July Favorites!

One of the finer things about living in Georgia is the fact that we experience all four seasons.

And we southern gals know good and well that the red clay we walk on isn't the only thing baking in that hot sun come summertime - our skin and hair suffer too.

With the hot rays stripping away nutrients, it's so important to replenish your body. And it takes a little extra love and care to keep our locks finely coiffed (and sufficiently teased) and our skin nice and dewy.

Here are some of my favorite things that have helped fight the humidity and have quenched my very dry skin and thick (yet fine) hair.

Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion

photo:  bluemercury.com

This product can work for every skin type. It feels more like a tonic or astringent, really. Initially I thought it would only work for oily or normal skin types but I have extremely dry skin and this has not caused any problems as far as I can tell.

I use this product morning and evening after cleansing with my normal cleanser. It deep cleans pores and truly leaves skin refreshed. Because I have dry skin, I follow up with a heavy-handed amount of moisturizer or cream to replenish my skin's ph-levels and to add moisture for elasticity.

I have really enjoyed this over the summer because the makeup/residue/suntan lotion/sweat that clogs our pores during our jaunts outdoors is extremely difficult to remedy. This stuff does wonders for deep cleaning. Plus, you feel so so very fresh after application. I use a cotton square.  The price is right, too.

Available at Nordstrom: Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion, $15


Naturopathica Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream

photo: natureofbeauty.com

Natural calendula comes from the calendula flower and has amazing anti-inflammatory properties that are great for treating skin irritations, particularly itchy skin or rashes or sunburns.

Calendula is fantastic for dry skin or sun-damaged skin because of its healing properties that make skin supple and moisturized. Calendula oil is great for under the eye skin to combat premature aging.

I discovered this stuff a little over a year ago and can personally attest to a litany of skin issues it has corrected. It's single-handedly the most effective thing I've ever used.

The spa I like to go to sells this locally. It's pricey but I rely on it because it works.

Available at Natural Body Spa or Naturopathica Holistic Health

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream

photo: shop.nordstrom.com

There's a reason this cream is on Bobbi's "Greatest Hits" list. I'm starting to use this cream as a primer to my foundation in the morning. At night, I use calendula, but this is FANTASTIC to keep your skin hydrated under foundation all day long.

Having a great primer on your skin helps your skin absorb the foundation and makes it last longer. Highly recommend.

Available at Bobbi Brown





Jamison Shaw Vita Plexx

Another important item to have in your bag is a great de-tangler. This one is from my hairdresser's at Jamison Shaw in Buckhead. Vita Plexx is conditioning, has SPF to help prevent color fade and sun damage and works wonders after the pool.

Available in store or at Jamison Shaw Online.

Moroccan Oil Intense Hydrating Mask

photo: oteenvogue.com

This mask is absolutely phenomenal. It hydrates hair, seals cuticles and restores shine.

Use when you're cleaning, studying, responding to emails before bed, or sleep with in it in your hair overnight with a cap on. I love this stuff and use it once a week.

Available at moroccanoil.com


Trish McEvoy Beauty Balm "BB" Cream

I've raved about Trish products before, especially this one in particular. The only unfortunate thing about this product is the price. $90 is a step price to spend on a tinted beauty balm.

Trish's products are formulated with the help of her dermatologist husband and has many amazing ingredients for your skin, but the SPF content along with the amazing coverage is what makes me buy this.

I pop this on my face to even out my skin tone and provide coverage and protection! in the sun where I'd normally forego makeup. It's long-lasting and makes skin look dewy.

This bottle lasts FOREVER. One pump is really all you need for a full face of moisturizing foundation. It just makes me feel prettier too when I'm in the sand or by the pool. It's not cute to thane a cute bikini but your face isn't also done up (just a little).

Available at Woo Cosmetics in Buckhead or Nordstrom

Olive Oil

photo: joyandsunshine blog

Personally, I prefer my olive oil on a nice little plate of pasta but you can't always get what you want.

Instead, I more frequently use olive oil on my body. I mix it with organic brown sugar for a face and body scrub that is simply divine.

I also rub it on my cuticles for conditioning. I mix it in my with hair conditioner (a very little bit will do) for some shine.

Live and love olive oil.

Available at Whole Foods or any market.


Banana Boat Protect and Hydrate Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30

You know what is REALLY gross? Mineral Oil.

That's the stuff mechanics use ... yes like cars and engines and grease and well, mineral oil.

It's also in MANY beauty products, especially tanning oil and sunscreen.

Banana Boat is all I will use because this particular formula has a moisturizer in it and does not contain that icky mineral oil. I don't like tanning oils. For one, they are HORRIBLE for your skin. The spray ones mostly don't even touch your skin because mist blows with the sea breeze.

All you need for that added tan acceleration is cocoa butter over your sunscreen.

I love this stuff, hopefully you will give it a try. I buy mine at Ulta.


Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater

photo: bluemercury 

Ever heard of a setting spray? This product is a fantastic one.

After applying makeup (your whole face of makeup) simply spray this on to set the makeup and seal it to make it last longer.

I also spray this on after the beach or pool and just about every day, midday for a pick me up. You wouldn't believe how thirsty your skin is midday because of the stress and the makeup and the dry air in the office. You can even spray it on your hair.

Available at Nordstrom



Raw Aloe:

You can pick up an aloe leaf (branch?) at Whole Foods or Publix for a couple of bucks and you wouldn't believe the great beauty savings from that. Aloe is such a wonder-plant because it has every healing quality and moisturizing capability known to man.

Buy a leaf, trim the outer ridges, then slice the leaf into sections. Peel the membrane to expose the healing gel. You can youtube this for a how-to.

I use the raw gel as a mask. You wait about 15 minutes for your mask to tighten and then wash off with a damp cloth or just rinse. You skin feels tight and hydrated afterwards.

Water

There's nothing like the benefits of drinking water to keep your body hydrated and beautiful. :)

Cheers to feeling great and well-cared for!

Brooke

FlyBarre: Hurts. But Oh My Goodness, It Totally Works!

Only months ago I wrote a post about my absolute obsession with Flywheel and trust me and my lululemons - that obsession is alive and well. Seriously, the results have been visible and most importantly, I feel so happy and confident about working out thanks to Flywheel.

But I wanted to throw another challenge into the mix, you know, kick it up a notch.

And Flywheel's baby sister, FlyBarre, was just sitting there in the fly studio all cute like and I knew I needed to just go for it and make a date.

Love hurts, y'all.

Blending yoga, ballet, dance, resistance training and cardio, FlyBarre works every bit of you - and then some.

And one thing I don't really do with consistency (mainly because I am just more of a cardio person) is controlled toning exercises. And well, you know the deal, a few lunges here, a few good-intentioned crunches there ... but it's never enough.

Even if I put a lot of effort into such a feat, it isn't always effective.  I think "It's not you, weights and medicine balls, it's me. And we can't just be friends, we're mortal enemies."

That's just sad.

Then FlyBarre swooped in with its sparkly cape and saved my fitness planet.

Ladies, ever heard of those "problem areas"?

*cough* *thighs* *abs* *triceps* *booty* *cough*

FlyBarre will take care of it for ya.

Ever heard of parts of your body you didn't know existed?? Uh ... yeah, me either.

Well have no fear, FlyBarre took care of all that too. You mustn't worry about googling unknown body appendages and such. They are just there and they ache after FlyBarre. Don't question them.

Despite all of this, FlyBarre is tons of fun. You can bond with fellow classmates, the music is great and you know that after your first class you can really get the hang of the choreography and positions.

Today I had class with Kelsey, a former Falcons cheerleader, and she was so sweet and I just am in awe of what she's trained her body to do. She's a great motivator.

The first class is absolutely free. Sign up here and get going.

All you need is yourself and maybe a water. They provide weights, towels, mats, resistance bands, squishy balls of torture, the oh so good kind of pain and the jams.


Raise your barre and try it out. See what I did there?

Cheers,
B

Buttermilk Kitchen is absolutely delicious, that is all.

Actually, that's not all. I need have to talk about how absolutely delicious Buttermilk Kitchen is. Oh my goodness it's awesome.

When I heard that Suzanne Vizethann of The Hungry Peach was opening a new breakfast/lunch restaurant in Buckhead I knew it would be a must-try.

The logic is simple: The Hungry Peach (located in ADAC) is phenomenal. It's southern, classic and just plain good all in one. My kind of place.

Suzanne is the chef behind the menu and a co-owner.  I've never had a bad meal there, I'm addicted to their chopped salad and the ladies there are my pals. I knew Buttermilk Kitchen would similarly bring a smile to my face and my belly.

So, if you mosey on over to Roswell Road where the former Cafe at Pharr was, you will find the recently established Buttermilk Kitchen.

The decor has a rustic/southern feel with beautifully bright murals and old south burlap furnishings. You feel like you're in a cozy-chic barn and it smells like you're in heaven.

If country biscuits, blueberry cobbler stuffed pancakes, crisp waffles, omelettes and chai oatmeal sound scrumptious to you, go there.

Also, there are BYOB fried chicken nights at Buttermilk Kitchen where you buy a ticket and eat like Colonel Sanders wish he could.

Need I say more?

Visit http://buttermilkkitchen.com/ and http://thehungrypeach.com/ and live life.



Tweet them @thehungrypeach and @buttermilkkitch.

Cheers darlings,
B

Opening Day

There's nothing like the thrill of Opening Day.

Walking in to "The Ted" just gets me so darn excited ... my red, white and blue beating heart is fluttering all around because opening day means spring is here, the Braves are back and all is right in the world.

In one word, the feeling is something like "'Merica".

... And peanuts and cracker jacks and baseball pants and all that.

Braves baseball means that no one will judge me when I am angling to get a tan whilst watching the game.

It means my boyfriend and I can relax and enjoy the game together - he will be real, real sweet on me because he gets to drink bud light and watch baseball and give me high-fives when our boys hit one out of the park.

It means I might be slightly annoying really adorable when I do tomahawk chops and yell cool things like "Charge!"

It means John Denver will remind the guys to "Thank God I'm A Country Boy."

And most importantly, it means people can be incandescently happy, all together, sharing an American pastime in the deep South.

Holeman and Finch Burger, be prepared to wait in line!

What's not to love about being back in Braves Country?

I'll see you at The Ted darlings!!

Go Braves,

B