Seamless Blog by Burgundy Fox — tips

We’ve all been there: do all you can to diet and overexert your body in grueling workouts to tighten up or drop a few pounds before vacation. Once you're there, you are so excited the diet is over, you go crazy!

When the day before you might be ending a juice cleanse, and the next you're overloading with pasta, margs and desserts. This brings our bodies into a state of shock, potentially leading to more bloating and diminishing all the hard work you did to prep! Thankfully, it’s totally possible to stay fit and healthy with tons of energy on vacay.

1. Stay Hydrated

Each morning aim to drink at least 12-24 oz of water. Do this before coffee (which we love, but is also a dehydrating diuretic) and before you eat breakfast. Water will aid with digestion and toxins, increasing your metabolism and reinforcing your natural electrolyte energy (hello, sodium and potassium). H2O also depresses bloating and will keep you more full throughout the day. Did you know that a common misconception for both exhaustion and hunger is dehydration? So before thinking you need another snack or espresso, down a bottle of water then see how you feel.

2. Move It and Groove It

Just because it’s finally time to relax, doesn’t mean it’s time to stop moving! Find adventures and take advantage of your healthy body while exploring! Make it a fun way to see even more of your destination: stretch out any post-plane tension with a yoga class, swim in the ocean, take a walking tour instead of a bus tour. Go for a morning run in your temporary hood and sweat it all out by dancing the night away.  

3. Appreciate the Local Food

Up your culture cool by eating like a local. Try their poke bowls, chicken pad thai, duck confit or classic margherita pizza. Eat and appreciate as locals do without the need to go overboard. Aim for greens each day, and protein with at least two meals of the day (eggs, fish, chicken, beans, tofu, etc). Notice the differences in how the food is prepared. Challenge yourself to mindfully awaken your senses to the spices, textures and flavors of cultural foods.  

4. Use Digestive Enzymes

74% of Americans suffer some sort of digestive issue, and this usually doesn’t get better while on vacations. Whether we pick up a bout of food poisoning, taking digestive enzymes with your meals are a sure way to keep things moving and help your food absorb. I highly recommend the brand Digest Gold. Take the supplement with lunch and dinner to ensure proper digestion and avoid inconvenient tummy troubles.

5. Have Gratitude

Vacation releases that feel-good dopamine and indulging while on vacation is nothing short of a double whammy. Order you want and take a silent moment to appreciate what you’re about to enjoy. Eat slowly and savor.

About the Author:

Natalie Holbrook is a wellness expert. You can follow her on Instagram at @Livinggypset.

Traveling can be stressful. One of the dreaded parts is answering the big question: “What to wear? What to pack?”

Easy does it. Know that you are not alone. I’ve experienced the same anxiety-ridden moment when calculating how I can fit my entire closet in my carry on.

Over the years, I’ve developed a few style tips that have helped me navigate the terrain of packing. Bah-bye stress! These are tips that anyone can utilize no matter where you live or your fashion budget. Off we go!

Double duty wears

Styles that can navigate both worlds (casual and dressy) will give you options and award you the freedom of packing fewer items. THINK: A dress that can be worn with your favorite sneakers for an easy day look or dressed up with your block heel and some red lips. A slip dress, cap sleeve lace dress or shift dress are all great styles that can be used for this purpose. A silk blouse or shell can be worn with a pair of denim shorts or dressed up later with dark skinny jeans.

A lightweight jacket

If you’re anything like me I get cold just by saying the word cold. This means having a handy jacket that you can wear for those finicky airport temperatures (hello hot, cold, hot, cold) and for those cooler nights if needed. A denim jacket, a leather jacket or silk bomber are just a few styles that you can pair with many looks.

Denim rules

A great fitting pair of denim can be thrown on for easy day wear or paired with kitten heel for a cool and simple evening look. I suggest bringing a dark wash denim and a light wash distressed denim.

Heels please

Nothing changes the look of an outfit like a pair of sleek and polished heels. Amen to that! Whether it’s a kitten heel, boss lady pumps or a fun block heel style. Having one of these in your carry on arsenal will allow you to style up any dress, denim or skirt look you have.

Happy traveling my beautiful peeps and remember to keep it simple, show up as you are and of course enjoy the ride.

About the Author:

You can learn more and contact Laura at www.lauratully.co. She’ll be sharing style tips regularly on the Burgundy Fox blog and you can follow all her fashionable adventures on Instagram at @lauratully.co.

The Vacation Proclamation

Hear Ye, Hear Ye… it is about time you took that trip and blissed out in some glorious and much deserved you time! Whether that means an adventure with the girls, your significant other, family or a solo journey, congratulations on giving yourself the time to do what life is all about: ENJOYMENT! To prep for a holiday to remember, we’ve got 3 tips to do pre-vacay to keep you feeling and looking your healthiest:

The Pre-Party

Sweat!

They say the best things in life make you sweaty, ain’t that the truth! Plus, there’s way more benefits to exercise than dropping a few lbs or tightening up. Sweating will not only detoxify and clear your organs, including your largest one, ahem, your skin, it will also help you to be more focused. It could be anything: running, weight-lifting, spin class, barre, whatever your forte. Just try to sweat once a day for one full week before your trip.

Detox Pre-Retox!

One of the best things about vacation is the food and drinks you’ll delightfully and guiltlessly indulge. To enjoy and still feel fantastic with absolutely no regrets, make sure your body is a clean slate prior to the trip. I recommend Dandelion Root Oil. The root of flower has been used in Korea, Mexico to detoxify the liver, improve digestion, strengthen your immune system and maintain blood sugar levels.I recommend adding 2-3 drops to full to a liter of water.

Also try out Lemon Oil. I suggest lemon oil vs. the actual lemon, because it is highly concentrated, and the pressed oil includes the peel, which includes more potent benefits. This will help your body eliminate toxins, add brightness to your complexion and even lift your mood. How do you think Queen Bey looks so fierce and called her album Lemonade? Add 1-3 drops into a liter of water for one week.

Hydrate!  

You remember that your body is made of 65% water, right? But what does that actually mean and why do we need to drink so much of it? Water builds your cells, metabolizes your food, regulates your internal body temperature, insulates your brain, spinal cord and organs and lubricates joints. If we get to just a 1% dehydration level, our mental and physical coordination becomes off balance. It’s important to stay as hydrated as possible before we gear up for a big event, and drinking water can be easy. You can follow her on Instagram at @Livinggypset.

Get a one-liter water bottle (I slurp my daily liters up with a bottle that has a built in straw like this) and aim for three liters per day. Add in fruits and veggies that are water based: greens like spinach, arugula and celery, and benefit glowing skin and improved joints with watermelons and cucumbers.  

*Bonus tip: Avoid alcohol for a few weeks leading up to your trip to remove bloat, have a clearer mind, increased productivity and all around healthier, happier you!

About the Author:

Natalie Holbrook is a health and wellness contributor for Burgundy Fox. She has a background in nutrition and on her way to becoming a health coach. She is a trained reiki healing practitioner and is undergoing her 200 hour yoga teacher training where she resides in San Francisco, California. Her lifelong passion has been to help others thrive by finding their authentic selves through practiced intuition and healthy living. Look out for her wellness retreats coming at the end of 2017! You can follow her on Instagram at @Livinggypset.

1. Know Your Exchange Rates

When you are starting to plan your trip, you typically start by setting a budget. And if you don’t — well, you probably should. However, with your budget, you must consider the current exchange rate. Depending on where you travel in Europe, the US Dollar may be stronger — or — more frequently, weaker than the foreign currency of the country you are traveling to. Therefore, you must budget according to what your trip will cost you in US Dollars + the exchange rate.

For example: Many European countries are on the Euro. This includes Spain, France, Belgium, Germany and Italy to name a few. The exchange rate is currently 1.15. This means that $1.15 USD is equal to 1 Euro. So if you plan to have a spending budget of $500 — that means spending €435

2. Get Cash

When you prepare to travel, the best and most cost efficient way to get local currency is by pulling from your ATM card. Even if there is an ATM withdrawal fee, it will still be better than exchanging your money at an airport or other exchange depot. By doing this, you get your monies at the official exchange rate.

Bet you're thinking: "There isn’t a 'fee' when I exchange at the airport.”

This is a common misconception. When you exchange cash at an airport, although it may be true that there is no “fee," it’s because they charge a service fee within the exchange rate. The official exchange rate may be 0.87, however, when you exchange at airports, they add another 8% on average. That means that the “new” exchange rate is 0.79 not 0.87, as we thought. So…even though it “looks” like there is no fee, you are most definitely paying more.

3. VAT tax

What is this VAT tax thingy? This is value-added tax. In a nutshell, some countries have this tax already included on everything you buy. Like a generic tax that is built into all items. It is a tax based on where you are going.

But hey, great news: when you purchase big ticket items overseas in a VAT tax country, you can actually reclaim that before you leave. Some stores will allow you to claim it immediately. Please note: you must carry your passport with you in order to qualify for it. And just because they give you the credit at the store, doesn’t mean that you can fly home scott-free. You still have to fill out and send the minimal paperwork, otherwise, your credit card will end up being charged that VAT tax.

For example, when traveling to the UK, they have a VAT tax of 20%. That means that for every $100 US Dollars that you spend on items there, you can get $17 back!! So when you are looking at a price tag that says 77£ — what it really means to you, is 64£. BUT you have to be willing to fill out and send the paperwork. If you plan on buying some really cool stuff and spending a fair amount of money, it is totally worth getting your VAT tax refund when you hit the airport.

Here is a chart to help you understand.

*calculations rounded to nearest dollar

I hope that these three money tips will help you with planning your European Adventure. Have fun!

About the Author:

Colleen Bies is a photographer, storyteller and traveler who founded Capture Life Moments. Follow her on Instagram @capturelifemoments.

We feel the moment when it happens. That "I love myself" reaction when you're wearing an outfit that makes you do the happy dance. It's one of those moments that I encourage my clients to replicate in every outfit that they wear.

Yes! Your wardrobe can make you feel all that and then some. Style is about self expression and can release a serious dose of happy when you love what you wear. So here's a few tips for major joy when it comes to getting dressed

1. Your Mama as been trying to tell you this all your life…Your awesome starts from the INSIDE

Buying a new item will make you feel amazing...temporarily. However, I want the “I feel great about who I am” to last beyond the purchase. This starts with acknowledging all that you love about yourself and allowing those to override the things that we aren’t so crazy about. It’s real life, we’re not perfect and that’s okay. That’s the beauty of it all. You get to bring you and all that makes you special, unique and different. The styles you choose are anchored by your self confidence and your “I love who I am, just as I am.” This is powerful because you are dictating what you put on your body with a mindfulness that is all yours.

2. It’s ALL FOR YOU

So much about style is dictated to us. Ugh! No more. I want you to wear what makes you feel your most awesome self. If that's all black...rock it. If that’s mixing prints, get it girl!! We have this idea that in order to be more of who we are (especially when it comes to style) we must look like each other. Style isn’t about duplicating. Fashion is about inspiration and ownership.

3. Celebrate the LOVES

We all have parts of our body that we love. Great shoulders, long legs, toned arms, curves for days, full breasts, stacked booty…I could go on. The point is to celebrate those areas that we love. A slip dress can show off those great arms and a high waisted denim can show off that waist and those curves.

4. Don’t forget the FUN!

Adding a dose of fun and play makes the process less serious, takes out the "ugh" and makes it all less about perfection. For example, these silver loafers with a leather tassel tie. They bring fun and a bit of edge to a sweet dress. Play with accessories and don’t overthink it. My go-to is usually simple makeup with a pop of red on my lips. It never fails.

About the Author:

You can learn more and contact Laura at www.lauratully.co. She'll be sharing style tips regularly on the Burgundy Fox blog and you can follow all her fashionable adventures on Instagram at @lauratully.co.

Everyone knows that planning a wedding is stressful, from selecting the venue to deciding whether or not to hire a calligrapher for the invitations. As a former bride-to-be, I diligently managed the planning process until it came to bridal lingerie.

Before my wedding, the only thing I knew about lingerie was Victoria’s Secret. Every time I stepped into the store, I felt a wave of intimidation and overwhelm as the Victoria’s Secret Angels stared down at me from gigantic posters on the walls. So I pushed bridal lingerie to the bottom of the wedding to-do list and focused on other things.

As the big day got closer, it came bubbling back to the top. My bridal shower was a collection of the women closest to me: my mother, fiancés mother, aunts, bridesmaids and childhood friends. After an endless brunch buffet and mimosas, it was time to open gifts. From cookbooks to cheese plates, I received just about everything, even lingerie. Here’s the problem, some of the lingerie pieces were NOT my style. From a turquoise and rhinestone bra and panty set to a leopard print push-up bra, some of my generous aunties didn’t quite get my style or size. This is when I knew, I had to take matters into my own hands.

Below are three rules I followed to help me find the perfect pieces...

Rule Number 1: Create a budget

Lingerie can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be! Create a budget that makes sense for your wallet. Remember to look for pieces that you can wear over and over again and not just for the wedding or honeymoon. Try a nightie or a romper, which you could wear to sleep after the wedding and could even double as a pool cover-up (no one will know!)

Rule Number 2: Bridal lingerie isn’t only for your partner

Nothing looks sexier than confidence. When you’re trying on items, don’t worry if your partner will find it sexy. Whatever you feel comfortable in, your partner will find sexy. Lingerie doesn’t need to be extravagant in order to be sexy, it can be as simple as a sheer full-length nightgown or a matching bra and panty set. If it makes you say, “damn girl!” when you look in the mirror, your partner will echo that sentiment!

Rule 3: Bring in friendly reinforcements

I’m lucky to have amazing friends who thoughtfully brought me to a boutique to try on pieces. They made the experience fun, silly and enjoyable. Sometimes you need someone who will bring out of your comfort zone to show you just how awesome you are.

Since purchasing lingerie for my wedding, I’ve become slightly obsessed with it, which made joining Burgundy Fox a no brainer! I feel so good slipping into a silk nightgown as I settle into bed. I love wearing a sexy two piece underneath my work clothes. Lingerie should be fun, empowering, and confident building. That’s why Burgundy Fox is the perfect solution. We should no longer accept a world that tells you to be different from who you are! Burgundy Fox embraces you by sending curated pieces that fit your exact specifications – both in style and size!

About the Author:

Alexis Jenkins is a co-founder and the Head of Product for Burgundy Fox. Over the past five years, she has built a reputation in building a solid and scalable customer experience for companies. As the seventh person to join HoneyBook, she helped to build an award-winning company culture and a reputable customer experience. At Burgundy Fox, her mission is to build a community with diverse, confident and empowered women. Currently, she resides in New York City with her husband.

It wasn’t until I found myself dancing on an oceanside dock while wearing a pink feather boa that it really hit me: my big sister is getting married.

The distance between my older sister and me is not only geographical (she’s on the east coast, I’m in the midwest), but also generational. My young self was born while she was conquering elementary school. This woman has always been a step ahead in life, and now here I am priming myself for the day she steps down the aisle.

When the planning, bachelorette weekend and wedding day are all about your sibling, how do you find purpose? This has been the biggest battle (second to endless consultations with the tailor) for me ever since I knew I’d be a bridesmaid. A sibling getting married has an inherent quality that’s much heavier than any other person: you have shared parents, childhood, school and dogs with this person.

Despite knowing her my entire life, I feel an overwhelming need to convince the audience at my sister’s wedding that I do in fact, know her very well. In the age when our family FaceTimes on the weekends and pets our dog remotely, it’s difficult to say she and I have shared a lot of memories as adults. The people attending this wedding will know my sister as an adult, whereas my perspective is rooted in American Girl Dolls, popcorn and ballet classes after school.

I’m imagining a membrane, and on one side are the guests who attend weddings to be pleased, expecting there to be no rain and the open bar to never close. On the other side are the guests who provide meaning to the event. This side is where a wedding can be a growth experience. Guests reevaluate themselves through their relationships, other guests and the couple. This space is my destination.

Getting to that point of sensitivity has not been easy, but here are a few ways to celebrate your sibling:

1. Have a guestbook printed for the couple, featuring photos of them and creative writing prompts for attendees to answer during the event. For example, “In 25 years, (insert names) will be…”
2. Allow your sibling to describe their ideal wedding day to you. This way you clearly understand their expectations.
3. Curate a getting ready playlist for your sibling. This extra effort will make them feel appreciated and excited.
4. Do what you know. Use the talents you already have to make the couple feel special. For example, if you can sing, then do so at the rehearsal dinner or if you really like fashion, give them a special gift.
5. Toasts can feel daunting and vulnerable, but it’s important to show rather than tell why you care about the couple. Don’t take up time apologizing for your bad speech, which is a common habit. Rather, share an anecdote with your sibling and their spouse, funny or sad, that reflects your relationship with them.

I’m becoming increasingly aware of how steps like these can provide success and happiness of another person. I have a lot of energy that is propelling me toward that special space on the other side of the membrane.

This membrane is permeable. Toasting and holding bouquets is easier to make meaningful when it’s also fun. For all siblings of brides and grooms, younger and older, the wedding day can be your moment too. If you make your sibling shine, so will you. Abandoning self-consciousness, be thankful for the day and perhaps wear a boa.

About the Author

Nicole Fallert was a past digital marketing intern at Burgundy Fox. Follow her on social media @nflrt6789.

With warmer temperatures come invites to summer weddings. I love weddings. I do a little happy dance whenever a save the date appears in my mailbox. I drag the hubby or a girlfriend and get ready to rock the dance floor.

However, we must answer a big question before the dancing commences:

What to wear to these summer weddings, especially the ones outdoors?

Don’t you fret. I’ve got your back. Here are 5 tips for choosing the perfect dress to wear to a summertime wedding so that you keep your cool.

1. Pick The Right Fabric

I try to wear fabrics that breath and don't cling too much to my body. If you’re suddenly seated in an area that’s sun filled and hot you’re ready for it. I tend to stay away from 100% silk because I’ve experienced the dreaded sweat stain that waves all the class you had bah-bye. My go to fabrics are: cotton, linen/ cotton blend, lace, viscose, modal, silk blend and even a light weight polyester blend. This little lace number is playful and the contrast collar adds a polished detail.

2. Keep it breezy

I’ve found that if the dress has an airy feel it’s like natural air conditioning. Awww!! I tend to look for styles that allow me to keep my cool without sacrificing the dressier look needed for a wedding. I love lace, eyelet, silk chiffon, seersucker and swiss dot. I also tend to go with a shorter styles that allow me to move easily (hello dance floor) and keep classy all the way the home.

3. Wear shoes meant for walking and dancing

Grass and heels do not get along, so I recommend rocking a style that allows you to maneuver any type of outdoor terrain. You cannot go wrong with a block heel, wedge, sandals or fun flats like the ones I’m wearing. We all know how much happier we are when our feet are indeed happy feet!

4. Keep it simple

Yes, we know this, but we can’t help but overthink and make it more complicated than it needs to be (guilty). Since I’ve learned my lesson, I’ll pass it on to you so you can avoid the hassle. Keep the style simple and easy. You’re at this wedding to celebrate (hopefully) someone you really care about and be a part of a very important day in their lives. Show up, be yourself and have fun.

5. Include Pretty Little details  

When the temperature rises we want to wear as little as possible so accessorizing can be our savior! When it comes to glamming up simple styles, a cool textured clutch or fun earrings are great ways to add fun to any outfit. I’m currently obsessed with this style in gold. Even the way they move makes me feel breezy.

About the Author

Learn more about and contact Laura at www.lauratully.co. She'll be sharing style tips regularly here on the Burgundy Fox blog and you can follow all her stylish adventures on Instagram at @ lauratully.com.   

Until now, I’ve never had the luxury of getting a ton of things done and not speaking with a single human all day. As an eCommerce entrepreneur, I can spend 90% of my work day without live human interaction, just communicating via email and social networks. I reference this luxury like the time I ate a pound of jello, you can have too much of a good thing (I was 15).

Before this, I worked for a startup with a winning office culture and all the accoutrements: organic gummy snacks, nerf guns, fishbowl meeting rooms, whiteboards galore and communal desks. This environment worked well for certain interactions and personality types, but I often found myself craving solitude and worse, felt like I couldn’t focus enough to be as productive as I needed to be.

I’m 40% introvert and 60% extrovert, so I consider myself an ambivert and experience different struggles dealing with both types of environments, how I work through information best and how I maintain a productive energy level. See if you’re an ambivert. Having been on both sides of the grass, I can some offer 3 tips avoiding energy slumps as an extroverted solopreneur, and productivity dumps as an introverted creative.

Avoiding energy slumps when you’re hustling from home

Put on a podcast

I love podcasts, because they give me the feeling as if someone is working along side me, teaching and cheering me on at the same time. I actively discipline myself from multi-tasking when I’m working, so I only listen to podcasts when I’m doing work that is more passive for me–cleaning up my inbox, sending simple replies, designing graphics, Instagram curating, etc. Here are list of the 5 I’m listening to right now:

• Reid Hoffman’s Master of Scale
• The Creative Empire Podcast
• Project Entrepreneur’s #TheTools
• Gary Vee’s Audio Experience
• Optimal Living Daily

Get some face time

When it’s 3pm and you can’t believe you haven’t left the house all day but still have more to get done, this is a great caffeine-free pick-me-up. Call a friend that you feel comfortable having a quick conversation with, best friends and industry friends are my go-tos, and switch up a phone call for some good ol’ fashioned Facetime. I host mastermind and advisor calls by Facetime or Google Hangouts as much as I can.

Jump around

Okay, you don’t have to jump, but I’ve found that moving fresh oxygenated blood through my body is the best mental reset, especially when I’ve worked alone all day. Scheduling 20-30 minutes of movement a day is ideal, but if you can’t that day–take some deep breaths and stretch wherever you are. My favorite stretch is called the ‘ragdoll’. It’s exactly how it sounds. Stand with your feet hips width apart, knees bent as much as you need, and bend at the waist towards your feet. Let your head hang loose and hold onto the opposite elbow. Remember to take a few slow, deep breaths through your nose, then roll up slowly, all the way back up. Your face will be red and your hair out of place, but it’s great way to get energy without caffeine, and maybe a good time to apply some dry shampoo, too.

Avoiding productivity dumps in a busy work environment

Claim your space

Don’t work against your natural tendency, listen to it. If you’re feeling like you need to retreat and find a certain space that makes you most productive, do that. I always admired a colleague who went to the same spot every day, when she need to crank out work, this was her productive spot. We are creatures of habit, and if you have a place you can revisit which signals ‘work’, your mind will reliably follow suit. The same goes with time. If you need uninterrupted time, carve it out on your calendar, and let others know you’re unavailable. To create space, you must draw some lines.

Break routine

Regardless of personality type, having one day to break routine, can make a big difference. especially when you are normally surrounded by people and interruptions. Giving your team one day allows for independent space to cross items off lists and can give introverts a day to recharge their battery. If you’re working solo and need more activity, I’d recommend one designated day a week to work from a coffee shop, a co-working space, a friend’s studio, or even a hotel lobby. Simply observing new people and behaviors can provide creative inspiration and allow you to be more productive, not just busy.

Get a buddy

This might sound contrary, but finding one good co-working buddy can focus you more and allow work to flow easier. I find it helpful to get a high level understanding of the tasks each of you want to accomplish during this work session and how much concentration is required, before agreeing to co-work. A good co-working buddy will fill in the gaps when you want to take a break or have someone to ideate with.  

Lastly, a big key to managing your energy effectively depends on the people you surround yourself with. Know your team-your employees, contractors, office mates and collaboration partners. Knowing my colleague’s Myers Briggs personality types and common characteristics, allows me to approach situations more prepared with what to expect. Analyze your traits here! If you have a team, you’ll want to have a good sense of people’s work styles to help you understand when and why they need alone time, how to approach group brainstorming and who has strengths that complement your weaknesses.

About the Author

Natalie Holbrook is a regular contributor on wellness for the Burgundy Fox Blog. She has a background in nutrition and on her way to being a health coach. She is a trained reiki healing practitioner and is undergoing her 200 hour yoga teacher training where she resides in San Francisco, California. Her lifelong passion has been to help others thrive by finding their authentic selves through practiced intuition and healthy living. Lookout for a series of women focused wellness retreats launching in 2017.