How to style a circle bag for summer

how to style a circle bag

mansur gavriel small circle bag scarf skirt for summer mansur gavriel small circle bag aquazurra tie up shoes scarf skirt for summer aquazurra tie up shoes

Pictured: Earrings: Kendra Scott / Sunglasses: Chanel / Lipstick: c/o Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Rosa / Necklace: Kendra Scott / Top: Gibson / Skirt: Banana Republic / Bracelet: Kendra Scott / Nail Polish: Chanel Mariniere / Handbag: Mansur Gavriel / Shoes: Aquazurra

When Mansur Gavriel first showcased their new circle bag at fashion week, I knew I had to have one. I was not exactly sure how to style a circle bag, but I figured I would find a way to make this vintage inspired piece modern.

I fell in love with this scarf skirt from Banana Republic when I first laid eyes on it. It happened to arrive the same week as my new Mansur Gavriel circle bag, which made me realize; this is how to style a circle bag for summer! Yes!

The circle bag looks perfect with this skirt. I love the cammello tan leather with the red based print. I think the colors work well together. In addition to this skirt, I have found this circle bag also plays well with casual prints, and denim. It takes on a modern look when paired with flares, as well as wide leg, printed pants. I love it!

hot to style a circle bag

I wore this outfit on Mother’s Day, and it felt comfortable, yet structured. I wore a tank top underneath the blouse, which meant I had two items tucked into the waist of my skirt. While it did add a little weight by being tucked in, I thought it worked well with the overall silhouette. The skirt is flowing, yet full. It definitely needs a tucked in top, or a crop top.

My kids thought my circle bag was a lot of fun, they continually reached inside. I think zipping, and unzipping a circle was novel to them. They had a blast! If you follow me on Instagram, you may have spotted the photo where my son made a paper flower at church for Mother’s Day, and decorated my circle bag with it. Loved it!

If you like the look of Mansur Gavriel’s circle bag, but are wondering how functional the bag may be, never fear, my review will be here! On Friday I will post my full review of Mansur Gavriel’s circle bag.

I hope you had a fabulous Mother’s Day last weekend, thank you for stopping by, and stay fabulous 😉

Outfit details:


how to style a circle bag for summerhow to wear a circle bag


How to start swimming for fitness

hot to start swimming for fitness

Since I grew up swimming competitively, I am often asked “How do I start swimming for fitness?” So, I decided I should write an article which shows how to start swimming for fitness; especially since summer is almost here!

If you have never done laps before, or swim team as a child, it’s OK, you can still start swimming for fitness. So let’s get down to business. Here is a strategy you can use to swim for calorie burning, overall body strength, and overall fitness!

What you need to know before you start:

The first thing you need to know, before you can start swimming for fitness, is how to swim! If you cannot do one lap across a 25-yard pool, then bookmark this article, take a few lessons, and practice swimming laps. Once you can swim across the short course pool without stopping, come back here for my tips on how to start swimming for fitness.

If you already know how to swim, but have never swum for fitness before, try swimming a few laps on your own. Attempt different strokes, and make sure you can do at least one lap, non-stop, across the pool. Once you have ensured you can at least make it across the pool, you can start working on swimming for fitness!

You don’t need to know all four strokes to swim for fitness.  Although I will give you a few sample workouts over the next few weeks, and one starter workout at the end of this post, which incorporate all four strokes, you don’t actually need to know all four strokes. You can replace any stroke you want to with freestyle, or another stroke you are more comfortable swimming.

Things to remember:

When you start swimming for fitness, it might be a little difficult. Swimming can be very demanding cardiovascular-wise, so if you are not already doing other workouts on a regular basis, you might need to start swimming slowly, and work up to a great, calorie burning workout. My coaches always used to say, “if you are in shape for swimming, you are in shape for everything!”

The sample workout I have provided at the end of this article, and the workouts I will provide every Saturday for the next seven weeks, assume you know how to swim. They also assume you already have some level of fitness.

Build up to swimming for fitness if you are a beginner (never done laps or swim team-may not know all four strokes):

Here is a strategy for getting ready to get in the pool to workout. This is a sample, weekly workout you can do to elevate your fitness level, and get you ready to start swimming for fitness. A sample fitness schedule would look like this:

Monday: Swim

Tuesday: Yoga or Pilates (do a lot of stretching!)

Wednesday: High intensity aerobic workout such as spin, cardio-kickboxing, or step

Thursday: Swim

Friday: rest or take a leisurely walk around your neighborhood for half an hour (just stretch)

Saturday: Weight training, medium cardio workout such as walking on the treadmill, or a cardio dance class.

Sunday: rest or take a leisurely walk around your neighborhood for half an hour (just stretch)

On the two swim days, make sure you can do at least ten laps. You can rest between laps, but should be able to make it across the pool, without stopping in the middle of the pool.

You will need to organize your workout schedule to allow for regular cardio workouts, and swimming “build-up” time in the pool. Pick two days per week for swimming, with at least two days of rest in between. If you are not used to swimming, you will not be used to using the muscles you use for swimming, so your body will need rest!

Anytime you feel sore, tired, and the like, make sure you take a rest day. On your rest days, try to take a leisurely walk, and do some stretching to help relieve your muscle pain.

You are ready to feel the burn in the pool!

After you are comfortable swimming back and forth in the pool, it is time to start learning how to start swimming for fitness! Once a week, for the next seven weeks, I will give you a new workout you can use in the pool. Each workout will provide you with interval training, cardio, and an increase in yardage. This will make you stronger, and faster in the pool! Love that!

If you feel like the swim workouts are too hard, you don’t have to start a new one each week. Only move on to a tougher workout once you are ready.

*This workout assumes a short course pool (25 yard or 25 meter pool), if you are swimming long course (50-meter pool), cut the workout in half when you are starting to swim. Use the pace clock on the pool deck for calculating your rest intervals.

**This workout assumes you can swim across the pool without stopping, and have cardio strength from other types of workouts. Do not attempt these workouts if you have not checked with your doctor first, and if you have not been working out on a regular basis.

Week one swim workout (500 yards or meters)

Warm-up: 4 laps of freestyle, rest 30 seconds between each lap

4 laps alternating strokes in IM order (Butterfly, backstroke, breastroke, freestyle) rest 30 seconds between each lap

Try to swim two laps non-stop, if you have to stop between laps, rest 15 seconds

Kickboard: flutter kick (freestyle kick) 4 laps non-stop (if need to rest between laps, rest 15 seconds)

Try to swim two laps non-stop, if you have to stop between laps, rest 15 seconds

4 laps of freestyle, rest 30 seconds between each lap

Stretch for ten minutes, both arms and legs.

-Feel free to email me, or leave any questions you may have in the comments below. I hope you enjoy this workout, and acquire a love for swimming!

If you would like to track your workouts, and see how many calories you are burning, I highly recommend the “My FitnessPal” app. You can find it in the app store. I use this app religiously and love, love, love it! If you would like to share your workouts with me, feel free to friend me on the app, I am CathyLSG

*Stay tuned! Every Saturday I will post a new swim workout to help you increase your fitness level in swimming. You can bookmark the tag “swim workouts” to keep them all  handy. Let me know in the comment sections what you like, or don’t like, about the workouts. Happy swimming, and stay fabulous 😉


Gucci Bamboo edp review

gucci bamboo edp review

Pictured: c/o Gucci Bamboo eau de parfum / travel size purse spray

Gucci Bamboo edp is the hot new fragrance from iconic design house Gucci. This sweet floral fragrance is feminine, modern, and complex. Although the scent does not resemble actual bamboo, as the name suggests, the overall fragrance experience is sweet; yet balanced out by the sandalwood and amber base. Love!

Bamboo by Gucci has a long lasting fragrance experience which is complex. The slightly fruity top, layered with a hearty, warm and sweet floral heart, anchored by a woody base, gives this perfume the perfect balance between woods, and florals. Love that!

Top notes: Italian Bergamot, Orange Blossom

Middle notes (heart): Casablanca Lily, Ylang-Ylang

Base notes: Sandalwood, Tahitian Vanilla, Amber

Gucci Bamboo is the perfect fragrance for the spring and summer seasons. The combination of woods, and florals, lends well to both moderate, and hot temperatures. The overall fragrance experience is medium strength; which allows Gucci Bamboo edp to be appropriate for the office, luncheons, evening occasions, and weekends.

If you are looking for the perfect summer birthday gift, or a graduation present, Gucci Bamboo edp is a great option! The gift set can be found online here. The perfume is available in a variety of sizes, as well as a travel size. She will love it!

I absolutely love the travel size of Gucci Bamboo eau de parfum. It is perfect for my carry-on when I am traveling by air, and it is also ideal for slipping into a weekend bag for a short road trip. Not only is it the perfect, TSA approved size, the packaging is beautiful! The travel size is pictured above with a full bottle, don’t you just love the pretty bamboo styling! I love it! I cannot wait to keep this bottle with me for all of my upcoming summer trips; as well as fashion week in September! It’s perfection.

Gucci Bamboo eau de parfum can be found online here, here, and here. The purse spray can be found online here.