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7 Stylish Travel Essentials for A Carefree End of Summer Getaway
Itching for one last getaway before the unofficial end of summer? If so, here's what to pack to keep you looking effortlessly stylish no matter where your travels take you - mountains, beach, staycation and anywhere in between.
- Versatile Tote Bag - Grab your favorite, generously sized, go-anywhere tote and fill it with the usual wardrobe and beauty essentials, plus these other stylish travel essentials
- Swimsuit - Even if your plans don't specifically call for it, you never know when you're going to stumble upon a secluded beach or find that your hotel has a great spa-like pool that is not to be missed. Always be ready to dive right in!
- Corkscrew - Also in the category of always being ready - have a corkscrew handy. It's okay if it's at the bottom of your bag, just as long as it's in there. Don't want to miss out on a good bottle, especially at that secluded beach
- Wrap / Large Scarf - Of course use it fend off a chill on a pre-fall evening but also put it to good use as an instant splash of color for a basic outfit or use as a makeshift beach blanket
- Flip Flops - Pick up a pretty pair to stroll around in or to just wear around your hotel or rental home instead of bare feet
- Sunglasses - These fall into the never leave home without them category. Obvious purpose but also can stand in as a impromptu headband if needed
- Pill Box - A definite essential. Effortlessly stay on top of your vitamins, medications, etc while you break from your routine in every other way on your weekend getaway. Grab a Style Rx pill box and your travel companions will never know it's your daily can't miss dose. You'll just look stylishly put together!
So grab your bag and head out for one last stylish summer adventure. There's no time to waste!
Want to discover more ways to Live Life Inspired with a focus on style, health and simplicity? Sign up to receive Inspired by Dawn's email newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.
4 Tips for Embracing the Last Days of Summer
Summer doesn't officially end for more than a month, but if you have school age kids in your life you know that the carefree days of summer end long before September 22. And unofficially a lot of summer related venues and activities wrap up by Labor Day - which this year in September 5th.
But what about all those summer fun must-dos that just haven't been accomplished yet? Certainly there's more fun to be had before everything turns to pumpkins and fall-motif, right? So how do you make the most of the last days of summer? Here's a few tips from Inspired by Dawn...
- Make a Must-Do List - Sit down and make a list of what you'd still like to do before the days get shorter and outdoor activities require a jacket
- Prioritize - Decide which are must-dos and which are maybes. Also, check venue calendars and hours to help you prioritize
- Plan it Out - Is the pool open through Labor Day? Is the amusement park only open on weekends now? Plot out your must-dos on your calendar to see which you can make happen. Many outdoor activities can still be enjoyed well into September so plan that hike or camping trip for later in the month
- Be Spontaneous - While seemingly at odds with the above tips, remember that the spirit of summer is the freedom that comes from less structured days. So even once school starts remember to still embrace spontaneity - do a post-school ice cream run, pack up dinner and have a picnic in the park. Hold onto the spirit of summer!
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5 Family-Friendly Health Habits to Start Now for Back to School
The start of the new school year is a lot like the start of the new year. It's a time to take a look at the habits we've formed over the summer months and consider which ones we might want to adjust. Like January, back to school time is a great chance to assess what we might want / need to change and reboot to ensure a healthy start to the school year. And the changes don't have to be just about the kids. Most of us could benefit from these healthy habits too. So get the whole family involved for a healthy start to the school year.
- Reset bedtimes - Long, warm summer nights often call for later bedtimes, but with earlier morning schedules on the horizon it's important to start adjusting early. Experts suggest starting about 7-12 days in advance. It's also a good idea to determine the ideal number of hours of sleep for you and your kids and set bed times to allow for those amounts.
- Stock up on healthy breakfast foods - Figure out what foods you and your family will eat to power them through their morning and consider prepping them ahead of time. Boil hard boiled eggs on Sunday. Stock up on fruit and peanut butter. Make a batch of whole grain muffins and freeze them. Prep fruits and veggies for a smoothie the night before.
- Get check ups and vaccines - Make sure everyone's doctor visits are up to date, along with vaccines. Don't forget vision checks and dentist visits as well.
- Organize everyone's health needs - Resolving to start taking a multivitamin or ensuring your son doesn't miss his probiotic? Preload a week's worth of doses into a pill box case like the Style Rx and keep it on the counter as a visual reminder to not miss a dose. Daughter has a food allergy? Give her a stylish case to discreetly carry her EpiPen® in so she can take it wherever she goes.
- Recommit to dinner time - As days become more structured and increasingly busy for all family members, build time in to reconnect around the dinner table. Have everyone share the best part of their day to stimulate discussion. Reap the many benefits later.
Send Kids Back to School with Discreet, Secure Case for EpiPen®
Crazy enough some areas of the country headed back to school this week, and most everyone else will be headed there in the next few weeks. So parents and students alike are preparing their shopping lists to be ready for a productive and healthy school year.
And while many a parent frets about their child's food allergy, trying to make sure there's always an EpiPen® within reach, it becomes harder as their child(ren) get older. Middle school, high school and college students, more often than not, do not want to carry them because of their bulk, inconvenience or even embarrassment.
In fact one small study at Nationwide Children's Hospital Allergy Clinic showed that 60% of children coming to the clinic did not have their epinephrine with them. Of the 40% who did have their self-injectable epinephrine with them, nearly 50% were carrying an expired device.
Fortunately, the Style Rx pill box case can be repurposed as a discreet and safe way for kids to carry their EpiPen with them wherever they go. With its strong magnetic closure and sturdy construction, the Style Rx case can be confidently tossed into a backpack, tote or purse and always be ready 'just in case'. And with two vibrantly colored designs, kids won't be embarrassed to carry it with them.
So check your child's current injectable to ensure it's not expired or make sure you get a refill before they head back to school. Then order them a Style Rx case to keep their EpiPen in wherever their school year takes them!
Want to discover more ways to Live Life Inspired with a focus on style, health and simplicity? Sign up to receive Inspired by Dawn's email newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.
Beat the Heat - 8 Tips for Keeping Cool in Style
With all this talk of "heat domes" and 90+ degree temperatures dominating the weather on both coasts we thought it was time for a refresher on the most stylish ways to cool down and stay chic all summer long.
- Loose fits - think flowy skirts, loose fitting tees
- Natural fibers - cotton and linen lets your skin breathe, skip the synthetics
- Light colors - save the black for an evening event, embrace lighter colors for summer
- Maxi style - always a summer go-to - a maxi skirt or dress can be styled up or down to fit most any summer occasion
- Brimmed hat - protect your hair and face from the sun with a style that fits your personality
- Scarf - almost seems counter-intuitive, but it's a versatile way to keep your skin covered or tie up your hair in an effortless style
- Up do - summer is made for a chic ponytail to keep you looking your best
- Shades - a great way to showcase your personality and protect your eyes - double duty!
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Start Packing. Travel is Good for Your Health!
Still on the fence about planning a trip this summer? Or considering a fall getaway but not sure if you can find the time? Well this headline "Studies Reveal Health Benefits of Vacations, Parks" caught our eye this week when we stumbled upon it and we just had to share with all of you.
Just like those headlines that tell us red wine is good for our health, we can get behind this one. It turns out the studies that were mentioned in the Travel & Leisure article also said that even exposure to parks had a health benefit. Great, we're all for parks. But we're always looking for a reason to travel. So if it's good for our health...we're ready. Time to start packing!
Want to discover more ways to Live Life Inspired with a focus on style, health and simplicity? Sign up to receive Inspired by Dawn's email newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.
5 Effortless Ways to Celebrate Bastille Day & Add a Little French to Your Thursday
Not sure about you but we're always looking for effortless ways to channel our inner-Francophile. And with Bastille Day on Thursday there's no better excuse. So here are some easy ways to add a little French flair to your Thursday. Tres chic!
- Croissants, macarons, eclairs, oh my! - Stop by (probably early for best selection) your local French bakery and pick up some treats for your family or co-workers
- Staycation - Escape your typical Thursday with a trip to your city's art museum during lunch or after work. Bonus points if it has Impressionist art!
- Add a dash of chic - Grab a gauzy, summer weight scarf and effortlessly tie it around your neck, wear it as a headband or just tie one to your bag for the day. It's the ultimate style accessory
- Raise a glass - Treat yourself to a Thursday champagne cocktail in celebration of Bastille Day. Sante!
- Reserve a Table - Find your favorite sidewalk cafe - French or not - and reserve a table for you and your nearest and dearest and enjoy a warm summer evening dining al fresco. Oui, oui!
Want to discover more ways to Live Life Inspired with a focus on style, health and simplicity? Sign up to receive Inspired by Dawn's email newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.
Your Home's Summer Vacation 12-Step Checklist - Prep Now for Less Stress Later
Reservations are made, bags are packed, out of office reply is turned on, and you're almost ready to go. But before you head out on your summer vacation, here's a quick checklist of how to prep your home to ensure you don't come home to any post-vacation reentry disasters. A little prep now can help you hold on to that vacation glow just a little while longer.
Security
- Light timers - Set a lamp or two to turn on and off at different times so the casual observer will not suspect you're out of town
- Close & lock windows & doors - Seems obvious but take a second and check all the doors and windows. You don't want to be hours or days into your vacation and wonder if your bedroom is getting soaked or the back door ever got locked
- Hold mail & newspaper - No need to signal that you're away with a pile of mail and newspapers out front. Both can be put on vacation hold with just a few simple clicks online
- Garbage cans - Make sure you bring garbage cans in from the curb before you leave or ask a neighbor to do it for you. Again it's just one less signal that you're away
Saving $s
- Hot water tank - Save some dollars for your trip and turn down the thermostat on the hot water tank so you're not heating water you're not using
- Adjust thermostat - This differs by season but consider turning off the furnace or air conditioner while you're gone. Again a good dollar saver
Cleaning & Maintaining
- Clean refrigerator - Not a necessity but nice to not come home to a few science experiments. Take a minute and dump out all the old leftovers
- Run dishwasher - Also not a necessity but always nice to not wonder if the dishes are clean or dirty. However, if you forget to do this the odor will often tell you!
- Take out trash - Once of the last things before closing and locking the door is to take out the trash and recyclables to minimize odor
- Water plants - This one is time dependent but give your plants a good soak before you leave and consider asking someone to help if you're going to be gone awhile
- Dehumidifier - This is region-dependent but if you have a dehumidifier make sure it's set up to keep running and draining while you're gone. Connect to a basement drain or ask the person watering your plants to empty the bin as well
One More Thing...
- Check your packing list one last time - One last glance can save you from spending precious vacation time shopping for a forgotten item
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4 - July 4th Style Shortcuts for Easy, Breezy Fun
It's our nation's birthday and it's our duty to celebrate this long weekend. And while red, white and blue will be everywhere - what's a party without a color scheme? - we wanted to find ways to add a splash of patriotic style without going over board. Below are a few ideas to help you enjoy a safe, healthy and festive July 4th. Have fun!
Understated Star Style - A great reminder that navy blue, white and/or denim go along way toward patriotic style, with only a splash of red thrown in. Check out this round up of great wearable styles for the 4th and beyond.
Festive Dessert - Berries and ice cream are an Inspired by Dawn go-to for summer entertaining and this recipe makes it perfect for a 4th backyard bbq
Patriotic Sangria - We loved this recipe because of it's simplicity, and that we usually have most of these ingredients on hand. Cheers!
Star Spangled Decor - For the non-DIYers (like us!), spread out this table runner and let the party begin
Want to discover more ways to Live Life Inspired with a focus on style, health and simplicity? Sign up to receive Inspired by Dawn's email newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.
The 10 Stylishly Curated Essentials to Make Room For in Your Summer Beach Bag
It's official. Summer is here. As of Monday evening summer officially started. It's time to hit the beach, the pool, the park and soak in summer. So here's the 10 essentials for summer fun with style. Make some room in your bag for these and enjoy a stylishly fun summer.
- Sunglasses - You can never go wrong with a classic style
- Lip Balm / Gloss - Sheer shine will always look fresh and effortless
- Cover Up - Add a dash of style at the pool or the beach
- Hat - Don't leave home without one
- Sunscreen - We prefer our SPF without the extra chemicals
- Towel - Find an absorbent, XL large one for all day use
- Style Rx - Stash your daily dose so you don't miss your daily vitamin or medication
- Reusable Water Bottle - Keep hydrated all day long
- Hand Sanititizer - Clean up before indulging in refreshing pool-side nibbles
- Good Book - Get lost in a page-turner and relax
Want to discover more ways to Live Life Inspired with a focus on style, health and simplicity? Sign up to receive Inspired by Dawn's email newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.
© 2024 Inspired by Dawn.
