Style

Dressing More Expressively (and Playing It a Little Less Safe)

One of my style goals for 2026 has been to dress a little “cooler.” 😎 For me, that means having more FUN with clothes and actually wearing the thing—the printed pants, the brighter color, or the piece that stands out a little more…even if it’s just to school pickup or my 12 year old’s volleyball practice. 😄

In my early 20s, I took more style risks and barely thought twice about it. Through my late 20s and 30s, I got more practical and intentional because I was tired of wasting money on clothes I didn’t wear.

But after 15+ years of learning about style and figuring out my own preferences, I’m a MUCH wiser shopper now. I feel like I can bring in more self-expression without making hasty purchases I’ll regret.

I’m more particular about what I wear, but I’m also more willing to take risks and wear things that are a little louder. I have a ways to go in this area, but I’m loving it so far!

On the shopping list: this sweater in Cypress (fun color & totally on my color card), Quince’s Palazzo jeans (I want a swingy silhouette!), and I’m on the hunt for red track pants. 😄

Shop the Outfits:

More Structure, Character & Interest

I’m craving more structure AND more character in my clothes.

My style is still very laid-back, but fabrics that have a little more weight and structure make everything look more refined and polished. Bonus: it helps you feel more confident on bloated days, too. 🤪

(More on dressing during bloated days HERE.)

I also want interesting details and more personality in each piece, even in some of my “basics.” (This goes along with dressing more expressively.)

I talked about the focus on structure in 7 Things That Need to Change About Your Style In Your 40s, in case you’re interested!

Paying for a Better Curated Wardrobe

I want great fit, quality, structure, AND some character—and I’m more willing to pay for it when those details make a noticeable difference.

That definitely doesn’t mean expensive = better! I still LOVE a great Old Navy, Amazon, or Kohl’s find. But when the fabric, cut, drape, or unique details add up to something that looks and feels significantly better, I’m willing to invest. (But I’ll ALWAYS still be hunting for those standout $30 finds, too! 😆)

Beauty & Skincare

Some of my beauty routine has changed in my 40s, but there are also products I’ve been using for YEARS that I have zero intention of giving up. 😄

Here are a few current and longtime favorites.

Tinted Moisturizer

I FREAKING LOVE this Tinted Moisturizer! It moisturizes while giving you color and coverage AND has SPF 30, so it majorly simplifies your routine — 3 steps in ONE. It’s SO easy AND makes your skin look smooth, dewy, and finished like you’re wearing foundation without actually wearing a full face of foundation.

Switching to Liquid Blush

After using a powder blush for YEARS, I switched to a liquid blush and love the dewy finish it gives your skin.

The liquid blush I’ve been using might be getting phased out for this new one that people say is much better — more pigmented, but still buildable, and stays on better. Either way, the more liquid makeup I use, the better my complexion looks these days!

My Longtime Makeup Staples

Always and forever good ones:

The tubing mascara I’ve used for years. It’s super easy to apply and NEVER, EVER smudges. You can sometimes find it for an INSANE deal HERE. (Usually $28 each, but can get THREE for under $50 — even with $3.50 for shipping, you’re still saving BIG.)

Otherwise, look for a sale on it HERE. I also announce sales to my email list.

My eyeshadow palette for the last 10+ years!! Sweeps on effortlessly, and the shades are really user-friendly. Available at Sephora HERE and Amazon HERE.

You’ve heard me talk about both of these like a thousand times, and they’re still fantastic!

Gentler Makeup Remover

I probably should have done this like a decade ago, but I started using this Micellar Water for a gentler way to remove eye makeup without rubbing and pulling so much on the delicate skin around your eyes. Better late than never! 😅 Hopefully my 60 year old self will still thank me.

Health

This is where I’ve made some of my biggest upgrades. I want to do what I can at 43 to help 50, 60, and 70-year-old me stay strong and healthy. So, I’m more focused on strength, cardiovascular health, mobility, sleep, and what I’m putting into my body.

Prioritizing Strength, Cardio & Mobility via FASTer Way

I did FASTer Way back in 2018 after having my second kid and had incredible results, but back then my main goal was weight loss. (See my original results + before & after pics HERE.)

Now I’m back with different priorities: building and maintaining muscle and strength, cardiovascular health, and mobility—taking care of my body for the long haul.

I’ve been doing FASTer Way for the last 9 months and LOVE IT.

Instead of a one-time bootcamp to lose weight, this time it’s my ongoing fitness program.

The workouts are under 30 minutes—a MUST for me 😂—and regularly rotate through strength training, HIIT/cardio, and mobility. It’s efficient, well-rounded, and I don’t have to think about balancing it all myself!

And even though weight loss wasn’t my goal this time, I’ve lost more than 5″ overall and can tell I’ve gained muscle because areas that used to feel fluffy are noticeably firmer. 😂 💪

You can learn more about FASTer Way and sign up to try it out HERE.

Also see my first-time results when I lost 16-17″ around my whole body HERE.)

Replacing Our Caffeinated Drinks with MTE

Our can’t-live-without drink!

Benson and I used to rely on caffeine every day—him coffee and me either a Strawberry Açaí Refresher or boba. Benson loved the focus he got from caffeine but NOT the afternoon crash. I didn’t love how much sugar I was drinking.

Three months ago we started drinking MTE (More Than Energy), and it has officially replaced our caffeinated drinks. We LOVE the steady energy and focus that we get from it — WITHOUT the afternoon crash or added sugar!

MTE is actually caffeine-free and instead uses a naturally-occurring metabolite of caffeine for clean energy. Plus, it has no added sugar, artificial sweeteners, artificial colors or flavors, or preservatives.

Left: Mango Pineapple | Right: Mango Pineapple mixed with my electrolytes

My favorite flavor is Mango Pineapple, but honestly, I like my drinks sweet (hence the Refresher and boba, lol). So my FAVORITE way to drink it is mixed with these electrolytes in Pink Lemonade. Together they taste like a DELICIOUS tropical TREAT, and I seriously look forward to it every day. 😄

You can check out all of MTE’s flavors HERE.

Prioritizing Protein + Fiber

I’ve prioritized protein since my 20s, but in my 40s I’m paying WAY more attention to fiber, too!

Beyond fruits, veggies, and nuts, I LOVE finding convenient ways to hit my fiber goals (25g+ per day). Current favorites: high fiber tortillas, prebiotic sodas, and these peanut butter cups. Also, MTE even has 4g of fiber per serving!

Not a super glamorous upgrade 😂, but hopefully my future self will be glad I cared!

More Comfortable Sleep

It is a GAME CHANGER to have a mattress that fits your sleep habits! For YEARS, I woke up with aches and pains every morning, but I was so used to it that I didn’t even realize it!

Last year we switched to a Helix mattress and I STOPPED waking up in pain. 🤯 I seriously can’t believe how long I lived like that!!

With Helix, you take a quick sleep quiz and they match you with a mattress based on your sleep habits. Benson and I have different preferences—I’m a side sleeper and run cold, while he runs warm—but we both wake up feeling WAY better on our Helix mattress. (We have THIS one.)

Just last weekend we stayed at a hotel, and I had aches ALL night and into the next day. I kept thinking, “I cannot wait to get home to our Helix!!” 😫

If you’re looking for a new mattress, take the free Helix sleep quiz HERE. It’s also SUPER low-risk to try: if you decide to return it during the trial period, they send people to haul it away—you don’t even have to box it back up!

Also, you can get 30% off right now(!!!!) with code ELITE30! CRAZY deal!

Investing In Myself

Now that my kids are older, I have more space for things I enjoy as well.

Getting Back Into Volleyball

Since my oldest started playing club volleyball, I’ve gotten inspired to get back into it myself. Last year I did a couple of adult volleyball camps and recently signed up to play weekly for three months. Excited to play, but mostly just trying to not get injured! 🤪

Spending Time Learning From Other People

For the last year, I’ve been part of two mastermind groups—one with other membership leaders and one with content creators. They’ve been very energizing!

After 17 years of doing this, it’s easy to get stuck in my own bubble. Learning how other people do things has given me SO many fresh ideas and helped me level up both the content I create and how we serve our Style Club members.

Wrapping It Up

I’m LOVING this stage of life—knowing myself better, having more fun with some things, and getting more intentional about others. Some of these upgrades make my life better NOW, and hopefully some will make life better for my future self, too. 😊

If you’re in your 40s—or beyond!—I’d LOVE to know: What have YOU upgraded lately? Any products, routines, hobbies, or investments that have made a surprisingly big difference? Tell me in the comments!