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Mandy’s Makeover: Teenage Bedroom

05.07.2013 // Comments Off // Home

If you follow @FabMaryDarling or @FabLeahAshley on Instagram, you already know we had a blast, redo’ing the uber fab and super darling, 13 year old beauty guru, Amanda Steele from MakeUpByMandy24′s bedroom {& set}.  Below are some *Before & After’s* with a full video & room tour airing this afternoon at 1pm PST. Stay tuned!

Mandy wanted it to feel light & bright.  It’s amazing what a coat of paint, a few accessories, & a new layout will do for a room. 

Here is what we did:

Centering her bed with the windows, created symmetry with the new blinds & drapes.  Overall, it creates a more grand appearance, as it creates a sort of headboard effect with the entire wall.

We positioned her desk along the opposite wall and added a foamboard & a shelf for extra storage & pics.

We moved her dresser next to her new “Swag Rack” to create a little dressing area, complete with vintage Glamour inspiration.  As you can see the bed was on the opposite wall in the corner.

With the help of a few, simple white boxes, clutter is easily hidden away!  We opted to keep her make-up dresser in place.  And YES, that is all FILLED with make-up!  So fab.

For more { & where we got everything}, check out the video HERE!!

What do you think of the change?

Fab in Five: Comfy Chic | Sweatpant Alternative

05.06.2013 // Comments Off // Style

So, you’ve hit snooze for the seventh time this morning, and now it’s crunch time.  You’re not feeling so hot… Maybe it’s that second strawberry margarita while the mariachi’s serenaded your table.  While last night seems a world ago, you’re definitely still feeling the effects, and it’s Monday morning.  Let’s get productive.  Here are some sure fire go-to ensembles when sweatpants sound really, really, good.

Don’t worry about your hair, grab a hat.  And while you’re at it, throw on a pair of comfy trousers.  Oh, and quick make it chic with graphic flats, a structured blazer over your shoulders, and a crisp anti-statement statement bag.  Hurry! Hurry! You may just make it in time for an iced latte to go.

EASY KNIT | CLASSIC PANAMA | SUNNY BLAZER | SLOUCHY TROUSER | BOLD FLAT | WHITE SHOPPER

Swap your silk pajamas for these silky trousers, add a cropped denim blouse, embellished flats, and a faux croc carry-all backpack… Oh, don’t forget your sunnies; it’s bright out there!

SILKY TROUSER | TWO TONE TORTOISE | CROPPED DENIM| STRAPPY FLATS | CROC BACKPACK

Your eyes glaze over as your late without a clue of what to wear.  Inspiration strikes!  Stick with a simple color palette and any print will do!  A gingham kitten heel keeps you polished without too much height navigation. Go, go, go!

CLASSIC TANK | THICK FRAMES | COBALT TOTE | FULL SHORT | GINGHAM KITTEN HEEL

Feminine, chic, comfy, & a new brainer… It’s a maxi dress kind of day.  Add a utilitarian vest for a casual day look, grab your basic bucket, tortoise shades and throw on a slight, chunky heel sandal for good measure.

SLOUCHY VEST | LOW CHUNKY HEEL | FLOWING MAXI | NEO CLASSIC | NEUTRAL BUCKET

Start with your comfiest pants going: the slim harem.  Grab a glam neutral like leopard, a basic tee, a staple tote, cat eyes and you’re good to go.  So feline fab and you didn’t even try.

STAPLE TOTE | SIMPLE GRAPHIC | CAT EYE | SNOW LEOPARD | SLIM HAREM

Cinco de Mayo: The Michelada | Hotel San Jose

05.03.2013 // Comments Off // Entertaining

We are BIG fans of any kind of Mexican food, and while most may be favoring the Margarita this time of year, we opted for less mainstream, less potent, and delightfully refreshing, Michelada.  You can make this many ways: some use Clamato, some use V8, but we opted to highlight our favorite Michelada ever from the UBER fab Hotel San Jose in Austin, TX.  This cocktail is a Tex Mex favorite that we’re excited to share.  Bring on the queso!

INGREDIENTS/  Salt | 2-3 oz Lime | Couple Dashes of Tabasco | Couple Dashes of Worcestershire Sauce | Quick Pour 1/4 oz. Soy Sauce |  4-6 turns Black Pepper | ‘South of the Border’ Beer

Rim a 20-oz. glass (with straight sides) with coarse salt. Fill the glass halfway with ice cubes; the denser the cube the better (melts slower). Add all ingredients except beer over the ice, and garnish with a lime wheel. Serve with a stirring straw and beer on the side (add beer to glass per individual taste).

Recipe sourced HERE

Cheers to your Happy, Healthy, & Safe Cinco De Mayo! 

5 Ways To Decorate an Entry: Decor 101

05.02.2013 // Comments Off // Home

Today we share with you a spot in the home that is often completely overlooked: The entry way.  Here at A Fab Life, we feel that no matter how tight your quarters, you can always create tiny vignettes that tackle every space in your petite chateau.

These are 5 tips that define an entry way with a relaxed panache sure to gather many a guest’s admiring gaze:

1.  Using an oversize mirror is an excellent way to layer your space & carve out an entry in an instant.  This will also work on a smaller scale using a more narrow mirror & smaller table.  The bench beneath continues to layer & add texture.  Plus, it could be quite functional for laces & boots.

This tiny desk creates a lightness to any space with it’s dainty legs.  We have a theory that if you add a simple table & lamp to any doorway & you’re set — lean a piece of art, even better!  Here the use of vertical artwork, draws your eye up, creating a chic statement even in a tiny nook.

3.  Lately, it seems chalkboard paint is suuuuuper overdone, but we’re favoring it as neo-classic — a neutral yet dramatic backdrop that offers major whimsy & entertainment points.  It’s so unexpected in this small doorway, but even with just simple hooks, you’ve created a pretty fab entry.

4.  If you don’t have a square inch to spare for table legs, you can always float a shelf.  This mirror helps ground the shelf & offers a quick lipstick check as you’re running out the door!  The rug also adds a layer to make this a room all it’s own.

5.  Walllpaper & paint define an area lickity split.  This bold print transforms this tiny doorway into a dramatic focal piece.  The use of a dresser as an entry table, creates much needed storage for a small home.

Are you inspired by any of these entry way ideas?

Fab Hair: Long, Wavy & Thick

05.01.2013 // Comments Off // Beauty

Until our life becomes so fab that we have a full hair & make-up team for runs to Whole Foods, we’ll tame our inner Mariah Carey with a few tricks up our sleeve.  Today we tackle Mary’s wavy and thick mane.  With ever abundant volume, her tresses can have mind of their own.  With frizz & poofiness as her main beauty dilemma, this is how she combats her hair rebellion to create luxurious locks worth taking the cap off for.

Shampoo | Conditioner | Serum | Resort Spray | Hair Spray

How to Never Pay Rent: Tea with Tom

05.01.2013 // Comments Off // Home, Inspiration, Travel

Today we have TEA on the brain… Can you tell!??  From our little post about non-alcoholic hostess libations that are also a cinch for a daily to go drink below to one of our most favorite VIDEOS ever: Tea with Tom.

Rewind those clocks to the days when Leah & Mary were roomies in a turquoise Venice Beach bungalow and took a day trip to pay a visit to our dear friend Tom.

Tom lived in his van, and this here is the FIVE YEAR Vanniversary of livin’ his dream, rent free.

 

What did you guys think!? 

Peppermint Iced Tea

05.01.2013 // Comments Off // Entertaining, Health

This is a little hostess trick that will not only be your guests delight, but will keep you hydrated and glowy all summer long.  It’s a very straight forward libation that can be made chic with the help of any upcycled glass bottles currently occupying your cabinetry. 

ENJOY!

 

Trend Alert: Neutrals

04.29.2013 // Comments Off // Style

With the coming of Spring also comes a slew of new fashion trends. For Spring we have already seen that florals, pastels and stripes are playing big role this season. But right now Mary and I are all about neutrals or as I like to call it, the NON trend. From monochromatic looks, to playing with colors like white, grey, cream and black, this minimalistic way of dressing feels so fresh for Spring.

Here is how to get the look!

1. Sweatshirt / 2. White Jeans / 3. Necklace / 4. Tote / 5. Flats

High Point Market Spring Decor Trends

04.26.2013 // Comments Off // Uncategorized

Mary and I spent the beginning of this week in North Carolina for High Point Market, which is one of the largest home decor trade shows in the country. This was our first time visiting High Point and North Carolina and let me just say, they sure know how to have a good time! Between the showrooms, the parties and the panels, High Point is the place to go to source new trends in home furnishings. Here are a few of  our favorite Springs trends from High Point!

Leah’s Hair Care Must Haves!

04.25.2013 // Comments Off // Beauty

When it comes to hair we all have different priorities. Some people are looking for a change, some are looking for length and some people are just looking for the perfect product. Right now,  I am looking to grow out my hair for summer and to experiment with my color. I haven’t seen my natural color in over 10 years and I’m starting to get curious. Plus fewer trips to the salon would really help out my bank balance. So, to help my stands make the transition I have been relying on a few of my favorite products!

1) Macadamia Natural Shampoo & Conditioner: These products are a bit on the pricey side, but my hair has never felt softer and cleaner.

2) Furterer Dry Shampoo: There are MANY dry shampoos on the market today. And for a long time I thought all dry shampoos were pretty much the same. But this dry shampoo has become my favorite for it’s light weight texture and volumizing properties.

3) Its A 10 Leave In Conditioner: Not only does this leave in conditioner moisturize and restore damaged hair, it also seals and protects color treated hair. Since I haven’t seen my original hair color in over 10 years, this is a must for me.

4) Suave Keratin Infusions Smooth & Shine Serum: I love this serum for eliminating fly-aways. Its light weight and makes my hair so shiny!

5) Healthy Sexy Hair: This brand of products is know for their capability to turn limp hair into sex kitten hair in just a few sprays! But this hair spray has soy milk in it’s formula to give you hair extra nutrients. Plus, I love a light hold!