Thanks to my lovely friend Lauren Campbell at Brave Young Thing for these fun shots that capture me and Kitty in our element :).

TFB Agency is real! Thank you so much to everyone who made this possible! Especially Matthew Rosenberg for the site, Molly Covert of Rabbit Foot Fern Design for the logo and Justin Laughter and Chris Gatewood of Threshold Council for making sure everything is legal.

Thanks to my very first freelance client, Ashley Hart Hudson of Richmond Barre. Thanks to my second, Janice Ozguc of Layrs (and Meghan Riley for introducing us)

Thank you to Jeanie Rule and Sherry Burgess of Elements of Carytown & Elementsbeautyshop.com for being amazing clients and friends. Thanks to the Elements Beauty Bloggers (Jordan, Kristel, Caroline, Stephanie, Susannah, Whitney W. Jones – WorthyStyle, Alyssa and Sydney)

Thank you to Hugh Joyce, Tammy Teefey-Conti and Katlin Dearmon of James River Air Conditioning Company, to Ian Slinkman of Patient Firstand Emily H Greenwood and Aaron Dotson of Elevation.

Thanks to my first boss in the agency world, Dionne Baxter Kumpe.

Thank you to all of the the people at the Martin Agency who taught me so much. Eric Williamson and Jackie Davenport, Travis Jones, Hillary Ross Einwick, Amy Brown, Malcolm Venable, Monisha Tripathi, Lindsay Newport Jackson, Emily Arbour, Molly Christian, Tracy Ring Berry, Jeane Hanowell Bibona, Gina Patanella-Whelehan, Ashlee King, Jamie Borel.

Thank you to Capital One, and the amazing people I worked with there. Jamie Dorrough, Aaron Wilson, Kenny McCroskery, Lisa Rogerson(thanks for being such a great boss, Lisa!)

And to all my friends at Big River.

Greg Hofbauer for running the amazing program that is THRIVE and letting me be a part of it.

Larkin Garbee for being an awesome support and always someone to look up to.

Nathalia Daguano Artus for being an encourager and connecting me to so many great causes (Wine, Women & Shoes – Richmond!)

Sara Greene, Ben Remo, Janet Starke and everyone else at Richmond CenterStage and the Richmond CenterStage Associates Board

Pat Foster for her advice and guidance within the Minority Economic Development Center. Lindsay Grant and Judi Crenshaw for all of your advice and encouragement with the PRSA awards.

Jevata Herman for being an amazing friend and for always pushing me.

Thank you to Britt Smith for being so smart and organized and for helping me through through projects and estimates.

Thanks to
Erin L. Sarro, Matthew and Natasha Lam O’Rourke, Rob Reid, Ken Wayland, Rexanna McCubbin, Bill Hennesey, Helayne Spivak, Tony Scida, Annie Heckenberger, Rachel Gregory, Anne Stuart, Patrick Disney, Neal Iwan, Becca Hardy, Tricia Keppel, Ana Costa Lenhart, Brad Perry, Jon Sealy, Lindsay Abbott and everyone else I’ve met through their support of Richmond Ad Club.

Thank you to Elizabeth Thomson for everything, including encouraging me to start the Tiramisu For Breakfast blog.

Thanks to Jason St. Peter, Katherine Wintsch, Beth Royal, Josh Dare, Jon Newman, Brittany Mullins, Tiffany Jana, David and Keya Wingfield, Marissa Hermanson Moomaw, Ryn Bruce, Amy Schmittauer, Abbie Toner, Beth Royal and all of the other entrepreneurs I look up to for advice and inspiration.

Thanks to my VCU family, to all of the students who’ve taught me so much, to the professors (Joel Mier, Betsy Wardell Guzik) at The Robertson School of Media & Culture and my colleagues and friends (Scott Sherman, Bridget Camden, Hong Cheng, Lauren Stewart, Rowena Briones, Kerith Rae, Karen McIntyre, Erin Hurley-Brown)

Thanks to Mary Howell, Caitlin Kilcoin, Lisa Dance and everyone else who allowed me to come speak to their organization!

Thank you to Kelsey Leavey for always being willing to chat about Facebook ads.

Thank you to Melissa Hipolit and Jessica Noll – WTVR CBS 6 for allowing Tiramisu For Breakfast to be a part of Virginia This Morning on CBS 6!

And thanks to amazing friends who’ve offered so much support and love – Jeff Wilson, Suzanne Hall, Pryor Green, Wren Lanier, Carroll Schuller, Dana and Scott Elmquist, Sarah Mullens, Colleen and Doug Lubking, Lauren Campbell, Sarah January, Carrie Pearson, Michelle Lippin Alicia Lane, Emily Bayer, Jess Shorland, Jessica Pick, Liz Funke, Aíne Norris, Paula Hill Jasinski, Paul Schmidt, Charleen Pine McManus, Angi Pannell, Rob Pannell, Lauren Campbell, Karri Peifer, Bernadette and Brian Cruse, Kelli S. Lemon, Matt Pochily, Janet Gerpstein, Shannon Siriano Greenwood, Jakia, Ashley Bahrt, Rachel Bremer, Michelle Lippin, Neil Cox, Holly Sigler, Holly Gordon, Emily Jasper, Shannon Leahy, Jason Roop and Brandi, Melissa Calabro, Molly Szkotak Hugel, Lisa Preville, Christine Erickson, Megan Irvin, Brittney Trimmer, Sarah January.

Last but not least, Jay and my family! Read the BizSense Article here. 

I partnered with Alexa Marie Photography and Roan for this fun photo shoot.

Roan is a luxury boutique led by second generation merchant Hank Greenberg located in Richmond’s stylish Carytown district.
Each season, Hank chooses pieces from the best collections in New York, Milan, Paris and beyond, selecting the must-haves and curating the assortment to meet the exacting needs of our uber-stylish clientele. Fresh and fun, Roan combines personal service with an array of sumptuous fashion delights to create a candy store for the chic and fashion-forward. I got to wear beautiful pieces from Isabel Marant, Derek Lam and Tibi.

Roan just launched their new blog, “When In Roan,”  with an interview featuring Caroline Wallace, a stylish luxury travel advisor. 

Roan is launching the new collection from Tibi TONIGHT with a party! If you’re in Richmond, make sure to stop by (details on Facebook).

white fringe dress | 10 Crosby by Derek Lam

black and white print dress| A.L.C.

beaded tassel necklace | hipchick

This cold shoulder dress is by Tibi.

leather peplum top | Isabel Marant, chartreuse skirt | Veronica Beard, neckpiece | Mignon Gavigan

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The Organic Pharmacy is the latest addition to the luxury organic brands at ElementsBeautyShop.com. This line is pricey, so I was excited when this travel/trial kit with their best selling products came in so I could try a bunch of it at once. This kit is $80 and comes with a mini, step-by-step skincare routine.

When Elements started carrying the line, I’d only ever heard of the Carrot Butter Cleanser (talked about in my Beauty In Bloom post). One of my favorite things about our partnership is getting to chat on the phone and Skype with representatives from the brands they carry to learn every little detail about their products and lots of great info about skincare in general. Kerry, a brand representative from The Organic Pharmacy talked with us a few weeks ago and shared some stuff I want to pass along to you!

The Carrot Butter Cleanser is made up of Sunflower, Jojoba, Coconut and Virgin Olive and Seasame Seed oils plus Shea Butter, Beeswax, Cocoa Butter, Marigold Extract, Carrot (duh), St Johns Wort, Vitamin E,  Rosemary, Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis), Lavender (it smells like lavender!), Essential Oils, Linalool and Limonene. You apply it to dry skin, and only use a tiny amount. I like cleansing balms because I feel like they force you to take your time washing your face and really massage it in. I hop in the shower and remove it with the muslin cloth from the kit. This was my favorite thing in the kit. 

Kerry says this balm is a decongestant, removing damaged skin cells and cutting oil without drying out skin. She also said this is one of the line’s best-selling products and that if there was one product she recommend everyone try, it’s this one.

After the herbal toner, these two serums are supposed to be used back-to-back. I’d been having a breakout and my skin had that raw feeling when you know the products you’re using aren’t right for it. These were extremely moisturizing and felt awesome.  Kerry told me that the Antioxidant Face Serum and Antioxidant Face Gel are The Organic Pharmacy’s two best-sellers.  The last step is the Double Rose Rejuvenating Face Cream.

Overall, the kit is for all skin types.My skin-type is “normal/combination,” but a little bit sensitive and acne-prone. Because I’d been having a breakout, I also picked up the Blemish Gel and the Rose Hip Oil. The Blemish Gel is a spot treatment, but instead of Salycicili acid, sulfur or Benzoil Peroxide, it has Tea Tree, Manuka and Lactic Acid. The Virgin Cold Pressed Rose Hip Oil fades acne scarring with fatty acids.

I talked to Kerry about products that would be good for my specific skin-type, and she recommended switching out the Rose Face Cream for the Manuka Face Cream. Manuka is an antiseptic, and Cedarwood balances. Jojoba and Propolis help normalize oil production and reduce flaky areas.

 This is an awesome little kit that let’s you try out some great products all at once. Highly Recommend.

As always, you can use the code TIRAMISU for 10% off anything at ElementsBeautyShop.com

Kristen Ziegler is the owner of Minima, a home/office organization company.  She’s been featured in Richmond Home magazine several times and consistently wins in the Best Of issues. She’s worked with Ledbury, Need Supply Co and Quirk; I’ve seen her speak and she’s even helped me organize my crazy closet. I wanted to find out how she applies her famous minimalistic philosophy to beauty and fashion.

Tiramisu For Breakfast: How do you apply your organized/minimalistic approach to your beauty routine?

Minima: I keep it as quick and simple as possible. Everyday I apply the same products, with the exception of special occasions when I might add a red lip or dark brown eyeliner.

TFB: What’s in your makeup bag?

M: 

1. Physician’s Formula translucent mineral powder

2. Maybelline coverstick concealer (I’ve used this brand since I was a teenager)

3. Burt’s Bees chapstick

4. CoverGirl ExactEyelights

5. MUJI powder brush, eyebrow brush and tweezers

6. Sonia Kashuk concealer brush

TFB: How have you paired it down over the years? Did you used to have a complicated routine or a lot of things?

M: I wouldn’t say my routine has ever been complicated, but I have definitely pared it down over the years. As I get older, I’m more comfortable in my skin and tend to wear less and less make-up as time goes on. I focus on keeping my skin clear so that I don’t have to.

TFB: Why do you practice minimalism?

M: I can’t imagine not living the way I live. As busy as I am, I still have time for decompression and reflection. I also love feeling “on top of things.” It helps keep stress to a minimum and time to a maximum. My home is my sanctuary, so I love being there to recharge after a long day.

TFB: How do you apply minimalism to your wardrobe?

M: I only buy pieces that I love, that fit perfectly off the rack, and that are useful to my lifestyle. They also need to be of high quality. Those qualifiers almost always guarantee that a piece will get a lot of use. I realized a year or so ago that I didn’t enjoy wearing color, so I’ve also switched over to a visually minimal wardrobe with only neutrals.

TFB: Does it make it easier to get dressed in the morning?

M: Definitely! I feel good in every piece I own, so no matter what I pick it’s a win.

TFB: What’s one tip you like to give your clients about beauty/fashion minimalism.

M: I usually share my three qualifiers: love it, perfect fit, useful to your lifestyle. Those pieces ARE out there regardless of your body type, so why settle for less?

What do you think? Are you a minimalist when it comes to beauty and fashion or do you love to collect?