BeYOUnique has been a favorite of mine for years now…I love their designer inspired bags and totes..How cute are the clutches? Perfect for a stylish mom AND the new face-masks are fabulous!!!
Mongram Mary has the best monogram gifts around. I love her new concept..send in a handwritten message for mom and she will embroider it on a pillow or jewelry case!!!
Amanda Lindroth has the most beautiful accessories for the home. Her style is incredible. There are so many things on my wish list…Anything you pick from Amanda’s website will be just perfect for a style-savvy mom with an eye for design…
How great are the items from Wrap It Up for Mother’s Day? The chocolate pizza’s look divine…and the hand-painted potted flower pots (in collaboration with Artbybe11a and Perfect Petals by Ann) are the perfect thing to brighten up mom’s special day (all orders should be in by 5/6 for 5/10 delivery)!!!!! Also, don’t forget about their beautiful gift-wrapping service. Whatever you decide to get mom, they will come pick it up and wrap it fabulously!!
Another one of my all-time favorite small businesses is Ward Vintage jewelry. Over the years, I have purchased some of my favorite treasures from their incredible selection. Mom would swoon over any of their specially curated pieces!!!
A new find for me recently is Sue Sartor handmade tunics, kaftans, dresses and PJ’s. Sue made a pair of PJ’s for my daughter and her roommate at Georgetown. They were a gift from my daughter’s roommates mom. And, I was immediately hooked. Since then, I have purchased a few dresses and some fabulous accessories…Here I am trying on a pair of the most incredible earrings from Sue to show my mom. (sorry for the bad photo but the earrings are out of this world)…She is also now hooked, BTW!!! ANYTHING from the Sue Sartor collection will make mom very very happy this Mother’s Day!!! PS Next on my list is one of those fab floral numbers!!!
If mom does not own any of the gorgeous jewelry from Ilyses Pieces, then that is what she NEEDS!!! Ilyses designs every piece herself and the result is perfect. I am in love with those crystal bracelets made in France. They are really well priced and looked solo beautiful. Those are also on my wish list!!!!
I cannot get enough of Into The Woods handbags and accessories. Catherine just also introduced an incredible line of tabletop items. I love the “South Beach” and “Hamptons” bag and I am waiting to order my next one, the Miami.
Another new small business that I just found is Elysian by EM. Their collection of tote bags, mules, clutches and decorative pillows are simply fabulous. I feel in love with so many things…and so will Mom this Mother’s Day
Another amazing gift for mom is a monogram wrap from Elizabeth Chilla designs. Her embroidery is honestly a true work of art. She has so many colors, monogram fonts and designs to choose from. Her wraps are sure to be a true one of a kind gift from the heart!!!
Lastly, I LOVE the whimsical gifts from the local company Raynebow Designs. Their gift boxes for mom are the sweetest. You can add facemasks, bath bombs, personalized water bottles (the daily water intake measurement one is my fav), and really cute quarantine hats and T’s to your gift.
A new decade always brings with it a new set of trends. Trends change every few years, even every few months – but you can expect to see some huge changes now that we’ve reached the start of the 2020s!
If you’re looking for a great way to update your home decor, look no further. Here, you’ll find some home decor trends for inspiration that are really taking off this year!
Traditional Detailing
Although this is all about the trends taking off in 2020, it’s not all modern and futuristic. Many people are opting for lavish-looking traditional detailing, meaning things like spooled legs, spindles, and things we saw in furnishings from the 1800s and early 1900s. These things can actually be included properly with the help of residential architects, who will be able to make adjustments to your home that will add real value. Surprisingly, these changes do stand the test of time and they can still look great with modern pieces.
Bold Floral Wallpaper
You may be thinking ‘floral wallpaper? How original!’ however, floral wallpaper is a lot more exciting now than it used to be. Look for florals in bright colors, and even those with metallic accents. It’s certainly not boring anymore!
Subtle Plants
A lot of people love owning lots of different plants and having them all over the home. This is a wonderful way to bring the outdoors inside, but it can be a little overwhelming for those who are not so green-thumbed. If you can look after 20 different plants at once, then great, but it’s not always the smartest or most cost/time effective move.
Bringing in a single olive tree is a lot more subtle – it’ll bring in a nice, calming shade of green rather than lots of shades of a brighter green. The olive tree is sophisticated and can suit just about any home, too. All homes should have some form of greenery, but it doesn’t have to be in your face.
High Contrast Decor
Who doesn’t love the way contrasting colors pop? This doesn’t just mean black and white (which is classed as monochrome anyway). This means, for example, a black and white geometric pattern on your floor or walls, finished off nicely with a bright color to really make everything stand out, perhaps in the form of a sofa or rug. Using a color wheel will help you to see which colors you like best for contrast, and you can really get creative with it!
Color Pop Cabinets
Not only are people painting their front doors bright colors for instant curb appeal, but they’re also painting their cabinets bright colors, too! Choosing to paint your base cabinets in a daring color might seem out there, but it can bring a lovely cheery vibe to any interior and should suitably brighten your day. It doesn’t even have to be a super bright color like hot pink. A color like navy can look amazing, too!
Which of these 2020 trends do you love?
If there is one thing that is needed during quarantine, it’s a cocktail. This week’s book choice, Ladies Who Drink!! is for all my sweet ladies who are working so hard, WFH, cooking, cleaning, home-schooling, grooming, training and so much more. We made it to week 7. Though I am still in shock honestly as to how we exactly got here and still taking it day by day. I think this book is exactly what is needed to help us get through this home stretch and into the “Re-Opening”! Here’s the summary:
A perfect housewarming gift or entertaining guide for any gathering of your gal pals, this is a gloriously glamorous excursion into the world of cocktails.
Ladies Who Drink is a one-of-a-kind cocktail book that brings together classic and modern drink recipes, small-bite pairings, entertaining ideas, and to-die-for original fashions presented in a gorgeous array of scenes by illustrator Anne Keenan Higgins. Broken down by occasions like game day, book club, barbeque, or Sunday brunch, as well as moods like April in Paris, seaside sunset, or Mardi Gras, Ladies Who Drink is a dazzling entertaining guide filled with ideas for all your fun-filled occasions. – Amazon.com
For more information or to purchase this book, click HERE.
I never knew how much the Sephora sale was anticipated by our readers. They use this coveted sale to try out new products or restock favorites, all at discount prices. It only happens a couple of times a year. Since self-care has been a top priority during the past 6 weeks, I spent some time scouring the web, reading beauty reviews, and going through my own lists. The result is a complete selection of fabulous finds for you….
The Sephora Spring Savings Event is now open to all Beauty Insiders! Use the code SPRINGSAVE:
Rouge Members: 20% off thru 5/1
VIB Members: 15% off thru 4/29
Insider Members: 10% off thru 4/27
If you are not already an insider, you can sign up HERE.
We are loving this lipstick..it goes on clear and turns into the most beautiful blush color!!!!
Looking for a vitamin C serum that will leave your skin glowing!!
This facial treatment is a fan favorite!!!
I NEED to try this new oil from Laura Mercier. Her oils are incredible!!!!
The highlighter is incredible…you are going to become addicted!!!
Lucy Planck Garcia, senior hairstylist at the John Barrett Salon at Bergdorf Goodman gives us her top DIY home hair tips, including her favorite products to keep on-hand when a trip to the salon is just not possible. “There is no reason why people can’t still take care of their hair while they are home,” states Garcia. I love all of her suggestions and cannot wait until I can go and have Lucy work her magic on my own hair again. Meanwhile, if you have any questions for Lucy EMAIL ME and I will get you some answers!!!..Bon Weekend!!!
1. Mend Hair Damage with Split End Sealer: It’s important to keep your hair as moist as possible. One of the things I love to help combat this is coconut oil for split ends. Use about a teaspoon and start at the ends working your way up to the root; leave in for about an hour and shampoo. The coconut oil will help keep hair hydrated, silky, and shiny.
2. Biotin Supplements: Biotin is a natural supplement that many people don’t get enough of and that could be a contributing factor to dry, brittle hair. I always tell my clients to take biotin year-round to maintain a strong, healthy glow to their hair and it also helps with split ends. I love using and always recommend Vitafusion Gorgeous Hair, Skin and Nails is a great-tasting gummy multivitamin containing 12 key nutrients, including Biotin and Vitamins C and E to help nourish beautiful hair, skin, and nails from the inside out.
3. Cold Water Rinse: After shampooing, use a cold-water rinse, which closes up the cuticle and keeps your hair shiny, the cold water really helps to keep your hair healthy.
4. Tame Frizz with Coconut Milk Leave-in Conditioner: The natural oils inside of the coconut are what keeps frizz in check. All of the vitamins and minerals that are in the coconut keep the frizz tamed. The leave-in coconut conditioner also protects the hair from the blow dryer and other styling tools. As with the oils, I would advise not to use a leave-in conditioner if you have fine hair, as it will make it greasy. For those with fine hair, I would suggest using a mousse instead. Use a dime-sized amount of leave-in conditioner and work throughout your hair, paying special attention to the ends.
5. Softening Dry Hair With An Avocado Mask: Avocado has fatty acids that make hair soft. It’s great to make a paste with avocado and coconut oil. Put in 2 teaspoons of avocado (mashed) or in a blender and 1 tsp of coconut oil. Blend the two together for a few seconds or until smooth. You can even warm up the paste a little bit and leave it in your hair for approximately 30-60 minutes. Start at the top of your roots and work your way down. You can also use aloe vera from a real plant. Using the same ratio of above, mixing the aloe vera with the coconut oil. Both are excellent hydration for your hair. These “masks” leave hair very shiny and silky. Anyone can make these at home.
6. Don’t wash every day. While it’s tempting to wash your hair every day- this habit will strip your hair of essential oils leaving it dry and brittle. Figure out a washing routine that works best for you and your hair, whether it’s every other day or once every three days. Try a dry-shampoo hair refresh for non-wash days like Batiste Dry Shampoo
I was telling a friend today that this corona quarantine is like one long snow day, food wise. When we hear a blizzard is coming the first thing most people do is run out to the grocery store and stock up on some comfort food. And then one or two days (max!!!) later we are back to our normal routine..no carbs, no sugar, exercise etc. Well this never ending snow day is really wreaking havoc on my diet routine. Nothing is off limits, kitchen wise ,these days. If it’s there, it’s fair game. I have been going through my Weight Watcher’s recipes and I remembered this Cauliflower Cup recipe. I’m ready to turn over a new leaf today and really start watching it…don’t worry, I will be back with some comfort food for you next week to help you get through!!!! In the meanwhile….
1C riced cauliflower
2 eggs
4oz prosciutto (or any protein)
1/4 shredded cheese (your preference)
1/4 diced onion
s + p
Dash cayenne
1/4 t dried mustard
Sauté onion and prosciutto
Mix all ingredients together
Grease muffin tin
Spoon mixture into tins
Bake 20 minutes at 375