Feel Good Fridays

A weekly reminder to enjoy life and the fruits of your labor

What constitutes a long week for you might be a cake walk for others. But that doesn't stop your daily/weekly struggles and stress to be any less daunting. Here are my "Feel Good Friday" tips for this week.

Stop and Breathe

Super simple right? Wrong! You have to literally stop yourself from letting the worries of the world into your personal space. Accept what you cannot change and just breath. You can take this moment in your car after you walk out of your workplace, in a quiet room in your home away from the hustle and bustle of family, or even in that aisle in in the grocery store where no one seems to shop. Take 20 seconds and simply breathe. Close your eyes. Tune out the distractions and inhale slowly through the nose and exhale all that tension and negative energy out through your mouth. Repeat this step. Once finished, open your eyes and see the world around you in a completely different light.

Declutter

Yes, I said declutter. It doesn't have to be a huge project. It can be something as easy as your purse, your car, or even the refrigerator. Remove the unnecessary tpo make room for positivity and progress. Hanging on the nonessentials from the week will carry over into the weekend. Let go of those old receipts that you aren't using for your 2021 taxes. Let go of the 20 plastic straws you have in the glove compartment for a rainy day. Take out all the items on the refrigerator door, clean them, clean the shelves, and place them more strategically.

Give back

Do something nice for someone you know or a complete stranger. Call a friend and see if the need help with something. Go make groceries for a quarantine relative. Skies the limit!

Have a FANTASTIC FRIDAY and a WHIMSICAL WEEKEND

Go To Pieces for Busy Bodies

Do you plan your outfits for the next day in advance? If you do, you are super lucky because I don't usually have that luxury. A mother of two, a teacher, and a cheer coach makes it really hard to have the energy to pre-plan outfits for the next day after work, homework, dinner, and baths. So what do I? I normally just wing it.

[..."go to" pieces are those staple pieces everyone should have in their closet to help build a style for the day.]

How in the heck do you do that? It's not always super easy; especially if I have to get two GIRLS dressed for school in the mornings. I am lucky that they both attend a private catholic school which allows me to get them dressed very easily and very quickly in the mornings.

I remember when I was in school...we didn't wear uniforms...so every morning was a headache because I had to make sure I had the PERFECT outfit so Terrell or Brandon (whomever the flavor of the semester was that school year) would notice me and fall madly in love with me and my outfit.

So how do I do it you ask? I have what I call "go to's". They are my staple pieces that I can dress up or dress down with layering, coordinating, and accessorizing. I will teach you how to build your wardrobe (inexpensively) and keep them audience wanting more. It all begins with your go to's.

Here is a list of go to's that I keep handy:

1. blazers (one neutral, one black, one patterned)

2. solid color cardigans ( two neutrals, one black, two seasonal colors)

3. camis (assort solids)

4. solid trousers (white, tan, black, gray)

5. jeans (straight leg, skinny leg, high waist, torn)

These are not the ONLY pieces I work with. I have skirts, dresses, bodysuits, jumpers, etc. However, these are my staple pieces that allow me to get dressed super quickly in the mornings with little effort and also allow me to jazz it up if I want to grab drinks or dinner after work or a game.

In our next post, we will look at some of these go to's and how I transition from work to after 5 with a few simple accessories. Also check out my IG to see more pics and reels of tips and inspros. @bontempschic

Picking the Perfect Statement Piece

Select a statement piece to work through your weekend wardrobe

Shop the look: Custom Beaded Stacks Link

Wondering what to wear for that super busy weekend? Struggling to piece together that perfect morning, afternoon, and evening piece? I can almost guarantee you have everything you need in your closet right now. All you need to a STATEMENT PIECE!

Statement pieces are those rare finds or gems that make every outfit POP! They are eye-catching essentials that make your outfit go from wow to POW.

That's right! One garment that screams WOW! It could be a coat, a blazer, a top, a pair of trousers, a dress or even acessories. It simply needs to be something that says "Hey guys! Look at me!"

What to look for in your collection?

When I go to my closet I look for something eye-catching. Something that will stand out from the crowd. It could be a furry, hooded vest or a snow white trench with a belt. No matter the piece, you have to know how to style it to make it go from wow to POW.

Statement pieces are the first thing people see when you enter a space. They draw in the eye and personifies its own personality. Your statement can shift a morning work look into a afterhours chic lounge look in seconds.

2021 is all about making statements and I want you to make a damn good one. So let's locate that gem and create a weekend wardrobe that will have the room begging for more. Here are a few things to check off for my list of statement piece criteria:

1. bold color(s)

2. fun pattern

3. unique shape or length

Statement pieces do not have to be large or even super eccentric. They can be subtle with a pop of color, bling, or just simply stunning because of the detail. It depends on your comfort and your taste. So go to your closet and look for that one piece that stands out. We will locate a gem in my collect and create three styles for the weekend. Stay tuned for more tips as we design an "after 5" look, a brunch look, and a"Sunday Funday" look to wrap up a weekend of fun.