In Spades

Style... in abundance

Life Lately

Janessa Leone Siro

Last month I shared a post about my life, lately.  It’s been one of my most popular posts of 2020 so I thought I would make it a monthly series.  This unprecedented time of coronavirus has definitely shifted my routines, priorities and attention.  Here is what I’ve been loving lately.

Binge-Worthy Shows

I thought I would start Tiger King, Cheer or Schitt’s Creek, but what has captured my attention of late is The Amazing Race.

It’s one of the only reality shows I enjoy, and although I’ve seen every season, it’s been awesome to go back and re-watch my favorites.

Here’s why.

I love to travel.  Since it’s going to be a long time before I can indulge my travel bug, The Amazing Race is the perfect solution.  I get to revisit my favorite cities and see parts of the world I’ve never visited.  The show does a great job of incorporating local customs and off-the-beaten-path venues.  My husband and I have been analyzing each episode to determine how well we’d do if we were on the race, haha!

Workouts

Last month I talked about my journey with BBG (the Bikini Body Guide).  In addition to these 30min circuit workouts I can do from my phone, we also invested in a Peloton.

I’ll be the first to say it’s a significant investment.  We do not plan on flying anywhere for the rest of 2020, nor do we plan on going back to the gym, so we decided to invest the money we would have spent on those things into a Peloton.

Has it been worth it?

1000%.  I can honestly say this is one of THE BEST investments we’ve ever made.  My husband and I have both ridden the bike every single day since we got it.  You can choose between cycling classes ranging from only 5min up to 45min.  They have low impact, HIIT, rides with arm intervals, and every musical genre you can imagine.  I love having the camaraderie of a group class from the instructors (my favorites are Robyn Arzon and Cody Rigsby).

I seriously don’t ever plan to return to a normal class unless I get to see friends and meet for brunch afterward!

Fashion

Now that the weather is warming up, I’m spending more time in shorts.  I wrote a review on my favorite denim cutoffs and they have all been on constant rotation.  From high waisted with a longer inseam, to the coziest pair ever, there’s a pair for every summer activity.

Straw hats are another must-have for me right now.  I just picked up this one and it’s a dream.  A true gardener’s hat (TONS of coverage) but elevated and stylish.

Sandals are the last must-have in my summer arsenal, and I’m all about the platform.  I desperately want these, but think I may try these instead because they’re on sale for $70.

Shop my Summer Favorites
Life Lately

Two-plus months into quarantine life and things are starting to shift a little.  I went to a coffee shop for the first time to grab an iced coffee to go and it felt so indulgent and lovely.

We also made the decision to utilize outside childcare, something we haven’t done since quarantine started (hello, grandma and grandpa’s house).  Having time to catch up on chores, do a long workout, and sit at my computer uninterrupted felt so foreign – it was amazing.

As we move forward into the new normal, I’m discovering new things that I consider must-haves (journaling, time to exercise).  Slowing down has made me more reflective of all the blessings in my life.  I hope you are doing well and staying safe!

Chic Spring to Summer Look

Janessa Leone Francis Packable Straw FedoraJanessa Leone Francis Packable Straw Fedora Janessa Leone Straw Fedora // Ganni dress

As I write this, it’s Greek Easter.  For all my fellow Greeks, Christos Anesti!  On Sunday we spent the afternoon dying eggs, watching my daughter open her Easter basket and playing the Greek Easter egg cracking game, tsougrisma.

Last week I shared the 3 straw hat styles I’m coveting for summer.  I picked this one up in Nordstrom’s flash sale and adore the posh vibe.  It reminds me of something Audrey Hepburn would have worn.  It can be more casual (worn untied), or very elegant when the linen is draped around the neck.

The linen ties are so elegant, but they’re functional too.  They keep the hat from flying off on a bike ride or windy day.  I love dual-purpose fashion!

When I was a kid, we had awesome Easter dinners.  Crystal stemware engraved with my family’s initials.  A huge Greek feast – lamb, salad, Greek potatoes, spanikopita, baklava, and of course dyed red eggs.  After dinner the younger generation entertained the family patriarchs with songs and Greek dancing.  It was SO much fun.

Although this Easter was much more casual, I still wanted to put on an outfit that made me feel fancy.  This dress was also a score in the Nordstrom flash sale.  It’s super flattering and comfortable (pregnant ladies, it would be perfect for a growing belly).  I plan to wear it with flat sandals.  Birkenstocks would look awesome with this!  To dress it up, I’ll pair it with my fave Isabel Marant block heeded sandals and lots of gold jewelry.

It’s truly the perfect chic spring to summer dress.

Shop the Post

What I’m Coveting

With summer approaching and self-quarantine still in place, I’m trying to spend as much time outdoors as I can.  It’s the one thing I feel we still get to “do” even if it’s just sitting on the porch or taking a walk around the neighborhood.  I’ll take it!

I never go outside without a hat – read why here – so having something functional and stylish is key.

For summer, I’m all about straw hats.  They’re packable, breathe well and offer great sun protection.  I’ve found 3 straw hat styles that work best for me – boater hats, Panama hats and visors.

I recently scored a couple new ones on sale and wanted to share my tips for what to look for.  Read on for sizing, fit and outfit pairing tips.

Straw Boater Hats

Straw Boater Hat

Boaters come in wide or narrow brims and have a stiff straw so they hold their shape well.  I prefer a wide brim boater – better sun protection and the stiff shape works well on larger hats.

Pros: fashion-forward and versatile.  You can easily dress it up, down, make it more feminine or edgy.  A narrow brim boater is better for causal looks while a wide brim boater lends well to dramatic looks.

Cons: boaters tend to have shallow crowns, so if you have a big head, this might be a tough style for you.  The shallow crown also means you typically have to wear it perched on your head (exposing more of your face to the sun), rather than pulled down over your forehead.  So if it’s windy outside, this is a tough hat to keep on.  Also, they aren’t packable, so they take up more space.

Boater Hats I Love
Panama Hats

Panama Hat

Panama hats are my favorite.  It’s a classic silhouette with a neutral vibe.  You can make them look masculine or feminine.  They too come in shallow or wide brims.  For city excursions or low impact sports (golf, boating) I like a shallow brim.  For beach or pool lounging, I prefer a wide brim.

Pros: they look good on everybody.  The classic style means you can find them anywhere and at all different price points.

Cons: no cons for me, but they do lean a little masculine so I’d plan your outfit accordingly.  I probably wouldn’t wear a Panama hat with something super feminine or to a special occasion.  The vibe here is little tougher and cooler.

Panama Hats I Love
Visors

With an opening at the top and back, visors keep you cool while still protecting your face from the sun.

Pros: you can wear any hairstyle with them (topknot, bun, ponytail).  The majority are adjustable so sizing issues are virtually nonexistent.  They are very compact – most can be rolled up by unfastening the back.

Cons: they definitely lean casual.  I consider visors to be 80% function and 20% fashion.  I wear mine while swimming or doing beach sports.  If you’re looking to make a statement, I’d go for a boater or Panama hat instead.

Visors I Love