*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
As an added bonus, we get an extra hour on Sunday, too, with the time change, and I’m ecstatic for that as well! I know reverting to standard time from Daylight Savings Time gets a lot of hate, but I’m one of those who absolutely loves it! It feels like my body clock is finally back on track, it feels like I’m sleeping in an extra hour every morning, we don’t have to drive to school in the dark every morning, we get that extra hour on Sunday, and our evenings are oh-so-cozy when it gets darker a little earlier. Do I miss my after-dinner walks and runs? Absolutely. But I’m not sad about this change at all! This weekend is going to be a good one!
Anyway, now that I’ve gone on and on for the intro, how about we get into those favorites from the week?
O N E – Ruffled Top
I purchased this top in the Amazon Prime Day sale back in July, and I finally wore it for the first time to see Abe Parker and Judah & the Lion in concert last Friday. Y’all, I received so many compliments when I wore this! It’s probably in my top 5 of most complimented tops ever. The top is made of cotton, and the bodice does have a little bit of stretch, but not much. The ruffles are excellent quality, and they hold their shape perfectly in the washer and during a full day of wear. I was worried that it would be uncomfortable since it’s strapless, but the top was snug enough to stay up all night long – I never once had to adjust it – and it wasn’t tight/itchy/uncomfortable around my shoulders either. It comes in 11 different colors, and it makes for a great date night top! I’d love to have it in black, too! And since we’re heading into fall and winter, there’s also a long-sleeve version as well.
T W O – Flare Jeans
These AE flare jeans were on my Five on Friday post last week, but here they are again since I finally had the chance to wear them this week. Y’all, these jeans are SO FREAKING GOOD. They are super stretchy for ultimate comfort, the quality is top-notch, they have a high waist for those of you who prefer the comfort of a higher waistband, the wash is perfection, the wide hem adds such an extra special touch, and they are easy to dress up or down. They come in sizes 000 – 20 and each size comes in a short option, a regular option, and a long option. I wanted a pair of flares that I could wear with flats, and the short option hits perfectly at the ground on me – I’m 5’5”. I will also say that because of the tremendous amount of stretch, I sized down one size and they are perfect. If you’re looking for a GREAT pair of flares, I cannot recommend these enough. They appear to be sold out in many sizes already, so if you have your eye on these, you may want to grab them soon… I’m not sure if they will be restocked. And if they’re out of your size, it’s worth it to keep checking back to see if they come back!
T H R E E – The New
Menopause Book
I am by no means going through menopause yet – I’m not even sure if I’m technically in perimenopause yet – but I purchased this book by Mary Claire Haver earlier this week at the recommendation of my friend, Christy. She asked me how I’ve been doing with my vertigo and dizziness, and when I told her I was still having issues, she told me that something to look into is hormone issues. While mine is likely stemming from cervicogenic issues (my neck due to my jaw issues from my braces and the fact that I carry my stress in my neck), I have noticed that the dizziness does get worse during specific parts of my cycle.
Christy said that even though she’s not going through menopause yet, she just finished this book and that it is excellent. She said that there is a whole entire section on vertigo and dizziness that’s caused by changes in hormones. At this point, I’m pursuing every avenue, so up next, I’m hoping to have someone run an entire hormone panel to ensure that everything is normal there. I’ve been getting really bad headaches and brain fog, and since my dizziness does tend to ramp up during certain parts of my cycle, I’m hoping that this book can shed some light on things.
So, if you’re reaching middle age and you’re starting to notice any weird changes here and there, my friend highly recommends reading this book even if you haven’t quite reached the point of menopause. Once I read it, I’ll report back!
From Amazon:
Menopause is inevitable, but suffering through it is not! This is the empowering approach to self-advocacy that pioneering women’s health advocate Dr. Mary Claire Haver takes for women in the midst of hormonal change in The New Menopause. A comprehensive, authoritative book of science-backed information and lived experience, it covers every woman's needs:
• From changes in your appearance and sleep patterns to neurological,
musculoskeletal, psychological, and sexual issues, a comprehensive
A to Z toolkit of science-backed options for coping with symptoms.
• What to do to mediate the risks associated with your body's
natural drop in estrogen production, including for diabetes, dementia,
Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and weight gain.
• How to advocate and prepare for annual midlife wellness visits, including
questions for your doctor and how to insist on whole life care.
• The very latest research on the benefits and side effects
of hormone replacement therapy.
Arming women with the power to secure vibrant health and well-being for the
rest of their lives, The New Menopause is sure to become the bible of
midlife wellness for present and future generations.
F O U R – Nobody Wants
This
Brian and I finished the show Nobody Wants This last week, and it has most definitely been a favorite of mine for the last couple of weeks! WHAT A FANTASTIC SHOW. I loved it so much that I think I’m going to have to bump something out of my top five favorite shows of all-time so this one can be in there. It was that good. I saw this post on Instagram, and this about sums it up! Here’s to healthy, open communication and being able to be your most authentic self with others to establish deep, meaningful connections!
I found Abe Parker’s music about six months ago, which was about 10 months into this tough season of ongoing vertigo and dizziness. His music has gotten me through some really hard days, and it has made me feel a little less alone. I was so grateful for the opportunity to see him in concert and meet him last week to tell him in person what his music means to me, and he was just as kind and gracious as I knew he would be. He also DMed me after the show to tell me that he enjoyed meeting me and it just made my day! If you haven’t checked out his music already, doooo it. And if you are currently struggling with something in life, start with his song Good News featuring Hulvey. I also love It Is What It Is, Masquerade, and Numb. He also has unplugged versions of a few of these that are incredible.
Our 2024 Chicago Trip – Days 3 & 4
We just watched Nobody Wants This and thought it was so cute!
ReplyDeleteWe loved it so much!
DeleteStill not sure about the stereotypes I've heard about in Nobody Wants This, but glad you loved it so much! I'm terrified of menopause as I already have so many of the symptoms that are just going to get even worse?!?
ReplyDeleteI really wish you would watch it so I could hear your thoughts. I would definitely love to hear your perspective. And yes, girl, me too. According to all of the women I know who have already been through it, it's definitely no picnic.
DeleteLove those jeans! AE is my go to for jeans and pants. They carry extra short length too. I have listened to some of that menopause book & hear good things about the author. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteYes, they do! I'm so glad that you've heard good things about the author. I am ready to dig in!
DeleteI want to watch Nobody Wants This...thanks for the rec. I have the menopause book on reserve at the library. I am probably wrapping up that phase, but it will be good to read about it anyway. I felt kind of middle of the road about the process - not as bad as some people said it was, but also not the easiest thing either!
ReplyDeleteWell that's good that you didn't have a terrible experience. I've heard some nightmare stories, and based on the weird things that I'm already experiencing I'm genuinely concerned about going through the transition. EEK.
DeleteI'm one of those people who also loves DST, so I'm with you on that! And so so interesting about hormones and vertigo. But when I think about it, I guess I shouldn't be surprised since our hormones are so important--just not something I've thought about. And I'm going to look up the musician you met! We like the same type of music, so I'm sure I will like him, too! Happy Weekend, friend!
ReplyDeleteYes, hormones control so many things, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was part of my problem. At this point I'm willing to explore every possibility. YES, we do have similar music tastes so I really think you'll like him!
Delete