Author: styleand

Who is Alexandra Soveral and why am I obsessed with her products?

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Who is Alexandra Soveral and why am I obsessed with her products?

this post is sponsored by Soveral but the opinions expressed are my own

Friends… I am excited to announce another “first” for Style & Life! I am going to be a brand ambassador for the award-winning skincare brand, Alexandra Soveral. If you have been following me for any length of time, you will know this is a dream come true. I started posting about Soveral skincare back in 2014. It is such an honor to work with a brand I have been using for many years.

Skincare is, hands down, the #1 thing in which I invest. This has been my perspective since my early 20’s. You can always buy a nicer shirt or pair of shoes, but you only get one set of skin. If I need to cut back on my budget, I will do it in other places, but never my skincare. I have tried a lot of different products over the years. A LOT. I discovered Soveral one evening while scrolling through Pinterest one evening and it immediately peaked my interest. Particularly, the fact that it is 100% organic and hand blended.

I placed an order, which I will never forget. Someone emailed me the next morning and advised my items would ship in 2 days since they were making “a fresh batch”. I was beyond impressed. A fresh batch? It hasn’t been sitting on a shelf for 2 years? I gladly waited and when I received the items, was delighted with the clean, elegant packaging which just so happens to be and how it is recyclable and created using non-toxic inks.

About a week after using the products I had multiple friends and colleagues ask “What did you do to your skin? It looks amazing…you are glowing.” I was traveling frequently and my skin was sallow and tired. After using Soveral products, it was brighter, smoother and had an overall better texture. Since then, several of my friends have tried it and are also hooked.

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The company was founded by Alexandra Soveral and Jorj Aleem. Alexandra is the perfumier and cosmetic formulator, while Jorj concepts and defines how the product is presented. Alexandra was studying for her Bachelor Honours Degree in the Philosophy of Science (how the use of genetic engineering of flora will affect the world in future generations). She became aware of how irresponsible science is being used within the skincare industry and decided to marry her interest of science with natural skincare. She set up her own research lab into natural raw ingredients and their benefit on the human health. Impressed? Me too. Additionally, they have received a number of prestigious awards (to learn more click here).

Many of her products are available at net-a-porter.com or you may order directly from their website alexandrasoveral.com. I am excited to share more about this incredible brand in upcoming posts.

Bisous,

Rebecca

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f. 5.2018
Blushing through Fall

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Blushing through Fall

this post is sponsored by Venus but the opinions expressed are my own

As discussed in previous posts, blush is a color I enjoy wearing because it makes me feel soft and feminine. Not to mention…it is my daughter’s favorite color so I receive compliments from her when I wear it. I am excited to partner with Venus for this post…these pretty pink pieces add a soft side to your Fall wardrobe.

This lace trimmed turtleneck is incredibly soft and lightweight…wear it solo or layer it under a faux fur vest for a casual weekend vibe.

This blush and black dress has beautiful lace details and is perfect for holiday parties. I paired with this velvet clutch and strappy shoes for a perfect evening ensemble

A cozy sweater is a must for Fall. This one is soft, lightweight and has a cable knit pattern…perfect for a fire and some hot cocoa!

Find these pretty styles and more at Venus.com! To receive 20% off your purchase use code REBECCAD20 at checkout.

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Bisous,

Rebecca

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f. 4.2018
Easy Blueberry Muffin Recipe

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Easy Blueberry Muffin Recipe

On the weekends, I like to linger over breakfast…it is not always possible but, when it is, I try to make a nice breakfast…maybe a quiche and something a bit on the decadent side that I would not make during the week. I have been making this recipe for years and it receives rave reviews…the muffin part is soft and topping part finishes it off perfectly. When my parents come to town, they often request this recipe so I know you will enjoy it.

Easy Blueberry Muffins

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/3 cup vegetable oil (I use grapeseed oil)

1 egg

1/3 cup milk

1 cup fresh blueberries

Topping:

1/2 cup white sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup butter, cubed

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

For the Muffins:

Preheat over to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line muffin pan with liners. Combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder in a bowl. Place vegetable oil in a 1 cup glass measuring cup and add the egg and milk (it should fill to the top). Mix with the flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full and add topping.

For the Topping:

Mix sugar, flour, butter and cinnamon together with a fork. Sprinkle over muffins before baking.

Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes. Serve and enjoy warm!

Hope you enjoy these delicious blueberry muffins!

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Bisous,
Rebecca

f. 3.2018
Fun Halloween Dinner

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Fun Halloween Dinner

Halloween has become far more exciting since I had my daughter and so I look for as many ways as possible to make the holidays fun and memorable. I discovered this stuffed pepper recipe while scrolling Pinterest one night. It is fairly simple to prepare and . I usually make every part of recipes from scratch but since Halloween usually has other festivities like parties or trick-or-treating involved, I need to expedite and added a few steps to simplify this recipe.

Stuffed Pepper “Pumpkins”

To prepare the peppers:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Rinse peppers, slice off tops, remove the membrane and seeds. Cut a jack-o-lantern face. Once the water boils, place peppers and tops in and cook for 5 minutes, until peppers are tender. Remove from water and set aside to cool.

To prepare the chicken:

Sprinkle garlic, cumin, chili pepper, salt and pepper on either chicken breasts or thighs and roast for 20-30 minutes until fully cooked. Set aside and let cool. Once cooled, dice the chicken.

To prepare the rice:

I prepare a bag of Mexican rice according to directions. Once complete, add a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles.

Once the pepper, chicken and rice are prepared, I mix together in a bowl, add cheddar cheese and then stuff the peppers. Place the pepper top back on top. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until pepper is done to desired tenderness.

If preparing in advance, once peppers are stuffed, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate, when ready to cook, preheat oven to 350, remove plastic wrap and bake for 1 hour.

recipe adapted from everydayjenny.com

Taco Salad

Romaine lettuce, washed and chopped

Avocado, diced

Cherry Tomatoes, halved

Red Onion, Sliced

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Black Beans, Rinsed

Taco flavored Doritos

Dressing: Mix 1/2 cup salsa with 1/4 cup of sour cream.

Place all ingredients in a bowl, add dressing and then sprinkle some crushed Taco flavored Doritos on top.

Your family and friends will enjoy this fun and flavorful Halloween dinner!

Bisous,

Rebecca

f. 25.2018
5 Wardrobe Essentials

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5 Wardrobe Essentials

I usually feature new styles, colors and trends in my blog posts, so I wanted to stop and talk about the staples…the pieces I wear over and over again. They’re the items I lean on when I am not sure what to wear, am not feeling my best or want to look simple and elegant. If you invest in an assortment of items like this, you will find you will always have a few great looks on which you can rely.

Great Fitting Jeans

While I may try a new denim silhouette here and there, I know what style is the most flattering on me and always have several pairs in my closet. For me, the most flattering silhouette is a dark wash, barely bootcut jean. Since I am tall, it slims and elongates my frame. Plus, these are super soft and comfortable. Available at nordstrom.com.

A White Blouse
I love white blouses. So much so that I have banned myself from buying any more. They are easy to layer, accessorize and always look polished. This particular style is feminine with the knot styling. Available at nordstrom.com.

A Dramatic Blouse
For impromptu happy hours or date nights, it’s nice to have a statement blouse you can throw on with your great fitting jeans for an easy and stylish ensemble. Available at neimanmarcus.com.

A Little Black Dress (LBD)
We all have those times when we want to look a little sexy. Find a style you are comfortable wearing at a moment’s notice like this fitted lace dress. Available at shopbop.com.

A Black Jumpsuit

I like to wear jumpsuits when entertaining…they tend to be a bit more relaxed and a little easier to navigate than a dress. This classic style can be worn again and again…add your favorite jewelry and you are set. Available at revolve.com.

These items will work season after season…just add fun accessories and your favorite trends you should be set!

Bisous,
Rebecca
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f. 24.2018
Statement Coats

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Statement Coats

While I think it is essential to have classic coats in your wardrobe that you will wear for many years…I could not resist featuring these gorgeous statement coats! The colors, silhouettes and textures are out of this world. As a former outerwear buyer, I like to invest in high-quality pieces that will last season after season.

While these styles are not ideal for times when you will be facing elements like extreme cold, rain or snow, they are perfect for an evening out or a stylish brunch.

My favorite color is lavender so when I saw this fluffy coat, I could not resist! It is super soft and makes me feel as fabulous as Carrie Bradshaw. Available at neimanmarcus.com.

This beautiful coat is definitely the most versatile of the group…the quality is impeccable and it has a great weight that will keep you nice and warm. Available at clubmonaco.com.

Mixing leopard print with this gorgeous tapestry was a genius…this style is incredibly fashion forward. Available at neimanmarcus.com.

Dare to try one of these over-the-top statement coats this season!

Bisous,
Rebecca

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f. 13.2018
Fall Evening Makeup Tutorial with Charlotte Tilbury

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Fall Evening Makeup Tutorial with Charlotte Tilbury

this post is sponsored by Charlotte Tilbury but all of the opinions expressed are my own

There have been a lot of “firsts” for Style & Life this year…first event, first personal appearance and now my first makeup tutorial. I created a video for this Fall evening look using Charlotte Tilbury makeup.

I realize that makeup can be intimidating for some so I hope you find this helpful…over the years, I have learned so much from my makeup artist, Aradia, and wanted to share with you.

In this video, I use The Dolce Vita eyeshadow palette which is perfect for Fall. The rich colors look sophisticated after all a summer of light pinks and neutrals. After contouring, highlighting and adding blush, I finish the look with Charlotte’s legendary Pillow Talk lip liner and lipstick.

Good luck creating this gorgeous look!

Bisous,

Rebecca

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f. 12.2018
A Lovely Tradition…Daniel Boulud’s Madeline Recipe

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A Lovely Tradition…Daniel Boulud’s Madeline Recipe

I recently had dinner at a cozy Italian restaurant and, as we were leaving, the owner gave pressed a bag of biscotti into my hand. It was the perfect ending to a delicious meal and time spent with friends. We enjoyed it the next morning over tea and coffee.

I love incorporating details and traditions like this…thoughtful touches that elevate your experience. Since my husband is French I considered how we could incorporate for our guests and thought madelines would be perfect. They are light and delicious…you can enjoy them with everything from coffee to champagne. So I have been baking a batch of madelines and giving to guests as they leave. The gesture has been much appreciated.

When looking for a recipe, I discovered the renowned French chef’s Daniel Boulud’s recipe and was pleased with the results. The recipe is relatively easy to prepare and I like how you can make it a day in advance.

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon kosher salt

¾ cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

2 large eggs

⅓ cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon light brown sugar

1 tablespoon honey

2 teaspoons finely grated lemon or orange zest

6 tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter, melted, warm

Nonstick vegetable oil spray

Powdered sugar

12-cake regular madeleine pan

INSTRUCTIONS

Whisk baking powder, salt, and flour in a small bowl.

Whisk eggs, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, honey, and lemon zest in a medium bowl until smooth. Whisk in dry ingredients until just incorporated, then whisk in melted butter until smooth. Transfer batter to a pastry bag or resealable plastic bag and chill at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 400°. Lightly coat madeleine pans with nonstick vegetable oil spray and dust with flour, tapping out excess. Snip end off pastry bag (or 1 corner of resealable bag) and pipe batter into each mold, filling two-thirds full (you may have a little batter left over).

Bake madeleines until edges are golden brown and centers are puffed and lightly spring back when gently pressed, about 5 minutes for mini and 8−10 minutes for regular cakes. Batter can be prepared one day in advance, keep chilled.Tap pan against counter to release madeleines. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm

Source: bonappetit.com

Start your own tradition or enjoy these sharing delicious madelines with your friend and family!

Bisous,
Rebecca

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f. 7.2018
New Fall Florals

New Fall Florals

If you have been following me for any length of time, you know that florals are one of my favorite trends…which is why I am delighted they have been so prominent for the past few seasons. They always make me feel so pretty and feminine which is why I feature them season after season. The pieces I am featuring today are easy to style and add a lovely vibe to your casual and dressy ensembles.

I like styling this floral dress with my very old, very worn but very comfortable Rag and Bone boots to give it a boho vibe. I have had these boots for entirely too long but they are so comfortable I can’t let them go! Dress and similar boots available at bloomingdales.com.

My photographer and I were excited to find this fun pink wall as we were shooting one Saturday morning. This gorgeous Black Halo dress is the Bowery Sheath dress and one of the most universally flattering dresses. This floral print is rich, elegant and perfect for Fall and Holiday occasions and is available in other colors that are linked below. Available at neimanmarcus.com.

This floral printed blouse is the perfect piece for casual wear…relaxed but just polished enough to look classy. Available at zara.com.

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Hope you enjoyed these fun new floral finds…shop via the links below.

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Bisous,

Rebecca

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f. 3.2018
Trend Alert: Statement Earrings

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Trend Alert: Statement Earrings

This trend is a favorite of mine, simply because it is so easy to add into your existing wardrobe. It also works well with other fall trends like leopard prints or shades of rich red. Statement earrings are here and they are bigger than ever (literally and figuratively). They can dress up a pair of denim or be the finishing touch of drama with a cocktail dress. There is a wide range of options and prices range from economical to luxurious, which makes this trend easily accessible. From tassels to gemstones to feathers, the variety in these styles makes it difficult to choose. Have fun shopping this selection of earrings…I have linked these and some of my other favorites below!

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Bisous,
Rebecca

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f. 2.2018