“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” ~Coco Chanel
When I first met Jane Cuddehe, I liked her right away. She was a really cool, sophisticated and stylish lady who also happened to be pretty down-to-earth. What more could you ask for?
And when she told me she was the owner and creative force behind Scialle Fine Shawls, I was impressed–especially by the tales of visiting Italy and having her designs produced in the same factories that high-end designers such as Armani are produced in.
The photos she shared were amazing! (Stay tuned–I have permission to share them with you in an upcoming post!)
But even though I liked her so much and was so impressed by her business accomplishments and sense of style, I wasn’t sure about her line of scarves. While I thought they were absolutely gorgeous, the price point was a little beyond my accessories budget. (I’m a high-low fashionista–I only buy certain “high-end” and designer items. For trendier pieces, I tend to stick to the lower price-point).
Still, given how much I admire Jane’s style, I thought I’d give them a try. After all, a scarf can really be timeless.
So I got two–a red one and a black and white scarf made of a fine wool (this one’s currently on sale!). The red one is no longer available on the site, but it looks just like this large pink Unito scarf, except red. I’m not sure what it’s made of but I’m guessing a fine linen. It’s really light and super soft–and drapes like a dream.
Now, once I got the scarves, I loved them. They are beautiful and so large that you can wear them in tons of ways (as I outlined in my original review).
But after owning them awhile, I have found that not only are they stylish and easy to wear, but they are functional as well. Since the weather in St. Louis has been particularly arctic this year, I’ve been layering more.
And as someone who is all about looking stylish, no matter the weather, I’m not a big fan of puffy and unflattering winter wear. But with my more stylish coats and jackets, I don’t always feel warm enough.
So lately I’ve been grabbing one of the Scialle shawls, and here’s the thing: even though they are so light and soft and easy to wear, they actually somehow offer a huge amount of warmth–but they don’t make me sweat.
I know it sounds silly to be surprised that a scarf can make me feel so warm, but I was truly shocked. So there you go–one more reason I am in love with Scialle. <3
Good news! You can currently get a variety of Scialle scarves on the cheap! Check out the sale, right here.
“The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” ~ Lucille Ball
One in four Americans eats fast food each day. Who can blame us? Times are different these days. Thanks to crazy-busy schedules, we rush around like chickens with our heads cut off–and before we know, it’s time to eat.
Cooking and food can seem like more of an annoyance than a gift, so we just pick up the fastest, easiest thing we can find and eat quickly so we can get back to our seemingly endless list of tasks.
So how does eating slower help with our fast-food diet, or any diet at all?
Eating slower is powerful in several ways. It’s an easy way to begin to reverse a harried lifestyle. It’s not difficult. You simply take smaller bites, chew slower and more thoroughly, and enjoy your meal for a greater length of time.
Two decades ago, the Slow Food Movement was started in Italy as a way to counteract everything that fast food stands for.
There are several reasons you might want to consider eating slower:
You’ll sleep better.Eating too much in the evening is sure way to disrupt your sleep.
By eating slower, which leads to improved digestion, your sleep is sure to be more restful. Disturbed sleep is one of the top complaints doctors receive.
Your mind will be less stressed.
The simple act of eating slower can begin to counter a hectic, stressful lifestyle. Sit down and enjoy your meal, your friends and family, and your life.
You will enjoy your food more.
You’ll be surprised at just how much flavor some foods have if you’ll eat them slower. This is especially true of many foods that you might consider to be bland. Slowing down will give you the same amount of pleasure with far fewer calories.
You are also likely to find that many of the unhealthy foods you currently enjoy don’t taste nearly as good if you eat them slowly. Give it a try. Take a food you love, but know you shouldn’t eat. Eat it very slowly and see if you still love it.
Your digestion will improve.
Digestion begins in your mouth. Having food spend a little more time in your mouth makes a big difference. Even more importantly, by chewing your food more completely, you increase the amount of surface area for the enzymes and chemicals in your body to act.
Improved body composition: Numerous studies have shown that we eat less when we eat slower.
How much can you lose from eating slower? According to the studies, about 20 lbs!
It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to let you know that you’re full. If you eat too quickly, you can eat a lot more than your body needs.
Your body will be less stressed. Digestion requires a tremendous amount of energy. Some scientists believe that it’s the most energy-intensive process in the body.
Further studies have shown that people whom consume the least (without starving) tend to live the longest. All digestion results in harmful metabolic products that must be eliminated from the body.
There are so many benefits to be gained by slowing down at mealtime. It’s an enjoyable way to lose weight and strengthen your physical health. You’ll also sleep better, be more relaxed, and can reconnect with your loved ones.
Start today with one meal. Make a real effort to chew more slowly and completely. Focus only on your meal and other people at the table. What could be easier or more enjoyable?
From the manufacturer: This deal features Swarovski Elements Buckle Bangle Bracelet in Rose Gold Tone originally $59.99 now $19.99 and a Cubic Zirconia Sideways Cross Bangle Bracelet Crafted in Solid Sterling Silver, that was $99.99 now $29.99!
Use the textlink below to see all the amazing deals. Below are a few examples of the Bracelets you can find in the collection, but hurry because the supplies won’t last!
We’ve all at one time or another wanted that celebrity smile. You know, the one that glows with radiance like the celebrities have as they pace down the red carpet.
However, many of us simply can’t afford that million dollar smile. Fortunately, there are some things we can do to financially equip ourselves for that new smile.
The first step you should take in your quest to pay for your veneers is contact your insurance company.
Although many insurance companies typically don’t cover cosmetic procedures, some may be able to pay a percentage of it. This is nice considering that veneers can go for as much as $1,000 a tooth.
If you’ve been in some sort of accident that’s somehow disfigured your teeth, it might be worth mentioning it to your insurance company. If you convince them enough, they might empty their pockets and fully cover your dental veneers.
If the insurance route doesn’t go as planned, it might be in your best interest to carefully shop around for another cosmetic dentist.
The rates charged for a veneer procedure can significantly vary from dentist to dentist. If you find a price tag you like, make sure you research the dentist plenty before seating yourself in the dental chair.
Finally, it may be worth asking a friend or family member to lend you some money for your dental veneers. Sit down and work out a plan before lending any amount of money. Get a contract together and have both you and the other party sign it. That way, any future problems can be resolved expediently.
Do you ever start a project with gusto, only to fizzle out soon after? Maybe you resolved to lose weight. Maybe you wanted to repaint the house or redesign your website.
Whenever you start something, you’re filled with interest and anticipation. You wonder how the project or event is going to progress. You think about how hard you’ll work on it. But then one day, life gets in the way and the project doesn’t seem as important as you thought.
When this happens, your cherished goal loses its glow. Plus, you now have some other things you need to work on. Gradually, the project you were all excited about gets put on the back burner. Before you know it, months have gone by and you never seem to have the time or energy to go back and finish it.
Would you like to change this recurring sequence of events? Imagine your feelings of pride and accomplishment as you begin to finish your projects – one after the other. But how can you turn things around to where you can consistently complete your projects?
Try these strategies to help you finish what you start:
Prioritize. Before you jump in and begin something, ask yourself whether it’s really important. One key to finishing what you start is to not begin something that has little relevance in your life.
* For example, buying that expensive Italian language package to learn to speak Italian might sound challenging and fun, but do you have a trip planned to Italy or some other Italian-speaking country within the next year? Maybe you’re headed to Mexico instead. How much good will speaking Italian do you there?
Assess timing.
Ask yourself, “Is this the right time to start something new?” Any other big things going on in your life will take time away from new projects you hope to do.
* If it’s November and you want to start a massive project of cleaning out the closets in your home, recognize that the holidays are starting next month. Is this the right time? Can you get the closets done in a month? If not, no worries. You can always note in your calendar on January 1st to begin your closet cleaning then.
Commit yourself.
After determining that a project is important enough to start and it’s the right time, commit to it. When you make this type of commitment, write out exactly what you plan to do.
* Write down each step. Plan to finish all steps within a time frame that’s acceptable to you. Plan your project and then go forward with each step according to your plan.
Evaluate your energy level.
If you’re working and taking care of your family, everything else you do is extra. Are your energy reserves built up enough to take on another project and see it through to the end? You be the judge.
“If you set a high threshold on what you want to do, the completion rate is also higher,” writes Celestine Chua in a LifeHack.org article. “If you aren’t sure that this is something you really want to do, dip your feet into the pool first – try it out on a small scale and see if it’s what you’re interested in.”
Consider your end result.
If you finish the project, how will it affect your life? Will your everyday life be better? Will it be mostly unchanged? Will you feel a sense of pride and completion? Spend some time reflecting on the experience of finishing the project.
Be realistic.
Be honest with yourself about all of the above considerations. The more realistic you are when making the decision to start something new, the more likely you are to finish the task.
Finishing what you start can be a real challenge, but being detailed in your planning will help. Be realistic about the project before beginning any new endeavor.
If you think proactively, you’ll be much more likely to finish projects once you decide to start them. And then, every project you begin will enhance your life rather than detract from it!
What are your best tips for staying on-task and finishing what you start? Share your thoughts in the comments section, below.
One in four 
Do you ever start a project with gusto, only to fizzle out soon after? Maybe you resolved to lose weight. Maybe you wanted to repaint the house or redesign your website.
