Sharon Brandwein Title: Contributor Education: The Fashion Institute of Technology Location: Alabama Sharon Brandwein is a freelance writer specializing in health and beauty, parenting, and sleep content. With a lengthy career in retail and self-professed shopper extraordinaire, she does her homework on everything she buys and shares it with her readers. Her work has also appeared on Forbes, Reviewed, InStyle, and USAToday.Highlights:Sharon won the Commerce Award For Publishers in 2020 for Best Beauty Article Of The Year. She is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and extensively covers the topic, from articles on best sheets for hot sleepers to the latest research on sleep apnea. Sharon graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Buying and Merchandising. Experience Sharon enjoys a lengthy career in commerce writing—even that time when her garage was filled with 19 step stools, and the testing process felt like a workout she didn’t agree to. She’s covered everything from the best strapless bras to the best chainsaws (no one was hurt in the process) for top digital publishers, including Forbes, Reviewed, Instyle, and Health. Sharon is also a Certified Sleep Science Coach and enjoys covering every aspect of the topic.Favorite Purchase:My favorite purchase is my Liatorp Bookcase from Ikea. As a military family, we moved around a lot. There were plenty of times over the years when my books didn’t even make it out of the boxes. Once we settled in our forever home, I finally had the chance to build the library I’d been dreaming of all these years.The Liatorp Bookcase looks quite grand in my library, and the shelves are incredibly strong. Most importantly, they’ve never bowed under the pressure of my “just one more book” philosophy or the giant old books I find in dusty antique shops in need of a good home. Education Sharon Brandwein graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Buying and Merchandising.Awards:Commerce Award For Publishers in 2020 for Best Beauty Article Of The Year About Southern Living Southern Living, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, celebrates the food, homes, places, and culture of the South. We reach 7.2 million readers a month. Our content is written by experienced journalists and fact checked for accuracy. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines.