Sunday, January 20, 2019

A Winter Weekend at the Beach

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and www.andreaswellnessnotes.com will benefit from actions taken on the links.
 
If you have been reading my blog for a while, you’ll know that the beach is my happy place. Luckily, we got to escape to my happy place for two days.

We try to make it to the beach for a weekend about once per month, and over the years the amount of clothes I bring has gone down drastically. I do put thought into what I take however. This time my theme was fun and ease.

Leggings: Niyama Sol - the softest, most comfortable leggings I have ever owned! I've linked to different Niyama Sol leggings here.

Outfit Details: Black jeans (my favorite and most affordable pair).


Question: What is your packing strategy for a short getaway?



Sunday, January 13, 2019

Favorite Winter Wardrobe Purchases

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and www.andreaswellnessnotes.com will benefit from actions taken on the links.

I haven't added many new items to my wardrobe this fall and winter. But three items I bought, I can't imagine being without because I wear them all the time.



1. Faux Leather Leggings with a Ponte Back (currently only available in plus sizes)

I love these inexpensive faux leather leggings just as much - or even more - then my much more expensive pair. I have worn them countless times - one may wonder if I own any other pants or leggings - and they are like new. The ponte back really makes them comfortable, more breathable and adds interest.


2. Grey sweater with red stripes and a small heart (covered by the scarf)

To be honest, I originally ordered the sweater as a Christmas gift for my nephew's girlfriend. But when it arrived, I fell in love with it and decided to keep it and buy another one for her. It's become one of my favorite sweaters. It's loose but still has a nice shape, and I love the stripes and the heart.



3. Pink Scarf (currently only available in grey; if it goes on sale again - I bought the pink one on major sale - I'll buy it in grey as well as I love it so much)

I know I've posted about the scarf before, but it's my absolute favorite, and I have to try hard not to wear it every day. I just love the color and the fact that it's so warm and comfortable.


 

Questions: Which items have you added to your fall/winter wardrobe? What's your favorite? Why?

Click here to check out the fabulous bloggers I’m linking up with.   
 
Be well,
Andrea

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Three Scarves to Liven Up Your Wardrobe

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and www.andreaswellnessnotes.com will benefit from actions taken on the links.
 
If you follow me on Instagram or have read this blog for a while, you'll know that I love accessories, especially scarves. I have a huge scarf collection and am known for not being able to pass up a new scarf. I especially enjoy buying scarves as souvenirs; they are really the perfect souvenir as they are small and light! You'll always find room for a scarf or two in your luggage! And I love remembering a trip when I wear a scarf! Finally, a scarf is absolutely essential on an airplane, no matter what time of year. I like taking two - one to use as a pillow and the other as a blanket.

I like adding new scarves to my collection because they can breathe some fresh air into an old outfit and really change the look with little effort and (often) money (depending on the scarf you choose).

This winter I have been wearing three of my winter scarves over and over again, and I think everyone should have a version of them.

1. A Solid Color Scarf


I think everyone should own a solid color scarf in a color that complements most winter jackets and coats in their wardrobe. I bought a light pink scarf (with matching hat and gloves) before my Germany trip because the color goes so well with my grey winter jacket. I got all three pieces for less than $50 because they were on sale, and I used a reward.

Details: Scarf, Hat, Gloves

 2. A Plaid Scarf


I love plaid scarves for fall and winter. I opted for a red plaid scarf, and I love how festive it makes any outfit. But I think a grey/white/black plaid scarf will be next (I'll try to wait until the fall to buy one).



3. A Colorful Scarf


Winters can be dark and dreary, even in California at times. What better way to brighten up the day than with a colorful scarf? My wardrobe consists of mainly neutrals, so adding a colorful scarf is an easy way to add some life to an outfit. My striped scarf is pretty thin and not too warm, so it works well with coats as well as with a sweater indoors.





Here are some scarves I wouldn't mind adding to my wardrobe:



Questions: Do you like scarves? If so, what is your favorite scarf at the moment? 



Click here to check out the fabulous bloggers I’m linking up with.   
 
Be well,
Andrea

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Sentence a Day: December 2018

Happy New Year! Here are my sentences for December 2018. Since I practiced yoga every day of the month, I didn't mention the yoga challenge very often so that I wouldn't bore you (and myself). You can read my past sentences on my Sentence a Day Page.

Saturday, December 1, 2018
I started the day with a barre class, did work, and in the afternoon Andy and I went to a holiday beer walk in Japantown where many dressed up in ugly holiday sweaters.


Sunday, December 2, 2018
It's going to be a very busy week so I decided to complete the final for my physiology class that's due on Friday; in hindsight, I should have probably spent a bit more time on it, but I was anxious to get it over with (even though I enjoyed the class and what I learned)... 

Monday, December 3, 2018 
I worked, went for a neighborhood walk, and worked a few hours at the barre studio.


Tuesday, December 4, 2018
I got my haircut in the morning, worked at the barre studio for a few hours, did work in the afternoon, and in the evening Andy and I got to go to a delicious beer dinner at Steins Cupertino.



Wednesday, December 5, 2018
I got up early to get caught up on work, ran several errands, went for a walk, and in the evening I worked a few hours at the barre studio.

Thursday, December 6, 2018 
I had my annual checkup and a mammogram; unfortunately, my fasting glucose levels are a bit higher than I would like them to be. Since I already work out every day and overall eat very healthy, I'm not very happy.

Friday, December 7, 2018
I started the day with a barre class, worked a few hours at the barre studio, and in the evening the kid had his first holiday performance.

Saturday, December 8, 2018
I started the day with a barre class, got caught up at home, and in the evening we met up with the older kid and his wife at the holiday market in Mountain View.


Sunday, December 9, 2018 
We got caught up at home and snuggled up on the coach watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Monday, December 10, 2018
I mailed most of our holiday cards; still haven't started packing, but I decided to take pretty much exactly what I took last year (checked Instagram to see what I took...), so it shouldn't be too hard.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
We finally saw Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald on $5 Tuesday as the kid didn't have a rehearsal for the first time in weeks.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018
I started packing for my trip, worked a few hours at the barre studio, and tried to rest as I'm coming down with a cold.

Thursday, December 13, 2018
I started the day with a barre class despite a sore throat; lots of work and prep the rest of the day.

Friday, December 14, 2018
My throat felt worse, but I worked a few hours at the barre studio and tried to get ready for my trip as best I could.

Saturday, December 15, 2018
I got ready for my trip, and in the evening we went to WinterFest at California's Great America.


Sunday, December 16, 2018
My flight didn't leave until the evening, and I spent lots of quality time with the boys.

Monday, December 17, 2018
I arrived in Germany in the late afternoon and loved arriving to my hometown illuminated in lights.


Tuesday, December 18, 2018
My parents and I went shopping and out to lunch; we also facetimed with a very tired kid.


Wednesday, December 19, 2018
My aunt arrived from Northern Germany, and we made raclette.


Thursday, December 20, 2018
We went downtown, out to lunch, and then my aunt and I explored the Christmas Market a bit; unfortunately, it kept raining, but it was still nice. My aunt and I also visited my sister.

Friday, December 21, 2018
We went out to a traditional restaurant for lunch before my aunt had to take the train back up north; in the afternoon I visited my sister again. 


Saturday, December 22, 2018
We spent the day shopping and preparing for the holidays.

Sunday, December 23, 2018
I went to the cemetery to put some Christmas flowers on my grandparents' and sister's grave; then I met my parents for lunch; in the afternoon, I stopped by my sister's house. 


Monday, December 24, 2018
We went to my sister's for brunch. 


Tuesday, December 25, 2018
We went downtown for Christmas lunch, where I ran into an old friend I hadn't seen in 25+ years. 

Wednesday, December 26, 2018
It was time to say goodbye, which gets a bit harder each time. 

Thursday, December 27, 2018
I slept surprisingly well, got up early to take a barre class and ended up covering someone else's shift at the barre studio I work at in the morning; I also learned that I'm teaching a class I wasn't expecting to teach in the winter quarter. 


Friday, December 28, 2018
Jetlag is in full force; I finally fell asleep at 5 am and had to get up two hours later to make it to my shift at the barre studio; the rest of the day is a blur. 

Saturday, December 29, 2018
I started the day with another barre class and in the afternoon we went for a hike at Picchetti Open Space Preserve and then grocery shopping to prepare for the belated Christmas lunch we are going to have tomorrow. 


Sunday, December 30, 2018
I started the day with another barre class and then the older kid, his wife and some friends came over for a late Christmas lunch; unfortunately, I only took photos of the appetizer. 


Monday, December 31, 2018
I started the day with a barre class, worked a few hours at the barre studio and then took a really long nap in the afternoon as I had hardly slept at night.


Question: What were your highlights in December? 

Be well,
Andrea