Entertain at Home? You Need a Well-Stocked Bar

Posted in F.A.B Cocktails by

There are few things more enjoyable than having the option of inviting your friends and family around to your home for a night of drinks, conversation, and laughter. It’s like having your own bar; only you don’t need to worry about getting an Uber or Lyft home at the end of the night. But of course, before you’re able to enjoy all the delights of hosting people at your home, you’ll need to ensure you have all the essential supplies needed for people to have a great night. Find them below, buy, and get ready for night after night of fun!

The Essentials

You won’t like every drink that’s considered “essential”, but remember: it’s not just about you, it’s about your guests. At a minimum, you need to make sure that you have every major spirit represented in your bar. Not sure what they are? Don’t worry; there are only a few. Gin, vodka, rum, and the three main whiskies (bourbon, scotch, and Irish) should receive prominent shelf space. They form the basis for most cocktails, so you can’t go wrong. Of course, not everyone wants to drink the hard stuff all night, so have a few bottles of wine and beers stocked too.  

The Surprise Elements

The drinks mentioned above can be considered “bread and butter”, the drinks you’ll have on any typical night. But some nights won’t be usual: they’ll be unique, and you’ll want to have a few special items to help make the night extra memorable. As such, you should stock your bar with a few surprise elements. This can be a bottle of the finest wine of the year, or Japanese Kikori rice whiskey, or those rare craft beers that are absolutely delicious. With these in your cabinet and fridge, you’ll have the best – and most varied – bar in town.

Cocktail Mixers

Of course, not everything in your cabinet will be glamorous. Some, like your cocktail mixers, will be essential if you want to make a wide range of drinks. We’re talking about the juices: Cranberry, pineapple, tomato, lemon, lime, and more. You’ll also want to have coca-cola, tonic, and ginger ale in supply too. With these, you’ll be able to make the bulk of the drinks your guests will request.

On the Side

Want to push the boat out? Then you’ll need those added ingredients that take your cocktail game from A to A++, and which can also be enjoyed as a side dish with a drink. A jar of olives tastefully placed on your bar area will be a big hit. For the drinks themselves, you’ll want fresh mint (delicious mojitos!), limes, lemons, Tabasco sauce, and of course ice.

The Glassware

Finally, don’t forget that different drinks demand different shaped glasses. If you haven’t yet got everything you need, it’s time to read up on the types of glasses every bar cabinet should have and get down to Ikea. When you get home, you’ll be all ready to open your bar and invite your friends and family around.

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous. 

**This post has been contributed**

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Why It’s Great to Hydrate with Water

Posted in Beauty Tips by

One of the most simple but effective ways of improving your general health and well-being is by drinking more good ol’ H20. Even knowing this, many people don’t get the amount of water that they need every day.

There are plenty of ways of that you can increase your water consumption, from trying flavorings like lime water to setting regular reminders on your phone so you don’t forget to hydrate. Here are just a few of the benefits that drinking more water can provide.

Increased Feelings of Energy

If you have noticed that you always seem to feel tired and lethargic, it may simply be because you are not drinking enough water. Our brains are made up of a lot of water which we need to replace on a regular basis. If you don’t do this, you are more likely to find that you have low energy and reduced concentration. Just imagine what you could accomplish if you don’t feel tired all the time!

Promotion of Weight Loss

Many of us are trying to lose weight, but one of the reasons why you may be struggling is a lack of water. After all, water has been shown to remove some of the by-products of fat, and reduce your overall food intake simply by keeping your stomach full. As well as this, it also helps to speed up your metabolism and, of course, there are no calories to worry about!

Improved Skin Complexion

Bad skin is caused by numerous factors, but a lack of hydration in the body certainly doesn’t help at all. Like all cells in the body, skin cells are largely made up of water. Without enough of this, they will not function at their best. Dry skin is more likely to show cracks and wrinkles, which is why you should couple a good moisturizing routine with consuming plenty of water on a daily basis.

Boosting of the Immune System

Keeping your body well-hydrated has a major positive impact on your immune system. First of all, it helps to keep your blood oxygenated and also flushes toxins out of your system. We have already talked about the benefits to your metabolism, and there is also plenty of evidence that water can treat a whole host of common ailments including arthritis, insomnia and depression.

Reducing Number and Severity of Headaches

You have probably noticed that you get headaches when you have not hydrated properly – particularly after exercise or when you have been out in the hot sun. You can reduce the frequency and severity of these pains by ensuring that you drink plenty of water, especially when you are losing a lot of fluids from your body through sweating.

These five reasons are just a few of the main ones that you should make drinking water a priority in your life. After just a few days, you are likely to notice some immediate benefits, but the long-term ones are also significant.

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous. 

**This post has been contributed**

God Is Dope

Posted in What I Wore, Where to Shop by

As I type this post, I’m walking on the treadmill listening to “Sing Me To Sleep”, the cool down song Nada incorporated into our weekly Fitness Dance Class just weeks before her passing. It’s still difficult to know she’s no longer with us, and even harder knowing that that world around us is devastation.

Positive news is few and far between these days, and we tend to forget that we can’t take life for granted. Simple actions like waking up in the morning, being able to hug our loved ones, eating, having power, being able to get on the treadmill – these are all things that people around the world aren’t able to experience on a daily basis.

Look up right now, and say “Thank You God” for all life’s simple blessings. God Is Dope, guys! He’s the reason you woke up this morning. He’s the reason you can hug on your loved ones and eat a hearty meal every day. Don’t forget that.

I saw this God Is Dope hat on the Snapchat story of one of my friends and I instantly knew I had to have one. Thanks, Deanna for the link!

Because I know all the things He has done for me and will do for me and those close to me, I wanted to rep MY God fashionably! This is a constant reminder that even though life is a whirlwind around me, I am blessed.

3 for $30 God Is Dope dad hats are available on godisdope.com in multiple color options. I chose this black version, red, and light denim.

About God Is Dope:

“Our mission is to bring awareness to God in our own way…through fashion, entertainment, and influence.”

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous.

Fitness Fashion

Posted in Fab Tips, What I Wore by

Let me tell you guys a quick story. I used to hate working out. I mean HATE! I would get anxiety just thinking about it. Then I realized, being healthy is important. Not to mention, being in my late 20s with high blood pressure was not a good look. And you gotta look good!

I ended up in a relationship with a guy who would get on these health kicks and talked me into them too. Being with him, I eventually had to get over my fear of being fit because he signed us up for a gym membership. I couldn’t let it go to waste. Even though we’re no longer together, I am forever grateful to him for getting my ass in the gym. It’s where I met the beautiful and talented Nada who was a personal trainer and fitness dance instructor at Franklin Athletic Club (may you rest in peace, love!) and where I realized working out isn’t so bad. While it still hurts, I have come to enjoy the gym. I’ve been able to meet some great new people, lose some inches, join classes like dance and strength, and just overall feel better about life.

I by no means claim to be a fitness expert or think I’m totally fit just yet, but I am pleased and proud of my progress (which I owe A LOT to Nada ❤). However, I will say, getting in the gym got a little easier when I realized I could look cute too. No need to break the bank stocking up on sports bras and compression pants either. Where do I shop for athletic wear? Old Navy is my absolute favorite place! I get so many compliments on my outfit choices and each piece is often $20 or less. I’ve also come to enjoy TJ Maxx as an option for athletic wear.

This super fun and bright look comes from a combination of Old Navy and TJ Maxx. Top is by Betsey Johnson, and of course was a fraction of the original price coming from TJ Maxx. The pants are by Old Navy, and running shoes are from the clearance section at DSW. I love the way Old Navy athletic wear fits. Being a girl with hips, the pants hug me in all the right places.

If you’re anything like me, stop being afraid of the gym and just go! Even if it’s to walk on the treadmill. Just remember you can always look cute doing it.

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous.

Not Falling for Fall Yet

Posted in Fashion Tips by

You guys and your pumpkin spice gotta find some chill! Look at the calendar. The official first day of fall is Friday, September 22, 2017. We still got a minute. I’m holding on to summer, and holding on tight. There’s nothing wrong with embracing brisk morning temps and sunny afternoons with appropriate style choices.

This is why my go-to has been muted hues with pops of color. Just the other day, I wore a long sleeve black dress and bright green Tory Burch sandals. And as I type this, I’m wearing a black tee and salmon flowy hilo skirt. Just enough to know that fall is approaching, but letting Mother Nature know to hold up on 60 and below temps.


Starting the day off with a light jacket or sweater and ending it with a t-shirt never hurt anybody. So don’t be so quick to grab your booties and puffy vests. The sun is still shinning and temps are rising. The key is to mix key summer pieces with subtle fall looks.

Make the most of the end of summer!

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous.

Finding My Awesome

Posted in Fab Tips, My Style by

Once upon a time, I was totally awesome! I mean, I think I’m still pretty cool; but I’ll admit I hit a rough patch at one point. I was in a roller coaster of a relationship and my job was so stressful, it was stripping me of my happiness.

Now things are turning around and I’m finding my awesome again! I have an amazing new job, I met someone who makes me smile again, I’ve lost a few pounds, and I’m strengthening my relationship with the Lord.
It’s inevitably part of life that we’ll hit those lows when things aren’t as awesome. But with a little faith, trust, and pixie dust you can make it through! Alright, so maybe not actual pixie dust, but having a strong support system certainly helps.
I am enjoying this newfound awesomeness and I am even more happy that I found this shirt in the back of my closet. While getting rid of some things I don’t intend on wearing ever again, you know, because of the weight loss, I came across this H&M crop top and these totally vintage looking wide leg pants that I couldn’t fit all that well a year ago. I paired them together for a look to capture something awesome.
So the moral of the story, if you’re not in the best place, do whatever it is you need to do to find your happiness again. Because you ARE awesome!
**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous.

Summer 17 Recap

Posted in My Style, What I Wore by

Dear Summer 2017,

Thank you for treating me well. You brought decent weather, super fun nights, and some cute fashion options. As summer gracefully comes to an end (I know we’re not there just yet) I’d like to recap because, well, this summer started out not that great and has the potential to end on a super high note!

5 great things about summer 2017:

  1. Lazy days by the pool and tan lines
  2. Mr. Orange – my new craft beer jam. You can find it at HopCat (shameless work plug 😉 )
  3. Target featuring one of my photos!
  4. Hoop earrings
  5. Bodysuits

This summer I found myself branching out style wise. I tried bodysuits and hoop earnings, two things I thought i’d never put on but fell in love. Fashion wise, bodysuits have been all the rage this summer. You couldn’t go wrong with a cute little bodysuit paired with some good boyfriend jeans, or denim shorts. They are stylish, comfortable (for the most part), sexy, and so simple.

Love a good bodysuit to accentuate lady-like curves and show off your best assets. Ladies, you’ve got to love yourself. Love your body and embrace what you’ve got. It’s OK to show it off a little, tastefully, of course. This bodysuit comes from Pitya, jeans too. It fits just right and gives off the right amount of sexy without going overboard. I’m all about sass with a little bit of class.

Enjoy the remainder of summer, friends! If you haven’t slipped into a bodysuit yet, let this be inspo.

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous.