Diversity &#038; Inclusion at #rSthecon

April 9, 2019

Beauty Edit: What To Pack For A Trip.

Travel Essentials: What To Pack

My skin can sometimes do weird things when I travel. From breakouts, to dryness, redness and everything in between; I’ve literally seen it all. With than being said, I’ve built a pretty solid routine around what I need in my suitcase when I travel.

Travel Essentials: Skincare

For my skincare routine, I try to always make sure I travel with face wipes, a great face cleanser and moisturizer.

I use face wipes to do the initial makeup removal, and then I use my cleanser to do a deeper cleaning. I don’t always feel like I’m getting my full face clean when I solely use wipes. When I’m at home, there are definitely times when I would go to bed just using wipes. But when I’m traveling, I try to take that extra step to ensure I don’t wake up to crazy skin in the morning. I linked my current cleansers that I love. I rotate brands regularly, but these are the staples in my travel beauty bag. Erborian is a forever favorite of mine and new to the club is Korres and Biore!

For moisturizers, a recent discovery has been the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream. I mean … where have you been all my life?? Like seriously. The first time I used the cream, I said: “okurrr, Charlotte!” Then I kept using it and now I’m hooked. For $100 a bottle, it better be magic! My skin has never felt more moisturized, glowing and smooth. This is a bit of a splurge (and it was gifted to me), so I’m going to also show you what I was using before. Please know that I still use these products to this day and love them!

Travel Essentials: Hair

For my hair, I try to keep it very simple. I know that I need some type of oil or grease to keep my hair moisturized. African-American hair needs this or we get dry! I also pack my hair tool of choice. I rotate between a flat iron and a curling wand depending on how I want to style my hair. Comb, brush and scarves to protect my hair while I’m sleeping. I linked everything I use below. You probably remember Pantene from my 14 day hair challenge! I still use it and love it. Ouai and Keratase are excellent products, especially when I have a sew-in or protective style.

Travel Essentials: Beauty

My beauty regimen is an edited version of my makeup bag. I bring 1-2 different foundations, concealer, bronzer, setting powder, eye brow pencil, eye liner, mascara, highlighter, my brush sets and 1-2 eye shadow palettes. The core products rarely change, but I do swap out foundations based on my mood or what my skin is doing. Everything is linked below.

Travel Essentials: How To Organize Your Toiletries

I always travel with small travel bags to keep me organized. I try to separate everything by product type. For example, skincare, hair and beauty all have their own separate travel bags. That may be excessive for some, but it works for me!

I linked a few small and affordable bags that you can add to your travel bags! You can really find these anywhere but a few of my favorites are from Hudson + Bleecker and The Container Store!

Since I travel so often, I usually keep these bags packed. There often isn’t much time in-between trips, so there is no need to completely unpack them. If you aren’t traveling quite as frequently, that’s okay. Simply having a routine and knowing what you need is a solid foundation to get you started.

I am not a light packer, but if you are, you could easily select 1-2 favorites from each category and pack them into one small toiletry bag!

I hope that gives you a little insight into what I pack for my trips! And I hope it helps you on your next adventure.

Thank you so much for reading! XO – Steph

Photography by Bethany Taylor

March 29, 2019

New York City Work Trip

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New York City is one of my favorite trips to take every year. In fact, I try to go multiple times a year. If I could live there, I would, but since this is not in the cards for me any time soon … I travel!

I was in New York for work this time around. My team won an awesome incentive and a small group of Store Manager’s were able to go experience New York with the brand I work for. I think that employee recognition and incentives are so important for team culture, so this was an awesome experience with my company.

New York Day One: A Nap Was Had

Day one was a travel day. I got into the city, settled into my hotel room and then met up with a few of my co-workers for dinner. I love flying to NYC as early as possible to really maximize the day and beat crazy traffic. I always take the 6AM or 7AM flight, only this time, I was running off of 3 hours of sleep. I was so exhausted by the time I got to my hotel that when they told me that my room was ready at 12PM, as opposed to 4PM, I nearly shed a tear.

Needless to say, my plans for shopping and getting out to see the city quickly came to a halt after I got into the bed. Only leaving the room for a quick run to Shake Shack before my 3PM conference call.

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New York Day Two: Coach House, King Kong, A Hip New Restaurant

Day Two was a bit more adventurous! I met up with my work crew and we visited Coach House, the New York City flagship for the brand. It was incredible to see it in the flesh, because we often see pictures for inspiration for stores outside of the NYC market. After that, we had lunch at a new hotspot in the city Empellon. I am always on the hunt for great Mexican food in NYC and this was by the far the best I’ve had. After being highly disappointed in several previous Mexican restaurant encounters, I left this one with an excitement to return.

We then went to see King Kong on Broadway. I honestly had no idea what to expect. How on earth would they bring King Kong to life, I wondered? But Oh. My. Goodness. They show was phenomenal and King Kong will take your breath away. I took photos at the finale but I won’t spoil it for you. I want you to be just as surprised as I was. There’s a point in the performance when he’s looking out over the audience. We had great seats and I literally was sitting there, looking up at him with my mouth wide open. Like, what?! So cool!

After that we had short break before getting ready for dinner. We went to a super posh spot called Chefs Club. While the portions were … small. The food was so delicious. There was a set menu that gave us a taste of a little bit of everything! The chef rotates so I’m not sure that you’ll have the same food that I did, but you should definitely check it out if you can.

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New York Day Three: Hudson Yards, The Vessel, Meetings

The third and final day started with breakfast and a meeting with our Regional Directors and GM of North American Retail. I loved the intimate setting and being able to have an open dialogue with leaders in the company. It was a great experience that I think will have a meaningful impact on our stores and teams.

We then toured the archives for the brand and saw so many beautiful treasures that make up the brand’s history. And also got to see the work shop where prototypes and samples are made. When that was finished we went on a little field trip to a new NYC attraction – The Vessel. The Vessel is an incredible (and climbable) 15-story art form right outside of Hudson Yards.

Being in New York City is not a new thing for me, but experiencing it in a new way with my company was a great way to spend the last few days. I am leaving New York feeling inspired and reenergized for the last few months of our fiscal year at work.

Thank you so much for reading! If you are headed to New York soon, be sure to check out the new mall at Hudson Yards. It is so beautiful and filled with great retail and restaurants.

Have a great week! XO – Steph

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March 21, 2019

Should I Get Eyelash Extensions?

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Well guys, I did “a thing” a few weeks ago. I got eyelash extensions for the first time! I know, I know … It’s 2019. Literally everyone and their mom has gotten eyelash extensions at this point. Truth be told, I have pretty long lashes already. So, this mixed with the fact that I didn’t want to get hooked on something that would be an added expense, kept me from jumping on the bandwagon. But then I saw that both of my sisters had gotten their eyelash extensions. There is an esthetician in Dallas who did them and they looked AMAZING. Because of their inspiration, I went for it. Talk about peer pressure! Haha.

I wanted a natural look for my eyelash extensions, so I got the same length of my actual lashes for my first try. Basically, we filled in my lashes and made them more full. The last thing I wanted was to get these long eye lashes that didn’t look natural and be unhappy for the next 3-4 weeks! I also wear glasses at night and needed to keep in mind how annoying it is when you blink and your eye lashes hit your glasses. Am I the only one who hates that?!

Eyelash Extensions: My Experience

Anyway, let’s chat eyelash extensions! First off, when I got them on, there was a little tingly/burning sensation that I could have done without. It came and went quickly, but I did have a small moment of panic … is this the moment where I will lose my eyesight?! Nooooo! 🙂 Clearly, I was a little nervous. Having the extra volume took a little getting used to, but not having to wear mascara or really get my eyes ready each morning was really nice. Here are a few photos of me wearing the eyelash extensions!

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The eyelash extensions lasted about 4 weeks for me. I went to Mexico with them on and didn’t have any trouble at all. I could tell that they were starting to dwindle by the time I got back though. I think it is recommended to go back every 3-4 weeks for a refill.

Eyelash Extensions: Should I get them?

Because my lashes are already pretty full, and I don’t want to spend money every few weeks maintaining my eye lashes, I probably won’t get them again any time soon. We are about to close on a house and that money could be spent on throw pillows! But if you are on the fence, I’d say try it at least once. Definitely don’t get them too long, I think you will regret it. And lastly, make sure you go to someone who is a licensed professional!

Have you had eyelash extensions before? Tell me what you think!

Thank you for stopping by the blog today!! XO, Steph

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March 18, 2019

What To Wear To A Job Interview

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New year, new job? If you’ve found yourself on the job hunt recently – first of all, congratulations! Sometimes change is a good thing and new opportunities lead to new doors and possibilities! Something I get asked about often is what to wear to work, but today on the blog I wanted to dive into another side of this topic – What to Wear to a Job Interview!

We’ve all been there. You’re applying for jobs and asking for referrals, praying you land a face to face meeting. And then it happens! You get the email that the company you’ve been dying to meet, wants to meet you too. After getting over the initial excitement, the next question is … what am I going to wear?

My sister has been going through the interview process with a few different companies and recently landed an amazing gig with a company here in Dallas. I helped her figure out what to wear for her big day, and now I’m ready to do the same for you!

What To Wear To A Job Interview

When dressing for an interview, it is important to always dress to impress. Even if the company culture is casual, you must bring your A game. Understanding the company culture and having a good grasp on who you are interviewing with will help to ensure you start your planning off on the right foot.

What To Wear To A Casual Job Interview

Let’s dive right in. Ever been asked to interview with a company who has a super relaxed culture? I sure have! I recall interviewing with a company who wore jeans every day. And in the interview invitation, they encouraged me to wear jeans also. Naturally, this goes against every thing that I believe in, so I had to really think through what I wanted to wear to the interview. I wanted to blend into the culture, but I also knew I need to be elevated and respectful to the fact that I am interviewing. I haven’t landed the job yet or the right to be as casual as my prospective co-workers.

Here are a few ideas for what to wear to a job interview that is a bit more casual than what you are used to. My best tip is to SHINE! I would rather be over dressed any day, than show up and be too casual.

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What To Wear To A Traditional Interview

I hope the options I shared above will help you navigate the more challenging styling that comes into play with a casual interview! Now let’s chat about what to wear to a traditional job interview. I love dressing for an interview. It gives you an opportunity to give a glimpse of your personality through style. This is your first impression, outside of your resume! Because of this, I always say dress to impress! I’ve met with several brands and companies over the years and below are a few of my go-to styles that I pull from for an interview.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope this post will help you navigate what to wear to a job interview! Or even the next big event in your life. Best of luck to you!

Have a great week! XO – Steph

Photography: Maribel Morales

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February 25, 2019

Pantene 14 Day Challenge

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Pantene. The opinions and text are all mine.

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It has been 14 days since I first started the 14 Day Challenge with Pantene and I am so excited to share my results with you all. Many of you know that I wear both my natural hair and extensions occasionally, so finding a product that keeps my hair healthy no matter what season I am in has been so important to me.

I chose the Pantene Gold Series Shampoo and Conditioner because of how nourishing it is for African-American hair. Let’s rewind to Day 1, my hair was super dry and flaky. Which is actually pretty normal for me when I’m not using the right products. Honestly, dry scalp has been something I’ve always struggled with and it’s been a challenge for me to find products that moisturize without weighing my hair down.

I was also excited to learn that the Pantene Gold Series Collection came highly and proudly recommended by My Black is Beautiful to try out the products and see what it could do for my hair.

The Gold Series products I used included the Shampoo, Conditioner and Curl Defining Pudding.

Pantene 14 Day Challenge: Day 1

I started Day 1 with the full routine, and used the shampoo first which is infused with argan oil. Argan oil is amazing for psoriasis and dry, damaged skin/hair and I could instantly tell that my hair was loving this product. Normally when you rinse out a shampoo you can tell if it has stripped your hair’s natural oils, but with this shampoo it was noticeable how well it moisturized my hair, while removing product build up before I applied the conditioner.

After rinsing out the shampoo, I applied the conditioner from root to tip to ensure my entire head was saturated before finger detangling my protective style.

Finally, I used the curl defining pudding (my first time using a product like this) to enhance my hair’s natural wave pattern and maintain moisture throughout the week. This was the process I followed on wash days for the entire 14-day journey.

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Pantene 14 Day Challenge: Day 5-7

By Day 5 I began noticing changes because it’s usually around this time that my scalp becomes dry and irritable. I appreciated that this collection was noticeably more hydrating than products I’ve used in the past and liked what the product was doing for my hair.

Pantene 14 Day Challenge: Day 14

Today is Day 14, and I haven’t had a bad hair day yet. All of the products are sulfate free, paraben free, and dye free which makes me feel proud about what I’m putting in my hair and also excited that they actually work with my dry and difficult scalp.

Who else has tried Pantene products? Are you loving them as much as I am?

Thank you so much for reading!

Be sure to follow along on my journey over on Instagram and shop these products at Wal-Mart. Links are included throughout this post!

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February 22, 2019

What To Wear To Fashion Week

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What to wear to fashion week is probably the 2nd most popular question question after … how do you attend fashion week?! I love this question because the street style during fashion week is literally the best thing to watch and learn from. Every season before I attend, I look at past street style photos for inspiration and runway looks from designers that may be too far out there for every day wear.

When it comes to what to wear to fashion week, thinking outside of the box, pushing the envelope and challenging your own personal style are the most important keys for me. In New York, I feel free to wear whatever I want. I don’t care about matching. I don’t care about trends. I just care about style. It’s my favorite time of year. You can literally wear whatever you want and call it fashion. New York is an entire vibe and I’m here for it.

This season, I only had two days to showcase what I wanted to wear due to the limited time that I was in NYC. I went for chic, funky and comfortable with my fashion. When it came to shoes, I think I wore tennis shoes most days. I literally have zero tolerance for sore feet. A busy schedule means running around, and I can’t do that in heels. So my sneakers saved the day!

I did wear heels and boots to style some street style looks, so I linked everything that I brought with me below! Somethings I wore, somethings I just kept handy in case I needed them.

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What to wear to fashion week: shoes

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When it came to looks, I had 4 planned. I didn’t want to go too crazy with my suitcase since I was only in the city for two days. I got straight to the point with my New York Fashion Week outfits. One of my favorite looks that I wore included a blouse that I bought last February for fashion week. I love when I can repurpose a piece and wear it again. I have tried to do this a lot more recently, since I have been terrible about rewearing things in the past. Pink and red are my favorite colors to wear together. I thought that I would add some “spice” by wearing these new funky pants. Funny story, as much as I love these pants, they are a bit noisy if you’re legs touch while you walk. I had to be careful not to squeak as I was running around NYC. My exact top sold out, but I linked a VERY good dupe from ASOS.

What To Wear To Fashion Week: Look 1

What to Wear to Fashion Week: Look 2

My next look I actually bought the night before I left for my trip. It was a chance encounter inside of H&M (Ha!) I saw a dress on a mannequin, and knew that I needed it in my life. I originally bought it for my travel outfit because of how comfortable it is. After wearing it and falling in love with the dress even more, I kept it on and wore it as one of my looks. I traveled in my Fila Disruptors, but swapped them out for Marc Fischer Combat Boots when it was showtime! I linked my entire look below for you all to shop. These Lanie boots by Marc Fischer have been so popular. My top selling boot from my readers!

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The best part about the looks that I bought for fashion week, is that they can be worn so many different ways. I can’t wait to show you guys what else I wore and hopefully inspire you to try some new things with your every day style. If you’re heading to fashion week and unsure what to wear or where to start, I hope this helps!

Part two of this post will be live in a couple days! Thank you so much for reading!

Photography by Beckely Studio (Lauren Ammerman)

XO – Steph

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February 21, 2019

New York Fashion Week – My Schedule

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New York Fashion Week is one of my favorite trips that I take every year. I go for the fashion, the fellowship with old friends in the industry and to meet up with various PR firms that I work with throughout the year. It never gets old! This year I only attended for two days. That is probably the shortest I’ve ever attended but I packed a lot into 48 hours!

Why I Left Early

My brand/business always comes first and I booked an amazing opportunity with Clinique in Dallas on that Saturday. So I flew home and did some work with that brand for a few hours. I contemplated flying back to New York to finish out New York Fashion Week but I decided that it wasn’t cost effective decision. Plus, my husband gave me major side-eye when I told him my plans. #shutdown

From the moment I landed in NYC, my schedule was PACKED. I knew it would be a long shot for me to make it to everything I had on my schedule, but I gave it my best go! When I fly to New York, I always book the earliest flight possible. I like to get into the city, get settled and hit the streets as quickly as I can. This trip to NYC was no different. My day started at 3AM – needless to say, the time bedtime rolled around, I was “out like a light” Drake voice.

Day One NYFW Schedule

Here’s a peek at my day 1 schedule:

6AM Flight

11AM – 2PM BLDWN Presentation

2PM Tadashi

3PM PR Meeting

4PM Pamella Rolland

6PM Dinner/Drinks with friends

If you watched my Instagram Stories then you know that it was busy, busy and I didn’t end up making it to Pamella Rolland (#realtears). But that’s okay, I get fabulous recaps from the brands and I’ll share all the trends I’m excited to see in an upcoming post.

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Day Two was really similar to Day One. Meetings and shows, but truthfully, I scheduled more meetings than shows. With me having to leave earlier than expected, I didn’t waste any hour of the day. I was able to also get two photoshoots in on that Friday! Some of those images are seen here. I mentioned that there would be one thing I do different in upcoming seasons during New York Fashion Week. Want to hear what that is?

What I’m Doing Different

When I’m in New York for Fashion Week, I want to focus on the fashion. I can go to New York anytime and meet with PR companies. In fact, I set a business goal to get to NYC and LA at least every other month this year, or at minimum every quarter. Filling my schedule with meetings during Fashion Week takes away from the true meaning of the season! Designers work tirelessly to present their collections, and I want to make sure I am in attendance to see it. So there’s that. There will be a bit of shift in upcoming seasons and I’m excited! I also want to attend London Fashion Week and/or Paris Fashion Week.

I somehow got on the invite list for shows in Paris, so every time I get an email and I can’t attend, I get serious FOMO! Haha! But with hard work and determination, I know I’ll get there one day soon!

My next post will be all about what I wore during New York Fashion Week! It surprisingly wasn’t that cold and I took full advantage! I linked a few previous season here to see some of the coverage I’ve done in the past!

Thank you so much for reading!

Have a great week.

XO – Steph

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February 11, 2019

Work Outfit Inspiration

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Many of you have asked for a work outfit or office style post, and I am working to bring these looks to you more frequently! I have to remember that not all of us work in a non-traditional work environment! I wear casual clothes almost every day! However, I do love planning out these looks and can’t wait to share more.

Today I played around with a semi-monochromatic look that can easily be worn into the office. I love wearing sweaters this time of year. Adding color or an interesting neckline are great ways to spice up your every day work outfit. Below are a couple tips I always recommend for anyone wanting to shop for outfits for the office.

1. Shop for new pieces during off seasons or great sales. This way you get a great price and you can purchase multiple styles. I would also say, aim for styles that are evergreen and can stay with you for seasons to come. When I can repurpose a look or wear it multiple different ways, that is a WIN in my book. Especially if I got the piece on sale!

2. Have a core rotation of bottoms to pull from. I only own a handful of trousers, but they are so versatile that I literally wear them a million different ways. The trousers I featured in this shoot are from Zara almost 2 years ago. I can dress them up with a strappy sandal. Or dress them down with a boot or flat shoes. Focus on core quality pieces.

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I found this sweater at Nordstrom originally and bought it on major sale. It has since sold out (of course) but I am linking similar styles for you as well! Repurposing pieces from my closet has been a goal of mine in 2019. Sometimes I wear something, and then never wear it again! That just doesn’t make sense. I’ll work on a few more looks in the upcoming weeks. Message me your work outfit or office style questions and I’ll answer them for you!

Thank you for reading today’s style post!

XO – Steph

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February 8, 2019

Favorite Beauty Products: January

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Hard to believe that January has come and gone already! Every month I go through quite a bit of beauty products. This year, I decided that I am going to share my monthly favorites with you all! This should help answer a lot of the questions that I get regarding what I am using and loving at the moment.

January was all about trying new things, falling deeper in love with my all-time favorites and more trips to Sephora than I can count. If you’ve followed me for awhile, then you know what brands I love! I even shared a few of them in last month’s round up for December! The post is linked. 2019 is all about pushing myself outside the lines and trying even more new brands.

I’ll break down this post into two categories: empties (things I used so much that the bottles are now empty) and new to the club! This includes new items in my makeup bag.

Let’s dive in!

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Favorite Beauty Products: Empties

Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Matte Lipsticks

I have the entire collection of lipsticks, thanks to a fun collaboration I did with Sephora Inside JCPenney last year, but there are a few colors that I use more than any. SPANKED and CANDY VENOM are my favorite shades by Fenty Beauty. I wear them often and completely ran out in January!

Peter Thomas Roth SKIN TO DIE FOR No Filter Mattifying Primer & Complexion Perfection

This product literally feels like butter (the good kind) on you face. I wear it by itself and underneath my favorite beauty brands. Thank goodness I got some more when I was NYC recently. Love this stuff!

Erborian Solid Cleansing Oil

Erborian is a brand I have fallen deep in love with and use one or more products from the brand daily. The cleansing oil is what I use to wash my face. I was SO sad when I got the bottom of my bottle, but thankfully buying more is just a click away. My skin always feels really refreshed after using it!

L’Oreal ELVIVE Extraordinary Oil Curl Nourishing Shampoo

My children use this shampoo daily! They have thick, curly hair and it works well for their texture. I keep this in stock at home and we went through a bottle of shampoo and conditioner last month. They may or may not use way too much but at least they are having fun in the shower. Hah!

Foundation and Concealor

This one is a no brainer, you probably already know this, but I again used another full bottle of their foundation and concealer. I may have an addiction! I also used up all of my Fenty Beauty Pro Filter Foundation. I rotate between these two. This upcoming month, I am trying some new brands and can’t wait to share!

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Favorite Beauty Products: New To The Beauty Bag

I love checking out new brands! Trying new products and sharing what works and what doesn’t is one of the favorite parts of my job! I added a couple newbies to my beauty bag last month and I am excited to share them with you!

GA-DE Cosmetics

I was introduced to GA-DE cosmetics by chance. As a beauty blogger, I try to stay up to date on all the brands that are out there, but I don’t know them all! The company is based in Israel. The first product I tried by GA-DE was the highlighter. It is super pigmented and a great way to add some wow to your look. This month I tried their lipsticks and glosses, and really like them! So pretty and will look good on any skin tone.

FARMACY: Honey Butter Beeswax Lip Balm

Lip balms are in constant rotation in my life. I literally buy one, then lose it, then buy two more, then lose one … it’s a crazy pattern. Somehow, I’ve managed to keep up with this particular brand and love conditioning my lips with it before bed or even before putting on lipstick.

Short list this month, but next month (February) will be lengthy. The fact that I tried a new foundation after falling hard for the brand I currently use should tell you how serious I am about introducing myself and you all to new things this year!!

So excited for what is to come! I’d love to share some of my favorites with you guys. Make sure you are subscribed to my newsletter. I’ll be giving away some of these products that I mentioned in this post!

As always, thank you SO much for reading!!!!

XOXO – Steph

Photography by Lauren Ammerman of Beckley Studio Photography

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February 4, 2019

How To Update Your Man’s Wardrobe.

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If you read this post topic, and instantly thought about the 10-year-old t-shirts in your husband’s closet (that he refuses to get rid of), this post is for you. You should know that you are not alone! When we were in our early 20’s, I didn’t stress too much about what my husband wore. We’re young, he’ll grow out of it, I thought. Now we’re approaching mid-thirties and things haven’t changed, I’ve come to the realization that I need to take action, and FAST!

I’m not ashamed to say that while doing laundry a shirt or two (or three) end up in the donate or trash bin. Anyone else?! Of course when I get rid of things, I have to replace them with something better. So, now here we are! I’m going to walk you through the most common things I find on my husband’s side of the closet and give you some ideas on how to update them. Grab your laptop, some wine and let’s dive in!

First up, the old t-shirts that are stretched out, probably stained and just awful!

I work around my husband’s desire to be casual and comfortable by adding in stylish pieces that fit his personality. I love a good graphic tee or a casual, lightweight button down shirt. I would pair these with quality, tailored denim. Jeans are a constant struggle in my house, I need him with me to get the right fit, he refuses and buys the cheap jeans that don’t fit him right. It’s a vicious cycle! Below is what I envision and what I will eventually convert my husband to for every day casual style.

Men’s Casual Style Inspiration

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men’s Work/Office Style inspiration

My husband works in a fairly casual work environment when he’s not working from home. So this next round of inspiration is for those that go to an office every day. Or for when he needs to dress up for different events. I started small with my husbands dressier style, and have continued to expand it over the years. We bought him this amazing blazer a couple years ago, that he still wears to this day. He can dress it up, or dress it down. That was the first piece I bought for him that was a bit more elevated. From there, I started adding new shirts, new dress pants, and taking him (when he’s willing and in a good mood) to get things tailored. It’s a marathon, not a sprint ladies! It’s been two years and we’re still in the process. If your spouse isn’t as stubborn as mine, you may have success faster.

Here are a few pieces that I’ve swapped out in his closet and brands that I think your husband will love as much as mine. We buy blazers from Nordstrom, and he loves them. Peter Millar and Suit Supply are also great options. Shirts we’re loving are from Mizzen & Main. The only thing I’ll note is that we could have sized down one size on his shirt. He’s wearing Mizzen & Main in the images for this post!

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I hope this gives you a little inspo for how to update your man’s closet! I am obviously married and referring to my husband, but these tips can be applied to anyone in your life!

As always, email me if you have questions or need help!

Thank you for reading!

XO – Steph

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Blogging Tips

January 9, 2019

Three Things I Left In 2018.

You’ve heard the saying, “grow through what you go through,” right? This resonated with me and has been my anthem for 2019. New year, same me, but I’m growing. I mentioned on Instagram that I left 3 things in 2018. I’m not going back to get them, they have to stay there! Let’s dive in.

Three Things I Left In 2018:

1. I am leaving behind procrastination. I can’t tell you how much stress I caused myself last year from waiting until the last minute to do things. Not only did this cause strain on my personal life, but it impacted how I created content for several major projects that I had going. My theme this year is stop waiting. Just do it NOW.

2. I am leaving behind 7 hours worth of screen time on my phone. I can certainly guarantee that all of those hours are not productive hours. I started to cut back towards the end of last year, but I’ve committed to being more intentional about how I spend my time. As much as I’d love to scroll through Instagram all day, the reality is that I need to be creating content, spending time with my family and being productive!

3. I am leaving behind excuses. There are so many thing that I want to do and haven’t launched them because of feeling overwhelmed or too busy. But there will never be the perfect time or scenario. Sometimes you just have to take the plunge and start that project, build that dream and take the risk. If you are signed up for my newsletter then you already saw some of the exciting things coming down from stephtaylorjackson.com! I’m ready to just focus on my brand and grow this year more than ever.

What are you leaving behind? Even though I stopped my list at the three things I’m leaving behind in 2018, I know there are probably a few more things I could add. But baby steps!! Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Thank you for reading! Cheers to new beginnings! Let’s get after it. Grow through what you go through, ladies! I learned so much about myself last year. Even though it was an amazing year, I can see where the opportunities were and I’ve been working to close those gaps!

We got this! XO – Steph