This weekend is probably going to about the same as the last one. Since we’re still social-distancing, it’s all about finding ways to occupy ourselves at home. Tarte’s Friends & Family sale for spring 2020 might help keep your hands busy and save you some money at the same time. Whenever Tarte rolls out one of these sales, we’re able to stock up on foundation and concealer and even test a new product or two we haven’t seen before. All these goodies are up to 30 percent off.

As with any big beauty sale, some exclusions apply. You can’t use the Friends & Family discount on vaults, bundles, travel size, goodie grabs, Hannah Meloche x Sugar Tush Multi-Purpose Palette or the new Surfer Curl Volumizing Mascara. But there’s some seriously good news. Often, Shape Tape is excluded from the sale as well because it’s such a big seller. But not this time. Stock up the cult-favorite concealer while you grab the new Maracuja Tinted Hydrator or one of a bunch of colorful eyeshadow palettes that are sure to occupy your time indoors.

The sale runs from March 27 to April 1. Use code BESTIES for 25 percent off. If you’re a Tarte Rewards member, you’ll get 30 percent off with the same code. (It’s free to sign up.) We got you started with some of our favorites, below.

Image: Tarte.

Shape Tape Concealer

The vegan, waterproof, full-coverage formula is a favorite for a reason.

Image: Tarte.

Maneater Mascara

Curl and coat your lashes with intense black pigment.

Image: Tarte.

Busy Gal Goals Eye & Cheek Palette

With nine eyeshadow shades and two face colors.

Image: Tarte.

Maracuja Tinted Hydrator

This new tinted moisturizer is ultra-lightweight and hydrating.

Image: Tarte.

Maracuja Oil

This vegan face oil contains maracuja seeds for a burst of vitamin C and essential fatty acids.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Coming
home from grocery stores in the past weeks during this rapidly escalating
Covid-19 outbreak has left me both anxious and overwhelmed.

As
I’ve scanned the increasing number of empty shelves in most grocery chains,
I’ve wondered, as no doubt you have, how I will manage to sustain a healthy
diet on a modest budget. Not to mention while following recommendations to
distance socially and self-isolate.

Good
nutrition is of the utmost importance right now to boost our immune systems during
this pandemic that could last for months.

Healthy Nutrition

The
most prudent and practical solution for me has been to switch to more of a
plant-based diet recently. I am not vegan or vegetarian, although I have always
included several vegetarian meals each week in my diet, mostly because they are
economical and I love to eat a variety of foods.

Now,
as it becomes more difficult to stock fresh foods on a regular basis, it just
makes sense to stock the pantry with dried goods such as rice, lentils, beans,
pasta, and canned goods which offer good nutritional value and longer shelf
lives. And for the most part, they are easier on the budget.

Today,
I threw together this delicious vegan stew which was just so easy to prepare
and is so fail-proof that even your grandkids could make it! Rice and dried red
lentils are the main ingredients.

Lentils have been a
source of sustenance for our ancestors since prehistoric times. They are the oldest pulse crop
known to man and one of the earliest domesticated crops. Lentils are rich in fiber and protein and are
packed with nutrients such as folate, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and
potassium.

Much has been written of late about the healing properties of herbs and spices. One of my goals during this pandemic is to
start an indoor herb ‘garden’ (starting with just a few pots) and maybe even start
drying herbs and creating my own spice blends. But for today, I have to admit
that I used mostly store-bought blends.

Don’t Follow the Rules; Have Fun Experimenting

When I cook, I don’t follow recipes. I just throw together ingredients
and then give them the taste test. That’s the best part!

So, the recipe below does not include specific measurements. You can
adjust the spices to your liking. I personally like spicy and warming foods, so
I added liberal amounts, but if you like milder flavours, just sprinkle the
spices sparingly rather than liberally.

Once the preparation is on the stove, you can sit back and relax while
enjoying the aromas that are going to make you salivate!

The Very Simple 4-Step Plan

Sauté ½ to 1 cup of diced onions in olive oil in a large stock pot.

Add 1 cup of brown and wild rice, 1 cup of dried red lentils (rinsed
and drained), 1 large can (19 fl. oz.) of diced tomatoes including the liquid,
and 3 cups of water. If you like a more soup-like consistency, add more water.

Add all or some of the following spices. Sprinkle liberally or
lightly, according to your liking:

• Ground turmeric (at least 1 tsp). This gives the stew a lovely colour and flavour
• Ginger (freshly grated or powdered)
• Mild curry powder
• Ground cumin
• Garlic – freshly smashed and peeled or powdered
• Lemon and pepper seasoning
• Chili and lime spice blend
• Ginger lemon sriracha spice blend
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (raw and unfiltered is best)
• ½ fresh lemon – just throw this into the mixture – you can discard it later
• Any other spices that you have on hand and would like to add

Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer for 45 minutes, stirring
occasionally.

That’s It!

Now all you have to do is enjoy it! Next time, change it up by using
barley instead of rice, or maybe brown lentils instead of red.

During these unprecedented, rapidly changing, and daunting times, we
all need to become more creative, more budget-conscious, and more nutritionally
aware when preparing meals. However, it’s my belief that we still need to enjoy
our food and have fun preparing it.

Cooking is one of those delightful necessities or hobbies (however you
regard it) that nourishes not only the body, but also the soul. Have fun with
this recipe and let me know how you make out. Bon appetite!

How are you cooking and eating differently during this time? Have you discovered any new meal planning approaches that you would like to share with our community? How do you balance social distancing and self-isolation measures with the necessity of grocery shopping? Let’s have a conversation!

Cynthia Bailey’s Red Bow Jumpsuit

Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 12 Episode 19 Fashion

Cynthia Bailey looked like the perfect present in her red bow jumpsuit at Porsha Williams’ event on tonights’ Real Housewives of Atlanta. She was perfectly styled in this pop of color with a dramatic bow and hair worn up to hi-light her perfectly toned shoulders.  And the best part is there are some amazing and affordable Style Stealers for this look that are in cropped or playsuit versions that are absolutely amazing for any Real Housewives worthy occasion.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to See her Jovani Bow Halter Jumpsuit

Originally posted at: Cynthia Bailey’s Red Bow Jumpsuit

Before the
recent restrictions on socializing, every night after dinner in my community’s
main building, an older gentleman sat in a wing chair opposite the central
elevator, holding a bag of dog treats.

He gave
one to every canine that passed by (on a leash, of course). Bob was an
institution: people sat on either side of him to watch and to kibbutz.

Enter Sally, My Terrier with an Attitude

The first
time I walked my dog to the elevator, Bob asked if he could give her a treat. I
replied, “She’s not friendly.”

As
sometimes happens with rescued animals, Sally reacts aggressively when she
perceives a threat. If an unknown man raises his hand to wave at me, she goes
crazy. She does not tolerate any incursions on her turf.

Bob was not
daunted by my warning. The next time Sally and I passed by, he asked if he
could give her a treat. I relented, telling her to sit while Bob offered the
cookie. She took it, and I called her away.

The
following evening, full of confidence, Bob offered her a treat. She took it,
and stared up at him with those big, hungry eyes. He gave her another. She ate
it and waited for more.

Don’t Press Your Luck

Just as I started
to say, “That’s enough,” he began to pet her. Without her permission. And she
bit him.

Not a
full-mouthed, tear-that-squirrel-limb-from-limb kind of bite. Rather, a
closed-mouth bang on the hand, not breaking skin but hard enough to leave a
black-and-blue mark that would last weeks.

Of course,
I apologized. Bob said he didn’t need first aid and looked at me with a
bewildered expression. He seemed more confused than hurt. I guessed he thought
he had been getting along well with Sally. I apologized again and left the
scene. I thought that was the end of the affair.

I Was Wrong

A few days
later, as Sally and I walked sedately past Bob’s group at the elevator, I heard
them talking about another dog that had behaved badly.

Evidently,
the pooch had charged yet another dog, a sweet creature belonging to a popular
resident. A woman I didn’t know said to me, ‘Your dog bites, but you have it
under control.’” She nodded approvingly.

The word
was out: my dog bites.

At first,
I was taken aback. Sally wouldn’t bite unless provoked. This was slander. But,
I had to concede, she was easily provoked. Then I realized Sally’s new
reputation as a biter would be a good thing. It would make people stay away
from her.

To tell
the truth, I had been worried that some senior citizens might be attracted to
her good looks – one ear stands up and the other flops
down around her cute, terrier face – and I’d bought
a dog jacket with the words DO NOT PET velcroed to the sides.

Now I
wouldn’t need to make her wear the jacket. Her reputation would precede her.

More Encounters

The next
day, as we walked down the main corridor to the restaurant, two people coming
toward us stopped and flattened themselves against the wall until we passed.

Later that
week, when I took Sally on a bike ride – I pedaled
and she trotted alongside me on a short leash – on the
sidewalk surrounding the community, two people stepped off the sidewalk into
the street.

I appreciated
having my pathway cleared, but I wondered if they thought Sally more dangerous
than oncoming cars.

Evidently,
the word had spread quickly and thoroughly throughout the community. I’d never
lived in a small town before, but, I thought, this must be what it’s like.

The Flip Side

On second
thought, I realized that ours is not an ordinary small town. People have
gathered here because they need an extra layer of care due to age or illness.
And they also give care.

When a
resident got disturbing news about his wife’s condition and became distraught,
a neighbor cancelled her engagements to go sit with him.

When I
left town for a few days, two women adopted my husband, without being asked, to
make sure he’d enjoy his meals. People look out for each other here. They pay
attention to each other’s business so that they can.

Sally’s
bum rap will protect her, and everyone else, in the end.

It’s not
just the staff and procedures that keep us safe in this community. It’s also the
residents. In this awful time of pandemic, I feel good knowing everyone around
me will bend over backwards to keep their distance and wash their hands.

Would you be comfortable living in a place
where everyone pays attention to your comings and goings? Would the tradeoff
for extraordinary care be worth it to you? Let’s have a conversation.

Tia Mowry may have the kind of money most of us only read about on Forbes lists, thanks to royalties from her iconic show Sister, Sister; income from some 50 acting and producing roles, and kickbacks from the five books she authored and co-authored. But when it comes to wellness, the actor, producer, and mom of two might as well live off a modest income with bi-weekly pay. That’s because Mowry strongly believes the path to health (and a self-care routine) should be approachable, affordable and inclusive.

It’s an ethos that threads every aspect of her wellness practice (something that was kickstarted with an endometriosis diagnosis a few years back). Want proof? Check her recently-launched supplement line, Anser, where she’s cut the multivitamin game from something of a $3 per day expenditure to just 50 cents per day. Then there’s exhibit B: her YouTube series, Tia Mowry’s Quick Fix, that shows more than half a million overscheduled subscribers how to solve life’s little dilemmas and make budget-friendly and healthy meals, fast. 

Source: Instagram

But wellness made relatable isn’t just something she’s selling: the Family Reunion actress shows us and 7.3 million other followers how she parents, works and implements self-care in the most relatable way. In short, the girl is brimming with hacks that won’t break the bank or eat up precious hours, which is something we all need (no matter how many commas our savings account boasts). Ahead, Mowry shares how building a wellness community can bring success and strength and why we need to highlight more women of color when it comes to wellbeing.

Find Your Tribe

In the beauty space you see Rihanna with Fenty, Tracee Ellis Ross with Pattern and Lisa Price with Carol’s Daughter. I do see more women of color represented when it comes to beauty. In the wellness space, [off the top of my head] I can think of Oprah as a woman of color who is a wellness and health advocate, but that’s not enough. There are women who are mothers or getting out of college and in the thick of life and [for whom] a relatability factor is important. Where is that when it comes to affordability? That’s why it was important for me to make Anser approachable, affordable and easy to get.

I was at a conference recently where I spoke on equity: Black women don’t get a lot of support when it comes to entrepreneurship and that right there is the problem—that’s what I mean by building a community, lending that hand.

Shutterstock. Design: Cierra Miller/STYLECASTER.

Inclusive Wellness

When you look at wellness as a whole, it looks like it’s only catered to the wealthy and is exclusive when it comes to supplements, beauty, and wellness in general. It was important that my supplement line, Anser, was tangible and reachable. I think everyone deserves to have the opportunity to [thrive] when it comes to wellness. 

My whole wellness journey began when I was diagnosed with endometriosis. It’s a condition that affects lots of African-American women and I was shocked I didn’t know anything about it. 

I was suffering in silence for years. My point is while being on this journey of taking charge of my health and wellness, there was no representation whatsoever. That’s what encouraged me to write my cookbook, Whole New You ($13.46 at Amazon)— my goal is to communicate, encourage and talk to people who aren’t always included.

We have to start putting values and importance on diversity and women who aren’t given the opportunity to have a spotlight on their culture. Women empowerment in general is something I’m really passionate about—giving every woman a platform to build a community. Life is hard. So it’s important we all encourage each other and uplift each other. There are other people in this world [who are not represented in the wellness community] and who need support, guidance and help.

People forget about their mental health [as part of wellness], but it’s all-encompassing.

The Secret to Deep Sleep

A friend of mine recently had a female-focused wellness event at her house where author and healer Lalah Delia spoke and I was spellbound! She introduced me to bio neural beats and the idea of equanimity, which is basically not letting other people’s energy affect your own. 

Bio neural beats is a type of music that hits the delta wave in your brain and can put you in a really nice deep sleep. I look up bio neural beats on YouTube and listen there. Even if it’s just  for a 20 minute nap when I’m in my trailer—it feels like I’ve had two hours of sleep. It’s mind- blowing.

J. Strutz.

Two-Second Wellness Hack

My favorite wellness hack for when people don’t have a lot of time is taking your supplements. It makes a huge difference and how I know that is that I live it. When my doctor diagnosed me with endometriosis, I was told I’d  have to change my lifestyle. So I changed my diet, I started working out. I started taking supplements and doing meditation. I think anyone can slide supplements into their busy lives. I put all my supplements in a weekly vitamin container with slots for every day of the week then keep it by my bed with a glass of water. It takes two seconds.

Meditation Made Easy

The other thing I do is meditation. People think you have to be by yourself and sit in prayer position for 10-15 minutes. Personally, I don’t have that kind of time to myself. But the cool thing about meditation is [you can do it in other ways].

I can go in my backyard and do grounding. I connect my feet with the earth, hold my daughter’s hand and take my mind away from the hustle and bustle. It’s good for me and it’s good for her. She’s getting a better mother—a mother who is peaceful that’s not frazzled. I believe in energy that is calm and relaxed—that’s going to transfer to her and she’s going to feel that joy. When you take care of you, you can better take care of others. 

This can be done in five minutes time. I told my dad to do this the other day [when he was telling me he was stressed]: ‘go outside, barefoot and put your feet on the grass and ground yourself.’ This lets you connect with nature for five minutes or go to that place that makes you feel happy and gives you peace. Finding that peace can be something as simple as drinking a cup of warm tea and breathing. You are the answer: you are the only one who can take care of you.

Source: Instagram

Fitness in a Flash

Getting my heart moving in the morning is my cup of coffee. I have a Peloton and a treadmill at home, so I’ll get on the treadmill or Peloton bike for 20 minutes. When it comes to working out, people think you have to be in the gym for an hour and a half every single time. No. Those 20 minutes add up. It’s about moving your body and giving yourself that love. What is an extra 20 minutes to wake up before everyone else wakes up to get your heart moving? Even if it’s walking up a hill or taking an amazing stretch—those things will go a long way. As we get older, we tend to take care of other people more than ourselves. It’s nice to feel that I did something for myself this morning. 

Favorite Food Prep

My favorite recipe to make from my cookbook is fried rice. It’s one of the quickest and most delicious recipes you can do, mainly because a lot of the prep work is already done. You can use leftover rice from takeout you ordered the night before and buy kale and almonds that are already cut up and sliced. I add tamari and sesame oil and the whole thing just takes minutes to make.

Connecting with others…brings a sense of, ‘if she can do it, I know I can do it, too.’ 

Essential Apps

I’m a big fan of MyFitnessPal. It tracks caloric intake, which helps keep me in check, but I’m not obsessed with that aspect. What I love about it is it has a built-in community and educates you on incorporating food and fitness goals in a way you wouldn’t necessarily think about and shows your progress. 

There’s another app called Calm that I also use. It’s amazing. People forget about their mental health [as part of wellness], but it’s all-encompassing. I’ve started to see success by working on my stress levels. What I love about the Calm app is it makes you become aware of where you are mentally. I get alerts on my phone every day that ask me how I’m feeling. You can choose a fitting emoji and write out a diary or notes. I’m very type A and love working hard, but at the same time, I can get depleted. When I’m in go-go-go mode, the app makes me become aware of my emotions and tap into how I’m feeling. The point is to make you understand there are going to be good days and bad days and when there are bad days, not to give up.

Low-Lift Skincare

Practicality is very important to me. For skincare, I love this French wash that comes in a pink and white bottle called Collosol Eau de Lait ($35.01 at Amazon). It’s not a scrub and you don’t have to wash it off, but it takes everything off your face. You put the solution on a cotton pad and it removes dirt and makeup, but you don’t have to rinse if off or pat dry. You just leave it on your skin and go. This stuff is amazing and I’ve seen a huge difference with my skin when I use it.

Source: Instagram

Reading On-the-Run

I love my iPhone because it’s the hub for my life. It has all the apps I need and it’s how I do my reading with Audible. I really loved Happy Gut ($12.99 at Amazon), which is about gut health and how the gut is a part of the immune system. I just got done reading The Four Agreements ($6.48 at Amazon). I loved it. It was life-changing and really taught me about the power of forgiveness.

The Power of Community 

You don’t want to feel alone. When you feel like you’re the only one going through what you’re going through, it brings a cloud of pessimistic attitude. But connecting with others gives you a sense of optimism and hope and brings a sense of, ‘if she can do it, I know I can do it, too.’ 

Community is instinctual. As humans and as a whole, we thrive and are better off with support. That’s what I love about Peloton—when the instructor goes to high five to that one person and you see all these high fives come through on that leaderboard it’s like OH MY GOD SOMEBODY CARES. On Instagram, it was the same way with breastfeeding when I had my daughter. Everybody has tips you aren’t thinking about, like freezing your breast pump so it feels nicer when you put it on. It’s about lifting each other up. When we come together we’re stronger—I just really think that.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.