basis, the Environmental Protection Agency has released a set of very helpful guidelines to help the public reduce food waste at home that includes a guide to composting, ways to support your community food bank, and meal-planning tips.

Food Scrap Inspiration From the Professional Kitchen

Restaurant kitchens are great examples of how food scraps can be used to their full potential. Tim Harris has been a professional chef for 20 years, working in restaurants and as a private chef, and throughout his training and career he’s learned all about the importance of using food scraps in the kitchen.
“In the best professional kitchens there are very little food scraps,” he says. “Leaving meat on the bone during any butchery is an indicator of your inability. …Vegetable stems and trimmings like asparagus and broccoli are puréed into soup or maybe dried as garnish. It’s about squeezing every cent out of every ingredient.”
Harris even had the opportunity to work under Jacques Pepin, who he says would “wipe that little extra bit of egg white out of each half of the egg shell with his finger tip” because “every dozen eggs has an extra egg white stuck in the shell.”

General Tips for Preventing Food Waste

There are many ways to reduce the amount of food waste in your kitchen. Harris says his number one tip is to “shop more often to reduce spoilage. Plan to use things before you buy them and they won’t end up as science experiments in the back of the fridge.”
It’s also important to learn the difference between “sell by,” “expiry,” and “best before” dates as confusion surrounding these terms can lead to perfectly good food being thrown out before it has actually spoiled. According to the USDA’s “Food Product Dating” resource

  • A “Best if Used By/Before” indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
  • A “Sell-By” date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.
  • A “Use-By” date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except in certain uses on infant formula packaging.

You can learn more about what these terms mean—and how to distinguish actual expiration dates for various products here.
Keeping a whiteboard or notepad by the refrigerator and keeping stock of items as they run out will also help prevent over-shopping and doubling up on items you already have.

Get involved with composting.

It’s easy to set up a bin for composting food scraps and yard waste, especially if you have access to a backyard. Check with your local municipality to see if they have set up composting programs for apartment buildings and condominiums. City-wide composting programs are a growing initiative across the country and help to cut down on food waste in landfills.
If you’re worried about the smell from storing compostable goods on your kitchen counter, there are many indoor compost pails that are made to prevent the emission of strong odors. Another option is to freeze compost until you’re ready to dispose of it.

Get souper creative with food scraps.

Next time you’re faced with a crisper full of vegetable odds and ends or leftover cooked vegetables, add them to a kitchen sink–style veggie soup. Those last remaining bits of meat on a rotisserie chicken or steak attached to the bone will add depth to any soup, so throw in the whole thing (bones and all) and remove the bones before serving for an extra-savory flavor.
Salad leaves (with or without dressing) can also be used to make a quick yet deliciously light soup. Just blend together the salad greens with vegetable stock, Greek yogurt, or crème fraiche, and salt and pepper to taste. For best results, make your stock or broth from scratch using food scraps.

Making Homemade Stock or Broth From Leftovers

According to Harris, one of his favorite culinary experiences was with a Thai chef who had worked in embassies almost her entire career and would often eat the leftover food from functions and galas. “She once took the skin of a salmon I butchered and along with a couple limes, fish sauce, coriander, and chilies made a broth that blew my mind,” he says.
Homemade stocks and broths are an ideal way to use up food scraps in the kitchen. Not only can you use fresh scraps, but you can freeze stems and peels as you cook for use in future stocks or broths.
Harris offers many suggestions for ingredients that should be saved for this purpose:

Any gristle, silver skin, or cartilage is used to enrich a sauce of stock before being discarded. Trimmings of carrot, onion, celery, leek, garlic, fennel, tomatoes, et cetera are all saved for stock and every bone removed ends up in there too.

If you use Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, save the rinds in your freezer for stocks, risottos, and pasta sauces (just make to remove the rind before eating). Some ingredients are too strongly flavored to include in a stock or broth recipe, though, so beware of using the flesh of starchier squash, bok choy (in large amounts), cabbage, broccoli, collard greens, kohlrabi, spicy chili peppers, radishes, fresh rosemary, and turnips.

Categories
Happy Home Lifestyle

Swedish Death Cleaning Is The Decluttering Method You Didn’t Know You Needed

If there was ever a task that makes curling up in bed and throwing the comforter over your head sound like a good idea, Swedish death cleaning is right up there. What ever happened to hygge and lykke? Isn’t the new trend to adopt the comfiest Scandinavian habits so we can spend our days cuddling in front of a roaring fire in a pair of slippers?
Well, yes. Danish hygge and its Norwegian cousin lykke are all about comfort. And in its way, Swedish death cleaning, or dostadning as it’s known in Sweden, is too—comfort for you now as you declutter your home…and comfort your family after you’re gone.
The name Swedish death cleaning comes from The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter, a book released earlier this year. Author Margareta Magnusson is a Swedish artist and mother of five who describes herself as being somewhere between 80 and 100.
Magnusson may be a first-time author, but her book has created a firestorm. In fact, it’s already been dubbed the new KonMari.
KonMari, of course, refers to organizational consultant Marie Kondo’s “art of tidying up,” which has had us pawing through closets full of stuff over the last few years, determining what gives us joy and what should be hauled to the curb on trash day.
But where Kondo has always suggested focusing inward—literally choosing to keep only what gives us personal pleasure—Magnusson’s death cleaning approach is focused outward, on those who you stand to leave behind if (when?) you die.
As she explains in a video created with her daughters, the idea is to “get rid of the things you have collected and had in your home for a long time.”
“One day, when you’re not around anymore, your family would have to take care of all that stuff,” she says, “and I don’t think that’s fair, really.”
Morbid as it may seem to think about your eventual demise, the method has its merits, regardless of your age. Do you really want someone finding that old pair of undies with the elastic torn out that you just keep forgetting to toss? How about that photo of you from college that you’ve banned your roommates from posting on Facebook? (You know the one.)
“I think I’ve always death cleaned,” Magnusson admits in her video, “because I want to have it nice around me.”
Who can argue with that? Certainly not science. Studies have found that women who consider their homes cluttered and unfinished tend to have higher levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, than those who feel their home is restorative.
The impetus for the Swedish death cleaning trend may be somber, but it can help anyone let go of their packrat tendencies. Consider these tricks to make it work for you:

1. Use the Beanie Baby rule.

You remember those tiny stuffed animals that we held onto for years, convinced they were going to make us a ton of cash? We all know how that turned out. If you’re hanging onto things because they may be worth something later, do some research. If there’s evidence out there that you’re on the right path, keep it. If there’s not, it may be time to re-home.

2. Erase the embarrassment.

If you don’t want someone else to see it, why are you hanging onto it? If it’s truly pleasurable (you know what we mean), keep it. If it’s still with you just because you haven’t had time to kick it to the curb, it’s time to step up.

3. Will you use it?

This is a tough one, especially for those of us who try to be savvy spenders. That ribbon from that gift you got six years ago may come in handy one day! If you throw it out now, you’ll end up spending money to buy a new one! If you’re nodding along right now, you’re not alone, but you’re probably up to your ears in stuff. To make it easier to throw things out or donate them, give yourself a time limit, for example, “I haven’t used this in five years, I can throw it out.”

Categories
In the Kitchen Nosh

4 Tricks For Flavoring Your Coffee And Tea (Without The Added Sugar)

Sugar and flavored creamers may take your coffee or tea up a notch, and there’s no denying the appeal of a sweet addition to your favorite hot beverage. But while a single cup of coffee or tea with creamer or plain old sugar doesn’t sound that bad, when you multiply the contents of your go-to sweeter by the number of coffees you consume each day, week, or month, the amount of sugar (and—if you use nondairy creamer—additives) really begins to add up. Beyond that, few of people know exactly what nondairy creamer is or how much sugar it contains.
Want to give up the cream(er) and sugar, but need to keep it sweet? These tips will have you adding plenty of flavor while keeping your hot beverages healthy, meaning you’ll be drinking unsweetened and creamer-free coffee and tea in no time!

The Ugly Truth About Nondairy Creamer

Many popular nondairy creamer brands hide behind the guise that their particular product is made from soy, almond, or rice milk and therefore has something to offer nutritionally. What they aren’t being transparent about is that most of these creamers are full of hydrogenated vegetable oil, corn syrup, and carrageenan (a food stabilizer that has been linked to inflammation and gastrointestinal issues). If you’re a fan of nondairy creamers because you have a lactose allergy or follow a vegan diet, you’ll also want to read labels to make sure your creamer of choice doesn’t contain sodium caseinate, which is actually a milk protein.
Sugar content can also be surprisingly high in creamers. Some brands contain up to 7 grams of sugar per serving! The good news? There are plenty of ways to sweeten your coffee or tea without having to rely on nondairy creamers.

4 Sugar-Free Ideas for Sweetening Your Coffee or Tea

1. Add cinnamon to your coffee grounds.

You’d be surprised by how much sweetness the incorporation of cinnamon into your grounds actually adds to your coffee. Instead of trying to stir a small amount of cinnamon into brewed coffee (which will just result in a frustrating clump of cinnamon floating on top of the coffee), try adding ⅛ teaspoon of cinnamon per cup to your coffee grounds before turning on your coffee maker. The result? A smooth cup of coffee with a sweet hint of cinnamon.

2. Make your own creamer with coconut milk and vanilla.

If French vanilla creamer is your jam, try making your own coffee or tea creamer with a small amount of creamy coconut milk and a drop of vanilla. Use a tablespoon of coconut milk (from a can for a super-rich texture) and a drop of your best vanilla per cup of coffee or tea. For real luxury, heat a can of coconut milk over very low heat with half a vanilla bean for 10 minutes, making sure to scrape out the tiny vanilla seeds. Remove from the heat and allow the vanilla bean to steep for an hour before removing it from the coconut milk. DIY vanilla coconut milk creamer can be covered and refrigerated for up to a week.

3. Discover the a-peel of orange slices.

Thinly sliced orange adds a complex flavor to coffee, espresso, and tea (particularly black teas). Rinse the uncut orange under very hot water for a minute to remove bacteria and pesticide residue before using. Add the orange slice to your mug and pour hot coffee or tea over it for best flavor.

4. Cocoa brings a ton of chocolatey flavor.

Get all the rich flavor of a mocha or hot chocolate without the sugar by adding cocoa to your next cup of coffee. In a mug, make a slurry using up to a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder whisked into a small amount of water, dairy, or nondairy milk. Pour the hot coffee into your mug and whisk vigorously with a fork, adding extra milk if desired.
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Categories
Gym x Studio Sweat

Beginner Yogi: I Tried 3 Different Yoga Classes In 7 Days—Here's What Happened

As I was blowing out the candles on the evening of my 26th birthday, it hit me. There are so many different fitness classes and wellness-related experiences that I’ve been wanting to try, yet I have consistently made excuses to avoid them due to fear of commitment.
In this moment I posed a birthday challenge to myself (since I’m not getting any younger here) to say yes to these opportunities as opposed to saying no or coming up with a lame excuse to justify why I can’t.
As a senior editor at HealthyWay, I’m surrounded by inspirational wellness-industry professionals and, as a result, have noticed myself becoming more drawn to yoga-related content and influencers.
That said, despite my newfound infatuation with yoga and practicing mindfulness, I kept pushing aside my own desire to attend a legitimate yoga class for fear of looking foolish. I’m very competitive in nature, which is why I’ve mainly pursued contact sports and strength training until now.
After two pieces of carrot cake and a glass of red wine, I worked up the nerve to research local yoga studios and enroll in my first Yoga 101 class, which was scheduled for the following evening.
Full disclosure: I have attended one yoga class before, but I don’t count this experience for the following reasons. In 2012, I awoke from a hangover nap to find a text from an attractive male I had been pursuing asking me on a Bikram yoga class date. I had no clue what Bikram yoga entailed and didn’t bother to look it up since I was confident in my athletic abilities. Imagine my horror walking into a heated studio with a hangover.
Instead of impressing my crush with my strength, I spent the next hour lying in dehydrated corpse pose contemplating how to leave the class without embarrassing myself by vomiting in front of my sexy, sweaty suitor.
Thankfully, I learned my lesson and vowed to do things the right way this time. After enrolling in my first beginner class at a local studio, I was informed that my new-student special allowed me to take as many classes as I wanted within a 7-day window for a budget-friendly $20.
This offer was simply too good to pass up, so I decided to enroll in three different classes to sample various types of yoga to determine if this was something I could really see myself dedicating the time and financial resources to pursuing regularly.  

Humble Beginnings

Despite having enrolled in Yoga 101, I felt intimidated as soon as I entered the studio—especially when I realized my instructor had the most incredible abs and arm muscles I’ve ever seen up close. Those fears quickly subsided though, as the class was a very non-judgemental, supportive environment with students both young and old in attendance. I quickly realized there is so much more to yoga than sitting on the floor saying om.
I enjoyed learning more about the basic principles of yoga, including yogis’ values regarding not stealing (or Asteya) and the powerful meaning behind the term namaste (I bow to you). Even though this was technically a beginner class, it was not for the faint of heart. During those 60 minutes, I learned proper alignment and breathing techniques that are an important part of the foundation I now realize everyone should have to begin this practice.
If you’re considering trying yoga for the first time, I would strongly recommend starting with a beginner level 1 class. I had such a great time that I could not stop sharing my experience with my boyfriend, co-workers, dog, and even strangers in yoga pants at the grocery store.

The more you flow…

My next class was on Sunday morning. This time, I enrolled in a vinyasa course with no level distinction. I really had no clue what I was walking into, but I was feeling motivated to get my butt kicked a bit after stuffing my face with burgers and carrot cake during my birthday weekend. (That’s right, I shamelessly celebrate myself for a whole three days.)
At the beginning of class, the instructor asked who was a beginner and I’m ashamed to admit that I was too embarrassed to raise my hand. Why was I caring so much about what others thought of me? They weren’t judging me at all—they just wanted to help. But alas, my competitive ego got the best of me for a brief moment and I was quickly brought back down to earth once the flow began.
This class was pretty intense from a cardio perspective, and after I tried (and failed) at half-moon pose multiple times, the instructor advised me to take some deep breaths and focus on my body and how I was feeling. She reminded me that I wasn’t failing but taking time out of my day to look inward and focus on myself. Instead of leaving early like some of the other students who were struggling alongside me, I decided to stay and try my best. I’m so proud that I didn’t walk out that studio door for the sake of my ego.
One of the most fascinating insights I gained from vinyasa actually happened at the beginning of class when our teacher asked us to alternate between breathing into our belly and breathing into our chest. It sounds like such a simple concept, but it truly blew my mind to see how I was capable of breathing into different parts of my body through mindful focus.
Despite the fact that I survived, I am definitely going to take more beginner-level classes like a slow flow or beginner’s hot yoga before attending another open-level vinyasa class. It was truly a humbling experience. 

It’s getting hot in here.

The third and final class I attended was hot yoga. This class was scheduled for Wednesday evening after a 9-hour work day. To put it bluntly, I did not want to go. I spent the last two hours of my office grind trying to think of an acceptable excuse for bailing out. This ran the gamut from I’m too tired to My dog needs my emotional support tonight so I can’t leave her for an hour.
As I ran through the excuse circuit I thought to myself, Why the heck am I trying to find a way out of this class? What am I running from? I’m glad I took a moment to pause and think this through, as it quickly became apparent to me that I was—yet again—making excuses out of fear of looking silly. Not so fast, inner demons!
This moment of introspection fueled my fire as I made my way to the studio. Upon walking into class, I immediately noticed the heat but felt confident that I had hydrated properly. I even raised my hand when the instructor asked if anyone was new to yoga practice, despite being the only one in the class to do so. The instructor was wonderful and adjusted me a couple of times during the flow, which I personally found very helpful.
It was also during hot yoga that I found a new sense of focus, using the power of my breath to flow into different poses. I never would have thought that in just three classes I, Taylor “Tight Hamstrings” Geiger, would be able to do downward dog with my legs straight and heels almost flat on the mat—something I couldn’t do just one week earlier.
I struggle with pain in my hips due to my sedentary office gig and cannot even begin to describe the way my body felt after this class. During my drive home, my hips felt loose, relaxed, and almost like they were buzzing or tingling. I’m so glad I challenged myself with these classes, because the experience helped me find a new love and respect for the practice of yoga.
I have since attended two other hot yoga classes and am currently re-prioritizing my budget to allot for a weekly hot yoga class, because this has officially become a happy place for me.
If you’re considering trying yoga for the first time—go for it! Push your fears and worries of judgment aside, because I can assure you no one in your class will be scrutinizing you.
We all become one when practicing yoga from the heart.