An End-Summer Night's Dream

Nothing beats a summer night with the sister! With the echo of bug calls in the air we are thinking of Fall.  Yes, it is almost time to break out sweaters (not anytime soon here in GA), get geared up for the first football game of the season, and fill those school bags with new supplies.

Fall is a time to brainstorm new products......

What scents invoke fall in you?

Love and Tulips,

Nicole & Amanda in Alpharetta

Juicing for Health and Wellness

Are you into the juicing craze yet?  Have you thought about how to incorporate juicing into your routine?  Have you seen those crazy expensive bottles of juice being endorsed by celebrities?  Are you not even sure where to start?  Well, I'm here to help.

DIY Fresh Lemon Hair Rinse

Nothing invigorates the senses like the smell of freshly juiced lemons.  These yellow skinned beauties are amazing in the culinary world, but also do wonders for your hair and skin. 

Your hair gets battered in the summer.  Sun exposure and pool chlorine can lead to dry, brittle, lack luster hair.

Hello Nashville!

Hello Nashville! Hello cowboy hats and cowboy boots. Hello live music, and HELLO tequila!  Not so much a family friendly weekend, but a GREAT girls weekend.  Seems like some other girls got the memo too because Nashville in fact was loaded with women (all dressed adorably so bring your A game)! Who knew it is the Vegas of the South for bachelorette parties. (Single guys may want to heed this advice).  Now were not in our 20's anymore, so we were more sophisticated.  There was some shopping and sightseeing (we walked a couple of blocks), plenty of eating and an extraordinary amount of drinking.

The Oil Cleansing Method

Face Cleaning with oil??...........this surely does not make sense.

I thought the same thing.  What a crazy beauty craze.  How can an oil clean my face, especially since I have oily/combination skin to begin with?  Well, I have been schooled!  This is a method I have been obsessing about for a few months now.  I read an article recently about how the OCM (Oil Cleansing Method) is a great way to clean your face and keep it moisturized without that tight dry feeling of a typical cleanser with harsh ingredients that can strip your face of essential oils.  So, I tried it and I am in love.  Let me start by saying it was a rocky road to get to this place but after using the method for several weeks I can't imagine going back. 

5 Best Post Work Out Meals

It's been so hot here that it takes everything I have to force myself to work out.  The thought of now having to eat while I am sweaty and tired is just too much to deal with!  I know, I know...the after work out meal is critical and it needs to happen quickly after the workout otherwise I have ruined all the hard work at the gym.  I usually find myself standing in front of the open refrigerator door half looking for a nutritious post work out meal half trying to cool off.  I am so not a girl that likes to sweat!

This is the time to refuel, recover and repair so you really have to make it count.   In an effort to make the most of that post work out meal, I have come up with my five favorites that I rotate throughout the week.  Some are so close to a dessert, you may even feel a little guilty!! 

Beauty Dishing!

My sis and I rarely get to dish together in the same room, but when we do we like to closet raid each other and see who has cooler stuff.  Usually we swap some things and jealously eye other things.  So we decided to do a long distance beauty dish and ask each other some hard hitting questions....What do you like to dish about with your sisters or friends?

Amanda asks Nicole:

If you could only have one beauty product in your arsenal, what would it be? It would have to be mascara. I feel like it instantly wakes  you up and makes you look ready for the day.  I am very brand loyal to my mascara and have been using it for years. Lancome Definicils is the bomb! Never mind the price people will think you have false lashes on! (and it lasts a long time)

What beauty advice will you pass on to your three daughters? Less is more. Cliche as it is. Right now they are into dress up and will layer on coats of pepto bismal colored lipstick.  Most of it is on their teeth. It's funny, but when they become older I would want to instill in them to let their youth shine and skip the heavy makeup. Plenty of time to do that later. I feel like I see a lot of young teens with too much going on. Be young, be your age.  You will want to look that way later in life.

Who do you most admire in the beauty industry and why? I'm not sure if it's total admiration, or more of a cool story, but it doesn't get any better than the Burt's Bees story.  Yes, I know they also make lip balm, but come on what an inspiring story. The co-founders Roxanne and Burt, originating in Maine in the 80's, made beeswax candles . They became locally successful when they decided to expand to personal care items using beeswax. The whole company was run out of a one room abandon school house. They started their first year at a high school craft fair and in a couple years time were selling at high-end boutiques in New York City! Thats success!

Watermelon Facial Toner with Skin Clearing Witch Hazel

Left with lots of watermelon from the Fourth of July?

I certainly was, which is why I made this amazing concoction of skin-boosting vitamins for my face.  Watermelon naturally contains high amounts of vitamins A, B, and C.  Combine this with the strong anti-oxidant and astringent  properties of Witch Hazel and you have the perfect skin clearing toner.

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Love and Tulips,
The Tulips Team


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6 Fab Summer Reads

It's Fourth of July weekend...are you at a beach relaxing??? Ok I'm not either, but what's wrong with a glass of wine and a great book to kick off this long Holiday weekend. Here are 6 fabulous reads recommended by my sister and I.

Berry and Lemon Puffed Tart

This could possible be a wash out....the cookout, the fireworks, the parade... all the fun!!!! Rain is predicted and right now it looks like I live next to a river and not a street. It is not supposed to RAIN on The Fourth of July.  Time to break out the umbrella while grilling and enjoy the indoors?? 

With all this time indoors I had time to whip up this SUPER easy festive tart.  Using fresh berries and puff pastry you will have a great dessert or breakfast.

Fresh Watermelon Salsa & Granitas

 The height of summer is upon us, so let's quickly prepare our Fourth of July menus so we can savor our time with friends and family. Watermelon is the idyllic Fourth of July fruit and I must say this first recipe is tried and true.  Watermelon Salsa may sound a bit different, but with the added hot peppers it has all the right balance.  With a couple simple ingredients it will come together in a BANG!