• BEAUTY MUST-HAVES

    IDEAS FOR BEATING THE POST-ELECTION BLUES

    Yesterday I wrote a “How to Rock a Pantsuit” post as a way to playfully and stylishly celebrate what I believed to be the certain and inevitable election of our first female president. It was my way of being sheepishly political while staying ‘on brand’ as we bloggers must do. I didn’t get the pleasure of clicking ‘Publish,’ and for that I am devastated. Today I woke up to the shock and anger plastered all over my Facebook feed. The negativity sent me further into a black-hole-shame-spiral of despair. What could I possibly write about, and what could I possibly do to remain strong and engaged and positive? First I turned off FB and Twitter. And then I drafted a list of ideas for beating the post-election blues. ‘Blues’ is clearly a euphemism for my current state, but I have a feeling my current shock will dissipate into a blurred haze of well, blues. No one gives a crap about outfits or makeup or skincare today, so let’s go off-brand and think about ways we could each be more productive by taking some individual actions of positivity. 

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    BEST (SUSTAINABLE) LEGGINGS EVER – GIRLFRIEND COLLECTIVE

    I recently saw an ad on Facebook for Girlfriend Collective, boasting innovative leggings that only cost the price of shipping ($20). I was intrigued, clicked through and bought the product. It was a bit of an experiment to see if there was a catch or if they really were the best-fitting, sustainably- and ethically-made leggings out there. After all, they advertised the fact that Lulu Lemon alums were making them and refused to sacrifice quality, fit and the environment. Plus: $20. They were speaking my language. I also just received this sweater dress that would show my every bump and bulge if I didn’t find the right pair of body-flattering tights or leggings to wear underneath. In short, I am hooked on these Girlfriend Collective leggings and would encourage you to get in on this pre-order discounted action. Read on to learn more of the details…

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    BELLE MEETS WORLD ON CBS ATLANTA

    Last week I had the opportunity to be on TV as a lifestyle expert for the first time, and it was a blast!! I was invited by CBS Atlanta to put together a segment on throwing an “Adult Halloween Party” and to join Kimberley Kennedy on her daily Atlanta Plugged In segment to share my ideas with her and her audience. Halloween is my absolute favorite so I jumped at the chance! Read on for more on the segment and click through this link or the image above to watch my TV debut!

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    FOUNDATION FACE-OFF

    I’ve been testing several foundations over the last few months, desperately trying to find the best one for me and the ones that I’m willing to recommend to my readers. And I’ve found a few, actually! Plus I’ve found some that I didn’t love, and some that I’d still like to try that folks have told me about along the way – both high and low end. Read on for my favorite foundation recommendations!

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    SWEATER WEATHER

    Atlanta keeps threatening to turn to fall but as soon as we get one lovely autumnal day, it’s back to the mid-80s on the next. I’ve had to start playing a game with my outfits where I get to wear some fabulous fall pieces but I have to balance it out by showing a little skin. Now I’m not one to bare it all – I’m simply too old for that and it’s never really been my style – but at the same time, one needs ventilation in the south. So to have my fall-style-cake and eat it too, I’m going for it. If you live in a warmer climate, read on for thoughts on rocking cold-weather trends. 

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    AFFORDABLE HAIRCARE

    It’s been a while since I’ve done a post focused on haircare – partly because I’ve been so uninspired by my hair products lately! Here’s why – my hair has changed dramatically over the last year. It used to be off-the-charts curly and very voluminous. In fact, I could get away with washing it once a week (no joke). Now that I’m solidly in my 30s, the natural curl has turned into an unpredictable semi-wave, it gets greasy after one day, and it is thinner. Then one day it’ll curl out of the blue after a shampoo, and then back to flat the next day. All of my expensive uber-curl products are now mostly useless to me, and I certainly can’t afford to spend tons of money on all-new expensive products. Any of you other ladies out there dealing with this weirdness?? Fortunately, I’ve found a couple solutions that you can buy at Target that I’m recommending today. 

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