Author: KristieRebuilds

  • Fearless Woman: Heidi Bright

    Fearless Woman: Heidi Bright

    Happy Friday, you know what today is right?!  It’s Fearless Woman Friday!!  So with that being said, it is only right to introduce you a fearless lady who is sure to inspire you. This week, I have the pleasure of introducing you to Heidi Bright.

    Heidi received a devastating cancer diagnosis in 2009.  She has now in radical remission and free of disease.  And has been since 2011.  In this weeks’ episode, Heidi shares her fearless journey of battling the disease.  The author also talks how she created 250 practical tips that helped to heal her heart, mind, and body.  Get ready for some inspiration…

    Thanks for checking out this weeks’ episode.  Thoughts?! Leave a comment.

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • Hello to Dress Lovers+ The Spirit Show + Pants Off

    Hello to Dress Lovers+ The Spirit Show + Pants Off

    There have been some serious changes around here and we are just getting started!  Firstly, we have made some fresh updates to our boutique website, www.bluelabelsboutique.com, make sure to check it out.

    Additionally, we are changing WHAT we carry.  By now, you know that everything from trousers to jumpers to a good statement necklace can be copped at BLB.  But not anymore!  Blue Labels Boutique will be transitioning to a dress boutique.  Moving forward, we will specialize in providing you with a curated selection of dresses and skirts for any occasion to shop from.  Oh, and let’s not forget about the accessories, a girl can’t live with them!  BLB carries a small quantity of each piece, which means you constantly have access to new pieces. It also means that you won’t see every other women walking around in your dress. 😉 We have already started stocking our store with new dresses, just in time for Spring.

    We are excited to announce that CMU has invited us back this years SPIRIT Fashion Show.  It will be held on April 8, 2017 in Pittsburgh, PA at the Carnegie Mellon University. We will be dressing the models in our latest Spring Collection, which is full of girly dresses, pastel colors, and more.  In the meantime, you can get all of the show details here.  If you are in the Pittsburgh area and would like book a styling/shopping session, email me at kristie@bluelabelsboutique.com.  I would love to see you there!

    By the way, all trousers and jumpsuits are up to 50% off (and some more) at BLB, shop them while you can.  BLB…a dress boutique, it sounds good already!  What do you think?

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • Fearless Woman: Noni Ayana

    Fearless Woman: Noni Ayana

    Happy Fearless Woman Friday 💙

    It has been a few weeks since the story of a fearless woman has been shared.  I know you all have been patiently waiting for the next episode to show itself and you aren’t the only ones!

     This week I am over the moon excited to introduce you to Noni Ayana.   Noni is a sex guru of sorts…no really!  As a sexologist, sexuality educator and sexuality practitioner for the last 6 years, it is safe to say that she has learned alot of useful information in her studies.  One of the biggest issues she found, for instance, is that married couples aren’t talking about s-e-x.  That had me wondering, “How do couples know that they are pleasing eachother if they are talking about it enough to know?”  Thank goodness, Noni has made it her business to solve this problem.  She created a company that offers premarital counseling and consulting services to couples.  In this weeks’ episode, Noni shares how she lives the fearless life by removing the fears that surround sexuality.

     Sounds like a game changer for couples! Thoughts?

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • How To Protect Your Skin Before, During, & After Spring Break ’17

    How To Protect Your Skin Before, During, & After Spring Break ’17

    Heading to the beaches for spring break in a couple weeks and you’re just realizing that your pale, dry complexion isn’t quite bathing suit ready? Before you think about hitting the tanning beds to get a base tan, try following healthier options to prepare your skin for sun exposure.  After all, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. And artificial tans don’t protect your skin from the harmful UV rays.

    There is more to protecting your skin from sun damage than just using sunscreen. Kayla Mackie from ConsumerSafety.org has provided some easy tips and tricks on how you can prevent your skin from sun damage and how you can show off your sunkissed glow weeks after vacation.

    feet lounging at the beach

    BEFORE you take off for the sandy beaches, exfoliate and hydrate! Getting rid of the dead winter skin will give you a fresh, clean layer, making it easier to get a healthy tan. Be sure to lather up with antioxidant rich moisturizers and drink plenty of water weeks prior to your vacation. Hydrated skin makes the perfect base for SFP. Last, but definitely not least, skip the tanning beds and instead, try to get some natural vitamin D. If you insist on getting a pre spring break tan, try going on a walk or run outside a few times a week leading up to your departure.  The weather might not be nice enough to sunbathe, but the warmer days leading up to your vacation are a perfect excuse to get a last minute workout in while also exposing your skin to some natural sunlight.

    a view of the ocean

    DURING your vacation, protecting your skin might be the last thing on your mind. A few quick tips to keep in mind while you’re soaking up the sun are to apply SPF 30 minutes before sun exposure. An easy way to remember to do this is to apply your sunscreen when you’re putting on your bathing suit. Bringing a sunhat or UV resistant clothing, like these rash guards from Roxy will benefit you if there are not many shady areas around. Make sure to reapply sunscreen, take breaks from the sun every so often and drink water! The sun will only decrease your energy levels, so taking breaks is key if you want to last all day.

    swimming in the ocan

    AFTER all the fun in the sun is over, it’s ideal to rejuvenate your skin. Get a facial to repair any skin damage and clear pores of oils and old sunscreen. Facials or face masks infused with green tea have so many beauty benefits, especially for tender, sunburned skin. Can’t afford a facial after an expensive vacation? Try making your own DIY green tea face mask which includes ingredients that you probably have laying around your kitchen. Keeping your skin hydrated will help prolong your vibrant vacation glow. Using moisturizers with coconut oil will not only make you smell like you’re still on vacation, but your tan will stick around a little longer making you feel like you never left the beach!

    These tips should help ease your mind while on vacation, knowing that you are armed with all the important steps it takes to maintain your healthy skin!

    Thanks to Kayla for sharing this important information.

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • Here Is Our Top Pick For Bringing In Spring + Giveaway Winner Announced

    Here Is Our Top Pick For Bringing In Spring + Giveaway Winner Announced

    Spring 2017 is a little bit over 2 weeks away (March 20th to be exact).  The sunny days and warm temps are nice but who is eagerly anticipating the bold colors and patterns that pop up during this time?!

    The Too-Tied Dress is one of our top picks for celebrating the arrival of Spring.  It comes  in our favorite color of the moment, royal blue. Plus, the tie up sleeves add the quintessential characteristic needed for any fashion not fear approved outfit…a unique detail.

    The Too Tied Dress (sizes s-l $29.99)

    New Spring finds are being added to BLB in the upcoming weeks!

    Congratulations to @theselfishunicorn on Instagram. She is the winner of the Lady Luck Bag.  Thanks to everyone who entered and be sure to enter this months giveaway.   What are you most looking forward to this Spring?

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • Tips On Celebrating Friendships Like Grown Folks

    Tips On Celebrating Friendships Like Grown Folks

    It seems like the older I get, the less friends I have.  Do your feel the same way?

    As a kid, meeting new friends and having half a dozen or so besties to call on was a piece of cake. Every weekend you would find me at a birthday party, study group, or being dropped off with friends at the mall to shop for boys or school clothes (so our parents thought).

    Friendships became even more important going through my 20s. Life becomes more real and bash because it was time to get a job and work, work, work, work, work. But don’t get it twisted…my weekends (and some weekdays) were reserved for my besties. We hit any concert we could get into, crowd surfed at festivals and danced at the club until the lights came on. Literally. We celebrated our friendships every chance we got for absolutely no reason at all.

    But somewhere along the line, things changed.  The invites slowed down and the events just weren’t as fun as they used to be. “I can’t go because I have to take my lil’ nugget to ballet practice.” Or “I have to work a double this weekend so I need my sleep” are the reasons for declining invites these days.  Which is great…people grow up, interests and responsibilities change.

    Like most of you, the majority of my day is spent working. Then after squeezing in family-time, gym-time, and dinner-time, there isn’t time left for much else. But growing up doesn’t mean you have to be stuck in the house. If you are grown and find yourself in a Low Friend or No Friend Zone, then celebrating the friendships that you do have might need to be moved towards the top of the list. Maybe you can’t meet up every weekend and who has the time for that anyway?!  But you can definitely plan a get together to celebrate the new lives you have. Check out this super, easy way to throw a get together for grown folks.

    💙 What To Wear

    Before I make a dish, pour a drink, or send an invite…I have to make sure that my outfit is party ready. Since I am planning a low-key event at the house, I went casual with a WildHeart Tee and jeans.

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    💙 Look Who’s Coming To Dinner

    Sending a group text to the guest list sounds easy enough but the constant phone dinging is enough to drive me insane.  I avoid the stress altogether, by using Eventbrite.  It allows you to set the time and provide all of the details of the shindig.  Once that’s done, you can use it to email invites to your guests and/or share it on your social media.  Then (at your leisure) you can log on to their event planning page track which guests accepted or declined. No more of the phone craziness…thank God!

    💙 What To Drink

    If you are inviting adults, then you must serve cocktails.  It’s a rule somewhere. 😉 You can make this easy Champagne Cocktail.  All you need is a bottle of champagne, cranberries, and limes.  Mix the cranberries and champagne into a pitcher and let it chill in the fridge.  When your guests arrive, pour the champagne and cranberry mixture into a glass and squeeze a lime wedge into it.  You can put the lime wedge on the rim as decoration.

    💙 What Are They Gonna Eat?

    Im not much of a cook so simple is key with me.  Homemade pizza is easy and can be very healthy!

    image

    After the food and drinks, include a game to keep the party moving. There are so many game apps that you can easily download.

    Things to remember…

    At this moment, I dont have children of my own. But I know what it’s like to attend a party full of friends and kids. Check with friends to see if they are brining the kiddos. If so, set some pizza aside for them  and keep them entertained. Have you ever been to a get together that has hungry, bored kids?! It’s a whole different party. Save yourself the dram by grabbing a game or crafts for them. Or ask the parents to bring something for entertainment.

    Cheers to celebrating friendships like the grown folks! 🍾 When was the last time you got together with friends?

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • Come Chill With Us + Giveaway Update + A Quickie

    Come Chill With Us + Giveaway Update + A Quickie

    Happy Friday 💙  I hope that you have something fashionably, fabulous planned for this weekend.  BLB surely does!  I’ll be prepping for an upcoming art and fashion event.  The event is next weekend at The Jackson Ranch in San Antonio TX.  Past experience has taught me that waiting until the last minute is stressful.  You won’t catch me doing that anymore.  It takes time to take inventory on everything from a dress to a safety pin.  Bag and tag pieces.  Where’s the table cloths?  How did that sign get so damn wrinkle? 😱

    On the day of the event, my fiancé does the heavy lifting,  packs everything in the car, and helps to set up until everything is in it’s proper place.  Ya’ girl is blessed, I can’t lie.   It sounds like a lot of work, and it is.  But it’s sooooo worth it!   Here is a pic shared on IG last week of our most recent shopping trip.

    blue labels boutique ig picture of shopping

    Enough of that sappy stuff!  Let’s get to the giveaway update.  A few weeks back, the Lady Luck Bag Giveaway was announced.  I’m happy to say that it has been extended to the end of the month.  And entering is so easy.  Leave a comment on this post with silver or gold. The winner receives the color of your choice.  Good luck!

    As you can tell, this is a gumbo post.  A lil’ of this, lil’ that.   So with that being said, let’s get to the quickie!  I’ve received emails inquiring about fitness tips.  Since its been a while, I thought today would be a great day for a fitness quickie.   Check out this super, easy way ab exercise to include in your workout.   Warning…this video was records by an amateur videographer.  Thank you for your patience.  😬

    Come see us on March 4th at Jackson Ranch.  Don’t forget to comment silver or gold for the giveaway.  Oh yeah, do you want more fitness quickies?  What are your plans for the weekend?  Ok, I’m done!

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • Tee Versatility

    Tee Versatility

    The Wild Heart Top at BLB is a fave.  And since I tryout the pieces, I would know.  Being able to wear a piece with at least three other things in your closet is my definition of being versatile.  That’s the great thing about about copping a tee.  Yes, it is casual, but it doesn’t have to be.  Here are three super simple ways I’ve rocked the Wildheart Tee.   Oh….the versatility!

    Headed to the office….

    You can wear your tee with a pencil skirt and heels.  Tuck the top into your skirt to make it look more pulled together.

    blackwildheartteewithpencilskirt

    After hours…

    Rocking a tee with a leather mini is the definition of badass chic who knows how to make it look easy.   Slightly tuck the top in the front to add an instant cool factor.

    womens black tee that reads Wildheart on the front

    Keeping it casual…

    You can’t miss when you pair a tee with denim.  No really, you can’t miss!

    Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset Processed with VSCO with p5 preset

    Which style could you see yourself in?

    Stay Fearless 💋


    Shop the Wild Heart Tee Leather Wrap Skirt  Ball & Chain 

  • It Has Pockets?! Just asking…

    It Has Pockets?! Just asking…

    This girl right here loves her a good pocket!  Who else is with me?!  And by “good pocket” I mean one that fits two basic requirements.

     Requirement number 1 – it has to be a working pocket.  I never have nor never will I understand the point of having fake pockets that are either sewn shut or those that have the little slit as if a pocket exists.  What’s the use if it won’t hold my phone or chapstick?!

    Requirement number 2 – is that it must be properly placed.  That means no pocket right on the side of my hip that makes my hips look 2 inches wider.  There’s nothing wrong with curves but don’t give me any that don’t belong to me.  I have enough!  Proper placement would be if it were higher above your hips and a bit towards the front to help with that whole hourglass figure we all love.

    I was reminded of my need for proper pockets earlier this week when I was headed to a business lunch.  After getting dressed, I headed down the stairs with shoes, a bag, hairbrush and lipstick in tow.  When I finally walked outside and turned around to lock the door I realized that I could free up my hands to lock it when I slide my phone and lipstick in my pockets.  “Wait a minute, this skirt has pockets?” I thought.  Before heading to the luncheon, I took a moment to take some quick shots of my new favorite skirt.  Check out how the Just Asking Skirt answered my pocket prayers . 😉

    printedasymetricalskirtside

    printedasymetricalskirtbackofskirtprintedasymetricalskirtinfrontofgarage

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    Are you a pocket lover too?

    Stay Fearless 💋


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    Shop the Just Asking Skirt, $39