Summer Sips: Manhattan Moonshine

 

Not sure what type of drinks you can make with Moonshine, if any? See below for some cocktail recipes, courtesy of Manhattan Moonshine.

Manhattan Moonshine Sea Breeze:

          1 ¼ oz Manhattan Moonshine

            3 oz Cranberry Juice

            ¾ oz Contreau

            ¼ oz Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice

            Method: Serve in a chilled glass over ice!

 
Manhattan Moonshine Charleston Bramble 

 1 ½ oz Manhattan Moonshine
 Juice of half a lemon
 ½ Crème de Mure (or Chambord)
 3 Blackberried
 Method: Muddle blackberries and then add all of the ingredients into a mixing glass and shake. Strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice!
 

Manhattan Moonshine BIX-Bismark

 1 ¼ oz Manhattan Moonshine
 ¾  Aperol
 1 oz Cranberry Juice
 Squeeze of a lime wedge
 Method: Put all ingredients in a mixing glass and shake. Strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice!

Sally Hansen Summer Polish Picks

I am loving reds and pinks this summer for everything- makeup, clothes, shoes, etc. I can't get enough! I am experiencing a real color crush. But nothing makes me smile and excited about the season like seeing these colors on my nails! Below are my favorite colors from Sally Hansen for summer:

Pearl Crush in Lady Crab

Insta-Dri in Ablazing!

Complete Salon Manicure in Scarlet Lacquer 

Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear in All Bright

Summer Sips: Parrot Bay® Margarita with Coconut Water

I love a good cocktail in the summer; something light and sweet and delish that I can sip on while I chill out pool side and look cute. The Parrot Bay Margarita with Coconut Water is perfect for this! 

Many of you are probably beerita fans. This drink is similar, but better! It's fruitier, more flavorful, and isn't tampered down with the taste of alcohol. It is also 150 calories for you calorie counters, which isn't bad.

It is yummy cold or on ice. It has been 100 degrees here in Atlanta, so I drunk mine frozen;) Have you already tried the Parrot Bay Margarita? Let me know your thoughts below.

Tai Brings Style to TLC

For years, style expert Tai Beauchamp has been helping us solve our fashion conundrums from her posts at Seventeen Magazine, O Magazine, Instyle Magazine, and beyond. Now, through her new show Dare To Wear on TLC, we get to see her up close, helping to breathe life into the wardrobes of the style impaired. She took a break from helping us be fabulous to discuss her new show and hot summer trends.

TheBGInTheCity: How is Dare To Wear different from other makeover shows out there?

Tai Beauchamp: This show is about helping real women. They are in a style rut, they are going through something, or they want to go to the next level. 

TheBGinthecity: Your background is in publishing. Has being on TV been a difficult adjustment for you? 

Tai Beauchamp: No, I am fortunate. It has not been as difficult as it could have been. I left publishing in 2005 and since then I have been on The View and red carpets.

TheBGInTheCity: What are the must-have trends for summer? 

Tai Beauchamp: Classic white pieces like jeans and jumpers as well as florals. As for shoes, I love super high heels and platforms. Statement accessories help to dress up a look, and don't forget a bold red lip.

TheBGInTheCity: What is your advice to women that feel overwhelmed by fashion and trying new looks? 

Tai Beauchamp: Try one thing at once. You don't have to change everything at once. If you can't afford a stylist, go to a department store and work with a personal shopper. You can also ask your most fashionable friend to edit your closet. 

TheBGInTheCity: What can we expect tp see next from you?

Tai Beauchamp: I am working on a book as well as my website, TheTaiLife.com. It will be about everything beauty, fashion, and travel- amazing people doing amazing things. 

*Catch Dare To Wear Fridays @10pm on TLC.

Lippy Love: My Summer Faves

I love lipstick, and something about the summer makes me want to have the boldest, most eye-catching lip color ever! I have found that reds and pinks give me the lip drama I crave. Below are my go-to colors for summer.

Shiseido Veiled Rouge in RD 707 Mischief

Shiseido Veiled Rouge in RD 506 Carnevale

NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Color in Red Suede

NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Color in Pure Coral

Revlon Peony

Tarte Lipsurgence in Wonder

Not So Dirty 30: The Crying Game

I am going to be honest here and confess that I have cried more as a 30-year-old woman than I did as an emo teen that listened to Korn and Limp Biscuit.

And it is not that I am crying because I am sad. I am crying out of frustration and over the unshakable  feeling that the world is bringing me more ish that I don't have the energy to deal with. I also cry when I feel like there is nothing left to be done.

"I am happy that you have tears to exhaust. I don't," my friend admitted the other day as she secretly spoke to me while at work.

People have a lot of words of wisdom for children about adulthood. Be responsible. Think before you act. Save your money. My words for the next generation are as follows: life brings you tears. Invest in Kleenex. Cucumber slices really don't help with eye swelling. If you are going to cry all day, get a lot of sleep.

Summer Sips: Old Fashioned

Old Fashioned
1.3 oz. I.W. Harper
1 sugar cube
Splash of water
Dash Angostura bitters
1 orange peel and 1 small cherry

Dash bitters onto sugar cube in rocks glass. Add one splash of water. Muddle cube and bitters. Add bourbon and fill glass with ice. Stir gently. Add one orange slice and cherry. Serve.

DIY Try: Lemon Poppy Seed Cookie Scrub

Just in time for summer, YouBeauty Expert Julie Ricevuto gives is the recipe for her Lemon Poppy Seed Cookie Scrub!

Ingredients:
4 lemone
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup cornmeal
½ cup coconut oil

Directions: Zest the lemons, then leave the zest to dry for one to two hours. (If you don’t have a zester, remove the lemon peel with a vegetable peeler and then mince the peel with a knife.) In a bowl, mix poppy seeds, sugar, cornmeal, vanilla and lemon zest. Pour the oil over the ingredients and mix to combine. Store in a sealed jar for up to three months.

Snapped: Celebs at The JED Foundation Brightest Night Gala

Wednesday night, The JED Foundation hosted their 2015 “Brightest Night” Gala, which raised awareness to end the stigma associated with mental health.
It was hosted by author and television host, Stacy London; Love is Louder co-founder, Brittany Snow; and actor and activist,Tyler James Williams. The event featured the Foundation’s programs for young adults and teens. Their CEO even announced a new program for high school students.

Group Shot

Brittany Snow

Tyler James Williams

Stacy London

New Rolling Stones Collection Debuting at Lucky Brand

Atlanta: come view the limited edition Rolling Stones Collection at Lucky Brand Perimeter, Sunday, June 7 from 2pm-5pm. Three lucky winners will receive two tickets to see the Rolling Stones live in concert on June 9^th at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Below are my faves from the collection: 

Tatyana Ali Talks TEACHER

Poverty and its correlation to a good education continues to be a hot botton issue in this country. In the film TEACHER, which is screening this month at the LA Film Festival, actress Tatyanna Ali addresses this issue head on.

TheBGInTheCity: Tell us about your role in TEACHERS.

Tatyana Ali: I play a teacher, and I was interested in doing it because it poses an interesting dilemma: how far can a teacher go to help a student? And where are the lines, especially when poverty is involved? My character has a real affinity for her student and goes out of her way to help her. 

TheBGInTheCity: What is the message that you hope gets across in the film? 

TA: I hope it shows where education and poverty intersect in the lives of the people involved. We make assumptions of students based on grades, and it's an unfair assumption.

TheBGInTheCity: Can you remember any of your favorite teachers? Who were they and why were they your favorites?

TA: I am blessed to have had amazing teachers. There was Mrs. Howard in the 3rd grade, Portia Adams and my other tutors on The Fresh Prince, My high school Intro to Philosophy teacher Dr. Hvolreok and my college counselor. Without him, I would not have gone to Harvard.

TheBGInTheCity: You are a very well-known actress, but I have seen you on YouTube supporting lesser known actresses like Andrea Lewis of Black Actress. Why?

TA: Because I wouldn't be here if other actresses wouldn't have given me a chance. I am interested in working with talented, gifted people. Whether they are known or not is a matter of timing and time. 

TheBGInTheCity: On a beauty note, we have been fans of your hair since you were a child actress. What is your hair routine? 

TA: I try to keep things natural. I learned from my grandmother to use a rosemary rinse. I take the rosemary, make a tea, then rinse my hair with it. It makes my hair strong. 

*TEACHER will be playing at the LA Film Fest through Film Independent's Project Involve Program on June 11.

Snapped: LA Entourage Premiere

ENTOURAGE  premiered last night at the Regency Village in Westwood, CA. The carpet was filled with celebs from the stars of the highly anticipated movie to T.I. and Tiny.

My Matches!

I have typically avoided using concealers and foundations for as long as I have been wearing makeup. I was never quite sure how to apply them plus, after meeting so many women who were wearing the wrong shades in these products, I decided to stand clear. But of late, I have been professionally matched by MUAs! Below are my faves:

I am in LOVE with this product! It was introduced to me at a recent Revlon event. If only I could apply it as the makeup artist did. I looked like a celebrity! 

Revlon Photoready Airbrush Effect in 011 Cappaccino

Like most women I know, when SheaMoisture came out with its own line of cosmetics, I rejoiced. Their CC cream is light, and blends perfectly into my skin! 

SheaMoisture Medium CC Cream SPF 15

This was the first concealer I ever tried. It was a great match for my skin and contrary to how I thought it would be, judging by how I'd seen other women wear concealer, it didn't make me look overly made up! This is a great product for concealer beginners.

Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer in Warm Deep. 

Introducing OCC Cosplay!

The Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics S/S 2015 Colour Collection has six new lip tars and nail lacquers for the season! The tars are $18, the lacquers are $10, and they both can be found at occmakeup.com.