Heart Health and Red Hot Styling

February is the month of LOVE and Hearth Health! Women are often busy caring for others, but it’s important to take care of yourself as well. An annual check-up with your primary care doctor  gives you a chance to get important facts about your health, to talk about any symptoms you feel, and to ask your doctor what you can do to manage your risks if you have any.

Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, hypertension and stroke, is the number one killer of women, according to the American Heart Association. It kills half a million American women each year. That figure exceeds the next seven causes of death combined.

Heart Health Tips

A healthy lifestyle is the foundation for heart health for women. You can make healthy choices like:

• Eating a diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean poultry, fish, and low-fat dairy products
• Getting regular physical activity
• Finding healthy ways to cope with stress, like physical activity, hobbies, or meditation
• Getting regular check-ups to keep an eye on your risk factors
• If you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease, following your treatment plan, including making any lifestyle changes your doctor recommended and staying on your medicine

At least annually, I have to have an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram checks how your heart’s chambers and valves are pumping blood through your heart. An echocardiogram uses electrodes to check your heart rhythm and ultrasound technology to see how blood moves through your heart. An echocardiogram can help your doctor diagnose heart conditions. My rheumatologist keeps close tabs on my heart and lungs due to my scleroderma. To read more about my autoimmune disease click here: Scleroderma: A Rare Autoimmune Disease

My most recent echocardiogram was done in December in preparation for my six month visit to my rheumatologist next month. He already messaged me through My Chart that my heart looks good! I don’t typically dwell on the fact that my scleroderma could damage my heart and lungs but am always relieved to hear the everything looks “good”! Phew!

On to more pleasant topics now…

Red Hot Styling

Red and pink are the colors most often associated with February and dressing for Valentine’s Day! Depending on what plans you have will probably dictate how you choose to dress up fancy or more casual. Even if you don’t have any plans you can use the day as an excuse to give yourself a little self-love and celebrate all of the relationships that lift you up day after day. Perhaps you’re celebrating with girlfriends – Galentine’s Celebration! February 13, Galentine’s Day, a nonofficial holiday, is celebrated as a day for “ladies celebrating ladies. “I’ve been wearing my Love looks since the end of January and don’t necessarily need to be limited to just February.

Red and Pink ~ The Obvious

Red pants are a staple in my wardrobe. I wear them almost all year round! This particular pair has been in my closet for quit some time. The pink and red sweater is Target. I wore this look to work but it would also be great for a Galentine’s celebration or a casual date night. This look can be worn all winter long and is cheerful during the dull, long Illinois winters.

Last year was the first year I paired red and pink together. I was inspired by others on social media. This is not a color combination I would have previously worn! I totally embrace it now! That’s the beauty of getting out of your comfort zone now and then and trying new things! You just might find a new to you combination that you’ll love!

SHOP THE LOOK

Loving All Things Love

Apparently, I love all things with LOVE on them as I have quit the collection. While most of these I wear during January and February, they really could be worn almost all year long. I shopped my closet for all of these looks!

This sequined heart love sweater pairs well with my velvet leggings from Express. However, it could also easily be worn with black jeans or black dress pants. This is a look I’ve worn to work…students and staff like it when I dress for the holidays or at least they humor me! It’s a great look for a Date Night or Galentine Celebration!

Who says that all Valentine looks must include pink or red? This sweater can easily be worn most of the year and doesn’t necessity scream Happy Valentine’s Day. It would be a great option if you prefer a more neutral palette. How cute is the little heart at the end of the word love?! Shopped my closet for the whole look. While I consider this look casual, I think the gold boots, gold belt and pearls elevate the look. You know I like to be fancy and a little extra!

This H & M Love sweater had me at embellished letters with pearls and rhinestones! I already had the sequined striped jeans and metallic boots! Voila! Instant look of Love! Shopped my closet for the whole look!

This cardi and tee have the prettiest embroidered details! The flowers and Love are perfect for a Valentine’s look! However, they could also be split up and styled differently. You can see that my red pants do get a good workout!

This last Love sweater is also shopped from my closet! I liked that it was olive colored and not your typical Valentine’s Day look. Again it can be worn year round and isn’t only limited to February. I purchased it when I was heavier but can still pull off wearing it!

SHOP THE LOOK

Hearts

Who doesn’t love an oversized sweatshirt? So cute, comfy and easily hides your midsection after you’ve eaten all the chocolates…LOL! Last year I purchased this adorable heart covered sweatshirt and heart shaped glasses both of which were all over Instagram and social media! I’ve seen many similar ones again this year! Hearts can be worn year round! I’ve paired the sweatshirt with white jeans…another relatively new for me style option because I was a rule follower and never wore white after Memorial Day…well no more! Wear what you LOVE!

SHOP THE LOOK

Valentine Sleepwear

These are the softest, cutest set of jammies; and I found them at TJ Max. The pj’s are the Ellen Degeneres line (ED). The bottoms are jogger style, which I love because they don’t ride up while you sleep. I couldn’t pass up the pink and gray Dearfoam slippers, which are very soft! If you look close you will see the hearts and happy and love logos all over! So if you’re not going out and about on Valentine’s Day, you could curl up on your couch or in bed in a cute and comfy pair of jammies!

SHOP THE LOOK

Here’s the Red Hot Styling of My Fellow Fashionistas

Let’s Chat

What’s your style preference for the month of Love? Do you prefer flowers, chocolates or jewelry? Leave us a comment! We love to hear from you!

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