what’s ringin our belle…round 19

We need to tell you how we even ended up with this product in the first place…because while we like to shop (obvious) we don’t just throw caution and cash to the wind on a beauty product without trying it!

A while back, we found ourselves on a girls trip…shopping, tennis, cocktails and dining… At one point, we all ended up in a cos bar sipping champagne and getting impromptu makeovers. We all needed up taking a few goodies home and didn’t look at the receipts until the next day.

Well, you’d a thought the sky was falling when this particular belle had a look see at her purchases from the day before!!! So completely undone and plain furious that they would even put a foundation so pricey on said belle’s face, she was madder than a wet hen!

For a number of reasons the return was not to be made that day…and while the feathers were still ruffled, this belle experimented a little more with the precious potion. Cut to 8 months later and this magical, miracle makeup has become a foundation that we can’t live without ….

So let the justification begin…. It did last 8 months, you don’t need much. It gives a youthful glow without too much sheen. It provides great coverage and is so natural looking, the compliments come daily! Justified!

So what happened??? Purchased again. And again. It has become worth every penny. Sorry, but it’s true.

Via Pinterest

Available at Nordstrom

We promise that this is the most miraculous makeup you will ever try….

a&a

time to leather up belles…fall uniform gear

27 Thursday Aug 2015

Posted by theRAREbelle in fashion forward

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amazon, Cone and Coleman, estella legging, faux leather legging, leggings by jack, saks fifth avenue, savvy, wolford

Belles love a uniform…jeans and a tee have been, and will continue to be, a go-to. But sometimes an upgrade in the uniform is called for…and we have found just the thing: leather leggings that are comfortable, flattering, travel well, cross over seasons and can take us from day to night.

Now…they aren’t cheap…but we figure the price-per-wear comes into action as these are sure to be a permanent part of the uniform.

They come in two colors : black and latte. Wear them now with a light-weight top and sandals. For fall, add a tee, cardigan and or jacket…and why not throw on a scarf? Winter sees them paired with boots and sweaters and coats.

Wolford makes these ever-so-wearable and chic stunners…
Here are the colors…

Via Pinterest

We got ours at Cone and Coleman a favorite local chic boutique. They have both colors and all sizes right now. We did size up because we wanted them to fit more like a jegging and we prefer that our ankle can breathe a little . They feel great and look even better!

You can also get them at Saks Fifth Avenue, and Amazon.

Here they are styled with a tee and sandals…because even though it’s 98 degrees outside, we are dying to wear them !

Forgive the pic quality…the color is way better in person…promise! (Not gold at all…a true latte!)

We know there is a sticker shock factor here but still think the quality can’t be beat. But since we love to find thriftier versions of a particular trend….you can get a similar version by Jack for BB Dakota. They have a little snakeskin pattern which makes them look more genuine. They are very comfortable and the price is right…64.00!! So you and your junior belles can sport this trend that is going to be everywhere! Holla!!

Via Savvy

These just arrived, so get them while you can at Savvy

Gear up belles…fall is around the corner!
a&a

what’s ringin’ our belle – round 18

25 Tuesday Aug 2015

Posted by theRAREbelle in what's ringin' our belle

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amazon, anti skinny jeans camille styles, butter, honedew mint crush, Kristin Hannah, morning buns, refinery 29, the brown eyed baker, the Cartel, the Nightingale

A fast paced read about the Mexican drug cartels you say?? Why, yes, here it is!

And another page turner…shared by our belle-friend, Nancy

We’ve been told we will be wearing the anti-skinny jeans for fall…these belles aren’t sold on the idea quite yet… Thoughts?

A breakfast treat from the city by the bay…belles love buns…

How about a beverage for any time of day??

Let’s be crystal clear… butter is good for you!

Belles are ringin’ all over the place!!

a&a

sweet dreams…just sayin’

23 Sunday Aug 2015

Posted by theRAREbelle in just sayin'

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just sayin', princess

…while visions of Louboutins dance in her head!

a&a

crab cake benedict…a quick-n-easy friend-1-1

21 Friday Aug 2015

Posted by theRAREbelle in belle-icious

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benedict, Carlsbad Cravings, crab cake, Fresh Market, hollandaise, Ina Garten, recipes, The Barefoot Contessa

Here’s a quick, elegant, spin on an old classic…with a couple of shortcuts…proving that Benedict isn’t just a breakfast guest…

Crab cake Benedict

We found a recipe for this dish (complete with picking crab and such) a while back. But…seems neither of us found the time to do the scratch version. So, alas, the recipe went unused. One night, in a rush as usual, a brilliant thought came to mind. As one belle was searching the local Fresh Market for somethin’ quick, she saw the prepared crab cakes in the seafood case. Dinner in a snap!

On a bed of arugula, place one fairly thick tomato slice.

Sauté crab cakes until done. Keep warm while you poach one egg per plate.

Whip up a quick hollandaise (this one is from dear Ina) …or try this lighter, healthier version from Carlsbad Cravings.

Pop egg on top, drizzle with sauce…done!!

Bon appétit!

a&a

belles chime in again…sharing is our favorite!

20 Thursday Aug 2015

Posted by theRAREbelle in what's ringin' our belle

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beet hummus, carrot hummus, eat well embrace life, hi im skinny, lentil crackers, mediterranean snacks, rosemary herb, sea salt, sweet potato sticks

We love the tips, suggestions and recommendations we get from our belle friends. There is nothing better than passing them along! Keep sharing belles!

We love to read and always like to have a little go-to back log so we are never without.

Jennifer suggested…

Primates Of Park Avenue: A Memoir
And she did not steer us wrong! A great read and a creative take on life in the Big Apple…we loved it!

Our belle pal, Janet, told us about…

Doll-baby

New Orleans, intriguing characters, and wonderful writing make this a read that you can’t put down.

Now, good reading calls for some delicious snacking. Mignon served the most scrumptious hummus duo and delicious crackers the other evening. So much so, we couldn’t stop eating it and practically licked the platter!

Now we must say, if we hadn’t tasted it first, we would have never bought it because the packaging is not a draw. We can get it at Publix and Fresh Market, so we are pretty sure you will be able to find it at your local grocer. EatWellEmbraceLife has figured out how to take this concoction to another level of tastiness!

Via Pinterest .

These are the two flavors we are now addicted to and if you need even further confirmation that this can’t be “beet” , our particular junior belle loved it so much she ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner! And first on the agenda the next day was…you guessed it …hummus run!

Junior belle also approved of crackers that Mignon served. When we ran out of those, she happily ate it with cucumber and carrots. She may have resorted to a spoon at some point…just sayin…

Okay…the crackers. Again, something we might not have tried if we hadn’t tasted them first. They are delish and gluten free, as is the hummus. We bought ours at The Fresh Market but we feel like Mediterranean Snack Foods can be found at a store near you.

We tried both the sea salt and the rosemary herb and they were both equally tasty.

Our Ole Miss-bound Junior Belle discovered another healthy snack option for all y’all who need to feed that urge to crunch. Hi,I’m Skinny makes sweet potato sticks that will satisfy all your cravings.

Via Pinterest