Category: news

Wednesday On The Web

I’ve been really inspired lately with fellow bloggers opening up about their daily lives, ups & downs and everyday stuff like fitness and dating. So this new feature, Wednesday On The Web, is something I hope will evolve into a sort of “check in” here at Belle Belle. This week, I can almost feel Spring in the air but it is still annoyingly chilly. So, I am relishing my last couple of days of wearing scarfs and boots while reflecting on what’s in store.

I know I have mentioned reflection and new beginnings here a couple times recently. I’ve had a harder time than expected in getting the ball rolling on fresh content. But I think a new season does invite a change in routine. I’ve also learned a couple things about myself over the past couple of weeks. And those tidbits are certain to usher in a change.

First, I’ll be honest. I fell hard for a guy over the holidays. And he didn’t treat me well. I think I bent over backwards to make something work for over three months. It seems everyone but me knew the writing was on the wall. I’m betting many of you can understand that sometimes we are the last to notice something so obvious. This past weekend, I finally put him out of my life, albeit with not the utmost of grace, but it was done. And while I live in a freakishly small town with an even smaller social circle and that means running into him, at least emotionally I have shut that door. Having that toxicity out of my daily thoughts and in my heart already is adding a skip to my step.

Second, I finally had a physical – it had been years. I think females are in a bit of a conundrum because so often gynecologists don’t perform comprehensive check-ups. We are susceptible to thinking our annual trip to the GYN covers it. While I know some do, my gynecologist certainly hadn’t performed a full physical and frankly none of mine ever had. The only thing they ever tested were thyroid levels – I have been treated for hypothyroidism for eight years. What really blew me away was at this physical, I was told for the first time that the treatment for this condition can put you at serious risk for osteoporosis. I’ve noted to keep up weight-bearing exercise and those all important calcium supplements.

We moved onto blood tests for cholesterol, kidney function, vitamin levels along with the rest of the gamut. Most importantly, I am incredibly healthy but with a couple surprises. I was low in both vitamin D and B12 and now am on new medications to help with that. My diet, especially lately, is very healthy. The conclusion is this can be a genetic condition. Both cause fatigue and can lead to serious problems down the road. I am thrilled to know this info and educate myself about both conditions. And treating them will make me feel even better.

So, part of my motivation to get personal here is a sort of PSA. I know with busy lives, it is hard to take care of ourselves, both emotionally and physically. If your GYN isn’t giving you a full physical every couple of years, I encourage you to see a family doctor. I know it changed things for me! And if you are living with a person in your life that doesn’t treat you well, kick that guy or girl to the curb. 🙂

Some other advice and wisdom I’ve found around the web this week:

Completely stellar advice on how to live in your 30s.

Swing by this beauty/nutrition blog – I adore the beautiful images and no nonsense advice.

Love this fresh face for Spring from Victoria and Erin!

And please feel free to let me know if you enjoy (or dislike) these kinds of posts. I’m open to constructive criticism – just be gentle 🙂

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Wednesday On The Web

While I adore classic and neutral beauty, I have a ton of bolder shades that have arrived at the office over the past couple of weeks. I love this image to remind myself that classic beauty can also incorporate stronger, deeper shades. And there is nothing like a change in seasons to inspire a little vanity shake up, right? Here are some finds from around the web and killer sales going on. Enjoy!

Loving these cuff rings highlighted by Casie – I especially have my eye on this one.

Loving Deborah Lippmann’s creme and candy colored spring collection, especially this shade.

I had to send my beloved PS1 off to be repaired and meanwhile I am drooling over this beautiful shade for spring.

Suffering from dry skin? Check out this tip.

Julia styled this clutch over here and I am in love!

Through tomorrow at J. Crew take an extra 40% off sale items using the code EXTRA40. Love these to amp up my sleep game and this sparkler.

Take $15 off $100, $40 off $200, or $75 off $300 at Piperlime with the code SPRING through 3/21.

Through tomorrow at Neiman Marcus, use the code BET2GET to receive a gift card with select regularly priced purchases: spend $250 to get back $25, spend $500 to get back $50, spend $750 to get back $100, spend $1,000 to get back $150, or spend $2,000+ to get back $300 — you can even double your card’s value if your purchase includes both men’s or women’s apparel and a shoe or bag purchase.

Receive a $35 gift card on a $250 purchase, $75 gift card on a $500 purchase, $150 gift card on a $1,000 purchase, $450 gift card on a $2,000 purchase, or $700 gift card on a $3,000 purchase in women’s contemporary apparel at Saks Fifth Avenue with code CONTEMP3 through 3/23. I have my eye on this jumpsuit.

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Estée Lauder Lilly Pulitzer GWP and Skincare & Foundation Calculators

Looking for a perfect match? And an excuse to shop? Look no further than Macy’s with their current Gift With Purchase and new Estée Lauder interactive tools to find a perfect match. The Estée Lauder Skincare Finder and Estée Lauder Foundation Finder are both exclusive to Macy’s. The short quizzes can help narrow down their wide range of products to what is particularly suited to you.

And now with any $35 Estée Lauder purchase through Macys.com, get free makeup valued at $120 and a one-of-a-kind Lilly Pulitzer cosmetic bag until March 23. Included:

Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II
Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Black (10-day supply)
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion (deluxe travel size)
Exclusive Cosmetic Bag in an Original Lilly Pulitzer Print
Choice of deluxe size Moisturizer: DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15 OR Resilience Lift Firming/Sculpting Face and Neck Creme SPF 15
Choice of Makeup:

Subtle: Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Sugar Honey (full-size) and Pure Color EyeShadow Quad in Sugar Biscuit, Nude Fresco, Hot Cinnamon and Lavish Mink

Bold: Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Pink Parfait (full-size) and Pure Color EyeShadow Quad in Tranquil Moon, Iridescent Violet, Tempting Mocha and Amethyst Spark

And get an additional bonus gift with any purchase over $70.

Double-Ended Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer (choose Light/Medium, Medium, Medium/Deep or Deep) and Pure Color Gloss in Magnificent Mauve
Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Rose Tea (full-size)
Lip Conditioner (full-size)
Lilly Pulitzer Print Travel Mirror

Get The Look: Jessica Biel’s Oscars Makeup

The last thing I want to do after these awards shows is inundate you with loads of “Get The Look” posts. But when I keep going to back to one look over and over again with the desire to inspire my own routine with the artist tips, I know it is too good not to share. So, now that the post-Oscar haze has passed, here is Jessica Biel’s beautiful look by Kayleen McAdams, ck one color global makeup artist.

Kayleen was inspired by a fresh and feminine look thanks to the “beautiful pastels in her dress, so I played with those tones.” She prepped her skin with Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream Intense Hydration and Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, to give her makeup a good base to stick to.

Then, she used a damp Beauty Blender to apply ck one 3-in-1 face makeup with SPF 8 in fair 200, followed by ck one 3-in-1 concealer in light 1 underneath the eyes, around the nose, and along the edges of her mouth to even out her skin. To highlight, she used Charlotte Tilbury Sculpt and Highlight Powder on the tops of Jessica’s cheekbones, down her nose, and on her cupid’s bow. Skin was finished with ck one cream + powder blush duo in breath 100 right on the apples of her cheeks and set with the powder side of the product to give the look staying power throughout the night.

For Jessica’s eyes, Kayleen started by using a fluffy brush to apply ck one cream + powder bronzer duo in deeply bronzed 400 all over the lid. Then, she used ck one powder eyeshadow in expose and evolved on the inner corners of the eye and along the lash line at the outer corners. Eyes were completed with two coats of ck one volumizing mascara on the top lashes to pump up the lashes. The same mascara was applied to the bottom lashes with an eyelash comb to slightly darken them.

On the lips, she used Tarte Lip Surgence in Lucky to cover her whole lip with a matte pink and in the center of her lips to give dimension and add moisture to her look. Lastly, Kayleen gave Jessica’s lips a good coating of Kiehl’s Facial Fuel No-Shine Lip Balm to soak in while I did her eyes.

Shop The Look:

Image By: Gregg DeGuire – WireImage

March’s Oklahoma Magazine

I’m with nine other fabulous bloggers on MegBiram.com sharing our winter beauty must haves. Don’t miss the post here. And check out my column in Oklahoma Magazine’s March issue and don’t miss the full issue here!

POPSUGAR Now!

Today I have a little news flash for all you guys – get ready for some more sugar in your lives! POPSUGAR is airing POPSUGAR Now Weeknights 6/5c on TVGN. And don’t miss a chance to win $100 to Amazon All This Week on POPSUGAR Now! Every day, POPSUGAR posts a question of the day on our show. Pay attention to the show for the answer, and once you know it, tweet it to @POPSUGAR using the #POPSUGARNow hashtag. Here’s a little preview:

Check below to find your TVGN channel:

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by POPSUGAR. While I was compensated to write a post about POPSUGAR NOW, all opinions are my own.