I am fortunate enough to have been asked to be on board committees for a few galas this spring, one of which is a “Friday Night Fever” theme, benefitting one of our local hospitals here in East Tennessee. Due to this, I’ve been in a real tizzy trying to get some disco inspiration and figure out what look I’m going to go for, that won’t be too costume-y but still convey that Studio 54 vibe. Well, I can stop the search at Bianca Jagger, former wife of Mick Jagger and OG of Studio 54 in it’s hay day. This woman is impeccable. From turban to platform, every picture is complete, stunning, iconic and exotic beauty. Give me LIFE Miss Bianca!
The other day at Sephora I cashed in my points for a mini-lipstick from Bite Beauty (shade is “Radish.”). It was the most fierce shade of fuchsia and, while I was drawn to it, I couldn’t help but think “I am never going to be able to wear this.” Well, like a sign from the gay makeup gods above, I was watching “Watch What Happens Live” Tuesday night and my new favorite Housewife/spirit animal Erika Jayne was a guest and just what did she have dancing across her lips?? A gorgeous fuchsia of course! So taking my inspiration from her head to toe (minus the bubbies) I totally killed this glam look for work the next day.
My not-so-professional opinion for making this look trendy and not tacky, is pairing it with a played-down ensemble. I went with a basic black, office-appropriate Ralph Lauren dress, Coach pointy toes, and kept my jewelry at a minimum with some black diamond studs and a watch. I also went lighter on my eyes because the lip is so bold, but I think for night time, a smoky eye might work. Maybe.
Twinning obviously.
Ok, face breakdown:
Mac studio sculpt concealer, Mac blush (sorry, can’t remember which one), Mac blush “Blunt” for contour AND as my shadow for my crease (I use my makeup all over. Just because it says blush doesn’t mean it’s for your cheeks alone.), eyelids, inner corner and highlight from “naked 2” palette, brows are a rimmel pencil that I swear by in “hazel,” eyeliner is stila stay all day in black, mascara is too faced “better than sex” plus a pair of drugstore falsies (Demiwispies) oh and a little black shadow from the same pallette in my bottom lash line .
And of course, Radish from Bite Beauty on my lips. I will say, I prepped my lips like I always do, with a base of concealer, followed by a nude liner to define the edges and fill in, then a dusting of translucent to set. Topped with the lipstick, I only reapplied one time after lunch and it didn’t budge. Not even during a rigorous sweat sesh at the gym. As a matter of fact, I had to scrub that ish off at the end of the night. So I give this stick an A+++!!
Y’all try this and let me see your inner “Jayne” alter ego!
As much as I love snow and winter and warm nights bundled up in front of the fireplace, I’m more than ready for some fresh air and sunshine and, more importantly, some fresh new looks in the wardrobe and makeup department. Starting with the tips of my fingers, I’ve brightened up my nail game with the new OPI New Orleans collection. Currently I’m rocking “She’s a Bad Muffeletta,” and last time I got “Got Myself in a Jam-balaya.” Both are perfect pinks on different ends of the spectrum.
I’ve also lightened up my makeup, going lighter under my eyes and brighter on my lips.
“Amplified” by MAC is the perfect almost matte lip. It stays all day without being too dry.
I’m a coral girl through and through. I LOVE this shade, from the more orange version (above) to the more pink end of the spectrum, it’s such a complimentary color on everyone. And looks even better with a tan, which I desperately need. (Lips above are a blend of MAC’s ” Morange” and “Saigon Summer.”).
I found these amazing Ann Taylor pants at a consignment store brand new, with the tags still attached for $10. Yet again, with a tan, they would look infinitely better. (Have I mentioned this is the palest I’ve ever been?)
MAC “Viva Glam Nicki” matches this blouse perrrrrfectly. Highliter on the cheeks for some glow and you’ve got a look that’s totally fresh.
Finally, we celebrated Easter this past weekend at the river. Or as I like to call it, “Annual Big Hat Day.” You’ll never catch me without MY Easter bonnet on Sunday!
This dress looks silver or white but it was in fact pale pink and black. (Judging by this pic, the love of coral is hereditary).
I felt like Julia Roberts in “pretty woman” in this get-up. It seems wrong to feel like a whore on Easter.
I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather and lightening up your own lives. Summer is right around the corner! What are your favorite looks for spring?
This year for Halloween, I decided I’m finally too old and too married to dress as a “sexy” anything– no “sexy police officer,” no “sexy kitty,” not even a “sexy zombie.” (That is a real thing.) I also sadly realized I was also too poor to be anything, so I was going to have to be creative. The easiest way for me to do Halloween up right would be to use what I already have. So starting wtih makeup, I have plenty of that. And after digging through costumes past and mixing them with some things I already had in my closet, a Killer Clown was born!! It cost me less than $30 for both our costumes COMBINED! And I must say, this has been my FAVORITE costume to date! I genuinely did not want to take my makeup off at the end of the night. And pulling up beside random cars on the highway while creepily rolling down the window and smiling at them was SO much fun. So let’s see the finished product:
AGH!! I love it! So here’s the before and afters of our face
First off, can we discuss how HANDSOME my blue eyed husband is? (Insert wolf whistle here) I honestly only bought the white face paint and the rest was done using makeup from my own stash. The brand is this fantastic company called “Paradise” and it’s in powder so you wet it and when you put it on your face it dries to a powder finish. It stays put and you don’t have to worry about it running off throughout the night. The rest was just outlining with my black liquid liner, and filling in with black eyeshadow. The red was a simple lipstick topped with transleucent powder to make sure it didn’t budge. I did however buy some fake blood to smear all around. And for my teeth, some latex that I simply painted on to make them look like razors. Thats it!! Sometimes less really is more! Mitch already had the v-neck tee and pants, the suspenders were borrowed from a friend, and I bought a bag of pom poms at walmart for $2. We pinned them down his shirt with safety pins and topped his head with a $0.69 party hat from the kids section of a party store. a $6 axe completed the look.
My costume consisted of a striped corset I wore to a Billy Idol concert a few years ago, a tutu from an old raven costume and a jacket and hat from an old lion tamers costume. I bought the gloves at walmart for $3 and had a friend pick up the knee highs at the halloween store for $7. I added a big fake knife and that was that.
Sooooo creepy! It’s really all about the details in the makeup. Hope I gave you guys something to think about for next Halloween! Remember, a good costume doesn’t have to be expensive! Start with what you already have at home. You would be surprised what you can make do with, with just a little inspiration!
Who doesn’t love a glam red lip to dress up a special occasion? Recently I’ve been rocking a red pout and received all rave reviews. It photographs so pretty and really can make your face pop, even if you only have a dash of mascara, blush and concealer elsewhere.
So many people are scared of a red lip and sadly I was one of these people for many years. Even while working as a freelance makeup artist for MAC cosmetics, I dreaded the holidays because a red lip look was required and I thought I looked crazy. Turns out I just didn’t know the tricks. So I’m here to share my newfound knowledge with you.
The first step to a perfect crimson pout is to figure out your shade. Due to all the red and pink undertones in my skin, I have to wear a really dark blood red. Anything bright with pink pigments makes me look very 80s. My best advice is for you to go to your nearest mac counter and play! And don’t be afraid to ask for help!
So now you have your shade, the next and probably most important step, is to get your liner on point. There is nothing more sad or tragic than a girl with sloppy red lips. It makes you look messy, unkempt and trashy. Also, your choice in liner can completely alter the shade of your lipstick. People always ask me what lip color im wearing when I wear red lipstick and the truth is – I can’t tell them because I blend so many products for a totally custom look it would take too long to explain. So first I like to cover my lips in concealer so I have a totally blank canvas and to give my products something to stick to.
Next comes a neutral liner. This is when I determine the shape of my lips. I usually over-line my lips for a big pouty exaggerated face, but because red is such a vibrant color, I will stick to my actual lip line, if not right inside. This is totally personal though. I have huge lips. (I prayed extra hard for them when I was a kid, don’t hate me. ) if you have a small mouth, you may want to over-line. Whatever you choose, just make sure it’s really precise and crisp.
Next, go in with your base color. This will determine what color your lipstick will turn. You can choose a red (brick from MAC is an all time favorite,) or you can be like me and go much, much darker. Because I want my lips to be a bloody, black red, I use “Night Moth” from Mac, which is a deep, dark gothic purple. I apply it pretty heavily around the outside corners, then smudge it in toward the middle for an almost ombré look.
Next I apply the actual lipstick. I always reach for “brave red.” But I know plenty of girls who are huge fans of ruby woo. Again, play until you find your shade. Make sure to apply with precision and don’t just smear it on in one swipe.
now it’s time to clean up any messes or mis-strokes. Using a stiff bristled brush and concealer, straighten up any jagged or messy edges.
Finally top off your look with a dab of gloss right in the middle of your mouth. Weird fact, there is a green gloss at Mac that goes amazing over red because it reduces any pink pigmentation that might come through. I like a dark purple or dark red gloss because once again I like a darker pucker.
And there you have it. Now you have a gorgeous red lip and it was almost so easy a caveman could do it. Now get out and show it off. No need to waste that sexy face on house work!
Happy belated Easter everyone! I hope you all had just as delightful a holiday weekend as myself. We couldn’t have had better weather here in East Tennessee, 75 and sunny. Due to the fact that I have a small family, consisting of just me, Momma and Daddy, I always cook for our holidays and unfortunately can’t make it to Mitch’s side of the family events. But this weekend I managed to squeeze in an hour at the river with his relatives while my ham was heating in the oven. We have such wonderful balance in our relationship. I’m an only child who really never had a big family and Mitch comes from a HUGE family who gets together every week for Sunday dinner. Holidays are more like extended family reunions, held at a house on the river that is just for that purpose. I can get overwhelmed sometimes, but he understands and it’s nice to be able to sneak back home to my little world. Anyway, after I left, I got to work on our dinner. Traditionally for Easter I do ham and all the naughty fixins’. Mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, corn, gravy, dressing, deviled eggs, just to name a few. However, since I’ve really put forth an effort to stick to my healthy lifestyle, this year I prepared some lighter, although still as delicious, fare.
EASTER DINNER MENU 2014
My annual pineapple, mustard glazed spiral sliced ham
fresh canned green beans from a neighbors garden
baked sweet potatoes
pickled and deviled eggs
THE BUNNY CAKE
For starters, let’s just get to the ham. I don’t mean to brag, but my pineapple mustard glaze is so good you could seriously eat it by the spoonful. It takes a spiral ham from basic to BAM every year. And for such a showstopper, it’s so simple, anyone can do it. Just bring 3 cups of sugar, 2 cups of water and either two cans of sliced pineapples in juice, drained OR two fresh pineapples, cored, cut and sliced, to a boil. Skim off foam, lower heat to simmer, and let it go for about an hour to an hour and a half, skimming from time to time. Let the syrup cool completely, then stir in 1/4-1/2 cup of grainy, course ground, country style dijon mustard (I use Grey Poupon.) I always make the glaze the night before, storing it in the fridge overnight. That way the next morning, all I have to do is pour it over my spiral ham, letting the juices flow over and allowing some pineapples to stick to the ham itself. Heat the ham, covered in foil, and baste it periodicially until it is heated through, 10 mins per pound at 350 degrees. Be sure to serve the excess glaze with a gravy ladle so people can just pour it all over their ham. It’s amazing.
So along with the ham, Momma had some green beans that her neighbor had canned straight from his garden last summer. All they needed was a quick sautee with some bacon for a little flavor. Believe it or not, I used some uncured natural turkey bacon I had in the fridge and they turned out AMAZING. I also baked some sweet potatoes in the oven. There is just nothing more delicious on it’s own than a baked sweet potato from the oven. The natural caramelization that happens within the skin is such a treat. I only added a dash of Jamaican Jerk seasoning. Of course we had eggs. It’s just not Easter without deviled eggs. And I sliced a few pickled eggs as well, because I am a pickled egg freak. Don’t judge me.
All of that dinner lead up to my favorite part of the meal, the annual tradition of..….
THE ANNUAL SCALF BUNNY CAKEBefore and After
When I was a year old, my Momma ripped this recipe from some magazine, thinking it would be a fun (and delicious) Easter activity for us. Little did she know we would still be making this cake every year for 28 years. I love it. It’s probably one of my favorite holiday traditions. This year has to be my favorite yet. I baked a carrot cake with golden raisins and walnuts, smothered it in cream cheese icing and sprinkled it with coconut. Then after we finished dinner, Momma and I decorated like we do year after year with tons of candy. Reese’s Pieces, Cadbury mini eggs, twizzlers, Reese’s eggs and more icing…..sugar overload. I had to cheat on my diet. And cheat I did, polishing off half the poor bastard’s bowtie and one of his ears all on my own before I finally called Mom today and made her take the rest of it to her house. Had I kept it here I’m positive I would have lost a foot to diabetes.
It was a beautiful day with beautiful people.
Me and my MommaMe, Momma and Daddy
I also was very happy with my Easter outfit this year. Of course I was pilfering through Ross the other day and found this so cute skirt in my new favorite spring shade of blue, and floral top for like, $15 total. I managed to keep it on the hanger for almost two weeks until Easter. I topped it off with a big beautiful hat and really could not have been any more satisfied with my look. Nothing says Easter in the south like an outrageous hat, the bigger the better!
My makeup turned out very smooth on Sunday as well. I have to give credit where credit is due though and blame that all on the Naked II pallet. The colors blend so well, it gives an airbrushed finish. And the brush that is included is now a favorite.
My favorite accessory, as usual, was my hunky babe. His eyes are so complimented in this blue shirt. He’s the best blessing I could have ever received.
Best Easter everSomeone had too much ham!
I sincerely have never felt more blessed than I do right now which made this Easter the most special one I’ve ever celebrated. From my family to yours, I hope you all enjoyed each moment over the holiday weekend and were able to spend it exactly as you wanted.
As promised I wanted to update about our vacation to Myrtle Beach/Georgetown, SC. We had an amazing time catching up with friends and enjoying the sites. I wish I had more time to go into detail, but as I’m pressed for time, I’ll just hit the highlights.
Monday- arrived at 1pm. 75 degrees and sunny. Laid out by pool. Mitch fell asleep on his stomach and burned his back. After naps and showers, we enjoyed a late dinner at a new gastro pub called “Fire and Smoke.” amazing food and drink selection and beautiful art on the walls. Visited one of my favorite old haunts, Bumstead’s. Then back to crash.
Laura was there waiting to greet us!My honey, pre-sunburn.Finally! Rest and relaxation! Ahhhh…..Gas station munchies.Selfie shot at Bumsteads.My best friend Christian and I…reunited and it feels so good!
Tuesday- Woke up to another beautiful day. More pool time, as the wind off the ocean was too cold for laying out on the beach. We also spent the afternoon playing puttputt at Mitch’s request, something I haven’t done in years. Strange considering what a Myrtle Beach staple it is. We actually had a blast and Mitch even hit the hole in one on the 18th hole and won a wooden nickel good for a free game! That night both Christian and Laura had to work, so Mitch and I hit the boulevard looking for touristy trinkets, playing skee ball and getting in a little bit of Myrtle Beach nostalgia. Afterward we called it an early night, had a few glasses of wine and went to bed.
I love him so much! Puttputt at the jungle safari!Christian and I and our new friend on the course.Hello Sunshine!MB nostalgiaRelaxing in our matching Spring Break 2014 tshirts because we’re old and we can.
Wednesday- this was my favorite day. We drove down to Hopsewee Plantation in Georgetown. It was amazing. Beautiful, serene, and chock full of history. We toured the home first, then enjoyed one of the best lunches I’ve ever eaten in the tea room afterward. On the way back to Myrtle Beach, we stopped at Brookgreen Gardens and took a quick tour of the zoo. That night we enjoyed a relaxing game night at home with some friends. This day was perfect.
Pulling up to the back of the beautiful Hopsewee Plantation.Slave quarters. I’m going to assume the satellite was added later.Front of the house, facing the river.Honey, I’m home!!My love and I amongst the Spanish Moss.One of the previous Ladies of the plantation on her wedding day at the plantation.The wedding party in front of the house. The children are sitting on the very carriage stoop I was standing on in one of the above photos. So neat!Us on the front porch.Can I please just live here permanently?! ugh!Lunch at the Tea RoomDon Quixote statue at Brookegreen GardensChilly stroll on the beach!
Thursday- we woke up to some crummy weather, in comparison to the past three 75 degree days we had. Never fear, shopping was near. We hit up the outlets and I got a great deal on the perfect spring Coach wallet. (originally $115, I got it on mega sale for $33.) I also found a steal on an easy Leopard print Guess dress ($15) and some MAC essentials (a paint pot and the Viva Glam Nicki, which just so happens to be a perfect coral match to my new wallet.) We also had THE BEST DINNER EVER at a Brazilian Steakhouse called Rioz. Phew. Amazing.
New wallet and lipstick. Have I mentioned my obsession with coral?Chomping at the bit before dinner at Rioz. I love this lightweight spring trench.
LOVED my outfit that night!
The next morning we left. And honestly, it felt good to be home with my little dogs and my love. Hopefully I will make my triumphant return to the beach sooner rather than later. Til then, I can only enjoy this springtime in the mountains.
I have admittedly been slacking on my blogging lately and there’s no excuse. Although I will say I have been working my sweet southern butt off since my little Valentine’s getaway. Guess that’s the price you pay for time off. I had the busiest weekend of my life at work last Thursday through Sunday. Thursday we had a DJ come in for a “dance night” promotion, which isn’t my thing, but if it brings in the kids and they want to give me their money, I’ll play along. Ashton and I went all out in J. Valentine inspired go-go gear and it worked to our advantage. I made more money that night than I’ve ever made in one night in my entire work history. The next night, Friday, was another huge night at work. We pulled epic numbers yet again. Then I worked a 13 hour double on Saturday, followed by a 2 hour intensive cleaning party on Sunday, an alleged day off. Work, work, on Monday and Tuesday, and that brings us up to speed with my “weekend” Wednesday and today. On top of this crazy work schedule, I have taken on the added responsibility of working on our annual fundraiser for the Humane Society, The Mr.Tipton Street Pageant. Phew!
Ashton and I in our party gear for work
I managed to squeeze in a few fashion and makeup hits over the past few weeks however. One of my favorite looks was surprisingly on Valentine’s Day when I actually rocked a red lip in public. I’ve only worn red lips in public on 3 occasions as I am of the opinion that red lips are a privilege, not a right, but perhaps, I’m wrong. Perhaps everyone can wear a red lip. If I can do it with my giant mouth and manage not to look like The Joker anyone can! I opted for M.A.C.’s “Brave Red” lipstick, over their “Brick” lipliner, with a blob of sheer red gloss right in the center of my lips that I honestly do not remember the name of, only that it is M.A.C. Paired with romantic Veronica Lake waves and a lace neck, peplum blouse, I felt like a real Cupid.
Red hot romance
I also pulled out some shorts last week, as temperatures shot up to almost 70 following our 2-day blizzard. These silky khaki Express shorts were just perfect with a billowy CK blouse in rose. Add gold accessories and gold Guess ballet flats and I’m ready for spring.
I treated myself to a mani/pedi today and finally got my mitts on some matte black gel polish. I’ve been wanting this manicure for quite some time. It will probably be my last black manicure until fall, as I’m ready for some fun spring colors. I saw at the salon today that OPI has a really fun Brazil inspired line out for spring that with a coral that I’m dying to try. Unfortunately, I didn’t take into consideration that I will be at the beach in less than two weeks for Mitch’s spring break and black isn’t very beachy, but c’est la vie.
Matte black gel with glossy black tips
I would say that the highlight of my week was paying a visit to Clover Creek Farms to pick up eggs. This place, also known as Green Eggs and Lamb, was amazing. I didn’t want to leave! Clover Creek Farms plays home to a flock of over 200 lambs, dogs, several horses, guineas and of course, chickens. The chickens are Animal Welfare Approved, which means they have free range of the farm, foraging for bugs and other food in nature, just as they were intended. Their diet determines the appearance of the eggs, thus giving them their wide array of shapes, sizes and gorgeous colors. They’re almost too beautiful to eat! The yolks are enormous and a beautiful deep orange. The lady of the farm was also kind enough to throw in a pound of long horn beef , which I made into hamburger steaks. It was delicious. I added a little olive oil at her suggestion, as that type of beef is so lean it can tend to dry up. I’m so excited to be eating things that come from just down the street as opposed to a grocery store. The difference in taste and how I feel is more than evident.
My haul from the farm. 3 dozen eggs and a pound of beef for $12They don’t even look real!Longhorn beef steaks–it’s what’s for dinner
I hope to have more time to blog this week, especially while we’re away on spring break. We’re headed back to Myrtle Beach to stay with one of my best friends Christian. I spend a lot of time in MB during the summer months, but this will only be Mitch’s 2nd trip there with me. Pray for him 🙂 On that note, I would also like to say that I have been watching “Myrtle Manor” and “Party Down South” which are both filmed in Myrtle Beach, and it truly is a shame that these shows are representing that area. If you get off the strip you can experience a whole new Horry County and it is not the trash box those shows make it out to be. In parting, I leave you with this adorable picture I snapped of Mitch and one of my sweet babies Mr.Mouse. I’m one lucky gal. Til next time!
This week seems like it has just been one thing after another. Last time I posted, I mentioned that a friend of mine was in the hospital. That friend passed away Monday, and it was very unexpected. So on top of that tragedy, I’ve worked a stupid schedule at work (two 13 hour shifts on top of my regular schedule) and there just haven’t been enough hours in the day. I have done my best to keep positive and find a silver lining in all this. One thing I can say is that I have never been more aware of my health and more motivated to be as healthy as possible as I am following Ron’s untimely passing. So here’s a few of the healthy meals I concocted this week.
Sweet and Spicy Asian Inspired Pork Chops with Roasted veggiesFake Fried Buffalo Chicken Tenders with broccoli
For the chops, I seasoned some boneless pork chops I got on sale with my go-to house spices-salt, pepper and garlic powder. Then I glazed them with a mixture of jalepeno pepper jelly and soy sauce. For a side dish, I sliced some red bell pepper and onion and tossed with asparagus in olive oil and house spice and roasted for about 10 mins. I also boiled up some brown rice for a small amount of healthy carbs. Fluffed with a little margarine and a dollop of sweet chili sauce it was perfect.
The buffalo tenders were great too. I just cut some skinless, boneless chicken breasts into strips, dredged in whole wheat flour and egg whites then rolled in panko and baked til crispy and done. Then I tossed them in some wing sauce and steamed some fresh broccoli for a side dish. For dipping, I am obsessed with Litehouse kefir yogurt ranch. It’s full of healthy probiotics and only has 60 calories per serving!
Also this week, I jumped on the opportunity to get out of town and take my mind off of work and funerals and went on a little girls trip to Asheville. Asheville is only about 45 minutes up the mountain from where I live but feels like a whole other world. It’s a little mountain town that packs a whole lot of culture into a beautiful, natural package and is brimming with fantastic food, art and shopping, and most everything is local. And did I mention booze? Yeah, there’s that little fact that Asheville is better known as Beer City, USA, and plays host to almost 20 breweries.
Asheville, NC. Big city feel, tucked into the security of these mountains.
Our first stop was for lunch at Salsa’s, a tiny Mexican-Carribean fusion cantina. Since we didn’t arrive until 2:30, we thankfully had missed the lunch rush and had the restaurant to ourselves. As we poured over the drink menu (priorities!), I couldn’t help but notice the art on the walls. According to our very knowledgeable server, the owner and chef Hector Diaz, purchases all the art and changes the themes every so often. Right now, they are featuring local graffiti artists, but unfortunately, none of the pieces are for sale. I settled on the habanero margarita, which at $12.95 might seem a little steep but you really get what you pay for, because it was worth every dime. Patron Silver tequila is served over rocks with Cointreau and hand squeezed citrus mix. Muddled into the bottom is the smallest sliver of habanero pepper, which provides the perfect amount of heat to this refreshing libation. Sitting inside this brightly colored oasis, sipping margaritas and watching the snow pour outside the large windows I felt like I was living inside a snow globe one might buy at the Cancun International Airport giftshop. Within moments our appetizers arrived to the table, and believe me when I tell you, this may be some of the best food I’ve ever had the pleasure of putting in my mouth. Ariana went with the pork tostadas, while Ashton and I tore into the jalepeno poppers. And please be assured, these were not some little deep fried nuggets of crap. Whole jalepenos, sliced down the middle, fire roasted and filled to capacity with a salmon/cream cheese mixture, rolled and dipped in batter then deep fried, topped with this delicious sweet and tangy pineapple/lime sour cream and a mango salsa. Honest to God, those might very well be one of the greatest things I’ve ever tasted. I followed appetizers with an entree of fajitas, which the chefs were kind enough to modify to cater to my cilantro allergy. Ordinarily I wouldn’t be so offensive as to ask for such an alteration at a place like that, but since they were not busy, I felt it couldn’t hurt. And so glad I was–the rest of the food was just as delicious. Salsa’s is just authentic, simple, fresh ingredients, tossed together in the most complimentary way and will definitely be a must-stop for every trip to Asheville.
The girls and I at Salsa’s.
As dusk fell in the mountains, we stopped in for sweets and wine at French Broad Chocolate Lounge. Since poor Mitch was stuck at school all day, I decided to gift him with a box of assorted chocolates from the aphrodisiac collection–rawr! I snuggled down in a big comfy leather chair and dove straight in to my warm nibby browny, covered with a fat scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and drizzled with freshly melted chocolate. A big, bold glass of cabernet was the perfect compliment to this sweet concoction. My lady companions settled on equally enticing treats. Ashton, the creme brulee and Ariana, the carrot cake. I heard no complaints from their end, but then again, their mouths were stuffed the entire time.
Decadence, courtesy of French Broad Chocolates
We finished up the day with a marathon shopping session, and you know me, we had to hit up the outlets. These Fendi sunglasses that I scored for $60 at TJ Maxx are everything. Everything.
Fendi, side viewFendi sunglasses, front view
Yesterday, which was Wednesday, I had to go to that funeral and although it was a sad occasion, I was able to catch up with friends I hadn’t seen in awhile at a lunch afterward. My best friend Alision and I also took the afternoon to toot around The Corner Nest, an antique warehouse in my town. After being there for God only knows how long, we staggered out into the cold and darkness, disoriented, a few dollars poorer, but a few antiques richer. All in all, it was a good peaceful day for remembering a dear friend, departed far too soon.
Tonight is supposed to be date night, but with temperatures dipping into single digits, I don’t know that I’m up for getting out of my sweats and central heat to venture into public for a cocktail and a movie. We’ll see how it goes. I’ll leave you with a look from earlier this week. I finally got around to wearing that adorable little black dress with the prim scallop collar. I paired it with some ballet flats, but ultimately I wish I would have had some Mary Janes. A braid, rosy cheeks and glossy lips finished the look and I’m pretty happy with it.
Greetings from East Tennessee! I’m hoping everyone has managed to crawl out of their bunker of electric blankets and survived the POLAR VORTEX! It’s crazy how this time last week we were all preparing for sub-zero temperatures and today there is an expected high of 50! I guess it’s true what they say–if you don’t like the weather in Tennessee, wait 5 minutes! (I’m actually pretty sure people say that about wherever they live, but it seems especially fitting for home right now so let’s just roll with it.) With all this crazy weather it’s hard to dress for any occasion. I personally hate winter clothes. I feel my legs are my greatest asset and should be shown off as much as possible. Hard to do when it’s 15 degrees outside. I also like to be comfortable, and enforce a strict “minimal makeup and elastic waistbands ONLY” policy when I’m off work and have nowhere important to go. This, however, is not an excuse to look sloppy. You can still look chic and put together when you’re going from the gym to the store to home with the right comfy items.
Leggings are always a must. With so many cute and inexpensive options there is no reason to not stock up on these babies. I stumbled across an entire rack of basic leggings in black, gray and maroon at Forever21 the other day for $3.80 apiece! My new favorite leopard print leggings only cost me $5.99 at Ross. What I’m trying to tell you is, if you’re paying more than $10 for leggings, you clearly have more money than brains.
Next, invest in some comfy tanks for layering. With the Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual sale happening, (thank you Baby Jesus!) I was able to get some super cute tops for a fraction of the cost. Top it off with a big cozy sweater or jacket and you’re set to go!
Also in the winter time, any smart southern gal knows her furry boots are her best friend. My personal favorite are my black Michael Kors with button accent and fur trim. They’re warm and cozy and shield me from rain, snow and mud. And I got them at a ridiculously good price which makes me love them even more.
my gorgeous mk boots. perfect for the winter elements.
Always remember to slap on a statement watch and some sunglasses and I would say you’re ready for whatever the day throws your way.
I would say that most of the reason I am so casual in my off-time is because when I have somewhere to go, I put a lot into it. Great hair and makeup are the best accessories. The most expensive, beautiful Oscar de la Renta would be rags without the right hair and makeup to accompany it. That is why I always invest more time on these areas. Thursday nights are always date night for me and my honey, Mitch. Thankfully that was the night after my big haul at Ross, so I had plenty of options. I ended up settling on the printed guess blouse with a pair of express jeggings, black boots with studded detail and a lace blazer. I added extensions to my hair, as I usually do when I want to give my look a little more sex appeal. (Ladies, please invest in a good set of clip-ins. Not only can they add length and thickness to any hair, but they’re so easy to do and can take your look from pretty to bombshell in no time. But don’t skimp here. Spring for the expensive ones.) I also added some demi-wispies to my lashes to upgrade my eyes to evening. My standard go-to makeup look is always a smoky eye and nude lip, but you should find what works for YOU and stick with it. I am a firm believer that trends should not apply to hair and makeup. Find what style makes you look your best and work it as your own. Leave the trends to accessories. Being pretty never goes out of style and a classic makeup and hairstyle is the best place to start.
Date night sexy. Edgy accessories and glamglam hair and makeup.
So there is my finished look. Perfect for a wine and pizza dinner, followed by a tequila cocktail and conversation at a little cantina down the street. Of course I can’t forget my BEST accessory–my Mitch. 🙂
Appalachian Barbie 
