All Aboard The Hot Mess Express Y'all

The South has seen its share of Disney Princesses turned Pop Star crazy pants... most notably Demi Lovato and Britney Spears. Luckily, these two divas have risen out of the ashes and are doing fabulously. I highly suggest checking out some of their new music!

But these two getting back on track has left a void- a void two more former Disney Princesses are happily working to fill.

While Selena Gomez seems to be working hard to shed her good girl image (case in point, Spring Breakers and her newest video for "Birthday") it seems more like a natural progression into being a 21-year-old than trying to be a rebel. She should really accept her #NiceGirl image. We like it, we're used to it.

And while Selena may be a passenger on the #HotMessExpress, the undisputed conductor is definitely Miley Cyrus. Congratulations, I guess...

This rebellion is almost understandable when you consider the fact that she has the double whammy of being a child star and the daughter of a celebrity. Understandable but also confusing. Has any celebrity ever embraced their downward spiral like Miley?!

Nope.

From trying to steal the Spice Girls' Closing Ceremony thunder by tweeting about her dramatic makeover...



Like, can we take a moment of silence for Miley's long hair that we all were jealous of??

Since the infamous hair cut, she has taken to twerkin' and talking about how she prefers marijuana to alcohol... definitely a great thing to talk to the media about since she's 20-years-old.

But the pièce de résistance has got to be the newly released director's cut for her We Can't Stop video.

Don't worry, the dancing with the massive teddy bears is still there, along with a piñata full of hot dogs...

Like Britney and Demi, we are not impressed...

 

Not only did you give the world the notion that everyone from the South sounds like a chipmunk with emphysema but then you add this video?! I guess you can take the girl out of the South but you'll never get the redneck out of the girl.

Bless her heart y'all... We can't wait to see what other Hot Mess Express music she has hidden up her sleeve when her new album comes out later this fall.

But no matter how many pop princesses may come out of the South, we can take solace knowing that we gave the world Queen B. You're welcome world, you're welcome.

 

 

[ALL IMAGES VIA TUMBLR]

Summer Make-Up Solutions

We all know that life in the South is absolutely fabulous but there is one daily struggle that we all deal with- how to keep your make-up looking great during the hot and humid summer months.

I get asked if I have any tips over on The Rules pretty regularly and though I've answered it before, I have some really great products that I've started using and L.O.V.E. so obviously I wanted to share with y'all asap!!

**Key Words: Sweatproof & Waterproof
While nothing is ever really sweatproof or waterproof, these words are key when picking your products.**

My Favorite Summer Products

Summer Make-Up Must Haves by rulesforbelles featuring smashbox

 

1. Primers- I have used smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer and Benefit's "That Gal" Brightening Face Primer. I prefer smashbox under my foundation and Benefit by itself.

2. Foundation- Since I prefer a more full-coverage, I really love Tarte's Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation. It's one step up from Bare Minerals' coverage. For a lighter coverage (which is always the best way to go in the summertime!!!), Bare Minerals Original Foundation is great. The lightweight mineral powder feels like it's barely there but keeps you looking fresh all day!

3. Correcting Powder- I never go anywhere without e.l.f.'s Studio Tone Correcting Powder in my purse! This truly sheer powder is oil-absorbent and adds a nice matte finish. I use it for a light finish when I opt out of foundation and go for "That Gal" instead. Plus, it's amazing for any necessary touchups throughout the day. And at $3 a pop, you cannot beat it.

4. Finishing Powder- Thanks to Emily Maynard's blog, I was introduced to Ben Nye's Luxury Powder. Emily calls this "Shellac For Your Face" and she is SO right. Ben Nye is a stage make-up company, used by actors and performers around the world. They trust this light powder under the stage lights, while they dance and sweat around the stage so surely it will last while I dash around town! Plus, this has the advantage of matching your skin tone so you don't pull a Miley.

5. Blotting Paper- Nothing works 100% of the time so keeping these with you is always a good idea!

6. Mascara Topcoat- I don't love waterproof mascara but during the summer, it's pretty much a necessity. Luckily, I found the Bare Minerals Locked & Coated Lash Topcoat so I can still use my favorite mascara and just add this! Since it makes any mascara waterproof, I recommend this for weddings too!

7. Setting Spray- To seal it all in, nothing is more fabulous than Urban Decay's De-Slick Oil Control Make Up Setting Spray. It not only absorbs oil but also adds a matte finish to reflect light and keep you from looking shiny.

So this isn't everything in my make-up bag but these are absolutely what I recommend for y'all to look your best even when it's 97 degrees and 85% humidity...

Stay Southern y'all and enjoy!
Caroline. xx.

PS- Do you have any products that you love that I left off this list? Let me know on Twitter!

#MMLovesFashion: Hey now, You're an All-Star

Remember this post featuring the always adorable Reese Witherspoon? Well we fell in love with one particular item...

If asked what shoe a fabulously southern lady (a.k.a. a Modern Magnolia) should wear, one wouldn't normally answer "Chuck Taylors, of course". However, the times they are a changin' and Converse All-Stars are no longer reserved for the indie/skater crowd. These classic shoes have made a comeback in a major way, and it seems like every fashion-forward girl has a pair!

Lately I have been seeing Converse, or 'Chuck Taylors', all over Pinterest and the blog-o-sphere looking super chic, classic and cool. But what's the difference between the Chucks of middle school and today? Easy- The color! Back then the all black pair was the mark of a true rebel, but now it's all about crisp, all white, low-tops.

The best part about white Chucks is their versatility. They surprisingly look amazing with shorts, dresses or pants! There is just something so quintessentially American about these kicks that I can't get enough of. They're just perfect for any outing! Here are a few ideas to get your fashion juices flowing...

Exploring A New City

Brunch With The Girls

Casual Afternoon At A Festival or Baseball Game

Whatever the occasion, this once fashion don't is now a total do! If you buy one pair of shoes this summer, it needs to be white Chucks! Trust me; I'm sure your Jacks would love a break. :)

How do you style your crisp, white Chucks? Let us know over on Twitter!

Enjoy!

Lanie 

#RoyalBaby- The Great Kate Wait is almost over!

Modern Magnolias are predisposed to love babies. Whether your maternal instincts have kicked in or are hibernating for a bit longer, from an early age we are exposed to the caregiver role. Most of us start babysitting far before we can drive, keep the church's nursery or watch our younger siblings- it's just part of life in the South. So naturally, when something as significant as a Royal Baby happens, we are beyond excited! I mean, for real y'all, I feel like one of my friends is having a baby!! 

via I mean really, is she not the CUTEST pregnant lady you've ever seen?!

Maybe I feel this way because Kate seems to have become a friend to all of us. She has been a beacon of hope for those of us who love manners, etiquette, fashion, intelligence, strong females and perseverance! Other than not being from the South, the Duchess absolutely qualifies as a Modern Magnolia. 

via Pinterest I mean, how precious?!

Not only does she prove that good things come to those who wait (10 years of dating while the ENTIRE world was watching?!) but that fairy tales are absolutely real. What better story is there??

via Pinterest But actually...

 I'll tell you. Duchess Catherine could give birth to a baby girl and she would be the first girl born under the newly revised primogeniture laws ensure that this child- male or female, will be Will's rightful heir to the throne. 

via Pinterest

Maybe they'll even name her Dianna. How amazing would that be?! Tweet me over at Modern Magnolias and let me know if you are as excited as I am!! I'll be updating all day about #TheGreatKateWait :)

xx.- Caroline

#MMLovesFashion: 10 Outfits You Will Definitely Need In College

So you're a Modern Magnolia heading to college. Yay!! The most exciting four years of your life are about to start. Packing for that teeny, tiny closet is stressing you out and don't know where to begin? No worries! We've got you covered with a list of 10 outfits that you will definitely need in college! (All images via Pinterest)

White Dress

 

• Chapter meetings, gameday, church, sorority initiation, Carolina Cup- the list goes on and on. You will wear/need a white sundress at some point. Put it in your closet now! You'll need this at the last minute and none of the stores will be carrying them because it will be after Labor Day...

Little Black Dress

• Like I said in my first post, EVERY GIRL NEEDS A LITTLE BLACK DRESS. Never know when you need to step it up and get a little fancy!

Going Out

• Whether you are going out to dinner or to a fraternity party, you want to look good doing it. When you go to a party in college for the first time, you will see a wide variety of outfits. A night out is the chance to get a little more sassy, without being too.. well, slutty. Everyone else might be wearing the tightest skirt they could find, but Modern Magnolias always keep it classy. This isn't me telling you to dress like a nun, but leave a little bit to the imagination. Wear a fun, flirty dress or a cute sheer top (wear a little something under it--bandeau/tank, NOT JUST YOUR BRA PLEASE) and jeans! Pair either of these options with some cute heels, depending on where you are going. If you are going to a fraternity party, I guarantee some cute sandals are a better option!

Going To Class

• There will be days (lots of them) that you will roll out of bed and go to class wearing heaven only knows after pulling an all-nighter. (It happens to the best of us y'all.) But for the days you want to look put together because of that cutie in your chemistry class, you'll want some outfit options. You don't want to look like you are trying too hard, and let's face it, you want to be comfortable when you are in class adding pins to your wedding board typing really good notes. Wear some cute shorts (think J.Crew or Lilly Pulitzer) with some comfy sandals for walking around campus. In the winter some jeans and an oversized sweater with a pair of cowboy boots will keep you looking cute while being comfortable as well!
  

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Workout Gear

• No reason you can't look good while keeping that freshman 15 off! Stock up on some running shorts and some fun tennis shoes! You won't only wear your workout gear to the gym, you'll end up wearing it to class or to study on those days you don't feel like dressing up. Spice up your active wear with some neon tennis shoes!

Casual Weekend

• Modern Magnolias always want to look cute and put together, whether you're running errands, going to lunch with a friend or shopping on the weekends. A maxi dress is perfect for casual weekend wear! I'm so obsessed with the maxi trend right now and can't think of a better way to be comfy and cute! Clearly, we all know that a maxi dress is just the baggy version of yoga pants...

Theme Outfit

• If you choose to join a sorority, get ready to spend ungodly amounts of money on ridiculous thrift store finds for whatever theme mixer or crush party you go to once a week month. Want to make your life easier? Go ahead and have an 80s outfit, a camouflage outfit and an American theme outfit packed and ready to go. Whether you are in a sorority or not, I promise you will be asked to go to one of these to theme parties at some point (probably more than once), trust me. For the 80s outfit: leggings, giant off the shoulder white t-shirt, bright tennis shoes, obnoxious neon 80s windbreaker (go to your local thrift shop now). America theme: jorts, cowboy boots, red/white/blue bandana, and a fun patriotic tank (hint hint: check out @FutureFirstLady's "Red, White, and Better Than You" tanks! You can also find some fun options at skreened.com or even at Wal-Mart or Target!). Bonus: If you have random costumes/theme outfits you used in high school, bring them with you. ALL OF THEM.

"Business casual" -(hate this term)

• Inevitably you will be asked to give a presentation at some point in your freshman year. You'll ask what you should wear and your professor will say " dress business casual." Ya'll, I hate this term. Like, do you want me to dress business or casual? Pick one. But anyway, here's my suggestion: wear a dress or skirt. Make sure the hemline is an appropriate length (not too short y'all) and it's not too tight. Wear a cute top- no cleavage and stay away from sheer unless you're wearing a tank underneath. Pair this with a simple cardigan and flats and you're ready to go! Don't be afraid to play with patterns but stay away from super distracting/noisy jewelry. I love a good statement necklace but you want everyone focused on you!
  
  This option also doubles as Formal Chapter attire for you future sorority girls! But on the plus side, you can definitely add the statement necklace!! 

Rainy Weather Outfit

• It will rain. You will have to go to class regardless. Invest in a rain jacket, a good pair of rain boots and an umbrella. And don't think you have to be drab just because the weather is. Get some fun rain gear! I've had a Lilly Pulitzer umbrella that has lasted me for years and I am obsessed with Hunter rain boots! 

Gameday

• If you don't already love gameday in the South, after going to college, you will. The Modern Magnolia loves an excuse to buy a new outfit (or ten) and there is no better excuse than football games! Does anything say, "True Fan" like a new sundress that perfectly matches your school's colors? I didn't think so. Do yourself a favor and go ahead and get a couple of outfit options over the summer! Whether you wear a dress, skirt or shorts, you don't want to be running around at the last minute looking for something to wear. My suggestion: anywhere you go: LOOK FOR YOUR SCHOOL'S COLORS. I have always had lots of luck at J.Crew! Judith March usually has great options made specifically for football season, and in most school's colors. Also, check boutiques near your school, they are usually the best places to find the perfect gameday dress!

So this isn't a specific outfit, but y'all need to invest in some cowboy boots if you haven't already! YOU WILL WEAR THEM EVERYWHERE!!!
 

 

Hope these are helpful for all of you Modern Magnolias heading off to school. And you college and post-college Magnolias, comment/tweet us and tell us which outfits on our list are must haves and which ones we may have left off!

Stay southern y'all!
-Mary Lauren

Take It From A Man: Top 10 Wardrobe Don'ts

Last week, I found this article. Apparently, men hate wedges more than they hate Crocs. Yeah, I didn't believe it either. So I took to Twitter and low and behold, guys came out of the woodwork to tell me all the things wrong with wedges. My friend Taylor from Social Primer chimed in and quite the debate ensued. So that got me thinking, what else do guys hate that we love?! So, with some trepidation, Taylor agreed to put a list together for #ModernMagnolias. 

**NOTE: This post is in no way intended to make you feel bad about any outfit choices you've made or to deter you from future outfit choices. This is merely an exploration into the thought process that goes on in the male mind. But boys are stupid so who knows? And remember-

Enjoy! xx

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Women, men don’t understand you. In all fairness we would probably still mess it up even if Apple were to release an iMindReader. Although we can never hope to understand you, we know what we do and don’t like about you. Whether or not we share it, most men have a strong opinion about many things you care about, especially when it comes to appearance. 

To make it easy, I created a sort of Not Top 10. How thoughtful of me, I know...

10. Rompers

A wise man once said that, “No grown woman should ever be romping around in a romper.” I find rompers very confusing considering they were designed for toddlers. I’m not sure when or why they made the leap into 20-something’s closets, but a onesie has no place is a woman’s closet as it reads childish and lazy.

9. CrAzY nAiLs

I’m all for artistic expression and everything, but it’s safe to say that I speak for every man when I tell you to stop with the Jackson Pollock nail jobs. Holiday’s included. Colors are fine to a degree, but everything in moderation.

8. Wedge Heels

Wedges were the foundation for this article’s topic (pun intended) and almost started a revolt on Twitter when first mentioned. I get that they are easier to walk in, but I’m of the tribe that you either wear heels (which you can walk properly in) or you don’t at all. To be honest, I’d rather you just send all of these overseas because there’s just something about a woman in heels…

7. High Waisted Shorts

Sure everyone wants to go be free at Bonnaroo and live out their hippie fantasy, but the reality is that’s the only place where girls can actually look good in them (the cool guy with the Pez dispenser may have something to do with that). Trust me on this one girls.

6. "Norts" and an XL T-Shirt

This TSM may be the worst thing to hit college campuses since Adderall. If whole chapters of sorority sisters haven’t already loaded up buses to hunt me down, they have just put down their cooler crafting supplies to pick up pitchforks and torches. I’m sure it’s comfortable, but I wouldn't even wear sweatpants in the privacy of my own home. You have to draw the line in the sand somewhere.

5. Asymmetrical Dresses

One-Shoulder Dresses/Mullet Dresses/Hi-Low Dresses- whatever. Guys are simple beings. If you mess with something as basic as symmetry, you’ve already lost us before we’re even out the door. 

4. Too Much Make-Up

If you want to have cake face, go to a Steve Aoki concert. Otherwise keep it simple, light and natural. There is a fine eye pencil line between enough and too much.

3. Bubble Necklaces

I bet you have a Pinterest page don’t you…

2. Yoga Pants/Leggings

In the words of R. Kelly, “My mind is tellin’ me no, but my body, my body is tellin’ me yesssss.” Although I bio-chemically agree with everything that yoga pants and leggings represent, there comes a point where it becomes redundant- like seeing a girl wear them every single day. Not including the fact that these are especially tricky in that though they may be comfortable, it is unfortunately easy to look as if you were poured into them.

1. Chevron

Just so you understand, this is the only Chevron we will ever care about. Also the reason the creator of Pinterest should be tried for human rights violations. Seriously ladies, enough with the Chevron.

Please don't hurt me. 

-T. Eubanks

@SPSalesman