Category: Lifestyle Tips

Beauty /

Spring Break Beauty Survival Kit

Spring Break plans right around the corner? Pack up your bags and get ready to head out with the ultimate beauty survival kit! We’ve got you covered from head to toe (and everything in between) with the warm weather essentials you need for skin that’s soft, smooth and glowing all vacation long.

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1) KORRES Yoghurt Nourishing Fluid Veil Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30: Have fun in the sun with this ultra-sheer yet nourishing fluid that provides daily broad-spectrum UV coverage while wearing beautifully under makeup. This ultra-lightweight fluid instantly disappears into skin providing broad-spectrum UV protection and deep nourishment. Yogurt, rich in skin-repairing proteins, helps keep skin nourished and protected from the sun’s harmful rays while a blend of rice and camapu extract offers deep hydration and calming properties to soothe skin during sun exposure. Provitamin B5 helps reduce inflammation and supports natural cell regeneration while jojoba oil seals in moisture—leaving skin soft and smooth. ($35; Sephora.com)

2) Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Roller-Ball Fragrance Collection: Travel Friendly. Purse Friendly. Skin Friendly. This is the perfect for fragrance on the go. Their collection of all-natural fragrances is luxurious and addictive. Each fragrance starts with a warm base of Madagascar vanilla and layers on a unique blend of pure essential oils for an exquisite expression of nature that capture a mood, a memory or a moment in time. Hailed as the World’s First Healthy Fragrance, organic sugar cane alcohol is infused with skin saving antioxidants for a modern twist on the classic art of perfumery. ($19; Lavanila.com)

3) PediSpa by Look Beauty Gentle Exfoliating Foot Mask: Show off sandal ready feet thanks to this non-traditional masque that contains a foot exfoliate plus treatment filled in a pair of wearable socks. Key ingredients like chamomile and natural botanical fruit extracts help control callus build-up for visibly smooth feet within two weeks. ($9.99 for one complete pair; Exclusively at Target Stores in the Foot Care Aisle and Target.com)

4) Bioré Baking Soda Pore Cleanser: Wash you face day and night for a complexion that glows all vacation long with this daily liquid cleanser that gives you a deep exfoliating clean without being rough on dry spots. Ideal for combination skin, this oil-free formula contains cleansing ingredients that excavate grime and oil from pores. At the same time, the formula gently smooths away dead cells. You end up with skin that’s fresh, silky-soft and luminous. ($7.99; Drug and mass merchants)

5) Ban Roll-On Deodorant: Don’t worry about embarrassing sweat while you’re in the sun! Traditional antiperspirant/deodorants merely mask odors and reduce odor-causing sweat in general, while Ban’s breakthrough technology specifically targets and virtually eliminates odor that other antiperspirant/deodorants may leave behind. Ban Roll-On Deodorant glides on easily with a formula that provides an outstanding 24 hours of invisible protection against odor wetness. ($4.99, Drug and Mass Retailers)

6) Curél Itch Defense Instant Soothing Moisturizing Spray: Instantly relieve dry, irritated skin with this non-medicated, moisturizing spray with cooling hydration. Uniquely soothing, this formula delivers a mix of light yet potent hydrators — including a proprietary ceramide complex, allantoin and panthenol — to ease parched, itchy skin right where you need it. The Proprietary Cooling Complex feels soothing like a cold compress, lending you instant relief. ($8.99; Drug and mass merchants)

Lifestyle Tips /

Georgia Browns Fine Southern Cuisine – Lifestyle

I wanted to share a photo of my recent dining experience (actually a few weeks ago) while attending a social event in Washington D.C.  After a long night of walking in heels and re-applying lipstick, it was time to eat dinner!

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Smiles & Selfie
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The Mansion on O Street
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The Mansion on O Street

We decided to visit Georgia Browns and dine from their famous Southern menu.  I ordered the Grilled Atlantic Salmon and glass of wine.  We ended the evening with a Flourlesss Chocolate Torte which was delicious!

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Georgia Browns is said to have a live jazz band and Sunday brunch.  If you’re in the area stop by their restaurant and indulge in the culinary tradition!

Baltimore | Birmingham | Atlanta /

BJs Cherry Berry Smoothie – American Heart Health Month

February is Heart Health Month and BJs Wholesale Club has some delicious produce (and recipes) to help us live a healthy lifestyle.  Personally, I am a huge fan of smoothies!  They’re easy to make and the perfect breakfast option for families.

BJs Wholesale Club Heart Health Month

BJs Wholesale Club Heart Health Month

Smoothies can be made in a variety of ways depending on your health needs.  For example, if you’re having digestive issues, add a teaspoon of Flaxseed into your mixture.  Drinking a smoothie  provides ease into your morning routine and allows breakfast on the go.  It can also serve as a filling afternoon snack instead of drinking a soda or eating potato chips.

Homemade Cherry Berry Recipe

2 containers (5 oz each) Yoplait Greek Cherry or Strawberry Blended Yogurt

1 1/2 cups Cascadian Farm Frozen Organic Sweet Cherries

1/2 cup Cascadian Farm Frozen Organic Strawberries

1 cup Milk

Make It:

  1. Place all ingredients in a blender
  2. Cover & blend on high speed, about 1 minute or until smooth
  3. Pour into 3 glasses
  4. Serve immediately

 

For my smoothie recipe, I like to include a small amount of water and 2 teaspoons of Wellsley Farms Pure Honey.  Also, if your schedule will be hectic the next morning, take frozen fruit out of the freezer (the night before.)  This will help ingredients blend faster and more consistently.  Pour the smoothie into your tumblr and go!

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Ingredients are from BJs Wholesale Club
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Cute Tumblr from Dollar Store

follow my Snapchat @kwest1908 to see more behind the scenes at BJs Wholesale Club

Sponsored Post

Amazon /

Amazon Prime One-Hour Flower Delivery and Date Night Looks

Starting tomorrow, Feb. 10, Amazon’s Prime Now delivery service will offer one-hour delivery of roses. These fresh flowers will be available via the Prime Now app through Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

Amazon Prime Flowers

In Baltimore, Prime Now is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. Two-hour delivery is free and one-hour delivery is available for $7.99. All Prime members can download the Prime Now app, available on iOS and Android devices, and will be notified when the service is available in their zip code.

Date Night Looks via Amazon Prime

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Baltimore | Birmingham | Atlanta /

Terra’s Kitchen – Baltimore Meal-Kit Delivery Service

I’m excited to announce the launch of Baltimore-based Terra’s Kitchen, an innovative meal-kit delivery service that’s making it easy and quick to cook up tasty dishes at home leaving more time for memory making in the kitchen and beyond!

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Terra’s Kitchen, available for the first time ever in the Baltimore area starting March 1st, promises farm-to-front door delivery of fresh, seasonal ingredients that are pre-portioned and prepped for skillet-ready, chef-designed recipes. Each meal can be made in 30 minutes or less, giving families more time for the things that matter.

Baltimore Meal-Kit Delivery Service

With the now 1 billion dollar meal-kit marketplace offering many options, I wanted to call out a few things that sets Terra’s Kitchen apart from its competitors:

Eco-Friendly Delivery Vessel: The unique vessel features proprietary, climate-controlling technology to keep high-quality ingredients cool and fresh for delivery. The eco-friendly Vessel is reusable and creates 0% waste, as Terra’s Kitchen will schedule a pickup date and time with its customers to retrieve it and reuse.

Clean & Chef-Designed Recipes: Libbie Summers, Head of Culinary Direction at Terra’s Kitchen and esteemed cookbook author, expertly combines high-quality ingredients for healthy meals, with options for omnivore, gluten-free, paleo and vegetarian preferences. With a rotating seasonal menu, each meal comes with a step-by-step recipe card to ensure that dinner is easy-to-make (think Honey Mustard Chicken Breast with Grilled Vegetable Kabobs, Tomato Scallion Rice With Cheesy Grilled Squash or Grilled NY Strip Steak With Tomatoes, Eggplant & Basil Chimichurri in under 30 minutes!).

Recreating The Family Dinner Experience: In an era where busy American families struggle to find the time for quality meals at-home, Terra’s Kitchen’s offers consumers an easy tool for quick meals, that don’t sacrifice nutrition or taste, and can go from the skillet to the table in under 30 minutes. All ingredients come pre-portioned and prepped – all you do is cook!

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DIY /

Sparkling Ice Cocktails – Celebrate Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras begins next week, so I wanted to share some fun and refreshing cocktail recipes from SPARKLING ICE – a great tasting, lightly carbonated, zero-calorie beverage which combines sparkling water, fruit juice, vitamins, antioxidants, and BOLD natural flavors.

Bourbon Street Black Raspberry Brut

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Ingredients

1 ½ oz. Silver Tequila
2 oz. brut Champagne
7 large black raspberries
2 oz. Sparkling Ice Black Raspberry
¼ oz. lemon juice
Instructions

1.Muddle black raspberries, Sparkling Ice Black Raspberry and lemon juice in a glass.

2.Pour ingredients into a glass filled with ice.

3.Add tequila, stir, and strain into a large rocks glass filled with ice.

4.Top with brut Champagne and garnish with a skewered black raspberries.

Lemonade Hurricane

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Ingredients:

2 oz. Sparkling Ice Strawberry Lemonade
1 oz. light rum
1 oz. dark rum
½ oz. passion fruit juice
1 oz. orange juice
Strawberry and Lime for garnish
Instructions:

Stir all ingredients together with ice.
Pour into a tall glass over ice.

Sparkling Whiskey Sour

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Ingredients

.5 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1.75 oz Sparkling Ice Lemon Tea
1.25 oz Bourbon
.25 oz simple syrup*
*Low calorie option: Omit .25 oz simple syrup, add one packet of Splenda.

Instructions:

1.In mixing cup add ice, lemon, bourbon and Sparkling Ice.

2.Stir and strain over rocks.

3.Garnish with a cherry

Accessories /

Burlington Stores in honor of American Heart Month – Free Heart Screenings

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Did you know that over 43 million women are currently living with heart disease– the leading cause of death of American women? In the spirit of American Heart Month, Burlington Stores, a national off-price retailer, has teamed up with WomenHeart, The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, for the fifth consecutive year to launch their campaign to raise awareness and combat heart disease.

This Friday on February 5th (National Wear Red Day), from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., your local Burlington in Baltimore will host free women’s heart health screenings to raise awareness. At the screenings, blood pressure will be checked, BMI will be screened, and fun but easy heart help tips will be provided.

The address is:

Burlington Stores
6500 Reistertown Road
Baltimore, MD 21215
(410) 764-3338

To find out more information head to www.BurlingtonStores.com/HeartHealth.

Celebrity /

Monica Brown Cover and Interview – Uptown Magazine

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“When you embrace you, you embrace it all.”

Monica is clearly embracing it all right now – her family, her fame, and the success of her eighth studio album, “Code Red.” We have a Code Red over here with how she’s SLAYING us with her new cover and photo spread in “Uptown.”

In the interview, she explains “As I think back over everything I’ve accomplished in my career—the awards, opportunities and exposure are all there, of course. But, what gives me unspeakable joy is the fact that I’ve touched countless women, and some young men, along the way with my music and my message.”

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Photo – Uptown Magazine

And if anyone knows music, it’s Monica. She’s been dominating the R&B scene for over 20 years since her debut with “Don’t Take It Personal.” She knows that in order to make it to the top of the charts, or the top of any field you need to have the traits of a leader. Check out the video below to see Monica describe what individuals need to succeed and be a leader in their field.

Entertainment /

Wine Loft Birmingham – Tapas and Cocktails

I served as the host for a birthday party during the holiday season.  It was a milestone celebration and I wanted the event to special.  I selected the Wine Loft Birmingham for several reasons:

  1. Everybody loves a glass of wine!
  2. The atmosphere is very cozy and a great place for conversation.
  3. It’s a hidden gem, in the heart of Birmingham city.

 

The southern charm of the Wine Loft Birmingham lived up to my expectations.  I was able to make a direct reservation and due to the extended amount of guests, the restaurant had no problem accommodating any changes.  The menu was (also) unique and provided a Tapas experience, along with a diverse selection of wines.

I suggest if you’re in the Birmingham area to visit the restaurant for networking, laughs, and an awesome glass of wine!

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