A Belle that Beats the Heat

I might be the most hot-natured and as much as I hate to say it sweaty people out there. I can walk down the three flights of stairs to my car and I look like I've run a half-marathon. Some people probably think I've been gallivanting across the prairie in a John Wayne movie when I've really spent the last thirty minutes embalming myself with beauty products. It is out of control. I want to be that glowing woman who doesn't look dragged by the overpowering druthers of the summer months. I want to look like Scarlet O'Hara, beating that southern heat while appearing as fresh as a new flower. How can that girl go to Twelve Oaks for a BBQ, sit outside in a hoop skirt and bloomers, have droves of men doting all over her, and never sweat a drop? I tell you, she was using these products. I'm in the war on humidity, and these products prove quite the company.
From top to bottom, here we go:
1.) Pacifica Roll On Perfume in Tahitian Gardenia: This goes everywhere with me. It is convenient, refreshing, and an affordable "perfume" choice. When I work, I have it in my back pocket. $12.00 Sephora or Pacifica.com
2.) Noir Tease, Victoria's Secret: When I wear this, people ask me what it is. They cannot believe it is Victoria's Secret. Well, the cat may be out of the bag, but this spray is staying put in mine. Get some, it is the stuff. $10.00, at that.
3.) Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen: Nothing makes you feel worse than sweat and sunscreen combined. After you get out of the shower from a long workout, you feel like you've already dropped ten pounds. I'm a little biased because I'm obsessed with the smell of sunscreen. However, this is lightweight, lasting, dry, and Dr.K approved. $7 or $8 available almost everywhere.
4.) Cover Girl Remarkable Washable Waterproof Mascara: My eyes love the raccoon look during the drowning days. It's like heat makes them say, "We'll show you." Mascara needs to hold in the heat, and for me, this does the trick. It washes off well with a make-up remover. I'm hooked and love the price. $6.00, Wal-Mart, Target, etc.
5.) Ban: Last but not least, I would buy stock in this deodorant. I would buy the company should they ever go out of business. I would buy it for gifts if it weren't insulting. I don't want to be the old granny on the front porch saying to my granddaughter, "Well, baby, back when I was a girl, we used to have this Ban deodorant. Lord have mercy, that stuff kept this southern belle as wispy as a cloud." This cannot ever be the Prell of the past. I will have a come apart. All of the scents are amazing. I roll it on, give it a couple of minutes to dry, and that's it for the day. It doesn't cake on my clothes. It washes out of my clothes without residue or stains. It does what it says it will do.

And to that folks, I say, "Amen!"

Microwave Garlic Grits

Y'all, I love me some grits. As one waiter I had in Chattanooga once said, "They stick to your ribs and some other things, too." I could eat grits every day of my life and never tire of them. I crave them constantly because I have iron deficiency. They have one of the highest iron contents of any food out there. To that I say, "Amen!" I love to make them from scratch, although sometimes, time will not allow. Thus, I've developed a microwave method I believe is fabulous. I'll keep eating them this way; hopefully, you'll give them a try, too!  Here's how:
1.) Buy these instant grits, in whatever flavor you wish (cheddar flavor is gross to me). For the garlic ones, I buy butter flavor. Also buy shredded sharp cheddar cheese, skim milk, and garlic powder.
2.) Microwave grits according to package directions.
3.) Remove from microwave halfway through cooking and stir well. Add cheese and desired amount of garlic powder on top. With thirty seconds left, remove and stir vigorously. Finish cooking time. If they have a thick consistency that somewhat holds to your spoon, they're done. You can also let them cool for a couple of minutes to check the consistency. Microwave more if they are soupy.
4.) Boom. Garlic grits are ready for the eatin'.

The Matchstick Pant

I'm sure many men will be happy to hear that the fitted cropped matchstick pant is a huge trend for spring and summer. These pants are a little different than a capri. They have a snug fit like a skinny jean and are cropped off mid-calf. Other names include, pencil pant, kicker, and even the Martha Stewart pant. They come in a variety of colors and suit almost any occasion. Hello? How's a black pair of these with some heels, bling, flashy shirt, and clutch? You are ready for your next night wedding. You can wear this trend, I promise. No you're not too big, too this or too that. You don't have to be a size 00 to feel pretty in these pushers and the good Lord knows I'm far from that size. If you are self-conscious about the fit over certain regions, just put on a long tunic or a lightweight cardigan and you're done. I've tried on plenty of these so I could blog about it. Each time, I've had to go up a size due to the snug fit. I've seen these in plenty of stores in all colors, prices, and sizes. My favorite thing about these pants is the tight fit on the calf. Rather than cut your leg line off like a wide leg capri, these look elongated especially with wedges. If you still want to pull of this trend and don't want to pay, take a pair of your skinniest fitting jeans and grab your iron and your starch. Roll up the cuffs tightly, starch, press, and work it girl.

Matching Smatching

My first semester of grad school is over and I am so relieved. Hallelujah!

On another note, if you aren't already aware, don't match your shoes to your clothes. No matter what age you are, this is considered dated. For example, white dress need not white shoes.  Try as hard as you can to not color coordinate your look from head to toe. This is so simple to do, yet, I see people still wearing it all the time. Having a mix of colors brings visual interest to your outfits. Let's say you have a black dress and want to wear black shoes. If you choose this, you need bold color elsewhere, in a bag, scarf, or jewelry. Otherwise, your outfit tone is muted. Don't be afraid to stand out!

Guys need not match suits to shoes either. Gray goes with camel, black goes with camel, you get the idea. Yes, gray still goes with black, yada, yada, yada, but look how much fun this guy appears! Match your belt to your shoes and you're good to go.

"Clothes don't match, they go," I say. Think it through before you head out the door.

Two Thought Tuesday

Hello, sweet readers! So sorry for not posting yesterday. I had a test for grad school and worked late last night. Nevertheless, I'm back with two fun finds that have turned me into a loyal user. I hope all of you have a great Tuesday!

1.) Method Laundry Detergent, let me explain my obsession over this. I'm normally a Tide, Purex, whatever brand buyer. However, in the past few weeks I was having trouble with blue spots appearing on my clothes and towels. It would take several washes to get the detergent out, which proved very annoying. With a Target coupon in hand, I set out to find a clear detergent to rid me of this issue. While browsing, I saw this Method brand, in lavender. Not to mention it was marked down and $1.00 off with my coupon, I was sold. Oh my goodness, this product is FAB-U-LOUS. First off, the dispenser, all you have to do is squirt it in the washer! No cups or spills, hallelujah! Next, it takes four pumps for a mega load, done and done. It does not stain my clothes, towels and the like. It has scent staying power that cannot be beat. When I put on clean clothes, I want them to smell clean, here in lies my dream product. Finally, this detergent saved me from a major mishap. After I ate dinner last night, I sat down on my couch. Somehow, I got food from the table to the sofa, I believe it was stuck to my leg. GROSS!! Well, I unzipped my white slipcover, popped it in the wash with this and it is now as white as snow. This stuff is the bomb.

2.) C. Booth brand, I love you, too. Hello, this stuff is at K-Mart, (Ulta, too)!!! It too has working power. There are all types of products, and they are to die for. I particularly love this Argan Oil Body Butter. It smells heavenly, and I use it as a lotion and on my face at night. I've also given the body wash as a gift, and I've tried the regular lotion, too. Needless to say, I use this stuff like it's going out of style.