by | Mar 28, 2014 | Accessories, Fashion |
Hello Lovely People,
Riding a horse is so relaxing and enjoyable for me. Horses are beautiful and intelligent animals. I have always wanted to own a couple to train on my ranch one day. The horses and my ranch are dreams of mine. Taking lessons on horse-ridings is the first step to make this happen.
Are you starting riding lessons?
Horse-riding is an exhilarating pastime but one that require patience and preparation as you get started. When prepared, it’s a hobby that is safe and fun, but there are some essential pieces of kit that you will require before you’ve even set foot on a horse. Depending on where you are planning to have lessons, some of this equipment may be available for hire but when you can afford to purchase your own, all of the following are a brilliant investment to your horse-riding future:
Helmet
If there’s one item that it is crucial you own, it’s a good fitting helmet. Whilst a number of these horse riding essentials are based on your comfort, a helmet is vital to your safety and well-being should you fall or be knocked off your horse. Though you are likely to remain safe with sensible riding guidance, horses are animals after all and cannot always be predicted. Being bucked off a horse is rare but extremely dangerous so keep yourself protected from the worst case scenario.
Riding boots
Riding boots, or country boots as they may also be called, provide exceptional grip in the stirrups while riding – another important safety aspect and a crucial factor in best ride performance. If you can’t afford your own riding boots when starting out and they are not available for hire at your stable, opt for a comfortable pair of Wellington boots instead. Trainers are not sensible as they are usually two wide and can get stuck, a real riding hazard.
Body protector
This garment is more of an optional layer but it’s highly recommended for anxious beginners or younger riders. A body protector does just as its name suggests – provides full body protection in the event you do fall.
Jodhpurs
Even if the stable you are attending for lessons allows riders to wear jeans, jodhpurs are the go-to riding trouser and a great choice from the start. Jeans may be practical for a variety of everyday activities, but when it comes to horse riding you will find them uncomfortable. If you don’t fancy washing your trousers regularly, make sure you opt for a dark coloured design that will not show up all the muck that will inevitably gather during your sessions.
Gloves
New riders can suffer quite badly with blisters at first, as delicate hands are not used to gripping tough reins. You may like to wear gloves to prevent this happening, or just to keep your hands more warm and comfortable on an early morning trek.
Close fitting top or jumper
It doesn’t really matter what you opt for on your upper body but choose something that is not too baggy. You will find riding that big harder if your shirt or jumper is flapping around in the breeze and it can even frighten some horses.
Water
Remember, you might not be the one running round on the field but horse riding is energetic work. Make sure you take a bottle of water with you to keep on the side should you need a quick refresher.
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by | Mar 26, 2014 | Fashion |
Hi Lovely Readers,
Spring is here but it feels like winter. The temperature was a high of 40, so not breaking out with the shorts yet. I had this maxi skirt from Susan Graver on QVC and wanted to style it for this type of weather. I added a shirt, sweater, tights and my ankle boots.
The maxi skirt has a wonderful print that will work with so many different colors. I chose my magenta cable knit sweater and shirt underneath. This maxi skirt works for all seasons. The weight of the maxi is not thin, it’s a good weight for cool months. Also, the shape of the maxi slims the hips and that’s always a good thing in my book.
The Style
Shirt – Lady Van Huesen
Sweater – Charter Club
Maxi Skirt – Susan Graver from QVC
Tights – Silkies
Ankle Leather boots – Earth Brands
On another note, I am doing some spring transformations in my sitting room. The ivory dresser to the left (Behind me in the picture below) I want to paint a different color to coordinate in my sitting room. I have had the dresser since I was a child and it’s time for an update.
If you have a maxi skirt, try rocking it in the cool months, you may be surprised how versatile it can be.
by | Mar 25, 2014 | Accessories, Fashion, Haircare |
Hi Lovely Readers,
I actually saw snow flurries today, so you will be seeing a winter post this week for sure. I am a spring baby, however fall and winter is my favorite seasons.
When I bought this sweater from Old Navy a couple of years ago, I thought the owl sweater was so cute. I wore the sweater with a black Macy’s shirt underneath for a layering effect. The sweater was on clearance at the time and I couldn’t resist purchasing it. It was less than ten dollars, a real deal.
My Jeans are from NYDJ (Not Your Daughters Jeans) and the fit is slimming and the material is very soft. I really am self-conscious of my thighs, so finding jeans have been difficult for me. I don’t have the model figure and I bet many of a modeling agents would say what the world is she modeling clothes on a blog for the world to see. I see the magazines that have these beautiful statuesque women who model the clothes in Vogue, Elle and have legs that go a mile long. Do I have mile long legs? No, but I don’t answer to anyone but God. He created me and if I can get on here and do articles about how I style my outfits; hopefully I can reach out to people to let them know that God made everyone beautiful in His eyes and there is no need to compare.
Okay, I am stepping down from my soapbox.
My Born boots are from DSW and they really give me a uniqueness and a style all my own. And my handbag is my trusty Kathy Van Zeeland that works with any ensemble.
I have been embracing my curls for almost five years now. I bought the earrings below at a hair show in Chicago. The earrings are a little heavy but I had to get them because the words on the earrings speak volumes.
My curls are defined and look pretty good. I have been without a relaxer for almost five years and I still have my moments when it comes to certain products. I may try something new or I think my hair routine is okay and I am like what happened with that. It is a journey and a good one that I am glad to be a part of. My hair is thicker, longer and healthier for not having my hair chemical relaxed. I have nothing against my relaxed sisters, but I am speaking for only myself because I decided to go natural in June 2009.
I had no idea my hair was this curly.
The added accessories finish the look.
This outfit is a favorite of mine because I added a bit of whimsy. The owl sweater looks youthful without looking childish. There is a difference between looking youthful and looking childish. Having a youthfulness about you creates energy, joy and excitement. I don’t want to look childish, for the simple fact I am not trying to look like I am 15.
However, I want to be energetic, chic and stylish. Another added bit of charm is a smile.
The accessories:
Bracelet: Studio Barse
Tigers Eye Bead Bracelet
Emerald Green Ring: Berricle
Drusy Ring
Handbag: Kathy Van Zeeland
Boots: Born
Sneakers: BCBG
Fragrance: Fabulous by Isaac Mizrahi
by | Mar 24, 2014 | Fashion, Fitness |
Hi Lovely Readers,
It is time to start thinking about vacations and wearing the appropriate attire. Vacation season will soon be upon us and it is essential to be prepared ahead of time. A popular vacation destination for families is the beach. Being in the water is a fun activities for Moms, Dads and children of all ages. Moms and Dads have to think about what suit looks good in the water but they really have to think about what’s the best swim gear for their children.
Making sure that your child is comfortable, safe and warm when they enjoy the water should be the priority of any parent. So, when it comes to choosing children’s winter wetsuits, what are the things that we should be on the lookout for? Well, quite simply, choosing kid’s winter wetsuits is no different than choosing one for an adult. A kid’s winter wetsuit should be well fitted, well made and of the correct thickness appropriate to the sea temperatures that your child will be playing in.
Wet Gear from H2O Sports
Let’s take each of those points and have a look at them in closer detail:
Size – Picking the correct size children’s winter wetsuit should be your first consideration. If the suit doesn’t fit properly then the thickness of the neoprene that you choose will be irrelevant. Children’s winter wetsuits, as with adults too, should be close fitting-just like a second skin. There should be no baggy pockets of air or loose portions of rubber in evidence. If there is then these will repeatedly fill with cold water and lower the body temperature. Another area to look out for is at the extremities of the suit. Neckline, wrist and ankle areas should all be form-fitting, and not at all loose.
Thickness – Once you have chosen the correct size you can then start to consider the children’s winter wetsuits thickness. Whether they’ll need a 4mm wetsuit, 5mm wetsuit or a 5/3mm wetsuit will largely depend on the sea temperatures, but can also be down to personal choice. Some kids feel the cold more than others so adjust accordingly. A rough guide can be that a 4mm wetsuit will be good for water temperatures of around 12° Centigrade or 54° Fahrenheit. A 5mm wetsuit can go a little lower at 9° Centigrade (48° Fahrenheit) and for anything colder still you should be looking at a 5/3mm wetsuit or thicker. It’s important that the kid’s winter wetsuits are comfortable so take this into account too when choosing between a 4mm wetsuit, 5mm wetsuit or a 5/3mm wetsuit.
Quality – This may seem obvious, but it is well worth pointing out. Should the children’s winter wetsuits be poorly made then the above two points become moot. You see, if the stitching is poor or if the zips are low grade then water will enter in from outside of the suit and flush out the warm layer of water that has been created by the body. It won’t matter how thick the kid’s winter wetsuits are. You could have a 4mm wetsuit, 5mm wetsuit or even a 5/3mm wetsuit on and still feel the cold because the neoprene isn’t being given the chance to insulate as it should. A good quality 4mm wetsuit will be warmer than a cheap 5/3mm wetsuit.
Children swimsuit from H2O Sports
So, next time you go to pick out the kid’s winter wetsuits keep these things in mind. Don’t get too hung up on whether or not the 4mm wetsuit, 5mm wetsuit or the 5/3mm wetsuit is the right choice if you are not looking at all the other areas mentioned too. Buying the correct children’s winter wetsuits will help them to have more fun, so it’s well worth getting it right.
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by | Mar 19, 2014 | Fashion |
Hello Lovely Readers,
Spring is this Thursday and I wanted to give props to the color green and I also will be doing a Winter review post this week. I know you want to see 80 degree temperatures and flip flops but I want to due a winter review. Even though I was born in may the winter is one of my favorite seasons.
Green is such a lovely color because it can be work with any color and look fabulous. You can wear green anytime and it doesn’t have to be only on St. Patrick’s Day.
I received a Golden Blog nomination that I was suppose to give a little tidbit about myself weeks ago, however to work and church schedules I had not been able to do so. Here goes even though I am a little late.
This is the Golden Blog award. I am smiling right now.
Ten Thought Provoking Facts About Me:
1. I confess I am a Jesus Lover.2. I really drink eight glasses of water everyday and a cup of tea at night.
3. I don’t like to clean chitterlings or smell chitterlings cooking on the stove.
4. Stargazer lilies are my favorite flower, I had them in my wedding bouquet.
5. I collect handbags, clothes, jewelry and journals.
6. I have to wear a piece of jewelry on my body everyday.
7. I started playing piano my Sophomore year of college and didn’t have a piano at first. I had to practice in the piano study rooms at school. I play now for relaxation and for the sheer love of music. It’s been hard to find time to play (practice) however I am making time now.
8. I enjoy wearing all colors especially pinks and corals.
9. My husband and I enjoy having fun together and we have two doggie family members named Giovanni, the boisterous beagle and Vincenzo, the lovable collie.
10. I never feel like I truly fit in, I have always been different. I am a square peg.
Adding a bonus
11. I love to dance and sing. I incorporate dance in my workouts and it’s so much fun.
Thank you for the blog award nomination, it means a lot to me. Muah!
I can say it’s easy being green.
I nominate for the Golden Blogger Award
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