Saks Beauty Week

In fashion, we often hear about someone’s style journey. I’m currently working on a post to share mine (although it’s ruthfully painful to look back!), but there’s one that often gets looked over - one’s beauty routine journey.

Like style, my beauty routine is ever-evolving. I love learning all about how to maximize on taking care of my skin and trying out products that can make that happen. When I first really started caring for my skin, I learned that it’s just as important as taking care of our bodies. Same with makeup - the products we put on our face affect our skin and overall health as well.

When I found out about Saks Beauty Week happening now through February 26, I knew I had to let you in on ALL the juicy details. 

My favorite location - Saks Fifth Avenue Tysons Galleria - will be hosting a ton of great beauty events including free facials, a nail bar from Varnish Lane, hand massages, beauty tips from the pros and makeup application classes! I’ve included the schedule of awesome events for you to check out below. 

Saks carries many of my favorite beauty brands like Chanel, La Mer, Dior, Kiehl’s, YSL, Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Lancome, Trish McEvoy, Laura Mercier, Jo Malone, SKII, Cle De Peau, Sisley, Tom Ford and more. 

Be sure to pick up one of their Spring Beauty Books filled with runway trends, gift ideas and more! Plus with every $150 purchase, you can get this gorgeous tote bag, which comes in three colors (perfect for your next vacay!) Saks Fifth Avenue is located in Tysons Galleria at 2051 International Drive, McLean, VA 22102.

Mosaic Fashion Week

Wearing Shaina Mote pants and Cuero + Mor bag via Sophie Blake, South Moon Under tank and jacket c/o, Sophie Blake necklace and bracelet, Neiman Marcus Last Call boots.
Makeup by Bluemercury.
All found at Mosaic

Hi guys! The month of fashion has arrived and with it, tons of fun events and parties to celebrate!

I'm proud to be partnering with Mosaic for their own Fashion Week coming up on September 14-18! And even cooler, my mom got to be a part of the campaign too! I'm a bit biased, but HOW CUTE IS MOM, YOU GUYS?! She's wearing a dress from Take 5 Boutique, a scarf from South Moon Under, Kendra Scott jewelry and a bag from Neiman Marcus Last Call!

It's no secret that Mosaic is one of my favorite places to shop. From local designers like Sophie Blake and Arielle Shoshana to classic favorites like Anthropologie and South Moon Under, it's always my top spot for finding new and interesting pieces.

September 14 kicks off the week with a Fashion Week Kickoff Party hosted by DC sweetheart, Sarah Fraser. The fun starts at 6 PM with tunes by DJ Neekola followed by a fashion show at 7:30 and a special showing of Dior and I at 8:30. Get your Dior and I tickets here!

The rest of the week is filled with in-store specials, more fun events and a chance to hang with me, Natalie, Alicia, Tammy and Josie! Get all the details here! Hope to see you there!

Blogger Scene Recap

• SHOP OUR LOOKS •

A little under three years ago, I pushed “publish” on my first blog post. The next night, I proclaimed my “bloggerness” to all by attending my very first blog event. See MAJOR throwback photo below.

Can you believe this was three years ago - we were such BABIES!

I knew no one. I’d seen Natalie’s blog before, and even bought a necklace she posted once, not knowing who she was at all, but hoping she was as awesome in person as she seemed online. Turns out, she’s even more so.

I started so many of my best blogging friendships that night. I met Alicia, who I went to my first blogger brunch with, shot my first outfit in DC with, and collaborated on many campaigns with. I also got to know the host and co-founder, Natalie, that evening as well. Since then, we’ve hosted events together, grabbed countless cocktails together, and obsessed over all-things-Kylie-Jenner together.

And a couple weeks ago, I helped co-host the 8th annual Blogger Scene event with those two babes! The event was held on the Embassy Row Hotel rooftop, which featured stunning views of DC and a very tempting swimming pool.

Lilly Pulitzer dressed us three to the nines in their latest collection (Alicia wore this colorful maxi, Natalie chose this chic two-piece set, and I went with a monochromatic, bohemian vibe!) Bloggers, small business owners and creatives all joined together for networking and happy hour benefiting the Washington Humane Society. 

Super babe Erin Krespan was our photo ninja of the evening, capturing the very best moments to be recorded for all of time. You can totally see and feel the essence of the event through her incredible imagery. 

After a couple hours of chatting, we got some tips and advice from a panelist of bloggers and entrepreneurs. First was Sara, founder of StyleMBA, who has partnered with the likes of Chanel and Forever 21. She talked about consistency, snapchat strategy and the benefits of hiring a professional photographer.

There was also my friend Diana, founder of Greenheart Organic and community-driven Instagram account, Lust Local. She touched on what it means to be a small business owner and a few tips on how to use the Instagram algorithm to your advantage.

Then Diego, from Diego Downtown, brought down the house with his fun approach on deciphering which events to attend, how to get a brand’s attention and the importance of contracts.

We also got a little guest appearance from Beatriz, a rep at Cuyana, on what brands are looking for in bloggers (hint: creating a page filled with photos that represent a lifestyle that people want to aspire to is key!)

We closed off the evening with some insanely awesome giveaways including a classic tote bag from Cuyana, gift cards to our favorite local stores (Sophie Blake, Lynn Louisa and Refine Boutique to name a few), Kendra Scott jewelry, a night’s stay at the Embassy Row Hotel, $250 to Tuckernuck and a free baliage to DC blogger’s favorite hair salon, PR at Partners on K Street.

Out of everything though, my favorite part of the event was watching people connect with each other. There’s something so beautiful about seeing two people you know meet for the first time and become fast friends. It was worth every drop of sweat, blood and tear that we poured into planning this event.

We can’t wait for the next Blogger Scene event - be sure to stay connected with updates from the Instagram account, @BloggerScene. 

You’re Invited! Le Sud Summer Party at Cuyana

I’m so excited to share that I’ll be hosting the Le Sud Summer Party at the Cuyana pop-up in Georgetown with Sara of StyleMBA and Natalie with The Fashionably Broke THIS upcoming Thursday, June 16!

In case it hasn’t been apparent over the past few months (see here, here and here), I’m obsessed with Cuyana. I discovered them when they opened their pop-up in Georgetown, although they’ve had a cult following for years. 

Wondering what’s in my Cuyana closet?

This saddle bag that get complimented everywhere I go
This mini-saddle bag that I just bought and can’t stop wearing
This weekender bag that makes me feel as chic as ever when I travel
This red slip dress that I’ll be wearing Thursday
This soft-as-all-get-out tee that I find myself wearing on repeat
This tote bag that holds everything I need
This sink tank that I love dressing up for work with a high-waisted skirt and dressed down with ripped denim on the weekends.

If you’re moving towards buying fewer things that are better quality, you’ll definitely want to join us Thursday! Join us for French-inspired drinks, yummy bites, and shopping with three of your favorite DC bloggers. Can’t wait to see you there! In the meantime, shop my favorite Cuyana pieces below!

RSVP on the Facebook event page here.

Bluemercury Opens at Cathedral Commons

Sweaty and tired, I swung my bare feet out of my car and fastened on my strappy heels. I checked my face quickly before I paid my parking meter - just as I’d expected. Shiny. I was eternally grateful that soon my problem would be solved - I was on my way to the Bluemercury opening at Cathedral Commons.

Upon entering the store (their 95th location!) I actually squealed. As one does as they enter Bluemercury. There was Oribe (pronounced OR-BAE as I learned that night) to the left, makeover stations on my right…oh - and cupcakes. Definitely ate one or two (or ten) of those before enjoying a little post-work makeup touch-up! 

The founders (Marla and Barry Beck) arrived shortly after and I was beside myself with excitement. Marla was SO beautiful - not that I was surprised. She is co-founder of my favorite makeup and skincare store of all time. AND with her semi-recent launch of her new skincare line, M-61, she’s more on-fire than ever.

Before I got a chance to steal Marla away from the throngs of people fawning over her (which I did later), I asked her husband and co-founder of Bluemercury, Barry Beck, about their mens grooming products.

“As guys start to move into their career, they start to take better care of themselves - they get a better haircut, buy nicer shirts, invest in nicer shoes, and we fundamentally believe that taking care of yourself in terms of better shampoo, hair grooming products, better shaving creams - and the truth is, better grooming products are actually better! The ingredients are better. And there’s a reason why certain people out in California in the movie business look so good!”

He’s so right, friends. My husband has really taken off in his career and with his entrepreneurial mind, is always meeting new people. Looking your best is important. And while I’ve become quite the skincare prowess, if I do say so myself, I had no idea what a guy should be using. I knew he’d have no patience for my 7-step routine, so I asked Barry for specifics.

He suggested this routine for bae:

1. M-61 Brilliant Cleanse Face Wash
2. Kiehls Blue Astringent Toner
3. M-61 JetGlow Cream

Now that I had a set routine for the hubs, I needed to get Marla’s take on her favorite products. And I got my chance shortly afterwards when she joined my group of friends as we were chatting about our favorite M-61 products. 

Pictured here with Marla Beck, Briana and Ally

Her favorites?

The M-61 Vitablast C serum (which I'm already obsessed with) and the PowerGlow Peel. I also picked up their makeup remover because it is actually THE BEST I've found.  As evidenced from all the products in my hand in the photo above. I'm CLEARLY a fan.

The new Bluemercury store is located in Cathedral Commons at 3320 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016. Be sure to check out this gorgeous (and my new favorite) location! Not located near one? Shop my favorite Bluemercury products below!