08.26.14

What To Pack: Labor Day Weekend

Can you believe it’s already the last week of summer? I am so sad that my fave season is already coming to an end. BUT I am so excited because later this week I am headed on a girls roadtrip (courtesy of General Motors) for Labor Day with fellow blogger BFF, Cori Sue, of Bitches Who Brunch!

We have some exciting posts coming your way to recap our trip – and today marks the first one in this fun series. Hopefully you will find this post quite useful when packing for your end of summer travel plans and beyond!

First & foremost, I am absolutely in love with my new weekender bag from Sweet Tea Monograms. With adjustable straps, compartments inside and leather handles – this is my ideal weekender. It is functional and pleasing to the preppy eye for an end of summer road trip too, of course. I had the pleasure of breaking it in this past weekend on my Austin trip and it was the perfect carry-on bag for the plane too.

So what’s inside? Deets below! (Please excuse my mess, when I pack – I lay everything out and this post was no different….)

Essentials: Sweet Tea Monograms Weekender Bag c/o // Kendra Scott Jet Set Jewelry Case c/o (4 removable jewel cases and you can buy more to zip in) //Dixieland Monograms Cosmetic Case c/o (perfect for beauty products)

Beauty Products: Drybar Triple Sec c/o + Drybar VIP Pack c/o //  M-61 Power Glow Peel c/o  // M-61 Power Cleanse Travel Size Bottle c/o // Jo Malone Wild BlueBell Perfume // YouSmell Wipes c/o //  Trust Fund Nail Polish in Pre-Nup c/o // Jamberry Top Coat c/o // Mini Tooth Brush + Paste // Enzo Milano Hair Wand // ghd Paddle Brush c/o

Can’t Forget My: Ipad + Lilly Pulitzer Case // Karen Walker Sunnies // Urbanears Headphones c/o // SkinnyGirl Bars c/o // Hair Ties (made by my sister!) // Lululemon Headband // Vanessa Ray Travel Iphone Case c/o // Gigi New York Mini Wallet + Phone Case c/o // A Good Book!

What are your packing essentials for a long weekend trip?

Be sure to follow CSM and I along on instagram this weekend to see more of our trip’s details. Oh, to find out where we’re going – stay tuned for full recap posts – there will no doubt be some outfit posts and brunching involved!

08.21.14

Beautycounter: My New Routine

I’ve been searching for awhile for a new skincare routine. Before now, I had a hodgepodge of products that I used all together and was relatively happy with the results.

Well, now that’s completely changed! Some of you might know/remember Reagan Hardy Howell from Southern Proper (yes, she was one of the founders!) and I was a campus belle for them in college.  She has since left SoPro and is now a full time mommy + Beautycounter consultant. So as you’d imagine when such a successful businesswoman reached out to me about another brand, Beautycounter, I couldn’t resist trying it out!

Before we even get into my new routine – it goes without saying that when their branding reminds me of Chanel and packaging is lined with red (hello Louboutins!) – I have found my kind of skincare just by looking at it (kidding, sort of!), but it is beautifully done.

It’s no wonder that Vogue, InStyle & J.Crew have all been raving about it. Beautycounter has been receiving a lot of attention lately and for good reason.  All the ingredients are 100% toxin and paraben free and NEWS FLASH – just because some products may say “organic” and “natural” doesn’t mean they are free of chemicals. BC also has a mission to get safe products into the hands of everyone, whether that be CVS or Neiman Marcus.

And I don’t know about you but considering the skin is our largest organ, I intend to take pretty good care of it. (You can read more about their story & mission here.)

My Routine – Essentials Face Collection

DAY:

#1. Routine Clean Cream Cleanser – I use a dime-size amount and massage into face or use with my Clairsonic and rinse.

#2. Rosewater Uplifting Spray – I spray 3x on my face. Need a mid-day pick-me-up? This is perfect and quite refreshing!

#3. Everyday AM Hydrating Cream +Lustro Face Oil 1 – I blend 1-2 drops of the oil & 1 pump of the cream in my hand and apply to face.

#4. Anytime Every Cream – I apply a small amount to the eye area and I’m ready for the day!

NIGHT:

#1. Gentle Exfoliator Polishing Cream – Some evenings, instead of the cleanser, I use this 3 times a week.

#2. Repeat Steps #2-3 from Day (Rosewater/Oil) but replace the AM cream with the Every Night PM Hydrating Cream. 

#3. Finish again with Anytime Eye Cream.

Now, some of you might not be too keen on investing in non-drugstore skin care but it’s important to note that BC’s products are used sparingly and last 4+ months so …you do the math (well, worth it!).

You can shop my routine and more on Beautycounter’s website – be sure to Click on “Hosting & Toasting” Social for my favorites! 

{Disclosure: Beautycounter is a sponsor of H&T and I do receive all products c/o. All opinions are my own.}

08.15.14

DIY: Rise & Shine Bachelorette Kits

TGIF! I know no one wants to talk about hangovers (or Irish flus as I call them) on a Friday but I promise this post takes a different spin on them.

Today, I’m excited to share with you another DIY guest post from my lovely sister, MEC. (If you missed her last one on bridesmaids, be sure to check it out.)

A growing trend with many bachelorette weekends has become the “hangover kit” or “survival kit” (i.e. cute little basket you put together for all the girls with goodies that will help them nurse the previous night’s decisions goodbye). Well, I just love MEC’s spin on this kit trend that she put together for her BFF’s bachelorette weekend earlier this summer.

Before we get into her deets, you must first know that MEC is the more relaxed/go-with the-flow sister and I take on the more high-strung/Type A role in our relationship. It’s a nice little balance (fire & water – aries and pisces) and she’s truly a role model of mine.  After you read below you’ll probably see why she’s taken on the nickname “yogi” or “the zen sister” by yours truly.

Rise and Shine Kit (aka a healthy hangover kit)

This is an all natural way to recover after a night of drinking on a bach weekend! I chose a small pail since the bachelorette weekend had a South Beach theme, but choose whatever you’d like! Burlap bags, gift boxes or bags, beach or tote bags, and the list goes on.. these are all great choices!

Kit Items:

  • Lara Bar: for energy and to cure hunger (made from a few, all natural ingredients)
  • Whitening Gum: to spruce up your pearly whites and cure that bad breath, the mint also helps with stomach issues/acid
  • Ginger Tea: I chose green but can be any kind, the ginger is good for your stomach and tea is great for detoxing
  • Instant Starbucks: although coffee dehydrates you, it would be fine to drink it in a small amount for a caffeine kick
  • La Croix or other Sparkling Water: this will hydrate you, and the carbonation will cure that soda craving that often hits the next morning
  • A Fun Straw: for cuteness/use for the beverages with an inspirational, ” get out of bed and fix yourself” saying. I chose- Rise and Shine!, Rejuvenate! and Refresh!
  • A Fun Napkin: for clean up
  • A Hangover Yoga Sequence: I chose a 5 min video called Hangover Recovery by Tara Stiles (my fave!). Choose something that can be easily accessed from YouTube on an iPhone. And something shorter is always best on a morning like this!

Other suggested items (for larger kits):

  • Coconut Water: for hydration and to replace lost electrolytes
  • Pain Reliever: preferably a more natural type
  • Other snacks: crackers or nutritional bars
  • Makeup Remover Wipes
  • Stomach Settling Chewables: TUMS!

I don’t know about you but I kinda wish I had one of these handy for all post-toasting activities.  Hopefully this inspires you if you’re in the midst of planning a bachelorette weekend yourself or just in need of a new & healthy hungover harriett cure!

Be sure to check back soon for another MEC DIY guest post!

(I’ll give you a hint: see that cute little itinerary above?!)

AND for all the latest on H&T, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest!

08.12.14

Little White Dress: Picnic Style


A few weekends ago, my good friend Cori Sue and another one of our close friends, Tristin, hosted a gorgeous picnic one evening in Meridian Hill Park.

{Image via Instagram}

This little white dress and hat deemed quite appropriate for a picnic-affair. I also never wear hats like this one and am absolutely in love with how it fits. I think this outfit would also be fitting for outdoor festivals this summer, brunches and a little H&T (naturally).


Dress: H&M (ASOS similar HERE & HERE) // Hat: c/o David & Young // Sandals: J.Crew // Sunnies: The Look Boutique Tampa (similar HERE) // Clutch: Gap (similar HERE & HERE) // Necklaces: c/o TAudrey &  c/o Gorjana & Griffin//  Bracelets:  J.Crew (similar HERE),  J.Crew & c/o Loren Hope  // Earrings: c/o Kendra Scott // Rings: Kendra Scott //  Lips: All Fired Up by MAC 

Shop my look below!

  For all the latest on H&T, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest!

08.11.14

DC SoulCycle Now Open!

Last week, DC got its very own SoulCycle and luckily for me, it is within walking distance from my house in Foggy Bottom! For those of you not familiar with SoulCycle, it’s not your average spin class and there is a reason that there’s a cult-like following in places like New York and beyond. It combines inspirational coaching and high-energy music (you can read more about their story here).

Before we even get into the workout details, I’m a sucker for phenomenal branding. We all know this (hence part of the reason I’m so in love with Drybar aside from the fabulous blowouts!) Well, SoulCycle has just that. I was so impressed with their overall attention to detail in their studio space, locker rooms, check-in desk and even restrooms. There are fresh flowers in the women’s restroom, bins that are labeled for used towels and spin shoes, SmartWater throughout the rooms and candles galore. I always say “love in the details”, right? 

On top of all that, SoulCycle thinks of just about everything (my kind of place). There’s a whole new rider page on their website with FAQs, what to do before a class, what to wear and what to expect. You are even assigned a bike (which you get to pick but don’t worry I was in the first row during my first class and it was just fine!). They also have a whole team of very welcoming staff that are also dedicated to getting you set up properly on your bike which includes finding the right settings for your height and clipping in your cycle shoes.

 I will tell you that it’s unlike any spin class I have ever taken. The entire class is mostly in the dark (with mirrors up front) with the exception of a spotlight on the instructor, who is also on a stage with a MacBook handy for jams. Oh and did I mention there’s candles? Yes, even in the studio.

Throughout the class, there’s the use of strength training with small weights, dancing and of course, positive vibes. They take positive attitudes very seriously so if you’ve had a bad or stressful day, you better check that at the door!

I took two classes this past weekend – one with Abby and one with Garrett and just signed up for my third this upcoming week with Natalia. The photo below is an “after” (it’s probably for the best that it’s a little blurry #sweaty).

soulcyle1

In case you’re wondering what to wear to a class, fear not, they have a store and I’ve rounded up a few of my other picks below.

If you’re new to SoulCycle and live in DC, I hope to see you in class soon!

{All photos c/o SoulCycle}

Disclosure: Classes and tank were complimentary and all opinions are my own.

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