Archives for December 2020

3 Ways You Can Make Exercise a Priority in the New Year

It’s hard to stay on track y’all! We all know how important exercise is for long-term health – but life takes over and fitting exercise into your daily routine is so difficult for most of us. Then add the holidays into the mix and it’s tougher than ever to make time for yourself.

It wasn’t until I hit my 40’s that I was able to make a mindset shift and commit to doing it every day. Sometimes lack of motivation gets in my way…I mean, there are a million excuses we can come up with right? But I have found a few secret tips that have helped me move my body every day. Here are 3 tips I have found to help prioritize exercise even in our crazy busy lives.

Start slow

Set small achievable goals. When I was trying to lose the last bit of baby weight after I had Mia 8 years ago, I wasn’t used to working out every day. Yet, I knew I wanted to commit to losing weight and being healthier. So I continued to be consistent by showing up every other day. I knew that if I stuck to a routine it would slowly become a habit, but I also didn’t want to burn myself out.

So I started slow and gradually started working out longer and becoming more consistent. Working out every other day, slowly turned into working out daily and my workouts eventually started to become something I looked forward to as a part of my day instead of something I dreaded. It is truly so important to start slow so you don’t get discouraged and stop altogether.

Develop New Habits

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. You won’t always be motivated, so relying on that will backfire. I have made exercise part of my daily lifestyle, almost like brushing my teeth. It’s all about discipline and the commitment I have made to myself!

It is important to make a daily plan for exercise and incorporate it into your schedule every day. Find something that you love! It doesn’t have to be time in the gym or need to be the same thing every day. Working out sometimes simply means moving your body and finding out what feels good to you that day.

I also budged for a personal trainer – best money I spend on myself! A personal trainer allows you to develop safe weight lifting techniques and work out routines – it increases my confidence in the gym. I am “addicted” to exercise in the best way and crave the high I get from a workout. It’s hard…and I still look forward to the rush I get from the sweat and burn.

Remember Your Why

Exercise is a quick and healthy way to lose weight. That is the reason I got started. I wanted to lose the last bit of baby weight after having Mia. I was approaching 40 and wanted to enter this new decade of my life feeling my best.

Losing weight was my initial motivation, but all the long-term benefits of exercise are the reason I keep going to the gym five days a week. I know that exercise reduces stress and anxiety. I sometimes go into the gym and put on boxing gloves and literally punch the bag, thinking of the stress of the day and trying to work it out!!!

I always feel better after a sweat session – ALWAYS. I love the serotonin rush and I am always in a better mood after! This is the reason why I work out and what gets my butt out of bed in the morning when all I want to do is hit the snooze button. It’s important to know your reasons for working – it helps motivate you to keep going even when you don’t feel like it.

I hope these tips help you to make working out a part of your daily routine. I know it has helped me immensely in my life, not only to feel better but improve my mood and overall well-being. Wishing you all the best in this new year! I am excited to see what changes we all can make for the better in 2021! Want more fashion and fitness advice? Head over and follow me on Instagram @donnatryba or check out this article on the 7 basic things I do to stay fit. Sending air hugs and much love from downtown Austin, Texas. xo, dt

Two Dresses You Will Love This Winter

I love dresses, especially ones in midi length. I wear them all summer because they are a one and done outfit! Now that the weather is cooler I still keep my dresses in my closet and add a few accessories to keep me warm. Jackets, boots and blazers are key to making my dresses last all year long, especially if they are short-sleeved.

Midi Dresses

Midi length is so feminine and chic so I sport them all summer long. When it gets cold outside, I transition these pieces by throwing on a jean jacket, boots and booties or even sneakers with them. You can wear it as a skirt by putting a sweater on over the dress. If the sweater is too long, use a hair tie to tie it up at your waistline.

There are so many styles of midi dresses out there at all different price points. You are sure to find one you love. I adore florals because they are chic and timeless, but I linked some here in many colors and styles: from feminine to edgy looks.

Sweater dress

I just got this grey sweater dress from Nordstrom and I love the comfy fit! It doesn’t break the bank at $50 and is so versatile. The color is very neutral so you can pair it with so many different colored accessories. Put some tights and pointy-toe pumps with this and wear it to the office….then throw on heels with it for cocktails at night.

I styled it with some cream slouchy boots and this black and white plaid scarf from @topshop. I like wearing my dresses a bit above the knee because I’m petite at 5’2″ and I’m wearing an xs in this dress from BP. If you tend to get cold, you can put some tights on underneath. I’m in Texas so we can still sport bare legs here since it’s still only 70 degrees outside.

Here are some other ideas for this dress:

layer a fun fur vest over it
add a pop of color with shoes or scarf
pair with over the knee boots
wear tights and ankle booties
add a belt to accentuate your waist

I hope this gave you some outfit inspiration this fall and winter. If you enjoyed this style post, head over to Instagram and follow me @donnatryba where I share more on fashion and fitness. You can learn more about fall and winter fashion by reading this article by one of my favorite bloggers . I also have this other blog post about 4 simple cozy fall outfit ideas you might enjoy! Shop this post by clicking through the images below.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful week y’all! Sending air hugs and much love from downtown Austin, Texas. xo,dt

4 Reasons why Grand Cayman is the Best Family Vacation Destination

This was our favorite family vacation ever. Big words coming from a family that travels often….atleast we did before Covid. We have taken our girls to Tokyo, Dubai, Aspen, Hawaii, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Paris. We have been to some of the most amazing places on earth and we all agree that this trip was our favorite. It was a combination of an amazing hotel, situated on the most scenic beach ever!

Location, Location, Location

Ritz is located on Seven Mile beach – one of the most spectacular views I have ever seen. Within moments of arrival, my kids were begging for the beach. We threw our bags down, threw on swimsuits and headed for the sandy shore. Holy moly! I have never seen water that clear – you can literally snorkel in waist-high water.

The Ritz Hotel

Holy cow the service was totally over the top. You expect great service while staying at a Ritz, but this hotel goes above and beyond. The staff greets you with a smile, often addressing you by first name. Daily “treats” were sent to our room from the kitchen. Because we upgraded to a room in one of the residences, we had access to our own concierge. He booked our cabanas each day, made reservations for us on and off the property and answered our questions. It was amazing to have this service at our fingertips.

One of the best features of this hotel is their elegant rooms, all with balconies. The resort has two towers connected by a skywalk, the ocean tower and the resort tower. It’s worth the price to pay for an ocean view room and a residence equipped with a full kitchen. To save on cost, we ordered grocery delivery from Hurley’s and often ate a light breakfast and afternoon snacks back in our hotel room.

La Prairie Spa was one of the most luxurious spas I have ever been to! The wood walls are covered with carved polyester laquer and resemble water-carved rocks. My husband and I booked a couple’s massage as a treat for my birthday. We arrived early to relax in the Silver Haven reflection room and enjoy the jacuzzi. Worth.every.penny.

The Best Things About the Hotel

Water Sports Galore

My girls went crazy over their glass-bottom kayaks. You could easily see all kind of colorful fish and underwater sea life. It was like snorkelling without getting wet! The resort fee also covers daily use of water bikes, paddleboards, snorkel gear and canoes. They also offered something I had never seen before – a water hammock! These floating ring rafts allow you to lounge about 60 feet from beach. And omg – this place has a Waterpark! The Starfish Cay water play area for kids features small slides and a dumping bucket. My kids loved this fun break from the sandy beach.

The resort offers both cabanas near the beach and daybeds on the beach. Be sure to make reservations in advance. It’s a must-do since the beach chairs lining the shore fill up quickly. The Oasis and Haven beach cabanas are a little too far from the shore for us, it was tough to keep a close eye on the kiddos. The daybeds were a great option for our family. They are right on the shore with seating big enough for 4 and a canopy to provide some shade for us. The daily rental came with free sodas and waters, and wait staff to take your food and drink orders.

Lots of Restaurants, All Yummy

Andiamo offers Italian cuisine and was my kiddos favorite. My hubby and I got away for a few adult dinners out: Taikun, the gourmet sushi restaurant and Blue by Eric Ripert. Make sure you are ready for a four-hour dinner at Blue, where they offer a 6 or 7-course prix fixe tasting menu. It’s pricey but worth it. Seven steakhouse was another great place offering steaks and fine wine.

We often visited Cupboards, the little shop/bakery in the hotel, that offered afternoon ice cream treats and cheaper breakfast options.

Stingray City

After a short 15-minute boat ride we reached a shallow sandbar. It was amazing to see all of these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. When we waded into the water we were surprised how they swarmed around us. They were happy to take snacks in exchange for belly rubs! The divemaster warned us to be careful of their tails…but otherwise we felt totally safe. I highly encourage everyone to try this adventure of a lifetime. It was certainly the highlight for our family.

We booked a private boat for a scuba diving trip – and were shocked when the boat took us only about 100 feet from shore to the dive site. We joked that we actually could have just swam over! Cayman is truly a scuba divers dream: water so clear, and warm, littered with bright shiny coral and colorful marine life. I spotted a lobster big enough to feed an entire village! What an experience. Can’t wait to go back and dive there again.

A FEW MORE TIPS:

Everything on the property is quoted in Cayman dollars but charged in US dollars – can be a bit confusing. Ask the hotel about the exchange rate.

Download the Ritz-Carlton app, which is an excellent way to request housekeeping and access resort details. I love these apps so I highly recommend it for your stay.

Organize a pick up from the airport through the Ritz hotel concierge ahead of time. The taxi system at the airport works like a shuttle. All are minivans and pick up multiple people at a time. You may have several stops along the way to your destination to drop other riders.

Sure – this vacation won’t come cheap. Staying at the Ritz never is. There is a $70 resort fee per day, but it covers wifi, all water sports, free meals for children under 5 and most of the hotel amenities. Food and drink were expensive, but I found the Ritz pricing to be in line with any other 5-star luxury hotel. And the over the top service, warm water, sandy beaches and endless fun family time in this resort paradise was well worth the money spent. Next time we come to the Cayman Islands, we will be checking into the Ritz.

Hope you enjoyed this post about The Cayman Islands and the Ritz Hotel. Be sure to head over to Instagram and follow me @donnatryba where I share more tips on travel, fashion and fitness. Have a great day y’all! xo,dt

Test Post – Shop The Post

How Neiman Marcus Can Save You Time This Holiday Season

What a wonderful experience it was to meet up with my good friend Lauren Gremillion at Neiman Marcus to kick off my holiday shopping this year. After filling out an online survey of my gifting needs, I drove to the Domain in North Austin last week and spent several hours going through all the amazing gifting options she pulled for me. They really offer something for everyone – even those toughest to buy for like my husband!

Lauren, my personal shopper, met me at the door and showed me to my own personal “showroom” in the back, which was full of gorgeous and stunning items, separated by category. She pulled some things for my kiddos, lots of great options for Andy and even a few amazing items for me too!

I had a hard time deciding! There were a lot of great items to choose from for everyone on my list. I grabbed two Neiman Marcus cashmere sweaters for Andy. I loved the quarter-zip placket in the front and the pull-over style. I also got him some comfy Ugg slippers and a lightweight robe to wear around the house.

I was surprised to see so many options available in the store for kids! Clothing and toys galore. I knew Mia, my 9-yea- old, would love the sing-along rainbow bling wireless karaoke Microphone. I mean – how cool is this! It has LED lights and a built-in speaker! I know she will be excited to open this on Christmas day and host her own dance parties in her room!

Mia is also super girly and quite the clothing hound, so I know she will love the velvet ruffle sleeve black dress by Hannah Banana. I didn’t wrap this one because I know she will want to wear it Christmas Day so I am going to give it to her early.

My 11-year-old is a much tougher customer, and Lauren knew exactly what gifts she would love! Juliana has developed a love for baking, so this United Tastes cookbook was perfect. It features child-friendly recipes, one for each state. I love that it combines culinary history and geography (it includes maps of all 50 states.) There are even gluten-free and vegetarian recipes included.

Lauren wrapped all of my items and I was on my way! I had a blast during my appointment – having a personal shopper really took the stress out of gift buying. Showing up and having all the items pulled for me made the shopping experience simple and saved me a ton of time. I also felt very safe during the entire process: all customers and employees wore masks and practiced social distancing.

I still have some other gifts to buy, so I plan on shopping for the rest of them online at neimanmarcus.com. Shipping is free or I can choose curbside pickup. I love being able to get my packages without ever leaving my car! And guess who will be on delivery duty starting November 28? Santa! He’s delivering packages every Saturday until December 19 from noon until 6 pm. How fun is that! Might get a little selfie with him 🙂

Hope you all enjoyed this blog post! I am always looking for ways to save time and share those tips with you guys. I highly recommend the personal shopping experience at Neiman Marcus if you are looking to make your holiday shopping quick and easy this year! They really do have something for everyone!

xo, dt

4 Tips to Rock Your Next Family Photo Session

Family photos can be so stressful right? Behind all those amazing photos on that Christmas card are probably melt-downs and a lot of frustration. I’ve yelled, danced and generally humiliated myself in public so many times to get the best shot of my kids….I have so shame!

I can’t explain the nostalgia of having these photos of my girls to look back on. They capture our life together throughout the years – looking back at these brings me such joy!

I’m pretty good with my tripod, but when it comes to family photoshoots I prefer to hire a professional – it takes the stress off me!

My girls are now 9 and 11, so we have had a lot of practice as a family taking pictures together and I’ve made some mistakes and learned along the way. I’m excited to share my 4 tips to rock your next family photo session.

Be Prepared

I make sure the kids aren’t too tired and get enough rest the night before – and I always have lots of snacks on hand while we are shooting. When they start to complain – a skittle or piece of candy keeps them smiling. I use bribes – I have no shame. I promise ice cream after if the shoot goes well 🙂

Let kiddos bring along a toy or item of comfort so they are relaxed during the shoot. Last year Mia brought her gigantic puppy Max along…it made her so happy that I was able to get a big smile like this out of her!

This year I even agreed to let our crazy cat Milo tag along on the shoot. It’s bizarre….but he loves to ride in a stroller! He stayed put the entire time we were shooting, and even let us pull him out and take a few photos with him! He’s definitely not a normal cat…….

Go For Comfort

Keep everyone comfortable. The pictures will come out best if everyone is wearing something they feel good in. Because my kids are a bit older, I let them go to the mall with me and pick out the outfits they liked, with my approval.

One huge mistake I made this year…..new shoes! I know right??? My girls were miserable toward the end of the shoot and had to take the shoes off. Epic failure! Be sure you have everyone try on outfits ahead of time to check the fit and comfort of all the pieces.

Act Natural

Keep the poses simple so that you all look and feel relaxed and natural. In this shot we held hands and walked toward our photographer, smiling and looking at each other.

Some of these candid shots are my favorites – it really shows off the connection and bond we have as a family.

Coordinate Clothing

Wardrobe planning can be really challenging! Here are some other important tips to keep in mind when planning the outfits for your family photoshoot:

*Keep the color scheme cohesive but not matching. Last year the weather was really cold so we picked out some fab coats for the girls to wear and styled around them. The pink and blue hues complemented each other so well. I chose neutral colors for me and Andy.

*Limit patterns. Consider picking one outfit for your family photos with some interest and coordinate around it.

*Add in different textures through the material of your clothing. I loved the velvet skirt Juliana wore and the sequins on Mia’s jacket. The textures added depth and interest to our pics.

*Fitted or tailored outfits always look better than loose-fitting clothing

*Add layers rather than bringing a change of clothes. It’s a quick and easy way to change up your looks.

The most important thing I have always kept in mind….it should be fun!

Hope these tips help you have a fun family photo session this year! Have any tips for me? I love hearing from you guys – please leave a comment for me below! Be sure to head to Instagram and follow me @donnatryba – I share more fashion and fitness tips there.

Want to learn more about downtown living with kids? Check out this blog post.

Love these styles? Shop them all by clicking the pictures below.

Have a great day my friends and thanks for reading! Sending air hugs and much love from downtown Austin, Texas. xo, dt