The Long and the Short of It {{Maxi Dress Lengths}}

Hi Mermaids,

Maxi Dresses are one of our favorite pieces of clothing to wear in the Spring and Summer.  We love how versatile they are, you can add a light cardi, sandals, heels ect to dress them up or down.  I am 5'5 and always find length to be an issue for me.  In my last blog post I talked about tying your maxi dress as a great alternative if you do not like the length (either too long or short), the side knot makes me love every maxi dress I own.

We are sharing two great maxi dresses with you today that are restocks and comparing the length.  Both of these dresses are from the designer Flying Tomato which has been a NBG favorite for over a year and a half.  To give you a great reference the ideal length maxi for me would be 53 inches in length if I am wearing flats (and I am 5'5 as stated above).  Keep in mind that for each size you go up there is typically half an inch to 3/4 of an inch added in length.  


Our Bria Maxi is great for taller ladies.  Size Small is aprox 57 inches in length and for this dress I side knot the bottom as seen in our previous post or wear wedges.  

Bria Maxi Dress

Next up we have our Risa Maxi Dress.  This dress is great for shorter or average  ladies as the small is 54 inches long.  This dress has adjustable straps so it is a bit forgiving either way.  53 inches is my ideal length for a maxi so I can wear this with flats ect.  

Risa Maxi Dress

Below is a length recommendation for your height (remember we are all built differently so this is just a helpful guide, you know your body best).  This recommendation is based on you wearing flats, please take into consideration heel height. If you ever have a question on length please do not hesitate to email us at nobellagrace@gmail.com  One of the best ways to figure out your perfect length is measuring your favorite maxi dress and seeing how it compares to the ones you are interested in. 

5'0 = 48 inches in length

5'2 = 50 inches in length

5'4 = 52 inches in length

5'6 = 54 inches in length 

5'8 = 56 inches in length

Give Yourself A Little Grace

Grace.

 I'm soaking in the sweetness of these 5 letters lately....

I had a blog post typed up for you, and then life happened and the post changed direction. We are in the last five weeks of homeschool and can I just say how READY I AM for summer?!!! R.E.A.D.Y. 

Sometimes life can just make you feel a little stretched and frazzled. Anybody else feel a little stretched thin sometimes? I spent my weekend filling up my tank, because it's been low. Way low. I'm refreshed and rejuvenated since I took some time to really invest in me and fill my soul. 

The words Grace have meant so much to me lately that I decided to hang the letters on my wall where I can see it from every angle in my living room/kitchen area. They are a sweet reminder that on the hard days, the days where I may feel like my bad moments make a bad mama, I have this sweetness of Grace covering me. 

I don't have to be perfect all the time and have everything together. I'm being humbled and learning that sometimes it's really okay to hit that roadblock and not know which direction I'm supposed to turn. I'm learning to be still and listen. 

I just want to encourage you today that bad moments don't make bad mamas/wives/girlfriends/friends, etc. We all need to allow ourselves Grace, and the opportunity to grow. I don't know about you, but I haven't done much growing when I think I already know everything. I like to know that I'm not alone in the beautiful chaos of this life. That things don't have to be "perfect" all the time and we can still be happy! 

I know some of you may not have children, but I'm sure you've still got a plate full with this crazy thing we call LIFE! When we reach that place where we say, "Whoa...what's happening here?"  It's okay to step back and give yourself Grace and Be Still.  

Have a wonderful week, friends. We have so much to be thankful for. Let us strive for less perfection and a lot more love and kindness. Give yourself the Grace you deserve and not feel guilty for not being "perfect,' whatever that is.  

Until Next time, 

Erica  

Healing the {{Heart Chakra}}

Often we look outside ourselves to find comfort, and to release and heal emotional and energetic blockages and traumas.  While there are many loving and qualified people available to help us, sometimes the most simple and intense healings we can have are ones that we conduct on our own behalf.  So today I would like to share some simple techniques you can use to heal your own heart and that I use on myself quite frequently! 

The most important ingredient here is Right Intent.  The purpose of this ritual is to focus your energy and concentration, and to put your Ego, conscious and unconscious Self on notice that this is important!

Be sure to read the ritual thoroughly so that you are clear about what you need to do, and what tools you may require so that you begin in an organized and calm state.  If you find the ritual helpful, please write and let me know.  I love and appreciate your feedback!

Purpose:  This simple healing ritual is for people who are blocked by fear, loneliness, grief and pain, and who have low self-worth and self-love.  The ritual gradually peels away layers of trapped and negative vibration, and allows a flood of healing light to rebalance and cleanse this chakra.  The treatment is gentle, and can be used over time to allow deeper and deeper levels of trauma to be easily released.  It can also be used for this lifetime and past life issues clouding your present direction and happiness.

Tools:  An unused green candle, a green stone (green aventurine is my fave), and essential oil blend (I will put the ingredients at the bottom of this post).

Method:  Leave yourself at least half an hour, and some quiet time afterwards for integration.  Place your candle, your oil blend, and crystal or stone down in front of you.  Quiet yourself, then light the candle and say the following,  “I release all fear.  I release all pain.  I am Joy.  I am Love.  I now embrace my Sacred Self.”  Sit quietly in front of the candle and close your eyes.  Visualize white Light surrounding your body and streaming into your heart. Feel the presence of a Higher Energy, God, Guides or Angels around you.  You may also want to offer up a Prayer for healing at this time.

When you are ready, take the oil, and rub it into the skin around your heart chakra in a circular counter-clockwise motion.  As you do this, breathe slowly and calmly and recite the following “I invite Love into my Heart.  I invite Love into my Life.  I am worthy and deserving of this Love.  Love is my nature.”  Say this as many times as feels right for you.  Feel your heart chakra gently softening, opening, and releasing the trapped energy.  Visualize Golden Light pouring into your Heart.  When you are finished, say a simple prayer of Thanks.  Sit or lie quietly and allow your body to become accustomed to its new, clearer vibration.

How to make the heart chakra essential oil blend:

You can use an empty glass roller bottle or simply mix the oils together in a small glass bowl before the ritual. 

Mix an even amount of each of the essential oils together: Ylang Ylang, Lemon, Lavender, Geranium, Orange or Citrus, Dried Rose Petals, and carrier oil of your choice. (I use fractionated coconut oil, FCO). 

                      

          xoxo, karabears

{{Knot}} Again - One of our Favorite Ways to Style a Maxi Dress

Hi Mermaids,

It is Kristi, the face behind the computer screen here at Nobella Grace.  I had shared with you last Spring and Summer one of my favorite ways to wear a maxi dress.  I am 5'5 and feel like I am at such an awkward height sometimes for Maxi Dresses.  My sister at 5'9 feels exactly the same way so it is perfect timing to bring out the gorgeous side knot.  This works for tall girls, short girls, medium girls, just about everyone and what I love is that it shows off your super cute shoes.

  Here are a few of our favorite ways to rock the knot:

Our Darra Maxi Dress tied in a high side knot

We love this look (found via Pinterest).  It is tied on the front side and looks gorgeous for a casual beachy look.

This look is my absolute favorite and I have yet to try it out (thank you Pinterest once again).  We love how it is tied in the middle of the maxi dress, it lends to a more glamorous look.  

Which is your favorite way to rock the Knot?  If you haven't tried it yet which look are you excited to add to your Summer Style?  Let us know below and one lucky Mermaid will win a $25 Gift Card to NBG Boutique.  Winner will be announced on Wednesday.  

Gratitude = Joy

I’ve been living in a “storm” for over a decade now. We all have challenges in life that we’re dealing with. It’s very easy to get discouraged. We often fight our battles alone and to most people we come into contact with, they have no idea what trials we’re facing. It can be really easy for us to get discouraged and down trodden. The one thing I have found that helps keeps me in a positive mindset is making gratitude a daily practice for myself. 

For a long time, the idea of a gratitude journal or any kind of specific “gratitude practice” seemed like yet another item to add to my to-do list and the thought was overwhelming. But there came a day when I was so discouraged and without hope that I decided I needed to make a conscious decision each and every day to count my blessings and focus on every small thing in my life that brought light into my world. 

There are many ways you can practice gratitude. A gratitude journal is a great way to focus on all the things in life you’re grateful for and I have employed this technique from time to time over the years. I have an abundance of journals and lists in my life, so this often falls by the wayside after a week or so of regular journaling. Instead, at the end of each day as I’m getting ready for bed, washing my face and brushing my teeth, I go back through my day and think of all the highlights - the people and things that added so much to my life. It helps me to recap my day in a positive way and I go to sleep with positive thoughts rather than stressful, anxious thoughts (those never help me sleep).

We are often so busy in our lives that we simply are moving so fast we don’t even take the time to express gratitude. I find this to be true of my friends and loved ones. I have made it a habit to tell people right away if they have made a special impact on me in a given moment. It might be a phone call, text or email. I just take a quick minute to let them know how much appreciate what they did or just who they are in my life. When we are fortunate to have amazing people in our lives, it’s really important that we tell them. Just think of how you feel when someone reaches out to you with a thankful spirit. I bet it makes your day.

It’s really easy for us to focus on our problems and all the things that are wrong in our lives. That does not make us happy, it makes us pitiful and depressed and not very productive or fun to be around. Instead, focus on the things and the people you do have in your life and you will find yourself feeling so much richer in so many ways. When you catch yourself starting to complain, STOP, think of something that you are grateful for and focus on that. 

Get yourself a journal, use the notes on your phone or tablet or just set aside a few quiet moments each day to go over in your mind all the blessings in your life that you are grateful for. The mental shift when we make gratitude a habit is absolutely life changing!!!!

Spring Fashion "Must-Haves"

Spring has sprung and I have entered the world of "forty somethings". Suddenly, along with the shift in weather, the trees coming back to life and flowers blooming, I am finding a shift in my fashion. While I have absolutely zero intention of dressing like a forty year old (whatever that means) I also realize I can no longer feel quite right with things I've always worn. Like booty shorts in the gym, for example. That just seems to scream: "I'm trying to look like I'm 25." 

With the shift in weather and shift in my age, I thought I'd share with you some of my spring fashion must-haves that I feel are appropriate and trendy no matter how old you are. Proof being, my 19 year old would wear any of the following items. 

Stripes

Stripes are so fun this season. Dresses, tanks, tops...you name it, you need it in your closet. I like to use stripes that are easy to add bright colors to like black/white, navy/white or gray/white. It's fun to add colorful accessories or jackets or pants to add some colorful fun to the outfit. 

Skinny Jeans

Machine jeans are my absolute favorite. They are trendy, affordable and have a flattering fit. They have a bit of stretch to them and sit a little lower on the waist. I like having them in different washes just for variety and because I wear them so often. Destroyed jeans are a trend this spring and fun to wear with boots, converse or sexy heels. Once again, very versatile. 

Denim Jacket

I wear my jean jacket with everything...dresses - minis and maxis, jeans, pants. The jean jacket is a great transition piece with the Seattle weather being rain today, sun tomorrow. And it's a great way to add style to any outfit. 

Floral Patterns

Another 2015 spring trend is floral prints and I am absolutely in love! Fun, flirty and feminine, a floral whimsy top or floral print dress is the perfect piece to make you feel girly. 

The best thing about the fashion trends right now is that there is something for everyone. Regardless you weight and body type, there is a flattering style for you!