My journey to better health at 63.

Digestive issues, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Osteoporosis, and now Pre-diabetes.

Yep, that's my reality at 63.

Despite dealing with stomach problems since childhood, I’ve always managed to stay relatively healthy. But around the age of 55, the dominoes started to fall—one health issue after another, and I found myself facing a whole new set of challenges.

While I firmly believe in the value of conventional medicine, I’ve also been open to exploring natural approaches. Over the years, I’ve tried homeopathy, vitamin drips, and worked with naturopaths, but unfortunately, none of these efforts seemed to bring the results I was hoping for.  However, I always felt that my diet was something I needed to focus on more (self-professed junk-food junkie here). 

That’s when my friend and co-founder of Kicking Cancer in Heels, Michele Nadeem-Baker and I interviewed Margaret Floyd Barry, a well-known functional nutritionist, during one of our Instagram lives. I was fascinated by her approach, which uses a scientific method (bloodwork) to tackle gut issues—problems that can cause inflammation and lead to other illnesses. It made so much sense to me.

After the interview, I reached out to Margaret about working together, but since she had stopped taking on new clients, she referred me to her colleague, Ellen Syversen. I scheduled a free consultation with Ellen, and I instantly connected with her. Her thoughtful approach and warm, kind personality made me feel at ease right away. During our conversation, we discussed my diet, my health problems, my longstanding cravings for sweets, and my lifelong struggle with chronic constipation (I know, TMI—but it's real, and I’m not shy about it).

Since then, I’ve had several eye-opening Zoom sessions with Ellen, including a comprehensive review of my blood work. While many of my lab results are good, a few numbers indicate inflammation, which puts me at risk for more serious health issues down the road. Because Ellen believes that diet is highly linked to inflammation, we've been working on a healthier eating plan with a big focus on lots of protein.

I’ve learned a lot through this process, and one thing I’ve realized about myself is that I can’t make too many changes at once—I get overwhelmed easily. Thankfully, Ellen understands this, and she’s been guiding me through manageable steps, making the transition feel much more achievable. I’m learning to pay closer attention to what I eat and make better, healthier choices. 

What I love most about Ellen is that she’s realistic. Life isn’t perfect, and I can’t promise that I’ll never have ice cream again (in fact, I had some today!) or skip a piece of birthday cake. But what I can say is that I’ve made a lot of positive changes, and for the most part, I’m sticking to them.

Next up on my health journey will be ordering a blood sugar monitor so that Ellen can track glucose spikes and help me identify which foods might be causing increases in my levels. This is especially important since I have pre-diabetes.

Ellen is truly helping me to feel more empowered to take control of my health by getting to the "root cause" of my issues.  Interested in learning more? Read her interview below and schedule a complimentary consultation with Ellen here. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Meet Ellen Syversen.

Functional nutrition is an integrative approach to food and nutrition based on individual needs. Traditional nutrition is more general and does not necessarily look at the bio individual needs of the person. For example, a traditional nutritionist may recommend the food guide pyramid for all clients without considering the client’s unique needs.

To elaborate on that point, functional nutritionists do not necessarily ascribe to one way of eating! We honor the specific nutritional needs of the individual which vary from person to person based on many factors such as:

✅Blood sugar regulation

✅Food sensitivities

✅Digestive function

✅Current symptoms plus health history

✅What clients know to be true about their body

✅Stress levels

✅Activity level

We look at all these factors plus specific testing to get to the root of what is happening in the body. Then we work to strengthen the body by removing blocking factors.

Do certain foods really cause inflammation? What is inflammation and why is it bad?

I have looked at hundreds of food sensitivity panels that show which foods are causing a mild, moderate, or severe amount of inflammation. So yes, food does cause inflammation for many of my clients. The food triggers will be different for everyone, and so my counsel will be different for each person. I usually do food sensitivity testing in conjunction with a GI panel/stool test. If you are eating inflammatory foods, your gut will not function properly, and conversely, if your gut is out of balance, you are more prone to food triggers as you are not digesting, absorbing, and breaking down the food you eat.

What is your approach when working with clients to identify underlying causes of their health concerns?

Functional nutritionists use a test do not guess approach which considers client symptoms in conjunction with lab results. My philosophy is test, assess, and address! Functional nutritionists do not use testing to diagnose or treat a client, but to see where things are functioning well and where there are imbalances.

The purpose of the testing is to get information about the current state of the client’s health so we can get to the root cause. It is about rebalancing and strengthening the body by removing blocking factors. For example, if a client came to me with an inflammatory condition, and we did a test to assess food sensitivities, we would eliminate the foods causing inflammation for a period of time to assist in decreasing inflammation. Food sensitivities can trigger inflammation in the body, and inflammation is often a root cause for many symptoms and conditions.

What role do lifestyle factors, such as stress, sleep, and exercise, play in your nutritional approach?

Stress, sleep and exercise are all extremely important. Many of my clients are chronically stressed 24/7. This can lead to blood sugar imbalances, sleep disturbances, and the inability to move forward with a wellness program as they are in a state of fight or flight. Stress can also affect gut health, as we can only digest our food when we are in a state of rest and digest.

What types of tests or assessments do you commonly use to help diagnose nutritional deficiencies or imbalances?

I usually start by looking at gut health and food sensitivities. There are tests that look at nutrient sufficiency, and in some instances, I will use those tests. However, the first thing we need to assess is the health of the gut. When you support digestive function, remove inflammatory foods, address pathogens, and support the microbiome (the balance of good and bad bacteria), then you are restoring the body’s ability to break down and absorb food which is paramount to overall health.

What should we be looking for on food labels?

When you look at ingredients you want to make sure the food is clean with minimal food chemicals (all those things you cannot pronounce) and ideally no industrial seed oils like canola, soy, cottonseed, and sunflower/safflower oil. This is a good place to start. I like the concept of clean eating, meaning foods that are as close to nature as possible.

Ellen's Top 5 Tips for Nutritional Health

1. Drink water! Half your body weight in ounces is the goal.

2. Start your day with good quality protein to support balanced blood sugar, mood, and energy.

3. Prioritize sleep, ideally going to bed with the sun and getting up with the sun.

4. Incorporate stress management techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and down time.

5. Move your body daily even if all you have time for is a short walk, it is a place to start.

Want more information?

Find out more on her website here.

Follow her on Instagram and Facebook

Thanks for stopping by!

xx Susan

What's my newest brand obsession? Saint + Sofia, a line out of London, England --and now with fulfillment in the U.S.! I'm so excited and honored to represent the line. 

Their clothes are GORGEOUS, sustainable, well priced, comfortable, and super stylish with an understated edgy chic look. They also have crazy good sales! Learn more about the brand here. 

I love that this dress can be worn all year round! Black and white is always a classic combination and one that goes with everything!

What's going on with my hair in this photo! LOL

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll see that I feature a lot of their pieces on reels and stories. HERE and  HERE   Take a peek for styling inspiration.

What's Going on with Me?

This would be me.

But here we are, halfway through January, and not a single item has been crossed off my list.

Here’s what I had planned:

• Clean up the house, including the overly packed basement.
• Do a deep purge of every closet, especially my overflowing dressing room.
• Organize recipes and photos.
• Write and blog more.
• Cook healthy meals.
• Finish decorating my space.
• Work out more—and push myself harder.

I know it sounds like a lot, but by now, I feel like I should have checked off at least one item.

But instead, I find myself stuck in inertia. I run around in circles and accomplish nothing. 

Why is it so hard to get started? Why can’t I build the momentum I so badly want? The drive is there—but where’s the follow-through?

Sound familiar? Sometimes, no matter how many goals we set, we find ourselves frozen in place, staring at the list rather than crossing anything off. If you're feeling the same way, you're not alone. It’s a struggle we all face at times.

So, what can we do about it? I’ve been reflecting on a few strategies that might help break the cycle:

1. Break It Down

Instead of focusing on the long list, I’m taking one small step at a time. For example, today I’m tackling one dresser drawer—just one. I know that once I start, I’ll feel the momentum to keep going.

2. Use the 5-Minute Rule

I’m committing to working on a task for just five minutes. The hardest part is often starting, and once I’m in motion, I can keep going.

3. Prioritize Micro Goals

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the big picture, I’m setting micro goals. Rather than saying "clean the basement," I’ll say, "Organize the shelf in the basement." Small, achievable tasks that can get me feeling productive!

4. Create a Routine

One of the keys to overcoming inertia is creating a daily routine. I’m going to set aside a specific time each day, even if it’s just for 20 minutes, to focus on one thing—whether it’s writing or organizing a closet. It’s all about consistency. And by the way, I'm going to plug this into my calendar!

5. Accountability Partner

I hope to entice a friend to be my accountability partner and I can do the same for her.  This way we can share our goals and check in with each other. Sometimes knowing that someone else is aware of your progress can make all the difference.

6. Celebrate Small Wins

I’ll be celebrating the small victories along the way—whether it's clearing off a counter or finishing a single blog post. Recognizing progress, no matter how minor, can give me the motivation to keep going.

I know that this year is still young, and even though I haven’t checked off everything just yet, I’m giving myself grace. Tackling one thing at a time is all part of the process. I’m focused on moving forward, not perfection.

If you're also feeling stuck, remember: It’s okay to start small. It’s okay to take breaks. What matters is making consistent progress, even if it’s just a tiny step at a time. 

Life is short. Don't sweat the small stuff. Now if I can only practice what I preach!

Happy New Year!

xx Susan

As we transition our clothes from summer to fall, this is a reminder to also focus on your hair and skin. The summer months can be tough on both as the sun can bleach hair making it dry and brassy, and those pesky brown sun spots are so annoying! By the end of the summer there are enough spots on my face for a game of "connect the dots"!  So as fall approaches, let's give our hair and skin a little extra TLC. I thought I'd ask the the experts at Salon Metta and Suite 103 Spa for their advice.

Salon Metta (North Andover, MA)

I've been with my stylist Helen for over 13 years and adore her. But then again, everyone at this amazing salon is super talented and wonderful! During my last hair appointment, I asked Helen to share some tips for bringing hair back to life after the hot summer. 

• The sun can cause hair to go lighter and/or brassy so try adding a bit more depth at the root to avoid it turning too light, red, or gold. Going with an ashy tone can also be helpful for getting rid of brassiness. 
• A tinted shampoo with a purple or blue base can get the brassiness out! My favorites are Oribe Bright Blonde, Matrix Brass Off, and Pureology Strength Cure Blonde. 
• Use a clarifier to remove mineral build up. I love Oribe The Cleanse as it clarifies and is color safe. 
• Get regular glazes to add hydration and shine to your hair.
• Consider going a little darker for fall, or add in some low-lights for dimension. 

Ready to try a new salon? Mention FASHIONISTA when booking at Salon Metta and get $25 off your first service with any stylist! First time clients only and products excluded. Book here. 

Suite 103 Spa

I've also been visiting Suite 103 for over 10 years (hard to believe!) and I'm thrilled that this amazing spa just expanded to a larger space! They now offer just about everything from spa treatments, IV drips, color analysis, make-up, and much more. And boy do I have a discount for you! Mention FASHIONISTA and get 50% off a service (injectables included!) excluding packages, specials and products. This offer is for new clients, or for those who have not been to the spa in the last 12 months.

I asked the dream team Julie and Cheryl about fall skincare and make-up tips.

Julie

As we move into the cooler weather, it's time to get rid of brown sun spots and hydrate the skin! Some of my favorite treatments are:

• Hydrafacial -this super hydrating treatment will make your skin glow and look refreshed!
• PRX Peel --this is an amazing treatment that lifts sagging skin, lightens sun and age spots, improves skin texture, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. There is minimal redness and peeling too, so no downtime! 
• Photofacial --this treatment improves the skin's tone and texture and can help with sun damage.
• For products, I suggest using a retinol at night and hyaluronic acid in the morning. Don't forget a good moisturizer and sunscreen too! 

Cheryl

There are lots of beautiful saturated colors in for fall such as burgundy, olive, and gold. The red lip is always in style (big this fall too!) and luminous glowing skin is all the rage (you may have heard of glass skin). We'd love to do your make-up whether it be for a special event or to teach you how to apply it!

Also, Suite 103 is having a big grand re-opening event on September 24th from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. to celebrate their gorgeous new space. There will be prizes, raffles, and more. Plus meet industry experts!

Who's joining me? 

Thanks for stopping by!

xx Susan

We're at that crazy time of the year when it's too warm to put away summer clothes, yet the weather will soon be turning chilly. It's already getting pretty cold at night here in Boston, despite 75 degree days. 

It's not quite time to pull out heavy pieces, but then again, it's not the right time to put away summer either!

So what's a woman to do?

I generally don't make the full summer to fall wardrobe transition until late September, however I am starting to pull out layers such as jackets, sweaters, vests, and cardigans. 

Many summer dresses and skirts can actually be worn all year round with the addition of boots and a jacket or cardigan (excluding gauze and very lightweight fabrics in the winter). I have several summer dresses that look fall-ready paired with booties and a leather or denim jacket. 

Another idea is to add in warmer fall tones so your wardrobe will instantly look more seasonal. Consider shades of olive green and my favorite chocolate brown, which are also very "in" colors for fall. I  love burnt orange, deep shades of green, burgundy, and mustard yellow too! 

Here are a few outfit ideas to give you inspiration for this unpredictable season.