Leah Tackles

How-To Wear Mini Dresses as a Mom [comfortably]

June 28, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

Did this title make you cringe? Make you click SOFAST because it made you angry or curious to see why on earth I’d ever suggest that a mom shouldn’t feel comfortable rocking a mini dress [or skirt]? Good. You’re here. First of all: Wear whatever the heck you like that makes YOU feel good. Period. That said if you’re like me and you love mini dresses but you also love to be able to bend over comfortably or hold your kid’s hands in a parking lot on a windy day without flashing everyone, this post is for you.

How-To Comfortably Wear a Mini Dress as a Mom

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Have you tried this trick? Does it make you feel more comfortable with short dresses and skirts?

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I RAN A MARATHON | ALL THE GEAR I USED

June 21, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there, Happy Monday!

I DID IT! I ran 26.2 miles and finished a marathon. I couldn’t have done it without the grace and support of my husband, first and foremost, who never complained when I would spend HOURS training. My kids, who are sweet and encouraging and always wrote me little “You can do it” notes. To my family and best friends who showed up for me and supported me and cheered for me virtually and in-person. It made a difference. My longest run in training was 19 miles, and I added 7.2 miles to that largely thanks to my crowd support. And the medal, let’s be real.

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Today I will be sharing EVERYTHING I used during the marathon. It isn’t a beauty or fashion post, per se, but I did rock mascara and brow gel without issue if anyone is wanting to know ; )

MARATHON GEAR I ACTUALLY USED

Under Armor Visor

BondiBand Running Headband

Senita Hustle Sports Bra

Senita Baseline Running Shorts

Nike Women’s Miler Breathe Tank Top

Nathan Running Belt

CEP Short Compression Socks

Under Armor Running Underwear

Ascis Gel Kayano Lite Shoes

Goodr A Ginger’s Soul Sunglasses

Are you training for a marathon or another running goal? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Waterproof Mascara | Review

June 14, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I have been rocking very little makeup, but something that I wear nearly 365 if mascara. I curl my lashes some days, but not always, and I like a mascara that is wet, waterproof (a pain to take off, yes, but I prefer that battle over worrying about smudges or the panic that otherwise ensues every time my eyes water).

Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Waterproof Mascara

I purchased the Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Waterproof Mascara recently and I’ve been a fan. I love that it’s a very mascara with the double curved brush makes applying mascara from root to tip a breeze. I am able to build up if I get a second coat on fairly quickly before the first one dries (I prefer to focus the second coat on the upper-middle and outer lash). This mascara does not flake or smudge on me. I get a ton of volume and a pretty fanned-out look (I can also wear just a tad of this on my most natural makeup days). The description does say that it is a fiber-infused formula, and sometimes I think fibers = spidery lashes, but I do not find that to be the case with this mascara. I use my favorite micellar water to remove this mascara.

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The easiest makeup hack | Concealer GAME-CHANGER

June 7, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I don’t know about you, but one thing that I’ve been rocking since the pandemic is less makeup. A lot less. But I always wear concealer, at least under my eyes. I wear foundation probably four times a year, max (2016 me wouldn’t believe this fact!) but concealer is always part of my makeup game.

You know when you’re have swirled the wand as much as possible, and even though there is still product in the tube, you can’t get it out? I’ve figured out a work-around that ensures you’ve used every last bit of product. Not only is this friendly to your wallet, but it’s all-around less wasteful. I have zero shame in this, and I’ll cut open skincare to make sure I’ve scrapped every bit of lotion or eye cream out of the tube.

Concealer GAME-CHANGER Makeup Hack

All you need is a pair of needle nose pliers (ask your dad or husband before “borrowing” them if you’re a tad more considerate than I was…). If you look at your concealer tube once you’ve taken the top off, the part that the top twists into (swirl shape where it twists) has a thin (usually clear) plastic piece that you can use needle nose pliers to remove. Remove it and be AMAZED! So.Much.Product is left and easily can be use!

If you try this, please let me know in the comments! And, if you have a beauty hack that you use, I’d love to hear it!

Have a wonderful week! xx

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The BEST Summer T-Shirt Dress | Time and Tru

May 31, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday! And, Happy Memorial Day! I hope you’re enjoying a long weekend if you’re here in the U.S.

Last summer I purchased two t-shirt style, tiered baby doll style dresses that I wore ALL. THE. TIME. It was perfect. Comfortable, easy, breezy and I could wear in to appointments, out-and-about, to church, and be cute but modest enough to feel comfortable that my bum wouldn’t show.

I snagged this years version, that has a ruffle sleeve too which is so fun.

Time and Tru Women’s Tiered Knit Dress

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Look Good On Zoom Calls | The Best Mini Ring Light On Amazon

May 24, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I was on Zoom calls before it was cool ; ) But now I’m in great company with many folks continuing to work from home after the pandemic which has caused a cultural shift that takes the office out of the equation and puts video conference calls onto the table.

I have terrible lighting at my house. AWFUL. You read it here first: Never will I ever [again] buy a house that makes creating content such a pain. I was using my full-size ring light for Zoom calls, and while I still use it for virtual speaking engagements and conferences, I was getting reeeeal tired of lugging it up and down our stairs every single call. So, I purchased a Mini Ring Light off of Amazon and it is a GAME-CHANGER.

UBeesize 10″ Selfie Ring Light with 50″ Extendable Tripod Stand & Flexible Phone Holder

I love that this ring light is affordable and right now it is the LOWEST PRICE I’ve seen it! I can also put my iPhone in to record videos and take pictures [so much nicer than a hand-held selfie] or I can just use the ring light to brighten up my space for Zoom calls.

Product Details

【Dimmable Ring Light】UBeesize 10″ Ring Light features 3 light colors (Warm, Cool White, Daylight) and 11 levels brightness in each color, 33 options in total.
【Adjustable & Stable Tripod】Extending from 15″ to 50″, and tripod legs unfold up to 30″ wide, the stable tripod can be adjusted to any height within as needed.
【Endless Lighting Angle】3-way pan head with a convenient handle allows for tilt and swivel motion; portrait or landscape options.
【Flexible Phone Holder from the Ring】Rather than placing the cellphone outside the ring, our ring light is big enough that you can place your cellphone in the ring to make the most of this circle light.
【Bluetooth Remote and Lifetime Service】It comes with a Bluetooth remote, so you don’t even need to touch your cellphone to start the video or selfie.

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Leopard Apple Watch Band | Amazon Fashion Find Under $10

May 17, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I wear my Apple watch every.single.day and I also am very active, running typically four days each week and working out six or seven days each week. I found the best Amazon Fashion Find for under $10: A leopard Apple watch band.

Leopard Apple Watch Band

I had a plain black silicone rubber band, and a metal rose gold band, both of which I love, but I was getting tired of changing it multiple times a week, if not multiple times a day. I knew that the silicone rubber bands from Apple cost about $50, and I didn’t want to pay that much. So, naturally, I headed to Amazon. I found the best band, ever, and I’ve worn it every day for five months. I do have *slight* peeling on the edges, but it is only noticed when pointed out, and that is after daily, sweaty use.

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Beetles Gel Nail Polish Kit with U V Light | Review

May 10, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hadn’t gotten a manicure in probably close to two years. I got sick of painting my nails with a base coat, two coats of polish, and then a top coat only to have them chip after a day or two. I got gel manicures before special events, but when times changed in March of 2020, I started seeing more and more folks doing gel manicures at home. I asked for a gel manicure kit from Amazon, and it has been a GAME CHANGER.

Beetles Gel Nail Polish Kit with U V Light | Review

The kit comes with the UV lamp, 6 gel polishes, a base coat, a matte top coat, a glossy top coat, cuticle oil, toe separators, a buffing tool, and several other cuticle and manicure tools.

This kit did take a bit of trial and error. My first attempt I struggled to get the edges of my nails to work well, but I realized that I needed to be careful to not let any excess polish go onto the skin next to my nails because once the polish is cured, any polish on the edges also hardens and then my nails don’t have a nice shape. I did also notice that a couple of the polishes didn’t cure as well as others, but overall this kit is a WINNER.

Hate waiting for polish to dry? Or nicking your polish or smudging them? ME TOO. My FAVORITE part about this kit is that the polish cures so quickly. It takes me about 45 minutes to do my nails, which is similar to the time you’d spend in a salon, and the cost of this kit is less than the cost of one gel manicure. I also purchased extra Beetles Gel Nail Polishes so I would have more options.

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My final thoughts are this kit is SO WORTH IT! I have bought gel polishes before, but the light is what really makes it a gel kit. Have you ever tried a UV Light gel manicure at-home kit?

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Nadine West Unboxing

May 3, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

Have you ever wondered how a clothing subscription box works? Nadine West offers an affordable style subscription service.

I have shared my outfits from Nadine West for three years now on my blog (read the posts here). Nadine West sent me this box for my consideration for review but I was not paid to write this post and as always all opinions are my own.

What is Nadine West?

NadineWest.com is a company that sends you an outfit to try on and you keep only what you love. The outfit is a surprise, but you take a style quiz and the stylists get to know your style more each month. The outfits are affordable with pieces costing about $10-$30 each, which is very affordable compared to other similar services.

How Does Nadine West Work?

On the Nadine West website, you take the style quiz so that the stylist can get to know what you are looking for in an outfit. You will receive a pink package in the mail with your personalized outfit. Try on the outfit and keep what you love and send back what you don’t.

My Thoughts On Nadine West

The style quiz was super easy to do, which was great because I wanted something that didn’t take too much time but I was still able to make notes to make sure the stylist knew my preferences. I really loved the surprise aspect of this, and it was like opening up a girly gift from a really stylish friend. I cannot stand having to return things, it is such a bummer, but I LOVE the way this company does it because your outfit comes with return shipping.

Nadine West Coupon Code

Use the referral code “Nadine” on NadineWest.com (not an affiliate code for me, just sharing the one they currently have on their website) to waive your shipping fee which means you’ll get your outfit in the mail without paying anything!

Nadine West Unboxing

This wasn’t a great box for me, but I do really like these black joggers! They will get a lot of wear.

Nadine West Final Thoughts

I very, very rarely like the pants that I get sent. I like the tops quite often and have found some closet staples. I would much prefer to receive fewer pieces of higher quality.

Have you tried any fashion boxes like this? Have you tried Nadine West? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Have a wonderful rest of your week! Thank you for reading! xx

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How-To Find Selvedge Denim | Redline Vintage Levi’s

April 26, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday! And, most importantly, HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY to my sweet, sweet Hailey!

I now own selvedge denim that is older than both of us ; ) A couple of years ago I switched to a neutral wardrobe, and I’ve never once looked back. A capsule wardrobe is a game-changer, if you haven’t tried it I *highly* suggest it. Now that I’m committed to neutrals, I’ve begun to make a real effort to purchase less fast fashion and buy more sustainable fashion.

I have several pairs of higher-end denim, but a few weekends ago when my husband was forced to spend some time on the couch relaxing (how sad is it that we crave illness or injury as we age for a forced break?) was researching men’s sustainable style and asked me about selvedge denim. I hadn’t heard of it but after a quick Google search, I knew I had to own a pair.

What is selvedge denim?

First called “self-edge” selvedge is the narrow , tightly woven band on both edges of the denim fabric. Selvedge prevents the edge of the jean from unravelling and shows a clean, finished look. Selvedge is done on old shuttle looms. The slower pace of shuttle looms puts less tension on the yarn. And it’s a fact that shuttle looms tolerate more slubs in the yarn, which add character to the denim fabric.

How-To Avoid Fake Selvedge Denim

I began looking on Poshmark, eBay, and Googling Selvedge denim and quickly learned that there is a lot of misinformation out there, and also a lot of fakes. Some companies even sew something into the jean that mimics the look of a selvedge denim. I knew that I didn’t want to risk getting a fake pair, so I began researching places to buy new or authentic selvedge. I decided that I wanted to order Levi’s specifically because I loved the idea of having a pair of the OGs. I found JEANSLOVESHOP on Etsy and Lindsey, the owner, gave me a huge education on vintage Levi’s and I’m thrilled to be able to share her knowledge and passion with you!

Vintage Levi’s Selvedge 501’s

Lindsey, the owner at JEANSLOVESHOP on Etsy is INCREDIBLE. Her shop boasts all 5 Star reviews, and she made the experience special and easy! On her shop, she shares her story of a life-long love of vintage Levi’s, and that comes through in her exceptional attention to detail and incredible knowledge. Instead of guessing a praying that a pair would fit, based solely on my typical size (which we all know can be a crapshoot), Lindsey helped me to measure a pair of jeans I already owned and with several back-and-forth messages, she was able to send me the options in her shop that she thought would be a great fit for me. The result? A pair of jeans older than I am that fit like they were made for me!