Yes, I drink this every morning

photo courtesy of foodnetwork.com

Lately I've been going green in a juicy way.

With the gift of a juicer from my parents (my Dad recently graduated to a nutribullet that he swears by), I have taken to the art of juicing. 

It's been wonderful, really. I'd like to share what I do literally every morning.

Before the juicer, I would venture over to Whole Foods every Sunday for a couple days supply of their detox juice. With oranges, apples, lemon, spinach and ginger - the detox juice was tart, tangy and even bitter.

It also is a bit annoying (not to mention pricey) to do this religiously 2x a week.

Thanks to my parents and Giada de Laurentiis for the recipe, I now enjoy an energy-boosting, metabolism-revving juice EVERY morning.

I am loving this stuff so much (it tastes FABULOUS!) and I think y'all will too!

1 carrot

1 lemon

2 apples (I use Fuji apples, for sweetness)

2 celery stalks

1 2-inch section of peeled ginger

a TON of spinach (your preference really - I use a 1/2 bag or more)

And there you have it! Your very own green, yummy energy boost for the day. Serve over ice and keep it in a Tervis tumbler to keep chill throughout the morning. 

I'd love to hear other recipes if y'all would like to share!

Cheers and happy juicing! 

Brooke

Big Event? Here's How I Prepare

So it's mid-week and you look at your calendar and realize you have a big event this weekend requiring you to look ultra-glamorous. 

You freak out.

What's a gal to do? Where do you start? There's so much to do to prepare for a big event on the weekend and usually, there's just too little time to do it.

This is precisely what happened to me this week. I magically remembered on Wednesday that my law school barrister's ball is this Saturday. 

Fabulous. No dress, no plan, no way is this happening.  

Um, of course it's happening. I was born for balls and ruffles and twirling. I'm doing this.

And even though I spend an embarrassing amount of time pretending I'm Kate Middleton (I've been admiring her since I was like 15) my princess status didn't come with a beauty entourage to help me out.

So here's what I do, it's like a checklist and hopefully it will help if you ever have something special planned:

1. Get your dress/ball gown/ hot little number picked out first. It is the base for all other primping decisions. If you're me, that's 3 days before the event apparently.

2. Begin detoxing/eating outrageously healthy. I don't care who you are, you look better in a dress when you keep the extra bloat off. I don't drink wine and keep it to detox water and hot tea. It's not that bad, y'all.

3. Appointments. Are you planning on styling your hair? That's great. Make sure you have all the hair products you need for the big day. If not, it's good to call ahead and make an appointment. If you were thinking about doing to Drybar, hopefully you've already made an appointment. Your salon likely has people to do blowouts and styling, too. 

Are you doing your own makeup? If not, make an appointment. Woo Cosmetics does a GREAT job and I've always like going to MAC at the mall to have my makeup done. MAC artists know how to apply makeup for photographs. The products are formulated for photography. Be prepared to buy like $50 of product.

4. Get your glow on. If you're not afraid of the harmful UV rays, go to the tanning bed 3 days out. It takes 10 minutes, just get in there and get out. Done. Go to the tanning bed 1-2 times before the event. This week I'm doing one tanning sesh, then another the following day and a spray tan (cocktailing).

5. Prepare to doll up. Look through your makeup - is there anything special you need? Eyelashes and glue? A particular eyeshadow or concealer? Make sure your foundation matches your tan. I needed to get a few things, so I went to Woo and the drugstore to get all that ready since I'm doing my own makeup.

6. Shoes. Nothing will wipe that pretty smile and beautiful glow right off of you like painful shoes. If you're grimacing and your date has to army-carry you around that's just not hot. We don't do that. Get you some comfortable shoes, at any price. My only requirement is that they are comfortable. They have foot petals, too, that can make a shoe cushy. Generally, platform heels are more comfortable than heels without platform bases.

7. Play Princess. Two days out, enjoy a mani, pedi, eyebrow touch-up. Whatever it is you need done at a spa/salon. If you're doing some sort of body treatment (body wrap) it's best to do that the afternoon or evening before or morning of the event if you have time. I like to get nails done early in case they mess up or if the color isn't right, you have time to remedy it. Also, it's just a pain to worry about stuff drying when you are getting ready. If you are getting a spray tan, get a pedicure and exfoliate prior to getting the spray tan.

8. Day of the Event. Keep detoxing. Eat things that are easily digested or that are light. Work out, or go for a brisk walk. Anything that makes you feel empowered and beautiful. Do that. Even if that's sitting on the couch. About 3-4 hours before the event, I start getting ready.

If you're wanting to learn from a professional to do your own makeup, or just learn some tips or how to achieve a particular look, do not hesitate, watch these videos from two AMAZING artists: Pixiwoo. I stumbled on their videos one night and have referenced them ever since. I tend to prefer to do my own makeup, I also like doing my own hair for most things. Nothing beats a blowout, though. But I've done just about everything under the sun to prepare for an event so I think it's all a good idea.

9. Spray on your favorite scent, make sure your clutch has everything you need: lipgloss, cash, cards, concealer, mints, etc.

10. Have an amazing time! 

Cheers to looking beautiful and turning heads, darlings.

Happy Friday!  Go Braves!

B

5 Things I'm Head Over Heels About Right Now

Hey everyone!!! Long time, no blogging.

Exams and traveling are done for now and I can get back to it. I thought that perhaps my current "Top Five" might be a fun post!

Without delay, these are the top five things that I just can't get enough of at the moment!!


 1. Green Tea: 

     Just about every morning we stop by our local Starbucks for coffee and tea. Now, I'm a huge fan of both, but lately green tea has been my go-to source for antioxidants and caffeine and tasty-goodness.

     At home, I'm left to my own devices when it comes to tea brewing. I usually prefer taking my tea hot at home (idk, it's comfy). I have been making the Tazo Green Ginger tea for when I'm getting ready or studying or whatever it may be. It's seriously probably my favorite green tea.

     Please let me know if you have other green teas that are good to try!! I don't discriminate, I try them all. And it must be said, my favorite hot tea to drink ever, especially in lieu of a latte, is Earl Grey. :)

2. Elizabeth McKay:

     Elizabeth McKay is a great contemporary brand that has what I like to call a "preppy-chic" esthetic. It's reminiscent of Tory Burch, but more traditional when it comes to clothing. With ruffly collars, sophisticated detailing, and beautiful fabrics, Elizabeth McKay is a brand you can from wear to work, out to play and to the sunny shores of Sea Island.

    Here are some of my favorites:

countryclubprep.com

elizabethmckay.com

     There are also pretty ruffled dresses perfect for a steeplechase event, easter or dinner. I just love wearing these; I feel put together without trying too hard. I think that's what I love about the brand, really. The relaxed, classy look is undeniably southern. The Elizabeth long-sleeved shirt (at left) is probably my favorite shirt in my closet.

     You can throw one of these shirts on with white jeans, or shorts, or tuck one into a skirt, or wear under a blazer and you immediately look chic. And the best accessory to go along with the shirt is a mimosa - who doesn't love that?

scoopcharlotte.com

     Where to find: In Atlanta, I would go to Tootsies (an institution) in the Shops Around Lenox as they have a great selection and Poppy's of Atlanta at East Andrews has Elizabeth McKay as well. If you're at The Cloister (lucky you), the Cloister shop always has fantastic pieces from the collection.

Online, I'd visit these places:
Country Club Prep
Tuckernuck
Elizabeth McKay

3. Detox Juice at Whole Foods:

     I used to creep around Whole Foods looking at the juice bar area (usually in the back) with fear. I didn't really understand the juicing concept and told myself I wasn't cool enough to walk up there. Now, I pretty much sprint to it.

Here's why:

    I truly swear by the benefits of detoxing throughout the week. It's so good for you, it's filling and you you receive the benefits of so many fruits and veggies without having to try hard at all. The Whole Foods in Buckhead had a "detoxifier" juice on the reg that, if you ask sweetly, (and pay $20), they will put in a half-gallon jug for you to take home for the week.

    That's four 16oz. servings of Detoxifer, or four days worth. It's awesome. There's grapefruit, lemon, apple, ginger and oranges in the drink. Admittedly, ginger takes some getting used to, but it's a sweet tooth fix that's SO good for you. It is perfect for that snack feeling you get in those weird lulls of the day and you can satisfy it while knowing you're being healthy and doing something good for your body.

 
4. Wedges:

     I'm one of those girls that really values the power of heels and I love wearing them, but not unnecessarily. I'd rather be comfortable and I know that flats are usually not that appealing, particularly when you're going out. That's where wedges come in. They are your one stop shop for everything spring-summer. I love them.

     Who wants to wear heels to a summer concert? Or an outdoor wedding/cocktail/derby/party that calls for sundresses (ew, grass on your heels)? Who wants to fall down walking from Five Paces to 8 Traxx?

     Not this girl.

Here are my picks so far:

Nordstom. Pelle Moda "Dana'" Wedge in coral

Zappos. Lilly Pulitzer "Picture Perfect Wedge

Tory Burch "Ida" Wedge

Michael Kors "Giovanna" Wedge

Piperlime. Steve Madden "Haywire" Wedges

Kate Spade "Dabney" Gingham Wedges

Aren't they pretty? I'm of the mind that you need mainly a neutral pair (or two), a pair you can take wherever and not worry about, and a cute pair that's a different bright spring color.

Oh my goodness, I love. :)


5. Quinoa:

     My boyfriend makes fun of my quinoa eating because it's so weird, I know and because I eat it so much. Well, sorry I'm not sorry. <3

     Quinoa is a whole power grain that is just awesome. As a partially Italian gal, pasta is easily one of my favorite foods. Thanks to quinoa I eat pasta once a month rather than once a week.

My quinoa, arugula and avocado salad. 

     If you haven't cooked quinoa, it's seriously the easiest thing and it's very versatile. I like to cook it in low-sodium chicken stock to add flavor and I generally make about 2 servings at a time. I'll make it for dinner as a side one night and then throw the rest in a spinach or arugula salad the next day. It's so yummy.

Honorable Mention: The Luna Peanut Honey Pretzel bar. It's so delicious, it's sold out every time I try to buy one. It keeps hunger at bay, is usually my breakfast along with a banana or a grapefruit (and an iced green tea) and I just love it.

Cheers, darlings.
B