Bombshell Beauty Blog

Join me at SaraBartlett.net

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 17:28:00 +0000

Hello everyone! Hope you've had a great couple weeks. I've been busy, busy, like you. One of the projects I've been working on is refreshing www.SaraBartlett.net - and that work is now complete. Hurray! And although I won't be blogging over here at Bombshell Beauty any longer, you'll get the same plus size fashion and beauty over there...plus more!

At SaraBartlett.net, you'll be able keep up with all the things we love:

Plus size fashion/outfit ideas
Beauty
Books
Twin Cities Live segments
News on my books
NEW blog: The Pretty Intellectual

It's all really fun stuff, so head over there right now to check it out. You can subscribe to my monthly newsletter and follow The Pretty Intellectual. It's a great little space and I can't wait for you to join me there.

As Seen on Twin Cities Live - Trash It or Try It

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 21:21:00 +0000

On today's Twin Cities Live segment, we talked about products that I think are worth trying - and those worth trashing. It was a fun one to prepare for; there are so many products that go through my makeup bag and for every treasure, there's at least one (probably two...or three!) that wind up in the trash.

Watch the clip below and then scroll down for bonus recommendations of products to trash or try - including several that came from you guys. I asked for your product picks on my Facebook page and got lots of great input.

Click on the photo to watch the clip.

More Trash Its

The Rocket Volume Express mascara by Maybelline (trashed by Carol L)
Cover Girl Bombshell Shineshadow cream eyeshadow
L'Oreal Visible Lift CC Cream (trashed by Kimberly B)
John Frieda Luxurious Volume All-Day Hold hairspray
Dry shampoos of any kind (trashed by Fashion Fix MN)
Almay Shadow Softies
St. Ives Fresh Hydration Lotion Spray

More Try Its

vegan lipsticks by Elixery (suggested by Amy H)
haircare products for curly-hair, DevaCurl (suggested by Discourse of a Divine Diva)
Jamberry Nails (suggested by Jessica A)
sulfate-free shampoo by Pureology (suggested by Stephanie S)
Burt's Bees Radiance Skincare line (suggested by Amy L)
Elta MD tinted moisturizer (suggested by Diana B)
Boots No. 7 eye cream (suggested by Carol L)
Tarte BB Cream (suggested by Jill B)
Baby Lips Dr. Rescue lip balm (suggested by Kimberly B)
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (suggested by Erin S)
Crack Styling Leave-in Treatment (suggested by Kristin C)
Shany Cosmetics (suggested by Louise V)
INtelligent Nutrients Stem Cell skincare (suggested by HAMMS Event)

Is there anything missing from either list? If so, let me know in the comments.

Give-Away! United Way WINGS Flight of Fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 12:00:00 +0000

It's always especially satisfying when two wonderful things come together at once - case in point, the melding of fashion and charity in the United Way WINGS Flight of Fashion event. WINGS is an acronym for Women Investing in the Next Generation, and their mission is to provide education and assistance to women in the Twin cities who want to earn a liveable income and stop the cycle of poverty in their lives.

Flight of Fashion revolves around a fashion show produced and co-emceed by stylist Grant Whittaker and local shopping expert/writer Allison Kaplan. I attended this event last year and it was pretty entertaining. I met lots of women who are dedicated to the cause of uplifting women in our community - and felt inspired, myself, by the work they do. If you're looking to network with high profile women in the Twin Cities, this is a great event to attend.

The fashion show was very Midwestern with fashions shown that were accessible and wearable (in my opinion). I don't mean that as a negative thing; we're not New York or Paris or Milan - although Grant sure tried his darndest to convince us otherwise. Commentary by Allison was as witty and spot-on as her column in the Mpls St. Paul Magazine. Grant was as kooky as the outfits he styled for the runway were amusing. Not bad for a philanthropic night out.

What: WINGS Flight of Fashion

When: April 11, 2014, from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Where: Radisson Blu Hotel, Bloomington MN

Why: To raise money to support efforts to end poverty among women in the Twin Cities + enjoy a fashion show

Tickets: Range from $50-85, click here to order

Want to win 2 FREE tickets?* Head over to SaraBartlett.net to enter!

Review: Isabel Toledo for Lane Bryant

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 20:39:00 +0000

*This post includes affiliate links.

Several years ago, Lane Bryant produced capsule collections of upscale, fashion-forward designs - pieces that were not designed for the everywoman. I owned a couple pieces but will admit that the line's higher price point and trendy aesthetic weren't for me. Well, weren't for a lot of women actually because when I visited the Lane Bryant headquarters their leadership team revealed that the line was being pulled due to lackluster sales.

Fast forward four years and the Lane Collection is back, plus a high profile collaboration with renowned fashion designer Isabel Toledo. Toledo designed at one point for Anne Klein, but her mainstram breakthrough came when First Lady Michelle Obama sported a fantastic chartreuse coat from Isabel's line back in 2009.

From what I've noticed of Toledo's work prior to her collaboration with Lane Bryant, she seems to have two very specific design principals: ultra structured fabrics or layers and lots of movement. From the outset, both ideas would fit a plus size woman's curves well. How did the idea turn into execution?

Click the photo to watch the full fashion show

I have mixed emotions about this collection. On one hand, I'm thrilled that Lane Bryant is using their clout in the industry to produce something different - something unique - options! That's what we, as a collective community need and deserve - options. I'm always going to advocate for the existence of options, even if not every option is something I personally like.

On the other hand, as a plus size woman, it's easy to fall into the "grateful trap." As in, "I'm just grateful that someone important is willing to design for sizes 14+, so whether or not I actually like the outcome is irrelevant." It's not irrelevant. And for the most part, I don't love this collection as it was presented at the fashion show.

The flowy nature of Toledo's vision looks frumpy on curvy bodies. I admit that my perception (flowy and shapeless is unflattering on curves) is borne out of my own preference - I like to see what a body looks like. I feel best when I'm wearing clothes that show my curves and don't look oversized. So there's that.

On the flipside, I expected to like the more structured items in the collection. But they appeared untailored and extremely stiff in motion. Based on my thoughts up to this point, you've probably assumed that I don't like this collaboration. Not entirely true. I think this is a classic case of "runway" style vs. "real life" style. After checking out the clothes in person and online, there are several pieces I like and think could fit into my everyday Bombshell style.

I really like the jackets within this collection. This eyelet belted jacket evokes a more ladylike, updated version of a spring trench coat.

See? I don't dislike everything that's unstructured! I think this wispy, chiffon tunic would be great for a warm date night - paired with colorful heels or sparkly flats and major jewelry.

This menswear-inspired shirtdress could be cute belted or worn open over a body-con dress.

So what do you think? Can you see yourself wearing the Isabel Toledo collection from Lane Bryant? If so, which pieces? If not, what do you think of the collaboration in general?

Plus Size Spring Trends on Twin Cities Live

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 13:44:00 +0000

I loved yesterday's segment on Twin Cities Live - although my day job kept me from participating (dang it!) I tuned in online to see what Sara Rogers, Trend Expert at Mall of America, had to share on spring trends in plus sizes.

*Side note - I want to give credit to the producer on this segment, Kelli. The modeling agency the show worked with sent over two models who were not plus size. Rather than going ahead and including them in the segment, Kelli asked me to reach out to a few plus size models I know to see if any of them were available. So often - too often - retailers and the media try to pass off straight size women as plus sized. The fact that Twin Cities Live doesn't buy into that is just one of many reasons I love being part of their show.

Click the picture to watch the segment.

Sara brought in four models, each dressed from a different store at the Mall of America: Nordstrom, Forever 21+, Macy's and Torrid. I love that, instead of pulling looks together from one plus sized store, she showed the range of styles and stores that are carrying plus sizes.

My favorite trends from the segment included:

Anorack jacket - I bought this style of jacket, myself, a few weeks ago and love to pair it with dresses and skirts. It adds a dose of casual chic to any outfit.
Embelllished neckline - Makes getting dressed so easy! No need to accessorize when the sparkle is already built in to a dress or top.
Turquoise - Such a crisp, lush color for spring; it looks amazing on most skin tones, too.
Pattern mixing - Pairing different patterns in similar colors/scale is a really fun way to show a little style savvy.

Plus Size Style - Everyday Bombshell

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 12:24:00 +0000

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Bombshells! Whether you're truly Irish or not - I'm lucky enough to be - I hope you embrace the hearty, happy spirit of the Irish today. And I sure as heck hope you're wearing just a touch of green!

These Irish eyes of mine could be smilin' a little brighter...

but this picture was taken at 5:45 AM.

If today's not a day for pistachio green nail polish, a shamrock pendant and Claddaugh ring...

I don't know when is!

The Outfit:

Navy/green striped shirt - Cynthia Rowell, via TJ Maxx

Black pencil skirt - Worthington, via Arc's Value Village

Gold belt - Target

Tights - Avenue

Leopard print shoes - Nordstrom Rack

Claddaugh ring - gift from my brother

Shamrock pendant - York Jewelry

That shamrock pendant is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry - it was given to me by my dad when I was in college. So I'll leave you with the Irish lore of the shamrock:

For each petal on the shamrock,

this brings a wish your way-

Good health, good luck and happiness

For today and every day.

Everyday Model - Luxe Bridal Couture

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 22:55:00 +0000

Ok, it's not everyday that I get to play model - but that's what I did this past Sunday. I modeled a gorgeous plus size wedding gown for Luxe Bridal Couture in the Twin Cities Bridal Show's runway fashion show. Luxe is a multiple "Best of" award winner in the bridal industry, and is a destination for plus size brides all over the country who want a first-class experience in saying yes to their dress. I'm always happy to lend my time to something that Luxe has going on - especially when it includes getting glammed up for a few hours.

I call Luxe's owner, Shayna, the plus size wedding dress whisperer,

because she knows exactly what will look great on every figure.

Bridal trends for spring 2014 are more soft and romantic than in seasons past. Although structured column dresses are still popular (and very wearable by plus size brides!), I noticed that gowns are not covered in head to toe bling and sparkle. Instead, embellishment is more precise- along a strap or on a belt. I like this use of sparkly accents to define a waist or call attention to an open neckline.

Check out the details on these dresses- lace, tulle and ruching. All gorgeous!

Luxe's lineup of models featured a variety of sizes, shapes and dress styles.

For as much fun as it is to slip into a wedding gown, I was all about the makeup. I had a nice chat with the makeup artist who applied my look, and she let me poke through her kit to see what kinds of products she uses.

I'll take one of each of these palettes, please!

The look that the makeup artists were instructed to give each model was, oddly, not at all spring-like: dark smokey eyes, super contoured cheeks and dark plum lips. However, the makeup artists that I spoke with all agreed that this spring's bridal beauty trends will include a strong brow/lots of lashes combo, a soft smokey eye created with light purple and gray shadows.

Check out this segment from Twin Cities Live to hear more about what I learned - and how you can apply a few of those trends to your makeup this season (bride or not!).

Are you getting married this spring? If so, tell me what your makeup will be like!

Plus Size Style - Everyday Bombshell

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 18:04:00 +0000

Isn't it funny how two items can co-exist in your closet, never crossing paths until one day - SHAZAM! Inspiration strikes, you pair them together and wonder, "Why didn't I think of that before?"

I had a SHAZAM moment this morning while choosing an outfit for work. I wanted to wear one of my favorite dresses - a sleeveless black sheath with red panels at the shoulders. The issue? All winter long, I've covered up those saucy panels by layering a cardigan or jacket over the dress. I wanted to show those shoulders off! The solution? Layer something underneath the dress. But what?

My denim button-down shirt, of course. Why didn't I think of this sooner?To play off the gold buckles on my flats, I chose a pair of gold teardrop earrings and a gold/silver twisted bracelet that my mom gave me.

The Outfit:

Dress - Alfani Woman

Denim shirt- Talbots

Belt - off a dress from SWAK

Leopard flats - Nordstrom Rack

Gold teardrop earrings - Len Druskin

Twisted bracelet - York Jewelry

Is there anything in your closet that you could mix up and wear differently?

Everyday Bombshell - A Hint of Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 13:34:00 +0000

In these (hopefully!) waning days of winter here in Minnesota, I'm doing whatever I can to keep my spirits above zero. I've got an early case of spring fever (pre-spring fever, I guess) and have been Pinning all kinds of inspirational clothes and accessories. Check out my Spring 2014 Wardrobe Additions board on Pinterest to see what I'm looking forward to wearing once the weather warms up.

In addition to Pinning, I'm also looking for ways to incorporate splashes of color in my wardrobe right now. Today's outfit hit the mark perfectly, blending winter staples with springy accents.

Almost this entire outfit was pulled together with pieces I bought during

Alice's thrifting party at Arc Value Village.

Even my nails are nice and colorful!

The Outfit:

Black swing dress - Calvin Klein (thrifted )

Orange gingham blouse - Old Navy (thrifted )

Pink skinny belt - Old Navy (came with a dress I no longer own)

Gold tiered necklace- Kate Spade (thrifted )

Black opaque tights - Avenue

Knee boots - Avenue

How are you gearing up for spring and waiting out the last winter?

Everyday Bombshell - As Seen on Twin Cities Live

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 23:38:00 +0000

This post includes an affiliate link and a pair of false lashes that were given to me for review. All opinions are my own.

Today's segment on Twin Cities Live was extra special, because my husband Dan joined me. It was his official TV debut and I think he killed. No, I'm not biased in the least bit.

Click the picture to watch the segment.

I don't usually dress around what Dan is wearing, but given the venue I decided to let him choose an outfit for himself and then complement it with mine. I went with a pair of skinny jeans, a new orange gingham shirt and leopard ballet flats. I added touches of Bombshell glamour with mink false lashes from Esquido and a chunky beaded necklace.

As you are probably aware, this is not my usual look. But I was inspired to try something new after attending a thrifting party at Arc Value Village. Arc Value Village has a terrific personal stylist named Michelle who created several outfits for me, pulled from inventory at the thrift store.

My friend Alice, fellow blogger and Twin Cities Live regular, invited me and it was a great experience. My biggest issue with thrift shopping is that I don't have the patience to dig through racks of unorganized clothes searching for a great find. Michelle did the digging for each of us who attended the party - and it was great! She pulled this gingham shirt for me, and I'm excited to incorporate it into my wardrobe. If you live in the Twin Cities, you can partake of Michelle's services for free - like her on Facebook to learn more.

The Outfit
Gingham shirt- Old Navy, thrifted
Black beaded necklace - Mark
Skinny Jeans - given to me by Sealed with a Kiss
Leopard Ballet flats- Nordstrom Rack
Mink eyelashes - given to me by Esquido

Everyday Bombshell- Makeup Look

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 00:44:00 +0000

The inspiration for this post came courtesy of Cover Girl, who reached out to me about their latest release, the Bombshell Collection. They provided me with a Wal-Mart gift card so I could pick out a few pieces from the collection and tell you what I thought of them. All opinions are my own.

You guys know I love the whole Bombshell persona - glamorous and confident with a dash of ultra-femininity (whatever that means to an individual). I like to take the idea of being a Bombshell and apply that to my everyday life - usually with my clothes. Today, I've created an everyday take on Bombshell makeup. It's an easy, romantic look that would be perfect for Valentine's Day.

The Bombshell Collection includes new Shineshadows (cream eye shadows), liquid eyeliner, a double ended mascara, new shades in the Lipperfection range and a selection of nail polish colors.

For my everyday Bombshell look, I chose Shineshadow in Ooh La Lilac, Intensity Eyeliner in Chocolate Kiss, Volume by Lashblast mascara in Very Black, and LipPerfection Lipstick in Bombshell. I also chose a shade of Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in Grapevine, which was merchandised with the Bombshell Collection, but might not actually be part of it. Oops. Whatever - it complements my purple theme.

I thought this combination would be glamorous, but less dramatic than choosing a silvery Shineshadow and black liquid liner. I wanted to create a defined but neutral eye and then punch it up with a bright pink lip.

And here's a quick, step-by-step overview of how I put it together. You don't need these exact same products to recreate this puple/brown/pink look. Dive into your makeup bag and see what you have that will work.

So what did I think of Cover Girl's Bombshell Collection? It was hit and miss.

I would repurchase the Intensity Eyeliner and the LipPerfection lipstick.
I'm on the fence about the Volume by Lashblast mascara (it smudges, the tube is gigantic but it does create luscious lashes...).
Would never, ever recommend the Shineshadow (creases, fades, total waste of time) or the Nail Gloss (set a record for how quickly it chipped).

Plus Size Style - As Seen on Twin Cities Live

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:22:00 +0000

This post includes affiliate links; the Kayla dress was given to me by Sealed with a Kiss Designs. All opinions are my own.

I hope you all had a terrific weekend, and for those of you who joined me in having Monday off...hope you took advantage of that extra day! I spent Monday running to a meeting at church, then going over to the Twin Cities Live studios for a beauty segment. The topic? How to ease your tween into makeup. We had three girls between the ages of 10-13 come in, and I demonstrated the progressive approach that I recommend for getting younger girls into makeup application.

Click the photo to watch the segment

I really liked my outfit - it was a combination of old and new pieces, and a variety of light layers since it's so freaking cold here in Minnesota, right now. (Ok, always).

The charcoal gray dress underneath is a sleeveless, cotton piece that was given to me by Sealed with a Kiss Designs. It's a terrific layering piece and is a great anchor for adding color. The green cardigan is an old favorite from Avenue, and I wanted a pop of color by my face - accomplished with a chartreuse necklace from Patina.

I'm wearing black leggings from SWAK (which I purchased) and my black knee-high boots from Jessica London. The wide belt came with a different dress that I bought from SWAK. All in all, it was comfortable and worked well on camera. Another fun day on set!

If you're interested in doing some shopping at Sealed with a Kiss, save 15% on your order through 1/30/14 by using coupon code SWAKSALESAS.

Ask Bombshell: Answers to YOUR Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 17:30:00 +0000

This post contains two affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

I love talking to you guys here, by email, on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. During those chats, there are a few questions that come up quite frequently - so I thought I would answer them right here.

Where do you find plus size tights?
I've been a longtime fan of plus size tights from Avenue. They're well made - I have three pair that made it through regular wearing last winter, and are still going strong this year! I like that Avenue offers some fun patterns in addition to super opaque tights as well.

A new favorite is a less expensive brand - Just My Size. I bought a 4-pack of their Silky Tights for less than $15, and I'm pretty impressed so far. They are indeed silky and after regular wearing (I wear each pair twice a week and wash in between wearings) - they're holding up perfectly. Just My Size has a few other styles as well that I have not tried, but intend to.

I want cute, affordable (emphasis on affordable) yoga pants in plus sizes. Any ideas?
I give lots of credit to some of the plus size retailers who have begun investing in activewear - Lane Bryant has been expanding their selection, in particular. But I don't want to spend more than $20-25 on a pair of yoga pants. I buy mine at Old Navy. Their yoga pants retail for about $25, but Old Navy constantly runs coupons and discount codes to drive down the price. The last 2 pair I bought cost $15 each.

I like their fold over yoga pants because they fit well, the quality is thick enough to make me feel confident that I won't have a Lululemon situation during yoga class, and they wash-n-wear really well. I'm a size 18/20 and find the XXL in straight sizes fits me best (plus they come in tall - which the plus sizes do not). The plus size line of activewear goes up to size 4X.

You must have a massive closet. How many clothes do you own?
I won't say whether I have a massive closet or not because that definition can vary from person to person. Here's what's in my closet right now:

10 dresses (ranging in style from ultra casual to super dressy)
5 cardigans
1 blazer
4 shirts (2 tee shirts, a casual blouse, a tank top)
2 pair of jeans
2 skirts
2 pair of yoga pants

Where do you like to shop?
One of my favorite stores is Ulta - I can spend hours there, perusing each aisle, getting ideas for my beauty segments on Twin Cities Live (and for myself!). As for plus size clothes, here are my favorite spots.

Kiyonna: They do really beautiful dresses that are perfect for work. The Lucia Wrap dress makes me feel amazing. Their special occasion/party dresses are also fantastic. Their dresses are well cut and well made. I have been less impressed in the quality of their cotton tops - though the style is still fantastic.

Target: While I don't love their Junior Plus or Exhilaration lines because of fit issues, I like the plus sizes available in their Merona line. I buy what I call workhorse dresses here - those that can be worn to work and to play on the weekends. I also really like their boyfriend cardigans; they're soft but retain their shape and are a terrific length.

Sealed with a Kiss Designs - SWAK is really finding their footing in the plus size world. Although their knits can be a bit thin, I really like their new jeans...I know! Me, liking jeans! They're stretchy and comfortable, but the fabric feels substantial. I also like their maxi dresses (they're actually long enough for me!) cardigans and tank tops - I usually reach for something from SWAK when I want to go casual.

City Chic - From day one, I've been impressed by two things that City Chic brings to the table: quality and trends. Their clothes are so well made, especially for their price point. And they offer something that's not readily found in other plus size brands: a commitment to on-trend pieces that really fit the plus size body.

LucieLu: I'm a huge fan of this indie line. It's where I go when I want to find something that is totally unique. I usually wait for sales (which happen fairly often) because the price point can be a little high for the quality of clothing. Some of my most-loved pieces are from LucieLu, including this party dress.

Lane Bryant - I don't buy a lot of clothes from Lane Bryant, but I'm a devotee of their intimates line Cacique. All of my bras and panties are by Cacique because I love the fit and the variety of styles available. I always stock up during their semi-annual Buy 2 Get 2 bra sale, and 5 for $25 panties.

These are just a few of the most-asked questions - what did I miss?

Moisturizing Products for Hair, Skin and Nails

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 14:16:00 +0000

As a Minnesotan who laughs in the face of the Polar Vortex (can we all please stop talking about how cold it is??), I consider myself an expert on how to keep my hair, skin and nails from literally peeling away thanks to excessively dry weather. Here are the products that keep everything moisturized and happy all season.

Epitome Skincare Lip Treatment
Once lips chap, it can be hard to get them back in shape. The Lip Treatment from Epitome Skincare masterfully handles chapped lips and prevents them from getting out of control in the first place. The secret to its chap-busting power is that this treatment doesn't contain mineral oil.

Side note: Mineral oil locks in existing moisture but does nothing to add moisture to skin that needs it (so keep that in mind if your lip balm doesn't seem to help).

Formulated with peptides, natural avocado oil and a vitamin blend, this stuff makes my lips look and feel plump and soft. There's a slight orange citrus scent that's really uplifting. Something of a splurge at $15, one tube will get you through most of the season.

Nivea Hand Cream
Static electricity has my hair standing on end, especially once I pull off the very necessary knit hat that's essential to keeping my head warm when outside. I carry this little tin of Nivea hand cream around with me, and it serves dual purpose. This travel size tin tucks into a purse or a pocket; the thick consistency is easy to work with. Instead of a runny lotion, this cream is pliable so you can rub it between your fingertips, then onto the ends of your hair. I also massage the cream into my hands and cuticles after washing them to soothe chapped skin. I picked this up at Target for $1.

Aveeno Skin Relief Shower and Bath Oil

Like a lot of men, my husband Dan doesn't like to slather on body lotion - even when it's entirely necessary! So I stock our shower with ultra-moisturizing products that soothe our skin while we get clean. We can't be without Aveeno's Skin Relief Shower and Bath Oil. This product has a very light almond scent and goes on your skin after cleansing with your favorite soap. Rub it into wet skin, but don't rinse off. Instead, use your towel to pat the oil into your skin. This hydrates well enough in the shower that lotion afterward can be optional. The oil can be hard to find, but I've had good luck at Wal-Mart and Target ($8.99).

Intelligent Nutrients Certified Organic Anti-Aging Mist I found this fantastic toning spray after asking my go-to skincare guru, Becky Sturm of StormSister, for a recommendation. Intelligent Nutrients is a terrific brand that's completely (and I mean completely) dedicated to creating skincare, haircare and aromatherapy products that are good for you and good for the environment. I spray my skin with the mist after cleansing, and I love the way it makes my face feel instantly soft and smooth. It's packed full of moisturizing ingredients, and it helps my serum sink in and take hold better than without. I skeptically asked Becky what makes this toning spray anti-aging - it's the Intelligent Nutrients proprietary Intellimune blend of anti-oxidant fruit and vegetable seeds that combine to fight free radicals, decrease inflammation and increase cell protection and regrowth. Super impressive and worth the cost - I bought mine from StormSister, prices range from $18.-$35.

Now I want to hear your secrets - what products are you using to stay moisturized and healthy?

Plus Size Sale - SWAK

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 21:00:00 +0000

This post includes affiliate links.

Hi Bombshells! If you've been off for the holidays until this week - lucky you! I was back at work last week, and will admit it was nice to get there and start to settle in while several co-workers were still vacationing. I did a little online shopping this weekend, while watching the first round of NFL playoffs, and bought a really cute dress that I wanted to show you. I bought it as part of Sealed with a Kiss Designs' 40% off clearance sale:

Fiona Belted Dress, $39.99 + 40% off

I bought it for less than $30 with shipping!

I plan to wear this baby for Valentine's Day with black tights and high heels. It'll also add a pretty splash of color to my work wardrobe when I pair it with knee high boots and a cozy cardigan.

SWAK has a lot of sales and discounts going on right now - 40% off for just a few more days - and 15% off your entire order until Jan 30th. So if you see anything you like, now is the time to go for it!

Best Outfits of 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 14:15:00 +0000

I've been reading a lot of Best ________ of 2013 lists lately and thought I would put together one of my own. I went back and looked at all the Everyday Bombshell posts in 2013 and picked my best outfits of the year (according to me, anyway!). Drumroll please....

Personal trends of the year - I'm still pretty committed to belts, especially over a cardigan or any other article of clothing that's loose or shapeless. Animal prints spoke to me as did the color raspberry pink. And I must remember to pattern mix a little more in 2014!

Christmas Time is Here...

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 16:16:00 +0000

I received some really sweet comments about the Christmas bracelet that I mentioned earlier in the week - the one Dan gave me the first Christmas we were married - so thought I would share the other Christmas bracelet I have.

This one was given to me by my mom. It's a 12 Days of Christmas - themed charm bracelet. Each charm represents a verse of the 12 Days of Christmas song. Super cute on it's own....but the fact that she mailed me a package from Iowa a day for 12 days straight makes it even better. It was so much fun to come home from work each night and find a charm in my mailbox, then add it to the bracelet. She's a special one, that mom of mine!

I wanted to let you know about something new - you can now follow this very blog from my website. From one spot, you'll be able to read Bombshell Beauty, watch my latest segments from Twin Cities Live, plus keep up on my eBooks and a second lifestyle blog. It's your one stop for all things Sara: www.sarabartlett.net .

What I'm Wearing - Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 14:03:00 +0000

Christmas this year will be spent in Des Moines with my side of the family. We usually go to church together on Christmas Eve, then come home and unwrap one present (Christmas jammies!) before setting out cookies and milk for Santa Claus.

I'll be wearing the Lucia Wrap Dress by Kiyonna to church - topped with either a green cardigan or accented with a red flower pin that I like to pull out now and again. Tights, heels and my Christmas charm bracelet will pull it all together.

Lucia Wrap Dress, on sale $84

When my mom asked for PJ suggestions, I sent her this fleecy option

from Just My Size, $13.99

Christmas Day itself is typically spent in those Christmas jammies, although it's nice to pull on real clothes in the afternoon and go out for a walk around the block. I want to wear something that feels as cozy as pajamas but will make me feel pulled together for family photos (which I always seem to strong-arm everyone in to taking!). Here's what I'm thinking...

A black and white striped tee like this one from

Talbots always looks chic.

A knit vest adds an extra layer of warmth and style.

Love that the toggle closure defines the waist, too.

Winter maxi skirts are somewhat unexpected -

at least in my world! But the cranberry color

of this skirt from SWAK is so festive - I love it.

I wear my oxfords all the time. They're comfortable and

seem to go with everything.

If you celebrate Christmas, what kinds of traditions does your family keep? And what will you be wearing?

This post includes affiliate links.

Holiday Gift Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 22:36:00 +0000

I was on Twin Cities Live today sharing my Holiday Gift Guide of beauty-related presents. Check out the video below, then scroll down for a few extra bonus gift ideas:

Pointing out a few of my favorite beauty gifts!

Links to each product mentioned:

Wicked by 3way beauty
My Fair Lady set by LUSH
Ulta Beauty Box Blockbuster
Towel Topper
Mitch Agave Patron bar - available at Paul Mitchell Focus Salons

Sigma Enlight Collection- This is by far the very best collection released by Sigma Beauty, to date. Packed full of brushes, eye shadow bases, liners, a gorgeous palette of winter-worthy neutral shadows, three lipglosses, a blush, a contour color and a gorgeous highlight...it's everything you need. Plus, it's so much fun to open! Sigma sent me the kit to preview, and I literally squealed upon opening the package. Whether you give or receive this one, it's an absolute winner. You can see full swatches on one of my favorite blogs, The Makeup and Beauty Blog. Click here.

The products come in a really beautiful package that

sets the tone for the set of warm neutrals inside.

I've been using this kit non-stop for three weeks.

Bodylish Bath Bombs - This company is local to MN (you can buy products at these retailers) but their online presence is just as stalwart as their amazing bath bombs. Artisan crafted in small batches, Bodylish products use all natural ingredients, and the line is truly a labor of love for the owners - which, you know I love to support small businesses! My favorite products of the line are their bath bombs. The ultimate stocking stuffer (each bomb is just $5), they smell amazing and create a luxurious bath time experience. My favorites are Peace and iLikeYou.

Photo credit: Bodylish

Josie Maran Argan Oil -This oil has literally saved my skin this winter. Sometime during September, my face revolted against the shift in weather, leaving me with patches of dry skin on my face. Not good. I started out applying the oil alone, then as my skin bounced back to normal, I began mixing a tiny drop in with my day and night moisturizers - as a little added boost. I like this little set because the argan oil contains radiance, which makes my skin look just a little glowy. Haven't tried the hair serum, but sure would like to!

Josie Maran Argan Head to Toe Radiance Duo

Available at Sephora

My Experience with Gwynnie Bee

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:09:00 +0000

Long overdue, I know - here are my final thoughts on my experience with Gwynnie Bee. I was offered a free membership in which I could have three garments out from the service at a time. I'll include links at the bottom of this post to previous posts in which I discussed individual outfits. Here, I want to provide my overall feelings on Gwynnie Bee and answer the question that will tell you what I really thought...Would I pay for this subscription?

Pros:

I loved being able to try out new-to-me designers, and to get a feel for how different brands fit me. I also loved being able to rent clothes by designers, like Kiyonna and Igigi, that fit impeccably well but are out of my day-to-day clothing price range.
They add new items every week.
And who doesn't like having packages waiting for them at home on a regular basis? This girl does!

Cons:

Shipments sometimes took a long while to reach me. This could have been because I didn't have enough items closeted; whenever I'd add more options to my closet, a package would be sent out almost right away.
Inventory doesn't turn over as often as I might like - a lot of the same items are still in their inventory that were available this summer and fall.
It was also disappointing to receive packages and find that the items didn't fit me. But hey - much less disappointing than if I'd shelled out a lot of cash for the item and had to deal with the hassle of a return.

After three months, I ended my partnership with Gwynnie Bee- not because I was dissatisfied, but because I knew I wouldn't be blogging here as often as the partnership required. So...would I pay for this service?

Yep. I am. I subscribed and am paying for it. I'm not getting three garments out at a time - that option costs a little more than I wanted to spend each month ($79). Instead, I'm getting one garment at a time ($35).

I love having something new to rotate into my wardrobe once in a while, but a HUGE reason why I want to be a subscriber is because of the terrific discounts offered on closeted item that I want to purchase. I bought a Kiyonna dress for 45% off the retail price. That's worth the cost of the membership, for me, right there.

Links to my Gwynnie outfit posts:

New Partnership with Gwynnie Bee
As Seen on Twin Cities Live (feat. Kiyonna dress)
Everyday Bombshell (feat. SWAK dress)
Everyday Bombshell (feat. Leslie Wray dress)
Everyday Bombshell (feat. Alfani dress)
Everyday Bombshell (feat. Land's End)
Everyday Bombshell (feat. Igigi dress)
This and That (feat. another Igigi dress)
Everyday Bombshell (feat. Charter club jacket)
Everyday Bombshell (feat. Vicky Tiel dress)
One Sweater, Two Outfits (feat. Land's End dress)

Plus Size Style: One Sweater, Two Outfits

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 20:20:00 +0000

I've been thinking a lot lately about the culture of disposable fashion that we all live in. There's a fine line between keeping clothes that are outdated and having a revolving closet door of new clothes. I've certainly bought into idea of constantly buying new clothes - I often felt envious in my 20's of the Hollywood stars I saw on TV and in magazines, always wearing something new and different.

But now, I tend to find clothes I love and wear them to death. Sure, I sprinkle new things in every once in a while-when I come across a massive sale or when something really, truly calls my name. But I love to pull out some well-loved favorites on a regular basis.

This camel-colored afghan collar sweater from Avenue is something I bought last year. It's snuggly and warm, which are the reasons why I like to wear it so often. It's also an unusual color for my wardrobe. I typically gravitate towards black or gray cardigans. So having this one to play with the rest of my clothes is fun.

In the top section, I'm wearing the cardi with a dress I rented from Gwynnie Bee; it's from Land's End and I'm pretty sure I wore it three days within one week (to different events, of course!). In the bottom section of photos, I'm wearing the cardigan with a simple black dress from Target's Merona line. I love the contrast of black and brown together - and the pink accessories added a little flash of color to brighten up the whole thing.

I want to know...What's your favorite piece of clothing, and how often do you wear it?

Everyday Bombshell + LucieLu Haul

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 12:45:00 +0000

This post includes an affiliate link for Gwynnie Bee.

Happy Halloween, everyone! I tried to keep the holiday in mind while I got dressed today. No, I don't have on a pumpkin costume (or even anything orange and black). But I think my outfit evokes a sense of fall mysticism (maybe?) and it will definitely be comfortable for trick-or-treating with the little kids in my life tonight.

Griselda Maxi Dress by Igigi

from Gwynnie Bee

I know maxi dresses are typically worn in the summer, but I'm really getting into wearing them this fall. The colors in this particular dress are perfectly seasonal. And the construction is so flattering - the waist is defined by the contrast trim; and it actually sits right at my natural waist instead of an empire waistline (which I have finally realized is not the most flattering on me - after all these years!)

I paired the swingy maxi dress with a loose boyfriend cardigan, black ballet flats and a triple strand necklace that pulls out one of the accent colors in the dress's print.

Shifting gears - I got the word from LucieLu last night that she had just put up her largest sale ever - up to 80% off! I immediately felt the frenzy of, "Holy crap! I gotta see what's left in my size!" Here are the two pieces I wound up buying.

Dottie Chevron Dress, $26

I think this will be terrific this fall/winter with

tights and booties.

Isabell Lace Cardi, $14

I'm always looking for interesting layering

pieces to help jazz up my more basic dresses.

And here's what almost made it into my shopping cart, had I not shown complete restraint (although I might go back for them...!)

Kinsley Dress, $36

Adelyn Dress, $24

Catalina Dress, $23

If you pick up anything from the LucieLu sale, let me know - it's always fun to shop vicariously through others.

And you can still try Gwynnie Bee for free with a 30 day trial period. My affiliate partnership with them is ending soon, so look for my wrap-up post where I'll recap how the experience was for me - and whether or not I plan to purchase a subscription.

Plus Size Style - Everyday Bombshell

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 12:45:00 +0000

It's officially fall here in St. Paul...ok, almost winter. With the highs this week being in the low 40's, I've broken out my winter coat. With that said, I'm not quite ready to let go of some of the clothes I wore all summer long.

I wore this teal and white ikat print maxi dress all summer long with dangly earrings and flip flops. Since teal is a super trendy color this fall, there's no reason to banish this to the back of the closet until next summer. I layered a black cardigan over the dress to really make the most of the long skirt. Leopard print flats ground the light colors and compliment the chunky layered necklace. Easy transition!

What pieces from your summer wardrobe are you still wearing these days?

The Outfit:

Black cardigan - Talbots

Maxi dress- Wal-Mart

Animal print flats- Tesori

Hoop earrings - Lia Sophia

Layered necklace- Patina

Plus Size Style - As Seen on Twin Cities Live

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 12:55:00 +0000

This post contains affiliate links for Gwynnie Bee.

It's been a busy month for me, as far as appearances on Twin Cities Live go. This makes the third one in as many weeks- which is great because I love hanging out with the team over there. I was asked to pull together a segment that would fit in with this week's theme: College Week. Every day, the audience is filled with students from local colleges around the Twin Cities area.

I graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus, and have fond memories of my time there. I was a sorority girl - Delta Delta Delta - and spent many hours in the bathroom on the 2nd floor of the house coloring someone's hair or sharing a face mask with a fellow TriDelt. So I pulled together a few of my favorite, budget-friendly products that a college kid could pick up on a Target run to create a spa experience in the dorm or sorority house.

I wore a new favorite dress that I found at Gwynnie Bee - it's the same dress you saw featured in my last post. I styled it almost the exact same, and this dress might be my second purchase from the service.

Oh! And, as they mentioned in the clip you can download a FREE copy of Bombshell Blogroll for your Kindle between now and Friday. You've heard me talk about it plenty, so I won't go into too much detail other than to say it's a story about plus size fashion, friends and a cute boy. Five star rated, too!

You can try Gwynnie Bee's plus size clothing rental service for free with a 30 day trial. My trial period is ending soon and I've been pretty thrilled with the experience. Click here to sign up.

Plus Size Style - Everyday Bombshell

noreply@blogger.com (Bombshell Beauty) — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 13:11:00 +0000

This post contains affiliate links for Gwynnie Bee.

I've been on a roll with Gwynnie Bee lately - I've really, really liked the last three dresses that I ordered from them, so much so that a purchase is probably in the cards. Here's the latest one that I'm thinking of buying.

Leslie Fay Cheetah Print Dress

Leslie Fay is new to me; I'd never heard of this designer before perusing the Gwynnie Bee site. This dress fits me true to size, which according to the garment reviews on the GB website, has not been the case for everyone. But it worked for me! I think this will look really cute with tights and booties in a couple weeks, when the weather turns colder.

Quite a few of you have reached out and asked me questions about Gwynnie Bee, or have told me about your experiences with the plus size clothing rental service - which I love! You can chat with me by email (sara@sarabartlett.net) or on Facebook. Here are a few of the questions/comments I'm hearing:

Do you like everything you're sent?

No, I don't. I've returned, on average, one out of every 4th garment I've received without actually wearing it (aside from trying it on and realizing it doesn't work). While it's always a little disappointing to realize that someone I'd been waiting for doesn't wind up being terrific on me, I appreciate the fact that returns are no hassle (they include a pre-paid mailing envelope with every item shipped).

I've experienced serious lag-times between shipments. Have you had that, too? Yes, I have. I've found that it typically occurs when I send all three items that I've rented back at once. If I send items back one at a time, then I usually have a new item arriving just a couple days after I've returned something else. I once received an email from their customer service department letting me know that none of the items I'd closeted were available, so I went in and added more things. Having lots of items in your closet helps keep packages flowing, too.

Have you bought anything from them, yet? If so, what was the discount? I'm planning to buy the Kiyonna Lucia Wrap dress, and the price quoted to me was 45% off the retail price. Pretty impressive!

I'd love to hear more from you guys - if you're doing the free 30 day trial, or if you've bought a subscription. And if you did the trial but didn't buy a subscription, I'd love to hear your thoughts too.