Take Advantage of the Your Holiday Party Look

Whether you’re holiday party hopping or hosting, get glowing with these skincare essential for your pre-party prep:
Give your skin some holiday cheer before you even step out of the shower with Curél Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer: a breakthrough water-activated formula that instantly sinks into moist skin, diving deep into the surface to soothe, repair, and lock in long-term hydration. Unlike other products, it all happens in the shower and there is no rinsing required – so you can just dry off, dress and go!
($7.99 for 8oz bottle and $10.99 for 12oz bottle; Select food, drug and mass merchant stores)
Prep skin for up-close mistletoe mingling with Bioré Deep Cleansing Charcoal Pore Strips: Containing natural charcoal, each strip removes oil and impurities that lead to blackheads to leave skin feeling fresh, clean, andthree times less oily. When used weekly, the strips will refine pores and diminish their appearance over time.
($6.49; Select food, drug and mass merchant stores)
Keep your festive makeup in place all night with Korres Skincare Smoothies:
  • Greek Yoghurt Smoothie Priming Moisturizer: a weightless, multi-action priming moisturizer packed with probiotics, proteins, and minerals to deeply nourish and smooth skin, while also prepping for flawless makeup application and all-day wear. The formula contains 26% Greek Yoghurt proteins in every serving, an ingredient known for its smoothing and strengthening properties.
  • Wild Rose Smoothie Brightening Priming Moisturizer: A lightweight, silicone-free priming moisturizer infused vitamin C and wild rose oil. This multitasking, super-nourishing solution delivers 24-hour hydration as well as brightening and priming benefits that eliminating excess shine and reduce the appearance of fine lines and skin discoloration for perfectly prepped skin.
Create the right kind of drama at your next party with I BEAUTY brow and lash enhancement serum from IMAGE Skincare: An intense blend of peptides, conditioners, and plant cell extracts that support healthy follicles and protect against breakage. The unique formula gives a boost to short or sparse lashes and brows by visibly improving thickness and length.
($49; spas and salons nationwide and at www.imageskincare.com)

Smell more delicious than the holiday dessert spread with The Healthy Fragrance from Lavanila Laboratories: a unique collection of perfumeshandcrafted by master natural perfumers. Each scent is infused with organic sugar cane alcohol, natural botanical extracts, and pure essential oils that are delicate on sensitive skin. Unlike other fragrances on the market, the Healthy Fragrance is free of drying alcohol, petrochemicals and phthalates.
Available in six scents: Vanilla Passion Fruit, Vanilla Grapefruit, Vanilla Coconut, Fresh Vanilla Lemon, Vanilla Summer, and Pure Vanilla. ($58 each; www.lavanila.com, Sephora, www.sephora.com)

H&M Holiday Vibes with Nicki Minaj: A Magical Holiday Video

Featured Photo and Images from HM.com

 

Nicki Minaj did an interview with H&M to get everyone excited about the holiday season. According to the site, “We love the holidays, and we love Nicki Minaj. The queen of rap needs no introduction, so instead of asking a bunch of questions about her record-breaking career, awesome rapping and singing skills and big personality, we invited her to play a game of This or That – holiday edition. Why? Because who doesn’t want to know who out of Santa, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman she’d like to date, marry or make disappear forever?”

Read more about the interview and shop her looks:  Holiday Vibes & Nicki Minaj 

 

https://youtu.be/2omJBSQcm5g

“BLESSED LIFE” BY ACTRESS KIM FIELDS IS THE PERFECT STOCKING STUFFER

From “Facts of Life” to “Living Single” to “Dancing with the Stars” to wife and mom, here’s the “Blessed Life” of veteran actress, TV personality, and star, Kim Fields“Blessed Life” is Kim Fields‘ first book and a great gift for any avid reader. Her memoir will inspire, teach, provoke, and make you laugh!

Kim Fields has lived most of her life with people thinking they know her, which is understandable. From her first job on a Mrs. Butterworth syrup commercial at age 7, she has spent 40 years in the public eye. There were 9 years as Dorothy “Tootie” Ramsey on the classic sitcom The Facts of Life, 5 more in her 20s starring as Regine Hunter on the seminal coming-of-age show Living Single, and most recently appearing as herself on Real Housewives of Atlanta and Dancing with the Stars.

“Blessed Life” is a chronicle of living, learning, and ah-ha moments of self-discovery told with humor, transparency, and refreshing honesty by an inspiring woman. The book takes a look into Kim‘s personal life and professional career, from a child in Harlem to a star in Hollywood. She shares more on the most important parts of her life, her faith and her family.

2017 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show: Relive The Show #VSFashionShow

Many years ago as a sophomore in college, I was a Sales Associate at Victoria’s Secret.  Due to this reason alone I will always have an adornment for the lingerie brand.

I never miss the fashion show because it’s the ultimate showcase of glamour, whimsy, and high fashion.

Although we all (secretly) want to be a Victoria’s Secret Angel there are some tidbits about the show that captured everyone’s eye!

#VSFashionShow 2017 Quick Recap:

  • This year’s show was more diverse and featured several women of color:  Leomi Anderson, Jasmine Tookes, Aiden Curtiss, and Alecia Morais.
  • Angel Ming Lee tripped over her embellished, sheer cape and stole the show with her elegant comeback with the help of Angel Gizele Oliveira.
  • Balmain collaborated with the brand and featured beautiful designs during the show.
  • Musical Guests included Miguel, Yundu Lu, Harry Styles, Leslie Odom, Jr. and Jane Zhang.

Click Here:  RELIVE THE SHOW

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Tonight: CBS ALL ACCESS

For the first time ever, the Victoria’s Secret Angels are strutting down the runway in Shanghai! And CBS All Access is your front-row seat to the show Tuesday, November 28th @ 10/9c!

New subscribers can watch the highly anticipated event with a 1-month FREE trial using promo code LETSGO by 12/4.

The all-star line-up of angels in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show include returning favorites Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Behati Prinsloo, Candice Swanepoel, Lily Aldridge, Elsa Hosk, Jasmine Tookes, Josephine Skriver, Lais Ribeiro, Martha Hunt, Romee Strijd, Sara Sampaio, Stella Maxwell and Taylor Hill, as well as plenty of new faces.


Stream the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai Tuesday, November 28th @ 10/9c with a FREE 1-month trial! Use code LETSGO by 12/4

Buying An Engagement Ring On A Budget: Heirloom Jewelry

There used to be an unwritten rule that a man should spend 2 months’ salary on an engagement ring. There’s no such guideline anymore. It’s more important to buy a ring that you can realistically afford than it is to follow any arbitrary guideline such as that. But engagement rings are expensive, right? How can you buy an expensive piece of jewelry on a budget? By being strategic. Here, we’ll offer some tips to help you purchase that most important piece of jewelry on a budget.

Featured Meghan Markle Engagement Ring Photo from ElleUK

Choose the right setting

Even if your wallet won’t let you buy the biggest diamond in the store, you can get the illusion of a larger stone by choosing the right setting. For example, if you choose a setting that features a ring of smaller diamonds around the centre stone, for example, it will give the illusion of a larger stone, but with a lower price tag.

Go for pavé diamonds

Pave diamonds can make any ring look more expensive. They offer the look of crushed ice, consisting of many small diamonds grouped together. This produces a dazzling, high-end look at a lower price point.

Be aware of size

The price of a diamond goes up exponentially at certain size points. For every carat and half-carat size increase, there is typically a jump in the price, too. One way to sae a few dollars is to do what experts call “buying shy.” Using this technique, look for a diamond that is a little shy of the one-carat or half-carat mark (1.7 carats, for example, as opposed to an even 2) can save you a significant amount of money and you won’t even notice the differential in size.

Opt for gold

Platinum has become a trendy wedding band choice because it has many great attributes, but those advantages also come with a higher price tag. Opting for the more classic gold option will save you a few dollars. If you still want the look of platinum without the high price, choose white gold. White gold isn’t as durable as platinum, but it is strong, resistant to rust and tarnish, and very beautiful!

Pay attention to the cut

Certain cuts of diamonds will cost more than others. Knowing which are the most budget-friendly will go a long way toward saving you some money. An emerald cut, for example, will look bigger than the carat weight suggests.

Buy a set

This can be a challenge if you are trying to surprise your soon-to-be fiancé with a ring, but if you can, buy the engagement ring and the matching wedding band together. By making the purchase in a set like that, you’ll likely get a better deal than if you buy the engagement right now and the wedding band later. Of course, this may not always be possible, but if you can (such as if you are picking out your rings together) this can be a way to save some money.

At the end of the day, choosing the right engagement ring doesn’t have to mean going for broke. There are lots of beautiful and meaningful options at every price point, so there’s no need to spend more than you need to get a special ring for your special someone. Using these tricks, you can find the perfect ring for your partner without spending more than you can afford. Spend as much as you comfortably can, and not a penny more. Your soon-to-be fiancé wouldn’t want you to start out your new life together deeply in debt just so you can buy a bigger, flashier ring.

Collaborative Post

Birmingham Celebrating Small Business Saturday #ShopHomewood

WHAT: In 2010, American Express created Small Business Saturday in response to small business owners’ most pressing need: getting more customers during the busy holiday shopping season.

Celebrated on the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year, Small Business Saturday helps shine a light on the small, independent businesses that keep our communities thriving.

This year Small Business Saturday is on November 25Even more consumers and communities like Birmingham are coming together to support all types of small businesses (from retail shops and restaurants to fitness studios and record stores) on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year.

WHERE: 

Homewood Chamber of Commerce
7 Hollywood Boulevard

Homewood, AL 35209

WHEN:  Saturday, November 25, 2017

More details on the day’s events include:

  • A chance to win gift cards and giveaways with the use of #shopsmall and #shophomewood
  • Drawing and social media contests

WHO:  Meredith Drennen of Homewood Chamber of Commerce is available for on-site interviews.

They can discuss:

  1. Events taking place at Homewood Chamber of Commerce
  2. Background on Small Business Saturday
  3. The importance of local businesses to our economy
  4. The impact of Small Business Saturday on America’s small businesses