Madison LeCroy’s Sherpa and Leather Jacket on Instagram

Southern Charm 2023 Instagram Fashion

I am obsessed with Madison LeCroy’s sherpa and leather jacket from her IG post the other day. Sherpa and leather are both solid fabrics for the colder months. So why not combine them and make a very solid winter jacket?! It just  makes total sense and so does showing some “cute aggressions” to the Style Stealers of it below.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Slate & Willow Jacket on eBay

Click Here to Rent it

Photo + Info: @madison.lecroy

Originally posted at: Madison LeCroy’s Sherpa and Leather Jacket

As many women with autoimmunity and other chronic diseases have discovered, food is much more than just calories for the body! Food provides vital information to the immune system, the nervous system, and every other bodily system that regulates our physiology.

Eating a food that doesn’t “agree” with our body can result in joint pain, digestive issues, low energy levels, mood imbalances, skin issues, and so much more.

While some people can deviate from a healthy diet and feel little to no ill effects, those with autoimmunity or other chronic conditions are more likely to experience symptoms when they deviate from a more regimented diet.

If that sounds familiar, consider keeping some “backup” foods on hand at all times that you can rely on when you’re in a hurry. Sure, planning and prepping meals ahead of time is a great way to ensure healthy food all week long… but let’s face it, that’s just not always possible for us busy women!

For those times when you run out of groceries and need to grab something quick and easy, these foods can act as a “backup” option instead of relying on a quick, processed food option or the nearest fast-food joint! These are the top 5 foods that people with autoimmunity should always keep on hand for quick, tasty, and balanced meals in an emergency:

Frozen Organic Berries

Dark berries like blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cherries are high in antioxidants and polyphenols that reduce free radicals and decrease inflammation. Berries can be used to make nutritious smoothies, added to Greek yogurt or steel cuts oats for a high fiber, nutritious breakfast, or simply eaten on their own.

Berries are also a great option for a healthy dessert alternative (try sprinkling them with some cacao nibs or eating them with a piece of dark chocolate!). Purchase organic berries, when possible, as conventionally grown berries tend to be sprayed heavily with pesticides. Frozen berries are easiest and they last longest, so you can use them as needed without worrying they will go bad.

Salmon, Mackerel, or Sardines (Frozen or Canned)

Fish is a terrific source of protein that can easily be added to any meal. Protein should be prioritized at every meal to help support muscle function and promote balanced blood sugar. Salmon, mackerel, and sardines also stand out for their high levels of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids and low levels of mercury compared to other fish.

These are important factors for people with autoimmunity to consider. Canned mackerel or sardines require no preparation, so they are a terrific protein option when in a pinch. Frozen salmon thaws quickly and can be cooked in a frying pan in under 10 minutes for a delicious addition to any meal.

Bone Broth

Consider replacing the broth or stock in your pantry with nutrient rich bone broth! Bone broth contains the amino acid glutamine, so it’s great for digestion and for the health of the gut lining, which is vital for optimal immune system function.

Bone broth also contains collagen and is an easy way to add extra protein to your meals. You can use bone broth in place of regular broth/stock or water in things like soup or when making anything like rice or quinoa. You can even heat it up and sip on it between meals like you would tea!

Greens

Greens like kale, spinach, swiss chard, broccoli, and collards are chock-full of fiber and health promoting phytonutrients. They’re also high in vitamin D, which is vital for balanced immune system function, and a good source of the minerals potassium and magnesium, which most people don’t get enough of through their diets.

On top of that, greens are great for boosting detoxification to help rid our bodies of toxins. Greens truly are a superfood, especially for those with chronic health issues!! You can add a handful into smoothies or you can chop them up and add some to nearly any recipe.

Or, you can simply steam them, drizzle with olive oil, and serve as a delicious side with any meal. Heartier greens like kale and swiss chard tend to last longer in the fridge, but it’s always great to have a bag of frozen spinach in the freezer for backup!

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil should be a staple in your kitchen (and in every meal for that matter!). Extra virgin olive oil is anti-inflammatory, full of antioxidants, supports hormones, and it even boasts antimicrobial properties.

Adding a tablespoon or two of this healthy fat to your meals will help keep you full and satiated between meals. You can cook with it at lower temperatures or drizzle it on top of just about anything! Opt for an organic, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil in a dark bottle and store it in a cool, dark spot in your kitchen or pantry.

For a quick and easy meal, simply steam a bunch of greens for about 5 minutes, then serve with canned mackerel (no prep required!). Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can add a serving of berries before or after the meal, and sip on bone broth if you’d like!

By keeping these 5 foods stocked, you’ll never find yourself in a “food emergency!” Instead, you will have everything you need available for a quick meal or snack, and you won’t be forced to grab the nearest junk food that will inevitably leave you feeling BLAH! Be sure to stock up on each of these foods the next time you hit the grocery store!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Which foods do you keep in your freezer or pantry as a staple? What is your go to meal or snack when you’re in a hurry? What is your favorite meal that you can make in less than 10 minutes?

Have you ever planned an exciting vacation or holiday getaway only to arrive at your dream destination to find your room, condo or villa rental isn’t exactly what you bargained for? Likely you may have traveled quite a distance, you are weary and so anxious to check-in. Sound familiar?

Doing the Research

I personally take great pride in finding the best accommodations for the best price when we travel by thoroughly searching online owners or property management sites for deals. I search for gap deals, last minute deals, extended stays, and more!

After locating a desirable property, I scour the interior and exterior photos online. I use Google Earth to view the property location and its proximity to major roads, towns, or sites. If the property fits, last but not least, I diligently research the property’s reviews on several third-party websites.

Now, I understand that every review may or may not reflect the property honestly, but by researching multiple reviews I usually get a general idea of the pros and cons of each property. If the property rating exceeds an 80% positivity rate, I am confident to book!

When the Quality Is Below Expectations

But what happens if you do your research and your vacation rental just isn’t what you bargained for? What should you do?

My husband and I recently booked a lovely South Florida beach destination condo through a large property management site. Booking was super easy on the website as they posted a detailed property description along with condo photos inside and out.

Over one hundred reviews revealed an 85 percent positive experience rating! We immediately booked the two-bedroom partial ocean view condo boasting photos showing a partial view of the ocean, comfortable couch, stately king size bed and amazing resort amenities.

During the drive down I decided to re-visit one of my trusted review sites to see if any new postings had been made raving about our newly booked condo property. Surprisingly, one new review popped up stating condo # xxxx had a major bedbug problem on the property.

Bedbugs have never been a problem during our vacations until a condo stay we had in North Florida a few years ago. That condo stay forever changed my thoughts on bedbugs! We arrived at the beachfront condo late at night, checked in and went straight to bed. We awoke early swatting multiple bug bites.

An inspection of the mattress area revealed major evidence of bedbugs. Thankfully, after a phone call to the property manager, we were immediately moved to another condo several miles away. It did, however, take us days to feel bug free.

We scratched bites for days and trust me, our luggage was sequestered to the detached garage for several months after we returned home.

What Was the Chance?

Seeing a scathing bedbug review for a condo on the property we were headed to made me somewhat nauseous and apprehensive, but hey, what was the chance of condo #xxxx being the exact condo we had booked? The expansive condo resort we were headed to boasted over 300 condos!

Our six-hour trip to South Florida was truly scenic and without any major traffic problems. Admittedly, we were giddy in anticipation of staying at a sprawling resort in a roomy two-bedroom condo with a partial ocean view.

Pulling into the entrance revealed the resort property was exactly as pictured with a secure gatehouse entrance, tennis courts, swimming pool, and beautiful palm tree lined roads. A lovely half mile ride through the property led us to a registration building facing the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean.

The two-story registration building/restaurant resembled a chic southern beach cottage. We eagerly approached the office where a smiling registration desk clerk greeted us to check in. She immediately asked our names, congratulated us on selecting such a great condo property and proceeded to tell us all about the property amenities.

Shortly after the 10-minute presentation of amenities, rules and directions we were handed the key entry card. Believe it or not, boldly on the condo key card was condo # xxxx (exact condo number mentioned in review with bedbugs). We both took a deep breath and immediately pulled up the review site on our cell phones.

Looking at the Proposed Condo

The clerk appeared surprised to see the recent review, did not offer a substitution, and instead insisted that we visit the condo to see what we thought. Knowing the resort had limited condo rentals available during Christmas week, we both agreed to at least take a look. Once bedbug bitten, however, I was certain it would take a miracle for me to spend the night in a condo with recently reported bedbugs.

We proceeded to the condo building with apprehension and walked up to third floor condo # xxxx. Opening the door, the condo appeared clean. The mattress and foundation were covered in a sealed zippered liner. Upon further investigation, the couch and king size bed looked nothing like the photos online and the balcony view consisted of a thick forest of mangrove trees with absolutely no view of the ocean in any direction.

We drove back to the registration office and politely waited for the check-in clerk. We asked for another condo rental based on the possibility of existing bedbugs (per the recent review), totally different furnishings than posted and a thick forest of mangrove trees instead of a partial ocean view.

Granted, we did not expect a spectacular ocean view, but realistically expected at least a peak of the ocean from a corner of the balcony or side window. No ocean view found even after my husband got out the binoculars!

Try Number Two

The clerk stalled a bit and reluctantly said she had a condo in the same building available that we could have. We readily accepted another key card and proceeded to the condo building to take a look. This condo was five doors down from the previous condo.

On the plus side, the condo had no bad bedbug review, however the balcony view was the very same mangrove forest as the first condo and the couch and bed were again nothing like the photos.

Frustrated, we took a few moments to decide whether to accept a property that did not fit the description at the time of our booking or attempt to get our deposit back and find another property available nearby during the busy week of Christmas.

We both agreed that as tenants, even short-term tenants, we and every tenant has the right to receive the condo we booked that was advertised on the property manager’s website.

The Third Try

Trip number three to the registration office required a bit more “stand our ground” conversation. We informed the clerk that we were simply not willing to accept a condo rental that did not match the description of what we had booked. The clerk nervously looked up at us and asked that we wait while she contacted a manager.

She disappeared to a rear room and returned shortly with a key card to a third condo located in the same building but one floor higher. After two dry runs, we reluctantly accepted the key card and told her we would again take a look. To our amazement, we were pleasantly surprised to find behind the open door a fourth-floor condo with a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean.

The furniture was at least similar or better quality compared to the condo photos they had posted online and no recent bedbug reviews! Immediately, we went back to the rental office and told the clerk we would be happy to accept the condo. Our vacation trip was salvaged, but not without a bit of a struggle!

Stand Up for Yourself

The moral to my story is that regardless of the research we conduct to find the perfect vacation rental, hiccups can and will happen. Short-term rentals that exaggerate the view, the furnishings, and hide major issues should be held accountable. Though we may be weary travelers, we should stand up for what we bargain for!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you been the victim of a false advertised vacation rental? Do you rely on tenant reviews of vacation rentals? Have you ever accepted a vacation rental that was not as advertised?

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

Skincare products that provide immediate results are growing in popularity for good reason—just look to the TikTok-viral instant eye tightener that sold out at nearly every retailer. People are tired of waiting weeks upon weeks for results, and we can’t blame them; a dedicated regimen is a serious commitment. That’s why when we heard about another fast-acting eye treatment on the block, we nearly leapt out of our seats to get the scoop—especially since it’s currently on sale for 20 percent off with the use of an on-page coupon.

The Biotulin EyeMatrix Lifting Concentrate isn’t your average formula; it leans on a fast-acting gel for its magical properties: Biotulin, a natural alternative to Botox. The gel instantly absorbs into the skin to tighten and firm, providing the illusion of a more youthful complexion. It’s built up of three additives that make this possible: spilanthol, a local anesthetic made from the plant Acmella Oleracea; hyaluronic acid, a natural component of the human body; and Imperata Cylindrica plant, which provides 24-hour hydration to the skin.

Courtesy of Amazon

Biotulin’s effects were proven nearly incomparable through an independent efficacy study, where its subjects saw visible wrinkle reductions within one hour (!!!) of application. The brand says these instant changes can last for up to nine hours at a time, and can even be sustained with continual touch-ups.

If you aren’t already hooked, here’s more vital info: Yahoo reported that the eye cream was used by J.Lo during the 2020 Golden Globes to rid her eyes of dark circles and bags. That’s not all—the brand has rumored to even garner support from Michelle Obama, Kate Middleton and Madonna. Talk about a star-studded line-up.

RELATED: This Fast-Acting Cream Transforms Aging Skin So Well, Shoppers Are Skipping Foundation

Beyond Biotulin, the eye treatment also contains cannabis sativa seed oil, which with continued use, can help minimize the look of drooping eyelids, darkness, and uneven texture while improving elasticity and collagen production.

The brand carries additional products containing the natural Botox ingredient on Amazon, including the Supreme Skin Gel and the Daynite24+ Absolute Face Cream.

Interested in seeing what all the hype around Biotulin is about yourself? Act fast and grab a tube for yourself while it’s down to $44 for a limited time.

Tracy Tutor’s Gold Outfit on Instagram

Million Dollar Listing LA 2023 Instagram Fashion

Okaaaaay Tracy Tutor looks ah-maze-ing in her gold shimmery outfit on her IG. She was in Paris and literally giving the Eiffel tower a run for it’s money. I love this look because it can work in any season whether it’s winter, summer, or somewhere in between. Either way the Style Stealers we rounded up for it will have you screaming j’adore.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her LaQuan Smith Bodysuit

Click Here to Shop Her LaQuan Smith Skirt

Photo Credit: @tracytutor

Originally posted at: Tracy Tutor’s Gold Outfit