Why She’s An “It Girl”:
A native of New Orleans, Bonnie has worked as a journalist for many years. Naturally inquisitive and always up for new challenges, she’s covered everything from Louisiana politics in Baton Rouge to finance in New York City to eco-friendly living in Los Angeles. In addition to her gig as beauty/style editor for sassybean, Bonnie collaborates on book projects as writer or editor. She’s collaborated on books on a range of topics from dating guides to diet books to personal memoirs. One of the most recent book editing projects she worked on was a book titled Crazy Sexy Cancer written by Kris Carr and published by skirt! books, an imprint of Globe Pequot Press that specializes in non-fiction books for women.
With the Beauty and Style section on www.sassybean.com, Bonnie plans to deliver beauty and style news that women can actually put to use in their quest to look their most fabulous. The section will offer spot-on product reviews to help women wade through the oceans of products on the market; tips and advice from all of the top beauty gurus; all of the latest beauty and style must-haves, and relevant articles on issues that every fabulous woman needs to know about. On top of all that, Bonnie’s beauty/style blog offers readers a place to go for some beauty/style girl talk.
What Inspires Her?
My family and friends in New Orleans. They made it through the biggest natural disaster in our nation’s history with grace, dignity and a sense of humor. For them, Hurricane Katrina is not over. Two years later they continue to deal with its aftermath on a daily basis. Still, they manage to keep their spirits up and their food perfectly spiced!
My mom. She has a heart of gold, and is a constant example to me of what it means to be a compassionate person and a good friend to others.
Good writing. Good writing is like a drug for me; I literally get a high from it. My recent literary fixes: The Secret of the Secret by Karen Kelly; The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and Animal, Vegetable, Mineral by Barbara Kingsolver.
The people that I’ve met on book projects. I admire the passion and dedication that each of them had for their individual projects. Their enthusiasm and willingness to work hard was contagious. I can honestly say I grew as a person with every project.
Good food. I’m a hardcore foodie. I spend most of my waking hours thinking about food (and a good part of my sleeping ones). “What am I going to cook next?” “Where can I get the best heirloom tomato ever?” “Am I ever going to figure out how to make red beans and rice that’s as creamy as my Dad’s?” Thoughts like these constantly whiz through my brain. For me, enjoying really good food is a religious experience, whether it’s at a friend’s house, a restaurant or at my own table.
It Girl picks: [beauty products, things she cannot do without]
Yarok’s Green With Envy shampoo and conditioner: I’ve been on a quest for the perfect shampoo and conditioner my whole life. Found it! My hair has never looked healthier. This stuff makes it look thick and shiny and gives it incredible body. It makes me look like I just left the salon, I swear. Plus, it really kicks up my color.
Bumble and Bumble Styling Balm: This stuff not only keeps my hair from being damaged by the blow dryer, it gives it a ton of body.
Dove Energy Glow Daily self tanning moisturizer: I’ve used a bunch of self tanners and self tanning moisturizers and this one is by far the best. It gives my skin a bronzy look that’s not orange at all, and the best thing about it is that it actually smells good! It doesn’t have that awful odor that most self-tanners have.
Kiehl’s Abyssine Eye Cream: Every other eye cream I have ever tried has irritated my eyes and or caused me to break out. This one does neither.
Mac Studio Fix: My beta-hydroxy cleanser makes my face a bit red. As a result my face is always a different color than my neck. I literally spent hundreds of dollars on different foundations trying to find a solution to my mismatched skin tones. This product was the solution to my problem. It’s a foundation and powder in one that totally evens out my face and makes it the same color as my neck.
Mac Midimauve Lustre lipstick: this has been my go-to lipstick shade for about a year now and I can honestly say that it’s my favorite lipstick ever!
Shu Uemure eyelash curler: It took me a long time to break down and spend the $18! on this thing. I fought it and fought it. But I kept coming across glowing review after glowing review about it, so I finally gave in. It makes my lashes look fantastic! It curls them instead of just putting a dent in them like every other eyelash curler I’ve ever used.
Spanx undergarments: How did women ever live without these?
Who does she consider an “It Girl”?
I have always felt extremely lucky to have so many incredible women in my life. Each and every one is an “It Girl.” Let me introduce you to a few of them:
First, my Mom, Elizabeth Bauman: she’s as beautiful and fabulous as they come. One of the many things I admire about her is that she gets things done. I’ve never met anyone with more determination. When FEMA was taking its sweet time getting much-needed trailers to folks in New Orleans who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina, my Mom tracked down a state senator and shamed him about the situation in front of his constituents. The next day the cowed senator had the Cadillac of FEMA trailers delivered to her. It’s just an example of the many times she has made things happen!
Ann Shea: She’s my boyfriend’s Mom, but I consider her one of my best friends. She’s one of the most creative people I’ve ever met! Whether she’s funneling her creativity into writing, cooking or building her dream house, whatever she touches turns to gold.
Karen Kelly: Karen is the total “It Girl” package; she’s got brains, beauty, one of the best senses of humor of anyone I know, and she’s a brilliant writer, editor and journalist, plus she’s a wonderful friend. And did I mention she is an amazing cook!
Sally Ducombs: My Mom’s sister spent 30 years teaching under privileged kids; she raised three children on her own, and she’s a breast cancer survivor. As if that wasn’t enough of a reason to be given It Girl status, she’s funny, smart, beautiful, and makes a mean potato salad.
Emily Vines and Natalie Vines: This It Girl sister duo lives in Southern Cal where they’re working their way up the ladder in one of the top software companies in the country. They manage to be fabulous on a daily basis. They’re smart, gorgeous, inquisitive about life, and both have loving, generous spirits. And they’re Southern!
Beagan Wilcox: This brilliant, beautiful woman is one of the best journalists/writers I know. She’s currently investigating a true tale about love and betrayal in Italy during World War II.
Katie Shea: This gorgeous gal is fluent in French having spent a year studying in Paris; she’s worldly, Southern and fabulous. Now she’s sharing her knowledge as a teacher where she’ll set a wonderful example for fabulous Southern “It” girls in the making. Did I mention that she has the best sense of style of anyone I’ve ever known!
Kris Carr: This author, filmmaker, cancer cowgirl has turned cancer on its head. In her documentary and book titled Crazy Sexy Cancer and Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips she’s redefined what it means to be diagnosed with the disease. She’s proven that not only can you live with whatever hand life deals you, you can thrive!
