Watch Alexis on Talk of Alabama tomorrow!

img_9589Toss some sequins and tune in to ABC 33/40 on Friday (November 24th): I’ll be sharing some news you can use during the 9:00 A.M. hour! (Hint: Gentlemen, this one is for especially for you!)

Not in the local viewing area? You can live-streaming it by clicking HERE, or catch the video when it’s posted later by clicking HERE.

Calling all Magic City Classic shoppers!


This is not a drill.

Still haven’t picked out the perfect Magic City Classic outfit? I’ve got you covered! I’m sure you know what not to wear (ahem), so come check out this fall’s hottenst ttends instead. Swing by Macy’s (Riverchase Galleria) this Friday, October 29 for shopping, music and light bites–plus a fashion show hosted by yours truly!
The first 30 customers to RSVP and attend will receive a $10 Macy’s gift card, good for that day. RSVP by clicking here.

Hope to see you there!

Talking natural hair…

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Several of you have asked what I use to care for my  curls, and I am excited to share these tips and products with you here and on Talk of Alabama today (You can view the segment by clicking HERE.)

There is no one-size fits all approach to natural hair. You can watch all the YouTube videos and read all the blogs in the world, but you’ll still have to learn your own hair, whether you cut it all off or grow it out from the root.  You may have to “cocktail” different brands and processes to achieve the look you want, or you may be able to literally wash and go. My tips are based on 8 years of trial and error. Note: I am not a hairstylist or dermatologist. Seek professional advice before you self-diagnose or try anything to permanently alter your hair. (For example, I don’t color my hair at home. I leave that to someone who has professional training.)

Tip 1: Have a great go-to shampoo and conditioner. Using a shampoo that is free of sulfates, counteracts hard water buildup, is gentle enough to use daily and allows my hair to retain moisture is key. And because my hair gets super tangly, I need a creamy conditioner that smooths the cuticle of my hair and makes the detangling process much less painful. Try: Kinky Curly Come Clean Shampoo and Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner, $12 each; available at Target.

Tip: Pre-poo or deep condition as a luxury treatment.  I love the versatility that allows me to wear my hair blown out bone straight, but that has an effect on my curls. A few months ago, they were in pretty bad shape. Using a great protein pre-shampoo treatment and a rich deep conditioner strengthens my curls and gives them a little more “POP.”                       Try: Madam C. J. Walker’s Dream Come True Wonderful Pre-Wash Protein Treatment, $32 at Sephora. For deep conditioning, try Ouidad’s  MeltDown Extreme Repair Mask, available at Sephora and Ulta for $44, and in a smaller size at Ultra for $16.

Tip: My curls don’t require a lot of handling, so I stick to a Denman brush for detangling and working product through my wet hair. Using a microfiber towel to squeeze excess moisture out of my hair shortens drying time and eliminates the frizz a bath towel can cause.  Try: Microfiber wrap, available at HomeGoods, $3.99; Denman brush, available at Sally Beauty Supply, $11.50.

Last but not least:  Be gentle with your curls. Don’t fall into the trap of comparing your texture to someone else’s, because every curl pattern has its own unique beauty. Since hair grows from the inside out, it’s still going to be important to eat well and drink plenty of water. Be sure to get regular trims and consult with a stylist who understands textured hair. Oh-and if you see someone with gorgeous natural hair, feel free to compliment them on it, but as a general rule: please ask before touching it!

Want to see a professional? Here are some Birmingham-area stylists I recommend:

Image via FunnyAnd.com

The Southern Women’s Show is here! 

Haute off the press release:

BIRMINGHAM (September 2016)— When the Southern Women’s Show returns to the BJCC September 29-October 2 it brings four days geared just for Magic City gals. Want to experience this season’s best fashion, food, fun and festivities for less? Check out our “sneak peek” video, and get the  Frugal Fashionista’s Guide to the show:

TGIF – Early Bird Gets the Swag. Being one of the first to arrive at the show comes with perks beyond getting first dibs on shopping – the first 100 guests for Girls Night Out on Friday, September 30 get Belk swag bags, a complimentary glass of wine (coupon on website) and then there’s the literal icing on the cake – free mini cupcakes from Gigi’s (while they last).

Reduced Admission. Happy hour admission is just $3 after 3 p.m. on Thursday, and $5 after 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday for frugal fashionistas who want to power shop (and spend the extra savings on the show floor).

Taste Birmingham’s Best. Just in time for fall entertaining season, the Southern Women’s Show is filling up the Cooking Stage with Birmingham’s best local and regional chefs for daily cooking classes. The best part? The audience gets complimentary samples.

Rock Your Hair – for Less. Celebrity hairstylist Danny Moa and a talented team return to the Southern Women’s Show by popular demand. Some lucky guests will get a complimentary haircut, and all guests can purchase the Rock Your Hair line at a substantial discount of just $5 per full size product.

Ride, Drive and Receive. Women fuel 85 percent of car buying decisions – and at the show they get behind the wheel and test drive a fleet of new Chevrolet vehicles. Located in the circle in front the entrance, the Chevy Ride and Drive is back – and all participants get a tumbler and $10 gift cards from Amazon or Target just for taking a spin.

Show Bucks Every 20 Minutes. America’s First Federal Credit Union is giving away $20 in Show Bucks every 20 minutes that can be used right there at the show.

Fall for Free Sunnies. Saturday is Focus on Vision Day sponsored by EyeCare Associates, and the first 100 guests to stop by their booth space 126 receive a free gift bag containing a free pair of sunglasses and an eyeglass cleaning kit.

Gifts With Purchase. Belk is bringing in beauty experts every day of show to give guests a new look for fall or help discover a new yummy fragrance. The makeover is complimentary and each purchase comes with exclusive Gifts With Purchase.

Show hours are Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.– 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door, $8 in advance online, $7 in advance at participating Walgreen’s, $5 for children 6–12 years old and free for children under 6 years of age (with paying adult). Special $3 after 3pm on Thursday and $5 after 5 p.m. pricing every day. For group discount tickets and more information, call (800) 849-0248 or visit http://www.SouthernWomensShow.com. Show sponsors include Walgreen’s, Chevrolet and EyeCare Associates.

***

Want to win tickets to experience the show–and see the members of Birmingham Fire and Rescue model in Friday night’s fashion show, stop by for tips and treats from Bob Syke’s BBQ, Wink Mobile Boutique and Scottsboro’s Unclaimed Baggage Center? Comment “Send me to SWSBham” here, or on any SWSxSCDD post on Facebook or Instagram and you could win!

We’re FIVE!

Happy Friday, darlings!

Time truly flies when you’re having fun…so much so that SCDD (nearly) missed its own anniversary! As I take the weekend to reflect on and appreciate all that this little corner of the Internet has accomplished, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. I could not have kept this going or expanded it without the encouragement, inspiration and help you all have generously given this effort.

As always, stay tuned…the best is yet to come!

XO, Alexis 

P.S. If you’re not following us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, what are you waiting for?

This. 


Are you wearing clothes you love? Why in the world wouldn’t you? I’m not suggesting you go to work dressed like Tinkerbell-unless that is in fact your job. But why keep a closet full of things that don’t fit your body, taste or lifestyle? Who does that serve? Let it go. 

Stop forcing yourself into clothes that don’t fit, literally or otherwise. Pretty soon you might find you’re forcing yourself into other areas of your life that really don’t fit either.

Via @ilovejcrewyesido

Calling all DIY divas!

 

Whether we’re at the pool, lake, beach or just in the backyard, we all know we should protect our faces and bodies from the sun. One way to do that is to don a sun hat. They are everywhere right now, from discount to department stores. I went shopping and fell in love with a designer one that retails for $485. This hat, by Eugenia Kim, has been seen on Beyonce and is featured in  the June issues of InStyle and O Magazines. It’s absolutely adorable, but it’s NOT in my summer style budget. So one way to get “the look for less” is to harness your creativity and recreate it using less expensive, but easily accessible items.

Ready to try it?

  1. You’ll need a straw hat with a wide brim (app. $15), sequined trim ($3 per roll), a hot glue gun and glue sticks, and chalk or a disappearing ink pen (available at your local craft store for under $5). You can often find coupons in circulars or online that reduce the price even further.
  2. Place your hat on a flat surface and decide what phrase you want to embellish on the brim. While you are tracing it onto your hat with your chalk or disappearing ink, plug your hot glue gun in to let it heat up. (Pro tip: dip the metal tip of the glue gun in petroleum jelly so the heated glue won’t get stringy!)
  3. Add glue to your handwritten outline an inch at a time and working carefully,  press your sequin trim down onto the brim, adjusting it as necessary.
  4. Once you’re done, wipe away any traces of the ink or chalk with a damp cloth.

Why “DIY”? Personalizing it is fun and makes the item one of a kind! Also, consider the price. If you bought the designer version you’d spend close to $500 for a hat you may wear a handful of times during the summer months. Making your own version can be done for well under $50. So as I always advise, evaluate the “cost per wear” and determine the better deal, especially if you have “champagne taste on a soda budget.” And maybe spend some of what you would’ve saved on a super cute swimsuit or sandals!

Images via LookLive and TheGabulousLife

Tune in to Talk of Alabama this Memorial Day!

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Toss some sequins and tune in to ABC 33/40 on Monday (May 30th): I’ll be sharing some news you can use during the 9:00 A.M. hour! And this time I’ll be doing something a little different, so this is one you don’t want to miss!

Not in the local viewing area? Try live-streaming it by clicking HERE, or catch the video when it’s posted later by clicking HERE.

Xo, Alexis

Bevello hosts grand opening this week!

  Love, love, love this chic boutique! It was one of my favorite stops in Tuscaloosa, and now bevello celebrates its grand opening at the Summit this Wednesday!

The grand opening party is this Wendesday, March 23 at 5:00 P.M. Guests will enjoy a DJ, photographer, complimentary drinks and light bites from Seasons 52 and Zoe’s Kitchen, plus 20% off purchases!

The new store is located at 214 Summit Boulevard, Suite 400.

Happy shopping!

The Haute List

IMG_2877Hello darlings! Is your look in need of a pick-me-up? Here’s a list of events to get you in fashionable formation from head to toe this season:

The Aveda Institute is celebrating its customers! Join them Thursday, March 10 for their Guest Appreciation Event, where you can receive 20% off Aveda products and services booked through June 30, 2016, as well as complimentary pampering. (Here’s one of my all-time favorite products!) RSVP HERE.

Belk hosts its Spring Girls’ Night Out in-store and online on Thursday March, 10 from 5 -8:30 PM. Enjoy 20%with limited exclusions on regular and sales-priced items in select departments, as well as light bites and music. For more info, click HERE.

Visions Health and Beauty Distributors presents its annual Natural Hair and Health Expo in the BJCC North Exhibition Hall on Saturday, March 12 from 10 AM-6:00 PM. Expect plenty of vendors, a pageant, a panel, a performance by Vivian Green and an appearance from natural hair vlogger Taren Guy. Purchase tickets HERE.

Enjoy!

 

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