Talk of Alabama Lifestyle Segment – Summer Beauty on a Budget

I was thrilled to visit Talk of Alabama and share beauty tips on a budget.  With so many products in stores one has to ask, “are they budget-friendly?”

There’s also a misconception that one must spend hundreds of dollars to look amazing.  This is not a true statement!

Beauty can be accomplished with a $10 purchase; we must use self-awareness and research our individual needs. For example, I suffer from eczema and constantly seeking products that will retain hydration and reduce skin irritation.

The products I shared on ABC 33/40 included Remington Electric ShaverBanana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning LotionRevlon Pedi-Expert Pedicure KitSelf-Tanning TowlettesEOS Evolution of Smooth Lip Balm, Spa@Home Oxygen Bubble Sheet Mask, ORLY Breathable Treatment + Color, Aquation Gentle Moisturizing Cleanser, Aloe Glow Organic Water, Coconut Beach Water, Brahmin Travel Tote, and Clear Cosmetics Bags.

All of the beauty products listed can be purchased at Ulta, Amazon or a local drugstore.

Personally, my favorite product is the Revlon Pedi-Expert Pedicure Kit. This is a must-have item and I will explain more during the lifestyle segment.

Here’s the breakdown:

FACE

Spa@Home Oxygen Bubble Sheet Mask

EOS Evolution of Smooth Lip Balm

Aquation Gentle Moisturizing Cleanser

Aloe Glow Organic Water

Coconut Beach Water

BODY

Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Lotion

Self-Tanning Towlettes

Remington Electric Shaver

HANDS/FEET

Revlon Pedi-Expert Pedicure Kit

ORLY Breathable Treatment + Color

TRAVEL

Clear Cosmetics Bags

Brahmin Travel Tote

Summer Beauty on a Budget Segment

Talk of Alabama Lifestyle Segment – Safe Decorating for Kids Rooms

I was invited to host a lifestyle segment on ABC 33/40, Talk of Alabama and share safety tips for kids rooms. The segment was a lot of fun because I truly enjoy discussing new products with a local audience!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH:  TALK OF ALABAMA

The main focus was to bring safety awareness of products for kids rooms.  Parents must ask are home decor items functional and eliminate hazards for little ones?

As a mom, I love to decorate my kids room (especially in character themes) but there’s also consideration for electric plugs, heat consumption, contained storage bins, and comfortable sleep.

The products shown below are beneficial and can be successful in everyone’s home:

 

 1.  Blindsgalore (BG Kids Brand) Shade – recommends completely cordless blinds or shades when children in the home.  The company offers hundred of independently certified child safe blinds and shades.


2.  Kidzooz Pillow – Designed by a chiropractor, parent and grandparent, this is more than just a stuffed animal or pillow but a product that combines the two while encouraging good sleep habits.


3.  BPA Free Storage and Organizers

  • Available in three colors – grey, pink and blue
  • Includes three pieces – a caddy, bucket and tote
  • The storage items are BPA Free and made of a durable canvas exterior.


4.  Interactive Finding Dory Wall Friend –  The interactive light-up, talking Wall Friend from uncle Milton toys is a perfect addition to a child’s bedroom.

  • Just touch the remote control button and watch as Dory lights up and talks with many fun, familiar phrases from the new Finding Dory movie.

 

Home Decor Spring Trends 2016 – Fox 45 Morning News Segment

Everyone’s updating their home for the Spring season!  Whether it’s purchasing new pillows, curtains or adding tulips to a vase, new decor can uplift any space.

Last week, I hosted a Lifestyle Segment on Fox 45 News discussing home decor trends with a technology flair.  Blindsgalore is a window treatment company, specializing in Bali Blinds.  This particular type of home blinds is considered eco-friendly and it operates from a smart phone/table app or remote control.  Customers can open their blinds while sitting on the couch or in a different area of the home!

A few of the other products shared included the Mcushion Massage Pillow, BedJet Climate Comfort System, and MyIvation Lamp.

Special thank you to Burlington for (also) supporting this segment and providing additional home products!

Diono Products – Fox 45 Morning News Segment

I had the opportunity to showcase products from the Diono car seat brand on Fox 45 News WBFF Baltimore. This was a great segment because I’m a mom and having an organized car can be a lifesaver!

Every parent should know about this company because they have amazing products!  The three items I discussed where Radian RXT Car Seat, Travel Pal, and Stow n Go.  As you can see from the photo, parents are able to store toys, food items, and travel buddies for their little ones.

I had a lot of fun and hope that I helped to make someone’s family travel easier.  Visit Diono.com to view more of their products!

BJs Wholesale Club – Top Ten Toys Holiday Segment

On December 12, 2015 I hosted a Lifestyle Segment at Fox 45 WBFF news station. The purpose of the segment was to share this year’s Top Ten Toys from BJs Wholesale Club.

As the Spokesperson, I was able to discuss the following items:

Doc McStuffins Take Care of Me Lambie

Doc McStuffins Get Better Talking Mobile

Princess and Ice Castle Dollhouse: A BJ’s Exclusive

Star Wars Episode VII Jedi Master Lightsaber

Care Bears Sing-a-Long: A BJ’s Exclusive Bundle

Disney Frozen Ultimate Olaf

Miposaur with BONUS Recharge Kit

BJs has a variety of products for all age groups and delicious array of food items.  This is the perfect time to renew your membership before the new year.  Visit a local BJs Wholesale Club for your last-minute holiday needs!

BJs Wholesale Club – Holiday Destination and Lifestyle Segment

The numbers are in. The National Retail Federation expects a solid 3.7 percent increase in 2015 holiday buying amounting to $630.5 billion – an astonishing total for just two months of sales.  However, they are tempering their glee noting that “…Americans remain somewhat torn between their desire and their ability to spend; the fact remains consumers still have the weight of the economy on their minds” and  “expect families to spend prudently and deliberately.”  The NRF also expects online holiday sales to increase between 6 and 8 percent this year, adding up to $105 billion.

What does this mean to the holiday shopper?  It means that consumers will be shopping where they know they will get the most gift-giving bang for their bucks.  And that’s where wholesale clubs like BJs step up with a tried and true value proposition. Not just in-club either. The online deals at BJs.com also fill the void of many Johnny-come-latelys to subscription online buying, because BJs has the power of expertise to seek out and offer exclusive deals on the most popular items this holiday season.

The experts at Selling Christmas have identified some of the  biggest trends this year, and for both online and in store gift buying, BJs members will see 2015 holiday favorites, such as:

 

Precious Metallics at Non-Precious Prices:

Straight from the pages of Elle Magazine: “Iridescent fabrics are the stuff dreams are made of. Seriously, try and look at them without being mesmerized. We predict that these fabrics will be a major street style staple. “

Glimmering metallic from copper to silver to gold can make any room or person look and feel glamorous.

·         Satina 8-Premium Cosmetic Brush Set with Travel Case – Get the look professionals create to achieve pro-perfect application of face and eye makeup with various brushes including an angled foundation brush, large eye shadow brush, smudge brush and more.   $19.99 In-Club Only

  • Moscow Mules Mugs – Set of two traditional stainless steel mugs with a long-lasting shiny copper finish and brass handle. The perfect drinking companion for cool, refreshing drinks year round. $17.99 In-Club & BJs.com
  • Crystal Bead Love Knot Stud Earrings – Pair these gorgeous round earrings with any look, day or night. Packed with dozens of round crystals, each 12mm earring possesses a startling amount of sparkle and shine. The base is not without its own elegance, combining the smooth cool of sterling silver with the warm richness of 14K yellow gold in a swirling design. IGI Appraisal Value $135 At BJ’s: $89.99 In-Club & BJs.com
  • Berkley Jensen 100 Sq. Ft. Gift Wrap Ensemble – Five rolls of premium wrap, gift tags and coordinating bows and ribbons in a variety of metallic hues for the holiday season. $14.99 In-Club Only

Winter White:
Even if snow doesn’t touch down, incorporating winter white is still a popular way for getting into the holiday spirit. Adding classic white ware pieces will elegantly contrast with reds, greens and metallics.

·         Berkley Jensen Write-and-Wipe Menu Board and Place Card Set – Let your dinner guests know what’s on the menu with this write & wipe ceramic menu board and six place cards. Use the included dry erase marker to write entertaining dinner highlights, a special dessert menu or messages of congratulations. The place cards can be used for table settings or labeling different dishes. This set is easily washable to reuse again and again. BJ’s Exclusive $14.99 In-Club & BJs.com

·         Berkley Jensen Swirl Chip and Dip DishConstructed of super-white porcelain, the attractive Berkley Jensen Swirl Chip and Dip Dish is the perfect vessel for favorite party snacks. The bright white color makes a nice background for special occasion fare, allowing the cuisine to take center stage. Dish has an 11.8″ diameter with built-in well for dip, olives and other snacks. BJs Exclusive $11.99 In-Club & BJs.com.

·         Berkley Jensen 5-Tier Buffet ServerMake the food table a display with this 3- or 5-tier buffet server from Berkley Jensen. Five stoneware trays can be used individually or as a unit, and the wire stand makes all dishes easy to reach. The trays are microwave-safe for convenient reheating and dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up. BJs Exclusive $29.99 In-Club & BJs.com

·         Berkley Jensen 3-Piece Graduated Porcelain Trays with Handles Berkley Jensen Porcelain Platters are a sleek and modern way to serve food. With pierced handles for easy handling and three different sizes, you will host and serve with ease. Comes with a small (8″x7 5/8″x1 1/8″), medium (10″x9.5″x1 38″) and large platter (12″x11 3/8″x1 3/4″). $14.99 In-Club & BJs.com

LED Lights to Light up Your Life:
Think light emitting diodes (LEDs) are just for flashlights and cell phone displays? Think again as new products are helping to bring more seasonal glitter to homes.

  • Sylvania Color-Changing LED Garland  – Nine feet of color-changing LED bulbs intricately woven through garland is a perfect holiday accent to mantles, doorways or stair railings. Choose between steady warm white lights, steady multi-colored lights or continuously changing white to multicolored lights. The timer feature means the lights will only be on when you want them to be on without worrying about turning a switch on and off..$34.99 In-Club & BJs.com
  • 24″ Berkley Jensen Oversized Pre-Lit Gold or Red Ornament with LED Lights – Brighten up any front lawn with these festive oversized ornaments.

48″ Berkley Jensen Stacking Snowmen with LED LightsColorful and festive stacking snowmen bring a sense of joy to holiday decorations. The bright LED lights are both cool white and multicolor and the included timer function allows for energy-saving convenience. BJs Exclusive $149.99 In-Club or $179.99 (Delivered) BJs.com

Chalkboards

For a rustic and classic theme, chalkboards continue to be a stylish way to create conversation starters when entertaining.

  • Slate Wine and Spirit Notes, 3-Piece – These slate notes in assorted seasonal designs is such a unique way to label a gift for a wine bottle or to help label holiday cocktail fusions. $9.99 In-Club Only
  • Slate and Wood Paddle Serving Set, 13-Piece – Serve a variety of cheeses in an elegant manner with this 13-piece wood and slate cheese board. With black slate markers and white slate pencils, your guests will know exactly what they are sampling. Includes antique brown wooden tray with leather rope, black slate board, 3 stainless steel cheese tools, 4 black slate cheese markers and 3 white slate pencils $17.99 In-Club & BJs.com

Enjoy photos from the holiday Lifestyle Segment at WBAL News.  The serving platters, recipe, and ingredients used for the Cranberries Holiday Cooking Demo are compliments of BJs Wholesale Club:

Cranberry-Orange Chutney

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. Cape Cod Fresh Cranberries
  • 2 Tropicana Navel Oranges
  • 2 cups Domino Pure Cane Sugar
  • 1 cup chopped, toasted Wellsley Farms Walnuts

 

Directions

Pour cranberries into a food processor bowl. Cover and pulse in 2-second bursts, scraping down bowl with a rubber spatula, until the berries are coarsely chopped. Do not over-process. Transfer cranberries

to a medium mixing bowl and set aside.

 

Quarter unpeeled oranges and place in the processor bowl. Pulse until just coarsely chopped.

 

Combine oranges with cranberries in mixing bowl. Stir in 1½ cups of sugar and chopped walnuts (if using). Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary by adding more

sugar a little at a time.

 Pecan and Cranberry Crusted Salmon with Cran-apple drizzle

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
  • 2 Tablespoon Butter, melted
  • 2 Tablespoon Wellsley Farms Organic Honey
  • 1/2 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs
  • 1/2 Cup Chopped pecans
  • 1/4 Cup Dried cranberries, chopped
  • 2 Tablespoon Fresh parsley, chopped
  • 4 6oz. Salmon filets
  • Kosher salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray

Drizzle

  • 1 Cup Fresh cranberry sauce (prepared according to package directions)
  • 1/2 Cup Apple juice
  • 1 Tablespoon Apple cider vinegar

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Add fresh cranberry sauce, apple juice and vinegar in blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for five minutes stirring often. Remove from heat. Set aside.

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ABC2 Scandal Shopping – Winter Finale & Fashion

The Scandal Shopping Series has been an amazing experience.  Every week (until the end of the season) we have re-created looks surrounding Olivia Pope’s wardrobe.  The news team and I filmed at various shopping locations such as consignment stores, boutiques, and retail chains.

Boutiques Featured:

The Wise Penny Consignment Boutique

South Moon Under Harbor East

White House Black Market

La Chic Boutique

Ann Taylor

Dear Annie Boutique

Macys in Annapolis

Oasis Consignment Boutique

Kelsey’s Korner

 

As the Scandal Winter Finale airs tonight, I hope the local Baltimore audience enjoyed all of the pieces selected and our segment encouraged women (no matter their shape or size) to channel their inner Olivia Pope.

Photos are taken from WornonTV.net

Olivia Pope’s Gladiator Style – 

Monochromatic Tones | Natural Fibers & Textures | Peplum Tops | Capes & Coats | Tailored Blazers | Wide Leg Trouser Pants | Structured Handbags | Platform Shoes | Delicate Jewelry | Cashmere Sweaters | Classic Pumps

More Candid Photos from The Scandal Shopping Series

 

Clothing and accessories worn (by myself) were purchased from New York & Company

CLICK HERE TO WATCH:

ABC2 WMAR SCANDAL SHOPPING

National Coffee Month Lifestyle Segment – WBAL TV Baltimore

August was National Coffee Month and people everywhere celebrated this delicious beverage.  I’m an avid coffee drinker and brew a pot daily.  Some people like to enjoy a cup of tea but there’s a few tricks to brewing coffee at home.

Kimberly West

I like to use filtered water for the best results; add hazelnut (or vanilla) syrup along with creamer and sugar.  If you’re monitoring your sugar intake, substitute with a sweetener.  Take your coffee up a notch by adding whipped cream and cinnamon.  As a hobby, my mom and I like to purchase flavored coffee beans such French Roast, Pumpkin, or Caramel Pecan.  It’s fun to taste the various spices and scents!

Also, the best place to store a bag of coffee is in a cool, airtight container to ensure the flavor’s not lost.  Last Sunday, I had the chance to share coffee, espresso, and tea brewing products on WBAL TV Baltimore.  I am always enthusiastic about discussing fashion, parent, or home products.

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IMUSA Electric Espresso Maker | IMUSA Espresso Set | KRUPS Savoy Machine

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Krups Burr Grinder | Ten Thousand Villages Mugs | T-Fal Electric Kettle

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Chatting with Jennifer Franciotti

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Smiling with Miri Marshall, Meteorologist

I had a great time visiting WBAL – TV Baltimore and hope the items (shown) will encourage my audience to enjoy brewing products at home.

Lifestyle Segments and Products with Style + Life + Fashion

The month of March has been very busy for Style + Life + Fashion.  Aside from sharing great information for readers, I have hosted three lifestyle segments on WBAFF Fox 45 News Station.

The segment topics were: Ultimate Sick Day Survival Kit, St. Patrick’s Day Green Kitchen Products, and Easter Brunch Quick Recipes.  I always enjoy hosting lifestyle segments because it allows me to share new products and information with viewers in the Baltimore area.

Most importantly, Style + Life + Fashion’s an extension of me but the (primary) focus is my audience!

 

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Taking a backstage selfie


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Sick day survival products

 

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Helping others stay healthy

 

 Ultimate Sick Day Survival Kit – Rowenta Humidifer, Cold – EEZE Cold & Flu, Carrington Organics Tea

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Fun green colored kitchen products

 

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My mom made this necklace set for me

 

Green Kitchen Products – TFal Cookware, IMUSA Juicer, Cookina Cooking Sheets, GAEA Olive Oil

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Stella & Dot necklace

 

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Smiling with morning show producer and fellow Junior Leaguer

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Easter brunch recipe ideas and products

 

Easter Brunch Quick Recipes – Carrington Farms Coconut Oil and Milled Flax Seed, Gaea Olive Oil, Coleman’s Prepared Mustard

Catch me next month on (again) Fox 45 News sharing a round up of monthly subscription boxes and WBAL TV discussing trends for the home and housewares.

 

Lifestyle Segment on Fox 45 Morning News: Health Benefits of Drinking Tea in Winter Months

I was invited to host a lifestyle segment on Fox 45 Baltimore WBFF sharing the benefits of drinking tea in the winter months. Brewing a cup of tea can serve as an aid with weight loss, stress relief, and help give a boost of energy. Also, black tea is the equivalent of drinking coffee due to a stimulating substance call theophyllin.

Although there’s a social aspect to drinking tea, we have to remember the original health benefits.  Personally, I like to drink tea as a preventative measure against colds and to boost my immune system.  If I’m not feeling well or have an upset stomach, I brew a cup of tea and drink it in the afternoon (or before bedtime) to flush away the toxins.  Below are additional health benefits:

1. Reduce the risk of heart attack

2. Fights free radicals

3. Helps diabetics better process sugar

4. Improve bone density

5. Helps with relaxation and concentration

I was super excited to share the following products and showcase my favorite tea cups. Don’t forget to purchase Carrington Organics Tea, Sparkling Ice Bottled Tea, Downtown Abbey Tea, or visit Caffe bene new tea house (nationwide) for a relaxing experience.

 If you like this post, click here: National Wine Day Television Segment