Life Style

Morgan is a talented filmmaker who writes about life in the City of Angels at her site, The 818 (the area code for the San Fernando Valley where we grew up). She’s always had great style, as a kid she’d wear jelly sandals when we all wore Keds, donned baby blue Converse with her Vera Wang wedding gown and has the rare ability to pull off just about any hair color. After living in the 212, she returned to her old neck of the woods, married her high school sweetheart and is expecting her own Valley Girl in just a few weeks.

At The 818, she muses on everything from pop culture to politics to prenatal facts of life, including waxing woes, designing her crib (it’s amazing), and remaining stretch mark free into her third trimester. That’s right, no stretch marks. Though she's busy writing, blogging and preparing for baby, she took the time to share her must have products with Beauty Banter. Whether you’re expecting, know someone who is, or just want to file this info away for future reference, readers take note. Thanks, Morgan.


What are your top 5, can't-live-without products right now?
1. Mama Mio Boob Tube (because the girls are precious to me)
2. L'Occitane Almond Belly Oil
3. Bliss Minty Moisture milk (yes, I'm basted up like a thanksgiving turkey)
4. Chantecaille Aquablush in "Brilliance" (is) an all-in-one makeup bag. It's eyeshadow, it's blush, it's cleavage enhancer - it's really amazing stuff.
5. I'm going to say my Snoogle, because sleep is just as important to beauty as any product you can buy off the shelves as far as I'm concerned.

What's the one product you don't leave the house without? Perfumeria GAL Lavender Lip Balm. My lips have been crazy dry in pregnancy.

What product do you buy in bulk? L'Occitane Almond Belly Oil. I'm going through that stuff like it's my job.

You moisturize your face with: Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti Aging Moisturizer

Favorite beauty secret you've picked up along the way? Tinting your eyelashes. I'm blonde under all the haircolor, so without mascara, my eyes tend to blend in with my face - Tinting saves me the hassle. One step better? Eyelash extensions. I'm dying to get them.

Beauty icon you admire? Liv Tyler always makes it look effortless.


Not only is Morgan using some fabulous products, most are made with incredibly eco-friendly ingredients. For instance, Mamma Mio maintains a “No Nasties” policy, which means all products are free of parabens, phalates, petro-chemicals, Sodium Laurel Sulfates and synthetic fragrance. L’Occitane offers natural products and environmentally sound packaging, and Chantecaille is deeply committed to eco-philanthropic efforts. Making these products beautiful inside and out. xo a.

Photography by Sara Moe.