Ciara Miller’s Cream Ruffle Rose Dress on Her Instastories

Winter House 2022 Instagram Fashion

Ciara Miller shared a gorrrrrgeous photo on her Instastories. It was her wearing a unique looking cream dress with a ruffle and rose detailing. This is a really pretty dress and kinda gives me summer bride vibes for those of you browsing. But, for those of us not it’s still a fab summer dress worth picking. 

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Mara Hoffman Dress

Click Here to Shop Additional Stock

Photo Credit: @ciaramiller___

Originally posted at: Ciara Miller’s Cream Ruffle Rose Dress

If you have just recently been diagnosed with cancer, chances are your mind is at a standstill. How do you push through shock, scary feelings, anger, depression, and anxiety to become a cancer warrior?

A cancer warrior is a self-advocate – a person who takes an active role in their own cancer care. Being a self-advocate gives you more control at a time when nothing is certain. It helps you gather information to make more informed decisions for yourself about your cancer journey. The decisions are based on knowledge obtained by your own research and from what your doctors can tell you, with input from your support team.

Start with Your Support Team

This team is for support – mental, physical, and emotional. Your first supporters can help you with the hard first decisions – who to tell, how to tell them. Phone? Text? Facebook? Letters?

They are a source of thoughts, prayers, and warm wishes which help keep you from being sucked into a black hole of dwelling on the worst possibilities. For your innermost support team, you need friends and relations who will let you vent, and who understand how scary it can be to have no control over some things.

You need people who make little, helpful gestures – food, care packages, books, socks, notes, memes, bad jokes – whatever is comforting to you. You need others who can give advice and information that help you shape your decisions.

Remember that you are the captain of this team. You know yourself better than anyone else does. This group is to help you create the course of action that works best for you personally – not just the national average. Medical professionals offer options, but as a self-advocate you have the final say.

Unfortunately, as time goes on you might fire team members, if they drain you with negativity or do not recognize what you really want and need. Remember, you can always get second opinions if you are unsure how to proceed.

Support groups look different for different people, but they usually include:

• Primary doctor
• Oncologist
• Other medical professionals
• Family
• Social support – friends who listen, help when needed, and who can make you laugh.
• Peer/buddy support group – those who have experience with the same type of cancer you have.
• Professional counselor or therapist to help you navigate emotional roller coasters.
• Spiritual support– organized religion, nature, or whatever else inspires and keeps you grounded.

Over 100 types of support organizations can be found at this governmental site.

A place to find those with the same kind of cancer experience: https://imermanangels.org/get-support/.

Relationships can change in a cancer journey. You may be saddened to find some who are unable to deal with all the implications of cancer and who fade away from your life. At the same time, you may find others who are relative strangers, who you had not heard from in years, who offer gentle support in ways that touch your heart. So don’t be afraid to reach out.

Education Is Important

The other piece of support, to update regularly, is education. You can get diverted by the incredibly large amount of information available, including a lot of opinions presented as fact, and some scams designed to get you to buy their “miracle” product or program.

Know the Medical Side

The National Cancer Institute has good guidelines that will help you establish the difference between the good, the bad, and the misleading kind of information available, while you are searching for answers.

Armed with those guidelines, the next step is to understand your own diagnosis – the type of cancer, what the staging means, what treatments are available, and what support groups are helpful. The NCI website has some good, factual information in a condensed form that will let you get a quick handle on what you have, staging, and current officially recognized treatments.

But Don’t Ignore Lifestyle

While the government is good at summarizing Standard of Care conventional therapies, it is not willing to recommend anything else without extremely overwhelmingly positive research evidence.

This includes lifestyle aspects such as diet, exercise, and some complementary therapies regularly recommended by medical organizations such as MD Anderson, Mayo Clinic, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) – all with cancer doctors who are actively practicing their specialty.

Because there is so much additional information available from ASCO, it can be confusing at first to find specific types of facts you may be interested in after you have absorbed the basics. See the Resources below for other helpful links to pages in the ASCO website.

For in-depth information about chemotherapy and its side effects, all in one place, look at Chemocare.

No Two Cancers Are Exactly the Same

The biggest thing to realize about cancer is, every case of cancer is a little different, and every cancer patient is a little different. The standard of care that doctors must go by is what works for most people.

Even methods or drugs that are used with a high rate of success are ones that work for most, but not for all. When you are researching your options, if you see something that is for “everyone” or “all cancers,” or “100%,” ignore it and go on to the next item.

Because so many things are happening in your body, and because cancer is constantly changing, combinations of methods work better than relying on one single thing. Even if you only use the extremely short combination of one thing for the cancer, and a second thing that is for quality of life, you will have a far better cancer journey than one where everyone is concentrating on treating the tumor and not treating you also.

The more diverse, good things that you can use, and also that do not interfere with each other (this is important!), the easier the journey will be.

So, assemble your support team – for physical, emotional, and factual support. Learn about healing – mind, body, and spirit, and any side effects you might face. Plan your journey and take those first steps.

You got this!

Additional Resources

A section on support systems:

https://www.cancer.net/coping-with-cancer

Questions to ask your support team:

https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/diagnosing-cancer/questions-ask-your-health-care-team

Being a self-advocate, with links to the kinds of questions to ask your oncologist as well as other things to consider on this page:

https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/managing-your-care

Foods that are connected with lower incidence of certain types of cancers:

https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/prevention-and-healthy-living/food-and-cancer-risk

A blog featuring podcasts from 2 oncology dieticians, with transcripts. Here is the one with the general recommendations for higher amounts of fruits and vegetables than the American Cancer Institute recommendations:

https://www.cancer.net/blog/podcasts/nutrition-myths-with-suzanne-dixon-mph-ms-rdn-and-annette-goldberg-ms-mba-rdn-ldn

A good discussion of complementary therapies which, research has shown, can help a cancer warrior with a better quality of life:

https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/integrative-medicine/types-complementary-therapies

Let’s Have a Conversation:

If you are a Cancer Warrior, what are your favorite places on the internet for information about your cancer? If you are part of a Cancer Warrior’s support group, what websites have been helpful for you?

Are you looking for interesting gift ideas? Are your friends or family keen on exercising or hoping to get fitter? Would you like to buy them gifts they will use again and again?

Below is a selection of gift ideas perfect for people who want to stay active, improve their balance and have more energy every day.

Hopefully, these ideas will help you buy gifts for your family and friends – and why not put them on your own list?

Exercise Bands

Exercise bands (also known as resistance bands) are the first piece of equipment I recommend to our studio members.

We use them in many of our online exercise videos – they’re especially good for muscle-strengthening exercises.

Bands don’t cost much, don’t take up much space, and are light. This means they’re easy to move around the house or take with you when travelling.

If you can, buy a pack with 2 or 3 different strength bands. People find that, for some exercises, they need a lighter band. For others, they can challenge themselves with a stronger one.

If you already have bands, check them regularly for damage. If you see any tears or holes – however small – please replace your band immediately.

Hand Weights

Variety and challenge are crucial elements of any exercise programme. Having more equipment opens up new exercises and further opportunities to progress.

Hand weights (or dumbbells) are great if you want to get stronger, improve your posture or maintain your bone density.

Hand weights are easily put away in a cupboard or behind a sofa. They’re a little more expensive than bands (and much harder to pop in a suitcase!), but we recommend them for anyone looking to feel stronger and stay active.

When buying weights (whether for yourself or as a gift), we suggest getting ones which are comfortable to hold and have a non-slip coating. Also, look for weights with hexagonal ends, as these don’t roll when you put them down.

If someone already has weights, ask if they would like a heavier set, so they have more options to progress and add challenge to their exercise routine.

Tick Tock! A Countdown Timer

This probably isn’t what you were expecting on a list of fitness-inspired gifts, but stick with me here…

A small countdown timer is great for establishing daily habits.

Longer, ‘formal’ exercise sessions are great, but there’s so much to be gained from moving more, more often. Little bouts of movement during the day all add up to better health and fitness.

We often suggest that our members do 1-minute bouts of exercises like chair squats, heel raises or balance training.

You can buy small digital timers or novelty ones like tomatoes, cows or penguins!

They are inexpensive and can be a helpful tool for people trying to fit more movement into their day.

Hand Grip Strengtheners

Have you seen these before? They’re small hand-held grips, spring-loaded, and you squeeze them with your hand.

As we age, we can lose significant amounts of strength in our hands, wrists and forearms, and using one of these grippers can help.

You can buy hand grip strengtheners in various resistances. I’d suggest buying a lighter one (some of the ‘heavy’ ones are tough!). Look for a non-slip material if you can.

Mats

Exercise mats can be an excellent gift for people keen to maintain their fitness.

However, they’re not just for floor exercises.

Having an exercise mat means you have a space dedicated to exercise. If you’re doing standing exercises, it can be safer and more comfortable on a non-slip mat.

If you’re using the mat on a carpeted surface, you can get a thin one.

But a thicker one will be more comfortable if you have hard floors.

If you, or someone you know, finds it difficult to get down to and back up from the floor, this article and video we published on Sixty and Me may help you.

Most mats can be easily rolled up and stored behind a chair or in a cupboard. You can buy plain mats, but you can also get brightly coloured or patterned mats which can add a bit of atmosphere and energy to your exercise zone.

Membership or Class Pass   

Perhaps your friends have all the kit but would like professional help or motivation with their fitness programme.

Could you get them vouchers or a pass to a gym or class studio near their home? If they prefer to exercise at home, how about buying them an online membership?

There are many options online, but make sure you choose one with specialist instructors available to answer questions and provide support and guidance.

The Vida Wellness Studio is an online exercise studio for people who want to improve their balance, feel stronger and move more easily. Members enjoy a library of clear, easy-to-follow exercise videos, professional advice, support, and encouragement from fellow members.

Here’s a short Feel Stronger taster video from the Vida Wellness Studio for you:

I hope we’ve given you some interesting ideas for gifts. I hope you’ll even treat yourself to reward your fitness efforts and make it easier to achieve your goals.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are you buying gifts for fitness enthusiasts? Which of these ideas do you think will work for them? Do you have other suggestions?

Many of us grew up in an era where the accepted approach to life was to work really hard to be successful at our chosen role and take care of responsibilities. Then, like magic, at 65 we get to stop and make up for all the “fun” we put off and take the relaxation we deserve. My parents did that, but it really didn’t turn out as they imagined. I thought that is what I was going to do. Not anymore.

Let’s unpack this.

The World Has Changed

In western cultures we are living longer and retiring earlier than in the past. If we stop working at 65, we are likely to have a reasonably healthy 20-30 years to go! That is why we call this the third phase of life… it literally can be 1/3 of your life.

Is kicking back with the purpose of taking it easy how you want to spend this phase of your precious life? Maybe your answer is “Yes.” Still, think it through. It turns out that this is not a good thing for our well-being nor for our society – we make a difference.

From a personal perspective, a sense of purpose is one of the most important elements contributing to vitality and happiness. Loving your life and being happy affect your mood, health, cognitive resilience, and sense of well-being. How can you create that in your life – from the heart?

Society Is Poised to Change

Remember that we invented Social Security 100 years ago because people generally did not live much past 65. Not so today! The world needs us. Our economy needs us to continue to contribute in some way.

There is a growing movement for business to reframe the notion of retirement and offer more flexible options for employees. Our knowledge and wisdom are needed.

Throw out the old stereotype that older workers are not effective. In fact, teams that include older workers are more effective than those that don’t. We have wisdom and acumen to share. We are capable, creative, with many advanced cognitive and organizational abilities not yet honed by younger people.

This does not mean staying “in the grind” of doing something you don’t enjoy. This is our time of freedom to create. We deserve to be happy. I know I am done with 60-hour weeks! And to wake up each day ready to live with heart is the best thing ever.

Some of us love what we do and enjoy continuing in some fashion. For others, this phase of life is finally the time to pursue the passion long ignored or to discover your creative spark. This is how we live healthier, happier, and longer.

For the generations that follow us, seeing examples of what a reframed third phase of life can be will help to transform our work culture. They can look ahead to anticipate what they might create during their third phase of life. They will see the third phase as one of creativity, vitality, and freedom – in contrast with today’s media messaging.

It is predicted that many of our current Gen Z will live beyond 100 years, just as many of us are living longer than our parents. Maybe a phased “retirement process” could become normal. For now, let’s just do that for ourselves.

Financing for Three Decades

Then there is the obvious consideration. Money. Surveys indicate that many of us have NOT saved enough to retire in ease for three decades. If you need some income to manage expenses, rather than slip into any work, ask yourself what has personal meaning for you that you would love?

Why not make an offer to an employer that you would like to work for? Maybe you want to work three days a week. Or just half days. Or create your own business!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What is your vision for your third phase of life? Make it so. Share your ideas – you may help a sister as she navigates this time of life. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Kristin Cavallari’s Blue Leather Dress on Good Morning America

Kristin Cavallari 2022 Instagram Fashion

Now I’m sure you’ve been seeing a lot of posts about Good Morning America in the media lately. Which this one is too, but about a different love affair. It’s about the one we have for Kristin Cavallari’s blue leather dress she wore on the show. And it indeed is a good morning because we were able to track it down. Leaving us all eager to host one just like it in our homes.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Alexis Dress

Click Here to Shop Additional Stock

Click Here to Shop More Stock

Photo Credit: @kristincavallari

Originally posted at: Kristin Cavallari’s Blue Leather Dress