Keeping your outfits classy when it’s hot outside

July 24, 2020July 24, 2020 RefreshHer8 Comments

It’s mid July and it’s hot and humid in the south! While we all realize that thinner summer clothes are necessary for the temperatures, we need to be mindful to keep those summer outfits classy. That does not mean we have to be dressed up on casual days, but keeping things appropriate and tasteful is the name of the game.

1. Keep it cool and covered

When tops or dresses are thin or low cut, layer a thin tank top underneath. They can be found at Old Navy, Target, Walmart…lots of places! I have them in many colors. Just make sure they’re not too scooped to cover what needs to be covered. I’ve heard of women wearing them backwards in order to achieve that!

Outfit- Thin white top with white tank and white jeans. I love adding a pop of color in the shoe when I wear white. For a tailored look, If the top is flowing like this one, make sure the pants are slim and straight.

The tank underneath keeps this top from being see-through and too low in the V, as well as under the arm.

2. Undergarments should stay under!

Keeping it classy means wearing proper styles of underclothes that do just what they say and stay hidden under your clothes. Make sure your bra straps are razor back when you wear necklines or sleeves that are cut in. Again, wearing a tank top under can help hide your straps.

Again, wearing a tank under this top kept things underneath.

3. Add lighter Accessorizes

Don’t neglect accessories just because it’s hot. Wearing thin, layered chains is really a great look right now and they’re also not as hot as some necklaces can be. Find staggering lengths to wear together.

I have on three layered necklaces at varying lengths that added some style but no heat!

This little necklace would also be perfect in a hot day.

Another great addition is statement earrings as another way to accessorize your outfit, but forgo the necklace so you won’t have the Gypsy look! 😉 Also, as in the white outfit above, even your shoes that add a pop of color act as your accessory!

Summer outfits are fun, colorful, and can still keep you classy and cool!

Do you need to refresh your approach to your summertime outfits? What addition will you make?

Bump up your breakfast game

July 20, 2020July 19, 2020 RefreshHer7 Comments

I always eat breakfast, but I find it the most difficult meal to want to prepare. I’m ready to get my day started and don’t like fussing over that first meal of the day. Can anyone else relate?

It’s for that reason that I try to have this things on hand that are either quick to prepare or can be made ahead and just warmed up.

If you’re like me and struggle with getting breakfast ready, let me share a few of my favorite go-to morning meals.

Baked Oatmeal with apples or bananas is hearty, easy to prepare and reheats nicely. Here’s one of the recipes I use often. This same page has a delicious Banana Bread that’s another great addition for breakfast, and it’s also a lighter version!

Baked Eggs With Hashbrowns and Canadian Bacon
Here’s an egg dish with all the morning breakfast foods! It is also hearty and reheats well.

6 spray(s)cooking spray
1 tsp olive oil
3 cup(s)frozen hash brown potatoes
1 small uncooked onion(s), thinly sliced
1⁄4 tsp kosher salt
1 1⁄4 tsp dried thyme, plus more for garnish
3 slice(s)uncooked Canadian bacon, diced
12 large eggs

Instructions:
1. Place oven rack in middle of oven. Preheat oven to 425°F. Coat a 12-hole standard muffin pan with cooking spray.

2. Heat a medium skillet over high heat; add oil and swirl to coat pan. Reduce heat to medium-high; add potatoes, onion, salt and thyme. Sauté until lightly golden and tender, 5-7 minutes; remove from skillet. Spoon about 1/4 cup potato mixture into each prepared muffin hole; bake 15 minutes – Less if you want a runny yolk!

3. Meanwhile, return skillet to heat; add Canadian bacon. Sauté until crispy on edges, 3 minutes. Remove from heat; set aside.

4. Crack an egg, one at a time, into a small ramekin or cup; gently slide an egg into each muffin hole. Bake for 9 minutes; remove from oven and evenly divide bacon over eggs. Return pan to oven; bake for 3 minutes more.

5. To serve, run a knife around edge of each egg and lift out onto individual plates or a serving platter; sprinkle with dried thyme and serve immediately.

6. Serving size: 1 baked egg with hash brown crust

Then there’s this Fruity Peanut Butter Toast I made recently and LOVED!! It’s as pretty as it is delicious! It’s simply whole grain bread, toasted and topped with peanut butter and whatever fruit you like. Then add a tiny drizzle of honey over the fruit. So good!

There’s no need to go without breakfast just because you don’t have time to stop and make it in the morning. Get a jump on things and prepare ahead so you can have a delicious meal at the start of your day!

Anyone else love breakfast but dread making it?

I hope you’ll refresh your breakfast routine with one of these easy ideas!

gratitude · summertime

Pictures of Summer

July 17, 2020 RefreshHer14 Comments

Perhaps you’ve heard the line, “When this you see, think of me.” What do you see that automatically takes you to summer? Maybe it’s the 100 degrees on the thermometer outside your window accompanied by 100% humidity, but I mean the good pictures, the things that make your heart happy!

It IS hot right now, but there are too many good things we can’t overlook. I’m asking the Lord to give me a heart of thanks in both this season of the year and in our world. That means we need eyes that look for the blessings and a mouth to speak it.

So here are a few of my summer blessings in picture form today!

What blessings of summer are you seeing with your thankful heart today?

Refresh your attitude by choosing to give thanks – even when it’s hot as blazes!

Refreshment in marriage · The Scenic Route

Stay-Cation on the Scenic Route

July 10, 2020July 9, 2020 RefreshHer10 Comments

Dale and I have enjoyed a few days of a “Stay-cation” this week, meaning we have taken some of his vacation days to travel locally. What a blessing it has been to take some day trips and see sights in our area. Of course, you know we didn’t take the main roads! We traveled so many curvy country roads I didn’t regret not getting passes to Dollywood this summer! =)

One day trip took us Midway, Tennessee where we visited this lovely covered bridge. It was so quiet there. We sat on a large rock near the bridge and just listened to the water and the stillness.

While winding through the scenic routes, we were greeted with some incredible rainbows! We saw them spanning mountains, reaching over lakes and embellishing country churches. They were breathtaking…

Watauga Lake is about an hour from us and has become a favorite spot for a picnic or just sitting and watching the boats.

As you can see in these pictures, we’ve had some awesome times together this week on the Scenic Route “Stay-Cation!” We’ve listened to CD’s as we traversed the country. We have eaten simply, but well. We have read Scripture at a picnic table, sat quietly with no words, and also bowed our hearts and heads together in prayer.

Sometimes the Scenic Route is so very simple. It reminds me that just like we “stayed” close to home, we want to “stay” in love and close to one another. It doesn’t necessarily have to cost much in terms of money, but it costs in relation to being intentional – just doing it!

So, I ask you, what simple thing could you and your spouse do even this weekend? Just the two of you!

Is there a local spot you could enjoy together? A lake? An historic spot you’ve not visited? A country road you’ve never driven? Why not pack a simple picnic lunch and head out in the near future? You might have so much fun you’ll forget you missed this year’s destination vacation!

Refresh your marriage with a Stay-Cation on the Scenic Route!

For other Scenic Route dates look here and here for starters!