Category: Birmingham

Ann Taylor /

Summer Getaway Packing List – Ann Taylor

Weekend trips – so short, yet so hard to pack for! With endless possibilities but only a few outfits to wear, packing for a weekend trip can seem even more daunting than packing for a two-week vacation. To ease the stress, Ann Taylor has bold and versatile options, so you can avoid over packing and create effortless and considered looks for all occasions without having to bring the bulk.

Pack away easy one piece outfits like a striped off the shoulder dress or a linen romper. To switch it up, grab printed shorts and skirts, matching sets (perfect for matching or mixing), versatile wide leg pants and fun halter tops for easy-to-coordinate looks.

Throw everything in a spacious woven straw tote with some chandelier earrings – the perfect additions for casual, yet refined weekend looks. A pair of versatile eyelet espadrille wedges will go far on a weekend getaway.

Birmingham /

Sparkling Ice Water and Recipes

Sparkling Ice has a new water product line.  This is awesome because you can take your health and beverage selection to the next level.  The carbonated water’s infused with natural flavors and zero calories.  My personal favorite is Peach Nectarine.

Customers can also enjoy Sparkling Ice in a variety of ways beyond sipping from a glass.  Did you know the product line’s used in recipes?  Take a look at the selections below:

Ingredients

SPARKLING ICE Cherry Limeade
Mint Leaves
Mashed cherries
Lime
Club soda

Yield – 1 cup

Prep Time – Less than 5 minutes

Ingredients

½ cup Peach Nectarine Sparkling ICE
½ cup seedless raspberry preserves
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Combine Sparkling ICE and preserves in a bowl and beat with a whisk until combined.
Whisk in Dijon mustard and black pepper.

Serving Suggestion:

Pairs well with cooled roasted beets, topped with walnuts, and blue cheese.

Toss dressing with baby spinach, red onion, goat cheese, and strawberries.

Yield 2 cups

Serves 6-8 people

Ingredients

2 Bottles Sparkling Ice Cherry Limeade
1/3 Cup Soy Sauce
5 Garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 Tablespoon Fresh Ginger, minced
1 Tablespoon whole black peppercorns
1 Teaspoon red pepper flake
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 lbs. Pork Tenderloin
Salt and Pepper
1/2 cup Scallion, sliced thinly

Directions

To prepare the marinade, whisk together Sparkling Ice Cherry Limeade, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, whole peppercorns, red pepper flake and olive oil in a large bowl.
Place pork tenderloin in a large zip lock bag or shallow baking dish.
Pour marinade over pork, cover or seal.
Refrigerate for 6 hours.
Remove pork from marinade and pat dry. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Reserve the liquid.
Place marinade in small saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Preheat your grill (medium high heat).
Place pork on pre-heated grill and close the cover. Turn and brush the pork with the simmered marinade every 5 minutes. Cook until meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork registers 145°F, about 15-20 minutes.
Rest for 10 minutes, slice and serve with scallions and warm marinade liquid.

All recipes are from Sparkling Ice.com

ABC /

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.

 

Birmingham /

Sally Hansen at Stella McCartney – Paris Fashion Week

SALLY HANSEN PERFECTING THE NATURAL NAIL AT STELLA MCCARTNEY’S
WINTER 2016 FASHION SHOW

Sally Hansen, the exclusive nail sponsor of Stella McCartney Collections in 2016, added the finishing touch to the Stella McCartney Winter 2016 Fashion show with a flawless and always on trend nude nail look. S Adding to the elegant and polished silhouettes, Sally Hansen’s Global Color Ambassador Madeline Poole elevated the natural nail look by using a warm beige tinted shade giving nails a deeper nude undertone perfect for the runway.

Madeline Poole used two coats of Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in “Au Nature-al”, a fresh clean shade that reveals unexpected added coverage while still maintaining the neutral aesthetic. The warm shade matches precisely with skin tone and delivers the perfect amount of color for a flawless finish.

“This season we wanted to celebrate the signature Stella look. Luxurious and effortless, sensual with a sense of humour and a tomboy side” – says Stella McCartney
“This year at Stella McCartney we are using a very classic shade. “Au Nature-al” is an amazing shade from Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in a sheer mid tone beige. With built in base and top coat the models are getting a quick and thorough high shine manicure that’s perfect for every day, every scenario, and every outfit change”– says Madeline Poole, Sally Hansen Global Color Ambassador

THE SHADE

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Au Nature-al

Sally Hansen’s award-winning Complete Salon Manicure collection infuses trend-setting shades with an expert quality formula to deliver salon-caliber results. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure delivers seven salon manicure steps in one bottle. Chip resistant strength joins gel-quality shine. Must-have color meets nourishing benefits. Plus, a built-in base and top coat, it’s everything you need to achieve a professional manicure at home.

THE STELLA MCCARTNEY WINTER 2016 COLLECTION

Winter 2016

Celebrating signature Stella. Luxurious and effortless. Sensual with a sense of humour and a tomboy side.Urban puffa jackets in imposing dimensions with feather free wadding. Mock turtlenecks and fluid knits with ruffle detailing in shades of bright pink, scarlet, caramel, and black. Cropped ‘Skin Free Skin’ bomber jackets and quilted black shorts.Denim adopts a sporty mood in a bold tie-dye finish and elasticated cords looping through dresses.

A swan print motif glides effortlessly on loose jacquard pieces and silk garments. Contrast fringing on pyjama legs, shorts and shirts introduces a fuzzy and playful feeling.Softly structured silhouettes in speckled grey and black tweeds play on volume with high waisted trousers and tops buttoning at the cuff. Nipped waists and handcrafted detailing create a sense of form and fabrication with an elegantly unpolished and light-hearted attitude. Raw edges and visible topstitching toughen up outerwear. Felted and fluid flecked knitwear wraps around the body.Tailoring plays with suspended sheer tulle with velvet tuxedo jackets seemingly floating off the shoulders.Delicate lace cocktail dresses are fully foiled with sunken Swiss lace collars and kilt-like pleating. A sense of romance is heightened in plush tones of rose, forest green, teal, pastel yellow and peach combined with silver, gold and copper metallics. Shoes are minimal with a sporty sensibility in velvet, denim and eco alter nappa finishes. Pointed-toe styles, mules and pumps have a triangular wedge, while sustainably made flats have zip detailing on the front. Bags are hand-held with a cartridge pleated carry-all and smooth rounded metal handle and furry balls or with a marble finish and gold edging. Enamel jewellery in crescent, cylindrical and artistic shapes that hang from ears and necks on curves of precious metals.

THE MANICURIST
Sally Hansen Global Color Ambassador Madeline Poole is a nail expert working in New York and LA. Trained as a painter, Madeline worked odd jobs like vintage poster restoration as an art student in Baltimore. Her unique talent in crafting innovative designs, emphasis on skin care and attention to the hand as a whole makes her one of the most sought after names in the beauty industry. As part of the collaboration with Sally Hansen, Madeline helps setting the artistic direction for a new generation of modern nail looks and collections with her fashion-forward vision on a worldwide basis.

Accessories /

Target Lainee D’Orsay Pumps – Nude Pumps for Women of Color

I shared a post last month titled the “Nudes Pumps Collection Spring 2015.”  Since that time, I decided to research a collection of affordable nude pumps for women of color.  I love my red bottom shoes but we shouldn’t sacrifice cost for real fashion and style.

After searching the internet for months (and canceling my shoe order) I found myself shopping at Target. Something told me to visit the shoe department because I am a sucker for a good sale. Sitting on the rack for $20.00 dollars was the Lainee D’Orsay Pumps!  I was super excited because although they’re not considered to be a nude pump, this shoe is the exact color of my skin complexion.

I like to wear nude pumps when I’m hosting Lifestyle Segments at the news station.  They’re also a great style option for attending fashion events or date night.  I have truly mastered the art of mixing “high and low end pieces” to create a total look.  For example, thrifted jeans with a Nordstrom bangle; dress from Target paired with a Louis Vuitton Neverfull.

I also discovered the Melanie Classic Pumps which are very similiar to the Patent Red Sole Pump.  For future references, I will always visit Target to find a sale on stylish shoes!  Follow me on Instagram @kwest1908 to keep up with my shopping deals.

This is not a sponsored post – 

The links in this post contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.
Accessories /

Caring for Your Handbags: 10 Easy Tips for Fashionistas

We own them, we love them, and we spend a great deal of money on them….handbags!  There’s so many stylish bags for our personal collection such as tote bags, satchels, clutches, hobo bags, and weekender bags.

 

 for more handbag photos visit my instagram: kwest1908

Handbags 2

I have an obsession with handbags because they’re a great organizational tool. When my handbag’s properly sorted I feel like I can conquer the world.  Although we may own several handbags (in various shapes and colors) are we caring for them properly?

As fashionistas, we stick our handbags in a closet once the seasons change.  We forget to handle the outer leather, straps, and interior with care.

Tips to properly care for your handbag collection:

1.  Know the material of your handbag prior to using chemicals or solutions.

2.  Always store your handbag in a pillow case or protective cloth.

3.  Don’t forget to zip or fasten the bag; and put the straps together.

4.  Purchase a leather or suede protector for your handbags.

5.  Repairs can be done by your local seamstress or purse repair shop.

6.  Handbags should be moisturized with a leather conditioner.

7.  Insert bubble wrap or tissue paper to help your bag keep it’s shape and form.

8.  Use a spray protector for weatherproofing handbags against environmental debris.

9.  Let spills dry naturally inside of the bag.

10.  Remember to also care for the hardware on your handbag.

If you switch handbags often, consider purchasing a handbag organizer to keep important items in tack.  You never have to worry about packing your favorite lipstick or nail file ever again.

Purse Organizer

click here:  http://stylelifefashion.com/handbag-accessories-tips/