Pantone’s Color of the Year: Classic Blue

December 17, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Blue is one of my FAVORITE colors, so I was thrilled when Pantone named Classic Blue as their 2020 Color of the Year. Blue is so calming and beautiful, you can’t go wrong with anything in blue!

Here are a few of my favorite ways to incorporate Classic Blue into your life this coming year:

Sam Edelman Women’s Danna Pump ($111.61)

I have pair of Steve Madden blue suede pumps, but alas, they are currently sold out. I found these Same Edelman pumps that are a great substitute. I love wearing colored pumps!

Libbey® Classic Blue Stemless Wine Glasses ($34.99)

You can never have too many wine glasses and lately I’ve been loving the stemless ones – they are harder to break and fit in the dishwasher more easily.

Kendra Scott Elle Silver Drop Earrings in Blue Lapis ($65)

I came across these a while back and thought they were stunning! I can’t wait to get a pair for myself!

CND Sassy Sapphire ($18.75)

This is the Shellac and Vinylux combo, but I love the shimmer on this one.

Tealeaves Blue Tea ($6)

I recently tried a blue tea and it was delicious! When I saw that Tealeaves came out with an official Pantone Classic Blue tea, I thought it was the perfect addition to this list.

Jessica Howard Cap-Sleeve Draped Sheath Dress ($49.99)

If you know me, you know I love a sheath dress. I especially like draping on this one too.

Kate Spade Blooming Bouquet Drop Earrings ($88)

These are stunning! I love a statement or dangling earring and these are darling.

Kate Spade Nolita Canister ($40)

If you read my last post, I’ve been making a lot of smoothies and these canisters would be so cute to store all my chia, flax, hempseed, and other ingredients.

Gal Meets Glam Faux Fur Jacket ($210)

Gal Meets Glam always has the cutest things AND they have them in every size which is so rare to find. This would be a great accessory over a dressier outfit.

UGG Boots ($159.95)

UGG has a boot in every color, including Classic Blue! You can never have enough pairs when you live in Michigan.

Calvin Klein Ruffled Button-Front Top ($39.99)

This would be so cute under a blazer or cardigan.

Casery Dark Blue Agate Matte Iphone Case ($24)

This is gorgeous and they have a version for my older model phone.

Stackable Baguette Crystal Ring ($14.50)

I always enjoy a ring stack and this one incorporates the perfect shade of blue!

Pewabic Pottery Pint ($60)

Pewabic Pottery has the perfect shade of blue!

Zella Leggings ($28.97)

Zella leggings are my favorite and I especially love that they’ve added pockets.

Free Press Sequin Metallic Knit Pullover Sweater ($39.97)

I love a sweater with sparkles and you can’t beat the price!

Elsie Pumps in Satin with Glitter Sole ($278)

These are a little pricey, but JCrew is offering 50% off right now and I think the glitter soles on these are SO cute!

Natori Notch Collar Sleep Shirt ($49.97)

I really need to update my sleepwear and I like anything silky!

Pavé Winter Flower Cluster Necklace ($98)

Statement necklaces are my jam and this one is so unique!

Going Out Blazer ($100)

This is so chic! I really need this whole outfit!

Let me know your favorite Classic Blue items!

You can take a look back on my previous Pantone posts about the 2019 color of the year, Living Coral, 2018 color of the year, Ultra Violet, 2017 color of the year, Greenery, 2016 colors of the year, Rose Quartz & Serenity, 2015 color of the year, Marsala, and the 2014 color of the year, Radiant Orchid.

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Accomplish: Body Love

December 16, 2019 by Leave a Comment

We are coming to the end of my year of “accomplish,” but I’m not done making my mark. Getting my health in check was also a big goal of mine and with my business up and running it gave me some time to focus on myself. I first heard of Kelly Leveque from Rachel Hollis and ordered her book, Body Love, back in January with the best intentions. She also interviewed Kelly on her podcast in April (you can listen to the episode here).

I didn’t end up starting Body Love until November, but hey, I still have a little bit of 2019 left! Kelly is the nutritionist to one of my favorites, Jennifer Garner, as well as Jessica Alba, Molly Sims, Chelsea Handler, Kate Walsh, Emmy Rossum, and more! If you read Kelly’s book, you will quickly discover that she really knows her stuff. She’s a certified holistic nutritionist and has a postgraduate degree in clinical nutrition.

The main tenet of Body Love is to include the Fab Four in each of your meals. This includes protein, greens, fiber, and fat. She also encourages a daily smoothie and has a ton of fantastic recipes.

I loved the concept, and the book, and had been looking for a way to get healthier for a long time. She talks about all the damage sugar does to you and how it takes you on a crazy roller coaster of fake energy all day. Some of the symptoms she mentioned really resonated with me and made me want to try her plan for myself. Since I had pretty much been eating a bunch of garbage for months, I figured it would be quite an investment to get all the food and accessories to get started on this plan. I decided I would take a week to get used to each part of the plan before I added in something else. So the first week, I started by just making the Fab Four Smoothies for breakfast. This one was her Almond Joy recipe and it was DELICIOUS!

The second week, I added in lunches, which took a little more prep work, but I now have some great staples. This egg salad one is one of my favorites right now for lunch.

In the third week, I finally added in dinner which wasn’t too difficult because my husband has been doing Keto for a while. He had a lot of the ingredients on hand. Kelly’s Cowboy Skillet is my go to dinner recipe! It is quick, easy, and yummy! John loves it too so that makes it a win-win in my book.

One of the tips I received early on was to search for Kelly LeVeque in my podcast app and go back and listen to all of her various interviews for inspiration. There are some good ones! Kelly is also releasing a new book, Body Love Everyday, on December 30. It’s supposed to have a lot of new recipes in it and I can’t wait!

My goal was to be fully on the Body Love plan by the end of the year so I could hit 2020 running. Now that I have all the supplies on hand it has been pretty easy to stick to. I’m hoping to see some great initial results by the end of the year and will give you an update after I read the new book.

If you’re doing Body Love yourself, I would love to hear and tips and tricks you have.

For more Be the Best You posts, click here.

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Fall 2019 Favorites

November 12, 2019 by Leave a Comment

In Michigan we seem to have skipped right past fall and move directly into winter. Even though we have piles of snow on the ground, I’m hoping it will melt soon and we can continue to enjoy the fall season. Here are a few of the things I’ve been enjoying this year.

Crystal Flower Sweater ($69.50)

In fall, sweaters are the thing and this embellished sweater is just darling! I could see myself wearing this out to dinner for a little glitz.

Audrey Faux-Leather Slouchy Heeled Boot ($99.50)

With Michigan weather the way it is, I feel like you need a new pair of boots every season because they get so damaged from rain, snow, and salt. I like to transition my summer dresses to fall by adding boots and tights and these slouchy boots are the cutest addition to dress up any work outfit.

Hot Cocoa and Cream Candle ($24.50)

I love a fall candle and this one makes the house smell like chocolate. Even John commented that it smelled good, which is high praise!

Daphne Topcoat ($228)

I am obsessed with a brightly colored statement piece, which is why I love this rose coat.

CND Dark Dahlia ($10.50)

I’ve seen this color on and it looks black in the picture, but it’s really a deep purple.

Nine West Gaya Tote ($53.40)

I had a big bag throughout the summer and loved it, but need a black one for fall and this one does the trick.

Renegade Cluster Bracelet ($59)

Over the summer I really got into stacking my bracelets. I had a good summer stack going, but I need a few edgier pieces for fall, like this Renegade Cluster Bracelet.

London Times Center Front Twist Sheath Dress ($37.99)

I purchased this dress and love the cut, color and style. The long sleeves make it perfect for fall.

Nine West Mtaya Buckle Pumps (88.99)

I love the detail on these. You can never go wrong with a black pump, but these take it to another level.

NEST Cocoa Woods ($79)

I’ve received so many compliments on this scent lately that I had to share it. It is a great choice for fall and it smells like chocolate.

Cozy Open Cardigan ($69.50)

I love how this is a cozy cardigan, but looks like a blazer. It’s such a great transition piece that I want in every color!

Wooden Wine Boxes ($16.77)

These are darling and would make the perfect hostess gift. You get a set of three for each purchase.

T2 Caramel Brownie Tea ($12)

This is my favorite tea! It is so delicious.

Gold Snake Buckle Fold-Over Clutch ($29.94)

I adore the detailing on this clutch. It makes the perfect accessory for a night out.

Michigan Wolverines Tailgate Headquarters Asymmetrical Twist Tie Top ($32.99)

You can never have enough Michigan gear but so much of my gear is warmer weather based. I need a cute top like this for fall.

The Megan from Glass Ladder & Co. ($120)

This is very similar to a Meghan Markle piece and I love it! I have a new Surface laptop and this would be perfect to take with me on the go.

What pieces are keeping you cozy this fall?

You can revisit my previous fall favorites for 2018,  2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013.

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Accomplish: Entrepreneurship

November 11, 2019 by Leave a Comment

When I chose “accomplish” as my one little word for 2019, I knew this was the year I would finally take the leap and become an entrepreneur. My entrepreneurial journey has been a long time coming. Even with the creation of this blog in 2013, I had entrepreneurship on the brain. I’ve always had business ideas pop in my head, but it wasn’t until I read Rachel Hollis’ book, Girl Wash Your Face, in summer 2018 that a plan started to form.

As a 15-year veteran of the PR industry, I had worked for a number of agencies and companies throughout my career, but one thing always weighed on my mind. Whenever you made a move to a different company, you couldn’t take your clients with you. After spending years building brands and relationships, you had to leave that all behind and start over again from scratch. I liked the idea of building something that I owned. After working at other agencies for years, I wanted to build something different. A way to help clients and future employees live their dreams.

For years, I had been inspired by the entrepreneur community. I started my Be the Best You Campaign after reading The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod and listening to the Side Hustle School podcast by Chris Guillebeau. All of these things were pushing me to just get started. So in 2018, I started making a business plan. I developed a concept, a name, and a plan of action. When Christmas rolled around that was pretty much all I could talk about at every holiday party we went to.

Every business owner I spoke to kept pushing me to get started. “What are you waiting for?” was asked frequently. It ended up being a few things that pushed me to take the leap, but even then I wasn’t exactly ready. What did give me confidence was having a solid business plan outlined and ready to go. As soon as I left my previous position I had a clear list of things to do get started and keep the momentum going.

As I approach the six-month mark of launching LINC Detroit, I wanted to encourage everyone out there to start making a plan to live your dreams. The reason I was able to move forward with such conviction was because I had the plan ready to go. I was talking to a few friends that are dreaming of starting their own businesses and my best advice is to just get started. Buy your website domain, start on a small scale until you’re ready to take the big leap. The more details you have mapped out, the more comfortable you will be making the change.

If you’ve started your own business, I would love to hear your journey. What inspires and motivates you to keep moving forward every day?

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Hustlers Review & Giveaway

September 13, 2019 by 5 Comments

Disclosure: I received complimentary passes to the screening in exchange for this post. Scroll down for your chance to win some Hustlers promotional items.

I took a sneak peak at Hustlers this week and thoroughly enjoyed the movie, based on the real life story from Jessica Pressler’s New York article “The Hustlers at Scores,” I was anticipating Jennifer Lopez’s performance in this movie because it is not every day that you see a 49-year-old woman crushing a pole dance for millions of people. I have been in awe of JLO’s work ethic for a long time and she is a huge inspiration to me!

I was completely fascinated by the story and thought it asked/commented on a lot of ethical gray areas especially for women in the sex industry. I did think it shone a light on the ups and downs of stripper life, where one moment it could be completely glamorous and powerful and the next horrible and demeaning.

JLo recently posted a video of how she prepared for her electric pole dancing scene in the movie. She’s got over a decade on me and is in amazing shape! Definitely #goals!

In honor of Hustlers, I’m doing a giveaway with some movie swag! You can win the prize pack pictured below (the sports bra and tank are mediums and the shorts are large). Enter below and tell me what you thought of JLO’s performance.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more movie posts, click here. 

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PERK Facial

August 27, 2019 by Leave a Comment

I’ve previously mentioned how much I love Hydrafacials! They are pricey but SO worth it! The infrared light at the end just zaps all your acne away and leaves you with glowing skin. If I could get a full Hydrafacial every month I would…but there’s that pesky problem of how expensive it is. You can imagine how thrilled I was last year when Sephora started offering PERK facials, a lighter version of the Hydrafacial.

Sephora’s PERK Hydrating Facial is the store’s first spa grade treatment which is SO exciting! I have loved getting Sephora services for years because instead of paying for makeup application or services you can buy product. I don’t know of a better deal – you get the service AND products to take home. The PERK Hydrating Facial requires a minimum $75 purchase. Since I’ve been using Olaplex it’s been pretty easy to meet that minimum on something I was planning to get anyways. Most months you need to replenish skincare or foundation so it’s a win-win.

You can book your service directly on the Sephora app and the service only takes about 30 minutes. The PERK facial is a two-step process, the first step is a nourishing solution that exfoliates the skin. This is the part that sucks all the impurities (dirt, grime, makeup, etc.) from your skin. The second step features a hydrating, soothing, and brightening serum to moisturize the skin.

Once you’re finished, you get to see all the gunk they sucked out of your skin. Then the consultant applies serum, moisturizer, and eye cream base on your skin type. It’s a fun way to try a bunch of different products.

I am super picky about getting facials – you have to be careful who you let perform extractions on your face. The best part about the PERK facial is that it’s standardized. The consultant doesn’t to any extractions and they really can’t mess it up. I still prefer the regular Hydrafacial, but I definitely am not getting one every month. The PERK facial is much more affordable and you would be buying the product anyways.

I still use my Personal Microderm (PMD) once a week, but I usually skip it on the week that I get the PERK facial. Don’t forget that once you’re at Sephora you can get up to three free samples to take home with you on top of the products you get with your service.

I’ve seen a few articles mention Sephora doing a moisture test on your skin, but so far none of my PERK experiences have included that. I’m going to ask about it next time. It also sounds like some people take the pens home if there is anything left over, so I will have to ask about that too.

Have you tried the PERK facial yet? Let me know what you think!

For more Beauty posts, click here.

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Fitness Fashion

August 26, 2019 by 1 Comment

At the beginning of the year I wrote about my one little word, accomplish. One of the things I wanted to accomplish was establishing a more consistent workout routine. I’ve had a lot of starts and stops over the past few years and have been working hard to get consistent. One of the fun things I’ve been doing as part of my year of accomplishments is trying out some fun workout classes. So far I’ve tried out some kickboxing and Barre classes but I can’t wait to try more. The city I live in has a TON of different types of classes so I fully intend to try them all. What I am lacking in is cute workout clothes. I’m used to working out at home where nobody sees me so I definitely need to step up my outfits. I found a few things to keep me motivated for the next few weeks!

No Pain No Champagne ($16.99)

This is me in a tee! I am just doing this for the champagne, don’t let me fool you!

Zella Live In High Waist Pocket 7/8 Leggings ($59)

I am obsessed with Zella leggings, but these new ones are even better because they have pockets. Finally a place to put my phone instead of trying to stick it in my sports bra.

Heels Off Gloves On ($15.99)

This would be perfect for kickboxing…and it matches my pink boxing gloves!

Barre Socks ($12.99)

You need to wear special grippy socks for Barre classes and I loved these ombre ones.

Barre Hoppin‘ ($24.99)

I thought this shirt was cute for Barre class too.

Champion Spot Comfort® Sports Bra ($36.99)

I am in desperate need of some new sports bras. The girls are flying all over the place! What I discovered is that you have to search for “High-Impact Sports Bras” if you are doing cardio. Your walking sports bras are probably low or medium intensity and are not meant to secure the ladies when you are jumping around. This is next on my test list, but I would love to hear more of your recommendations!

Workin’ on My Fitness ($14.98)

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I LOVE a graphic tee! Literally the one thing I can’t resist! Fabletics has some cute ones.

Nike Cortez Sneakers ($69.95)

So we know Meghan Markle is a fan of the Cortez shoes which means I need a pair! Meghan has the red logo ones, but I decided on the black ones instead.

Rise and Slay ($14.98)

Any self-respecting Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan needs this one…if only it came with Giles as your personal trainer.

I Don’t Sweat, I Sparkle Gym Towel ($9.31)

These classes kick my butt and I sweat a ton, so a sweat towel is necessary…especially in a barre or yoga class where you can’t have a slippery mat. Who knew that Etsy was the place to go for really cute gym towels?!

I would love to hear more tips on how you stay motivated to go to the gym and if you have any favorite workout gear. Let me know in the comments.

Filed Under: Be the Best You, Fashion, Fitness Tagged With: , , ,

Summer 2019 Favorites

July 22, 2019 by Leave a Comment

I am living for summer vacation right now! There are so many fun things to see and do this year and I’m just taking it all in. I’ve been spending lots of time with my niece and we’re really hitting that summer bucket list. John and I have also been going to lots of fun events so I’ve had to freshen up my summer look with a few new pieces.

J Crew Striped and Solid Tassel Earrings ($19.99)

I saw this on a random pop up and couldn’t believe how cute they were! I thought they would look perfect with the wrap dress I mention below.

Tory Burch Miller Flip Flop ($198)

I was lucky enough to get these beauties for my birthday and they are 100% worth it! I have been wearing them almost daily!

City Chic Costa Rica One Piece ($65.40)

This is the cutest bathing suit I’ve ever owned. I was really nervous ordering a suit online but was thrilled with the results. I feel really comfortable in this suit and highly recommend it!

Leaf Ring ($14.90)

Another great ring find from Express. I love how dainty it looks!

EMMA Beauty A List I Insist ($9.95)

I am loving this color from EMMA’s South Beach Collection. I was recently introduced to EMMA and I love how they sell the gel together with the regular polish as I like to bring my own colors to the salon or sometimes do them at home.

Navy So Fancy Crochet Fit & Flare Dress ($95)

I got this dress for an event and have ended up wearing it a number of times so far this summer. It is SO flattering and I’ve received tons of compliments on it! It’s now my favorite dress.

Hot Fudge Sundae Candle ($12.50)

I’m a sucker for a chocolate smelling candle! Don’t forget the sprinkles!

Striped Classic Button-up Shirt in Cotton Poplin ($19.50)

What an awesome find! This shirt screams Meghan Markle and I need to get an outfit together STAT!

Shiraleah Carmen Clutch ($48)

I AM OBSESSED! This little clutch is a summer must have!

LOFT Short Sleeve Wrap Dress ($59.99)

I purchased this for an event and have already worn it a ton! It is one of the most versatile dresses I’ve ever owned!

Legend of Lido Rays of Aloe Clutch ($89)

Meghan Markle shared this clutch on her Instagram page in 2016. Legend of Lido was founded by her friend Benita Litt and she’s carried a few of them over the years.

Palm Leaf Kimono ($21.99)

This was a random Amazon purchase that turned out to be amazing! It looks WAY more expensive than it is.

What’s on your summer must-have list?

You can also check out my Summer 2017 Summer 2016, Summer 2015, Summer 2014, and Summer 2013 Favorites.

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Find Your Inner Glamour with Glameselle

June 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment

I’ve been meaning to write this post since Glameselle launched last year, because these products are amazing. But first I want to say how proud and excited I am that my friend, Shannon Lazovski (you may know her from Glamorous Moms) has her own line. This is an amazing accomplishment and she is just going to continue doing amazing things.

Glameselle started with a line of liquid matte lipsticks and has since released a line of luscious lipsticks. You can see the initial launch clip below with the local news station.

As soon as Glameselle launched, I purchased the Sasha Liquid Matte Lipstick, in my favorite bright pink color and wore it out to a holiday party. It stayed on ALL NIGHT LONG and didn’t dry out my lips like many of the other long wear products do. This is because they are infused with Vitamin E and avocado oil to help nourish and condition your lips while you wear the color.

Glameselle Sasha

When Glameselle released their new line of Luscious Lipsticks, I decided to add more to my collection and I purchased the Mara shade and got another Liquid Matte color in Bella.

Glameselle Mara

Each of the lipsticks are named after a strong woman that has inspired Shannon over the years. It’s funny I don’t have a picture of me wearing Bella, because I wear that one almost every day. So much so that I used up my entire tube and had to order another one. When I put in the reorder, I added a tube of Livia to try out. Livia is named after Shannon’s daughter, which is a wonderful tribute.

Glameselle Bella Livia

In the above picture Livia is the top shade and Bella is at the bottom. It’s very rare that I use up an entire color product (not including foundation/skincare) so much so that I have to reorder it. I can name on one hand the items I have done that with, so you know these are great lipsticks. They’ve even inspired me to wear lipstick every day which is something I used to do but had gotten away from.

I can’t wait to collect them all! Next on my list is Adrianna Liquid Matte – a bright red that doesn’t quit. If you are looking for a long wear lipstick that delivers, Glameselle is the real deal. Let me know if you’ve tried it and what colors you’ve tested out.

For more Beauty posts, click here.

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Splurge vs. Steal: David Yurman Cable Collection X Bracelet

June 17, 2019 by Leave a Comment

I have admired David Yurman’s Cable Collection bracelets for years. The first time I saw one was probably over a decade ago on a former boss. She was/is very stylish and always had fantastic jewelry, shoes, and bags. Over the years I’ve invested in some nice pieces, but I haven’t purchased anything from David Yurman yet. I thought wearing a David Yurman “steal” would help me make a decision on whether or not I should get one for myself.

The David Yurman X Bracelet from the Cable Collection is a cool $495. So if you wore it everyday for a year, it would only cost you about $1.37 a day (this is the only time math comes in handy, haha!). In case you’re on the fence about it, I stumbled across a great steal. UNY makes a number of great dupes for popular Yurman bracelets. This one is only $19.85 so it’s easy to try out the style and see if you like it.

David Yurman X Bracelet Splurge vs. Steal

Do you have a splurge that you want me to find a steal for? Let me know in the comments. Or let me know if you find another steal for David Yurman pieces. If you end up trying out the steal, I would love to hear what you think (and send me your pictures).

For more Splurge vs. Steal posts, click here.

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