Organizing Your Jewelry

One step in shopping your closet is to organize your jewelry, so that you can see what you have and what still looks good.  My jewelry was a mess - some in boxes, some in jewelry boxes, some on a tray and some just spread out on my dresser.  I kept telling my husband I needed a larger jewelry box and I was tired of seeing everything all over the place.

But instead of buying me a new bigger jewelry case, which we did not have room for in the bedroom, he bought some supplies and made "wall art" on which I could hang much of my jewelry.  He started with picking a beautiful frame that went with the decor of the room.  Then he ran wires across the the frame and attached the frame to the wall.  Next he found a pretty bathroom towel bar and mounted it on the wall. He bought some stylish hooks to hang on the towel bar and, voila!, wall art where I can hang my jewelry.  This is how the finished pieces looked after I added my earrings and necklaces and I just love it!!

Try this imaginative way to organize and display your jewelry!

First Week of Shopping Fast for 2013

Well, my first week of my shopping fast (no buying clothing or shoes) for six months went relatively smoothly.  I avoided my usual shopping haunts and kept busy with cleaning up Christmas mess, working at the riding stable and keeping appointments.  However, the second day I went to a yoga class  www.myhalfmoonyoga.com and it was cold and rainy.  I didn't want to take off my warm socks, but I couldn't get any traction on the mat wth them.  So I took my socks off and then my feet were cold.  I looked longingly at the yoga socks with grips on the bottom that a couple of the ladies were wearing and thought, "I am going to get some of those today."  Then I rememebered that I wasn't buying anything new until July 1, 2013. Rats!  Oh, well.  I guess I will survive with what I've got.  Or just have cold feet :-( .  Pep talk to self - You can do this!!  Stay tuned for ideas of how to shop your closet and avoid spending money.  Comments welcomed!

Shop Your Closet in 2013 or a Shopping Fast

In my last post, I talked about setting goals for 2013 and mentioned my goals for 2013 (things I wanted to do or start.)  One thing I did not mention is that I have decided to go on a clothes shopping fast that started January 1, 2013.  I am feeling the need to turn away from wordly things and save some money in the process.  It's not like I don't have plenty of clothes!  With my new business I have been exposed to going shopping more and checking out new styles and stores.  The temptation was always there to buy something for myself.  So I have said, "no new clothes or shoes" until July 1, 2013.

What this means is that I am going to look at my own closet and create some new ways of putting together what I already have and making it look new.  This is a great way to save money and still feel like I am wearing something new.  This is what I do with clients when I help them sort out their closets, get rid of things that no longer look good or fit well, and then coming up with new outfits from the clothes they already own.  This is known as "shopping your closet."

So this is day two of my shopping fast and I am deleting all the notices from stores on my e:mail accounts, so I don't see all the new collections and sales they have going on. Step one - remove the temptation!  Maybe this year would be a good one for you to try doing the same thing - clean out your closets and see what you can come up with from the clothes, shoes and accessories you already own (and save money.)  If you need help or want to share your experience with shopping your closet,  leave a comment.  I am curious about what worked and what didn't if you tried it.

When I was in West Palm Beach, I did go shopping at some fabulous stores that they do not have in Tallahassee.  I made two purchases (alas, my last for 6 months) at Anthropologie www.anthropologie.com, one of which is the blouse I have on in this picture taken on New Year's Eve.  They have some really cute things.  By the way, I am now a huge fan of NYDJ jeans which I have on in the picture - so comfortable and they hold you in (this is a good thing!).

New Year's Goals 2013

We are in West Palm Beach and I am contemplating my new year's goals. Have you thought about yours?  Do you want to make a lifestyle change (diet, exercise, style, wellness)?  Or possibly your spiritual life?  Maybe today would be a good day to seriously consider making some changes.

My goals for the new year include incorporating anti-inflammatory foods in my diet which will help with joint and muscle pain, trying some new activities, such as kayaking and hiking, and spiritually getting to know Jesus better.

After you have come up with a few, write them down, and then start researching what small steps you could take to begin to make them happen.  Try and incorporate some fun into your goal setting.  If you need help, contact me on my website www.lifestylesbyjane.com.

Happy New Year!

My Top 6 Natural Remedies for Cold or Virus

The last two weeks I have been battling an upper respiratory bug which included fever, cough, nasal congestion and fatigue.  It has not been fun and the cough still lingers on.  This is what I always do when I have one of these viruses (which doesn't happen very often):

1.  Start drinking my hot toddies (hot water, wedge of lemon and teaspoon of honey).  It always soothes my throat and cough and works as an astringent to clear the bugs (plus Vitamin C).

2.  Eat chicken soup, preferably homemade.  Great for healing and sinuses.

3.  Use a saline solution for nasal congestion in drops or spray.  I use "Little Noses" which my daughter used when my grandchildren were babies.  Works great!

4.  Apply Lourdes holy water on my throat, neck, nose and anywear else that needs healing.  It was given to me by a dear friend who got it from her aunt who visited the Lourdes healing site in France.  I also pray for healing.  Read about Lourdes here  http://www.awakening-healing.com/LourdesFR.htm

5.  I snuggle in with a good book.  This time I read "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" by Helen Simonson.  Such a great story - I didn't want to put it down.  Enjoyable, easy reading plus a love story.  Loved it!

6.  Last but not least - REST.  I didn't exercise for a week, which really bugged and worried me, but breathing hard when you have upper respiratory symptoms isn't smart.  Just makes you cough.  I am back to walking again - use good judgement with this.  Fresh air and sunshine are good for you, so some gentle strolls won't hurt if you are up for it.  But not in really cold air.

So those are my natural remedies for surviving the winter cough and cold bug.  Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!

      

Grotto at Lourdes, France

                                                                                                                      My New Favorite Book


P.S.  I do take Tylenol or Ibuprophen for fever or aches

Casual Holiday Party

Casual Holiday Party by jpeckspringer featuring twist jewelry

Calypso st barth
calypsostbarth.com

Allsaint
allsaints.com

Paige Jeans skinny leg jeans
$275 - repertoirefashion.co.uk

Nine West high heels
$165 - eluxe.ca

Linea Pelle leather shoulder bag
lineapelle.com

Wallis twist jewelry
wallisfashion.com

Gucci
net-a-porter.com

Food Sensitivities, Adrenal Stress and Chronic Fatigue

Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia go from doctor to doctor looking for help with feeling tired and achey.  When they can offer nothing, we turn to alternative practitioners, such as nurse practitioners, chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, etc.  I have tried all of these and more.  My first ray of hope came when I found Elizabeth Markovich, NP at Integrative Healthcare  http://www.ihcfl.com/ at the recommendation of a friend.  Elizabeth suspected that my adrenals might be exhausted or that I may have food sensitivities which may be causing the fatigue and joint and muscle pain.  Over  a period of time, she did a blood test called the Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) through Diagnos-Techs, Inc. and multiple blood tests for food sensitivities through Immuno Laboratories.

The first major breakthrough came when I got the results of the ASI test.  The test showed that my adrenals were depressed.  The big shocker came when she showed me some other tests that are a part of the index.  The GliadinAb, SIgA number was positive for a severe intolerance to grain glutens (wheat, rye, oat, barley, and others).  I never suspected that I had an gluten intolerance, but the test showed that I had a high-grade intestinal inflammation going on from the gluten.  No wonder I was tired and having GI complaints!  My body was incredibly stressed!  First, I was in denial, then I slowly realized that I had to give up gluten, probably permanently.  The tests results also gave an example of a restoration plan for my adrenals and gut using supplements.  I had additional tests done by my gatroenterologist and I do have a genetic marker for celiac disease, but additional testing showed my small intestine was fine and not distressed (probably from having eliminated gluten).  I have been off gluten for several years now, and although inconvenient at times, it is worth having a healthy gut and feeling better.  It is definitely a lifestyle change.  I am happy to help anyone who may have gluten intolerance or celiac disease in changing their lifestyle to no gluten.  Additional food intolerance tests done through Immuno Laboratories showed that I had problems with shellfish, almonds, cranberries, and others, which I have eliminated.

The discovery of the food intolerances has been only a part of my healing from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  Stay tuned for the next chapters of my recovery, which include eliminating stomach bugs, using probiotics, digestive enzymes and Vitamin C and receiving healing prayer.  You can get well, too!