Category: how to

5 Survival Tips for Winter 2020

Posted on by The Style Cake

I’ve done one of these posts a couple of years back and I really think the tips could help get anyone through the perils of winter! This year, winter came out of nowhere, well, not really but it had been pretty mild considering I live in Michigan and then BAM! Snow, wind, cold, cloudy days and looooonnnnngggg nights! I usually have an easy time until the end of January hits and then I’m struggling to get through winter lol.

1. Let’s start with recreation. It can be human nature to simply stay in the bed, stay on the couch and binge watch tv or read, eat and become immobile. In reality, we were meant to discover, explore and venture out. To encourage mental health, getting out of the house is very important! Isolation is not healthy! Not even for introverts! Go grab a coffee at the local coffee spot, visit the library or art gallery or hit a winter festival. Grab a bite to eat at a local inexpensive restaurant nearby your home. Take a cooking class, go to your local hardware store and complete a project for the home. There are a plethora of options to choose of things to do besides sitting in the house the entire season of winter and this is coming from someone who hates winter!

2. Besides just getting out of the house, getting completely away from your environment and going on a weekend vacation is enough to revitalize your mind and body for a couple of months! Maybe visit a quaint town in your state and unplug from social media and technology. Take in the sights and feed your senses without any interference!

3. Body care is so important during this harsh time of the year. It’s easy to slack on skin care in particular because the sun isn’t shining through the cloud but sunscreen is still needed. As is moisture! Continue to drink plenty of water to hydrate the skin. Likely, the winter has plenty of dry moments so water will feed the body moisture from the inside to prevent cracking from dryness. Beyond that, below I’ve linked a few things I love to use for body care during winter months. One is a lip product, body and hair products and facial care products. Check them out below!

A. Chapstick Total Hydration 100% Natural (Eucalyptus Mint)

B. Koils By Nature Nourishing Hair and Body Butter

C. DDF Ultra Lite Oil Free Moisturizing Dew (Spf 15)

D. Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2

E. Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight (Water to Foam Shampoo) [My new ABSOLUTE FAVORITE HAIR PRODUCT AND I WILL DO A DETAILED REVIEW SHORTLY! ;-)]

4. Let’s talk ducking and dodging colds, flu and other healthy efforts. One thing leads to another, right? Well, you NEED hand and body cream in the winter especially because hand washing is still important! How else can you avoid getting sick and stay in good health?! Starts with handwashing first! Since I already gave you a suggestion for dry cracked hands, I wanted to share what I like to keep on hand for immunity and health below!

A. Zarbee’s Naturals Elderberry Immune Support

5. Lastly, reorganize your life! This could include examining your personality, organizing closets and storage spaces, refreshing or learning new skills and/or working on your body and health more in depth. Have a person that you’ve been allowing in your life but they are dragging you down or isn’t supportive? Maybe it’s time to rethink your association. I’ve been doing a lot of rearranging myself, it takes work but it’s worth it! Decide to save money, go back to school, fix your credit or purge things while keeping only what you need! Taking the time to invest in yourself will take up a ton of your time and help you survive a possible tough couple of months in the cold!

Summer Survival (Enjoyment) + 2 Hacks That Help!

Posted on by The Style Cake

Yes! It’s officially (and has been for a month now) THAT time…summer is here!!! I can’t even front or pretend that I’m not super excited because I swear Michigan winters are lllllllooooonnnngggg!!!! I was over winter in January like, “yup, you were cute now move it along”…{insert eye roll}. Now knowing we all seem to love summer, what happens when something steals your summer thunder, cramps your style or rains on your parade? Let me hook you up with what generally helps me get through those “okay, yea I’m over summer” moments.

Humidity induced swelling. It’s nothing like trying on the little black dress only to have your excitement disrupted by the inability to properly fit into it. So what can help reduce the chances of those no-go weight moments? Stay hydrated with not just water but electrolytes. A lack there of can result in puffiness. For a more natural option, try good ol cucumber, parsley and honeydew melon.

Bug Bites. Ugh, I’m annoyed just adding this to the list. Mosquito bites in particular really take a bite out of summer fun. I know there are TONS of remedies out there for this problem but I’ve found one, in particular, a real problem solver. Tucks Hemorrhoid suppositories!!! Yup, it sounds disgusting but it’s the only thing that gives me relief! I use every time! It not only stops itching but reduced the size of the mosquito bites! Of course, use at your own will and discretion but I have had nothing but success with this product!

If you try these hacks please be sure to let me know!

Happy Summer!!!

Winter Blues/Simple Survival Tips

Posted on by The Style Cake

As much as I’m not a fan of winter, I am always looking for ways to enjoy it. I think that every girl should have some things to get her through this less than exciting season. I’ve listed a few things below that I think will spice up the rest of the winter until spring!

1. Nail polish

Seems simple right? Well simply put, the sheer pampering of applying nail polish is fun. Do a home pedi and use beautiful pinks, whites and/or nudes for a soft change from dark plums, reds and burgundies. Add rhinestones for more glamour. My favorite nail polish brand? Smith & Cult. These polishes are luxurious and coat the nail evenly and without streaking or multiple coats.

2. Spa Visits 

Surprised that I put an “s” on the end of “spa”? Lol, well these days going to the spa has become pretty inexpensive. There are day spas that offer treatments such as facials, 30 minute massages and beauty treatments. 

3. Stay-cation

By this time, most of us are planning vacations and just getting over break from the holidays (I don’t celebrate them but I enjoy the time off). So what do you do to get away from the winter blues? Take a weekend trip to your closest major city’s downtown and check into a hotel. Wake up late if you want, get room service, enjoy the sights, grab dinner, museum hop and check the night life!

4. Cooking Classes 

I pride myself on being a pretty darn good cook. That being said, I think the idea of going to a cooking class with friends would be a ball! Even if you know how to cook, that’s even better because you can have wine over the experience and create your own masterpiece to add to your roster! Plus, most times the meals to be cooked at the cooking class are simply chef created recipes.

5. Pole Dancing Class

Yep! I said it! I’m a married woman of almost 14 year years and it’s always fun to find new ways to spice up…well, you know lol. So I actually had the pleasure of attending my very first pole/exotic dancing class. It was a blast! The class can bolster your confidence as well as give some exhilarating feelings during this drab and dull season. 

6. Makeup Stash Overhaul 

Nothing makes us feel fresh like a new eyeshadow palette, blush or lashes. Why not get rid of old makeup that’s old and outdated and get some new makeup? Try some brands you never have, experiment with new shades or try lash extensions. Lash extensions are my personal fave. Getting them done is a spa treatment (wink)! 

7. Wine and Painting 

Painting with a twist and places like it have become increasingly popular these days. I personally love being able to get my artistic fun on with a little wine to boot! These can allow you to both add a little decor to a room, be creative and enjoy something different to do on a weeknight! 

8. A Good Book

Lastly, nothing is better than getting lost in a good book! When you finally look up from the pages of a collection of good stories, it could be spring! 

The Tiger Changes Her Stripes…

Posted on by The Style Cake

If you’ve been following my blog for a while then you may have figured out that I am a LOVER of stripes. Specifically, I have an affinity for black and white stripes. Black and white stripes is such a classic look from such a simple pattern. You don’t need to add much else to this pattern to make it great. I somehow always tend to be drawn to the black and white combination instead of branching out to other colors of this pattern. A tiger is allowed to change her stripes right?

That’s the thing about style, sometimes it revolves around feelings and circumstances. You can adjust and tweak your personal style as you grow and also to fit your feelings at the moment. I’ve changed and continue to evolve. If you do too, don’t feel bad. The fashion world does this all the time, they just called it “trends”.  Yep, sometimes it means going back to those old habits and loves. This is all a part of finding your “you” in style.

Lately I have been going back to my roots of shopping and extending my shopping searches to more than just the few places I had been before. This allows me to get a greater variety and choice of what I’m looking for. So a couple of months ago, I was able to pick up a striped dress at Justfab. Now the thing is, I had the option of grabbing my good ol comfortable, classic black and white combination but I opted for color instead.

The burgundy and navy combo is so beautiful…it’s quite classic in itself and I wanted to highlight the burgundy so I paired the dress with my suede burnt orange trench coat. The two warmer colors not only contrast but also highlight the navy in the dress allowing a great balance of color. The burgundy faux suede stiletto boots make the burgundy in the dress stand out as well as the texture of the coat. I simply added a simple choker and clutch to finish the look! Have you made any small changes to your style? If so, what changes and why?

Dress: Justfab. Shoes: Lola Shoetique. Coat: OLD. Choker: Forever 21. Clutch: TBA. 


How to: Buy From Trendy Shops & Not Look Like It! 

Posted on by The Style Cake

This is the season for shopping and I am always here to help figure out all your shopping options. Buying quality without the forced action of thrifting can sometimes be difficult. Inexpensive clothing can look cheap, irregular and fit oddly on the body. Not everyone though has money to spare for a designer blouse, dress or even accessories. What’s a person to do then?

Well, most times the concept of shopping is convoluted with name brands, sales, salespeople, suggestions and do’s and don’ts of fashion. Here’s where I can help. It really doesn’t matter what you classify as your “style”, you still need classic pieces in your wardrobe. These pieces will always add balance to any look that you put together.

For instance, a white tee. If you love the grunge look, the white tee is a great base but won’t take away from your outfit. Just add a skinny knit scarf, a wide brim hat, jeans and an army green blazer. The tee is what you may want to spend a little more money on considering it’s not generally as “durable” as a blazer. You could grab an the scarf, blazer, jeans and hat from a trendy store to complete the look without spending a fortune. These pieces are usually offered in variety sometimes with more quality than expected. Forever 21 has “premium” lines that offer a bit more quality than their regular clothing for a fraction of the cost of designer.

I grabbed my sweater coat from Fashion Nova because the quality is pretty good and it was on sale. I will probably dry clean this coat for cleaning to prevent lint balls since this coat is made of acrylic and not wool. I added a plaid oversized scarf and a white tee (classic wardrobe pieces), a pair of dark jeans and thigh high boots. All of the pieces in this look are staple wardrobe pieces but they were purchased at a fraction of the cost. Together these items look as if I paid more money than I did. The key is searching for versatile staple pieces with surprisingly good quality for an inexpensive price!

Outfit:

Jeans: $30

Coat: $28

Tee: $5 (still good after tons of wear)

Scarf: $7

Boots: $30

Online Shopping Tips: 4 Ways to Buy What You Want! 

Posted on by The Style Cake

So we all have done a bit of online shopping to find that either our size was sold out, the skirt (or dress) we wanted is too short for our taste or is only sold in certain sizes but we love it so much! Well I have a few remedies.

  1. Make use of a sewing machine or your local cleaners. A lot of times, we may see a dress, short or skirt and it’s only in the plus size section (for example). Get it anyway and get the pieces sized either by a local cleaners or “do-it-yourself” with a sewing tutorial. Don’t be afraid to grab a clothing piece, even from the men’s department, tailoring exists for a reason.

  2. Disregard shopping “rules”. Just because a section is labeled petite or tall doesn’t mean you can’t shop there. I find that I love the way a lot of the mini skirts are designed but I hate the short length. I do my virtual stroll to the tall department and grab the same skirt made for girls over a certain height, usually 5’9″. This secures a longer length on me while also getting the design I love! That goes for pants as well. Love a pair of pants but hate that they’re cropped? Get it in the “tall” sizes! Love a skirt but it’s too long? Grab the petite size instead! Problem solved!

  3. Cross websites for a particular brand. I love Polyvore for this! If you’re looking for a skirt by a certain brand and went to the actual site (for example Missguided) you can go over to ASOS.com or Nordstrom.com to search for that item. You never know, you may find it! It’s definitely worth the shot! That takes me to my last tip…

  4. Before buying an item, make sure it isn’t on sale elsewhere! When I first started online shopping I definitely made the mistake of buying without double checking. Trust me, it’s a “kicking-yourself” worthy mistake. (Insert eye roll).  Anyhoo, I suggest doing a search for the item you like and looking to see if it exists and may be offered at a discounted price. I recently found a top that was more than $90 elsewhere but only $18 on Bloomingdale’s site!

These tips all sounds pretty easy rigtipsWell, I hope that these tips are helpful to you all. I plan to do more shopping tips in the future (not on any particular time table). Which tip do think will be the most helpful in your next shopping trip?

#beasmartshopper #beacreativeshopper

The Style Cake 💋

Stylish & Quality Thrifting: Blazers

Posted on by The Style Cake

Now I know there are people out there that frown upon thrifting and that may feel disgusted by wearing clothes someone else owned but I’m here to change your mind! You guys, we are in my FAVORITE season and what better way to help get your closet together than by doing a series?! So this blog along with the next three Wednesday posts will be all about thrifting! 

I’m a true fan and believer of thrifting because honey thrifting, gives you not only dollars but also freedom. I’ve been saving money because I’ve stopped a large amount of retail purchases. Instead, I’ve rekindled my love for the thrift store. When I walk in, I feel creativity and no limits to my personal style. That being said, let’s discuss my choices that together make a fabulous outfit!

I am wearing this stunning purple jacket that has a the perfect structure that I love! I was initially drawn to this jacket BECAUSE of the structure. It has an “boss lady” appeal that doesn’t take over my outfit because the color allows a bit of playfulness. The fit is comfortable and just feels right, constructed to mold to the right place on the body. Now I paired this jacket with a basic white tank. Very simple but adds tons of layers to this look without being too much. 

I wanted to look a bit casual so I grabbed my jeans and my platform heeled sandals to complete the look! The jeans are an absolute must because they are “mom” jeans and I’m wearing them as boyfriend jeans. These jeans allow the look to be casual without looking too business like. The shoes add that bit of understated sexiness. The sex appeal is there and I don’t show any lady parts. My oversized clutch is from American Apparel. Let me know what you guys think! 

Later Cupcakes 💋

The Bath Robe

Posted on by The Style Cake

It’s Friday y’all!! This was a short work week but it felt extremely long. Like I can’t tell you how happy I am about this weekend. Weekends are never weekends because I’m always working. I needed some comfort because it’s that uncomfortable time of the month (insert eye roll emoji) and I’m honestly not in the mood to wear anything more than a robe lol. 

Today my look is inspired completely by that feeling. Yea well, I still dressed but when I get home I’m throwing a robe on for real! I found this thrifted robe online and fell all the way in love. The print fits right into a smooth summer/fall transition and the colors pop! I’m wearing this robe as a long cardigan because with style, you can do those things. Make things fit and work for your wardrobe. Now I won’t get on here and preach today cause it’s Friday but always remember to be brave enough to experiment. Grab pieces you love and repurpose them so they work to add that perfect bit of “pow” to your outfit! Take a peek at my pics and let me know what you think! Then go on a thrifting mission to find a bomb robe to wear as a cardigan lol. Happy Friday! 

Later Cupcakes!!! 💋 

Shoes: Charlotte Russe, (sold out). All other items are thrifted or old. 


Fall In Love

Posted on by The Style Cake

I’ve been lighting my candles and watching classic movies, my favorite to watch. Im the mood for fall has me cranking out my fall “rituals” a bit earlier. Normally, I get this feeling in probably October but I’m just ready for cider mills, more cloudy days, rainy days and movie nights. I know what you’re saying, I can watch movies anytime and cloudy days are not that great! Well, I’m a weirdo so I enjoy things that most people don’t. I accept that because I wouldn’t have it any other way! Anyhoo as you know, I’ve been faithfully shopping my closet for the past few outfits and I’m continuing to do so with this look. You know what? I’m falling in love with this process. 

Shopping your own closet allows you to fall back in love with the things you have. You begin to find pieces that maybe you forgot you had. I’m also realizing the things that I thought I wanted to purge but would rather keep and am purging other things. I had set this denim romper I’m wearing in a bin to get rid of it. I went through that bin realizing I didn’t want to rid myself of it yet. It’s perfect for those warm summer days that are on the cusp of the new season of fall. I wanted to reflect the nature type feeling that comes with fall so I tied a flannel plaid shirt around my waist and and threw on some feather heels which are extremely comforable. I didn’t opt for much jewelry as the emphasis is on my love for nature and the fall season. I do plan to do some shopping for the fall but I’ll be sharing my wish list for my wardrobe tomorrow so stayed tuned! 

Later Cupcakes 💋 

*All items I’m wearing are old and sold out. 


I purchased the bangle from Layered Chains.



“Hot As July”

Posted on by The Style Cake

It’s 100 degrees outside, my body is 98.6 (abnormal for me lol) but let’s talk about how to make your style “hot as July”! (Insert silly faces emojis here). Anyhoo, I can tell you that I am in the mood to celebrate nothing for no good reason. Nothing wrong with that right? Well, getting dressed up was extremely exciting for me because I’ve been working my tail of to get my body together. Yea I know, summer is already here. You know what? There’s always time to get yourself together, no matter how late it may seem. I may not have a summer body but my autumn body will be everything! 

In spite of not reaching my summer body goals I am wearing a bodycon dress. I told you guys I’m celebrating nothing for no reason lol. Typically, a bodycon dress is worn for a night out but I wore mine for the day. Instead of wearing a dramatic statement necklace with it, I chose to wear a tribal inspired necklace with bright colors. It being so bright and sunny outside, the yellow sort of celebrates that. I threw on an old pair of Justfab heeled sandals to coordinate my dress, American Apparel clutch and necklace. Pretty simple right? It’s way too hot for a ton of pieces and jewelry. A simple dress and a couple of poppin accessories make for a look hot as July! Let me know what you think! What are some staples you love when it’s the middle of summer?

Later Cupcakes 💋

Shoes: Justfab (old). Dress: (gifted). Necklace: eBay. Clutch: American Apparel, similar. 

Hair Info: Model Model – Alpine Meadow #1