ON DRESSING THE HUSBAND

My husband wears a suit and tie to work everyday, so when he's not working I graciously take on the role of "dressing him," meaning I shop for his clothes and give him options to choose from, like a 5 year old ;) 

I think it works for us because A.) I love shopping so much I wish it could be my day job, B.) he doesn't really care what he wears, and C.) he's slightly colorblind (mostly a joke, but true to a slight degree...one time he told me how much he loved my newly painted grey nails...which were actually pink.)

So I shop for him, and I love it and it works for us. I have friends who's husbands actually like fashion, and their husbands do their own shopping and outfit coordinating, which works for them. But, if you happen to find yourself in the same camp I'm in, and new to shopping for a husband, there are some strategies I've learned to make it easier. I picked up a few new things for Daniel on sale recently, and miraculously, they all fit and he loved them and kept them all. Here are a few tips I've learned to make dressing a husband easier:

1. Choose a color palette

I try to stick to one general theme, so that there's no chance of Daniel "mismatching" when he tries to put something together. This spring I'm going with whites, greys, and blues. Which, in general, makes up the majority of Daniel's wardrobe anyways. Everything I picked up works with everything else, which makes getting dressed for him a little less stressful and makes his outfit combining go further.

2. When you find something they like, that fits well, and at a good price, buy in bulk.

I found soft, solid v-neck tees that fit him well, and were on sale for $5. I stocked up because this saves me time searching for the same basics somewhere else. 

3. Stick to the classics

Guy fashion tends to follow fewer trends than girl fashion, so classic pieces will get wear year after year, season after season. Buy in classic colors and shapes, because chances are, that blue and white striped shirt will never go out of style. Pretty sure I saw my grandpa wearing the same shirt Daniel owns recently. These navy twill shorts are one of those pieces. They look like another pair Daniel has from J.Crew, but at a fraction of the cost. I love a little preppy edge to guy fashion and these fit the bill perfectly. 

4. Find detailing

Guy fashion is very different from girl fashion. As far as casual wear, there are shorts, pants, tees, and shirts. The options are more limited in style and shape, so I look for ways to add interest to an otherwise standard combos. An easy way to do that is in the details. This button front and waffle rib adds a little extra something to an otherwise plain white tee. 

5. Think soft and comfy.

If it's comfortable, I know it'll get more wear. I found this lived-in, soft, stretchy tee in a neutral color. Perfect for weekends year round.

TO NOTE: Everything in this post I found on sale at Old Navy, although this is not a sponsored post at all. I just love a sale and realized I had things to share to help with dressing a husband. 

SIMPLY REAL HEALTH COOKBOOK LAUNCH

My talented friend Sarah of Simply Real Health, wrote a cookbook that launches today. Sarah asked me to read the pre-released version and write a review. Even if Sarah wasn't my friend in real life, I'd jump at this opportunity. I've made a few recipes from her blog and they are all amazing. What I love the most about them is that they truly live up to their name: they are all healthy, simple, and delicious. 

Sarah's everyday green smoothie. Perfect for busy mornings. 

In the past few months, I've been feeling like I'm in a recipe rut. I do the meal planning and grocery shopping in our house, and I actually love it, but was feeling uninspired and out of ideas, and in a serious tacos-for-every-other-meal rotation. This cookbook was just what I needed to get back on track. The recipes are simple and easy enough for weeknight ideas, with most of them able to throw together in 20 minutes or less. Everything is naturally gluten-free, which is a huge bonus for me. The recipes are fresh, seasonal, and delicious. And don't even get me started on the photography. Jasmine Nicole did an out of this world job with the prop styling and photos. Bright, vibrant, gorgeously styled photos for each and every recipe listed. A dream.

Cold Sesame Soba Noodle Salad. Loved this one. 

A great way to incorporate healthier meals as we approach spring so soon. Available for purchase here. 

Thank you for writing this book, Sarah! Love it so very much. Looking forward to many more dinners to come from these recipes. 

HOSPITAL SURVIVAL GUIDE

Last week, I spent a lot of time in hospitals for both family and friends. Once the dust settled and I could take a breath, I was talking with my husband about a few things that helped me survive, and a few things that I learned how to do differently for next time. Whether you find yourself in the hospital for a birth, an unexpended surgery, or you're visiting a family member or friend, here are some useful tips:

1.  Designate your PR person.

In the middle of a crisis, everyone needs information from you, and while having a supportive network of friends is helpful, it's also stressful having your phone buzz every second, and feeling like you need to get back to everyone with updated information. Next time, I would designate my PR person, aka my husband, to be the relayer of information to people who need it and/or are asking for it. This would free me up from feeling overwhelmed with keeping up with the communication, and allow everyone to get information in a more timely way.

2. Similarly, when communicating with people, do so in groups.

There is no time for the individual response when in a crisis. All your friends need all the updated information, and now. Utilize the group text. Many people may text you asking for an update. While thoughtful and appreciated, there may simply not be enough time to get back to each person. Update everyone at once, or have your PR person do it, and release yourself from the guilt of not responding to everyone individually. 

3. While taking care of others, also remember to take care of yourself. 

You may get so caught up with other people's needs at this time that you forget to take care of yourself. This is the oxygen-mask-on-a-plane analogy here; take care of yourself first so that you can take care of others. Remember to nourish yourself with enough food, sleep, and water so that you can give yourself the best shot for functioning well. You may feel completely drained, both physically and emotionally, and it's important to remember to be extra good to yourself during this time.

4. When in the hospital, add three hours to any estimated time given.

It seems like everything is delayed when on hospital time. With each time estimate that was given, it seemed like it took at least three hours more than that estimate (And sometimes days! Especially when going home.) Allow for extra time and expect that it will take longer. This will greatly increase your patience.  

5. Make it as fun as possible. 

Being in the hospital is sometimes not very fun. So, if your situation allows, throw your own party. Go get coffees for everyone, run out for ice cream, or meet up with a friend to grab a drink as a break. It's important to remember that there is no one right or wrong way to survive a crisis, everyone does it differently. For me, it's helpful to stay positive, laugh, and have fun to get through the tough days. That may look different for other people that you're with. Acknowledge that everyone has their own way of coping, and ultimately do what works for you.