Spring Break in Style

Today’s blog is courtesy of Janet Kinkade.  She is the creator of JK by Thirty-One jewelry. Her ultimate passion is to inspire women and help them recognize their own beauty and potential.

I love her tips for how to pack for spring break..

After a long winter, it feels like spring break can’t come soon enough! Typically, we’re facing at least a few weeks of fashion limbo, when it’s too warm for a coat, too cool for a sundress – but your sunshine-soaked spring break is calling! These spring break travel fashion trends show you a few ways to “spring up” your winter wear, winterize your spring wear or maybe just invent a whole new season altogether: Happy “Sprinter,” everyone!

Get ready for spring break travel!

White jeans and capris can be dressed up or down – a great choice as the seasons transition. Embroidered or embellished tops are a sure way to bring in all the seasonal bright colors, especially in an off-the-shoulder blouse to keep you cool. Add texture and an organic feel. That looks especially springy and on-trend to any outfit with a touch of woven straw. Even the most delicate of silver jewelry can make a statement, like drop earrings, a beaded bracelet and long chain necklace. Then just grab a hat, your tinted sunglasses and a fabulous, beach-ready tote!

Styles to try:

Beach-Ready Tote, All About the Benjamins, Beaded Charm Bracelet,Navy Starfish Keepsake Charm

Go straight from the office to the airport

As soon as hot weather approaches, the basic rules of work-appropriate dress quickly become unbearable, right? A loose-fitting top with on-trend bell sleeves and ruffles will keep you cool. Plus, a little bit of outfit planning up front will save you precious vacation time on Friday: Just swap out your work pumps for a pair of sweet slides, and you can head out. (Bonus: You can show off your super-cute mint pedi toes all weekend long!)

Styles to try:

Midway Hobo, Rubie Mini, Just Write Snap Bracelet, Delicate Dream Necklace

Add a pop of coral, the season’s hottest hue

One of the biggest fashion trends for spring and summer 2018 is CORAL! And coral is one of those colors I never get tired of seeing, with its pinkish overtones and orange undertones. It’s positively lovely and looks great with shades of blue and our new Diamond Straw Weave! This summery shade lends itself to a bit of fun, so why not add a splash of the season’s hottest fruit: pineapples! You can find this sweet symbol decorating everything from jewelry and accessories to novelty print totes this season. With so many fun ways to wear coral, I hope you’re inspired to infuse it into your own wardrobe this spring!

Styles to try:

Cherish Bracelet, Shore Enough Tote, Carry Me Away Luggage Tag

Try casual spring travel layers for him

Spring and summer of 2018 will be a season of contrasts in men’s fashion. You’ll see a mash-up of couture hikers, nineties streetwear and stylish sea breeze looks. Casual, comfortable, lightweight and loose-fitting are important elements for menswear this season. And don’t forget functionality: Every guy needs a great weekend travel bag so he can swing home on a Friday, grab some gear and hit the road!

Styles to try:

24/7 Case, Retro Metro Weekender

The winter-to-spring transition can be a freeing moment! Wool gives way to cotton, black to bright (or better yet, coral) and boots to something strappy – something to have you itching to dig your toes into the sand. Embrace it, and enjoy your well-deserved spring break in style!

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Three Inspirational Words

I am a HUGE fan of Andy Andrews.  If you haven’t read any of his books, you need to! They will make a lasting impression on your life, I guarantee it!  He is the inspiration for today’s blog.

Think about the last time you were discouraged – in your business, or in your life. Feeling discouraged, you probably had little energy and let things go.  As a result, you considered quitting.  Maybe you were convinced the best part of your life was over or you began to isolate.  Have you or someone you know described their situation as discouraging or maybe even felt like a personal failure?  We’ve all been there, if only for a moment, right?

At our low points, the first thing we do is search for words to inspire us.  Thousands search Google every day for inspirational words.  What are we hoping to find?  The magic wand, right?  Actually, we are either:

1. Hoping to inspire someone, or
2. Hoping to have someone recognize our own need to be inspired.

The truth is “inspirational words” are rather useless. Yup, I said it!  Someone who really wants change or be motivated is really looking for tangible results.  Inspiration by definition is the process of being mentally stimulated to do a certain thing which means it is a word used to stimulate someone toward a specific outcome.

How often when we doubt ourselves, have we been “stop telling yourself you can’t…because you can!”.  How effective were those words? Not very I’m sure.  Think about these:

#1: YET!

The word “yet” is filled with hope for the future.  It can be annoying when someone says it especially when we are wallowing in a pity party,  The power of YET is true. And it’s why YET always wins in the end.  You need to harness the power of YET.

No matter what you say “can’t to” when you add “yet” to the end of the statement it changes from a negative to a positive statement. Things just haven’t happened “YET”

• You can’t play the guitar…yet.
• You can’t catch fly balls…yet.
• I’m not comfortable in front of a lot of people.…yet.

#2: PROUD

This word is designed to erase doubt about whether or not you are “on the right track”.  Maybe no one ever has ever said these words to you?  Sadly, far too many have never heard these words.  No matter how much success you have without these words being spoken by someone – you are missing the impact it will have on you and your life.

The truth is, it doesn’t take much effort to “be proud” of a person.  My mission every day is to make a difference in the lives of others – so I am always on the look out for people —young and old, rich and poor—who rarely, if ever, experience the satisfaction and joy of having another person express gratitude and amazement at the life they are leading.  The inspiration provided by the word PROUD can’t be measured.

If no one has told you, let me be the first to say “I am proud of you. I am proud for you. I am proud of the person you have become and of who you are becoming. I am proud of the difference you are making in this world, for this world, and for the people of this world.”

#3: IMAGINE

This word has no limits attached to it.  Its power exists in the four dimensions—height, width, depth, and time.  When you embrace this word, you can take “nothing” and turn it into “something.”  This word provides the greatest degree of hope and control.

While YET is an adverb encouraging patience with one’s progress and PROUD is an adjective that acknowledges what one has already done or become…IMAGINE is an action verb….

Imagine describes an action you can (and must) choose to engage in.  Think about it, everything ever invented was first imagined by someone.  Everything from products to recipes were first pictured in someone’s mind before they became useful, sealable, and edible items.

One of my favorite books by Andy Andrews is the Butterfly Effect.  It is about an original thought or action by the first person sparking a series of increasingly inspirational thoughts in other people, which becomes a rising tide of opportunity throughout the world.

I want you to know whatever you wish to accomplish, you must first imagine. And whatever you imagine, you can do.  Powerful stuff!

Or maybe there is someone you wish to inspire, take a few minutes to imagine with them.  Prompt them to imagine what their life will be like when they find “the answer.”  Have them walk through and imagine the ripple effect it will have in the world.

These three words have made an impact on my life.  It has helped me to imagine the difference each of you can make in the lives of others. And as a result, I want you to know in advance how proud of you I already am.  Then know your very best—is yet to come!

Have  a ThirtyOne-derful day!