so the secret is out. i have a shopping problem. too bad i didn’t have this card in high school when i had time to LIVE at the mall. oh the rewards points i would have accrued!
to dream…
xo, b
Author Archives: bhapner
season style
we can all use a fresh start every once in a while, right? my cleansing of choice usually comes in form of a fabulous new hair do. whether it’s chopping my long locks, rocking killer bangs or trying a little dye, i love the invigorating feeling of reinvention. every season change, boyfriend change, career change (you get the picture) is always more exciting and perhaps feels more adventurous with a fun new flair.
for the fall of ’13, i went a shade darker, took off 5 inches and added some layers. go ahead, girls, be your bold self!
xo, b
inspiration
i’m a little late to post this piece from REFINERY 29, but i just had to share how awesome Carisa Janes, the founder and CEO of HOURGLASS COSMETICS, is as a power woman. No wonder her product is so fabulous!
xo, b
currently obsessed
my most recent obsession is KLORANE EXTRA-GENTLE DRY SHAMPOO (with oat milk).
i’m a slave to dry shampoo and i swear by its wonder. many years ago, i had full bangs and quickly embraced dry shampoo for its time-saving magic. to this day, my vanity is never without it!
all of you know that washing your hair every day is a big no-no, correct? shampoo is a soap. soaps are generally more drying than not (…you’ve all seen a dove commercial).
thus, if soap can dry-out your body and hands, it can certainly dry-out your precious strands. therefore, skip the lathering shampoo every other day and use a little dry shampoo to freshen your look on day 2 while not damaging your locks.
i’ve tried many dry shampoos and i have to say klorane takes the cake. its phenomenal oil-removing abilities, the smooth texture, and just the right amount of “oomph” from this product is unmatched.
go try it for yourself. i know i’m hooked.
xo, b
happy fashion week!
look who came out to play for fashion week…
xo, b
favorite things
back to school ready with my polka dot KATE SPADE KEDS!
love the hot pink accent ❤
happy labor day
xo, b
snap, crackle & pop!
brow highlighter is an often over-looked and under-utilized tool by make-up users everywhere. at a young age, i learned about the magic of “opening up” my eyes by using a light shadow (usually some shade on the white/pale pink spectrum) at the inner corners of my eyes as well as under the brow. i was a dancer and then, yes, a cheerleader and the importance of making my eyes POP was essential for center stage. i’m not talking clown make-up, ladies, but a little swipe (don’t forget to blend) of highlighter under your arch adds so much life to your eyes. it’s as simple as that!
i’m currently loving the BENEFIT HIGH BROW PEN…
and a little brow highlighter in action…
xo, b
delicate duty
we often forget to be delicate with our delicates. we wear them everyday, tear them off as soon as we get home and put them through the regular cycle with the rest of the wash. but why are we so cruel to the one item of clothing that truly matters so much?
my nana always said splurging on a good bra is the best spent money. a good bra can entirely alter the way your outfit looks and it undoubtedly makes you feel fabulous. isn’t that all the more reason to take care of these precious commodities?
my bras come from a fantastic store called “intimacy.” check it out online…it’s one of oprah’s favorites too! at intimacy you can get an up-close-and-personal bra fitting to find out your true size (spoiler: victoria’s real secret is that the bras aren’t sized right).
at intimacy, you will walk into a fitting room, be told to take-off your shirt and lean over…while the bra specialist is in the room with you. i first experienced this at the age of 14 and it was nothing less than traumatic. BUT i survived (clearly) and i promise the surely-to-make-you-blush fitting is well worth the incredible bras you’re bound to find!
once you’ve found your perfect fit, you have to be sure to pick up the delicates wash to treat your new purchase as it deserves to be treated.
once upon a time, i washed my bras with the rest of my intimates in the regular wash…that was until i discovered the “delicate fabric wash” at intimacy. one 8oz bottle can last for what seems a lifetime as you only need 1tbsp to create a sudsy soak in your sink. let your lady contraptions soak for 5 minutes, rinse and then air dry. the scent is a heavenly clean laundry fragrance and its special formula to extend the life of your lingerie will certainly make your wallet feel heavenly too.
be good to those who are good to you…especially your bras!
xo, b
weekend warrior: how to pack (very) light
this weekend i’m off to my college roommate’s wedding (yay!) and i could not be more excited! i have recently entered my late twenties and wedding season is surely upon me. therefore, i’m going to be channeling my true weekend warrior quite a few times in the coming years. many miles of travel, plenty of packing and lots of dress shopping will ensue…and i’d just love to come out of it unscathed!
that is why lesson #1 has become: learn to pack light
with the rising cost of travel and the ridiculous nickel-and-diming of spirit airlines, i was motivated to pack for this weekend in just one SMALL over-the-shoulder bag.
spirit airlines proposed the challenge of packing in a 16 x 14 x 12 inch bag to avoid carry-on costs.
my decision: challenge accepted!
to me, packing light is like going to a restaurant with only a few options. when i find myself at a cafe with only four or five entrée options, it is much easier to choose what i’m going to eat as i’m bound to not like at least two or three of the dishes they are serving. however, when i’m at a restaurant with seemingly unlimited options, i can never decide. de-cluttering your life by limiting options is actually incredibly freeing.
therefore, my wedding weekend motto is now: pack ONLY what you need! (i’m hoping it will carry-over into all other travel as well, haha)
and what’s the best way of ensuring that? make a list! lists on lists on lists. lists are one of my all-time favorite things. in college i would not only check-off a completed task, but highlight it as well. can any of you deny how incredible it feels to check an activity off? check. done. completed. accomplished!
lists can make you feel great and really help you tackle a big activity by breaking it down to just the nuts and bolts.
for the wedding i’m attending this weekend, i broke down each day by activity and then by what i would need for said activity…
friday
flight to wedding destination
what to pack? neck pillow, socks (so my feetsies don’t get cold!), headphones, iPad
saturday
12:30pm – ceremony
what to pack? dress, flats (because we are walking there from the hotel), belt, underwear, jewelry, everyday purse
7pm – party time!
what to pack? party dress, heels, party jewelry, purple clutch, specific undies for the dress (so there’s no wardrobe mishaps!), strap-less bra
sunday
12pm – brunch
what to pack? sun-dress, flats (same as Saturday), underwear, purse (same as Saturday)
flight home
what to pack? jeans, comfy shirt, socks
of course there’s always those other essentials that you throw on there as well: makeup, toiletries, sunglasses, medicines, etc. but breaking down each activity and every item that goes into making your look complete will not only help you pack only the essentials, but ensure you don’t forget that crucial strap-less bra too!
here’s my weekend bag & packing list, just to prove to you how well i did (and so can you!)…
xo, b
what’s in my bag?
clearly i had a little fun at sephora today! after spending 2 hours in one of my favorite stores (and with the help of a lovely make-up specialist to teach me about the new MJB line!) , i left with an assortment of goodies to brighten, heighten and enhance! i thought i’d give my ladies a sneak peek of what’s currently in my beauty bag…
1. sephora brand, transparent brow gel – *for taming unruly eyebrows
2. benefit, high brow (lightening pencil) – *to add lift to your brow line and widen/brighten the look of your eye
3. marc jacobs beauty, bronzer – *contouring is essential and good bronzer is key!
4. smashbox, eye shadow palette in sepia – *3 shadows, sans-shimmer, for the perfect every day look
5. deborah lippmann, nail polish, “happy birthday” – *because you can never go wrong with glitter!
6. benefit, fake up (concealer) – *anti-crease concealer with staying power
happy saturday!
xo, b
a girl on top 