My Top 11 Winter Beauty Essentials | Hair, Skin & More!

February 26, 2019 - Beauty, Hair, Shopping, Skincare

Image of winter beauty essentials for face, hair and body
 

It seems that no matter what part of the country you’re in, winter has taken its toll this year. Here in lovely MinneSNOWta, we have gotten more than 30 inches of snow just this month! So much for thinking February would be better than January! Not to mention, plenty of cold days ranging from negative 5 to negative 50 with windchill. That’s why I’ve been relying on my winter beauty essentials to save the day.

These products have been a lifesaver for me as these extra cold months can wreak havoc on my skin. That’s why I decided to round up some essential products that have helped me combat dry skin and leave me feeling skin looking and feeling hydrated. If you add just an extra bit of diligence to your beauty routine, you too can beat the winter blues! Check out my winter beauty essentials: Read More

High-Waisted Leggings that Give Me Life at the Gym

February 11, 2019 - Fashion, Fitness

picture of Rachel from Rachel's Lookbook wearing pink high-waisted leggings to walk dog

We are now pretty far into February, and if’ you’re like me, the new year brings about new health and fitness goals. While I can’t say I love walking to the gym in below-zero temperatures or blizzards, I can say that my love for high-waisted leggings has made it a little easier to make that trip the gym. I do a variety of workouts at the gym, and high-waisted leggings are the only way to go for me. From using the elliptical and biking to lifting and squatting, when I’m wearing high-waisted leggings I don’t have to worry about any unforeseen things happening. Do you know what I’m saying? Especially if you do any HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts that involve burpees. You want to make sure your leggings are keeping up with you!

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Southern Events to Welcome Spring

February 7, 2019 - Lifestyle

The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming and Southerners around the country are pouring their very first juleps of the season. It’s spring in the South, and we all know that means it’s time to don our wide-brimmed hats and monogrammed jackets, bake our best pecan pies and take some time to stop and smell the magnolias. If you’re looking for some of the very best ways to usher in the warmer weather—and, let’s be honest, bid the chilliness a big farewell—then you’ve got to put some of these iconic Southern events in your calendar this year. From the nationally televised festivals to the small-town jubilees, this list includes the most exemplary Southern spring events.

1. Quintessential Southern Spring: The Kentucky Derby

When and Where: The first Saturday in May; Louisville, KY

The Kentucky Derby is arguably the world’s most famous horse race, but it’s much more than that to Southerners. The event, held annually at Churchill Downs, gives Kentuckians the chance to don their finest Southern styles and sip mint juleps to welcome the new season and cheer on their stallions. The main event, of course, is held on the first Saturday in May each year, but the race itself culminates the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville. Events include the largest fireworks display in North America (Thunder Over Louisville), a parade, a marathon and two more notable races, besides the horse one—the Great Balloon Race and the Great Steamboat Race. Read More