How to Live a Never Ending Weekend with True and Co

This last month has been quite a transition for me since I have started to work again after a little bit more than a year of being away from the office life. 
Getting back on track with the 9-5 and keeping it up with my blog has been quite a challenge but I'm doing my best to balance everything and also enjoy a little bit of this process. 

Being unemployed for more than a year has taught me a lot of important lessons, especially in regards to time management, because when you don't have a tight and organized schedule it is easy to lay back and miss some of your tasks and goals. But also I feel like I was able to learn to enjoy myself a lot more during all these months. I was able to create a set of daily rituals that helped me to practice a little bit of self-care and to stay positive and motivated during this period. 

So, when I discovered  the concept of the weekend mindset that the people of True and co. have developed, I felt I was completely aligned with this topic because I'm seeing myself now in the process of trying to incorporate those rituals I have mentioned into my new work-life routine. 

I guess you may be thinking: what is exactly that weekend mindset? Well, it basically refers to all those things that we do during our weekends that make us feel good and enjoy but instead of just waiting impatiently for Friday to come so that we can start doing any of those things, the idea is that we can incorporate them into our work week too so that we can live in a "never-ending weekend". Sounds good, right?

I feel it's totally necessary to have those little moments of comfort during the week as well to help us feel more energized to achieve all of our goals and aspirations. Our normal work week doesn't have to be just a lot of tasks and obligations we have to do in order to earn the pleasures of the weekend. If we can bring those pleasures into the weekly routine we can feel good and enjoy every single day. 

And it doesn't have to be anything too complicated really, just think about those little moments and things that you do during the weekends to recharge, to take care of yourself, to enjoy and to have fun. 

In my particular case, during the weekend I usually tend to rest a lot to recharge my batteries. I totally enjoy sleeping a little bit extra on Saturdays and Sundays because I find it very important to have my energy levels back to the top! Therefore, I always choose to wear something that feels very comfy and soft for maximum relaxation. At True and Co they totally understand this and that's why they have created a special selection of bras, which combine the perfect amount of luxury and comfort. Wearing one of these bras will definitely make you feel that relaxed weekend vibe. 

Also, weekends are the perfect time to organize and get ready for the week ahead. Whether is thinking about the outfits I'm going to wear, or the food I need to prepare, doing my nails or just cleaning and organizing my clothes, I have found that taking the time to prepare myself for the week ahead really helps me a lot to be less stressed during those weekdays that I have a lot more things to do and less time. 

Then, on the other hand, the little rituals I have added to my work week to make me feel good are, in the first place, listening to an upbeat playlist on my way to the office. I'm definitely a morning person and listening to some of my favorites songs while I'm going to work helps me to start my day in a positive mood. Also, it's a very simple way to add some of that fun from the weekend into any day of the week. 

And, in the second place, I normally try to enjoy a sweet treat in the middle of the week since sweets are not just made for the weekends. I love taking a little pause in my day to drink some tea and enjoy a piece of cake, or a delicious croissant, some chocolate, anything you like is a good option! The important thing here is that you make that pause to enjoy something that makes you feel good and puts you in a good humor to continue with your day!

Also, if you are able to organize a quick coffee date with one of your friends on a Wednesday afternoon, for example, that would be a great way to disconnect from your duties and obligations, relax, catch up and raise your positive energy! 

There are tons of ways to bring some of that spark from the weekend to your normal weekdays and as you can see, it's really easy to do! These are the things that I am currently doing but I would love to know what do you usually do to enjoy your weekends? And in case you also bring some of those weekend rituals to your working days I would love to know what those are?

What I Wore to my First Week at Work

This post is a little bit of a life update mixed with a "what I wore this week" kind of post because I wanted to let you know that I have found a new job recently and I have started to work again this month. So I thought it was a good idea to show you what I have decided to wear for my first week at a new job!

Getting dressed every morning to go to work can be really challenging because we always want to come up with new and interesting looks and we feel like we need to be buying new clothes all the time to look different but it doesn't have to be like that at all. 

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday

To me, the fun part of this is getting creative and try to mix the pieces you already have in different ways so that you can always have a new look even if you are repeating some of your clothes. Let's face it, this way is much more realistic and sustainable because we don't have an endless budget for clothing. 

So, my biggest advice when it comes to creating your perfect work wardrobe is to rely on your basics because they will always look good and they are very easy to style and combine in different ways. I also find that picking neutral colors is the best option for your office outfits because they look professional (especially grey and blue) and you can always look put together without making a big effort.

Anyway, let's talk about what I wore for my first week at a new job. The idea with these outfits is that I wanted to create a good first impression and look professional because I'm new at this office but also I wanted to keep things casual because that is the dress code at this workplace and I wanted to merge well with the rest of my coworkers.

Thursday | Friday

That's why you will see that my outfits are very basic and casual, so if you have a more formal office environment maybe you can consider some changes to this outfits, for example changing the jeans for some dressier pants or the sneakers for some cute flats.

I hope you find this post useful and please let me know which are your favorite pieces to wear to work? 

Shop my outfits:

The Best Straw Bags from Zaful

It's time for a new Zaful wishlist and this new wishlist I thought I would bring you the IT bag for this summer season and, of course, you already know what I'm talking about, I'm referring to the straw bag or basket bag.

This is definitely the trendiest bag for the Summer and we have seen it all over Instagram even since last season but this year, this kind of bag continues to capture our hearts with their simplicity and freshness. Also, I feel like this type of bags are super easy to style because they match perfectly with any outfit. 

1 | 2

I have found some really beautiful designs, and I particularly fell in love with this basket bag with the metal chain and the scarf tied on the top handle, I think it looks super chic and a bit luxurious. 

So, for you that are also obsessed with this trend and you want to jump on this straw bag bandwagon, I have prepared this wishlist with my favorites from the Zaful 4th Anniversary sale because you will be able to find this and more trendy items at a very good price. 

3 | 4

Plus, I have some discount codes for you to use on your purchase in case you also fall in love with these bags and want to get one for yourself. Use the code ZFSally to save $12 on any order over $100, $6 on any order over $50, or $3 in any order over $25. (This code is available for you to use it just once)

Also, it is very important for me to also add that now Zaful offers an unconditional refund within 24 hours for any problem you have with the quality of the product or in case you don't receive it, or the size is not correct. So, I think this makes it a lot easier to buy in this kind of shops. In case you would like to learn more about it, you can check this video.

5 | 6

I really hope you like this selection of my favorite straw bags, I'm still obsessed with this trend and I always feel like I would like to get another one. Also please let me know which bag is your favorite!! :)

Guest Post: How to Style Your Home Like an Interior Designer

Striking that perfect balance between different styles and making your home look modern may be quite tricky if you’re not an experienced interior designer. However, this doesn’t mean that you should just give up on the idea of styling your own home. Instead, make sure to follow the latest trends, see what goes best together and try to find your unique way to incorporate all of that into your own home design. In order to help you out with this, we’ve prepared a list of some useful advice and ideas. Take a look and let the redecoration begin!

Be careful with colors

Choosing the right colors for your home is probably the toughest part of the entire redecoration process since you can easily make some serious mistakes. First of all, you should remember that only because you love orange, for example, it doesn’t mean that you should paint the whole house in it. Instead, it’s wiser to go for a more neutral base and then add a pop of orange here and there. Furthermore, if your rooms are rather small, we would recommend opting for lighter hues like beige or grey, since they can create the optical illusion of spaciousness. 

Let the sunshine in

The presence of natural light is what the majority of world-famous designers consider essential in their projects. So, instead of installing dozens of light fixtures in your living room, opt for bigger windows and let the light in. Not only will this help you save on your electricity bills, but you’ll feel much better and healthier. After all, it’s well-known that natural light can improve our mood significantly and has a positive influence on our productivity and concentration as well.

Make your kitchen warm and inviting

You may have concentrated mostly on your living room, but your kitchen will require a lot of work as well. You can start by installing exquisite bamboo flooring which is very low-maintenance and can help create that unique warm feeling. Additionally, don’t forget to equip your kitchen with high-tech appliances, since they will definitely make your cooking much easier and more enjoyable. Even though choices are abundant, we advise you to opt for one quality brand and stick to it. This way, if you, let’s say, go for the amazingAEG appliances, you won’t have to waste time looking for different service numbers since you’ll immediately know whom to call. Finally, think about adding a nice hanging pot rack to your kitchen design as well. Not only is it extremely useful, but it serves as great decoration as well.

Go green

Going green is the home decor trend which has been present for quite some time and it seems that its popularity won’t fade away any time soon. So, if you want to consider yourself modern and environmentally-conscious, now it’s the perfect time for you to bring in some greenery into your living space. For instance, you can hang some artistic pots around your living room or go for those oversized ones which are perfect in case you like the idea of having a few tropical trees as that final touch which will tie the whole room together. However, aside from focusing only on the aesthetic appeal, it’s always wise to opt for some low-maintenance plants which won’t dry out that easily.

Personality is the key ingredient

Last but not least, great interior designers tend to add something unique and always strive to leave their mark. So, if you want your house to look absolutely special, don’t be afraid to show off your personality and express your creative side. Following trends is only the first step of the process which should serve you to get inspired and come up with some innovative solutions. Lastly, if you are an artist or have some hidden talents for painting or sculpturing, don’t hesitate to display your work and show everybody how rich your personality is.

As you can see, you don’t need to be a famous designer to be able to turn your average-looking house into a fabulous sanctuary. All it takes is a bit of creativity and ability to look at your space with fresh eyes. Good luck and enjoy your new home!

About the author:

Tracey Clayton is a mom of three girls. She’s passionate about fashion, home décor, and healthy living. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.”

Monthly Favorites: May

This month I have some new products I have been trying and loving so I thought it was time for a new Monthly Favorites post! I don't have too many products to talk about this time but the ones I'm going to show you in this post were really useful during this last month. So, let's go straight to my favorites! 

1- Herbal Essences Pure Renew Argan Oil Shampoo

I have mentioned in a previous post that I have tried the conditioner from this same line and as I had amazing results with it, I decided to get the shampoo too and try the complete treatment. Both of them are designed to repair the hair and I have to say I'm getting exactly what I was looking for! My hair is a lot more hydrated and soft. The frizz is being controlled and my hair doesn't feel dry anymore. It was exactly what I was needing. 
This complete Pure Renew line is crafted with antioxidants, aloe and sea kelp and it doesn't contain any parabens or colorants, which is great. This product is also very affordable and that is always a plus! 
So, if you are looking for some good products for your hair that contain argan oil and that have a good price, I highly recommend this line from Herbal Essences! 

2- Tortulan Physiologyque Eye Treatment

Tortulan is an Argentinian brand that I'm loving more and more every day. Their products are very affordable and they have an excellent quality for their price. Also, they don't test in animals and that is something very important to have in mind as well.
Anyway, I have been loving their cleanser and toner so when I ran out of my other eye cream, I decided to try some other products from this brand. 
Their eye cream has collagen and hyaluronic acid and it's designed to hydrate the eye area and prevent wrinkles. The texture is lightweight and creamy, it has a soft scent and it gets absorbed very quickly. 
I really enjoy applying this product and I'm seeing some good results so far, nothing crazy but it does what it says, my eye area feels quite hydrated so I'm very pleased with this new treatment. 

3- WAV Nail Polish Removing Wipes

It's been a few years now since I have started to only use wipes to remove my nail polish. I found them a lot more practical than using any other liquid nail polish remover because you can carry them in your purse for example or take them with you while traveling. Another thing I love about this kind of wipes is that most of the times they don't contain acetone, which makes my nails very weak. 
I find these wipes to be very gentle with my nails but at the same time, they are very powerful to remove the nail polish. 
In particular, this package contains 8 wipes which are super big ( they have the size of a makeup removing wipe) so you can easily remove the nail polish of both hands with just one of them. They are also very affordable and if you are like me and you do your nails once a week, this product can last you two months at least. That's why I find them very convenient and a good product to feature here on my Monthly Favorites.

That would be all, I hope you find this post helpful and please let me know which are the products that you are loving at the moment! I would love to know! :)

3 Ways to Have More Fun During the FIFA World Cup

I know, I know this is a little bit off-topic but I really can't hide my excitement about the FIFA World Cup starting this week!!! If you have been reading Seize your Style for a while and maybe following me through Social Media, you may already know that I'm a huge (and I mean HUGE) football fan. In fact, when I was younger I wanted to become a sports journalist so I really enjoy writing about sports, and especially football, whenever I can. 

Anyway, for any football fan, the World Cup is a big highlight and a very exciting month, full of great matches to watch every single day. It's the opportunity to see all of the most amazing players and teams from all over the world competing together. But even if you are not that much into football, it doesn't mean that you can't enjoy and have fun during this time. That's why I thought about putting together this post and sharing 3 simple ways to enjoy and have more fun during the World Cup! Let's get started!!! 

First time I went to see a match of my team Boca Juniors, you can see my face full of excitement

1- Organize some gatherings with your friends to watch the matches

To me, football is all about getting together, I do enjoy watching a match alone but there is nothing like watching an important match with a group! The World Cup gives you a lot of opportunities to organize some gatherings with your friends, family, co-workers, almost anyone, to enjoy the match. You will feel a lot more excited when you are surrounded by other people because the excitement is contagious and also you can prepare your favorite food and drinks to enjoy it even more! ;)

I watch a match with the Croatian crowd during the Eurocup in 2016, it was so much fun!

2- Create a betting competition with your friends

There is nothing more fun than trying to guess the match results and organizing a betting challenge or competition with your friends. You don't necessarily need to know anything about football to guess your results. It's all about intuition, because sometimes during the World Cup some of the craziest results can occur, so I recommend following your gut on this one. Also, it's a great way to get more engaged with all the football matches, because you will always have a team you are cheering for! 
In addition, it's not necessary to bet money or having any prize for this competition is just to have some extra fun with your friends. 

3- Get creative with your outfit or makeup to support your team

During the World Cup, it's the best time to get creative and put together a special outfit to support your team! Also if you like makeup you can even create a special look with the colors of your team or a special nail art, the options are endless!! 

Left: When I was supporting Croatia during the Euro 2016 because I was there. Right: Showing my love for Argentina. This picture is super old but I love it! :P

So, even if you are not a big football fan there are a lot of things to do to have fun during the World Cup. I always feel a general excitement and positive vibe around this event so that's why it's my favorite sports competition. Anyway, I would love to know if you follow any sports competition and in case you also enjoy the World Cup let me know your plans for this amazing month!! :) 

Pink and Gray for Fall / Winter

I have never been a pink kind of girl but I think that maybe I have started to change my mind about this color. I don't know why but I never felt comfortable wearing pink before, somehow I felt like this color didn't suit me, I felt like it was "too girly" for me, whatever that means.

However, last year that thought started to change, I felt drawn to more and more pink items, especially in this soft pink shade, which I find very chic and feminine. I bought this gorgeous Bershka suede jacket and even though it was available in other colors I decided to give pink a try. 

Sometimes, it's good to go out of our style comfort zone and try on some colors, shapes or pieces that we don't normally wear because that allows our personal style to evolve and it's also a great way to add more creativity to our lives. 

I ended up buying this jacket along with some pink loafers, another pair of shoes that were black and pink and even a sweater with pink and gray stripes! I wouldn't say I went crazy about pink but I'm very happy that I have opened my mind and now I have some new colors to wear.

Anyway, going back to this outfit, one of my favorite color combination is, without a doubt, pink and gray. So I paired the pink suede jacket with a basic gray sweater from H&M. I think these two colors look extremely stylish together and it's a pair that you can wear all year round. 

I decided to keep the rest of the outfit very simple, in terms of color, I added a black pair of leather-like trousers from Mango, my new booties from Zaful and my beloved bag from Carpisa, which I seem to wear every single day :P

I really hope you like this outfit and I would love to know if there was any color that you didn't like that much or maybe you didn't feel so comfortable wearing but that perception change recently like in my case with the color pink.  

Shop the Look:

An Afternoon in Idstein, Germany

If you remember, a couple of months ago, I shared here on the blog what I did during my 10-hour layover in Frankfurt and one of the things I did after exploring the city a little bit was to meet with my German friend Claudia. She lives in the cutest little town that is very close to Frankfurt. This place is called Idstein and she had the amazing idea of taking me there during my layover. 

We went there by car and it took us a little bit more than 30 minutes to get there. I was super excited about meeting her again after many months and catching up. The plan was very simple: walking around her town, having an ice cream or a cup of coffee and then also visiting her house. 

Also, she was the one that suggested to me go to Idstein because she wanted me to see a typical German town and I'm so thankful to her because I completely fell in love with this place. 

There is something about this traditional German architecture that I found so beautiful and very much fairy-tale like, I'm sure all of you will agree when you see the pictures. In addition, this is a small town (it has 25000 inhabitants) so, there was a very relaxing vibe there that I really appreciated. 

Anyway, once we arrived, we walk around the streets in the pedestrian zone to the Old Town, which is extremely well preserved,  and I literally wanted to take a picture of every single house because they are oh-so-pretty! Most of the houses had the loveliest flowers in their balconies and everything looked so cute and sweet. 

I don't really like to compare cities and places but I have to admit that I really liked Idstein over Frankfurt but I think it is because I prefer smaller towns and I also feel like this place was a lot more special and unique. 

We ended up going for the ice cream because it was a hot day, took a few more pictures while we were walking and catching up. After that, I visited her place, met her pets, talked a little bit more and then was time to go back to the airport but I was feeling super happy for seeing my friend again and also for being able to visit such a beautiful place. 

I really hope I can go back someday to visit her again and maybe stay for a few days to enjoy more of the area. Let me know what do you think about this place? Have you heard about Idstein before? Do you prefer small towns or big cities? I hope you like the pictures!! :)