Style [+] Life [+] Fashion by [@kwest1908]
I hope that everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend! I spent the three-day holiday eating barbeque, playing golf with my family, and indulging in Memorial sales. Thank you to Tipsy Elves for sending a fun tank top to wear during weekend festivities.
I’m actually saving this shirt for Independence Day weekend (smile.)
In support of three independent Baltimore boutiques’ efforts to rebuild post-uprising; Bonneau Caprece llc, MICA and the fashion community of Baltimore proudly present “The Best of Baltimore Fashion Industry Benefit” (B.O.B.B.) featuring 20 of Baltimore’s top designers and fiber artists; as well as make-up artists, hair stylists & photographers.
Summer is around the corner and we’ve compiled your SUMMER 2015 SURVIVAL KIT!
From the latest in skin care to refreshing drink options, milkshake machines and more, below are summer-perfect items to get you through every last sun shining day.
Coconut Oil For Beauty: While most people associate coconut oil with cooking, Extra Virgin Coconut oil actually has a variety of beauty uses and this trendy item can multipurpose as a moisturizer, hair conditioner, teeth whitener, shaving cream, and natural sunscreen. Moreover, most folks would agree that the right facial mask is one that contains coconut oil. Pure, unrefined, and cold pressed, this Extra Virgin Coconut Oil from Carrington Farms coconut oil comes in convenient, portable Paks, so it’s great for toting to the beach or a pool. As an added bonus, coconut oil has been shown to help prevent breakouts, so you won’t have to worry about unwanted blemishes. Priced at $9.99/8- 0.5 oz packets per box at select retailers and online at www.CarringtonFarms.com
Organic Beach Towels: In Turkey, where bathing has been raised to an art, khadi is the traditional choice for toweling. Coyuchi’s Mediterranean Beach Towels are traditional lightweight Turkish bath towels with a high/low weave for excellent absorption. Woven from yarn dyed organic cotton and edged in hand-knotted fringe. Cotton is 100% organic, and sourced and woven in Turkey. Priced at $68 at coyuchi.com
Travel Friendly Wine: VOGA Italia’s Baby Sparkling is a mini sized sparkling wine- perfectly portioned for one! With a unique screw top cap, you can easily open and reseal while enjoying a summer picnic lunch or day at the beach! For extra cute enjoyment, pop in a straw and enjoy. No glass needed. Priced at $5.99 at select retailers nationwide.
Hydrating Coconut Water: Coco Joy is naturally rich in nutrients and hydrating electrolytes and full of sweet flavor from all natural, pure coconut water made from 100% pure green coconuts that contain no added sugar and no preservatives. It’s gluten, lactose and dairy free and is the perfect cool companion to rejuvenate after a day spent under the sun. It delivers antioxidants, calcium and magnesium and has fewer calories, less sodium and more potassium than sports drinks. Coco Joy is brand new to the US and is available on Amazon.com. Priced at $1.90 for 8.40 fl. oz cans and $3.90 for 42 fl. oz. bottles.
Portable BBQ Set: You’ve got the beverages, now what about the eats? Prepare a serious BBQ at your local park or favorite outdoor spot with All-Clad Stainless Steel BBQ Set. The set includes 4 grilling tools in a sturdy, metal carrying case for easy transport of tools to the grilling area. Priced at $119 at www.macys.com.
Milkshake Machine: Nothing’s better on a hot summer day than a creamy milkshake! Now with Omega’s milkshake makers you can bring the fun home! The extra-large Stainless Steel blending cup clicks on and off for ease-of-use and serving. The powerful motor and detachable spindle aerates mixtures into frothy, smooth textures for superior whipping results. Priced at $179.95- 399.95 at www.OmegaJuicers.com
Hot-Weather Ready Pillow: Get your beauty sleep…even on a hot summer night. JuveRest’s The Sleep Wrinkle Pillow’s contoured shape provides comfortable support and improved air circulation around your head keeping you cooler at night. Plus, its patented design minimizes facial wrinkles by promoting back sleeping and compression-free side sleeping. Priced at $179 at www.juverest.com
Look trim, toned and 10 pounds lighter–INSTANTLY!– with MeMoi’s state-of –the-art SlimMe shapewear!
How is it that a mere inch or two around the midriff and hips can mean the difference between fitting into that slinky dress comfortably or having to “suck it in” all night, regretting those late night visits to the fridge? Life is too short for regrets! Especially when it is possible to fit into that dress and immediately look 10 pounds slimmer—no self-deprivation required! MeMoi’s SlimMe Full Control Slip does the work for you. This light compression shape wear flattens your middle and smoothes the lower body, holding in the areas that need it the most while still showing off those killer curves— it reshapes, tucks and tones instantly! Gone are the days of uncomfortable, restrictive shape wear. MeMoi’s Shapewear state-of-the-art design and fabrics mean looking fabulous and feeling carefree and confident CAN be a reality—for only $30.00!
SlimMe’s Full Control Slip is:
In business for over 20 years, MeMoi was founded on the principle that every woman is beautiful and deserves impeccable products. Developed by top industry experts, MeMoi understands what a woman is looking for when it comes to shape wear, lingerie and undergarments, using only high quality fabrics and cutting edge techniques in the fabrication of their products. It is their desire that women will fall in love with their ultramodern shape wear which provides dramatic results at reasonable prices.
Stevenson University hosted their Fourth Annual Student Fashion Show on Saturday, May 9, 2015. The theme of this year’s show was A Common Thread.
There were five scenes for the fashion show: Garment Construction Studio Class: Children’s Wear and Casual Looks, Flat Pattern II Class: Tailored Styles, Draping II Class: We are One In Fashion, and Senior Studio I and II Classes: Senior Collections. Designers for the Senior Collection exhibited their year long project.
I am excited to share that my Sorority Mentee Jocelyn Williams assisted with the production of the fashion show. Jocelyn is a senior student that has been accepted into The Savannah College of Art and Design; with an internship at Lee Anderson Apparel Company and Under Armour. Jocelyn also designed her own collection titled: Bitsy Botanicals.
Additional supporters for the event where Baltimore Magazine, Baltimore Fashion Alliance, Gerber Technology, Mode Couture, Nordstrom, Under Armour, PLITZ Fashion Marketing, and The Baltimore Sun. Overall, I enjoyed watching the show and seeing the eye-catching creativity and workmanship of the students!
Did you know that BJs carries more than 150 organic options in-club and their assortment is growing? Well-known brands from Back to Nature, Betterbody, Stonyfield, and Horizon can be found at BJs. In fact, BJs is expanding its own brand, Wellsley Farms, in this category, too. Twenty-five percent of Wellsley Farms items that are unveiled this year will be organic. Currently, BJs also carries organic dairy, bakery, produce, prepared foods and more.
PERDUE® HARVESTLAND® is the first organic whole bird, boneless breasts, and boneless thighs now offered. In true blogger fashion I decided to venture into BJs and take a look at the new product line. I’m always pleased to visit the store because they have great prices and the products are in line with my family’s needs. It’s also very clean and well organized; all of the components that any busy mom values when shopping wholesale.
I purchased a few items of my own and created a recipe with Perdue Harvestland Whole Chicken. The meal was delicious and the quality of the chicken was undeniable because there were fewer hormones. If you’re looking to jumpstart a healthier meal option for your family and consume meats with no animal by-products, visit BJs and shop their (new) organic food options.
1 Prepare your oven at 350 degrees for indirect heat
2 Remove neck and giblets from cavity of chicken. Rub olive oil all over the chicken. Mix the salt, pepper, and Mrs Dash in a little bowl, then sprinkle or spread over the chicken.
3 Make sure the can is open and lower the chicken on the open can, so that the chicken is sitting upright and the can in its cavity.
4 Place the chicken in the oven; and don’t check on it for at least an hour. After an hour, check on the chicken and keep checking the chicken every 15 minutes until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 160°F – 165°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, poke the chicken with a knife to see if there’s no red juices or if the meat is done.
5 Carefully transfer the chicken to a tray or pan and use tongs to hold the top of the chicken. Lift the chicken and ease the can from inside of the chicken. Let it cool for 15 minutes. Carefully lift the chicken off of the can.
This year, Carrington Farms is celebrating springtime by encouraging everyone to keep healthy items on hand at all times, made possible by Carrington’s new line of portable, on-the-go products.
As you already know from this blog, I am a fan of the Carrington Farms product line. They’re quick, healthy and an easy way to incorporate certain vitamins and nutrients in your diet. The company has also taken this concept a step further with the creation of Flax Chia, Coconut Oil, and Flax Hemp Paks.
We often overlook breakfast but it’s a very important start to our day! The proper (breakfast) dish can jumpstart your energy and metabolism. I wanted to share a recipe with the use of Flax Hemp Paks.
Kale Omelette Recipe:
To follow Carrington Farms on social media:
Facebook page www.facebook.com/
Thrift shopping has become “the cool kids” way of updating their wardrobe and I have always adored thrifting. It’s one of my favorite hobbies since the age of 15 and allowed me to express my individual style.
My dad could never understand my obsession with consignment/thrift shops. He gave me money for clothing but instead of spending it at McCraes (which is now Belks) I would ask my mom to drive me to the thrift shop.
I think it was the experience of understanding clothing construction that attracted me to this hobby. In the process of shopping, I learned a lot about fabrics and fixtures. I also learned how to properly care for clothing because some items need to be dry cleaned while others required fabric softener.
Thankfully my mom never rejected my obsession because she also enjoys thrifting. To this day we call it “the closet” and when I visit my parents we turn this into a major event. For us, it’s a bonding activity and a perfect opportunity to neglect the budget planner for a little while, and still somehow save money!
I do recognize that thrifting’s not for everyone but I think it’s about strategy. There’s an art to thrifting that many may not understand and some of us have the true knack of finding a good deal. I want to help those who may not understand how to thrift and share in this experience.
Step Number One: I read fashion magazines like Instyle or People StyleWatch to recognize what’s fashionable for the season. When I’m shopping, I will instantly gravitate towards that trendy pair of white seersucker pants hanging on the rack.
Step Number Two: Know your body type before shopping consignment/thrift stores. Entering a thrift store can be overwhelming because there’s so much merchandise. You want to select items that compliment your figure and NOT because it’s a designer blouse. Nothing’s worse than paying $12 dollars for something that doesn’t work and you can NOT take back to the store.
Step Number Three: Search for quality fabrics or what I like to call (this is my fashion degree moment) natural fibers. They tend to hold up well in the course of wearing and look chic.
Step Number Four: Always, Always, Always, Always, overlook the garment. Do not purchase anything without searching the garment from top to bottom. For example, if you have a blazer in your basket search the pockets for tears, look at the buttons to see if one’s missing, or whether there’s a hole in the fabric. This is a very important step to thrifting.
Step Number Five: This may come as a surprise but thrift shops actually have sale days. Check with the sales associates or look around the store for sales. Also, keep up with the store discounts; for example, if a ticket has a red sticker your item could be 50% off.
You’re probably asking what type of items have I found while thrifting? Well, you’ve actually seen a few of the items on this site but I’ve purchased a fur coat (my first one in graduate school) Louis Vuitton wallet, Ralph Lauren sweaters, BCBG pumps, vintage sunglasses and clutch purses, denim jeans, wool plaid swing coat (my favorite in college) knee boots, and the list goes on!
Nothing says “chic” better than mixing vintage couture and fabulous accessories.
It’s not secret that Sullivans is one of my favorite restaurants. Join them on Mother’s Day for Brunch starting at 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Menu selections include Skyy Bloody Marys and Hand Carved Prime Rib; ranging at $35 per person.
Please see the menu below:
For the perfect Mother’s Day Gift: Stella&Dot
