Category: Uncategorized

Baltimore | Birmingham | Atlanta /

Fashion Tips with Dryel At-Home Dry Cleaner

Dry cleaning your wardrobe can be costly!  We love to wear cashmere sweaters, wool coats, and boucle’ slacks but the care for such garments are expensive.  One can purchase these items on sale but must calculate the price of dry cleaning in their shopping budget.

As a Style Expert, I always share that fashion girls (and guys) must properly care for their clothing to maintain a stylish wardrobe.  It’s more than dressing fabulous and owning several pieces.  In this day and time, we have to take our budget into consideration and be realistic about our clothing expenses.

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On-set for The Scandal Shopping Series
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Hanging out with the clothing rack

Truthfully, I also like to mix and match my own clothing.  It’s a personal preference for several good reasons. Number one, I am obsessed with closet organization. Number two, I like to come up with various ways that I can style one item. Number three, I’m a mom and my shopping list consists of additional household products.

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Love my Velvet Hangers

I was excited to be selected as a Brand Ambassador for Dryel At-Home Dry-Cleaner. Over the course of the year, I will share product reviews and cleaning tips! As a reader, you will also have the opportunity to follow my journey via Twitter Chats, Pinterest Boards, and so much more.  Let’s get ready to learn more about the special care of our clothing with the help of Dryel.

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Dryel Starter Kit

 

disclosure: I’m a compensated Dryel Ambassador – all opinions are my own. 

Beauty /

Tinashe Named Face Of MAC Cosmetics – Future Forward Campaign

“MAC pairs up with a powerful generation of women who are reshaping music’s future in a series of exclusive collaborations. From the crusading pop up Halsey to the soulful R&B/pop jams of Tinashe and Lion Babe’s modern funk to DeJ Loaf’s electrifying rap, each visionary female taps into the core of her own creative force through a limited edition colour statement.”

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Accessories /

Wardrobe Care and Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus – Lifestyle Tip

Most people never make it to the dry cleaner as often as they need resulting in a pile of laundry in the closet or laundry room that is waiting to be dropped off for cleaning. Instead of reducing the availability of your wardrobe simple because of the inconvenience of a trip to the cleaner, you can now refresh dry clean only clothes with a spritz, tug, smooth and hang dry.

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Celebrity Closet

With a quick spray of Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus on your clothes, you can tug out any visible wrinkles, smooth the fabric, allow your garment to dry and be wrinkle, static and odor free in less than five minutes. Silicones in Downy Wrinkle Release Plus grip the fabric fibers in garments making it possible for them to slide against each other rather than being frozen in a crease. And instead of running to the dry cleaner after every few wears, you can refresh clothes and get more life out of them before your next trip to the dry cleaner.

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Beauty /

Black Opal Cosmetics – True Color Perfecting Primer

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I have been a fan of Black Opal Cosmetics for many years.  To start, I like my foundation to match the exact color of my skin tone.  I also seek to wear a foundation that provides moisture and full coverage.

For the last two months, I have been using True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation.  The liquid foundation’s amazing and my face has never looked better!

Now that we’re in the winter months, it’s time to change my moisturizer, foundation, and primer.  Black Opal has created True Color Perfecting Primer  which has extra emollient ingredients to hydrate the skin and refine the appearance of pores.

Check back here in two weeks, I will be testing the beauty product and sharing on my Youtube channel.

Baltimore | Birmingham | Atlanta /

South Moon Under Harbor East Host Fashion Styling Event

South Moon Under in Harbor East hosted an event for aspiring fashion stylist on Sunday, January 17, 2016.  Event attendees included guest speaker, James Sanders (celebrity stylist) fashion bloggers and local fashion professionals.

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Attendees participated in a fashion police segment hosted by the guest speaker, James Sanders and a styling panel consisting of Taliah Ferguson, Jenni Pierre, Carisa Hatfield, and Kimberly West (myself.) The event included a styling session, giveaway, and questions/answer session.

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Guests enjoyed muffins and mimosas; they also received gift items from South Moon Under, The QG, and StyleSplotation.  

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Special thank you to South Moon Under for hosting the event in collaboration with the Style by James Tour and Kimberly West & Co.

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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Baltimore | Birmingham | Atlanta /

Target Style – Red Cable Sweater and Faux Leather Leggings

There are so many reasons why I adore this holiday outfit.  Number one, I had no idea what to wear while visiting my family for the holiday season.  Number two, I was striving to look stylish and comfortable.  Number three, I’m a mom of two boys (and stepson) and my holiday budget consisted of several additional gifts.

Kim West Target Style

I was pressed for time and needed to finish packing!  On a last-minute shopping trip (for wrapping paper) I spotted this gorgeous red cable pull-over sweater in Target.  It was on sale and paired nicely with my faux leather leggings.  I also wore my Guess booties for a chic, edgey look.

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Both pieces can be worn with a variety of different items; such as a classic button-down shirt, denim jacket, or fur vest.  The possibilities are endless!  I love it when a great fashion moment happens on a budget.

Women's Ripe Red Cable Pullover Sweater - Merona

Accessories /

Packing Tips for The Everyday Girl – Infographic

It’s no secret that I’m a Pinterest addict and this week would be no different!  I’m packing for a holiday trip and want to ensure that everything’s organized.  My biggest obstacle is planning my attire for the entire week.  There’s nothing worse than realizing I left something at home and instantly start to locate the nearest Target.

Regardless, there are some girls that get it right (in terms of packing.)  We all know them and recognize them in the airport. They’re the ladies wearing dark sunglasses, a Tory Burch Carry-On, bottled water, and portable cellphone charger.  This elite group of women are effortless, cool but most importantly have not left anything.

To help the rest of us (that are like myself) with packing tips, I want to share the infographics below.

Click on the photos to visit the site that provides more details for proper packing.

Beauty /

Holiday Travel Essentials – Must Have Products

With the holidays right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what essentials you need to bring for your holiday travel needs.  Pack light by bringing only the most important essentials.

Your 6 Holiday Travel Essentials

Travel Essentials
1. The Refresher: During this crazy time, you want to clean and refresh your face AM and PM. For one that refreshes skin and foams away makeup and impurities –

Lumene’s Bright Tough Refreshing Cleansing Foam ($10.99, CVS)

2. The Best Face Base: You want to look airbrushed, who doesn’t? For an optical line and pore minimizer with instantly beautifying effect –

Lumene’s Bright Now Line & Pore Minimizer ($19.99, CVS)

3. The Perfect Brows: For easy shaping and filling go to the all-in-1 helper –

Smashbox Brow Tech To Go ($28, Sephora)

4. The Winter Glow: Get the perfect rush of color with a silky powder blush –

Smashbox Blush Rush ($24, Sephora)

5. The Perfect Red Lip: Pucker up with the perfect pout in your favorite holiday shade –

Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick ($20, Sephora)

6. The Secret Weapon: Through all the highs and lows of the holiday season, make sure you have a spot treatment on-hand to fight against any surprise breakouts –

DDF Acne Control Treatment ($46, DDFSkincare.com)

Fitness /

Hyleys Slim Tea Lifestyle Option – Product Review

Hyleys Slim Teas –

Hyleys Slim Teas are 100% natural Green teas made with Senna leaves, and fruit flavoring that promote body cleansing, detoxification, and a healthy digestive system, all in a delicious cup of hot tea! Mild and pleasant in both taste and texture,the weight-loss enhancing properties of the Slim Teas offer consumers a safe, pound-shedding alternative to risky pills and surgery. 

Using only the highest quality ingredients, Hyleys Slim Teas are available in flavorful options like Acai Berry, Blueberry, Goji Berry, Pomegranate and Raspberry as well as a Five-Flavor Assortment. MSRP $5.99 for 1-pack of 25 foil envelope tea bags.

See www.hyleysteaonline.com for their entire collection of 100% herb- and fruit-infused, wellness teas along with Wooden Gift Boxes and Gift Tins perfect for holiday gifting.

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Product Review: 

Let’s be honest, I enjoyed too much comfort (and fast) food during the summer months.  After facing this harsh reality, I had to actively start my weight loss program.  Number one, I take pride in being healthy and monitoring my diet.  Number two, I’m petite and must be mindful of those “few extra pounds.”  Number three, it’s the holiday season and my wardrobe requires fitted a dress.

I received the assortment of Hyleys Slim Tea in the mail and honestly, didn’t know what to expect.  I am proud to share (with the use of moderate exercise) I have seen results from drinking the Slim Tea.  Yes, I lost a few pounds!

I would suggest reading the directions on the box which indicates the best time frame to drink the tea along with consumption.  This tea not only helps you lose weight but it also has a nice flavor.  I could taste the fruit infusion in each bag.

Remember, the tea also serves as a mild laxative but if you’re eating “clean” you should not have severe stomach cramps.  I am pleased with the results of the tea and encourage everyone to try it.  This is a great option if you’re seeking to lose weight without extreme measures.  Hyleys Slim Tea is affordable and can also be purchased online.  If you decide to try the tea and see results, please share in the comments box below!

Lean Diet

Moderate Exercise

Drink One Cup of Hyleys Slim Tea Before Bedtime