Monthly Archives: April 2016

Saks Grand Reopening

The new Saks Fifth Avenue in Houston is designed to be an experience. It has a new open layout that is two levels which allows everything to be spacious and grand. If you are wondering what’s different about the new location, I’m here to hook you up!

The new Saks is an additional 20,000 square feet, has 22 in store designer boutiques, 15 exclusive brands and an expanded restaurant. The Houston Saks is now the third largest in the country and is home to the second largest beauty and fragrance department in the nation outside of the New York Saks. There are now eight private shopping suites, the 10022 SHOE department, the Fifth Avenue Club, and a brand new amenity called the Saks At Your Service program. This personal shopping service has  dedicated staff that will deliver Saks products in a custom Mercedes-Benz Sprinter to your office, home or hotel.

When I vacationed in New York a few years ago, I was pulled into the Saks to check out the Bond cologne counter at my husbands request. Being in the new Houston Saks definitely gave a  luxurious New York feel. The art installations make you feel like you’re in a museum and add a new element to the shopping experience. Go check it out when you have a free moment. Until then please partake in the photos I snapped for you.  Enjoy!

 

 

Four Seasons Reno Reveal

Hey peeps!!! I got a chance to check out all the new renovations and changes to the spa at the Four Seasons Hotel downtown. As a DIYer I was excited to see such drastic changes. They have completely upgraded all the massage rooms, couples massage rooms, nail bar, check in area, and locker rooms. Mrs. Rosie even hooked all us girls up with a fresh coat of polish as a special treat! Of course I took delicious photos to share with all of you, enjoy!!

British Luxury | Age of Reason by Ali Mapletoft

Age of Reason is a British luxury print label with a playful punk twist. AOR has been featured on Vouge.com, Stylist Magazine, Grazia, In Style, Red Magazine and many more publications. I mean when super model Alek Wek and Rita Ora are wearing your designs it’s a big deal! Needless to say, I’m so honored to have AOR be my first international collaboration!

When designer Ali Mapletoft and I discovered each other on Instagram it was love at first like! I adored the free spirit of her designs and she enjoyed my natural hair, attitude and confidence. We instantly wished we weren’t a 10 hour flight away from each other. We quickly put our minds together and she directed my Age of Reason shoot from abroad. As I learned more about Ali I found out that she doesn’t follow fashion trends, but instead, designs for the playfully rebellious souls that want to wear  and celebrate something a bit unusual. You will see parodies of British royalty, bold colors, nautical themes and fun prints in many of Ali’s Age of Reason designs. Beyond that , she is committed to sustainability, producing her line locally and insists on knowing the individuals that she purchases her clothing and accessories from.

The pineapple print scarf is inspired by 18th century botanical prints. It’s 100% silk, amazingly soft and huge! This means you can repurpose and wear it in so many different ways. Just in this shoot alone, I styled it as a head wrap, scarf, shirt, and a funky “cardigan”. The pineapple print leggings are made from a stretchy scuba fabric which means it keeps its shape as you go about your day. The length of the leggings is great for short and tall girls alike and to top it off, they have a high waist.

The very best thing about collaborating with Ali is that she loved my personal aesthetic AS IS! She never asked me to change or tweak anything about myself. I am and was free to be Authentically+B, Enjoy!

Don’t for get to check out Age of Reason on line and on Instagram. Cheers!

Thrifted Love| OOTD

I’m not sure if I have mentioned this before but I absolutely love leopard prints! This outfit gives me a “clean slate” to put all of my leopard accessories with. While I was out having lunch with my husband a few days ago we stopped by a thrift store. I thrifted this top for 4.50 and the shorts for $5.00. Both of these items for under $10!?!?! So awesome right?!

The shirt is a size 10 but looks great tucked into a high waisted bottom. The shorts actually started out as pants. I have been wanting a pair of high waisted shorts that aren’t too short. I definitely don’t want my cheeks hanging out but nowadays it’s tough to find that combination. This older denim provides me with HUGE deep pockets, a high waist, and adjustable length. Everything I wanted! Don’t you love when that happens? Me too!

To spice everything up I went for my leopard print belt, leopard bracelet, Charm Envy nail bracelet and my A+B necklace. My go to brown purse and wedge heels were the icing on the cake. I just love when a look comes together 🙂 Today is Earth Day so try your hand at a cool thrifted look as a way to reuse, reduce, and recycle. Enjoy!

Shirt and Shorts- Thrifted

Belt- Old Navy (similar)

Purse- Target

Nail Bracelet- Charm Envy

Leopard Bracelet- Banana Republic (similar)

Earrings- Myth and Symbol

 


  
  

DIY Tassel Earrings | Earth Day

 These DIY tassel earrings cost me pennies to make but look like they cost top dollar. I can’t lie, I’ve been pretty obsessed with up cycling old shirts over the last few weeks. As I helped my friend Amber, who is an art teacher cut old t-shirts into t-shirt yarn, I ended up having some craps of fabric that couldn’t be used for much else. Amber had jewelry wire and through trial and error, I came up with a simple earring DIY that happens to be a spring/summer trend. With Earth Day coming up this Friday, these tassel earrings are a great fashionable way to reuse, reduce, and recycle. I made a video of me making one because it would have taken a thousand pictures to show it accurately. (It’s my first video on A+B:0) Give this a try for Earth day, Enjoy!