Archives for September 2018

FALL FASHION MUST-HAVES: SWEATER EDITION

Happy Friday Eve, friends; we’re almost to the weekend – praise the lord! As you can tell by the title, I’m back with another fall fashion post! You guys know how much I love this time of year, and fall fashion is a big reason why. I love cozy sweaters, sherpa pullovers and boots that don’t quit! Speaking of boots, ICYMI, I recently shared a round-up of my favorite boots and booties for fall here on the blog; I tried to incorporate something for everyone, so if you missed that post, you can check it out HERE! Next up on the fall fashion train…SWEATERS (my favorite)! I tried to include a variety of colors and styles to ensure that everyone could find something they like! So if you’ve been on the hunt for cozy knitwear and dreamy cardigans, keep on scrolling and let’s jump right in!

*Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links*

H&M Knit Lace Sweater • BP Dolman Sleeve Sweater • Tunic Sweater • Speckled Dolman Sweater

Knit Turtleneck Sweater • Rib-Knit Sweater • Cable Knit Puff Sleeve Sweater

Wrap Front Sweater • Burgundy Sweater • Draped Sleeve Sweater

Dolman Sweater • Tie Cuff Sweater

Ahhhh sweaters, my favorite article of clothing. One of my favorite places to stock up on sweaters is H&M; despite their horrendous pants sizing, I find their sweaters to fit TTS and offer a comfy, cozy feel! They have a variety of styles, fabrics and colors to choose from, and are (generally) pretty reasonably priced! The burgundy lace sweater is perfect for the office (or date night), fits TTS and offers a sweet feminine look while remaining cozy. The turtleneck tunic sweater, also from H&M, would pair perfectly with leggings, OTK boots & a fun belt to help bring back some shape! I should also mention that all of the sweaters shown above are things that I own and love except the green cable knit from Abercrombie. As for trends that I’m excited for this season? Wearing leopard as a neutral (despite not having any on this list), speckled/marled knitwear and oversized turtlenecks with leggings (or skinnies) and boots! <3 <3

Knit Sweater Vest • Plush-Knit Long-Line Cardigan • Loft Striped Poncho Cardigan

Sherpa Pullover • Asymmetrical Snap-Neck Pullover • Sherpa Half-Zip Pullover

Marled Shirttail Cardigan • Cardi-Coat • Open Stitch Cable Cardi • Wedge Cover-Up

I couldn’t do a post about my favorite sweaters without giving cardigans and pullovers a section of their own; I literally wear one at least 4 times a week. Now I know some of the cardigans pictured above (especially the ones from Loft & Abercrombie) are a little pricier than what some are willing to pay, BUT they do go on sale often so I felt like I had to include them anyways! I’ve been loving the sweater vest/poncho trend that’s going around; it gives you the feel of a cardigan but allows for different layers and textures. I also want to note that the sherpa and asymmetrical snap-neck pullover featured on the middle row are Amazon dupes (hallelujah) for much more expensive pieces. If you’re interested, the original Wubby Fleece can be found HERE and the Asymmetrical Snap-Up can be found HERE! I will say, if and when the Abercrombie Asymmetrical hoodie goes on sale, it’s 100% worth picking up; however, IMO, the Wubby Fleece (even on sale) isn’t necessarily worth purchasing as I have enjoyed the Amazon dupe just as much. As for sizing, I recommend sizing UP in the Asymmetrical pullover from Amazon as it does run a little small. Also, the Plush-Knit Long-Line cardigan featured on the top row is as swoon-worthy as they come; it’s available in multiple colors, fits like a dream & runs TTS. It has great length and can easily be dressed up or down! I definitely want to pick it up in more colors!

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So that wraps up this fall-fashion post; I hope you enjoyed it and found some things you may want to try! Are you a sweater lover? Do you like oversized, chunky knits or more fitted sweaters?! Are you a cardigan gal or a poncho lover?! Leave me a comment down below telling me your must-have fall sweater staples, you know I’m always looking for the next best thing!

**Also, in case you missed it; my giveaway post (HERE) went live last Friday and will be active until September 28th at 11:59pm (EST).**

XOXO,

B

TABATA TUSDAY

Good morning friends, it’s Tuesday so you know what that means, another Tabata workout is coming your way! Also, before I forget, HAPPY FALL Y’ALL! In case you missed yesterday’s post (HERE), I talk about my must-have boots and booties for the upcoming season! With the cooler weather upon us (well, in theory), I will doing a few different fall fashion themed posts over the next few weeks; next up, The Sweater Edit (swoon). So if you love cozy knits and oversized tunics, stay tuned for all of my future posts! Anyways, moving on. You guys know how I feel about these quick, no-nonsense workouts; they’re challenging, effective and can be done absolutely ANYWHERE! If you’re new here, don’t fret; I’ll leave detailed, easy to follow  instructions below! Now, without further ado, if you’re ready to get your sweat on, grab a bottle of water and let’s get into this!

**Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional or personal trainer, please consult with your doctor before starting any new workout regimen!**

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WARM-UP:

  • 75 Jumping Jacks
  • 10 Supermans
  • Arm Circles (up to 10 in each direction)
  • 10 Squats
  • Alternating Side Lunges (10 on each side)
  • Ankle Rolls (10 each side)
  • 60 Second High Knees

CIRCUIT ONE: (Do each exercise for 20 seconds followed by a 10 second break before moving on to the next exercise. Repeat the circuit 3 times before moving on to circuit 2. Take a 60 second break between EACH CIRCUIT).

  • High Knees
  • Mountain Climbers
  • Speed Skaters

CIRCUIT TWO: (Do each exercise for 20 seconds followed by a 10 second break before moving on to the next exercise. Repeat the circuit 3 times before moving on to circuit 3. Take a 60 second break between EACH CIRCUIT).

  • Squats
  • Burpees
  • Alternating Lunges (add weight to increase difficulty)

CIRCUIT THREE:  (Do each exercise for 20 seconds followed by a 10 second break before moving on to the next exercise. Repeat the circuit 3 times before moving on to circuit 4. Take a 60 second break between EACH CIRCUIT).

  • Push-Ups
  • Reverse Crunches
  • Jump Rope

CIRCUIT FOUR:  (Do each exercise for 20 seconds followed by a 10 second break before moving on to the next exercise. Repeat the circuit 3 times before taking a 60 second break and moving on to your cool down!)

  • Tricep Dips
  • Plank Shoulder Tap
  • Wall Sit

**Make sure you take AT LEAST 5 minutes to cool down/stretch after your workout; this is VERY important**

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So that wraps up this edition of Tabata Tuesday! I hope you enjoyed this post and if you decide to give it a go, leave me a comment down below and let me know how you like it!

**REMINDER: My giveaway (HERE) is still open! It will close on Friday, September 28th at 11:59 pm (EST)! Happy Monday and good luck!**

XOXO,

B

FALL FASHION MUST-HAVES: BOOT EDITION

Good afternoon, friends and happy Monday! I hope you had a good weekend and that your week has gotten off to a great start. As you know, we have officially entered into the fall season (hallelujah) and I thought now would be a good time to put together a fall fashion post highlighting my favorite boots (and booties) for this time of year! I have a variety of styles and price-points to choose from so I think there’s something here for everyone. As for sizing, I typically wear a 7.5 in all of my shoes, however when it comes to boots/booties, I ALWAYS size up (a half size) to an 8 to allow room for socks! So with all of that out of the way, let’s jump into the boots!

*Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links*

Crown Vintage Afessa Bootie • Halogen Piper Bootie • Old Navy Block Heel Booties • SM Aker Bootie

Kelly & Katie Kuzma Boot • Marc Fisher OTK Boots • Universal Thread Laser Cut Booties

Bamboo Studded Bootie • Vince Camuto Fileana Bootie • Sole Society Veronika Boot

As you can see, I included a variety of styles, patterns and colors to try and highlight something for everyone. I have been loving all of the leopard trends and thought the Afessa bootie was just too good to leave out! I also think the Marc Fisher OTK boots (created for Macys) are a great option if you’re looking for that classic MF style but a slightly more wallet-friendly price-point. I will say, if you have a wider calf, you’ll probably want to skip on the MF’s and go for something a little more forgiving like the Kelly & Katie Kuzma boot; the slouchier fabric makes for a much better fit (the struggle is real). I also REALLY love the rust colored studded bootie, I think these will be PERFECT for the upcoming fall season; the color is perfect and the studs give it a little extra oomph (IMO). And again, as I mentioned above, I go up a 1/2 size in all of my boots and find the fit to be much more flattering that way!

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I hope you enjoyed this post and are as excited for fall as I am! Do you have a go-to, must-have pair of boots/booties for the fall season?! Leave me a comment down below telling me your must-have fall staples, you know I’m always looking for the next best thing!

**Also, in case you missed it; my giveaway post (HERE) went live last Friday and will be active until September 28th at 11:59pm (EST).**

XOXO,

B

 

FALL FAVORITES GIVEAWAY

Happy Friday, friends and welcome back! I know I mentioned last week that this post would be going live on Monday…clearly I missed the mark (please forgive me), but we had some family stuff come up that took priority. I apologize for my absence on the blog and on all of my social channels but truly appreciate your patience and understanding! With all of that out of the way, I’m back with my long-awaited, Fall Favorites Giveaway! If you’ve been around a while, then you know that fall is hands down my favorite season; crisp air, pumpkin candles and cozy sweaters get me excited EVERY SINGLE YEAR! I don’t know, there’s just something so comforting about the fall season. I’m hoping mother nature will give us a break here soon and bless us with some of that crisp air I mentioned above, but until then I will burn my fall candles, turn down my air and just pretend.

There will THREE ways to earn entries and you can do 1, 2, 3 or a combination of those to be considered for the prize. Also, not that I should have to say this, but I did purchase all of these items with my own money as a way to say ‘Thank You’ for your constant love and support! Okay, with that being said, let me stop blabbing and get to the giveaway goodies!

WHAT YOU’LL WIN:

  1. Navy & Blush Blanket Scarf: Can you ever have enough?!
  2. Bath & Body Works (Fall Scented) Candle: Winner can choose the scent of their choice based on what I have available.
  3. Bare Minerals Dirty Detox Face Mask: Because everyone’s skin needs a little extra love when the weather turns from warm to cool.
  4. ‘Morning Pumpkin’ Coffee Mug: I mean come on, how cute is that?!
  5. $25 Sephora Gift Card: Treat yourself to your favorite fall, vampy lip…or whatever you want!
  6. Urban Decay Born to Run Eyeshadow Palette: I chose this palette because I think it will work for a variety of skin tones, has great pigmentation and enough colors to create a bevy of looks!
  7. 2 Nail Varnishes from KL Polish: Central Park and Mindy, two of my favs for fall!

HOW TO ENTER VIA THE BLOG:

  1. Follow my blog Southern Lights, Atlanta Nights.
  2. Like this post.
  3. Comment your favorite thing about fall down below!

HOW TO ENTER VIA INSTAGRAM:

  1. Follow my Instagram (@brittebabe15).
  2. Like my giveaway post.
  3. Comment your favorite thing about fall in the comment section under the giveaway post!

BONUS ENTRIES VIA INSTAGRAM:

  1. Tag TWO fall loving friends in the comments under the giveaway post!

**NOTE: The giveaway will run for one week and will close Friday, September 28th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize before another winner is selected at random! You must be 18 years of age to enter or have your parents consent!**

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Thank you again for all of your love over the last year+, I truly appreciate all of you that have followed along and showered me with kindness and support, your generosity never goes unnoticed!

I hope you like all of the goodies that I picked out; I spent a lot of time making sure I picked quality products that I genuinely love and would be excited to receive myself! It may not be the BIGGEST giveaway (like people are out here giving away MacBooks!), but it was put together with a lot of love and with all of you in mind!

Until next time,

XOXO,

B.

 

 

 

 

TABATA TUESDAY + GIVEAWAY UPDATE

Good afternoon, friends and welcome back; I hope you all had an awesome weekend and that your week has gotten off to a good start! As you can tell by the title, today I’m back with another Tabata Tuesday post! You guys know how I feel about these quick, no-nonsense workouts; they’re challenging, effective and can be done absolutely ANYWHERE! If you’re new here, don’t fret; I’ll leave detailed, easy to follow  instructions below! Now, without further ado, if you’re ready to get your sweat on, grab a bottle of water and let’s get into this!

**Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional or personal trainer, please consult with your doctor before starting any new workout regimen!**

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WARM-UP:

  • 75 Jumping Jacks
  • 10 Supermans
  • Arm Circles (up to 10 in each direction)
  • 10 Squats
  • Alternating Side Lunges (10 on each side)
  • Ankle Rolls (10 each side)
  • 60 Second High Knees

CIRCUIT ONE: (Do each exercise for 20 seconds followed by a 10 second break before moving on to the next exercise. Repeat the circuit 3 times before moving on to circuit 2. Take a 60 second break between EACH CIRCUIT).

  • Squat Jumps
  • Push-Ups
  • Burpees

CIRCUIT TWO: (Do each exercise for 20 seconds followed by a 10 second break before moving on to the next exercise. Repeat the circuit 3 times before moving on to circuit 3. Take a 60 second break between EACH CIRCUIT).

  • Mountain Climbers
  • High Knees
  • Alternating Lunges (add weight to increase difficulty)

CIRCUIT THREE:  (Do each exercise for 20 seconds followed by a 10 second break before moving on to the next exercise. Repeat the circuit 3 times before moving on to circuit 4. Take a 60 second break between EACH CIRCUIT).

  • Plank Shoulder Taps
  • Reverse Crunches
  • Speed Skaters

CIRCUIT FOUR:  (Do each exercise for 20 seconds followed by a 10 second break before moving on to the next exercise. Repeat the circuit 3 times before taking a 60 second break and moving on to your cool down!)

  • Plié Squats (add weight to increase difficulty)
  • Flutter Kicks
  • Wall Sit

**Make sure you take AT LEAST 5 minutes to cool down/stretch after your workout; this is VERY important**

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So that wraps up this edition of Tabata Tuesday! I hope you enjoyed this post and if you decide to give it a go, leave me a comment down below and let me know how you like it!

**GIVEAWAY UPDATE: As you know, I’m planning to host a ‘Fall Favorites’ giveaway here in the next week or so. I’m planning to start the giveaway Monday, September 17th and have it run for ONE full week. I will do a dedicated blog post showing what’s included in the giveaway but plan on hosting it over on my Instagram page! I know not everyone follows me there and while I totally understand not wanting a slew of bloggers/people you don’t know clogging up your feed, I would love it if you would pop over and say HI! Sneak peek: there may or may not be a ‘Born to Run’ palette included :)**

XOXO,

B