A+O Head to Toe

By Lauren

Patterned or textured cropped pants are my new favorite trend this season. These Alice and Olivia purple pair were perfect for my family Thanksgiving dinner this year. Cozy and chic, but with a little pizazz! 

We spent the holiday in the Hamptons with family and friends, such a treat to get out of the busy city for a few days. This week it is back to reality!

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik; Pants: Alice and Olivia; Top: Alice and Olivia

Where did you spend your Thanksgiving, and what did you wear?!?

Office Fashion- Going Sleeveless

By Lauren and Julie

Since the two of us spend the majority of our days at our full-time fashion corporate jobs at Ralph Lauren and Alice & Olivia, we're always trying to incorporate our B&B 'street style' in chic and appropriate ways for the office. More than half of U.S women will be going sleeveless this fall and winter, and we're right there with them. We consider a sharp sleeveless look to be the modern day women's 'power suit' and here's our most sophisticated interpretation. 

When going sleeveless, it's important to feel confident and strong so we're counting on the new Dove go sleeveless Soothing Chamomile Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant to keep us feeling feminine and worry-free for over 48-hours at a time. It's proven to provide smoother, softer skin in just 5 days, giving us the confidence to go sleeveless all year long.

Tell us, are you rocking sleeveless fashions for those power lunches and big presentations this season? What's your trick for feeling sexy and strong?

We know ours.

XOX

**For more info, feel free to visit Facebook.com/Dove

Wedding Wednesday: Wedding Day Makeup

By Julie

I'm super excited to be sharing some of the amazing make-up and beauty tips from my very own bridal make-up artist, Rachel Reiman. Rachel came highly recommended to me and I knew she was 'the one' the minute I saw some of her beautifully natural and editorial-like work on her website, but it was all confirmed once I got a hint of her laid-back and sweet personality. All key in making the day go as smoothly {and pretty} as possible.  

Today, she's here at B&B sharing how to pick your wedding day looks.

****

After 15 plus years in the wedding beauty business, I've never heard a bride say, "I want to look completely different than I do everyday." The common theme is beautiful women wanting to look more beautiful on the most special day of their lives. Brides should be a more glamorous version of themselves, whatever that means to them. This is what I love about my job... showing them what that more glamorous, extra beautiful version looks like. 

My tips of picking your wedding day looks are:

1. Perfect skin is key.

Everyone wants that bride glow. Airbrush foundation, applied lightly with bronzer and a glow-y blush... instantly flawless.

Hydrate and get facials leading up to the wedding, but don't be afraid of wearing foundation and powder- the works. It's a long day.

2. Bust out those lashes girl!

I have to admit I am sad when a bride says she doesn't want to wear individual falsies. They are so comfortable and natural yet uber glam.

3. Incorporate trends, but don't go overboard.

I feel like brides should look somewhat classic with their makeup but their personality should show up in there too. I love the pop lip for instance- but hot pink or orange-y red might not be best on your wedding day. I would just do a more toned down or sheer version of that.

Smoky eyes are fantastic for brides... I just don't go night club worthy.

Do your research, ask friends, read reviews. Finding a great makeup artist can be a challenge, but it's worth every penny. It's your face ladies. This is critical and deserves just as much effort as finding that perfect dress. 

****

Can't wait to see what Rachel creates for me on the big day... 8 months and counting.

XOX

Magic Cookie Bars

By Lauren

This Thanksgiving I wanted to add a little something sweet to the menu. Magnolia bakery sells a version of these delicious treats so I they inspired me to hunt down the recipe and try it for myself.

Ingredients:

2 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs

1 Cup Butter

1 (14oz) Can of EAGLE BRAND Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 1/2 Cup Flaked Coconut

1 Cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

1 Cup Chopped Walnuts

Pre-Heat oven to 350. Mix the melted butter and Graham cracker crumbs in a bowl and then flatten out in a 13"x 9" pan with a fork. Evenly disperse the sweetened condensed milk on top. Pat down firmly with the fork. Then evenly distribute the coconut flakes, chocolate chips, and walnuts on top. Pat down firmly again with the fork. Cook for 25-30 minutes, until top is brown. 

Then wait until it cools to cut up your squares.  That's it!

XOX

Alberto Fermani {Giveaway!}

By Julie

I'm pretty excited to share this amazing giveaway with you guys because I've been wearing these Alberto Fermani boots non-stop since I got them and I know you'll love them, too. I can tell you I trekked through the New York and Chicago airports in them and felt like I was walking on air the entire time. That's a pretty big fashion win in my book. Fashionable and functional, these babies get a big B&B stamp of approval. 

Dress: Kelly Wearstler, Jacket: Topshop, Boots c/o Alberto Fermani, Bag: c/o Brahmin

If you're eager to take advantage of Cyber Monday deals, Alberta Fermani is hosting their own 30% promotion that's worth checking out.

You can enter our giveaway everyday from now until the winner is announced on December 3rd. Here's how you enter:

{Alberto Fermani Giveaway}

Good luck!

X

**Please note, entries are open to US residents only, sorry!

Perfect Face

By Lauren

This past Saturday, Ashley Greene showed up to the NYC premiere of Twilight in a custom Donna Karan gown, but that wasn't even the show-stopper. What took my breath away was her hair and makeup, the pure perfection of it all! I'm def not a Twi-hard, but I am for sure crushing hard on this entire look and plan on saving this image for the next time I get my hair and makeup done.

1. Keratin Perfectlight Delux Infrared Smoothing Iron - $175

2. Nars Multiple Peachy Pink Shimmer Blush

3. Bare Minerals Faux Tan All-Over Face Color - $19

4. Guerlain Kiss Kiss Gloss in Light Pearly Beige - $32

5. Nars Duo Eyeshadow in Orchard and Regal Blue - $34

6. YSL Long Lasting Eye Pencil - $29

7. Dior Show Mascara in Azure Blue - $25

Thanksgiving Signature Cocktail

By Julie

This year, my family has a lot to celebrate so I'm thinking there's no better way to give thanks than over a classic Thanksgiving cocktail, right? All you need is one glass, a warm fire, family and friends and you're on your way to the perfect holiday celebration. I can practically smell the smokey goodness of the whiskey and orange bitters through the screen, can't you?

The countdown to Thanksgiving is officially on. Hope you all have a great holiday and enjoy some well deserved time off!!

Cheers!

**Ingredients make for 1 or more servings. For a group, it's nice to mix the cider and whiskey in a pitcher and have the garnish out for each guest to add their own.

Sweater Dressing

By Julie

Jacket: Topshop, Booties: Ralph Lauren, Dress: Club Monaco, Tights: Club Monaco
Bracelets: c/o BusyWrist, Snood: Gap

To me there's a fine line between dressing for work and play- especially in the winter. It's hard to look cute and cozy, but pulled together enough for the office. Now that the temperatures have dropped in NYC, I need to change my work attire game plan. Sweater dresses, tights and a pair of booties have become my personal go-to.

Comfortable, warm, polished and feminine- it's my way of making it easier to get out of bed on those super brisk winter mornings.

XOX

Levi's Dress

By Lauren

Last weekend Monster (my Yorkie) and I went for a long walk, which somehow lead us to the friends and family sale at Bloomingdales...don't know how that happened...wink wink. Anyway, before our little shopping excursion, we had an afternoon stroll in the unseasonably warm weather. 

Dress: De Luna Dress from Levi's

What do you guys wear for a casual weekend afternoon?

Wacky Wallpapers

By Lauren

Being in the interior design industry makes me prone to love all things about the home...but one item I believe every home should have might not be what you would expect. Wallpaper is what I'm talking about, but not your average grandmother's wallpaper.  Instead there are all sorts of fun, colorful, and wacky wallpapers on the market these days that will bring just the right amount of happiness to your walls!

How can you say no after all these amazing inspiration pictures?

And now some of my favorite options:

1. Wild Woods by Phillip Jeffries

2. Brett Design Wallpaper available at Studio Four

3. Brett Design Wallpaper available at Studio Four

4. Flat Vernacular Wallpaper

5. Kreme Wallpaper

6. Brett Design Wallpaper available at Studio Four

7. Kreme Wallpaper available at Studio Four

8. Paeona Wallpaper available at Anthropology 

9. Madagascar Wallpaper by Eskayel 

10. Owels of the British Isles Wallpaper available at Anthropology

One day soon I will show you photos of how I decorated my own apartment...I have 3 different wallpapers in one apartment!!! Do you like wallpaper? 

Wedding Wednesday: Intimates

By Julie

When it comes to weddings, it's pretty surprising how many events or excuses there are to worry about your under garments. Everything from lingerie showers to bachelorette parties to wedding day/night and honeymoon, everyone's talking lingerie. It all sounds fun in theory, but if you're anything like me- it causes a bit of anxiety!

I'll admit, I hate to go bra shopping. I've been wearing the same old Cosabella straggler (one is the key word) for way too long and am a basic lace thong kinda girl. Frankly, the last thing I want to go shopping for is to look for new bras. And every time I actually go to make a purchase for one, I'm totally sticker shocked. $85 for a bra?! Crazy. Good news is, I've found a solution!

A serious stroke of luxury genius... True & Co.

In just two minutes, get fitted online and find your perfect match. You choose three of your favorite bras and after the online experts get an understanding of your shape, preferences and/or personal 'issues' (bra straps fall, one boob is bigger than the other), they suggest two that you wouldn't necessarily pick. Chances are, it's the 'true' fit! Trust me. 

Upon check-out, you'll be on your way to receiving a box full of 5 bras for just $45. You can try them on in the comfort of your own home and return any you don't want to keep! No strings attached. 

Honestly, I cannot recommend this program enough. It's simple, clean cut and luxurious. With brands like Cosabella, Calvin Klein and Elle Macpherson, you're sure to be satisfied. The best part is that my favorite bra that I've gotten from True & Co is one that I never would have stopped to try on in a department store.  

Bras should feel and look good. Not cause anxiety. 

 Both Lauren and I are officially obsessed. Give it a try and let us know what you think! 

XOX