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Untitled #5 by khadijahred featuring lips makeup

WE'VE MOVED!!!!!!!!

Great News! Fab Finds in a Beat has a new home. You can now keep up with the latest trends at fabfindsinabeat.com  

All of my other contact information will remain the same. See you over at: fabfindsinabeat.com 

All Linked Up for Style Me Friday!

Image via The Fashionista Next Door

Welcome to another edition of "Style Me Friday" hosted by The Fashionista Next Door. This week's inspiration was "Seeing Double (Denim)." Now the original inspiration is posted above. HOWEVER--when I thought of a Denim inspiration, of course I thought of Bajan-beauty Rihanna.  Rih-Rih has the denim style game ON LOCK. To me, no one has matched her fly. Take a look:

Image credits (L to R): 1, 2, 3

Fab Beauty Event with BECCA Cosmetics!

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to attend a BECCA Cosmetics beauty event hosted by Danielle of The Style and Beauty Doctor. The event took place at the lovely New London Luxe where guests where treated to drinks, desserts and customizable make-overs.

Linked Up for Trendy Tot Tuesday!!

 

Entire out from The Children's Place

 So I just found out about Trendy Tot Tuesday today! It's a link-up where other bloggers (mainly mommy-bloggers) showcase their children's fashion. This week's link-up is hosted by Trina of Baby Shopaholic . I absolutely adore her site--go check it out! Since creating this blog, I've been going back and forth about whether I want to incorporate more posts about kids. Particularly, kids fashion, toddler stories, parenting tips, etc. I'm still developing my niche so bare with me. When I saw there was a Trendy Tot Tuesday link-up I had to jump on it. You've seen all my link-ups to "Style Me Fridays" .

Money Management 101: Make your Money Grow!

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Are you spender or a saver? While this is primarily a beauty and fashion blog, there's no reason to go broke chasing after your favorite labels based on impulse or keeping up with the latest trends if you can't afford it. In today's ever-changing economy, it's important to be financially saavy and to always plan for the unexpected. Now believe me, I'm just as guilty as the next person when it comes to a SALE at my favorite store. Sometimes, I just can't walk away. So to help you build a better financial future, I've provided some simple steps to help you save.

All Linked Up for Style Me Friday!!

Image via The Fashionista Next Door

I'm soooo happy it's the end of the week. Last night I had the chance to attend a BECCA Cosmetics beauty event hosted by the hilarious Danielle of The Style and Beauty Doctor . I had a blast! But I'm now paying for it with a sore throat. More details on the event coming soon! So now for this week's "Style Me Friday" which was inspired by the Short Suit Set. Try saying that 5 times fast!

This week's style inspiration motivated me to actually go through my closet and see if I actually had any shorts. Generally in the summer I'm more of a skirts/ dresses chick. So I wasn't surprised to see my "shorts collection" consisted of old denim cutoffs and and even older regular shorts not suited to be photographed in..lol.So off to my H&M I went.

What's the Word Wednesday: Does being a Parent Affect Your Style?

Image via Fashionbombdaily

I recently saw an interesting post on The Fashion Bomb Daily about the age limit of crop tops based on the above photo. Most commentors collectively agreed that anyone past the late twenties SHOULD definitely avoid the trend. But what caught my attention was a comment that stated..."having your midriff show while you are performing a concert is different than walking down the street with your midriff showing, especially if you are a parent." The funny thing is that I AM a parent and I just bought a cropped top from H&M this weekend. And I will definitely be rocking it soon.

Simple Beauty Fixes on the Go!

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Have you ever had one of those mornings where everything seems to go wrong? That was my experience today which included me leaving my most important beauty go-to's at home. Well not to fret. I've compiled a list of quick beauty fixes if you ever find yourself in the same scenario.  

1. If you have severely chipped nail polish and don't have time for a mani, you can use the Nailtwist Polish Remover . Basically, you stick your finger in the portable jar and rub the polish off. That's it!

2. Following the polish remover, if you want to do a quick polish color change, look no further than Sally Hansen Insta Dri nail polish. All you need is one application of color and your nails should be dry in a beat! Don't forget to use a top coat. 

3. Almost everyone uses this beauty staple. Not only can Vaseline be used as a moisturizer for dry skin or cracked lips, but it can also provide a shimmery effect for your eye shadow when applied to your lids or a subtle glow for your checks.  

4. Have you used cult classic fave Nars The Multiple Stick? This multipurpose product can be used on the face, cheeks  and lips. It contours, highlights, bronzes and can even be used as a light lip gloss. Talk about your all-in-one! As a beauty note, this product can be really sheer and highlight any imperfections your skin may have. So use sparingly.  

5. Lastly, while it's technically not a beauty product, the Tide To Go pen is must have, especially if you're accident prone like myself.

What's in your beauty emergency kit?

All LINKED UP FOR STYLE ME FRIDAY!

Photo via The Fashionista Next Door

It's Friday...Friday! Woot-Woot! Friday! (singing voice). And as you know, Friday means "Style Me Friday" with The Fashionista Next Door ! This week's style inspiration was "slacks and trousers." When I first saw the inspiration, I was really unsure of how I would style my trousers. I don't know about you, but when I think of trousers, I think of mundane business attire. So I aimed to put a twist on the look and make it chic and after-work sexy.

Mother's Day Gift Guide

 

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Mother's Day is only 3 days away! Have you already gotten your gift? If not, I have just the guide for you to put a smile on your mother's face.

1. For the Tech-savvy mom: So you have a mom that's into gadgets? Well instead of going with the ever-trendy iPad, iphone, nook or kindle, why not let your mom wash her troubles away with this Kohler Moxie Showerhead and Wireless speaker. Now mom can listen to music, hear the news or talk radio from a wireless speaker that syncs with any device with blue-tooth technology. You can find it at Amazon .

2. For the Fashionista mom: Again, let's stay with the theme of being non-traditional. How about purchasing the holy-grail of fashion--with Vogue! Particularly,  "In Vogue: An Illustrated History of the World's Most Famous Fashion Magazine" hardcover book. Mom will get to explore the history of the in's and out's of the world's leader in fashion trends. Available at Barnes & Nobles .

Cover Girl Fab with Ms. Kerry Washington

 Who do I spy with those big brown eyes? It's none other than the Scandalicious Diva aka Olivia Pope aka Ms. Kerry Washington on the cover of June's Elle magazine which hits newsstands on May 21! I'm having a love affair with high-waisted shorts right now which will surely be this summer's latest trend. I also spotted Beyonce' with similar shorts in her summer collaboration with H & M.

                        What do you think of Kerry's Elle cover? Will you be buying?

Fab EVENT with the Hair Factory Pop-Up Shop!

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending the first-ever Hair Factory Pop-Up Shop right here in NYC at the John Atchinson Salon &Spa. Guests were treated to a bevy of vanilla and red velvet cupcakes, sparkling drinks, a celebrity inspired makeover with famed hair-guru Cynthia Alvarez, custom blending hair demonstrations and much more!

Stylist: Cynthia Alvarez and beauty blogger Ashley Weathersford of August Skin

Nail Alert: Nicole by OPI Announces Two New Limited Edition NEON Mini Kits!

Looking to hop on the neon trend with a new nail look? Well, your mani prayers have been answered! Nicole by OPI has launched its FIRST neon nail lacquer with two limited edition mini kits!  The first kit, aptly titled "Scandalous!" features vivid NEON shades in blue, purple and pink.

 The next kit entitled "Notorious" features vibrant NEON shades of green, fushia and orange. What's exciting about the collection is it includes a "white base coat" that should be applied on your nails before the actual NEON color. The base coat allows the NEON color to instantly POP! As always, if you want your nail color to last, it's best to use a top-coat once your nails are dry.

The NEON kits will be available starting in May.

What do you think of the Scandalous! and Notorious! NEON collection? Will you be buying?

All Linked Up for "Style Me Friday"

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It's that time again! This week's edition of "Style Me Friday" with The Fashionista Next Door was inspired by the classic white tee. As you may or may not know, having a white tee should be staple in every women's wardrobe. A white tee can be dressed up, dressed down, causal, business or sexy. It's your choice! Once I saw the inspiration pic--I immediately knew I was going to do this spring's "on-trend" black & white combo. 

Since I went with a black/white combo, I wanted to spice up my look so I went with a headwrap and a red bold lip. I'm currently experimenting with a head-wrap phase and after watching TONS of videos on Youtube...I finally got it..lol. I got this fun scarf from H&M. 

Rihanna and MAC Cosmetics coming to a screen near you!

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Were you as excited as I was when you heard of the collaboration between Rihanna and Mac Cosmetics? It was widely reported back in February that bad-gal Rihanna would have a collection of her own appropriately titled "Ri-Ri hearts MAC." According to Style Bistro, the line would include 4 collections including the highly-anticipated "RiRi Woo" lipstick. Similar to the brand's popular "Ruby Woo" shade, this seductive, matte red lippie is sure to please fans across every hue. MAC Cosmetics confirmed today via twitter that the "RiRi Woo" lipstick would be available exclusively on-line starting May 2! 

                                                           Will you be purchasing?

All Linked up for Style Me Friday!

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 So this week's edition of "Style Me Friday" with The Fashionista Next Door featured Neon Pop for your LBD (Little Black Dress) As soon as I read the inspiration title I knew I had to participate. I own several LBD's, but unfortunately I haven't had many places to wear them (at least not yet). You guys know I'm an H&M STAN and the LBD I selected for this link up was no exception. Check out this cute lace LBD I got on clearance for $20! I'm in love with it. It showcases my curves but not to the point where I can't breathe nor does it make me self-conscious. I felt like a complete MILF as soon as I put it on...(in my opinion..lol).  Now let's get to the look:

Fab Beauty Look in Under 5 Min!

Are you like me where you drag yourself around in the mornings to get ready? As a mom to a rambunctious toddler, my little angel limits me to no longer than 10 minutes to complete my beauty routine before he throws a tantrum. It's a battle with us EVERY MORNING. Through trial and error, I've been able to finish my make-up looks in under 5 minutes! With these 5 tips, you too can achieve an "everyday natural look" with minimal effort.

1-Groom your brows. Eyebrows really do shape your face and can definitely transform your overall look. I'm in LOVE with Anastasia's "Brow Wiz" pencil that I purchased from Sephora. Using light strokes, you can make your brows as dark, thick, or thin as you desire. 

   2- Apply a tinted moisturizer. I prefer MAC's "Studio Moisture Tint." It has SPF 15, lightweight and has a sheer to medium coverage. It also doesn't clog your pores. 

3-Make your eyes pop with your favorite mascara. I'm currently using Benefit's "They're Real." Let me tell you something. This mascara is THE TRUTH. I have very thin, short and non-existent lashes. With just 1 coat, my lashes appear longer and make my eyes POP! YAS hunny. 

4- Apply blush to your cheeks. Have you checked out NYC's (New York Color) powder color wheel? You can get it at your local Duane Reade, Walmart or CVS.

5. Lastly, apply your favorite shade of lipstick. Right now I'm going through a "nude" phase. So I always have my MAC cremesheen in Modesty in rotation. 

6. Optional--If you have time, go ahead and use an eye primer so that you can apply a subtle eyeshadow to your lids. Check out Urban Decay's Naked Palette:

                            Voila! There you have it. A beauty look in under 5 minutes. 

Have you used any of these products? How long does it take you to finish your make-up looks?

In Defense of Kim Kardashian and her bump..

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 If you're the type to pay attention to tabloid fodder, then you've probably seen these "riveting" headlines. Reality-star Kim Kardashian's pregnancy has provided nonstop punch lines from the blogosphere to your daily local news. But is it fair? Critics have debated Kim's maternal instincts, tracked her ballooning weight gain and declared her a single mom. She's been called "fat," "detached from motherhood" and many folks have even said she's faking her pregnancy. All of which to me is utterly ridiculous! 

Let me clue you in on what's not in the pregnancy books:

1. Every pregnancy and every pregnant woman is different.           

                    
2. Pregnancy is not like the movies where you glow, feel fabulous and float like a goddess everyday.
                  
 3. Pregnancy can hurt and be exhausting--both physically and mentally.Yes, you will reach a point where you're "over it."
        
4.   People can and will get on your nerves. So imagine how it feels to be photographed all the damn time.
              
 5. While you may be lucky enough not to experience morning sickness, there are     TONS of other pregnancy complications that you may experience which no one talks about (i.e preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, cervical issues, pre-term labor issues and much more)                 

So let's give the girl a break. Granted, if you're a public figure you're expected to face a higher level of scrutiny. But let's ease up and have some compassion. After all, this is a woman carrying an innocent LIFE. 

What do you think of the controversy surrounding Kim's pregnancy? 

Celeb Mom Alert! Alicia Keys Spotted on beach date with son Egypt

All images in this post via: Daily Mail

How cute is Mrs. Alicia Keys with her adorable son Egypt? Taking a break from her " Set the World On Fire" tour, the song-tress was spotted on the beaches of the Bahamas soaking in some sun.

Happy Earth Day!!

Truth time! When I was in high school, I participated in the "Environmental Club." It was a small club which consisted of about 5 members led by one of my favorite English teachers. Back then I wasn't too aware of how too make a difference in protecting the environment. But as the club progressed, I helped others make small changes that I hope still continue today. I used to drive my mom crazy trying to recycle every single plastic bottle / can or cutting the plastic on the soda cans so animals didn't get caught in it. I also participated in building sand dunes on the local beaches, and planted shrubs on the high school fields. Ahhh memories!

Do you celebrate Earth Day? If so, what changes are you making in your efforts to "go green?"

Beauty Beat: 3 Essential Oils for your Beauty Routine

Thinking about updating your beauty routine in a more natural way? Try incorporating some oils. Jojoba, castor, almond, coconut and olive oil are just a few natural ingredients that can be applied healthily to the face, hair and body. Let's start with the face:

You can apply Coconut Oil to your face as a light moisturizer for day or nighttime uses. 

EVOO, better known as Extra Virgin Olive Oil, can be applied to the hair as a sealant after you moisturize your strands. I find it to be extra thick, so you can use it sparingly.

 

Raise your hand if you experience dry skin right after you moisturize your body. Well, I definitely do. Right now I'm using a bit of Bath & Body works lotion after I shower, but I still find dry patches on my skin right after using it. The sweet almond oil seems to do the trick and once again--it's completely natural. 

Of course the uses for these particular oils are completely interchangeable. You can use EVOO for your face, sweet almond oil for your hair or coconut oil for body. You might have to do a bit of experimenting to find what works best for you.

What are some of your favorite essential oils for your beauty routine?