Friday Favorites - March 2

There are so many pieces of jewelry, beauty products, shoes, handbags, clothes, cool services and more that I love! I'm happy there are plenty of Fridays in the year that I can share a few of my favorites each week.

Micah Yancey for 81 Poppies - "Golden Glory Four Leaf Clover" necklace, $98

I'm hoping luck comes my way in more than one direction this year! This lucky four leaf clover charm, created by jewelry designer Micah Yancey, is the perfect addition to any jewelry wardrobe and looks great layered with other delicate necklaces. The Golden Glory Four Leaf Clover is dipped in 24 karat gold and sits on a 14 karat gold filled 18" chain with a lobster clasp. Plus check out these adorable "Lucky Charm" outfit combinations, featuring the Golden Glory necklace, as seen on the BonBon blog! For more information about this collection, visit bonbonbymicahyancey.com or find Micah Yancey for 81 Poppies on Facebook.

NARS Sheer Lipstick, Dolce Vita, $24

I absolutely ADORE NARS Sheer Lipstick in Dolce Vita. This dusty rose color is my everyday go-to - and it is a flattering color on every skin tone. Because it is a sheer formula, the color pigments provide a more natural tint making it a great color for day or night. I also love that it is enriched with Vitamin E, which gives it a non-drying and moisturizing feel. Try it - and you will want every color.

     

This should really be an obsession... I love blow dry bars - no cuts, no color - just a fabulous blow out! I have been working to grow my hair out for quite some time now, and having it styled a few times a months keeps me from cutting it. This is an affordable luxury that I try to take advantage of at least once or twice a month. Plus when your hair looks great, you feel great! I try to keep "bad hair days" to a minimum. My two go-to spots in town are Blo - Austin (Ask for Jeris, he has a special talent with the curling iron that creates the most AMAZING waves and curls!) and Blast Blow Dry Bar (Ask for Heather, she really takes her time to give you a polished look!). Each blow dry bars will have their own unique hair menus to describe the type of styles you can select. When I visit Blo, I love to go for the "Red Carpet" or "Holly Would" looks, and at Blast, I opt for a more casual "Flatter Me Up" look.

"Red Carpet" Looks at Blo

"Flatter Me Up" at Blast

A professional blow out for $35 is a fabulous price to pay to save you the time and energy of doing your own hair. Plus you will walk out with a silky, shiny and gorgeous 'do that will, hopefully, last for 2-4 days, which leads me to my next favorite....

Klorane - Dry Shampoo, $18

Having thick, curly, sometimes dry - sometimes oily, hair, I always want to get a blow out (either professional or at-home) to last as long as possible. I am also a bit lazy and don't want to have to wash and dry it more than 2-3 times a week. Dry shampoo is such a lifesaver (and hair-saver). I do not know what I would do without it now! It keeps my hair refreshed between washes, as well as adding in a little more "oompf" when it starts to feel flat. I have tried so many different brands, but ultimately - my hair works best with Klorane's Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk (Aerosol). It does not leave a white after-spray residue, when combed out correctly, and the aerosol can makes it is easy to use. It is also unscented and paraben free for those with a sensitive scalp. I also like Oscar Blandi's Pronto Dry Shampoo ($19) as it has a great lemon-y scent, and for a less expensive option, I recommend TRESemme's Fresh Start Dry Shampoo ($5.50), which also has a citrus scent.

And lastly this week... who doesn't love TURQUOISE (and a sale)?

Color your wardrobe with spring-ready Stella & Dot jewelry on sale now! Select affordable jewelry styles just became even more irresistible, now at 25% off through the month of March.

Street Style: Milan Fashion Week 2012

photos courtesy of Style, Vogue

These slew of photos speak a thousand words and exude with bold personal style.

2012 Oscar Fashion Favorites

I admit I didn't even watch the 84th Annual Academy Awards last night, but I did check the highlights and red carpet wardrobe! I don't know about you, but I was not all that impressed by the gowns worn to the award show this year. Though, I did have two favorites: Octavia Spencer and Kristen Wiig.

Octavia Spencer image via Pop Sugar (Photo: Getty Images)

Octavia Spencer, winner of Best Supporting Actress for The Help, knows how to play up her shape in figure-flattering gowns. I really enjoyed this white, gorgeously-beaded Tadashi Shoji dress.

Kristen Wiig image via Celebuzz.com (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images

Oscar nominee and presenter Kristen Wiig was simply stunning in a tiered tulle J. Mendel gown and understated jewelry. Personally, I loved her hair! The soft, undone waves complimented her neutral look.

Now, the dresses to "be seen in" were the ones that the stars wore to one of the many viewing and after-parties! A few of my favorite looks...

Nina Dobrev image via PopSugar.com (Source: WireImage)

Nina Dobrev image via PopSugar.com (Source: WireImage)

At Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing party, The Vampire Diaries actress Nina Dobrev stunned in a black J. Mendel gown from the Fall '12 runway. Her fishtail braid was also a nice change from the more formal up-dos.

Alessandra Ambrosio & Kourtney Kardashian image via PopSugar.com (Source: Getty)

Sporting their adorable baby bumps, Alessandra Ambrosio in Roberto Cavalli and Kourtney Kardashian in a white Grecian Raoul dress were both glowing!

And over at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in a patriotic red, white and blue...

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley image via Fashionologie.com (Source: Getty)

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wore a tomato-red gown by Antonio Berardi. Red dresses are super-hot this season!

 Sofia Vergara image via Fashionologie.com (Source: Getty)

Sofia Vergara looked stunning in a white Roberto Cavalli gown. I love the sheer lace overlay, which gives a sexy hint of leg.

Leslie Mann image via Fashionologie.com (Source: Getty)

Leslie Mann wore a seqiun navy gown also by Roberto Cavalli. Navy is the new black for spring and summer. I love navy dresses, and this is no exception, though I think the dress would have looked better without a ruffled train.

Did you love a look that I did not cover? If so, share it in the comments!

Thirty-One Gifts

Last night, I did a Stella & Dot Trunk Show for my Hostess, Patti Salzman, who is also a Thirty-One Consultant. I had heard of the company, being in the direct sales business, but I did not really know much about it - and I know many of my friends probably have never heard of the company.

Thirty-One is a line of stylish and affordable products - from utility totes to on-the-go essentials to storage solutions that help organize your life. Each season, they develop new products in super-cute signature and customizable patterns that are both functional AND fashionable (and, of course, make great gifts!). After browsing through their catalog, I found a reason to buy at least one of each item, as well as a purpose and use for everything! Ultimately, I decided on a few favorites and must-haves for my lifestyle...

Need a cute work tote? Try the Casual Cargo Purse or the Retro Metro Tote! I love the "Lotsa Dots" material print. It's the perfect neutral print - a gray-ish khaki color with brown trim. I need a new work tote bag, so my personal favorite is the Casual Cargo Purse. I will also use it as a carry-on when traveling.

Hauling a lot of materials around... say, Look Books, binders, order forms, mini Look Books and more for Trunk Show, like me? Try the Utility Tote. This oversized bag is perfect for holding a LOT! It also has a covered metal rim that keeps the bag open to carry bulky items and then easily collapses for storage. (Again, I love it in the Lotsa Dots print.)

Traveling overnight or for a short, weekend trip? Try the City Weekender Tote or the Retro Metro Weekender. The City Weekender Tote combines all the best of a travel tote and a duffel bag, and comes in three quilted paisley print colors: brown, gray and black. I love the brown and gray for something different.

The Retro Metro Weekender has a little more room inside, but still a great tote to take along on any trip. With five pockets and a spacious interior, there is plenty of space to store everything you need! It comes in three whimsical prints, but I like the Black Paisley Parade print for this bag.
 

This was just too cute to pass up! If you are looking for a cute identification tag for your bag, the Cupcake Icon Hang Tag is a must-have.

With a million and one different uses, the Zipper Pouch is another small bag that everyone must have! I plan to use it to carry my calculator, pens, order forms and mini Look Books for Trunk Shows, and then to hold all of my important documents (in my carry-on bag) while traveling. You could also use it for storing jewelry, medicine, cards, recipes, makeup, receipts – ANYTHING! My favorite prints are the Awesome Blossom, Herringbone Spot and Pin Dots with Cupcakes!

If you are in the Austin, Texas area and would like to host your own Thirty-One Gifts party, please contact Patti or visit the website to find your nearest consultant!