Sparkling July Style! My Personal July Style Challenge

Running a bit late this month, but better late than never. Let’s work on our personal style in July too! For those of you who are unfamiliar, I host a monthly personal style challenge. Instead of giving you daily or weekly prompts, you choose your personal style challenge for the month. What do you need to improve? Maybe you go to casual with your summer wardrobe and want to spruce it up a bit. Maybe you are a female journalist who can no longer wear shoulder-baring styles in the hot DC summer for the speaker’s lobby and you need to find some new looks. Maybe you only wear black? Maybe you never wear a skirt? Perhaps you want to try the cold shoulder trend? Whatever your issue or challenge, you choose it and Work It for the rest of the month. Post here, in the comments each day you work it or to Instagram with the tag #WorkingMyPersonalStylechallenge.

Image is Fireworks by Tom Childers on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Each post enters you to win one of our fabulous July prizes!

Our grand prize is a fabulous and sparkly fibi & clo of New York footwear!

You could win this! The Cabana Jelly in beige with gold trim. Photo by Kathy Roush

The white Kitten Ear, which you could win! Photo by Kathy Roush

You can choose either of the pool shoes ($35.00) or 50% off the footwear of your choice if you win! Kathy Roush is sponsoring this prize. Do check out her fibi & clo boutique site, Instagram account, or Facebook page! There are two styles in the Pool Collection line you may choose between if you win. My favorite is the chic and fun Kitten Ear sandals, which come in white, black, or navy. There is also the Jackie Kennedy-inspired Cabana Jelly, which comes in black with gold trim or beige with gold trim. Both styles of pool shoes come with a waterproof bag that you can use to keep your phone and other valuables safe at the pool or beach! I only recently was introduced to fibi & clo by Kathy. They have those lovely and often very sparkly quality sandals. I own the very versatile Florecita Gold, which have become one of my go-to sandals this summer. For an upcoming beach trip, I just bought a pair of the two pool shoe types and I can’t wait to see them and wear them (expect to see more soon!)

Our pink prize is a Seven Day Trial Pack of the New Plexus Slim or your choice of two of the 3 Day Slim Plus (Slim and another product) trial packs.

Slim and more! Win a sample!

Slim, a.k.a the pink drink, is designed to improve gut health and help you lose weight. It does so by balancing blood sugar and by promoting the growth of good gut microflora*. I’ve found my mood is improved (no hangry here) and more balanced, I have less food cravings and less appetite, and I have so much more energy. I don’t even need coffee anymore! I’ll talk more about the Pink Drink below, should you be interested, with even some links to research. The Seven Day Slim Trail Packs cost $24.95 and the Three Day trial packs range from $11.95 to $12.95 (plus shipping for either prize). If you are not increased in weight loss and good gut health, I am happy to turn this into a $25 gift certificate to any of the other Plexus product, which range from a Breast check kit, pain relief, vitamins, probiotics, and more. All these products are backed by science and are made from quality ingredients.

So, choose your personal challenge(s), work them throughout the month, post here or on Instagram with the #WorkingMyPersonalStylechallenge, and be entered to win fibi & clo of New York footwear or Plexus Slim!

My challenges:

For June I have two Personal Style Challenges:

• Casual dresses and skirts:  I’m taking my June challenge and running with it again for July. I wear skirts a lot to work and dresses not much. I’d like to work on wearing both more and doing so casually—not just for the office.
• Giving the clothes some love: I (shockingly, right?) have a large wardrobe and some things get forgotten. My challenge this month is to find those things and wear them—new or old.

Follow me on Instagram to see how I do!

My plan:

I plan to reach for skirts when possible and look through the clothes I am not reaching for and either wear them or get rid of them.

Our Partner:

The stylish Kathy Roush, a.k.a Shoe Girl of Kansas, is an independent agent for fibi & clo. We met through cabi and she loves eSBe, so if you love either, you can bet fibi & clo are right in your style! Check out her fibi & Clo boutique. She styles the fibi & clo on her Facebook page and Instagram (@shoegirlofkansas), so join/follow either to see the amazing sandals, get pointers and ideas for wearing them, and enjoy the flowers and Kansas life of Kathy. If the in text links do not work for you, here are her URLs:

• fibi & clo boutique site: https://fibiandclo.com/eboutique/kathyroush
• Instagram account @shoegirlofkansas: https://www.instagram.com/shoegirlofkansas/
• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/shoegirlofkansas/

More about Plexus Slim:

I was introduced to what we call the “pink drink” by my cousin, Diana, and after trying it out, I was sold. So sold, in fact, that shortly afterwards I became a Plexus Ambassador. Diana, calls Slim “Balance,” which I agree is a much better name for it, because it does more than help people lose weight.  I am a better mother, worker, wife, friend, family member, and person because of this drink, and I am more balanced. My experience has been great, but don’t just take my word for it. Plexus Slim has clinically demonstrated it can help you lose weight (find out about the science behind it and the research!). Plus, the new prebiotic (xylooligosaccharide) has been scientifically shown to drastically increase good gut microbes, leading to better health for you. The prebiotics (not probiotics--prebiotics) are a new trend in health research with some great research behind them. For example, one article I found says “Prebiotics exert a plethora of health-promoting effects…. Prebiotics are being implicated in starter culture formulation, gut health maintenance, colitis prevention, cancer inhibition, immunopotentiaton, cholesterol removal, reduction of cardiovascular disease, prevention of obesity and constipation...” and another says ‘prebiotics… can also have an impact, improving sleep and buffering the physiological impacts of stress.” Buffering stress impacts? Better sleep? Cancer inhibition? Cholesterol removal? Reduced cardiovasualr disease? And more? These little buggers work miracles! Do note: None of these statements have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. It’s my experience, the Plexus literature, and some research I did (and linked to).

* None of these statements have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration

The chic and fun Kitten Ear sandals, which come in white, black, or navy. Which color would you choose?

Spring into Improved Style: My Personal April Style Challenge

It the time for new beginnings, growth, and cleaning out the old. This makes it the perfect time to improve your style! Maybe you want to start wearing wellies for some April showers puddles. Maybe you want to try some of the new spring colors. Maybe you are sick of your winter style and need some spring.

Whatever your challenge, let’s face it this April together! Take part in my Personal Style Challenge for April. Think about what changes you need to make to spring into improved style. Think about what is holding you back and Work It! Choose to work on that one area for the month of April and watch yourself spring into your improved style!

We will even help—you could win a $30 eSBe gift certificate to spring into some new jewelry too!

My challenges:

I have two style challenges for April:

•   Nothing says spring like skirts and dresses. I have been bad about wearing them, so I am challenging myself to wear them more often!
•  I will continuing to post-closet clean out organization and wearing those clothes that do not get enough love! With the clean out I “marked” all the clothes as unworn (hangers backward for hanging stuff, inside out for folded) and I want to work on making sure I am wearing these pieces or getting rid of them. I want to be better about not just wearing a few go-to pieces and taking advantage of my larger and awesome wardrobe!  

My Plan

• Wear more dresses and skirts, especially casually, as I just have not mastered this and don’t do it. ·
• Look for pieces I am not wearing and integrate them into my outfits.

So, what about you? What do you need to work on? Join me! Select a challenge for you to work on, develop a plan, and let’s kick those style challenges to the curb! Use the tag #WorkingMyPersonalStyleChallenge to show us how you are doing on Instagram. Or, leave a note for me in the comments here. If you enter, you can win!

 

The Prize:

Want some inspiration and motivation, beyond springing into improved style?  Work your person style challenge, as discussed above, and you could win a $30 eSBe gift certificate!  I am working with the fabulous eSBe stylist, Suzanne Joffrion to bring you this opportunity. To enter, use the tag #WorkingMyPersonalStyleChallenge on Instagram to show us how you are doing. Make sure you follow us both (@DrJennB and @suzannejoffrion). Or, leave a note for me in the comments here. Each post on Instagram and each comments here about Working your Challenge will be entered to win. I love my eSBe jewelry. The pieces are handmade. They have various cultural influences that blend with both tradition and a very stylish aesthetic. The pieces have real gemstones and a great mix of metals. I’m displaying one of my favorite pieces here, the Paragon Straps Cuff (which is only $39—so you could win this for $9 with the gift certificate!). Work your style challenge and win some of this collection! This is a great way to work your style challenge and spring into improved style.

To order from Suzanne or to check out eSBe, go to her site and use the Stylist ID 246131.

Suzanne is also having a special drawing! If you download and place an order through her Stylist ID 246131 on the new eSBe app, you could win a $50 gift certificate for all roder over $50 between April 1st and 5th!

Give up not being the style diva you are for Lent! My Personal March Style Challenge

Do you practice Lent? I am not Catholic, but I often practice Lent as an exercise in self-awareness, recognition of my privileges, consciousness of those less fortunate, and away to improve my life and the world. I do not tend to do a subtractive Lent, but additive. I will add things to my life for 40 days. A personal style challenge and Lent work perfectly together! It’s a great opportunity to remove a bad habit—like always wearing black or add a new challenge, like wearing more skirts.

Image "Les iris nains de la garrigue by Isabelle Blanchemain https://flic.kr/p/FbpofL

Would you like to join me on this adventure? Would you like to win some money towards Luci Bags? Whether you are practicing Lent or not, use March to work on some personal style challenge. Think about how you want to grow and evolve your style. Choose an area or two for the month of March or for Lent and Work It! Post here, in the comments each day you work it or to Instagram with the tag #WorkingMyPersonalStylechallenge.

My challenges:

Isn't this cardi great? I don't wear it enough. Time to give it some love! Outfit: LaJu Armanda Ribbed Cardigan fromStitch Fix. Dark Destructed Skinny jeans and an older top from cabi clothing. Aerosole boots. Moonstruck Half Moon Necklace from eSBe

For March and Lent I have two Personal Style Challenges:

• Give up: I will not buy any new clothes in the month of March  
• Add to: I have a few that are not style related, but for Lent I am going to try to wear at least one garment that is not getting the love it deserves. I managed my closet clean out in February, although I am still finishing that up. I have a lot of clothes I love. But if I don’t wear them, I shouldn’t keep them.

My plan:

I've worn this great top once. Time to Work it! Outfit:  Le Lis Taley Split Neck Knit Top from Stitch Fix. Dark Destructed Skinny jeans and an older top from . JustFab boots (USE MY REFERRAL CODE TO SAVE $).

My plan is easy on the giving up—I just won’t buy clothes. I’ll need to stop going to sites and checking stuff out. That is a problem. And sales. Sales are a problem. With my newly arranged, cleaned out, and organized closet, I should be able to reach for those pieces I forget more easily.  I’ll certainly be talking about this on Instagram, so follow me there for more!

The Prize:

Luci Bags!

Want some help with your style challenge? Work your person style challenge, as discussed above, and you could win a $25 Luci Bags gift certificate!  I am working with the fabulous Luci stylist, Leigh Cheatwood-Harris, to bring you this opportunity. To enter, use the tag #WorkingMyPersonalStyleChallenge on Instagram to show us how you are doing. Or, leave a note for me in the comments here. Each post on Instagram will be entered to win. These are great display bags, where you can show off your business. There are also totes and pouches. I have my eye on a bow tote.  Work your style challenge and win money towards one of these bags! This is a great way to work your style challenge and show off your business or fashionably hold all your stuff!

More Luci Bags!

Working your Style to Love your Style: My Personal February Style Challenge

It is the month we celebrate love. But do you love your style? Are there things you would like to improve? Maybe you don’t wear enough red or always wear your heart on your sleeve. Maybe you need to improve your date night style game. Maybe you love your yoga pants too much. What are your style challenges? Want to fix them? Want to love your style? And want to win some cabi?

Take part in my Personal Style Challenge for February. Think about what changes you need to make to love your style. Think about what is holding you back and Work It! Choose to work on that one area for the month of February and see if you don’t just love your style at the end of the month.

My challenges:

Isn't the cabi Spring 2017 collection great? Beachcomber Hoodie, Flirt Cami, Mojave Slim Boyfriend jeans, and Sea Knot Necklace from cabi. Canvas by Lands' End Pointed Toe Mary Jane shoes.

The biggest part of my challenge for January was put on hold when I was in a car crash. It’s difficult to completely clean out one’s closet with a sprained wrist and a sprained neck. So, I am repeating my challenge from last month.

My closet is [still] a mess, with a bunch of new purchases that I don’t have room for and old stuff that no longer fits my body, lifestyle, or style—much of it from before having a kid. I need to do a closest clean out. Related to the mess that is my closet, I have been wearing a few easy-to-reach items and not enjoying the extent of what I have. This tends to mean I grab the newer stuff, as it is the easiest to get to. So, old favorites are missed. But, I am also not wearing all of the new stuff either. Putting this together, my style challenge is to curate my wardrobe, focusing on these areas:

• Finally get to the closet cleaned out, removing things that no longer fit fits my body, lifestyle, or style
• Evaluate the garments that are not worn much by wearing them and seeing how they work for me now or, if I do not wear them or can’t make them work, remove them [Started. I have a box of stuff downstairs]
• Get rid of the stuff that is not working, selling my quality clothes (from cabi, Stitch Fix, and more) and donating the rest
• Working on better methods of outfit management, such as trying the Stylebook app [I have uploaded my cabi Fall 2016 clothing, so I have started!]
• Wearing the clothes that are not getting worn, either because they are new or because they are older and lost in the chaos that is my closet. [I did a decent job here last month. I’ll try to keep that up]

My Plan

Work your personal style challenge and you could win $25 towards this! Cold Shoulder Cami, Dame Skirt, Cinch Belt, Anchor Earrings, Riviera Necklace (worn as choker), Lock & Key Bracelet all from cabi Sprng 2017. Isobel boots from JustFab (use my referral code to save $).

• Take a day, possibly off from work (because it is hard to do anything with a toddler around), and pull everything from my closet and evaluate it [Scheduled for February 17th]
• Create a donate pile and a sell pile
• Take pictures of the items to sell and post them on the groups and possible do a closet clean-out group
• Somehow mark or note the items I am keeping but don’t wear much
• Put everything back that I am keeping, using my new closet organization items
• Mange my wardrobe and outfits through the Stylebook app [In progress]
• Wear the unworn/little worn items more and post the outfits online

So, what about you? What do you need to work on? Join me! Select a challenge for you to work on, develop a plan, and let’s kick those style challenges to the curb! Use the tag #WorkingMyPersonalStyleChallenge to show us how you are doing on Instagram. Or, leave a note for me in the comments here.

 

The Prize:

Love your style and win $ to buy this cabi! Flirt Cami, Pocket Cardigan, and Zip Skinny from cabi Spring 2017. Tarynn booties from JustFab. (use my referral code to save $).

Want some help with your style challenge? Work your person style challenge, as discussed above, and you could win a $25 cabi gift certificate!  I am working with the fabulous cabi stylist, Leigh Cheatwood-Harris, to bring you this opportunity. To enter, use the tag #WorkingMyPersonalStyleChallenge on Instagram to show us how you are doing. Or, leave a note for me in the comments here. Each post on Instagram will be entered to win. The cabi Spring 2017 collection just launched, and is fabulous. Work your style challenge and win some of this collection! This is a great way to work your style challenge and celebrate your improved style. Love your style and work it!

New Year, Working the New You! My Personal Style Challenge for January

With the New Year, comes all of those New Year’s resolutions. We try to become better people with healthier habits and practices. But, we do not always work on our style. Here is an easy way to work on your style without the twelve month commitment of a New Year’s resolution!

Image is "Textura navideña 4: Bokeh brindis" by M & Pi  on Flickr, with modifcations by me.

Look at these shoes! And the cute dress! Sadly, I've only worn this outfit once, besides the photo shoot! I have only worn this dress for this photo shoot! Millie textured Knit Dress by Pixley with Hannley Mary Jane Strappy Pump by Nine West, both from Stitch Fix.

Take part in my Personal Style Challenge for January. Think about how you want to grow and evolve your style. Perhaps you default to a few key pieces. Perhaps you only wear black. Maybe you want to kick things up a notch for work. Maybe you never wear scarves. Maybe you want to try a new trend. Think about what you want to change and Work It! Choose to work on that one area for the month of January. They say it takes 21 days to make a habit. So, you can conquer one of your resolutions in just one month, and start the New Year with a success!

 

 

 

 

My challenge:

I have only worn this dress for this photo shoot! Jace Embroidered Lace Dress by 41Hawthorn and from Stitch Fix.

Often I choose multiple things to work on. This month I’m going to focus on one, but one this one has parts. My closet is a mess, with a bunch of new purchases that I don’t have room for and old stuff that no longer fits my body, lifestyle, or style—much of it from before having a kid. I need to do a closest clean out. Related to the mess that is my closet, I have been wearing a few easy-to-reach items and not enjoying the extent of what I have. This tends to mean I grab the newer stuff, as it is the easiest to get to. So, old favorites are missed. But, I am also not wearing all of the new stuff either. Putting this together, my style challenge is to curate my wardrobe, focusing on these areas:

• Finally get to the closet cleaned out, removing things that no longer fit fits my body, lifestyle, or style
• Evaluate the garments that are not worn much by wearing them and seeing how they work for me now or, if I do not wear them or can’t make them work, remove them
• Get rid of the stuff that is not working, selling my quality clothes (from cabi, Stitch Fix, and more) and donating the rest
• Working on better methods of outfit management, such as trying the Stylebook app
• Wearing the clothes that are not getting worn, either because they are new or because they are older and lost in the chaos that is my closet.

My plan:

This outfit is a good example of my new style. But, I have only worn the sweater once besides this photo shoot! Fierro Elbow Patch Crew Neck Sweater by Brixon Ivy from Stitch Fix. The Scout pant from cabi. Wellie Rain Boots from L.L. Bean.

1. Take a day, possibly off from work (because it is hard to do anything with a toddler around), and pull everything from my closet and evaluate it
2. Create a donate pile and a sell pile
3. Take pictures of the items to sell and post them on the groups and possible do a closet clean-out group
4. Somehow mark or note the items I am keeping but don’t wear much
5. Put everything back that I am keeping, using my new closet organization items
6. Mange my wardrobe and outfits through the Stylebook app
7. War the unworn/little worn items and post the outfits online

So, what about you? Do you have any personal style challenges you want to conquer? If so, join me! Select a challenge for you to work on, develop a plan, and let’s kick those style challenges to the curb! Use the tag #WorkingMyPersonalStyleChallenge to show us how you are doing on Instagram. Or, leave a note for me in the comments here. I'll choose one winner, who will get a $25 JamBerry gift certifcate from my friend Jenny!

What is holding you back from being the stylish fashionista you know you are? My Personal December Style Challenge

We all have things we could work on with our style. Maybe we have safe outfits we default to. Maybe we are a leggings and tees person. Maybe there are some colors we avoid. Maybe we don’t mix metals or mix patterns. Or we don’t know how to. We all have our own personal style challenges—things that we feel are limiting our ability to be the stylish fashionistas we really are. Whatever your challenge, and whatever your reason, here in as opportunity to grow.

background image credit: James Mann "Winter Fog From the River" on FLickr.

Take part in my Personal Style Challenge for December. Think about how you want to grow and evolve your style. Think about what is holding you back and Work It! Choose to work on that one area for the month of December. They say it takes 21 days to make a habit. So, you can change this style challenge into a style strength, in just one month. And even win some Jamberry!

I tried this idea before, in February, and have made it a monthly challenge starting in December. I have many personal style challenges to work on. This way I can master one, two, or more a month!

 My challenges:

Since December is the last month of the year, I’m going to try three challenges, one of which is an ongoing challenge that I have been working on this year (maybe I can kick it before 2017!), one of which is more fundamental, and the last is necessary:

• Fewer ponytails: I have done this one before, but I need to work on it some more. Ponytails are my default hairstyle, and more so as a toddler mom. So, I challenge myself to wear fewer ponytails in December!
• Expanding my style: I wouldn’t say I am stuck in a rut, because ruts are small and I have a fairly diverse style. But, I’d like to broaden my style in a few ways. I’d like more truly casual pieces and outfits. This includes wearing more leggings and tunic or long shirts. I’d like to have more cozy fun with my style. In many ways this works with my third challenge.
• Wardrobe revamp with closet clean out: I have a lot of clothes. Many of them are from before having a baby. My body has changed.  I’ve been waiting until I got back to my pre pregnancy weight, but that has been complicated by health issues that have prevented me from running and medicines that have put on weight. I’m actually now close to my pre pregnancy weight, but my shape is different. I need to go through all of my clothes and get rid of stuff that no longer fits my body, my lifestyle, or my evolving style.

My plan:

Fun and cozy, right? Wearing my newbeloved Wellie Rain Boots from LL Bean and their Signature Cotton Fisherman Sweater. Pleated Star Skirt from Canvas by Lands' End.

• Fewer ponytails: I’m saving some ideas for other ways to wear my hair on Pinterest. I also recently purchased some Lila Rose hair accessories from Abby Harding McEllroy for some hair clips that will increase the different ways I can wear my hair.
• Expanding my style: I am trying out some new brands (posts forthcoming) including Lula Roe, which focuses on cozy fun. I also recently ordered from this small little shop I discovered through mutual fashion interests on Facebook: Little Raven Clothing. She had a wonderful cyber Monday sale and I am getting some fun and cozy pieces from her.
• Wardrobe revamp with closet clean out: I am ready to go for this. I bought some hangers and organization stuff. I just need to find the time and be well enough to have the energy. I have a day off planned later this month which would be perfect for tackling this. I will do some sort of closet clean out sale, so stay tuned for that. Most of what I own is cabi and in the medium size range with some small. Plus, I recently bought some Jamberry, and funky nails will help!

I may report back and post pictures (probably less of wardrobe revamp). I’ll certainly be talking about this on Instagram, so follow me there for more!

So, what about you? Do you have any personal style challenges you want to conquer? If so, join me! Select a challenge for you to work on, develop a plan, and let’s kick those style challenges to the curb! Use the tag #WorkingMyPersonalStylechallenge to show us how you are doing on Instagram. Or, leave a note for me in the comments here.

This month, there will be a prize! I will randomly select one winner from the December Instagram and blog #WorkingMyPersonalStylechallenge posts for a $25 Jamberry gift certificate! One of my good friends, Jenny, just started selling. So we can help launch her business and work our own style challenges at the same time!

My Personal November Style Challenge

What is keeping you from being the chic fashionista you know you are?

We all have things we could work on with our style. Maybe we wear too much black. Perhaps we default to wearing the same safe outfits. Maybe we do not wear all the scarves we have. Maybe we never wear sunscreen or eye liner. We all have our style challenges. They may not even be things we think about when we get dressed in the morning, but they are things that we feel are limiting our ability to be the chic fashionistas we really are. Whatever your challenge, and whatever your reason, here in an opportunity to grow.

Take part in my Personal Style Challenge for November. Think about how you want to grow and evolve your style. Think about what is holding you back and Work It! Choose to work on that one area for the month of November. They say it takes 21 days to make a habit. So, you can change this style challenge into a style strength, in just one month.

My challenges:

Since November is my birth month, I’m going to really challenge myself with three Personal Style Challenges:

Less of these

• Layering necklaces: I have so many necklaces. However, I don’t tend to think about layering them. Also, I’m not the most confident at layering necklaces. So, I am challenging myself to layer necklaces in November!
• Fewer ponytails: I have done this one before, but I need to work on it some more. Ponytails are my default hairstyle, and more so as a toddler mom. I just got my haircut, and I’m ready to rock it down or up in different ways. I’m also saving some ideas on Pinterest. So, I challenge myself to wear fewer ponytails in November!
• Water: I used to be a solid eight-or-more-cups-of-water-a-day person. But now I am slacking and I need to pick this back up. It is better for my health, my skin, and even my allergies.  Bring on the hydration, November!

 

My plan:

Walking away from the ponytail?

My plan for all three is simple: layer necklaces, wear my air in different styles, and drink more water.  I have a great necklace collection, with some fabulous pieces from Shine Chaser Jewelry, Solid Treasures, and, just recently, eBSe (I have two fabulous stylists: Suzanne Joffrion Stylist ID #246131 and Kathy Roush Stylist ID #246276).

I may report back and post pictures (probably not many of drinking water). I’ll certainly be talking about this on Instagram, so follow me there for more!

So, what about you? Do you have any personal style challenges you want to conquer? If so, join me! Select a challenge for you to work on, develop a plan, and let’s kick those style challenges to the curb! Use the tag #WorkingMyPersonalStylechallenge to show us how you are doing on Instagram. Or, leave a note for me in the comments here.

I am even working on a prize for one of you who worked their personal style challenge! I’ll post what it is once I have that worked out!

What is holding back your style? My Personal February Style Challenge

We all have our own style challenges. You know, those things that we just are not good at. Those things outside our comfort zones. Those things we should do, but don’t or do do but shouldn’t. Maybe we always wear pants. Maybe we never wear heels. Maybe we don’t wear orange. Or maybe we love the spikes so popular right now in jewelry, but are just not sure if they are us. Maybe we only wear our hair down. Or up. We live in yoga pants.

I know I have a lot of areas I’m not good in or I’m down right lazy about. I have my own style comfort zones. But I want to get better. I want to be aware, and then I want to change it.

So, I’m starting my own personal style challenge. Join me! Each month I’m going to come up with a personal style challenge and I’m going to work to correct that challenge over the month. I’ll report back (and maybe along way) on how it went. Maybe I’ll share pictures of my success or failure.

This month, I’m giving myself two challenges:

• Posture: My posture has gotten bad. I blame it on work (I work on the couch too often and hunch over the computer) and all the breastfeeding and holding of my Griffin when he was younger (plus I went up a cup size permanently and several while breast feeding). I think the bad shoulder dislocation I suffered two years also led to me hunching more to protect it. Look at my excuses! No more excuse. I am working on it now. If my posture is better, I will look (and actually be) taller, thinner, and my breasts will look bigger and firmer. My back will hurt less. My head will hurt less. I am already working on this, but I thought I would include it to give myself more accountability.
• Ponytails: I hate having my hair in my face. But I love long hair on me. So I tend to throw it back in a ponytail. It’s quick, it’s easy, and my fly-away thin hair is likely to stay more or less out of my face. Great. Except boring. I need to do more with my hair. So, I’m going to work on being less lazy and do other things with my tresses.

Game plan:

"Without a plan, there's no attack. Without attack, no victory." - Curtis Armstrong

See a pony tail. And probably bad posture.

Posture:

• Awareness and self-correct: Simply being aware of the problem helps. The I can correct it when I notice problems.  
• Yoga with a back and posture focus at least three times a week: I love the Yogamazing app and will use this. I already did a tight shoulder one this morning. 
• Plank: I’ll do the plank twice each day
• Exercises: I’ll do my shoulder and back exercises I should be doing in the afternoons
• Advice: I will talk to my massage therapist (who owns the Posture Project—good choice, right?) for other ideas
• Massage: I’ll get two massages, because we have to make it enjoyable

Ponytails:

• Limit: No more than two plain ponytails a week
• Braids: I suck at braids, but I will try one a week
• Research: I will check out cool hairstyles and tutorials
• Try: I will try those new styles

I am giving myself a minor exception to this style challenge. I’m having outpatient nasal surgery on the 10th and am going to give myself a few days, if needed, to put my hair back in a ponytail and not do yoga or other stretches, which might be rather painful for a bit. Recovering is more important.

So, what about you? Do you have any personal style challenges you want to conquer? If so, join me! Choose a challenge, develop a plan, and let’s kick those style challenges to the curb! Use the tag #WorkingMyPersonalStylechallenge to show us what you are doing.

Do let me know your challenges, plans, and how it goes!

Another ponytail. Doesn't this cute guy deserve a mom who stands up ovelyy tL and can do more than ponytails?

Lovely picture, right? Cute kid. Cure jacket. Lovely falls and rocks in the background. But, look! A ponytail and bad posture! Photo taken at Screw Auger Falls, in Grafton, Maine.