The next few weeks will likely be the busiest and most stressful time of the year. Between holiday parties, winter break for the kids and all of that shopping to complete it’s easy to get that run-down look.  H&H friend and makeup expert, Wendi Braswell shares with us today some quick tips to help keep us gorgeous throughout the season.

1. Should change my skincare routine for each season?

Yes, with this colder weather your skin will need more hydration. Add a moisturizer with more antioxidants to nourish your skin.

2. What is the best eyeshadow color for my eyes?

Opposites attract! Whatever your eye color is you want to stay away from that color to make them pop. For instance if you have blue eyes browns will give you most definition. Green eyes, try plum to make them stand out.

3. Why does my makeup not last through the day?

Because of your application process. Prep your skin with moisture, primer and use good brushes.

4. Anything to do for my oily skin?

Yes! Switch to oil-free products and set with powder. Stay away from shine it will draw attention to oily skin. Try matte colors to enhance your face.

5. What is the best way to add some holiday flare to my makeup without looking overdone?

Define the eye with darker colors with some shine or try stronger lip but do with lighter eyes. Keep skin illuminating with hydration.

6. How do I create the smoky eye look?

Dark to light shadow starting at lid. Try in plum or gray!Line all around eye with darker liner then smudge with Q-tip. Make sure you blend,blend,blend!

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

1. Sugar Cookies Don’t these seem to be on every end-cap at the grocery store? An average cookie can contain over 200 calories and 14 grams of sugar. If you find these too hard to resist opt for homemade cookies and use egg whites and less sugar.

2. Mashed Potatoes Do I really have to explain? One serving clocks in at 237 calories with 9 grams of fat and 666 milligrams of sodium. This count doesn’t include added salt, butter, or sour cream.

3. Cinnamon Rolls Now this one is particularly hard for me. Cinnamon rolls and Christmas go hand-in-hand in my family. A classic roll has 730 calories. A Pecanbon roll has 1,100 and 25 grams of fat. Try this maple-cinnamon french toast that has one-fifth the calories and fat.

4. Glazed Ham Over Thanksgiving weekend I found myself chowing a bit too much of this sugary meat. On its own, ham is a vitamin-rich lean meat but when it’s cured with salt and coated with sugar the health benefits are lost. Lighten up your recipe with a healthier glaze made mostly from fruit preserves.

5. Gravy Portion control of gravy usually proves to be difficult especially after a couple glasses of wine. One cup of canned turkey gravy has 1,373 milligrams of sodium, almost reaching the USDA’s 2,300 milligrams recommended daily limit.

6. Swedish Meatballs This tempting classic may seem harmless. Still, lurking within each ball can be at least 400 calories of white bread, butter, heavy cream, and sodium-laden beef broth.

7. Creamed Spinach In general, always avoid food where cream is used to describe it. Creamed spinach is no different. This side dish can provide you with more than 75% of your saturated fat for the day. Skip the cream and go with a much healthier sauteed version.

8. Fruitcake This one is in no way tempting. It reminds me of mothballs and yarn. One slice of this dense cake contains over 400 calories and 13 grams of fat. No thanks.

9. Pot Roast One 3-ounce serving of traditional beef pot roast has 280 calories and 20 grams of total fat. But who only eats 3-ounces. Go for the leaner meat – turkey without gravy.

10. Candied Yam Sweet potatoes on their own are a very nutritious food but when you add the typical 6 cups of sugar that many traditional recipes call for all health benefits are lost. Try this sweet potato casserole instead where the sugar is cut down and the butter is replaced with half-and-half.

11. Croissants Nothing beats a warm croissant on a crisp morning. But what makes them so mouth-watering? Sugar, salt, and butter between each and every layer of flour dough. A butter croissant from Starbucks has 310 calories and 18 grams of total fat. This pastry isn’t as bad as a box of donuts, but it has almost no nutritional value.

12. Chocolate martini. Vodka and chocolate. Heavenly? Yes. Fattening? Absolutely. A chocolate martini has at least 300 calories per glass when you use vodka, chocolate liquor, and syrup. Try a skinny mix instead and dramatically cut your drink calories.

13. Pecan Pie A single slice will cost you more than 500 calories, 37 grams of fat, and 26 grams of sugar. Don’t worry. You can still enjoy dessert. Just opt for a small piece of an apple pie that will cut the calories in half.

14. Spinach & Artichoke Dip A classic party appetizer and one of my all-time favorites. Spinach and artichokes alone are nutritious. However, generous amounts of mayonnaise, sour cream, and cream cheese overpower the vitamin-packed veggies. This is another food that is a portion control nightmare as many people ‘scoop’ instead of ‘dip’. Enjoy one chip and don’t go back.

15. Sausage Stuffing Generic sausage stuffing has 345 calories, 235 from fat, setting you back about 26 grams of fat altogether. Other recipes call for too much butter and maple syrup. Stuffing can be healthy or at least healthier. Try this lightened version instead.

16. Cranberry Sauce Cranberries are a great source of vitamin E, K, and C, and dietary fiber. Still, pay close attention at the dinner table during the holidays. One serving can add 400 calories to your plate. Go fresh instead and try this healthier cranberry relish.

17. Potato Pancakes Even though potato pancakes are a well-liked holiday substitute for mashed potatoes, they’re battered with egg, flour, and breadcrumbs, and then fried in oil. An average pancake has over 200 calories and 11 grams of fat, plus extra saturated fat from cooking oil.

18. Gingerbread With large quantities of buttermilk, flour, and sugar one small piece of cake has 260 calories, 36 carbs, and 12 grams of fat. Stick with small cookies—you can still shape them into people! And use light icing to decorate.

19. Candy Canes A very hard to avoid candy to avoid especially with young kids in the house. They only contain 60 calories but also offer zero nutritional value. Get a little creative in the kitchen with this candy made with white chocolate, dried cranberries, and almonds.

20. Egg Nog Nothing says Christmas-time more than a glass of yummy egg nog but it must be COMPLETELY avoided. One cup has 343 calories, 150 milligrams of cholesterol, half of the USDA’s suggested daily limit, and 21 grams of sugar, almost a day’s worth. Instead, enjoy a spiced cider.

Source: health.com

Written by Lea Barlow • 1 Comment

I don’t know about you but this time of year I spend money on clothes and shoes like some sort of circus freak on crack. Turning to Rent the Runway for my holiday dress supply is the only way Christmas morning for my children will be salvaged. The dresses and accessories are beautiful, the rentals are inexpensive and the whole process is very simple.  Here are a few of my favorite LBD picks…

Death By Seduction Rental $150 Retail $1295

Very sexy. I would pick this one if only I had bigger boobs.

Flirty Flapper Rental $75 Retail $675

Please don’t rent this one for the weekend of December 10th. It’s my favorite.

Embellished Shoulder Dress Rental $75 Retail $465

So Kyle Richards from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, don’t you think?

I love rompers. Just can’t help it. Rental $75 Retail $598

Granted, this one may not be appropriate for the office holiday party but it is perfect for a girl’s night out.

Wine-colored sequin shift on black silk – lovin’ it!  Rental $100 Retail $875

Not really an LBD but I’m digging on sequins this season.

Open Back Noir Dress Rental $100 Retail $925

The draping here is perfect on this dress if you feel, well, a little less than perfect.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Here is a snap shot of the next 6 weeks: Parties, food, booze, harried shopping, food, holiday decorating and food.  Did I mention food? This is the absolute hardest time to keep your diet on track but it is not impossible. Stop rolling your eyes and stick with me. Follow these tips and I promise you will be able to button those skinny jeans come January 2.

1. Start Now. I like to go into the season in fighting shape. Step-up your workouts before the whirlwind begins. Add a few extra minutes to your cardio, workout 5 days instead of 4 and don’t forget to pick-up those weights.  Also, make it a goal not to eat out AT ALL during the week. The better you feel and look the less likely you are too splurge come the weekend.

2. Eat. Okay, I probably just confused you. One of my stay-slim diet tricks is to always eat before I leave the house. You never want to go to a party hungry. This will only lead to bad food choices. Bad food choices lead to big butts. Big Butts lead to skinny jeans that cannot be buttoned. So, eat a small high-protein meal before you head out the door and I guarantee you will choose wiser and less fattening food to munch at the party.

3. Drink…Water. No matter the season, staying hydrated is crucial. Drinking water will curb your appetite and help balance out the extra holiday sodium intake. ie: no morning sausage fingers. Additionally, drink a glass of water between each cocktail. This is a two-fold strategy: 1. you won’t be acting a fool  2. Your fingers and your head will thank you in the a.m.

4. Quell the Voices. Indulging here and there is healthy and frankly, fun. The problem with the holidays is the occasional indulgence becomes less occasional and more common-place. We all have a voice in our head that says “Oh, I can have another piece of pie. I’ll just be good tomorrow.” That would be all fine and dandy if there wasn’t yet another party to go to tomorrow, dinner with relatives two days after that, followed by the office holiday potluck and then topped off with the neighborhood holiday block party. It all adds up and before you know it – those skinny jeans won’t button. Pick the event you want to enjoy a little extra in advance. Mine is Thanksgiving at my parents. Be prepared to lose an appendage if you come between me and my mama’s homemade mac n’ cheese and rum cake. It’s okay to indulge just don’t use every party as an excuse to do so.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment