Doutzen Kroes for H&M Magazine

Crochet tops, monokinis and fringe galore. Though it's a month away, I'm pretending it's already summer and slathering on coconut oil and sunscreen and hitting the pool. This editorial for H&M Magazine featuring Doutzen Kroes has me swooning for the beach. 

(images courtesy of fashiongonerouge.com)

Valentino Rockstuds

Okay, is it just me or have you seen a LOT of Valentino Rockstud heels lately? I am a lover of studs and these Valentino shoes, though trendy, are totally timeless and go with endless outfits. Here are a few photos I found of these haute shoes in action.

(images via pinterest)

I personally love the nude ones. Which pair is your fav?

10 Things I Learned at Lucky FABB

Like I said in my post last week, Lucky FABB was unforgettable! I had such an incredible time learning from the pros. I decided to share some of the valuable lessons I learned from FABB!

image via luckymag.com

1. Kelly Osbourne said she splurges on her shoes, handbags and outerwear and goes for more affordable pieces for everything else. She was wearing Stella McCartney shoes, Karl Lagerfeld jacket and Zara underneath. Hello practical shopper!

2. When you’re working with a brand - you are working FOR that brand. It should be a professional relationship. Always under promise and over deliver. Great tips when you’re building relationships with different brands.

3. In the breakout session, Beauty Tips From The Pros, celeb makeup artist Bruce Grayson says to overdo it on your beauty look when shooting photos for your blog. Pick something like your hair, eyes or lips and make them dramatic, he said. When shooting from far away, something needs to stand out in a photo à la the red carpet.

4. Affiliate programs are a great way to monetize your blog! Sites like Beso pay you per click while other affiliate programs like Reward Style pay you when people click links on your site and make a purchase. If your readers love to shop, these could be great resources for you!

5. Drew Barrymore was such an amazing keynote speaker. She was incredibly honest and made so many good points. “Unfortunately, I was raised in this like generation of like, ‘Women can have it all,’ and I don’t think you can. I think some things fall off the table. The good news is, what does stay on the table becomes much more important.”

6. SEO tips: Post your blogs on any and all social media platforms. Alter your status updates/teasers/posts to fit facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest, google+, etc.

7. Styling for your blog can get monotonous and too familiar. Switch it up by shopping for one of a kind pieces at thrift shops or consignment shops and mix them in with trendy pieces for a look that’s all your own.

8. As a blogger, consider yourself a small business owner. Be professional, be smart and be savvy!

9. Dave Cook of The Find urges you to think SEO when creating tags and titles for your blog. He recommends using Wordpress for a blogging platform and installing an SEO plugin like Yoast. For those of us (like myself) on Blogspot, we can easily make our content searchable by using alt tags on images and making easy to search headlines for our posts.

10. Don’t try to be anyone else! It’s okay to draw some inspiration from your favorite blogger but copying someone else isn’t going to get you very far. Be YOU and create your own content and ideas and people will love reading what you have to share.

Flower Beauty Review

Drew Barrymore was hands down my favorite speaker at Lucky FABB. I've always liked her but I think I fell in love with her at FABB. I mean, the girl made a Simpsons reference when she was answering an audience question - I'm sold. I really loved listening to her talk about her new makeup line - Flower Beauty. These products are made with prime ingredients that you would find in department store makeup lines but with drugstore prices. The reason that Flower Beauty is able to provide luxury beauty products at low prices is because they don't spend on marketing and advertising. Drew Barrymore totally speaks for the brand. How cool is that? I was lucky enough to get a few of her products in my swag bag and I am happy to say that I'm hooked!

via Lucky Magazine

Here are the gorgeously packaged products I got in my gift bag! 

Easy On The Eyes Long Wear Eyeliner 

In Aubergine & Khaki Shimmer

This liner goes on so smoothly and keeps throughout the day. We had an 84 degree day in Chico yesterday and my liner didn't smudge at all! I was shocked to be honest because that's why I gave up regular liner and have been using gel/liquid for so long. Well now I am switching it up between this gorgeous khaki color that has just the right amount of shimmer and the beautiful aubergine liner that looks so good with my eye color. I've tried it on my waterline, as a cat eye and along the lash line and it is so versatile. I'm hooked. 

Find it at Walmart for $5.98

Extreme Measures Lengthening Mascara 

In Blackest Black

When this mascara says it's lengthening... it doesn't lie.

Let me forewarn you that I am a mascara snob. I use Dior Show and nothing else, ever. I will say that it's hard to continue to spend $30 on mascara every couple of months and I've been contemplating trying out a new one. SO glad that I tried this because I am pleasantly surprised at how good my lashes look! This mascara lengthens and doesn't leave lashes clumpy or heavy at all. I'm still trying it out and trying multiple coats, but I'd like to say that I'd definitely buy again.
Find it at Walmart for $6.98

Color Play Creme Eye Shadow

In Rest On Your Laurel & Time Willow Tell  

These two colors come with a lot of shimmer. The Rest On Your Laurel is a pearly silver shade that can be built up as much as you want using just your fingertips. Put a dab of this color on the outer corners of the eye to widen and brighten the eye for a day to night effect (Watch Drew's Tip Tuesday videos here). The Time Willow Tell is a deep olive color that can be easily smeared across the eyelid for a slight pop of color or built up for a daring deep green. The consistency of these shadows makes it easy to touch up during the day and wipe off if you apply to much.
Find it at Walmart for $7.98

Face The World Tinted Moisturizer 

In TM 2
Though I was bummed to see that there was no SPF in this moisturizer, I do like the feel of it. It goes on so smoothly and feels light and soft on my face. It lasted through most of the day and gave me pretty moderate coverage as well. This is definitely an item that you can apply with your fingertips and just grab and go since it blends so easily. Just make sure to use with an SPF base first! 

Find it at Walmart for $10.98

Can you believe all of this stuff can be found at Walmart? I can't wait to try the lipsticks next! 

Insta-Update: My Week(end) at Lucky FABB

Oh my gosh do I have a lot to share! I just got back from a FABB weekend at Lucky FABB and San Diego. The conference was amazing and so was my mini trip. I will be posting Lucky FABB recaps throughout the week so stay tuned. Here are some photos from my Instagram to tide you over ;)

My amazing blowout thanks to The Drybar and my name tag that I will keep forever!!

Delicious treats from LA and SD. Ps, those chilaquiles from Great Maple in SD were delish.

My beyond FABB swag bag  & a poorly zoomed in photo of Mandana Dayani. Love her!

More to come this week including some helpful tips I learned, tutorials, and reviews on my favorite FABB products. 

Pinterest Faves: Denim Daze

Everyone owns at least one piece of denim. Whether it's that perfect pair of boyfriend jeans, a studded denim jacket, or a western-inspired denim shirt, we all love denim. I especially love the different ways denim can be styled. Edgy, chic, comfy, classic; the possibilities are endless!

Distressed Denim: I love the way that these two outfits are styles. Boyfriend jeans always look so cute with feminine tops and modern cuts. 

Canadian Tuxedo Upgrade: The Canadian tuxedo is the pairing of jeans with a jean jacket. It's usually frowned upon but these two are doing it right with cheeky shorts and matching top. 

Denim + Heels: Strappy sandals & chunky platform pumps. A girl can't go wrong with either look.

Which look is your favorite? 

(images courtesy of pinterest)

The It List: Summer Essentials

Temperatures are in the high 70's around here and I can't stop dreaming about summer! Fresh watermelon lemonade, hanging out poolside, big floppy hats... is it June yet? Until then, I've created somewhat of a little inspiration board with some of my summer must-haves. What looks are you lusting over for the summer?

Necklace: JCrew Factory | Sunnies: Kate Spade Saturday | Swimsuit: Old Navy | Sandals: Target | Tote: Gap

Marion Cotillard for Dior

I watched La Vie En Rose in a French class my sophomore year of college and I was obsessed with Marion Cotillard's portrayal of Edith Piaf. Ever since then, I have loved everything she has done. Not only is she a great actress, but she is gorgeous, too. She looks incredible in this Dior handbag campaign and I just had to share! Isn't she fab?

(images courtesy of hollywoodlife.com)

Pinterest Faves: Style Crush

I love perusing Pinterest for inspiration of all kinds. Whether it be baking, style, beauty or finding new blogs to read - I  am obsessed with pretty pins! Here are my favorite style pins from this week.

Outfit Lust: Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific in her most recent outfit post Pink Pop. Also loving the outfit on the right. A chic pleated midi with a color block top and a statement necklace. 

Print Mix Perfection: I am all about mixing prints but I've never even thought about mixing two different floral prints together. I love the look! It's so bright and fresh for spring!

 OMG Shoes: I think the cap-toe trend will live on through a few more seasons. Obsessed with the knotted heels paired with striped trousers. 

(pins from who what wear, lulus, glitter guide and pink peonies)

Best Beauty Buys Spring '13

I love it when spring rolls around. A little rain, a lot of sunshine, and spring cleaning! I love cleaning out my closet and most of all, my makeup bag. It's time to ditch the cool winter makeup and bring in some bright shades, pops of color and makeup with SPF! Bring on the spring!

Essie Tart Deco | Nars Lipstick in Roman Holiday | Stila HD Illuminating BB Cream | Benefit Bella Bamba

Essie's Tart Deco is a super bright coral and one of my favorite Essie polishes ever. Sometimes I add a layer of silver glitter over one coat of Tart Deco for an extra fancy look ;) 

Nars Lipstick in Roman Holiday is the prettiest shade of pink. It's a light enough shade that makes your lips look naturally blush. 

Stila HD Illuminating BB Cream is my new go-to makeup. I ditched the foundation and I'm sticking to BB Cream forever! This formula has SPF 30, moisturizer and it's waterproof. It's a no-brainer!

Benefit's Bella Bamba gives cheeks a shimmery pink pop and lasts all day long. Swipe once on each cheek for a fresh daytime look or add 2-3 swipes for a glam night time look. 

What's in your makeup bag for Spring '13?