She’s Got a Black Belt in Shopping: 10 Style Tips from Troop Beverly Hills’ Phyllis Nefler

This is my copy test post that I submitted to land my Freelance Editor position at Brit + Co.
 I couldn't contain myself; I had to share it with y'all!

Perhaps Netflix's latest additions of 80s classics Can't Buy Me Love (young Dempsey has us swooning) and My Girl (anyone remember the "Ice Cream" poem?) has us nostalgic for Shelley Long's fabulous portrayal of Beverly Hills housewife turned Wilderness Gal Phyllis Nefler. How can we not admire Mrs. Muffler Man's fearless, relentless pursuit to trump Velda Plender and the Red Feathers at selling cookies and navigating the wilderness--dressed to the nines in designer duds? We decided to whip up some updated versions of their signature sweet treats to celebrate Cookie Time and did The Freddy in homage to our favorite troop leader and her gutsy style choices.

1. Glow in gold.
   
   In celebration of Gold Week, let’s take a moment to admire how Phyllis rocks this gilded number at her cookie soiree. Forget the sugar rush, Phyllis rocks the runway with pieces that could easily be a part of the #GoldRush Collection, putting the Muffler Man to shame.
   

2. If it doesn't exist, it's time to DIY!
   Nothing stops Phyllis the Maker from adding her personal touch to make everything fabulous. She throws the Wilderness Girl handbook out the window and creates customized patches for each of the girls that demonstrate true skills of navigating the wilderness of Beverly Hills. (We’ll proudly accept the Jewelry and Sushi Appreciation patches!)
   

3. The bigger and bolder the color or print, the better.

Mrs. Muffler Man isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and her clothes are unapologetically daring. From sequins and animal prints to polka dots and monochromatic short suits--Phyllis pairs them effortlessly and sometimes tops it all off with a belt for a polished and feminine look.

4. Statement accessories make an impact.
   Phyllis' turquoise statement necklace from Friendship Circle is mesmerizing, and we aren’t alone in coveting it for ourselves! A piece like this amps up the monotony of khaki on khaki for Phyllis’ Wilderness Girl uniform, and the same applies when we’re looking for ways to bring life to neutral workwear basics in our wardrobes, as with Kendra Scott’s Harlow Necklace.
   

5. Wear clothes that allow for impromptu dance parties.
   At the end of a long day, sometimes all you need to do is The Freddie.
   

6. Fashion can be stylish and functional.
   The Red Feathers had no idea just how brilliant TBH's Wilderness Craft is for glam girls on the go. Who wouldn’t want this portable backpack wardrobe for glamping?
   

7. Find a trustworthy tailor.
   When Army Surplus store owner/the mom from Family Matters couldn't give Phyllis a uniform that suited her fancy, she went straight to a professional who could transform the khaki monstrosity into multiple variations to create fabulous Wilderness Girl outfits. Having pieces customized to your body will guarantee comfort and confidence in any garment from your wardrobe.
   

8. Use your personal sense of style to stand out.
   This is the first of Phyllis’ custom-made Wilderness Girl troop leader uniforms--isn’t it fabulous? The emerald piping detail and satin cape lining, oversized buttons, and fitted pencil skirt and blazer comes together to establish Phyllis’ gutsy, anti-status quo presence as anything but cookie cutter.

9. Packing for a trip? Have options!
   As Mrs. Nefler states, “In the wilderness of life, you can never be too prepared.” We’re not suggesting you take 5 pieces of luggage on your next vacay but rather pack stylish and efficient pieces that easily transition from day to night and can be paired into multiple outfits.
   

10. Carry yourself with confidence and the clothes will speak for themselves.

Sure, Annie the Orphan says “You’re never fully dressed without a smile,” but Phyllis and her Wilderness Girls remind us that confidence is the key to carrying an outfit well.

What are your favorite looks from Troop Beverly Hills?

How Did I Not Know About This? Rank & Style

Rank & Style combines my relentless pursuit of researching beauty products before I buy them, which includes reading product reviews on every site imaginable, and condensing them down into categorized lists. YOU GUYS. And the neat thing is, a majority of the products I currently own are on the top ten lists! Not that I needed validation, but I mean... I did. I subscribed to their e-mails, and I don't particularly like to clutter my inbox with subscription messages but these are gold.

Things I Didn't Know I Needed Till I Saw It at Target: Orla Kiely and Sonia Kashuk Beauty Haul

I've tried several strategies to strengthen my self-restraint when it comes to shopping: lists, time limits, ordering online--but nothing (I mean NOTHING) can save me once I set foot in a Target. Just a few months ago, it got so bad that I had to limit myself from visiting just three times a month--and just when I think I can handle it and treat myself because 'I've been good' I shop for a stylish apocalypse. As if printed accessories, stationery, and office supplies would to suffice as sustenance. (Talk about post-apocalyptic bliss.) Surely there's something in the DSM-IV for compulsive shopping specifically at Target. If not, I'll gladly contribute to the research for that case study.

But I digress. I went to Target to grab some wicker cubby baskets for a throw-all IKEA shelf we've got in the kitchen, blinked, and found myself in the beauty aisle.

1. Orla Kiely Poppy Train Case
   With my trips coming up to Door County and Vegas, I needed something to store all my beauty products other than a ziplock quart bag. I tried the hanging beauty bags and they just didn't work for me. I love Orla Kiely's signature bright, punchy color and prints, and this carry-all is roomy and even has small pockets lining the interior. 
2. Sonia Kashuk Make-up Brushes (assorted) and Limited Edition "Gold Standard" Vanity Cup
   I've owned all kinds of brushes--from MAC to EcoTools-- and I needed to replenish my stock. Enter Sonia Kashuk's affordable, high quality brushes. I picked up a powder brush, angled blush brush, and several assorted eye shadow brushes. I also picked up the vanity cup because of its classic floral design and extra chic touch of the gold lip. 
3. Orla Kiely Poppy 3 Piece Purse Kit
   I got the train case, so of course I HAD to get the matching zip bags. I will use them for the loose odds and ends that get strewn around in my train case, most likely for organizing smaller eyeshadow pots and test/trial-size products.

If We Were Having Coffee...

This is a blog post that I've seen from other bloggers (East&, The Perpetual Pageturner, Books and Whimsy) and adored it so much that OBVI I had to fill in the blanks myself.

If we were having coffee, we'd to meet me at Dominican Joe in Austin, my favorite place to people-watch, study, read, and have long conversations about big dreams. We'd order iced chai tea lattes and sit out on the patio enjoying the breeze while Maggie walked around providing pet therapy to anyone eager to meet her.

If we were having coffee, I'd tell you how excited I am about the new things starting up in my life, like my social media marketing internship, being a bridesmaid in my best friend's wedding this weekend, and seeing Britney Spears in Vegas this August. I'd also divulge that I haven't unpacked a single thing since my move to the Big D from ATX.

If we were having coffee, I'd ask you about your latest read and share what I'm juggling at the moment -- On Writing by Stephen King, 20-Something, 20-Everything by Christine Hassler, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, East of Eden by John Steinbeck, and The MOST of Nora Ephron.

If we were having coffee, I'd tell you how lately I haven't been able to sleep well through the night because of all my ideas for blog posts and all the stories and funny anecdotes I'm dying to share. So I get online and start a draft when an idea pops in my head and spring bullet points together in the body until I weave it together with my magnificent prose.

If we were having coffee, someone would ask, "Who is the owner of this dog?" because Maggie's meandered over toward the patio exit to greet people biking in. I'd just lure her back over to our table with her toy duck and a treat.

If we were having coffee, I'd tell you... we've been chatting for hours, so we should probably take this to Snackbar for a bite and a decent cocktail to continue talking about our big plans, predicting what will happen next season on 'Scandal,' and bond over our obsession of 'The Mindy Project.'

Celebrating Monday with a Makeover

(via)

Happy Monday, y'all! I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing 4th of July weekend. Mine was spent working on my Social Media Strategies class, lounging with Mags, Netflix bingeing on new releases ('Can't Buy Me Love' and 'My Girl,' HELLO) and final fittings for my bridesmaid dress, which looks unbelievably classic and gorgeous, might I add. I can't wait to get glammed up and put on my 'Dirty Dancing' Seychelles Rose Gold 'Everybody Dance' shoes for Ang's big day this Saturday!

Ever since I've been back on social media, I've been building up my networks, following various style, design, and pop culture blogs for inspiration. It's been so much fun seeing what pops up on my Instagram feed every now and then! I was so inspired by some of these amazing bloggers that I decided to give The Bubbly Bibliophile a fresh face by visiting Designer Blogs. And we're loving it, yes?

Speaking of makeovers, have you guys heard that Cher's virtual closet is now a reality?

Three on Thursday: Steel Magnolias Edition

Three on Thursday is a weekly post featuring thoughts on three newsworthy items from the week.

It's wedding season, y'all. And normally, I'd be cynical as all get out about it (insert Liz Lemon epic eye-roll here) but this month I'm particularly tickled pink because my best friend is getting married to the love of her life in Door County!!! I got back on Twitter today after a three-month digital detox, and I've already read a handful of posts about Olivia Palermo's fabulously luxe nuptials, donning Carrie Bradshaw's signature cobalt blue Manolo Blahnik stilettos as her "something blue." Homegirl wore a tulle skirt over shorts and a cardigan and pulled her hair back in the most chic messy #iwokeuplikedis ponytail and pulled it off. I can't. I figured a Steel Magnolias edition of Three on Thursday quite apropos of the season. 

One: Pink is a Powerful Color

Now I'm not planning on pulling a Shelby anytime soon by banking the church altar and wedding halls with shades of blush and bashful (I'm with M'Lynne and thinking it was more hosed down with Pepto Bismol) but I'm starting to find that pink is my new power color. I even bought a bright lipstick magenta dress, deviating from my usual LBD because I like the way it looks on me and makes me feel. I even decided to make my blog palette in pinks, and found myself picking a pale pink - peach toned palette for my Twitter account as well. I've always loved the look of ballerina pink nails, so they're my go-to for my mani-pedi. But in any other area besides my nails, closet, and social media, there isn't a lick of pink. However, I've come into a point in my life where I am embracing my femininity, and powerful shades of pink make me feel girly and inspired. 

Two: "There's No Such Thing as Natural Beauty"

Truvy has some of the best one-liners in the film, making her a top contender for overall most likeable -- honestly, ranking the characters will have to be for another post, another time! I love primping and getting glammed up for any event. My bff bride-to-be is the epitome of effortless, natural beauty (Jennifer Aniston is her dead-ring doppelganger) and she's planned a neutral palette of creams and nudes with the groom & his crew in navy because 'he really wanted a classy navy suit.' That said, I'm planning on a classic neutral palette for my face (as-per-usual) and topping it off with a timeless nude lipcolor. I'm definitely going to stock up the following essentials that I will use past the upcoming wedding weekend and into the work week:

• bareMinerals bareSkin Liquid Foundation ($29)
• benefit hoola bronzer ($28)
• benefit rocketeur blush ($28)
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Sin ($20)
• Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette ($28)
• Revlon Precision Lash Adhesive ($4)
• Ardell Lashes ($4)
• Covergirl LashExact Waterproof Mascara ($8)
• Revlon Colorstay Waterproof Eyeliner ($8)
• Revlon Colorburst Lip Balm ($7)
• L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lip Gloss in Nude Ballet ($12)
• MAC Fragrance in Turquatic ($25)
• Sonia Kashuk brushes 

As Truvy wisely tells Annelle, "It takes effort to look like this!"

Three: Southern Women are Sassy and They Own It, Honey!

Ouiser is the true feminist out of all the Steel Magnolias; she refuses to fall prey to the status quo, she selectively chooses relationships and doesn't pretend to make nice with people because she sees no point in it, and she never hesitates to say exactly--and I mean exactly--what's on her mind. Bless your heart, Ouiser-- you tomato planting-overall wearing-manging St. Bernard owning Southern belle. She's the most authentic of the women, and we love her for it.

And we've all got a grouch in us, snarky and sassy and Southern as all get out. I myself known to put my finger up, throw shade, and read someone as well as the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Yet there's an art to the way Southern women show their sass--unapologetic for being honest but charmingly polite about delivering the bad news. (Bless your heart can be used one of two ways.) But we can never suppress our inner Ouiser because she cuts straight to get what she wants out of life, no matter who gets pushed out of the way. 

How are you preparing for wedding season this year? 

I Hate Everything about Moving (Mainly Because of the Unpacking)

After the moving whirlwind this weekend, Maggie and I are still exhausted, and she's been catching up on sleep for the both of us. The move marks a big momentum shift from my health hiatus to starting my fall internships, which I'm super stoked about. I'm also starting a Social Media Strategies class that I've been looking forward to in my PR sequence. And in two weeks my best friend is getting married so bridesmaid preparations are in full force till then. My iCal is getting full, but in a weird way, I like it... And as much as I'd like to procrastinate unpacking, my main task this week is to eliminate, donate, and organize everything from my 900-square foot apartment to my 13x13 bedroom... one box at a time, of course.

Life transitions are never easy, but I've found a couple of ways that have helped me to channel my energy to be more productive and less stressed:

1. Netflix bingeing Damages as per the recommendation of Abbi from Broad City. The only thing that would make it complete is a cashew stir-fry while I unpack boxes. (In the meantime I'm just eating cashews.)
2. Unpacking the essentials: clothes, bathroom, bedroom. Worry about the little things later, even if they take up space in the garage for the time being.
3. Taking time to read for pleasure--up next on my bookshelf is 20 Something, 20 Everything: A Quarter-life Woman's Guide to Balance and Direction by Christine Hassler that my ATX Gal Pals got for me as a going away present. I love self-help books and I can't wait to start reading it.

This week my intention is to purge the items that are not necessary to me for the time being so that I can clear my headspace (and physical space) to prepare for my PR coursework, upcoming internships, and continuing to practice writing.

Is there anything taking up space in your life that could use your attention? 

The End of an Eight-year Era: Relocating from ATX to DFW

When I found this plaque at Pecan Creek RV Park
on Barton Springs in Austin when my parents came
 to visit in February, I laughed. Little did I know
it would become my reality a few months later.

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we're curious and our curiosity leads us down new paths." - Walt Disney

Is there anything easy about moving? The packing, (and its worse counterpart--the UNpacking) acclimating to a new place, cancelling all ties with the city, saying goodbye to friends, co-workers, colleagues who have become family, closing the chapter on years spent befriending a place where you finally found a great hairstylist, perfect nail salon, best coffeehouse, brunch spot, and place to walk your dog compounds the stress of moving to a new place where all these things are unknowns. Sure, it's easy to dwell on the negative aspect of uprooting from the familiar, but there's beauty in the unknown. I call upon one of my favorite meditations from Melody Beattie's Journey to the Heart: 

There's magic in the unknown

Sometimes we're out of ideas. We think and think but nothing comes. We don't know what's next. It feels like we're at a dead end. But we're not. That void, that dreaded blank spot is a really glorious magical place.
Sometimes we have to run out of ideas before we can open up to any new ones. The reason why we can't see any further is because our ideas are limited by the past, by past experiences, by what life has been like before. Our future doesn't have to be limited by our past. Life knows that. Now we can learn it too. We're not at a dead end. We've reached a new beginning.
Now is a time of magic. Let the universe take your hand and show you things you have never seen before. Now, at last, you're open and vulnerable enough to begin. Celebrate the magic, the mystery of the unknown. Celebrate the miracles that will certainly come.

This weekend I'm packing up my apartment into a U-Haul and moving back in with my parents in DFW. I made the difficult decision to transition from the classroom to pursue industry work in PR because my personal mission no longer aligned with my position as an English teacher. I loved my kids, but I simply couldn't find the break between being the best teacher I could be for them and being the best I could be for myself. While it was a heartbreaking decision, I know that making this transition into PR in the nonprofit sector will provide the means for me to not only connect with like-minded, goal-oriented people but also to make a conscious effort to create the ever-elusive work-life balance. And I find joy in the fact that my curiosity (and courage--though this took me a while to realize) to leave my comfort zone is at the core of this move.

Having been an Austinite for about 8 years now, there's definitely a whole list of things I will miss. (I've included this at the end of this post and will probably continue to add on to it as I remember things that Austin has but DFW has not!) I can remember moving to Austin in 2006 to start undergrad at UT, moving to my first apartment right off Zilker, then on SoLa, then finally Oak Hill. I've lived all over South Austin and I don't mind being granola. Austin has the character and soul of the best friend you've had for years and no matter how much time has passed, welcomes you with open arms when your paths cross to reconnect, picking up right where you left off. Everybody in Austin is happy, even when things might not be going as well as they could be and everything is jam side down. There's no other place in Texas quite like it, and despite the fact that I've spent more time in DFW, I'll always consider myself an Austinite. Which is why I say, see you later, Austin--not goodbye quite yet.

BB's Essential Go-to Austin

• Best Coffeeshop
• Dominican Joe's 
• Caffe Medici
• Mozart's 
• Best Dogpark
• Zilker Park
• Butler Park
• Shoal Creek Trail
• Best Bookstore(s)
• BookPeople
• South Congress Books
• Best Hair Salon
• Maximum FX Salon Escarpment
• Favorite SoCo Spots
• Jo's Coffee (for writing and people watching)
• Snackbox (get the Vermicelli bowl)
• Hopdoddy (best burgers)
• Homeslice (yummy pizza)
• Magnolia Cafe (best for anything, anytime--pancakes the size of your face)
• Best Brunch
• Iron Cactus Sunday Brunch
• Best Workout Spot
• barre3
• black swan yoga
• Best Smoothie
• Juice Land (formerly Daily Juice)
• Best Tex-Mex
• Maudie's
• Best Sushi
• Piranha's

Three on Thursday: Chef, Capsule Wardrobes, and Celebrity Memoirs

Three on Thursday is a weekly post featuring thoughts on three newsworthy items from the week.

ONE: Go see CHEF!

Jon Favreau's latest cinematic delight is worth your time and money. While its ending was abrupt and left me wanting more, Favreau concocts an inspiring story of pursuing risky ventures using one's passion--his just happens to be cooking. A dash of his commentary on social media and its influence in entrepreneurship keeps the momentum of El Jefe's cross-country food adventures moving. Side-kick John Leguizamo boosts the laughs and Sofia Vergara adds subtle flair. Treat yourself to a screening of CHEF; you'll savor every bite!

TWO: Building a budget friendly & stylish capsule work-wear wardrobe just got easier.

Dr. Mindy Lahiri's sexy librarian/fashionista/yuppie clothing style on The Mindy Project is easy to emulate with Tumblr and Pinterest, but actually finding these pieces to style together for stylish office-friendly attire is easy with JCPenney and Kohl's. I rely on Worthington pencil skirts from JCPenney and Elle fit and flair dresses from Kohl's. I stock up on cardigans from Target and the Gap and love the chambray tops from Old Navy. Accessories from Charming Charlie, Francesca's, and Nordstrom Rack are key. 

THREE: My "to-read" list is getting longer: Mindy Kaling is working on her second book and I want to read it, like, NOW.

Is Everybody Hanging Out Without Me? And Other Concerns by Mindy Kaling is a brilliant read, and Mindy's penning her sophomore release as we speak. I've already pre-ordered Lena Dunham and Amy Poehler's first releases due later this fall, and my to-read list keeps growing by the minute. 

Digital Digital Detox: Why I Banned Social Media for a Few Months

My name is Maureen, I'm a 20-something and I quit all social media. I might as well have told you I'm a unicorn, right? How could a millenial voluntarily eliminate her existence? You know it as well as I do, if it isn't on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, etc. then it didn't happen. We validate ourselves through social media, which feeds into this self-generated insecurity to prove to everyone else that our lives are better than theirs. (Layering filters on filters helps, too.)

In March, I started to realize that I came to a point in my life when I stopped doing things for myself and was living my life to please others. I'm an ENFJ (although I lean more toward the Introvert side) so my tendency is to please others, stay organized, create plans, and value feelings. That said, I fell into the trap of making it my mission to make other people happy that I stopped doing things to bring joy to my life. And having social media didn't help, either. But once I reached a point in my life when I found that I wasn't necessarily doing anything to brag about--or better put, actually living my life authentically because getting your Starbucks cup back with your name botched on the side of it is an everyday thing, people--I realized it didn't matter if anyone else knew about it.

Now I know that this blog in and of itself is ironic, because it deems worthy social media presence since I'm putting my energy into good use. 

And this psychological phenomenon is being written about, too. Just type in 'tech detox' or 'digital detox' and you'll find published articles on how to cope without checking your phone every five minutes. Psychology Today suggests the strategy reduce, remove, replace--the latter being a step I particularly like. And honestly, it's the natural transition from removing the objects that create distance between us to spending authentic face-to-face time, cultivating relationships with people we think we know based on the image they've built through their social media presence--wait, now I get FaceTime.

But I digress. When I made it my weekly intention to have more authentic time with friends and family, I took the time to make plans with people and block out time to engage in a real life activity, like happy hour, dinner, brunch--I really like food guys!--barre class, or painting class. And what I found was that I didn't miss knowing irrelevant details about people I didn't care about (and didn't care about me). By electively eliminating the clutter of people I went to high school with or met at a party for five minutes, I realized that people I've known for years and actively developed friendships with were the ones who mattered most. It didn't matter how many "friends" or "followers" or "likes" I had; those who took the time to get to know me were the people who deserved my time most.

I leave Thoreau's musings from Walden as you plan your digital detox:

Our life is frittered away by detail. I say, let your affairs be as two or three, not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen... Simplify, simplify. Instead of three meals a day, if it be necessary eat but one; instead of a hundred dishes, five; and reduce other things in proportion.