Beauty Box 5 – Review and Favorite Product

Sharing Products from December 2014 Subscription – Jaqua Hand Creme, Absolute! Nail Polish Remover Pads, Juice Stem Cellular Moisturizer, Nanacoco Nail Polish, Luck Brand Fragrance.

My favorite product for this month was the Jaqua Hand Creme – does a wonderful job moisturizing the hands and cuticles; this product also smells lovely. The glitter polish is a nice addition to any manicure, with small hearts included in the lacquer.

Start the New Year with a subscription to Beauty Box 5

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The Teen Vogue Handbook: Insider’s Guide to Careers in Fashion | Review & Good Read for Everyone

The New York Times bestselling must-read, THE TEEN VOGUE HANDBOOK: An Insider’s Guide to Careers in Fashion (Razorbill; 9781595142610; on sale November 28, 2014; $24.95), now with 90% new content and updated for the digital age.

Teen Vogue Handbook

Since its launch in 2003, Teen Vogue has provided teens with the very best coverage of fashion, celebrities, entertainment, and features. THE TEEN VOGUE HANDBOOK offers interviews, profiles, and advice about how to break into this constantly evolving industry. This essential guide for anyone interested in fashion is now better than ever. The expanded edition is chock-full of brand-new photos, profiles of newcomers, descriptions of digital jobs, and up-to-the-minute career advice. It’s the ultimate behind-the scenes look at the designers, stylists, photographers, models, makeup artists, writers, and bloggers who run the industry.

THE TEEN VOGUE HANDBOOK features profiles of Jenna Lyons; Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen; Pamela Love; Warby Parker; Michelle Phan; Sophia Amoruso; Robin Givhan; Chanel Iman, and many more stylists, photographers, and major players. The all-new section on digital careers includes advice straight from editor-in-chief Amy Astley and the staff of Teen Vogue on how to grown an online brand and make a fashion statement! This edition covers changes in the fashion landscape that include bloggers and street style, and also includes a free one-year subscription to Teen Vogue.

 

My Review:

I have been a fan of Teen Vogue for several years.  The magazine provides the latest in fashion, celebrity style, and entertainment.  The Teen Vogue Handbook is the perfect extension of the brand because it gives an insiders guide to careers in fashion.  I suggest this book for up and coming fashion professionals as well as those working in the industry.

Teen Vogue Handbook

The handbook is divided into content chapters according to careers such as Designers, Editors, Digital, Stylist, Models, Beauty, and Photographers.  Of course I turned to the Digital chapter first, which features media moguls such as Leandra Medine, Natalie Massenet, Michelle Phan, Sophia Amoruso, and Robin Givhan to name a few.

In addition, The Teen Vogue Handbook shares how to start a career in fashion and the daily responsiblities associated with each job.  For example, designer Jenna Lyons shares “one day is never the same as the next; there are so many pieces and parts.  Most of the time, I go from one meeting to the next and don’t really get a break in between ” (Astley, 41.)

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The Teen Vogue Handbook

 

The handbook ends with the Career chapter giving tips on how to apply for internships, create a resume, social networking, and dressing to impress.  The Teen Vogue Handbook is a must read for the fashion intern or brand account manager.  Fashion is constantly changing and one must stay abreast of the latest trends (beyond accessories and style.)  Anna Wintour stated, “people have to go to school, learn their craft, and build a brand – that’s the right, healthy way to do things.  If you’re an overnight sensation, you can be yesterday’s news in no time, whereas building something slowly and carefully that has value and quality, that’s what’s going to have legs” (Astley, 114.)

Send an email to kim@stylelifefashion.com – let me know if you decide to purchase The Teen Vogue Handbook and share your favorite chapter!

Astley, A. (2014). The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider’s Guide to Careers in Fashion.  New York, New York: Razorbill.

DIY: Creating Inexpensive {Last Minute} Gift Ideas

I like to give holiday gifts to my kids teachers and special friends in the community.  Unfortunately, the budget doesn’t always allow for expensive gifts.  I would love to purchase (everyone) something special from Bloomingdales but that’s not always realistic.

Being a true southerner, I come from a family that loves arts and crafts and this time of the year inspires me to pull out the ribbon box.  I search for inexpensive gift ideas such as baked cookies, mason jar trinkets, or gift baskets.

Honestly, anyone (whether they love arts and crafts) can add a special touch to gift giving.  The trick to DIY gift ideas is figuring out what inspires you and those people in your life.

Below, you will find ideas from Pinterest that can be prepared in 10 minutes or less.

Steps for DIY Inexpensive Holiday Gifts:

1.  Create a budget for the project.

2.  Make a list of supplies.

3.  Locate your favorite craft store and ask for assistance (if that’s needed.)

4.  Set up your holiday craft station and create!

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Nitika Chopra Shares Natural Remedies for Winter Skin and Hair

Harsh winter weather and freezing temperatures require a little extra care in your beauty routine. You can make a big impact with just a few simple ingredients. Nitika Chopra, host of “Naturally Beautiful” on  Z Living TV network has broken down the basics to keep your skin baby-soft and your hair moisturized all winter long.

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Nitika Chopra

1. Coconut Oil – Once a week in the winter, treat your hair to a coconut oil hair mask. Just before bed, apply organic coconut oil to your scalp and the ends of your hair with a cotton ball. Wrap your head in a towel, cover with a shower cap, and leave it in overnight. It keeps your hair super healthy and makes it soft and shiny. The next morning, rinse it out with just a little bit of shampoo (no conditioner necessary!). Use less coconut oil for thinner hair.

2. Rose Water – Your beauty routine should be a sensory experience. I live in New York City, so I love to feel peaceful, relaxed and calm. One of my favorite ingredients is all-natural rose water. You can use it as a toner just after cleansing. It’s perfect in the winter because it fights inflammation and takes away redness and puffiness.

3. Avocado – Avocado is really your best friend. The fruit is rich in Vitamins B, C, E and K. Mash up an avocado and use it plain as a face mask. It helps skin retain moisture, which is great for fighting wrinkles. Eating avocado, especially in the winter when we can have vitamin deficiencies, is also great. During colder months, it’s natural for us to crave creamier comfort foods, and avocado has the perfect consistency.

4. Sugar – I’m also a huge fan of sugar scrubs because they are so luxurious and easy to make. Take brown sugar and your favorite oil (olive is a good option) and add an essential oil for natural fragrance. Lavender is soothing, while peppermint is more energizing. Pick the one that fits your mood!

5. DIY Spa – Just remember to test a small amount of any DIY spa recipe on the inside of your wrist before you use it on your face or body.

Nitika Chopra, a certified life coach, is the Founding Editor-In-Chief of on-line lifestyle magazine YourBellaLife.com and a life-style contributor to the Huffington Post. Nitika’s unique point of view stems from the challenges she faced growing up in a traditional Indian home, without a traditional Indian cultural bone in her body, all while battling a debilitating skin condition that covered her body from head-to-toe for years. To overcome several low points in her life, she found a spiritual voice within her and became passionate about the power in small steps and infusing every day activities with spirit and possibility, regardless of one’s faith. Nitika uses this positive outlook to help people realize their own inner beauty and shares them with thousands of people who subscribe to her magazine. In 2011, Nitika was invited to speak about healing one’s authentic soul wound at the prestigious REVEAL conference hosted by Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Foundation. She is extremely active with her on-line community of thousands sharing her life-experiences with them in order to aid young women in their difficult life challenges and help transform them from hopeless to hopeful. Nitika is host of the show “Naturally Beautiful” on Z Living TV. Growing up, Nitika battled debilitating health problems that made it difficult for her to walk with ease for many years. This challenge, among others, fueled her passion for helping individuals and has made her an empathetic resource.

DIY Network Host James Young and Walmart Holiday Food Pantry Makeover

Style + Life + Fashion had the opportunity to interview James Young from DIY Network’s, I Hate My Kitchen. James shared with us his efforts to Makeover 75 Local Food Pantries Nationwide for The Holidays with the help of Walmart.com.

 

James Young
James Young

 

James Young is the host of 8 seasons and over 100 episodes of DIY Network’s I Hate My Kitchen. James loves tearing up and rebuilding kitchens, and this cause is close to his heart. The US Army Veteran is a licensed building contractor and electrician who has also appeared on Blog Cabin and hosted The Hot List for DIY.

Click Here to DonateWalmart

[youtube height=”480″ width=”853″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzhddvN6Bfo&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/youtube]

 

Candy Cane Cooler Recipe from NoMa Social

Candy Cane Cooler
Candy Cane Cooler

NoMa Social is bringing in the holiday season with a Candy Cane Cooler that just screams Christmas spirit. Not only does this concoction look festive, but it decks the halls of your taste buds as well. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:
1 tbs crushed soft peppermint candy
1½ fl oz vodka
splash of white creme de menthe
¼ fl oz brandy
½ fl oz half-and-half
Crushed ice
Peppermint stick for garnish
Mint sprig for garnish

Directions:
Combine the vodka and crushed peppermint. Stir to dissolve. Add the remaining ingredients, stir and garnish.

Also, make sure to come in from 4-8pm and take advantage of NoMa Social’s 4×4 deal during the winter season. Choose any 4 different wines, cocktails, beers and tapas for only 4 dollars each.

Jay Alexander from 6pm.com Video: Online Holiday Deals and Stocking – Up on Winter Essentials

With the help of live models, Style + Life + Fashion was excited to interview 6pm.com style guru Jay Alexander as he shared his cheat sheet for closet essentials, styling secrets to help you re-imagine your wardrobe, and discussed how to get the most out of your online shopping experience!

Deep discounts, free shipping, easy return policies….there are many late-year shopping benefits.  This is also the perfect time to restock your closet with classic essentials and on-trend items that will make your current wardrobe pop.

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Take a look at the video (below) and grab a few ideas to revamp your winter wardrobe!  From coats to accessories, Jay shares all of the best fashion tips.

Winter Wardrobe Shopping Tips

It’s time to go shopping for a brand new winter wardrobe. But wait, you shouldn’t just go crazy, scanning your bank card at every given opportunity. If you take that approach, you can bet you’ll end up with a load of items you didn’t really need. Not to mention no money left! Consider these things before you go shopping so you can come home with the best haul:

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From Glitter Guide.com

 

 

Things You Already Own

Do you already have winter items you can wear again this year? You may have a quality pair of boots, some jumpers, jeans, tights, and other items that you’ve had in the past that will still do this year. Obviously you want to change up your look, but it’s easy to make old items look new if you style them properly. Go through and decide which items you’d like to keep and which you’ll give to charity. Try not to be a hoarder. If you haven’t worn something in a while, get rid of it to make room for new stuff.

Transitional Summer Items

You’ve probably got summer items that you can make work for you in winter too. Skirts and shorts can be worn with tights. Vests can be worn under your jumpers or layered with cardigans. Work out what you’ll still wear this season. Get rid of the stuff you won’t wear or put it in storage for next year.

Seasonal Items

Whether you like to make the most of your current wardrobe by reusing things or not, everybody can afford to buy a few new seasonal items when shopping for their new wardrobe. This might be the season’s pair of ‘It’ boots – the thigh high style. Or it may be a cosy cowl neck jumper. Personally, I buy myself a new winter coat and a few jumpers each year. You’d never know I was wearing old jeans, tights, and skirts with them. By doing this, I’ve ended up with quite a collection of coats and jumpers. I made sure that they will last me a good few years too, so I always have a wide range of coats to choose from when I’m going out! A couple of new items will bring your wardrobe up to date. There’s just no need to go mad and buy everything you see! Click here for inspiration. If you make sure the items you buy are versatile, they’ll last a long time and go with a lot of different things.

Your Budget

If you go shopping without a budget you’re doomed from the start. You need to know how much you are able to spend on your new wardrobe so you can think of the garments that are the best value for money and purchase them accordingly. If you can, remember that less is more. Bya few items that are high quality and will last you a while, rather than lots of items that are low quality and won’t last you past this year.

Consider these things, and you’ll have a high quality wardrobe that will last you for many winters to come!

Fall Fashion 2014 – Essentials That Every Girl Needs

The leaves are shades of burnt orange and yellow, and the weather seems to be getting nippier each time we leave the house. This can only mean one thing: Fall is here! As well as eating buckets of pumpkin soup and drinking milky cinnamon beverages, I’m dressing for the occasion too. It isn’t quite winter, so you could possibly get away with wearing less layers, still managing to show off a nice bit of shape in your outfits. The following bits are essentials that every girl needs during the Fall:

 

Fall Fashion Plaid Shirt

A Chunky Scarf

A chunky scarf is a must during Fall, especially if you don’t plan on wearing a big, cosy coat. Luckily for you, scarves look great with just about anything, especially if you can wrap them round your neck a few times to get a nice layered look.

A Cape

I don’t mean a cape like Batman – this isn’t about Halloween! I mean a fashionable, blanket style cape. There are all kinds of styles out and about today, especially Navajo styles. They add a lovely layer to any outfit and an element of interest. Simply throw over your favourite jeans and shirt combo, or wear over a skirt and tights. Ladies like Beyonce  have been known to be fans!

Over the Knee Boots

Over the knee boots are sure to keep you toasty. In fact, many fashion bloggers are wearing theirs with a long jumper and bare legs! You might be a little chilly at first, but I’m sure you’d get used to it after a while. You might want to wear shorts under your jumper too – just in case!

Plaid Shirt

The plaid shirt is a laidback fashion staple for Fall, just as it has been all year. It’s another great layering piece that can be worn with just about anything. Throw it over your favorite t-shirt, or wrap it around your waist to add a grunge feel.

here’s another plaid shirt that I like: sheer plaid shirt

Longline Blazer Jacket

The longline blazer jacket is a good jacket choice for those slightly warmer Fall days. They are very smart, so perfect for a job interview, meeting, or just a day in the office.

Thick Tights

With thick tights at your disposal, you can wear anything you want. Shorts, skirts, dresses, you name it. You won’t be cold, and you’ll look very chic indeed. No need to throw out your Summer wardrobe when you can make it work for Fall!

Cozy Jumper

Of course, we all need a cosy jumper during the Fall to snuggle up with. Cropped jumpers are everywhere at the moment, and they look fabulous with a skirt and tights. However, you could also get a long jumper as mentioned before to wear with some over the knee boots. High neck jumpers are all the rage this season!

If you have these items in your wardrobe this Fall, you’ll never get chilly. You’ll never run out of things to wear, either! Simply interchange these items for a different looking outfit each time. What do you think of these fashion essentials? Leave a comment with your thoughts!

Choosing an Engagement Ring: Jewelry that Suits Your Style

Have you been tasked with choosing your own engagement ring? This can be disappointing, as it takes the surprise out of the whole engagement process. However, for some women it’s a dream come true! You know that you’re going to love this special ring, and you’ll have something that suits your style forever and ever. Here’s how you can choose an engagement ring that suits your style:

 

Kim Kardashian Engagement Ring
Kim Kardashian Engagement Ring

Photo Source: Press Room VIP

Look at Skin Colour, Hair Colour, and Eye Color

Jewelry is beautiful, but it sometimes doesn’t look as good on us if we don’t take our coloring into account. Some jewelry will pop against certain skin types, but others will look dull. Look at your skin color, hair color, and eye color to work out what suits you most. You can find this out by doing a simple search online. There’s loads of information out there to help you! Some jewelers may be able to give you similar advice too. Try Whiteflash for engagement rings in Houston where you’re likely to get professional advice.

That being said, if you find out gold suits you best but you don’t like gold, you don’t have to go with it. Go with the metal you’ll be happy wearing forever. It all boils down to what you like!

The kind of clothes you wear the most could dictate the engagement ring you choose. Let’s say you love shopping for vintage clothing. A vintage ring would look amazing when paired with all of those vintage finds! If you like dressing classy and sophisticated, then a classic style engagement ring would suit you. If you like fashion that is quite ‘out there’, you may prefer an abstract design with colourful stones. Don’t go for a classic style just because you think you should. Go with something that will suit you and the things you wear most.

What Type of Thing Would You Like to Wear Forever?

Remember, you’re going to be wearing this ring forever. If you’re going through a phase with the colour black at the moment, you may not want to choose an engagement ring with a black stone. It’ll be different, but you might like pink next year and blue the year after. Don’t choose something where you think the novelty might wear off in the next few years. Make sure it goes with the rest of the jewelry you enjoy wearing most of the time.

Ask a Friend

Why not take a friend engagement ring hunting with you? They can tell you what they think suits you best. It can really help to have the outside opinion of somebody else!

You could even take your husband to be with you to give you his opinion. As this commitment is about the special bond between the two of you, it makes sense for him to have a say in the ring he buys for you. Even if you simply make a shortlist and he chooses from it, it’s better than him having no involvement.

Good luck!