Exhausted. Spent. At the end of my Jimmy Choo tether. I, like so many moms, feel like I am in a permanent state of fatigue. So, I turned to my friend Lauren Slayton, nutrition guru and owner of  FOOD TRAINERS for some advice on how to raise my energy level

“I don’t think Mom’s know how poorly they are feeling until they tweak their diet and feel better: sleep better and don’t crash in afternoon”, Lauren told me. She then issued this challenge: skip all added sugar (even agave/evaporated cane juice counts) for 3 days.. She added, “ You may hate me for first day but on 3rd you will be contemplating a load of laundry at 9pm”. Umm. Laundry? I can think of better things to do with extra energy!

When I told her that, after making my kids’ breakfasts and lunch, I ran out to my office often forgetting to eat myself, she tsk-tsked me and supplied easy solutions that all take under three minutes and will prevent me from making poor food choices later in the day.

Here are her tips:

• Smoothies: put it all in the blender before you go to bed (or in fridge in a bowl)
  Protein (sunwarrior or socalcleanse are my favorites)
  1 c frozen fruit (cascadian farms frozen fruit) or fresh fruit and a handful of ice
  1 c greens (baby spinach, kale or romaine)
  1 cup liquid (coconut water, almond milk OR ice water)
  Optional stevia

  

• Egg- try microwave poaching
  Fill mug 1/3 up with water
  Crack egg in
  Place in Microwave
  Cover with salad plate (to avoid egg explosion)
  Cook 60 seconds and transfer egg from mug to plate
  Have with berries or cut melon (washed and cut night before)
  
  Know the importance of a good purse snack, place 1 in all purses in your current rotation
• Bars: Pure, Zing, Kookie Karma
  Seeds: 1/4 cup sunflower or pumpkin seeds (in many ways nutritionally superior to nuts)

  FOR MORE INFORMATION:

FoodTrainers
Lauren Slayton
212.769.4300

Dry? Damaged? Lifeless?

Get the inside scoop on how to make the most of your hair.
World renowned Style icon Frédéric Fekkai will be visiting Chicago to make an appearance at ULTA State Street.  He will be offering personalized hair consultations and show women how to transform their hair into the ultimate accessory with solution-based products from his signature Fekkai collection.Women will have the unique opportunity to receive one-on-one consultations and learn more about one of the beauty industry’s A-List haircare brands. Stop by or call to make an appointment for a consultation.

WHEN : Tuesday, January 10, 12pm – 2pm

WHERE: ULTA Beauty
114 S. State Street
Chicago, IL 60603
312-279-5081

To read the full article click here.

Purging the clutter=closet clarity.

Women always complain that they have “nothing to wear.” This claim is often made within spitting distance of a closet teeming with shirts, dresses and skirts. The problem? Overwhelming clutter. Clothes are like lovers. Having too many exes in one place is disconcerting.

We can’t help it. Women are hunters and gatherers If I dropped by your house for a visit, chances are strong that I could encounter your dried bridal bouquet, baby shower keepsake and clothing from every period of your life. The sentimental mementos are fine to keep around the house. But the angora cardigans, boxy button downs and fit and flare dresses that haven’t been worn in decades are hogging precious closet space.

While you have some down time over the holidays, take this opportunity to de-clutter and streamline your wardrobe. Think about where you like to shop. Instead of clutter, transform your closet into an environment that channels the light, airy vibe of BARNEYS NEW YORK. By discarding the garments that are in no way relevant to your current life, you will have less clutter and focus on the here and now. Translation? Toss the sweats, lock up the sneakers and bag all too-tight, too-loose and out -of -date garments for your local thrift shop. Take a deep breath. Open the closet door. Start plucking out un-wearable remnants of your single-in-the city size 4 life. Also remove all things frumpifying: mom jeans, maternity MUU MUUs, anything pleated, too-tiny hobo bag, trashed shoes and belts, ugly orthotic looking footwear, out of date blazers, boxy blouses. NEWSFLASH: There is a fine line between serious “vintage” and old crap. Quality vintage—should be used and kept for your kids. It does not have to be designer. It has a special eye catching look that feels period. A pink jacket from your first job interview is crap and should be given away.

SIX STEPS TO WARDROBE NIRVANA

STEP ONE: Spend time considering what you use, what you could use and what is acting as the annoying guest that has overstayed his welcome. Take these pieces out of the closet and drawers and lay them on the bed

STEP TWO: Now, remove all things that are out of season. In July, a closet should boast airy dresses, tank tops, skirts, lightweight knits, printed cotton scarves, etc.. There should be no wool or cashmere. If you keep shoes in your closet, they too should focus upon the season at hand. During the winter, the closet should be focused on cold weather duds

STEP THREE: Invest in UNIFORM HANGERS : Mismatched hangers create chaos. The heights of clothing when you have the exact same hangers, they actually disappear and make your clothes the focus so all clothes are the same length

STEP FOUR: Organize your closet(s) by season. As soon as the first whiff of lilac perfumes the air, start phasing out winter clothing. Fold up the chunky knits and heavy duty cashmeres and replace them with airy tops and lightweight dresses. Buy airtight plastic tubs to house off season pieces and organize them by type of clothing (dresses, tank tops, jacket, etc)

STEP FIVE: Create an area of your attic, basement, garage or storage space as a designated storage area for off season clothing so your closet is neat and manageable. The best part? Every six months, you will look at these garments with fresh eyes and feel as if you are rediscovering an old friend when you open the bins.

STEP SIX: Invest in organizational tools like shoe racks, tie racks and hooks so that your accessories can be displayed in an organized fashion.

Like peacocks who meticulously molt for more up-to-the moment plumage, dumping the clothes that no longer fit your lifestyle will deliver a bolder, brighter you..

Every mom can attest to the magnetic urge to slip into sweats, a boxy tee and skidaddle out the door to conquer her day. It’s easy. It’s comfortable. It’s evil. Here’s why: They are voluminous making thighs resemble tree trunks. Sweats make five pounds look like 15. They make your butt balloon. They inspire waddling. The (non) fit is addictive. Once you make sweats and other baggy apparel your go-to garb, you will fall into “the comfort trap” and never want to replace them with tailored, “real” clothes Yes, comfort is important. But, wearing clothing that looks like sleepwear is the definition of dumpy. You may love feeling like you are taking on the world in your pajamas. But, the world is looking at you someone who has given up on looking and feeling like a woman. Busy lives and chaotic schedules are used as a rationale for such dowdy duds

There is a magical place where comfort and style collide; the province of proportion.  And, I will take you there to meet your new bffs: silhouette, fit  and verticality

1. Alice & Olivia Shirt Dress

2. Diane von Furstenberg Tunis Dress

3. Hue Corduroy Leggins

4. Heavy Weight Leggings

5. LOFT Ponte Dress

6. DVF Wrap Dress

7. Rory Beca Tunic

8. DKNY Tank

What do pregnant women want for Christmas? GLAMOUR! With the basketball bulge of a belly, a great holiday gift is something that injects maternity moxie to that nine month fashion challenge called “pregnancy.”  My BUMP IT UP gift guide is filled with stylish gear designed to make her look and feel great.     

1. Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss Trio

2. Spanx Power Mama Tights

3. Belli Pregnancy: Complexion Perfection Duo

4. Destination Maternity: Storksak Jools Diaper Bag

5. Kara Ross Drusy Resin Cuff

6. Ingrid & Isabel BellaBand

7. Hatch by Two Birds Wrap Dress

8. Mr. & Mrs: Labor & Delivery Survival Kit

9. Mama Mio Beat the Heat Bump It Up Pregnancy Style Kit

The holiday season is chaotic. Between running from work to events, cocktail soirees and seeing the family, unforseen style mishaps –a deodorant stain, a “third eye” of a zit, the snappage of a bra strap- can ruin all of the fun.  Here are some stylist secrets to recover from fashion fiascos in a snap.

PROBLEMS:                                                                        SOLUTIONS:

ACHING FEET………………………………..Foot Petal Triple Threat Pack $24.95

SMELLY……………………………………………..Dove Ultimate Fresh mini deo $1

YELLOW TEETH……………………………Prime Time Whitening System $29.98

MAKEUP ON CLOTHES or dirty shoes……….Huggies Baby Wipes prices vary

RUNNING TIGHTS or holes………………………..NYC Clear Nail Enamel $0.99

ALL IN ONE……………………………….Mr. and Mrs. Emergency Kit for Her $13

FLAT HAIR…………………………………..Hot Tools Self-Grip Rollers 5ct. $2.79

EMERGENCY PLUCKING……………Mini Tweezerman Harajuku Tweezers $15

ZITS……………………………………………Proactiv Acne Fighting Concealer $15

DEODORANT ON CLOTHES……The Gal Pal Garment Deodorant Remover $10

GREASY FACE……………………………….Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens $10

WARDROBE MALFUNCTIONS……..Hollywood Fashion Double-sided tape $9

MISMATCHED ROOTS…………………………………….L’oreal Root Rescue $7.99

BROKEN STRAPS OR BUTTONS…………..Singer Safety Pins, assorted sizes $5

BAD BREATH………………….Colgate Wisp, portable mini toothbrushes $7.99

OILY HAIR……………………………Bumble and Bumble hair powder to-go $19

STAINS……………………………………………………………Tide-to-Go minis $5.99

With towering spikes taking center stage this fall, how can busy women look great while avoiding a fashion casualty?

1. Naturalizer Motive Wedge Boot $149

2. J.crew MacAlister Wedge Boots $198

3. Banana Republic rouched ballet flat $89

4. Cooperative Suede Platform Wedge $58

5. Coach Lynn Stacked Heel $228

6. MICHAEL Michael Kors Bromley Flat Boot $198

READ FULL STORY HERE