Women’s Style Wednesdays: Finding the Perfect Winter Coat

For most of my readers, if isn’t cold where you are, it will be shortly. I’ve noticed that my coat is getting tighter around my shoulders so I am in search for a new one. I started thinking about what style would work well for my body frame (I’m 5’9 with a slender builder) and it prompted this new post.

Below are some tips and suggestions on how to pick the best coat for your body type along with some selections you can purchase now (or put on your Christmas list for Santa 😉

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Tall:

If you have a taller frame, I suggest picking a coat that is long. Try to avoid roomy, loose, and hips length coats because the cut is overwhelming paired with a tall frame. Colored and cropped coats work well because the colors help to break up the tall frame.

Michael Kors Faux Fur Trim Coat

Petite:

For petite women, try to avoid coats that are long because they will “swallow” you. Try to look for one with a bright color; because it will make your body appear longer, even though black is a practical color. A Pea coat with a decorative belt would work great for a petite woman because it will keep you warm and the belt will create a silhouette.

Micheal Kors Coat

Full Figured:

Choosing the right coat will depend a lot on your body shape, but try to go for coats that will extend past the thickest part of your hips and thighs. This will help to avoid widening your body frame.

Click here for more tips and suggestions

This jacket is from Dillards. Click here for more details.

Gallery Plus Silk Look Coat

xoxo

-Ra Caiya

Fashionably Educated Mom

 

Tasty Tuesdays: Eggnog with a Twist

This week’s Tasty Tuesdays is all about the Eggnog. I know this is a drink that can be a hit or a miss with people. I have to admit, I wasn’t a fan when I was younger, but not I can’t get enough of it lol.

I found some cool eggnog recipes…with a little twist.

Hope you try them out for yourself 🙂

Peppermint Eggnog

Source

• 6 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons more sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 4 cups whole milk
• 12 peppermint candy canes, broken into pieces
• 3 ounces white chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Peppermint sticks, for garnish

1. Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Whisk together eggs, egg yolks, sugar, salt, and the extracts in large saucepan over medium-low heat until combined. Pour in milk in a slow, steady stream, whisking until fully incorporated. Raise heat to medium. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture registers 160 degrees on an instant-read thermometer and is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 30 to 35 minutes.

2. Pour milk mixture through a fine sieve into a medium bowl. Set bowl in ice-water bath; let mixture cool completely. Transfer custard to an airtight container, and refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to overnight.

3. Process candy canes in a food processor until finely crushed. Sift in a strainer to discard dust. Transfer to a shallow dish.

4. Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Let cool 5 minutes. Dip rim of each cup into melted chocolate, then crushed peppermint. Refrigerate until set, about 5 minutes.

5. Remove custard from refrigerator; set aside. Put cream into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; mix on medium speed until stiff peaks form. Fold into cold custard until combined. Fill cups with eggnog. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint, and garnish with peppermint sticks; serve.

Eggnog with Irish Creme

Source

12 large eggs, lightly beaten

4 cups half-and-half

4 cups milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 1/2 cups chilled strongly brewed coffee

3 cups Irish cream liqueur

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups whipping cream

Garnishes: additional whipped cream, thin chocolate mints

1. Gradually add sugar to eggs in a large glass mixing bowl, whisking until blended. Set aside.

2.Stir together half-and-half, milk, and salt in a Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, 12 to 15 minutes or just until mixture begins to bubble around edges of pan. (Do not boil.)

3. Gradually stir half of hot milk mixture into egg mixture. Stir egg mixture into remaining hot milk mixture in Dutch oven.

4. Cook mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture slightly thickens and a thermometer registers 160° (about 25 to 30 minutes). Remove from heat, and stir 1 minute. Pour mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a serving bowl. Stir in coffee, Irish cream liqueur, and vanilla; let cool 1 hour. Cover and chill at least 4 hours.

5. Beat whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream into chilled eggnog, and garnish, if desired.

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I have to add that I love these recipes, but I also keep a bottle of store bought eggnog on hand for those days I don’t want to make it from scratch. I also keep some tasty treat on deck to add as well. I like to add:

• Vanilla
• Nutmeg
• Dark liquor (rum is  quite tasty)

 

Hope you enjoyed….

until next time!

xoxo

Ra Caiya

Fashionably Educated Mom

Holiday Outfits for Women

I can’t believe that there are only 23 days until Christmas!

Time is going by so fast I must say!

In my last post, I talked about a delicious drink that I wanted to share my holiday party. Then, I thought, “What would I wear?” That question prompted this post which I am excited about. I began looking in my closet for cute outfits, then decided to look for inspiration online.

I found some extremely cute outfits that I would love to share with you all.

The Tutu Skirt:

I love this outfit and the colors are great for this season.

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The red skirt: 

The skirt gives this outfit a pop of color. Pair it with black heels or booties and you are set!

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Leopard:

Like the previous picture, this green skirt also gives a pop of color, but the leopard print scarf does as well.

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Black & maroon:

This is another great outfit that I would wear. I love how they paired it with the black purse. I wouldn’t carry it to party though; a small clutch would be perfect.

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Gray all over: 

This outfit is simple but stylish. I love the wrapped sweater. You could also pair it with jeans for a casual look.

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White & Black:

If you are not into wearing skirts, this outfit would be great for you! Pair it with a statement necklace and you are good to go!

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I can’t wait to put together my outfit for my party. Do you all have any plans this season? What outfit do you like the best?

Comment below…

xoxo

-Ra Caiya

Fashionably Educated Mom

 

My Daily Makeup Routine

Hey ladies! Today I will be sharing my daily makeup routine. I must admit,there are days that I wake up and could care less about what I look like, but for the most part is my go-to routine 🙂

I go for the more natural look using neutral tones all over.

Foundation: Maybelline Fit Me Foundation

Concealer: Mac Pro Concealer (NC45)

Powder: Covergirl Pressed Powder (Tawny)

Blush: Wet n Wild (Mellow Wine)

Lips:  Milani Lipstick (Teddy Bare) , Jordana Lipliner (Coco Loco), Covergirl Queen Collection Lip-gloss (Spiced Latte)

Eyes: Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow, Jordana eyeliner (Black Point),  & Maybelline Illegal Length mascara

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As you can see, I try to keep it as simple as possible. I am a working mom, so I don’t have a lot of time in the morning, but I want to look presentable. Once, I have done these steps a few times, it is like second nature to me.

I will add on more for night outings, but for busy women like myself, give this a try!

Thanks for stopping by!!

xoxo

-Ra Caiya

Fashionablyeducatedmom

 

 

Healthy Skin & My Skin Care Routine

Good afternoon guys!

Makeup is a great way to accentuate your features as well as adding glamour to your style. I enjoy wearing make up and trying out new looks, but I feel having healthy skin is most important! Below are some tips that I have learned that I would like to share with you.

Never go to sleep with your makeup on!

No matter how tired you are, make sure that you clean your face (even if you don’t wear makeup that day).This is a ritual that many people try to skip which will unfortunately have some bad consequences.  Not only are you washing off the products, but everything that your face has been exposed to that day. You are allowing your eyes to rejuvenate for the next day. Keeping your makeup on can cause irritations and break outs. By leaving your eye makeup on could possibly cause infections due to build up. Your skin around your eyes can also become inflamed, sore, and irritated, so get in the habit of cleansing your face every night.

Wash your face in the morning as well.

And yes, you need to clean your face in the morning also! Some feel that it’s not necessary since they wash their face at night before bed. Your skin is recovering over night, which means you have more dead skin cells in the morning. It also helps with preventing excess oil production.

Use products that work best for your skin type.

Making sure that you have the products that work best for your skin will help you with your everyday skin care. You need to know and understand your skin type before you can purchase the best and most beneficial products. You would either have oil skin,dry skin, normal, or a combination of them. Knowing this first is the key. I have a combination skin, so it had taken me a while to find the right products for me.

Simple Facial Cleanser is great because it’s gentle and doesn’t contain any perfumes or dyes.

I use Purity Face Wash by Philosophy everyday. It’s gentle and removes all of my makeup. Along with the face wash, I use the Clarisonic Mia Cleansing system that I purchased from Sephora. I LOVE it! It’s a bit pricey, but I think it’s worth the money. I have had it for two years now and it’s one of the best investments I’ve purchased for my skin. Plus, its safe to use in the morning and at night!

Exfoliate at least once a week.

When you are exfoliating, you are removing dead skin cells from the skins surface. As we age, the process of regeneration slows down ( the body is slower to shed skin cells and generate new ones). Old skins cells can make your skin look dull, rough, and dry when they pile up. It can also result to excess oil and clog your pores, which can lead to acne.

Depending on your skin type, will determine the best way to exfoliate your skin and its sensitivity. Most people use a manual scrub at least once a week. I exfoliate every Sunday to start out my new week. This also helps me to remember. Try to use a scrub with round beads so you don’t damage your skin.

My favorite is YouthCleanse Exfoliate by GlamGlow.

Moisturize, moisturize, and oh yeah…MOISTURIZE!

Keeping your face moisturize is important! It helps with excess oil and keeps your skin hydrated. Who wants dry and rough skin?

Sephora’s 8 Hour Mattifying Moisturizer is awesome! I use this in the morning and it helps control the oil under my makeup.

At night I use either Pond’s Dark spot Cream or Boscia Oil Free Night Cream with Josie Maran Pure Argan oil.

I know you may be thinking, if you have oily skin, why are you using an oil on your face? The oil that your skin produces is different from the oil that you would use on your skin. Your skin will pump out sebum (what clogs your pores and causes breakouts) when it’s oil content is not balanced. So when you strip the oil from your skin when you’re washing it, your body will produce more oil to compensate. A quality oil will help replenish the fatty acids and moisture that your skin needs (especially during the colder months).

Once a week, I also use a mask to help with moisturizing my skin. I am currently using GlamGlow Hydrating Mask.

Using a toner  and an eye cream after you wash your face and before you put on your moisturizer is great as well. The toner helps to clean and tighten the pores and the eye cream helps with replenishing the moisture around your eyes.

I am currently using Dickerson’s Toner  and Loreal’s Revitalift that I purchased from Walgreens.

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What are some products that you all use? Comment below!!

xoxo

-Ra Caiya

Fashionablyeducatedmom