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?