Being Bridget

Winter Escape – Swim

1 // 2 // 3 {top, bottom} // 4 {top, bottom} // 5 {top, bottom} // 6 // 7 {top, bottom} // 8 {top, bottom} // 9 // 10 {top, bottom} // 11 {top, bottom} // 12 // 13 {top, bottom} // 14 // 15 // 16 {top, bottom} // 17 // 18 {top, bottom} // 19 {top, bottom}

Spring feels like it’s just around the corner, and despite the fact that many of us are still dealing with freezing temperatures outside, I have, nonetheless, decided to round up a few of my favorite swimsuits that have recently hit the interwebs.  What can I say – Spring Break and future summer travels are on my mind! You might think that it’s silly to buy swim when it’s still cold outside, but from experience I have seen the good suits go quickly and they oftentimes do *not* get restocked! So buy up now if you love! Let’s dig into my favorites below 🙂

#1 & #18 are so funky and fun – these remind me of my favorite swimsuit from last year which my husband dubbed my ‘Picasso’ suit! 🙂 I love how playful the patterns are.

I own #4 in a different color and it’s one of my favorite suits from last year. The fit is so flattering, and the grosgrain ribbon detail adds the perfect touch. I also love the white version.

I can’t get over the color of #10 – this pale green would look so beautiful on any skin type making it #1 on my wishlist! I also love this suit that is similar in color but didn’t make the collage!

#17 reminds me a lot of a more expensive suit I’ve had my eye on for a while. The tied waist is so flattering and I love the simple + elegant cut.

#6, #13, & #15 – i resisted the animal print trend for so long and I’m honestly not sure why. I think it looks good on everyone and these suits are playful without being too sexy {something leopard can easily do} If these are all out of your budget, check out this option {bottoms}. So in love with the fit + style and you can’t beat that price.

Do you have any fun travel plans coming up that require a swimsuit? What are they? Let me know in the comments so I can live vicariously through you!

Travel Outfit

Jacket: Orolay Women’s Down Jacket {size S} // Sweater: Halogen Crewneck Cashmere sweater {under $60!} // Jeans: Mother Ankle Stripe Jeans {also here} // Shoes: Golden Goose, sold out {similar here} // Suitcase: Away ‘The Bigger’ Carry On // Carry On Tote: Barrington Gifts // Sunglasses: Celine

As y’all probably know, I travel a lot. Whether it is domestic, or international, my travel uniform is always a slight variation of the same thing: comfortable jeans, sweater, sneaks and whatever jacket or coat I can’ fit into my bag. I’m always cold, and because the temperature on a plane can be unpredictable {I once heard it referred to as ‘temperature roulette’} I dress for the unexpected. I often layer a t-shirt under my sweater in case it gets too hot, and pack a pair of socks for my bare ankles in case it gets too cold. You just never really know what you are going to encounter!

See below for the simple guidelines I follow every time I fly!

  • A t-shirt – One that’s soft, well-made, and loose fitting. These are my favorite.
  • A sweater – To layer on top in case it gets cold
  • A jacket, coat or scarf — If I’m heading someplace warm, I usually just bring a scarf + the sweater. But if not, and I’m heading someplace cold, I wear whatever jacket or coat I want so it doesn’t take up room in my suitcase.
  • Pants with a stretch – I always choose my most comfortable jeans when flying. I like the ones with elastin in them so I can bend my knees up or stretch out in comfort without feeling too constricted. AG makes my favorite jeans for this.
  • Comfortable Shoes — I’ve had to run through an airport one too many times, so I always wear some sort of sneaker or tennis shoe to get me through those long travel days. Shoes that are comfortable are key, but being stylish doesn’t hurt either!My favorites are  these from Frye, my Golden Goose, and the of course, you can never go wrong with a classic pair of white Converse.

Extras!

  • Loose fitting lounge pants – if it’s a long haul flight {6+ hours} I always change out of my jeans and into a pair of loose fitting lounge pants. These are my absolute favorites. There is nothing worse than trying to sleep in jeans!
  • Socks – As I mentioned before, I like to bring a pair of socks on board with me to keep my ankles + legs warm should the plane be cold. I have recently gotten in compression socks which help reduce swelling and promote good blood flow. Pro tip: buy them in a fun color or pattern so they don’t get lost in your sock drawer! Makes it easier when it comes to packing.

Ok there you have it! What are your favorite items to wear when traveling? Are you always hot? Always cold? Let me know in the comments!

photos: MAS Photography

 

New Years Resolution

Sweatshirt: Alo Heat Up Sweatshirt // Leggings: Alo Airbrush High Waisted Leggings // Sneakers: Old, similar here & here // Sunglasses: Celine // Bag: Goyard // Earrings: Exact here

Well, I know I’m about a month late on my resolutions but there’s no time like the present, right? I have several New Years resolutions, but the main one is to get moving again every single day. At least a little bit! I used to work out  ~3x a week and in the last year that has fallen to zip, zero, nada. More on why later, but what’s important is that I am really looking forward to getting back into a good fitness routine. In a lot of ways I’m intimidated by going back to classes – I know I wont be as strong, or as fast as I used to be, but I do know that once I get back into the swing of things I will be so glad that I just started! Why is just starting the hardest part?

With that being said, there is nothing to motivate me to get moving more than new workout clothes. Thankfully Nordstrom has an incredible selection of athleisure and with their free ship/free returns policy I was able to order multiple sizes online to try on at home without any stress. How amazing is this shearling lined hoodie by Alo Yoga? The color is creamy perfection and at 5’10, I love that it’s still long enough to cover my derrière. I also love that Alo didn’t line the sleeves with shearling so they aren’t as bulky and you won’t overheat as easily. I paired it with these high waisted leggings in the most beautiful shade of turquoise which has me totally itching for Spring in a major way! Dallas, please warm up!

How do you get motivated for your workouts after a long absence? Is it new clothes? New tools? Maybe a new workout altogether? Also, what are your favorite workouts to do? Mine are Pilates and Tread Barre, but have recently decided to try yoga with my husband in the mornings! Let me know in the comments! 🙂

photos: MAS Photography

thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post!

Long Haul Flight Travel Tips

I wouldn’t say I’m a travel expert by any means, but I have been on ~20 long haul flights in the last 3 years, so I feel like I have almost gotten my prep down to a perfect science. Long haul flights are exhausting – we are often cramped into tiny seats, for hours and hours at a time, trying to get a decent amount of rest, but we all know how hard that is. There are so many factors that are out of our control, so I like to do as much in advance as possible to atleast make the things I can control more enjoyable. My top tips & tricks are below!

SLEEP

Buy & bring an Ostrich pillow – We all know that sleeping on a plane can be difficult, but with it’s super soft jersey material, and bead-like interior, the Ostrich Pillow makes it so much easier.  This O shaped travel pillow lays on top of your eyes and ears, blocking out sound and light, and acts as a rest for the head. I first discovered it’s magic a few years ago when my {now} husband had a medical emergency when travelling. My {now} sister-in-law, Katelyn, had an Ostrich pillow with her and let me borrow it when it became clear I would have to spend the night at the hospital in a chair – It blocked out the beeping machines, the lights from other patients and made my awkward angles comfortable enough for me to get a few hours rest. Ever since that moment, I have sworn by this travel accessory, making it my #1 must-have. More recently, I have discovered the brands newer item – this neck support pillow which I only bring on long haul flights because it is such a pain to carry around {it’s much more bulky than it’s sister product!} But y’all, as much as I hate carrying this product through the airports, it makes sleeping so much more pleasant when on the plane. AKA it’s 1000% worth it.  It’s also covered in the same soft jersey material as its sister, but instead of having a soft beaded interior, this pillow is made of a more stiff insert that gives your neck the support it needs. This past Christmas, when flying to Switzerland, I had a middle seat in the middle row {literally the worst of the worst} and had it not been for this little guy, I wouldn’t have slept at all!

Don’t forget an eye mask – If you have the ostrich pillow already, then you don’t necessarily need an eye mask, but I always travel with one anyway in case I need it post travel days. For example, sometimes my husband stays awake longer than I do, or the windows in the hotels don’t have sufficient black out shades,  so I find it really convienient to have this eye mask on hand. It takes up zero space in my carry on tote, and because I love the way the soft silk feels on my eyes I will often layer it under the ostrich pillow when traveling too {why not?!} Pro tip: even though they aren’t as pretty, buy the navy or black silk – the lighter colors are prettier, but will show make up and dirt.

Bring your own sleep aid – If you have trouble falling asleep while flying, I can’t recommend Melatonin enough. This herbal remedy is sure to help ease the toughest of sleepers into a soundful slumber. I’m sensitive to medicine, so I use this brand which is safe for children {and only 1mg}, but if you’re less sensitive, Vitafusion has 3mg per gummy and will certainly do the trick. It also comes in pill form if gummies aren’t your thing.

COMFORT/EASE

Change into sweatpants – My parents grew up during the golden age of travel – a time when flying was not only luxurious but also something to get dressed up for. Forget the destination! Flying was the event. Fast forward 30+ years, and flying has become a lot more relaxed, and although I don’t wear my ‘Sunday best’ when I travel, I do think my parents instilled in me to always look somewhat put together. There is the age old saying of ‘you never know who you are going to run into’ and I honestly couldn’t agree more. I know I would be mortified if I saw someone I knew and I looked like a total slob while walking through the airport. Long haul flight or not, save the sweatpants for your seat. Speaking of which…as soon as I’m on the plane and settled into my seat, I privately change into these sweatpants. I don’t like to wear clothes that restrict me or dig into my skin and these sweatpants will keep me as comfortable as possible when trying to sleep. I love these particular sweatpants because they are warm without making me hot and they roll up into a small enough ball that they don’t take up a ton of room in my carry-on tote. 30 minutes before landing, I change back into my jeans and am ready to face the world again.

Pack an oversized scarf {this one comes in four different colors} – The temperature on a plane is unpredictable, so I always pack a scarf to have as a layer incase I get cold. It’s lighter than a full-on sweater, but gives you that extra coverage if your t-shirt isn’t enough. My Favorites are these ones from Shopbop.

Pack a pair of long socks – There is nothing worse than being too cold on a flight, and for me, that starts with my feet. If my feet are cold, then so is the rest of me! I can’t stand bare ankles when flying, so I always pack a tall sock. These are my favorite {because they’re thin but keep you warm} but any brand will do. Bonus points if they are compression socks!

PACK YOUR OWN ACCESSORIES

Bring your own pair of earphones – Unless you’re flying first class or business, you don’t want to rely on the earphones handed out to you for free by the airline. They’re often broken and/or inefficient and can make your ears hurt if you use them for long periods of time. I always pack my own set, and for that there is no better option than the AirPod Pros. I swear by these! I even own multiple pairs because I use them so frequently.

Never lose a charge – Travel days are often long and when I’m abroad, things tend to take a little longer to load on my phone, which then in turn drains my battery quicker than I’m used to. This portable charger has been my favorite for the last year or so because of its compact size and ability to charge my phone from dead to full 2x over before recharging. I also love its compact size – it doesn’t take up a ton of room and it isn’t massively heavy {something I definitely couldn’t say about the Anker}. You never want to be stuck in a situation where you need your phone, and it’s dead, so this little guy is the perfect security blanket.

Buy your own water/bring your own snacks – before you board the plane, buy yourself a large bottle of water. They will serve beverages throughout the flight, but its nice to have your own so you can fall asleep without having to worry about knocking over your cup of water, or missing the service altogether. Also, I always pack a few of these Kind bars – I hate feeling hungry on a flight because there is nothing you can do but wait for the next meal handout. These are my favorite because they’re filling and delicious!

Bring your own entertainment – there is nothing worse than getting onto a flight and realizing that you forgot your book or that your TV doesn’t work. I always have a plethora of podcasts and tv shows downloaded in advance so I can pass the time easily and/or have something to fall asleep to! I also love a good book, so bringing one or two of those is always a smart idea if you have the space in your carry on. Right now I’m listening to Dr. Death – a podcast about a corrupt doctor in Dallas, and currently downloading ‘You‘ on the Netflix app which I’ve heard is equal parts creepy and addicting.

STAY HYDRATED

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate – It shouldn’t be surprising that airplanes dry you out – The humidity level in the cabins of most commercial airlines is just 10 percent to 20 percent {sometimes even lower!} For reference, the average humidity for a room in your house is anywhere from 30 to 65 percent. Because of this, I apply a layer of serum and moisturizer as soon as I step foot on the plane to give my skin a heads start on hydration. I also try to drink as much water as possible. This will do wonders for not only your skin, but for your jet lag as well. Last but not least, I love to pack these cooling eye gels to help fight the puffiness I know I’ll be feeling when I land. They are slick on one side, cotton on the other, so they don’t slide down your face, or leave a slimy mess on your face. Plus they feel like they’ve been cooling in a refrigerator even when they haven’t! In case you’re wondering – I always pack a few of my most essential beauty items in my carry on when traveling in case my checked bag gets lost.

Do not wear mascara – Have you ever fallen asleep with mascara on? It’s the worst. Your eyes ache, and they look all puffy, and often times dry, crumbling mascara will be cascading down your cheeks. I typically go to the airport without make up on, but if thats not your thing, then remove it as soon as you step foot on the plane. Go to the little bathroom and use a make up remover to take it off, and then follow with your most hydrating serum and moisturizer.

Hand sanitizer/wipes – hardly need to explain this one. Planes are so. dang. dirty. Wipe down your seat once you get on the plane, and then use hand sanitizer after using the restroom {even after washing your hands}. I don’t do these things every time I travel, but if it’s cold & flu season, and I’m trapped on a plane for 8+ hours you can bet your bottom dollar that I do!

Brush/toothbrush toothpaste – Fall asleep or not, everyone should brush their teeth before getting off a long flight. I always keep my toothbrush and travel paste handy and when I go to the restroom to change out of my sweatpants back into my jeans, I always brush my teeth. You will feel so much better once you do, and it will wake you up a bit too!

Last but not least, if you are checking a bag, put atleast one change of clothes and underwear + anything you couldn’t live without in your carry on should your bag get lost. International airports are a zoo and I can’t tell you how many times my checked back has gotten lost. It always shows up a day or two later, but I have definitely learned my lesson. Also, last but not least, NEVER check your jewelry or any electronics. Or really anything of value! Always bring those with you on the plane. 

Well, there you go! Those are my tried & true tricks for guaranteeing the most successful long haul flying experience. I hope you found those helpful, and if you have anything to add please leave a comment below!

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