April 30, 2014

Best of the Beauty Aisle


We are well into Spring and I'm constantly in a cleaning fervor, going through my closet once every two weeks filtering things I don't need and carefully adding in thrilling new investment pieces. But it's not only my wardrobe that's getting an overhaul, I'm updating my beauty routine as well. 

I teamed up with StyleList and P&G to try out some of their most popular products from the beauty aisle and pick my new season favorites. I'm reviewing some body basics that are life-long necessities, so finding the best will make our mornings so much easier. Out of P&G's beloved razors, deodorants, and toothpaste, here are the winners:

The 5-blade Venus Embrace (also reviewed in the category) is the only razor I've used since I started shaving. It's been good to me and my legs for years and I can't think of anything better, but apparently P&G has. They've upgraded the Gillette Venus with real Olay moisture bars that immediately moisturize the skin while shaving close. It's made shaving an incredibly, effortless task without having to use shaving cream and I can never go back! Shaving actually feels like a luxury now. 

I hate sweating. DESPISE. Even though I don't sweat more than usual, I prefer using a clinical strength antiperspirant to stay dry always and this is what I love about Secret Clinical Strength Light and Fresh. The scent really is light and fresh, just the way I like it, so it doesn't mix with my perfume and it does its job beautifully. 

As an avid tea drinker, I have to be more keen in taking care of my teeth and getting rid of and preventing pesky tea stains. That's why these super affordable whitestrips are my best friend. I use one box once a year in conjunction with using Crest 3D White Luxe Glamorous toothpaste daily to keep my teeth shining and clean. These whitestrips are so easy and painless to use - you can talk and drink with them in and you won't even notice they're there. Try them and just after one week, you'll see results!

Sometimes we stick to the same basics forever and we overlook these products because of how stuck they are in our daily routines. But just a simple upgrade in our beauty routine, like a wardrobe revival, can improve our days significantly. And I love that these little upgrades above are easy, affordable, and found just in your drugstore beauty aisle!



This is a collaboration between P&G and the AOL Lifestyle Contributor Network. Compensation was provided by P&G via AOL Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of P&G.

April 28, 2014

d.Ra

d.Ra dress. Danielle Nicole bag. Kelsi Dagger booties. La Mer watch. Samantha Wills necklaces.

I knew this dress was going to be a keeper when I saw this on Shopbop, but the second I put it on, it blew all of my expectations away. This d.Ra dress is not just a keeper, it's a classic piece I will keep forever, to wear over and over and to pass onto my daughters. It's officially inducted into my dress hall of fame.


April 26, 2014

Lulu*s in Palm Springs, Part 2

Gentle Fawn sweater (similar here), For Love & Lemons bra, Billabong shorts via Lulu*s. La Mer watch. Birkenstock sandals.

Lounging poolside in Palm Springs ain't the same game it is in LA - it's a top level sport and I'm just the eager new recruit. I need to get back to training, will someone spot me?


April 24, 2014

Leather and Stripes

Greylin dress. Obey jacket. Hare + Hart bag. BC Footwear booties. La Mer watch. 

Stripes are invariably tricky: horizontal stripes make you look wider and vertical stripes accentuate every curve on your body (and not just in the right places). I often avoided striped clothes, because honestly, I'm already short, so I do not need to look wide. It wasn't until I found more and more pieces in multi-directional stripes, like this beautiful Greylin dress, that I started having fun with the classic pattern, without the distorted consequences. It's a great go-to dress for warm days and I love its brilliant ruched details that play up the stripes in a new dimension. What is universal with all kinds of stripes is that they are always a perfect pair with black leather.


April 22, 2014

CAMP Collection

CAMP Collection jumpsuit. Hare + Hart bag. BC Footwear wedges. Lulu*s hat. La Mer watch. Warby Parker sunglasses. Samantha Wills necklace.

This amazing gingham jumpsuit from Tamar Wider's (designer of 2 Bandits jewelry) new CAMP Collection is a star piece in my summer wardrobe. It's made from 100% cotton so it's majorly breathable and light and basically made to last through hot summer days and humid summer nights. But I love that wearing this jumpsuit takes me back to my dreamy childhood days of running through the woods in North Carolina, hopping rocks in river streams, and lying on our backs to catch shooting stars in the clearest of skies. Tamar's entire line is inspired by the cool outdoors and her own nostalgic summer camp days. While I've grown to become less of an outdoorsy person, this line has got me rethinking my next vacation towards a camping retreat in Joshua Tree, bonfire and s'mores definitely included. 


April 21, 2014

Commodity



Fun fact: in the world of beauty, I collect perfumes as much as I collect dresses.
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April 19, 2014

#BCTakesCoachella

Chanelle and I wearing all BC Footwear

If you're going to look cute and stand for hours at a time,

WEDGES WILL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND.

I love heels, but they are the torturous instruments of pain and misery for weekend-long benders like the standard girl trips to Vegas (you KNOW what I'm talking about) and especially traversing the dirt and sandy grounds of Coachella. I've finally gained the wisdom after many years of pain (and my feet are now paying for it) to say screw. that. So to have the height I still love so much and the comfort I need if I don't want my feet to fall off, I turned to BC Footwear's cute and fun wedges. They are my go-to brand for stylishly comfortable shoes and I knew I could trust my feet in their hands (or shoes rather).  I was able to easily transition my wedges from my day-to-night outfits in a breeze and I was comfortable till the break of dawn in these saviors. Chanelle and I are such huge fans of the brand that we took them along with us to Coachella and we had such a fun time guest-instagramming our days at the festival on BC Footwear's instagram. Check out our posts here: #BCTakesCoachella.

Stay tuned for more of my Coachella weekend recap this week!


April 18, 2014

InstaChella

First stop of Coachella // The Saguaro hotel // Wearing James Jeans and BC Footwear
Coachella life through the iPhone lens.

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April 17, 2014

Lulu*s in Palm Springs, Part 1


Coachella is of course amazing and all, but I just love being here in Palm Springs no matter what else is going on. 

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April 16, 2014

O'Neill x Coachella Recap


For my second day at Coachella, I was super relieved I had strategically planned a couple of cozy and comfortable looks in O'Neill after a long first night out. I've been a fan of O'Neill since I moved to California and became centrally immersed in the land of surf, and their stuff is so right for the free vibes of Coachella. 

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April 15, 2014

James Jeans x Coachella Recap


What a weekend! I'm currently back home in the OC and I'm superglued to my bed and it's never felt more comforting. I took a much needed nap and when I woke up, I knew exactly how my iPhone feels after it charges up from death and finally powers on after a couple percent. As exhausting as it was, a close-to-home Coachella trip to experience amazing live music, grand parties, and the whimsical beauty of Palm Springs is always worth it. 

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How Do You Define Style


I love discovering local fashion talents in Orange County and STYLE 2020 is no less than an amazing discovery that's here to make our lives easier. They are a fabulous team of experienced stylists who've created a personal service to help people like us discover their best look for their lifestyle, whether it'd be a complete style overhaul or just a quick fix for an event. Next month, they'll be presenting a forum which will include guest speakers from LVMH, Sephora, Thomas Pink, and L'Oreal and I'm personally excited to attend to hear such prominent influencers in fashion speak! To register and purchase tickets, check out the event page here. Don't forget to follow @style_2020 #style2020 to get the scoop on the day of the event. I hope to see you there!


April 10, 2014

O'Neill x Coachella


It is finally time for my getaway in the desert, which has been a loooong time coming, and I'm SO excited! As I'm scurrying to pack for Coachella literally this second, I'm picking out a few of my favorite pieces from O'Neill I'm definitely bringing with me for the weekend. 

Stocking up on bikinis is a must for the numerous pool parties waiting to happen and I can't wait to wear this super cute textured white and peach bikini with the mint sweater as a fuzzy cover-up. But when I'm not lounging by the pool, I'm planning on wearing this beautiful, flowy maxi dress with the perfect festival print out and about Downtown Palm Springs. And of course a summer backpack is so necessary because partying hands-free is the way to go.

I'm so stoked to be covering some major parties with great headliners this weekend and I'm bringing O'Neill with me all day on Saturday. Tune in and follow me on Instagram at @honeynsilk and @oneillwomens and our hashtag #oneillxcoachella and peek into the behind-the-scenes Coachella life! I'll see you in the desert!

April 8, 2014

Sun and Moon

Greylin jumpsuit. Stela 9 bag. Lulu*s heels. Natalia Benson jewelry.

These bold Natalia Benson pieces just say everything for me. I love the Sun and Moon symbols in her Spring 2014 Immaculate Collection as it reminds me with every glance to maintain my inner balance and to be conscious of myself. And this is why I am obsessed with Natalia's namesake line - she effortlessly fuses spirituality and meaning in all of her jewelry, which makes each and every piece so special and magical. It's a new way to connect and express. Show some love to my girl - the multi-talented jewelry designer, spiritual reader, and DJ - Natalia Benson and shop her debut manufactured line here (you know they're the pieces you need for Coachella!).