Category: Birmingham

Accessories /

Ann Taylor Heritage Dress Capsule

Retro has never been hotter and just in time for one of the warmest months of the year, Ann Taylor is launching a heritage dress capsule – a collection of dresses inspired by vintage designs from the archives.

All-Season Stretch Split Neck Shift Dress  

Available online this August, the collection is rooted in the spirit of the brand’s heritage with the modern woman in mind.  When the brand launched in 1954, it got its name from its bestselling dress style, the Ann Taylor. This capsule collection celebrates the archival designs.

Ann Taylor Retro Heritage Dress Capsule

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Accessories /

Saks Fifth Avenue – 2016 Fall Preview Catalog

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Fashion industry professionals are prepping for the upcoming fall season. Designers and retailers actively work behind the scenes; creating new visual displays to showcase merchandise and entice customers.

Saks Fifth Avenue is no exception.  The company provides an online 2016 Fall Preview catalog for shoppers to start planning their purchases.  A few of the trends shown include suede jackets, saddle bags, and motif designed clothing. There’s also hints of block heel pumps and plaid wrap midi skirts.

Shopping for the next season can be fun with the right store, merchandise, or price!

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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.

Ann Taylor Eyelet Seamed Flare DressAnn Taylor Floral City Shorts

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.

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Beauty /

Rimmel London and NYC New York Color – Perfect Brows

BROW THIS WAY COLLECTION FROM RIMMEL LONDON
From natural arches to power brows, this season’s hottest looks are all about fierce eyebrows. Groom your brows with the Brow Styling Gel, designed for easy application with a mascara-style wand, or go for a stand-out look with the four-piece Brow Sculpting Kit. Each long-lasting formula dries to a lightweight finish, offering comfortable, all-day brow control. Take inspiration from the catwalks and wear your super-styled brows with minimal makeup—your perfectly defined arches are all the impact you need.

Brow Styling Gel ($4.49): Tame, enhance, and beautify brows with this styling gel. A mascara-style precision applicator makes it easy to brush brows into just the right shape, defining and enhancing each hair. The lightweight, long-lasting gel sets fast, giving you all-day perfection. A palette of three tinted versions and one clear variety lets you choose from a natural look or high-impact brows, and each gel sets with a non-sticky shine. Packaged in a sleek tube embellished with a Union Jack in white silver, this gel makes defined brows simple. AVAILABLE SHADES: Blonde (001,) Medium Brown (002,) Dark Brown (003,) Clear (004)

Brow Sculpting Kit ($4.49): For a bolder, sculpted look, this four-piece kit includes styling wax, setting powder, a specially designed double-ended brush, and a spooly brush, giving you everything you need to create a gorgeously groomed brow. First, shape your brows by applying the styling wax with angled brush, using smooth strokes to define and contour. Next, use the other end of the brush to blend the setting powder, filling in sparse areas with as much color as you dare. Finish by using the spooly brush to lock in the look. With three color palettes, you can match your natural hue or go a shade darker for even more impact. AVAILABLE SHADES: Blonde (001,) Medium Brown (002,) Dark Brown (003)

NYC New York Color Lovatics by Demi Eyebrow Liner ($1.99) -Want that little detail that changes it all? The secret is out with new Lovatics by Demi Eyebrow Liner. Complete your perfectly poised look like your favorite stylishly cool star and create a work of art with long wear color that easily defines natural brows in high definition. The pencil easily glides for color application while the built in brush enables you to groom and shape your brows for a masterpiece only suitable for the Met. Make the difference in shades Medium Brown and Dark Brown

Demi Eyebrow Liner 1 Demi Eyebrow Liner 2

NYC New York Color Showtime Lash & Brow Clear Mascara ($2.99)– GROOM YOUR LASHES & EYEBROWS FOR A PERFECTLY DEFINED LOOK! NYC New York Color Lash & Brow Clear Mascara grooms and defines for flawless lashes and eyebrows. Transluscent formula allows versatility for groomed lashes and eyebrows. Contains provitamins for hair lash health.

Showtime Lash and Brow

Accessories /

Ann Taylor Botanical Prints and Accessories

Keep things tropical this summer whether or not you have an exotic getaway planned. Ann Taylor has all of the botanical prints you need to channel an exotic escape with birds of paradise, leafy and palm motifs in light fabrics and silhouettes sure to keep you cool as temperatures spike.

Leafy Linen Blend Shirtdress

These summer prints are also the perfect companion for last-minute tropical getaways. Presenting Ann Taylor’s “Destinations Summer Sweepstakes,” where one sweepstakes winner (and a friend) will win a getaway to Tulum, Mexico. Additionally, weekly winners will win stylish prizes now through July 8. Click here for more information.

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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:

NewEngland

Ingredients

SPARKLING ICE Cherry Limeade
Mint Leaves
Mashed cherries
Lime
Club soda

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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.

 

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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.