News

Expert Tips for Staying Cool on Summer Nights

Last week we highlighted how we can style ourselves to keep cool. This week we're focusing on how to keep our home comfortable and most of all protect our sleep. It can be hard to get a good night's sleep when your environment is too warm. So Inspired by Dawn has researched the best ways to stay cool all evening so you can be your best self all summer long. Below is what we learned...

Homemade A/C - This was news to us at Inspired by Dawn but apparently you can fake the effects of air conditioning with a fan and bowl full of ice! We're going to have try this one out for ourselves. We're intrigued! Read more here for a how to. Apparently a wet towel hung in front of a window can have a similar effect. Who knew?

Take a Hot Shower - Seems counterintuitive but your body will cool itself better after taking a hot shower than after a cool one. A cool shower shocks your system and causes you body to work to bring your temp back up.

Grill Out or Take Out - One more reason not to heat up the kitchen. Try to plan meals that can be prepared on the grill or right out of the fridge (e.g. salads, wraps). If all else fails, order take out and keep your home cool.

Fans are Your Friend - Make sure you set ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise in the summer so the pull hot air up and away from you. Put the stove exhaust fan and any bathrooms fans to work as well. They too draw warm air up and out of the house.

Embrace Shade - Close blinds in the morning to keep the house from heating up, and consider planting trees to help keep things cool in the future.

Change Your Lightbulbs - We all know we should switch away from incandescent bulbs for energy efficiency but who knew that making that swap could also help keep your home cooler? Earth and comfort-friendly!

Finally, we stumbled upon this great info graphic that summarizes many of these ideas, plus a few more.

Wishing you comfortable sleep all summer long!

8 Go-To Style Tips for Keeping Your Cool this Summer

The summer is heating up so how does an Inspired girl keep her cool and her style in tact as the mercury heads north? In July we'll share with you the best tips, tricks and style hacks - from food, fashion, to functional solutions for home - to stay cool all summer long without sacrificing an ounce of style.

We're kicking things off with summer style. Giving your outfit choice a little consideration will go a long way to helping you look your best. Here's a few tips to get you started...

1. Loose fits - think flowy skirts, loose fitting tees
2. Natural fibers - cotton and linen lets your skin breathe, skip the synthetics
3. Light colors - save the black for an evening event, embrace lighter colors for summer
4. Maxi style - always a summer go-to - a maxi skirt or dress can be styled up or down to fit most any summer occasion
5. Brimmed hat - protect your hair and face from the sun with a style that fits your personality
6. 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
7. Up do - summer is made for a chic ponytail to keep you looking your best
8. Shades - a great way to showcase your personality and protect your eyes - double duty!

4th of July Style Inspiration

Ready for barbecues, fireworks and fun for the 4th but need some style inspiration? We stumbled upon a great blog this week with some 4th fashion that strikes just the right chord. So check out these recent posts (Festive Fourth and 4th of July Style) from Lex What Wear and enjoy your long weekend in celebratory style!

Happy 4th of July from Inspired by Dawn!

Travel Prescription - Staying on Target with Healthy Eating on the Road

It's Friday and a long weekend is on the horizon. Just a few more short days away. Next week many of us will set out to visit family or friends and enjoy the beach, pool, fireworks, barbecue, etc. And many of us will get where we're going by car. That car ride will likely include at least one meal on the road.

But who wants to blow their daily caloric intake before they even reach their destination? That's why a recent New York Times article caught our eye about how to eat healthy at restaurants, even fast casual and fast food restaurants. It gives real, practical menu choices that we might actually be able to stick to and not feel deprived! Bookmark this post and have it at the ready when choosing where to stop. Your body will thank you when you pull on your swimsuit at your July 4th destination. Ready, set, splash!

Family Vacation Planning - Can't Miss Tips from the Pros

Still putting the final touches on family travel plans this summer? Then you're in luck. Inspired by Dawn has compiled several great resources to help you decide on the right trip for your family, as well as great ideas for how to make it a positive experience for the whole family - whether traveling by car or plane. So start here and happy travels!

X Marks the Spot
Looking for your family's dream summer destination? Here's two great round-ups from The New York Times and Travel and Leisure. The NY Times has U.S. destination ideas broken out by active, culture, enrichment, nature and resort so you can narrow it down by what your family needs most right now. The Travel and Leisure article offers kid-friendly resorts and experiences across the U.S. and around the world.

Keep It Simple
For a more practical, down-to-earth approach to planning and family vacation expectation setting, check out the Huffington Post article. It offers such simple tips like "Define your family's travel mission: to have fun!" Always a good starting point for everyone's enjoyment.

Enjoy the Journey
Whoever said 'getting there is half the fun' probably wasn't traveling there with kids in tow. So whether you're flying with little ones or road-tripping it, two bloggers offer some valuable tips. Traveling Mom offers practical tips on flying with toddlers and Surf and Sunshine gives always welcome suggestions for surviving a road trip with kids. Take away: No matter your mode of transportation come prepared to fight off boredom and arrive with - fingers crossed - nerves in tact!

Flying this Summer? Savvy Tips for Traveling in Style

Do your summer plans include boarding a plane? If so, you might be interested in the recent headline that airlines are trying to standardize and shrink the size of an accepted carry on bag. The new rules haven't been implemented by major U.S. carriers yet but if they do we'll all want to pack a lot smarter - essentials only in that carry on!

The fear of a smaller carry on got us thinking about our essentials list. That's why we loved this article we recently came across on travel hacks for packing. You can see the whole list here and see our faves below...

#6 - If you’re traveling with a lot of jewelry, use a days-of-the-week pill container to keep track of it. -- Our super savvy customers have been doing this for awhile
#7 - Glasses cases can double as a carrying case for iPhone chargers. -- Style Rx pill box case is also perfect for this
#16 - Bring several pairs of underwear in your carry-on just in case your luggage ends up lost. -- Big believer in this one. We'd say throw in a swimsuit too so the first few days of your tropical vacation aren't spent shopping for a new, semi-flattering one
#20 - If you forget the outlet plug-in for your phone charger, check the back of the TV in your hotel room. There’s usually a USB port which will allow you to charge. -- We never knew this one. Great idea.
#23 - Scan your passport, ID and itinerary and email it to yourself in case of theft or loss. -- Just don't lose your phone too!

Bon Voyage!

Set It & Forget It for a Carefree Summer

Summer by definition, in at least most people's minds, is marked by a more relaxed, laissez-faire attitude. Most people try to carve out a much-deserved escape during the summer. Schedules often become a little more relaxed as the temperature rises. And hopefully there's a few lazy days sprinkled throughout just dozing in a hammock or a blanket in the park, or relaxing at the beach or pool. After all that's what summer is all about, right?

Of course! So consider taking a few minutes now and automating and organizing some tasks that you handle daily or weekly so you can "take back" some of that time and use it to enjoy every last moment of summer.

Banking
If you haven't already take banking out of the equation. Sign up for direct deposit, online bill pay and mobile deposit and never wait in line at the bank again. Especially on a Friday!

Mail
If you are lucky enough to be headed out of town, you can avoid advertising it to the neighbors and put your mail and paper on hold with just a few keystrokes. The USPS lets you easily do this, and so do most major dailies. A few taps on the keyboard and you're set!

Plants
At Inspired by Dawn we're not exactly green thumbs so whether we're going away or not we use those little water globes to keep our plants moderately content all summer long.

Vitamins and Medication
If you take prescription medication consider ordering a three month supply so you don't have to dash to the pharmacy on your way out of town. While you're at it fill up your Style Rx pill box case and an extra pill box insert so you have everything organized and at your fingertips so you're ready for spontaneous summer fun.

Totes and Toiletries
Pick up travel sizes of your beauty essentials and stash them in a stylish toiletry case. Make sure you have a great tote with a modern pattern on hand so you can be ready for a quick night away with friends.

Before you set your out of office reply...

Okay, this month we've given you a good reason to clean out your purse and some minimalist suggestions for what you should carry. We've also helped you prep your beach / pool bag for summer success with stylish essentials. All set, right?

Well are you going to head out for all your summer fun with your desk looking like a disaster? We didn't think so. Besides who wants to come back to a mess of a desk on a Monday morning? To help get you stylishly organized and in prime condition to leave it all behind - at least for a few days of well-deserved R&R - we've curated our stylishly functional organizing favorites...

One Part Function
Corral the paperwork and reduce the anxiety
File it away for your return with a splash of color
Cleanly designed, yet colorful cases are irresistible for storing past projects 

One Part Style
Add a scented candle for a little mid-day zen moment in between meetings and deadlines
Stylishly discreet visual reminder to take your daily vitamins, medication or prenatals
Sleekly simple vase ready for some buds upon your return

Equals Inspiration
Need some more organizing style inspiration check out Inspired by Dawn's Pinterest board.

Nicely done. Now you're ready to set that out of office reply. Enjoy!

Memorial Day

Summer Style Refresh - 10 Pool Essentials to Pack Now & Enjoy All Summer

  

Ahh, it's finally Memorial Day weekend, or as many consider it, also the unofficial start to summer. Especially if you live in the Eastern half of the U.S. we've waited a long time for this. Enjoy.

And with the start of summer many of us will head to the pool, beach or at least an outdoor bbq this weekend. But before you head out does your pool / beach bag need a summer style refresh? If so, Inspired by Dawn has curated a list of stylish summer essentials so you can pack your bag now and be ready for fun all summer long!

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 - Stay active and on track with 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