Whether you’re planning a friends’ night in or a backyard gathering, here’s a peek at how we created our chic, autumn-inspired evening — and how you can recreate it, too.

1. Setting the Mood & The Décor

When it comes to fall entertaining, atmosphere is everything. We wanted our soirée to feel warm, welcoming, and effortlessly elegant — a space where guests could laugh over wine, graze on beautiful boards, and wrap up in cozy throws as the sun set.

We layered in all the textures that make fall feel so good: soft plaids, neutral pumpkins, dried leaves, and gentle candlelight. Tables were lined with mini pumpkins, flickering flameless candles in votive holders, and touches of orange and cream plaid in a cute table cloth – the perfect balance of rustic and refined.

A curated playlist of acoustic favorites and soft indie songs (you can find plenty of “Autumn Chill” playlists on Spotify!) played in the background, setting a relaxed yet upbeat mood.

2. The Food Spread: Yummy Eats Made Easy

We kept the menu simple but stunning with help from Wegmans catering. Their options made it effortless to serve crowd-pleasing favorites that looked as good as they tasted.

Here’s what we served:

-Sushi platters for something fresh and unexpected – a MAB fave every get-together!

-Mini sandwiches filled with turkey & brie, roast beef & horseradish, and pesto veggie.

-A charcuterie board overflowing with cheeses, meats, nuts, and fruits.

-Seasonal salads with roasted vegetables and cranberries for color and flavor.

The food table doubled as part of our décor — we used wooden boards and textured linens to give everything that elevated “effortless hostess” look.

The Sweet Touch: Our S’mores Board

No MAB soirée would be complete without a signature dessert moment — and our s’mores board stole the show. Guests roasted marshmallows over the firepit and got creative with their combinations.

Our favorite board additions:

-Graham crackers (classic and chocolate)

-Assorted cookies (fudge stripes or oreos)

-Milk, dark, and white chocolate bars

-Marshmallow fluff spread for a decadent topper

-Reeses Chocolate for an elevated chocolate center

We displayed everything on a large wooden tray, creating a look that was both beautiful and inviting. It was the perfect way to wrap up the night — a little nostalgic, a little gourmet, and a whole lot of fun.

3. Our Signature Drink: Fall Sangria 🍎

We wanted a drink that felt festive but easy to batch — something that guests could sip all evening long. Enter our Fall Sangria: a mix of crisp apple cider, Sauvignon Blanc, a touch of bourbon, and slices of fresh fruit.

What we mixed:

-4 cups apple cider

-1 bottle Sauvignon Blanc

-1 cup bourbon (we used Four Roses for a sweeter addition -adjust to taste)

-1 apple and 1 orange, thinly sliced

-3–4 cinnamon sticks

We combined everything in a large pumpkin pitcher, let it chill for a few hours, and served it over ice. The result? Cozy, spiced perfection.

Non-alcoholic twist: Use sparkling apple cider instead of wine and skip the bourbon for a family-friendly version that’s just as delicious.

4. Hosting Tips from Our Team

A few takeaways we’ll be using again (and again!):

-Prep everything early so you can enjoy the night — assemble boards and chill sangria before guests arrive.

-Layer your lighting — mix candles, string lights, and lanterns for a soft, flattering glow.

-Keep bugs away with citronella torches and bug spray to keep away any lingering mosquitoes .

-Keep the playlist going — music is key to keeping the energy warm and inviting.
 

Our fall soirée reminded us that you don’t need a special occasion to celebrate — just good friends, good food, and a little creativity.

Here’s to savoring the season, one cozy gathering at a time.

xo, The MAB Team

Fall soirées aren’t the only thing on our list this season! Ready to explore all the cozy, colorful fun the DMV has to offer? Head over to our blog to see 6 Local To Do’s This Fall — the perfect companion to your next pumpkin spice moment.

The post Host Your Own Fall Soiree appeared first on Makeup by Ana B.

The time between January and March is one of the hardest for me and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I love the first snow and even the second snow. But as the months drag on, some of the drearier days take a toll on me and I am very much tempted to hibernate in a revolving door of pajamas and Netflix until Spring. The last few years, I’ve made a few changes that have led to more joy long after the holidays are done.  Here are 5 things I’ve found that help conquer the winter blues.

1.Plan a weekend girls trip – 

Two years ago my girlfriends and I stayed at this Riverfront Airbnb just a short drive away. We made breakfast together, enjoyed the jacuzzi and river view for hours, tried out the local restaurants, and even did a little work out together. Let’s just say we all enjoyed a mini break from the kiddos and our hubbies and it’s why we have another trip already planned. Keep a look out for my Charleston blog post trip! 

2.Take a daily walk and enjoy the crisp air – 

Studies show that being in nature lowers your stress-hormone and decreases your heart rate. So getting outside, even though it’s cold, will help your body produce endorphins that will naturally help you feel good and cut your stress! And in the words of Elle Woods, endorphins make you happy and happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.

Get some of my cold weather faves below:
Shacket | Leggings | Beanie

3.Schedule a weekly date with friends – 

Since I primarily work from home, getting out of the house for something other than a target run has to be intentionally planned. A lunch date with a good friend in the colder months always does the trick.  One of my favorite spots in Mosaic is Parc De Ville – you can’t go wrong with their classic burger & fries or their body-warming french onion soup!

4.Plan a post-holiday weekend staycation with your family – 

After the holidays, it’s so normal to feel the let down of all the celebrations which can lead to getting into a funk. Curb that by planning a fun family weekend away! My family recently went to Deep Creek Lake, MD for a weekend of fun in the snow, where we stayed at this gorgeous airbnb with incredible views of the lake. You can’t beat walks in the snow and time spent in a hot tub while the snow falls!

5.Book a relaxing facial – 

Relax while your skin gets refreshed and glowy with a facial at MAB Spa. I make taking care of myself a priority year round and that includes my skin. The added benefit while getting a facial – it’s a purposeful hour of resting in an otherwise busy month!

Sign up for my newsletter to get all my latest blog posts on beauty, lifestyle and business!

The post Conquering The Winter Blues appeared first on Makeup by Ana B.

Shop the Party Essentials:
one | two | three | four
five | six | seven | eight

More 4th of July Party Ideas:

Use your new pitcher for a batch cocktail, like Ana B’s fave: Spicy Margaritas!

Ana B’s Spicy Margarita Recipe:

-1 ½ cups Tequila, Reposado or Blanco
-4 ½ cups Mango Juice
-¾ cup Cointreau or Other Orange Liquor
-Juice of 4 Limes
-3 Jalapenos, slices (to make less spicy: remove some seeds)
-1 tbsp Coarse Sea Salt
-Garnish: Lime & Jalapeno slices
-Optional: Tajin for glass rim

In a large pitcher, add lime juice and jalapeno slices and muddle. Add  tequila, mango juice, cointreau, and salt and stir well. In glasses filled with ice and optional tajin, fill with margarita and garnish with lime and jalapeno slices.

Optional: Make your margs look even fancier by dehydrating sliced limes! In a large cookie sheet with a cooling rack inside, line with thinly sliced limes. Bake in the oven at 150 degrees for 2-3 hours, turning at the 1 hour mark.

Treats & Snacks:

A Patriotic Charcuterie Board:

Everyone loves a charcuterie board or grazing table! Make your own that’ll wow your guests using the chart below to create a patriotic themed charcuterie board.

Make it extra patriotic by taking provolone or white cheddar cheese slices and using different sized star cookie cutters to create stars to put on top of the board!

Patriotic Skewers:

-1 Loaf Pound Cake, cut into 1” squares
-1 pint strawberries, quartered or halved
-1 pint blueberries
-wooden skewers
-honey for drizzling
-fruit dip, cream cheese or chocolate

On wooden skewers, alternate the cut up strawberry, blueberries, and pound cake until you’ve used all the ingredients. Drizzle with honey and serve with fruit dips!

To make an American Flag: On 4 skewers, thread 5-6 blueberries, then follow with a piece of pound cake and alternate with strawberries on the rest of the skewers. On the remaining skewers, alternate pound cake and strawberry, trying to keep them lined up to mimic flag stripes.

For The Hostess

Don’t forget a cute outfit for you! Stay comfy and cool in this romper:

Shop the Look:
Romper | Visor | Earrings
Sandals | Sunscreen | Necklace | Lip Balm

From our MAB Team to your family, we hope you have a wonderful and safe 4th of July holiday!

The post Hostess With The Mostess: 4th of July appeared first on Makeup by Ana B.

Under eye circles can be so frustrating since they tend to make you look even more tired than you actually are. And it can be hard to figure out the best product combination to use to cover them to make you look perked up. Ana B shares her 4 must-have products and 1 essential tool for covering those pesky under eye circles!

Shop the products:
one | two | three | four | five

1.OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright Eye Creme
2.Bobbi Brown Under Eye Corrector in Bisque
3.Tarte Shape Tape in Light Medium
4.KVD Lock-It Setting Powder
5.Sephora PRO Crease Brush #26

Don’t forget to check out Ana’s Instagram for her step-by-step tutorial on applying these products! Click here!

Give your skin some extra love and book a facial at MAB Spa here!

The post 4 Products To Cover Under Eye Circles appeared first on Makeup by Ana B.

The last few years, I’ve made a few changes that have led to more joy long after the holidays are done.  Here are 5 things I’ve found that help conquer the winter blues.

1.Plan a weekend girls trip – 

Last year my girlfriends and I stayed at this Riverfront Airbnb just a short drive away. We made breakfast together, enjoyed the jacuzzi and river view for hours, tried out the local restaurants, and even did a little work out together. Let’s just say we all enjoyed a mini break from the kiddos and our hubbies. 

2.Take a daily walk and enjoy the crisp air – 

Moving your body produces endorphins that will help you feel good and cut your stress. Studies show that being in nature lowers your stress-hormone and decreases your heart rate. Just remember to bundle up on the colder days.

Shop my outfit and save on the shacket from Mod&Soul: get 15% off when you use code WINTER15

shacket | shacket dupe | earmuffs | scarf | tee | jeans

3.Schedule a weekly date with friends – 

Many of us are working from home, so getting out of the house for something other than a target run has to be intentionally planned. A little ramen date with a good friend in the colder months always does the trick.  One of my favorite Ramen spots is Santouka in Tyson’s Corner, see you there!

4.Plan a weekend staycation with your partner – 

The holidays often include extended family, kids and giving to others. So it’s only right that you make time for yourself. 

The Salamander is the perfect weekend escape. With their amazing spa experience and Sunday brunch, you cannot go wrong! Click here for their current winter special. 

5.A facial at MAB Studio is forever on our to-do list – 

Relax while your skin gets refreshed and glowy for a more youthful appearance. Click here to book and use code NEWYEAR for 30% off now through the end of January!

The post Conquering The Winter Blues appeared first on Makeup by Ana B.

1. Your Makeup Bag.  

Still holding onto the same old stained and dirty makeup bag? Let it go! There are so many cute and affordable makeup bags and I promise you’ll feel even more excited to do your makeup when everything feels new and clean.

one | two | three | four | five

2. Your Stiff Makeup Brushes. 

We seem to hold on to old makeup brushes because they become sentimental, but they can become stiff and lose their effectiveness over years of wash and use.

splurge | save | contouring brushes

3. Clumpy or dry mascaras. 

Mascaras should be replaced more often then you think! It has the shortest life lifespan of all your makeup products and should be replaced every 2-3 months.

one | two | three | four | five

4. Dried out lipsticks. 

Time to take your lipsticks for a test drive! We all love to collect lipsticks, but any that are dry, unflattering or have a weird smell need to be tossed.

one | two | three | four | five

5. Unflattering foundation. 

With the amount of beautiful foundations in all different finishes and tones available nowadays, there is no need to hold on to any that are too light, too dark, or too cakey. Keep only the ones that make your skin look even and radiant. 

one | two | three | four | five

Want to learn a new everyday makeup look? Book an in-person or virtual makeup lesson!

Don’t forget to use code NEWYEAR for 30% off!

The post 5 Items To Toss From Your Beauty Stash appeared first on Makeup by Ana B.

Table Decor

If you’re hosting like I am, it doesn’t hurt to have a nice table setting that doesn’t break the bank, but still looks elegant!

silverware (splurge) | silverware (save) | chargers (splurge) | chargers (save)
tablecloth (splurge) | tablecloth (save) | LED candles
pillar candles (splurge) | pillar candles (save) | wine glasses (splurge) | wine glasses (save)
water glasses (splurge) | water glasses (save) | napkins | string lights

The majority of the items we used were from the save options, with a couple items found even cheaper at Home Goods! Looking at you, table cloth and pillar candles. Mix and match your favorite items to make it as elegant & formal or elegant & casual as you like!

Personalize the table even more by getting mini pumpkins from the grocery store and writing everyone’s name on one to use as a place card! We used these metallic markers to write the names.

Drinks

Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without a signature drink and my go to this year is an apple cider mimosa!

champagne flute (splurge) | champagne flute (save)

Rim champagne flutes with a mix of cinnamon & sugar then fill ¾ of the way with champagne and top the remaining ¼ with Prosecco. Garnish with a thin apple wedge and enjoy!

Apps

My favorite app for Thanksgiving is a charcuterie board or grazing board! The assortment of meats and cheeses are always a crowd pleaser and tie you over until it’s time for the main course! Get a mix of hard and soft cheeses, salami, prosciutto, & crackers and fill in the holes with dried fruits, olives and spread to have something to appeal to every guest.

board 1 | board 2 | board 3

Don’t forget to pick an outfit out for thanksgiving! Head to 4 Outfits To Wear This Thanksgiving for outfit inspo!

The post Be the Thanksgiving Hostess With the Mostest! appeared first on Makeup by Ana B.

At MAB Artistry we want you looking your best so we created this How To to help you refresh your makeup periodically throughout the year and keep your makeup storage organized!

Visit our Instagram to see more how to’s and tips in our stories! 💄

The post How to Refresh and Organize Your Makeup appeared first on Makeup by Ana B.