W Hotels + CFDA Dallas Showcase

Last week I was invited to the CFDA {Fashion Incubator} hosted by W Hotels. If you're wondering what all that means.... CFDA is the Council of Fashion Designers of America- a not-for-profit trade association whose membership consists of more than 400 of America’s foremost womenswear, menswear, jewelry and accessory designers. CFDA membership is by invitation only. And every year they have awards. It's like the Oscars of fashion. And the Fashion Incubator is a program designed to support up and coming fashion designers.

Everyone was dressed to impress in their finest designer duds. Surprisingly, I was wearing some of my great bargains.

Jacket: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's; Pleather Shorts: Bisou Bisou for JcPenney; Necklace: Sam Moon; Beaded clutch: Vintage (My mother's hand-me down); Shoes: Elizabeth & James (bought at the end of the season last year at Neiman Marcus). Unfortunately, these were all bought a while ago and I don't have links for them. 

Once again, you don't have to spend a ton to wear the trends! 

They showcased the following designers:

Ari Dean

Jonathon Simkhai

Reece Hudson

Timo Weiland

It was such a fun night!

Cheers!

My Skincare Regimen

My skincare regimen is pretty simple.

1. I've been using the classic Clinique 3-step face products since I was about 12. Thanks Mom! It works for me and it's inexpensive. It consists of liquid face wash, clarifying lotion, and moisturizing lotion. Why change it? I've tried other stuff... but I've always circled back!

2 & 3. Eye cream.... The Gin-Zing by Origins is a new addition to my routine but I really like it. I also use the Garnier roller ball and it's very inexpensive. I use the Gin-Zing first thing in the morning after I do the 3-step. It has caffeine in it and gets the blood flowing. I will then use the roller ball when I put on my make-up or later in the day if I'm going out. It just gives a little boost.

4. Scrub- Origins Modern Friction. Use it Monday, Wednesday, Friday after washing your face. It's gentle enough but does a nice job.

5. My FAVORITE! I finally got the Clarisonic Mia. Best investment ever. Your face will feel amazing and will thank you. Now there is a Mia and Mia 2. Mia is $119 and Mia 2 is $149. You do NOT need the Mia 2. Only difference is that the Mia 2 has 2 speeds. You don't need that. It's so easy to use. Put your face wash on the brush, turn it on and brush it all over your face (not your eyes) and after one minute, it turns off. Bam. Baby soft skin. Then replace the head every 6 months. I'm hooked.

What's your routine?

What's in My Make-up Bag: Part One

Girls love to know each other's beauty tricks and secrets. I know I love to hear about my friend's favorite products. I have found some of my favorite products that way. So I thought I would share mine! I like to mix it up. I'm not faithful to just one brand but I will say when I find something I like, I don't steer away.

Since there is so much to cover, I'll do it in parts. Today will be my all-time favorite things. As in, I won't leave the house without them.

1. Cleu De Peau Concealer This is the best on the market. I'm not just saying that, I've read it many times in magazines! I was introduced to this product about six years ago and I've never looked back. I am prone to dark circles and bags under the eyes. After I apply my eye cream (that'll come later) I put this on and "goodbye" bags! Now one thing, it is $70. BUT before you freak out, a little goes a long way and I'd say it lasts nearly a year. And when it stops rolling up I use a concealer brush to get the rest which is quite a bit. 

2. Chanel Blush If there's one thing a girl needs, it is a little color on her cheeks (and lipstick). I love Chanel blush because it truly stays on most of the day. Many other blushes I've tried wash off after a few hours. I vary in the color I wear depending on the season. 

3. Chanel Glossimer The one product I've worn the longest. Chanel Glossimer in Blizzard. I've worn it for nearly 10 years. It's my everyday color. It wears well and not like a gloss. But I must say, you have to wear it with lip liner. I wear a nude color and fill it in with the gloss. Now before you say, "Uh get out of your make-up rut." I wear many other colors but this is my go-to, everyday color. I could probably buy a Chanel bag for all the tubes of this I bought. 

4. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara *Bargain Alert* After many years of wearing expensive mascara, I was over it. This is the best stuff for my lashes. I've tried the fancier "drugstore" versions that claim to give you drag queen lashes. I always end up going back to this one. And for under $6.00 at Target, you can't beat it! Although, I still love Dior Show Iconic but you get the same look with the L'Oreal.

I'm BACK! And With Lots of Color.

Hello friends! I'm so sorry for the two month hiatus. I plan to get back to my love and passion: Cocoa and Stella! I have lots to cover but first thing... outfit of the day!

Dress: JcPenney (only 18!); Belt: Vintage; Earrings: Sam Moon; Sandals: Target

I love this color block dress. I got it at JcPenney. You know I love my bargains. And now it's even cheaper than I paid for it, $18! It runs big. I'm wearing a 4 (my usual size) and it's a little big on me. The earrings are a great Sam Moon find for $4 (that just so happened to match perfectly.) My bangles are a random mix of old and new. And the awesome belt was my mom's from the 80's.

The color on my nails is Essie: Shelter Island. I decided to jazz up a nail. I love a good party nail. I buy the nail colors with the skinny brushes for nail designs.... and I have a steady hand. 

Last night I posted on Instagram about this stuff: 

Everyone was asking about it so I decided to write my own review. I did my research on self tanners. I read blogs, Instagram posts, etc. This took the prize with the best reviews. So I decided to give it a try. I'm super pale and with the warm weather, wedding season, and skin showing... well, something needed to be done. I justified paying $25 for this at Ulta because I would pay that much for one spray tan at a tanning salon. There are two things I hate about self tanners: the smell and orangey streaks. And reviews claimed that both of these were didn't happen. Here's what comes in the box: 

Tanning spray with pump, 2 latex gloves, and the mitt/applicator. So before I got started I watched a few YouTube videos with some silly/ditzy girls talking "spray tan." I combined there suggestions and got started. If you don't know anything about self tanner, always shower and exfoliate beforehand. One thing that might surprise you about myself is that I'm VERY impatient when it comes to beauty/makeup/hair. If it takes a long time, I'm out. Just one more reason to turn me off of this whole self tanning stuff. But this was super fast! I just sprayed on and rubbed in with the brown applicator/mitt. Except for the tops of my hands and feet, I sprayed on the applicator (brown side) and blotted it on. I also wore the blue latex gloves to avoid the orange hands. 

The results: 

It didn't smell. It didn't streak. The whole thing took 5 minutes. There wasn't a drastic difference but just enough (as in: no Snooki look). I will put another coat on before the weekend. I'm a fan. And I would definitely recommend it. Here's a "Before and After:" 

So not a huge difference but it definitely gave me a good glow. Now go get your self-tan on...

Until next time.... And it won't be that long.

Pops of Pink

Jacket: Target; Blouse: Gap (old); Jeans: AG; Boots: Michael Kors (old); Bracelet: (a vacation find); Belt: from my work!; Earrings: Vintage; Watch: Michele

How fun is this preppy jacket? I love that it has the little bit of pink underneath the collar. Anything with an element of surprise, I'm a fan. I added a few pink accessories to tie it all together... even the belt has a little pop of color. Best part about the jacket.... It was $10. If you're like me, finding a bargain makes me like the piece even more.

With it being Valentines Day this week, I'll probably be wearing pink a lot. After being a life long fan, I still love pink.