blogthenewblack

[blogthenewblack]

Top Reasons to Make Carlsbad, CA Your Next Travel Destination

Referred to as “The Village by the Sea” Carlsbad, California is a destination you’ll definitely want to add to your travel list. Just 40 minutes away from downtown San Diego, this is one of the state’s most ultimate beach towns. It is a great place to take your family, head out for a fun weekend with the girls, or to explore on your own. The beaches are quite serene and laidback while just a short distance away you’ll find a host of shops, bars, and restaurants for you to explore. Below are a few more reasons to give this place a try:

A Variety of Places to Stay

Located along the Pacific Coastline, you’ll find the accommodations in Carlsbad to be some of the most charming. You can stay in a Carlsbad hotel with an ocean view and a pool or look for one with additional amenities like onsite bars and restaurants, golf courses, spas, and more.

Great Beaches

There are more than 7 miles of beaches to enjoy in and near Carlsbad, all with a warm and inviting atmosphere. Tamarack Beach, for instance, is great for those who love water sports and would like to explore things like surfing. While other beaches located west of Tamarack are more calm and soothing making them great destinations for getting a tan or taking a pleasant stroll.

Fun Nightlife

Don’t let the family-friendly environment and soothing beach town fool you. There are plenty of things to indulge in after the sun has gone down. Carlsbad Village is the place to be at night. There are tons of Irish pubs, wine bars, and dance clubs for you to get your party on. Some of the most popular attractions include The Coyote Bar & Grill, The Alley, and O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant.

Legoland

Whether you’re traveling with kids or consider yourself a child at heart, Legoland is a California attraction worth visiting. The popular amusement park is designed to be fun for all ages. Walk through a world of Legos, catch a thrill on some of the park’s fun rides, or simply explore as you view large statues and buildings made completely from Legos.

Shop Til You Drop

Who doesn’t like a little retail therapy while on vacation? Well, you don’t have to travel far in Carlsbad to find some of the coolest places to shop. The town has a huge outlet mall packed with some of the best brands like Nine West, Juicy Couture, and Coach. Carlsbad Village also has a lot of little unique shops and boutiques with some great finds.

Award-Winning Food

If you love to eat then you won’t be disappointed in a town like Carlsbad. There are plenty of things to try no matter what your preference or budget may be. Love the spiciness of Mexican food? Try Miguel’s Cocina Mexican Restaurant. On a bit of a health kick? Try the Naked Cafe. Into seafood? Then you have to give King’s Fish House Seafood Restaurant. If you simply take a stroll down Carlsbad Village, you may also find a ton of food trucks and tiny shops to get a bite to eat on a budget.

Tons of Things to Do

You won’t get bored visiting a town like Carlsbad. If you love the water, you’ll enjoy paddle boarding, surfing, jet skiing, and other watersports. The area also has parks where you can go hiking, camping, or just take in the sites. There are several museums for exploring and boardwalks galore to keep you entertained. Not to mention there always seems to be some sort of fair, festival, or live event going on.

When most tourists think of traveling to California, they think of destinations like Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento. Those are all great places to travel, but hidden gems like Carlsbad could be exactly what you need. As you can see, whether you’re planning a girls weekend or taking the family on a new adventure, there is no shortage of things to do. It’s beautiful, fun-filled, and affordable - all the reasons to make Carlsbad, CA your next vacation destination.

#travel #california

[blogthenewblack]

Girls Weekend Safety Tips

You and your friends have decided to take a girls weekend trip and are in the process of making plans. Where do you start and what needs to be done? While some things can be researched and arranged ahead of time, like the location of your hotel and places to visit. Other things you should consider include issues like safety and being aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar places. There are ways to stay vigilant and alert so everyone can have fun and make the most of the girls weekend while staying safe out of town.

Before you make a reservation for lodgings, be sure to check any available data about the neighborhood and any ratings for safety. Look at reviews to see information posted by former guests as it relates to what's offered versus what they experienced. Don’t hinge everything on one review; take a step back and analyze the aggregate to determine the likely true condition of a hotel.

Next up is transportation. If driving, it’s imperative for a group of friends to play it safe with alcohol. Decide on a designated driver before going out for the night. A girls weekend is no fun if you come home with the task of learning what is SR22 insurance in the aftermath of an out of state DUI conviction. Consider using rideshare or cabs to steer clear of the risks of driving during a night on the town.

Check the public transportation system if you need to travel out of the area. Before exploring a strange part of town, consider what’s there. Are there any nearby restaurants, shopping centers, convenience stores or places to hang out and have a drink, such as a bar or a nightclub? Is it safe to walk around in the neighborhood at night? When venturing out, what neighborhoods or areas of the city are best to visit, and alternatively, which should you avoid?

A weekend trip is a nice break from the typical routine of working all week and doing chores on the weekend. Some people will want to let loose and throw caution to the wind, and this usually includes partying and drinking. In most cases, people will drink moderately and not intentionally do anything to endanger themselves or those around them. But there are others that drink too much or don't have control over the amount they drink because of alcoholism. This can lead to very risky and dangerous behaviors, made more so because you and friends will be in unfamiliar surroundings with strangers. Alcohol dulls the senses and delays reaction time, which will render drinkers more vulnerable to people with bad intentions.

For those that consume alcohol, it's best to drink slowly and pace yourself. Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach, as it will go straight to your bloodstream and cause you to become intoxicated much faster. Drinking water in between drinks will help to keep you hydrated and lessen the effects of alcohol. Don't try to keep up with others or play drinking games. Stay with your group of friends and keep tabs on each other. Also, keep an eye on your drink and never leave it unattended.

Here are some additional tips regarding your safety and related issues during your trip. In cases of emergency, it's always good to know where the nearest hospital is located. Travel insurance may come in handy as well, especially if you're planning to engage in any type of risky activity. Any money, bank cards, or credit cards you bring should not all be kept in one place, in case you get robbed.

If you are ever in a situation where you feel uncomfortable, such as someone following you or a creepy passenger on a subway, try to create distance between you and look for security, and get to a more crowded area as soon as you can. There's security in numbers so you should travel as a group. When it comes to people and situations, always trust your gut instincts.

Finally, after all the aforementioned concerns are laid to rest, it’s time to have some fun!

#safety #travel

[blogthenewblack]

26th Annual Jump Back Ball: Roaring Twenties

My favorite wintertime gala is quickly approaching! Every year, Jump Back Ball out does itself related to all things theatrics - as they should! Playhouse Square, the beneficiary of this fabulous evening, is the largest theatre district outside of New York City.

This year’s theme is Roaring Twenties and I always like to wait for awards season to roll out to assist in some inspiration for what I should wear!

This year’s winner was a surprising one - though a total stunner! Frankly, in order to wear silk like this you need to really really like your body - so I don’t know if I’ll be so brave, but Maisie Williams really killed it in this look.

Her gown, hair and make up is so perfectly ‘old school Hollywood’ that I couldn’t help but of thought this is it when I saw her.

Still looking for some inspiration for the event of the year? Take a peak at some of my favorite looks - most are available on Rent The Runway too:

!function(doc,s,id){ var e, p, cb; if(!doc.getElementById(id)) { e = doc.createElement(s); e.id = id; cb = new Date().getTime().toString(); p = '//shopsensewidget.shopstyle.com/widget-script.js?cb=1486431476109?cb=' + cb; e.src = p; doc.body.appendChild(e); } if(typeof window.ss_shopsense === 'object'){ if(doc.readyState === 'complete'){ window.ss_shopsense.init(); } } }(document, 'script', 'shopsensewidget-script');

#evening wear #gowns #award season #fundraiser #gala #what to wear #formal wear

[blogthenewblack]

Bundle Up - Cozy Coat Season is Upon Us

I will not lie, winter in the Midwest can suck. Terrible storms, grey slush and darkness before the work day ends are a few things that can be hard to swallow over the next few months for many of us north of the Mason-Dixon Line. That being said - winter fashion might be one of my favorites for dressing. Layers and booties and cozy socks and sweaters are heavenly. Dressing to be warm lends to great creativity (versus dressing for heat when you’re just trying to avoid sweating through whatever thin fabrics you’re attempting to cover your body with).

With that lovely little intro, let’s dedicate some time to coats! In college I bought an Andrew Marc leather coat that still sees heavy rotation in my outerwear. It was a purchase that at the time seemed a little expensive, but now, looking at the timeless style and the cost per wear - I know it was absolutely worth it. I LOVE that something that is nearly ten years old looks great and gets compliments from strangers. A true testament to a statement piece.

Below are a few top picks if you’re looking to invest in a few new coats this Wintery season!

Clockwise:

White Puffer // Red Suede // Black Bootie  // Green Parka // Black Leather // Brown Suede Bomber // Black Zip Bootie // Black Zipper Leather

I’ve also picked out two of their black bootie options - again, Andrew Marc does leather and detailing really well. So you get a boot that is structurally beautiful, functional and also has some nice detailing.

What are your favorite layering pieces for winter?

Full Disclosure: This post is sponsored content on behalf of Andrew Marc. All opinions are my own.

#fashion #andrew marc #coats #leather

[blogthenewblack]

Fall Kitchen Makeover

We’re clear in the swing of Fall and it’s been a beautiful few weeks! What better way to celebrate the change of seasons than with a quick and easy kitchen make over? Check out my Fall kitchen makeover suggestions with WOIO in the morning - full product list below!

Imusa Caldero: A great multi-purpose stove top pot! Serve up pastas, stews, rice or a roasted chicken. The silicone rimmed lid helps keep steam sealed in.

Imusa Pressure Cooker: Cut down cook time by 70% for pot roasts, soups, rice or even hard boiled eggs!

T-Fal Cookware Set: In Excite Orange! This set also has Thermo-Spot, a patented technology to show you when your pan is perfectly preheated.

Oak Leaf Bowl: From Ten Thousand Villages - great for fruit or a bread basket.

Orchard Tree Coasters: Also from Ten Thousand Villages, festive decor or a great host gift.

Gaea Olive Oil: A pantry must have for any dish

Sparkling ICE Essence of Water: Great as a stand alone beverage and perfect for a cocktail mixer.

Explore Cuisine Edamame & Mung Bean Fettuccine: Gluten free, non-GMO and organic! A nice alternative to wheat pastas.

Do you change up your kitchen based on the system? If so - what do you do to spruce it up?

#fall #kitchens #tv #makeover

[blogthenewblack]

Fall Fashion with Saks Fifth Avenue

A few weeks ago I had the luxury of sitting down for a brunch with the team at Saks Fifth Avenue Beachwood Place for a little Fall preview brunch. I brought my mom, one of my favorite shopping partners, and we sat back to take in all the glam that we’re going to see this season and into Winter months!

Overall trends of what we’re seeing? Lots of texture: suede, fur, layered leathers, and tweed - a constant staple for that fall/back to school look.

Living somewhere as chilly as Cleveland means lots of boots. While winter can really get me in the dumps, I think cold weather fashion is my favorite. I love the layering and the effortlessly cool look of boots that are slightly masculine (Chanel is really feeling that combat boot this season).

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, school girl chic is so adorable to me. Back-to-school tweeds and blazers and button ups are just so functional, it will never not be in style. Chanel’s tweed Mary Jane is perfectly classic but combines this unreal dense opaque heel that is to die for.

Last but not least - handbags. The easiest way to add some personality to any outfit. Here’s where we’re seeing lots of layers and colors for leathers, plus big chunky hardware. The 90′s are back. A quick sidebar: After chatting with the team at Saks, it’s clear certain handbags are worth the investment - they’ve seen the prices of Chanel, Gucci, and LV skyrocket. So, if you can make the purchase now, chances are it will be worth it down the road.

Thanks again to the ladies at Saks for a great Sunday! 

#saks #fall fashion #SFA #fashion

[blogthenewblack]

The Proven Fixes for Your Most Annoying Skin Complaints

Good skin is one part heredity, one part lifestyle, and one part dumb luck. Some issues, such as sun damage, are preventable; others are almost completely unavoidable. But for every problem, there's a solution — whether it's at the drugstore or in a doctor's office. Here, let's explore 3 of the most common and most bothersome skin issues, as well as what we know really works.

Acne

Contrary to popular belief, pimples can stick around long after adolescence. Hormonal fluctuations during the teenage years make skin more prone to blemishes, but our hormones are always on the move, and changes can lead to breakouts, even in adulthood. For example, women often report pimples (in addition to other unwelcome symptoms) in the week before their periods. For some, the glow of pregnancy can be accompanied by spots.

At the root of acne – literally – is bacteria. Hormonal fluctuations can cause an overproduction of skin oil, or sebum, which traps bacteria in the pores and eventually leads to pimples. Some acne treatments focus on treating the oil production, while others reduce bacteria.

Topical treatments and cleansers use special ingredients to dry out existing pimples, causing them to heal faster. Still other treatments, such as birth control pills, regulate hormones to stop acne development at the source.

Severe cases of acne may require a combined approach, depending on your age and lifestyle. Light therapies, such as BLU-U®, often make effective complements to at-home products.

Keep in mind that chronic, moderate or severe acne is different from the occasional breakout. If you get only occasional, localized breakout along with your period, acne products and treatments may actually be causing more harm than good. Spot treatments containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide are best for the odd flare-up.

Cellulite

All too often, those extraordinarily stubborn dimples on the thighs or butt are written off as a weight issue. You may think that you're only just a few more elliptical sessions away from clearing it up, but cellulite is far more complex – and far more intractable.

The primary reason cellulite is so slow to resolve is because it's caused by thick, fibrous strands of tissue beneath the skin. Think about it like a tufted couch. Each dimple is like a button on that couch, and the band of tissue is like the twine and thread that holds that button in place.

These bands pull down on skin from below the surface, causing dimples. Excess fat, which inevitably comes up when we talk about cellulite, can indeed make cellulite more prominent. But it doesn't cause cellulite, so losing weight won't resolve it.

We've all seen topical products and massage techniques that promise to reduce the appearance of cellulite — but cellulite is a structural issue, so focusing on the surface of the skin is not the way to go.

What does work is treating the bands. Many local physicians offer effective cellulite treatment options that take this approach. Cellfina™ is available here in Ohio through Dr. Craig Colville, who offers the treatment to people at his Toledo practice. As he explains, the Cellfina device actually breaks up the structure of cellulite through very small incisions, resulting in a minimally invasive treatment option that's remarkably effective.

Stretch Marks

These lines commonly strike men and women alike and are often seen on the chest, hips, abdomen, and thighs. They're the result of skin that stretches too quickly and tears as a result. (Stretch marks are actually scars.) Early on, they may appear purple or red, but eventually they fade quite a bit.

Like any other scar, there are a few treatments available. The first line of defense is prevention. If you're in a situation where you anticipate some stretch marks, such as pregnancy, there are topical salves, balms, and oils that can help your skin. And if the stretch marks have already formed, laser and light therapies, such as skin resurfacing, can significantly fade them and restore your skin to its former smoothness.

Disclosure: this is a post of sponsored content.

#spa #skincare #beauty

[blogthenewblack]

Catching Concerts in Columbus

I wrote a post a week or so ago detailing my girls weekend in Columbus and briefly mentioned that we decided to head down to Cbus to catch the Drake x Future show at Nationwide Arena. Well, here’s where we get in on the details of the show!

First, booking a weekend away in Columbus to coincide with a concert is a no-brainer. Living in Cleveland, Columbus gets so many shows - both national and indie acts - that chose to skip over Cleveland for some reason. Whatever the reason, it makes a great excuse for a night out on the town. I mentioned in my previous post we had dinner on High Street and how accessible the city is by car. We were just a few minutes away in an Uber from The Arena District, another tight entertainment district in Columbus that is ideal for a show.

The Drake x Future show was pretty amazing. Drake spent nearly 2 hours on stage and Future had a standalone of 20 minutes or so. Overall the show was just over 2 hours and was a fully packed house. Acoustics were great and the arena’s logistics and security were simple but polished. Getting into the show was a breeze. Another great perk - there were plenty of options for drinks during the show - I feel when I go to shows at these types of venues beer stands are plentiful and it’s a bit harder to find the hard liquor, here it was easy breezy to grab some vodka sodas.

Another plus of Nationwide Arena is the amount of bars that are walking distance for pre and post show drinks/food. We waited out a terrible rain storm at The Three-Legged Mare and post show got down with plenty of college kids at R Bar.  

Loving the choices of where to eat and drink while in Columbus? I’m giving away a $100 gift card for Dine Originals Columbus, enter here!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Experience Columbus.  The opinions and text are all mine.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Experience Columbus. The opinions and text are all mine.

var ts=document.getElementById('ti-pixel-tracker'); var axel = Math.random() + ""; var num = axel * 1000000000000000000; var ti=document.createElement("img"); ti.style.display="none"; ti.src="https://tracking.tapinfluence.com/trk/GYwID/sQcUZ/p.png?p=V9L2H" + String.fromCharCode(38) + "i=BM1Nh" + String.fromCharCode(38) + "ord="+ num + String.fromCharCode(38) + "s=" + encodeURIComponent(document.referrer); ts.parentNode.replaceChild(ti,ts); new TAP.CogFrame('/v1/cogs/85f60718-f50a-11e5-8925-22000a66c666/comments').drop({"program_id":"85f47d62-f50a-11e5-8925-22000a66c666","post_id":"201b3146-28c4-11e6-87d9-22000a7d00a4","host":"api.tapinfluence.com","apiHost":"api.tapinfluence.com","sort_order":"desc","limit":"20","offset":"0","sort_by":"created_at","protocol":"https://"});

#ExpCols #Columbus #Drake #Future #Cbus

[blogthenewblack]

To Make: Patron Pops

When you’re looking to wow your friends on a hot summer day with a cool cocktail, look no further than a Patron Pop! A modified take on a traditional Paloma, these bad boys are not only low calorie (and low in sugar) but also feature organic fruit juice and a retro throw back to those adorable Popsicle molds we all knew and loved as kids!

Adapted from this Bon Appétit recipe, play around with the following:

1/4 cup of fresh grapefruit juice

1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice

1/4 cup of mescal or tequila (we prefer Patron)

1/4 cup of club soda

Keep in mind, that serving makes 1 cocktail - so you’ll need to multiply this out for however many Popsicle you’re looking to fill. Also keep in mind - the more alcohol you add, the less frozen these will become. My BFF is lucky enough to have a Sub-Zero Freezer, and her results make for a much more frozen treat. Either way turn your freezer down to the lowest setting and make sure to let them sit overnight, at least.

As for the juice - I have an Omega juicer, so getting fresh fruit juice, while slightly labor intensive, is easy enough. You’ll also see we play around with the citrus we add, variety here is your friend and you can switch it up however you please! A few other fun fruit options to consider: blood orange, watermelon or cucumber! If you don’t have a juicer on hand, pick up the freshly squeezed version from your local grocer, and voila! Patron pops a plenty for your Summer day drinking fun ;)

#tequila #cocktails #recipes #drinks #patron

[blogthenewblack]

Saks Fifth Avenue Key To The Cure 2016

It’s time to share the details on my favorite event of the fall - Saks Fifth Avenue’s Key To The Cure Soiree, benefiting The Cleveland Clinic’s Women’s Health Institute.

My third year involved with the event, I can promise you that it just keeps getting better and better. Many of you know my story, a story that so many children share - that of a mother’s diagnosis with breast cancer. I’m so lucky to share that my mother is 10+ years in remission after being treated at the Cleveland Clinic and love that we attend this event together each year.

So, JOIN US! Raise money to fight women’s cancers so more mothers, sisters, and daughters can share the positive outcome I’m so grateful to be able to share. All proceeds benefit CCF entirely. This money goes to research to fight all women’s cancers.

At the event you can expect:

Fabulous cocktails to be enjoyed while shopping and during a fashion show of what to expect to see for Fall.

Cuisine options from some of Cleveland’s best restaurants.

Pampering services and make up applications

Swag bags to take home some goodies.

Buy your tickets here! The first 85 ticket sales will get a free Aerin make up brush set (valued at $184). Don’t forget to buy soon, ticket sales increase to $75 on Oct. 24th.

WANT TO WIN TWO TICKETS?!

There are 3 ways to enter, each of which requires you to leave a comment with your link so I can tally them appropriately: Instagram: Post a photo of what women's health and women's cancer awareness means to you. Tag & follow @CLEKTTC & @blogthenewblack make sure to use the hashtag #CLEKTTC

Twitter: Post a photo of what women's health and women's cancer awareness means to you. Tag @NadineNocero also use the hashtag #CLEKTTC

Facebook: Post a photo of what women's health and women's cancer awareness means to you. Tag @CLEKTTC & @BlogTheNewBlack also use the hashtag #CLEKTTC

Giveaway ends 10/20!

Photos Courtesy of Citrus Social

#Key to the cure #breast cancer #fundraisers #saks fifth avenue

[blogthenewblack]

Girls Weekend: Columbus

While Columbus is close enough to Cleveland for a day trip, it's a great locale for a weekend away for a girls' trip. Columbus is such a vibrant, clean and young city. I love popping down to feel the vibe during the warm weather months. High Street in Short North is a favorite. There's a great mix of shopping, bars and restaurants that span the gamut. Whether you're looking upscale dining, dive bar hangs, or art galleries and boutiques of any price point - this stretch of High Street has you covered.

My girlfriend's and I headed down to attend the Drake concert at Nationwide (that post, coming soon!) but beforehand knew we wanted to indulge a bit before popping off to the show. The other great thing about Cbus - traffic isn't terrible and everything is a quick Uber ride away! So, even though we dropped down for one of the rainiest weekends of the summer, it didn't stop our fun!

That brings us to one of my favorite dinner spots – The Pearl. A high-end seafood/oyster bar that has some great quirky touches, it's nice enough to feel like a treat, but not so fancy that you need to stay super buttoned up all through dinner. I also love that every time I go, it's a collection of families, date nights and other groups celebrating one thing or another. The vibe is really unique and the service is spectacular.

Of course, oysters are a must, and nothing says ‘treat yourself' at a girls' dinner during the summer quite like a bottle of Rosé. A few other favorites, Thai style seafood soup special, the Tuna Crudo, and just to mix it up – the chicken wings! I can't ever get enough chicken wings ;)

Another major plus from my last visit to Columbus? The new Le Méridien Joseph Hotel just opened across the street. Not only is this hotel so sexy, but it's the perfect location, you can pop right out of your hotel and into the hustle and bustle of whatever fun you're looking ot have.

Where is your favorite place to dine on High Street? Leave me a comment and share this post with your fave choice and the hashtag #ExpCols to win a $100 Dine Originals Columbus gift card!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Experience Columbus. The opinions and text are all mine.

**UPDATE: The giveaway is closed, congrats to Brian for winning the gift card, it will be sent to you directly!***

#columbus #travel #girls trip

[blogthenewblack]

Day Tripping: Ohio Wineries

While prepping an ideal weekend away a few week’s back I had a great realization: Northeastern Ohio is a really great place to live when you’re trying to plan some quick summer fun. Access to the lake, the islands and plenty more means there are endless options for great things to do outside of the city just a quick car ride away. 

A fun little getaway, no matter where you go, is a trip to one of the many Ohio Wineries. Living in Downtown Cleveland means I can go east or west for one of these little trips - and a few years ago my Wine Club took a limo bus to Geneva (a trip to the East) for the day making quick stops at Debonne, Ferrante, and Harpersfield Winery to name a few. It was the best girls day getaway/staycation!

Taking a weekend away, the other way ( a trip to the West), there’s plenty of stops on the way up to Kelleys Island that make for another ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle - and when you jump off that ferry on Kelleys, your final stop can be... the Kelleys Island Wine Company. A perfect kick off to a weekend - stop in for a tasting or grab a bottle of wine and your picnic blanket to watch one of the most picturesque sunsets out there!

Heading to the Islands, there’s plenty of stops along the way. Use Ohio Wines Shore map to help - but I recommend stopping at Stoney Ridge.

Wherever you go and whatever you do - have fun and make sure to enjoy responsibly!

Disclaimer: Ohio Wines asked that I share a post in exchange for compensation. I’ve been enjoying the Ohio Wine Vineyards and all the have to offer for years, all opinions are my own.

#ohio wines #wineries #day tripping #staycations

[blogthenewblack]

Summer Must Haves - Pack Your Beach Bag

Just in time to kick off Memorial Day weekend I joined the morning team at WOIO Channel 19 to share some ‘must haves’ for your beach bag. While the holiday is over, there are still a solid 14 weekends of summer to prepare for. Check out the segment below to make sure you’re set:

Cleveland 19 News Cleveland, OH

A few other things I’d add to the bag just from being out on the water last weekend that weren’t included in the video:

Wet wipes - because day drinking can get filthy, and we should clean up

A comb - because Lake Erie hair doesn’t do anyone any favors

A travel make up kit - because summer means going with the flow, and sometimes you have to go right from the beach, the boat, the party to, well, the next party! Ulta has this killer Smashbox kit that looks perfect, for $22 (heyyy)

What else would you add? It’s time we all beef up our arsenal.

#summer #beach #video #beach bag

[blogthenewblack]

Mall Madness: The Under $75 Challenge

Last Saturday, while admittedly wickedly hungover from my monthly Wine Club event the night prior, I somehow managed to make my way to Aurora Farms Premium Outlets for a little blogger/fashion student competition.

Bloggers were paired up and challenged to put together an outfit, shopping only from Aurora Farm stores, for under $75, in an hour or less. Since most motivations in my life involve a hefty dose of real (or made up) competition, this was right up my alley.

I was paired with Amanda of Closeted Fashion Blog for the Mall Madness/Hunger Games style event. We said hello, strategized on theme - I waffled between day to night transitions, work wear, wedding wear, and finally landed on festival fashion (a favorite of mine since I’m 30 going on 22). Then it was off to the races.

Frankly, I think I made out quite well. While I love expensive things and spending ALL THE MONEY to silence my insecurities (what fashion blogger doesn’t), there is nothing quite as sweet as the success of the hunt when finding a good freakin’ deal.

I ended up with the following:

Printed floral pants from Banana Republic - $19.99, great for a festival (as seen in this look), pair it with a crisp button down and some pumps for the office, or throw on some flip flops and a white bikini top for a day of boating - these bad boys feel like PJs and are quite versatile.

Crochet top/Hat from Rue 21 - $12.99 each, Again, since I’m 30 going on 20, hitting up a store targeted to teens means two things in my world: cheap prices and trendy pieces. Both boxes were checked with these items. Kicking around town in a see-through back halter top doesn’t exactly scream LOOK AT HOW GOOD I AM AT ADULTING! But it does work great for the beach with some jean shorts or to add some zing to my printed preppy pants. For me - the contrast works.  The hat, while fun, might not be something worth keeping around - and for $12.99, I’m ok with that. It will be fun to flounce around in, but won’t become a staple.

Purse, Steve Madden, from Saks Off The Fifth - $29.99 The most expensive piece in this puzzle wasn’t an accident. A neutral color and a long strap with a decent amount of room for my phone/keys/lipstick/gum: Check, Check, Check. This is a bag that will get a lot of use in general. It’s versatile and easy.

Key Takeaways:

Prints for summer are fun! I dress like a ninja/cat burglar 90% of the time. Every once in a while it’s fun to remember that color lives outside of Ohio winters.

Spend on staples, save on trendy pieces. Again, I don’t shy away from an expensive investment piece... if it’s just that - an investment. I look at my clothing as cost per wear - if it’s a basic, or something that will go the extra mile and make getting dressed easier, you can bet your bottom I’m dropping big dollars on it without blinking an eye.

Do the digging and don’t spend unnecessarily. I have some of the worst patience in the universe, that being said, take the time and you’ll reap the rewards. I love online shopping, but have found some of the best deals in-store. When inventory is taking up space in a brick and mortar location, they NEED the space back, so markdowns are typically aggressive. Check out the sale sections, the outlets, and don’t pass up clearance; you’re more likely than you might think to find a diamond in the rough.

Full Disclosure: I was invited to shop for the challenge by Aurora Farms Premium Outlet and was gifted my finds. All opinions are my own

#fashion #frugal finds #style #what i wore #festival fashion

[blogthenewblack]

Spring Dresses - My Picks

As of Sunday, we’ve officially reached the Spring season! While the start of this week feels more wintry than most of the actual winter, I’m still thrilled for spring dresses!

If you’re a gal anywhere between the ages of 25 - 35 you can pretty much guarantee that your weekends will be full of weddings, showers (bridal! baby!) and plenty of other reasons to dress up. Below are my favorite picks for any of these occasions. I can’t wait to pick up a few!

!function(doc,s,id){ var e, p; if(!doc.getElementById(id)) { e = doc.createElement(s); e.id = id; p = '//shopsensewidget.shopstyle.com/widget-script.js'; var cb = new Date().getTime(); p += '?cb=' + cb; e.src = p; doc.body.appendChild(e); } if(typeof window.ss_shopsense === 'object'){ if(doc.readyState === 'complete'){ window.ss_shopsense.init(); } } }(document, 'script', 'shopsensewidget-script');

#dresses #fashion #spring style

[blogthenewblack]

Shades of Neutrals

The weather this week has been pretty amazing. Not only did I squeeze in two long dog walks after work, sans coat; but I was able to wear my first dress, sans tights, of the Spring season. I nearly forgot what my legs looked like.

When wearing any shade of grey I typically pair it with my favorite color, black, but decided for this look I’d pull in a few different neutrals and round it out with my black leather jacket to give it some shape.

An early kick off to the weekend, I met one my favorite ladies from the Internet, Jessa, for a nice little belated birthday brunch at Pier W, a regular ladies who lunch staple for us.

After tons of gossip, plenty of shrimp, and just the right amount of wine, it was the perfect mid-day escape.

Shop my look here:

!function(doc,s,id){ var e, p; if(!doc.getElementById(id)) { e = doc.createElement(s); e.id = id; p = '//shopsensewidget.shopstyle.com/widget-script.js'; var cb = new Date().getTime(); p += '?cb=' + cb; e.src = p; doc.body.appendChild(e); } if(typeof window.ss_shopsense === 'object'){ if(doc.readyState === 'complete'){ window.ss_shopsense.init(); } } }(document, 'script', 'shopsensewidget-script');

#what i wore #ootd #wiw #shop my closet

[blogthenewblack]

Jump Back to The Greatest Party on Earth

This past Saturday I attended my third Jump Back Ball supporting Playhouse Square, one of my absolute favorite places in Cleveland. Check out my recap from 2 years ago here (sidebar: 2 years later and I still rock that bun ALL DAY).

(image c/o LizCopic)

The theme for 2016 - Under the Big Top, which celebrated 25 amazing years of fundraising to support our theatre and the phenomenal shows brought in - this is one of the reasons Cleveland has the second largest theatre district in the nation (after NYC). 

(Image c/o maatmemories)

My favorite wing man and dear friend agreed to escort me to the event - he has a rotation of three tuxedos, so it was a no-brainer that we’d look amazing. I picked this Jill Stuart dress from Rent The Runway - a choice that was confirmed just after T Swift rocked a similar color combo at The Grammy’s. I’ve been wearing a lot of black lately and was looking to spice it up.

Did you attend JBB this year? If so, what was your favorite part of the event? For me, it’s always the bands - and THE PEOPLE! SO many friends in one great place (the open bar doesn’t hurt either).

(Image c/o AllisonPeltz)

Disclosure: I was a media partner for JBB this year and gifted two tickets for the event. All opinions are my own.

#cleveland #playhouse square #black tie #parties