Last year we started our “Shop with a Stylist” Series and it had such a great response we decided to do it again in 2018. We are always here to help with your styling questions and needs ourselves, but sometimes it is nice to work with one of the pros! Also, this is a great way to try out using a stylist if you have ever considered it. Maybe it is time to audit your closet, to streamline your wardrobe, or admit you have a few “trouble” pieces sitting in your closet with tags still on them that you just haven’t figured out how to make work. Well this is your chance to see what it is like to work with someone one-on-one, free of charge.First up is Alicia McCaslin. We all know her from the pages of Alexandria Stylebook and I am not sure anyone makes 50 look more stylish than she does.Since part of how she looks so great is her commitment to working out at Mind the Mat, I asked her if she would style Megan Brown, the owner of that fabulous place, in one of my favorite fall trends, racer stripes.The athleisure movement use to be about dressy “workout clothes,” like incorporating sweatshirts and streamlined joggers into your wardrobe, but now some details that used to be only for the courts or fields have made their way onto jeans, blazers, dresses, and sweaters. Really we are seeing them everywhere; this November we even have booties coming in with a racer stripe!

Update

Speaking of Megan Brown and Mind the Mat, I thought I would update everyone on my September Reset. So far so good, although the “you will stop being hungry” theory seems to have escaped me.The fitness part is not my problem. I actually like working out. Just like everyone else, my schedule seems to interfere with my workouts. Megan and Sarah’s advice that you need to plan to workout seven days a week has helped. I know I will miss a couple days but if I book it on my calendar just like I do a meeting it is more likely to happen. I also need classes. If I am left to my own devices and have to work out at home, I will always think: “well, I should be working not exercising.” I will get on my laptop and never leave it. I also prefer to workout at 6am so I can start my work day after the kids are at school, but my husband travels often so it is only an option a few days a week. I have decided at least one weeknight I am going to let go of my mom guilt and book a sitter to make a class. I mean they can survive without me for 90 minutes one night!The food is really where it all falls apart for me. I hate meat. Like hate, hate, hate it -- so I have to force myself to make it part of my diet. Making it a priority to put protein in every meal is not easy for me but I am trying to plan in advance and have easy, grab-and-go options in my fridge. I am not really sure what I would do if rotisserie chickens weren’t sold at Whole Foods! So just like everything in life, preparation is key and it is always a work in progress, just like me.