Doesn’t that name make every style-savvy girl want to check out the company’s couture? I was especially drawn to this ballet-inspired silhouette. It’s flattering with a dash of alluring appeal.
The material is so soft that slipping it on feels like wrapping up in a favorite, old, comfy robe…but the design is so elegant that you look like you’re dressed for an evening out.
If you want to feel chic, here’s a link to my dress. This post is sponsored, but all opinions are my own.
Salish Lodge in Washington state is my favorite spa…EVER. Mind you, I’ve only been to two spas in my life, but even if I had been to 2,000, it’s safe to say that Salish would be a favorite. The Lodge offers seasonal scrubs…like apple/honey, pictured on me below…along with massages and facials. Your treatment comes with an additional two luxurious hours beforehand or afterwards that you can spend in a whirlpools tub, fire-side relaxation room, sauna, and steam room. If you’ve been through a stressful time and need to decompress, or if you want to do something extra special for a special event, I highly recommend this spa.
After your treatment, you can enjoy live music and scrumptious food in The Attic with a dramatic view of the Snoqualmie Falls. Anything on the menu honey-based is the height of savory. Salish is known for its honey, which comes from their own bee hives. It all began in 2011 with a 120,000-honeybee apiary installed on the hillside overlooking the lodge. Ever since, Salish has become the destination for delicious honey.
That would describe Ankit. The company is known for being a fashion, home, and tech design house that never disappoints when it comes to quality and the adorable factor.
I have used these noise-isolating headphones every day since the package arrived, and absolutely love them. They’re lightweight, adjustable, stylish, perfect for an iPod…and even come with a two-year warranty.
My new mug has inspired a nightly hot chocolate tradition—and it’s the perfect size.
To check out all of Ankit’s fabulous products… Ankit LLC
Here’s a video that I shot and edited using the headphones and mug. And when I say that I shot it, I mean that literally! No one was available to film that day, so I just set my camera up on a tripod, framed up the shots, and hopped in front.
Thank you so much, Ankit, for sending me these fun goodies. This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own.
One word comes to mind whenever Audrey’s name is mentioned. It starts with a “r.” The word is radiance. If you would like to recreate one of her makeup looks, just watch this Beauty Breakdown rebroadcast from my live lifestyle show on VS1.
Seattle has a bad reputation for its rain. To me, it’s not merited. I love a cozy drizzle, but right now I’m all about snow! The second these beautiful flakes made their appearance, I ran outside. That was at 1am! I was up late working on a video project for a blog brand deal. Then the next day I ran out to snap these pictures.
No matter who you were rooting for at the Super Bowl, when half-time started most of us were on Team Gaga. The famous Lady was utterly captivating. But what else would you expect? Here’s a reboot of my Beauty Breakdown show on VS1 in which I did a tutorial on Gaga’s look.
Here’s the step-by-step. It’s a re-broadcast of my Beauty Breakdown show on VS1! If you’d like to learn how to do more celebrity looks, tune in. The fun begins over on the app every weekday at 2pm PST (5pm EST). There you can ask questions, make comments, and even appear on the show via my split-screen.
When I heard of the executive order late Friday abruptly halting the admission of all refugees to my country, I searched for word of a compelling national security reason, but found nothing. Confusion and panic reigned at airports where planes bearing newly-barred refugees landed. The only additional news surfaced early Monday revealing that everyone from seven Muslim-majority countries had been blocked as well. Among them were friends of mine with work permits, skilled jobs, and unblemished records. Next, the White House released a report stating that when the current suspension ends, non-Muslims in those countries will receive preferential treatment. I have never used this site to promote politics, and I still won’t, but publicly opposing this order is a matter of patriotism. As a citizen, I cannot sit on the sidelines.
The United States was created by immigrants, and has opened its arms to them ever since. The 14th Amendment to our Constitution grants due process of the law and equal protection rights to all “persons” who land on our soil, not just citizens. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 prohibits discrimination in awarding visas based on “race, sex, nationality, place of birth, or place of residence.” To me, last weekend’s executive order violates all of this.
Because national security is critical, scrutiny of potential immigrants is already understandably intense. Yet, the order slams the door on some of our most valuable potential resources–people–with no vetting process whatsoever. It rejects without a hearing those whose lives are in danger because they helped the US military in one of the earmarked Muslim countries. It ignores those attacked in their own lands even when they are in the majority, like the Sunni’s in Syria. It wrongly gives the impression that Americans are against all Muslims, when only the jihadists have waged war on us.
There are many actions we could take to win this war and provide better security for all within our borders. They include fine-tuning that vetting process, developing more efficient intelligence agencies, working more effectively with other countries, and stopping recruitment of Islamist radicals within.
About a week ago, a mosque in my town burned to the ground. I am a Christian, and my church is next door. Our members immediately went over to help our neighbors. We then rearranged our schedule to let the Muslims use our building for their meetings. That is America.
1. We always end up looking at each other and bursting into laugher…normally when everyone else is really quiet, focusing on serenity!
2. Girl Time is always a fun time.
3. Mom is a strong believer in the principle that an important part of working out is the pre-class ritual of shopping for cute yoga clothes.
4. We always eat something scrumptious afterwards. I mean, isn’t that the whole reason for exercise? 😉
5. Mom is really outgoing, so we always make new friends.
Ride away with me? I suppose the first step would be learning how to ride a motorcycle. 😉 This one belongs to my friend. He let me borrow it for the shoot!
Speaking of riding off on an adventure, Travel Talk, my live, online travel show, runs today, Monday, through Friday at 3:30pm PST (6:30pm EST) on the new interactive app VS1. To download it…
Each day, I’ll be streaming live from 2-6pm PST (5-9pm EST). We’ll be chatting about makeup, travel, dating/relationship, and fashion…and ending with a dance party! Thank you to everyone who has joined in so far. I’d love to see you all there!
Since I started my NYC travel kick with my last blog post…where I chatted about my love for M&M World…I decided to continue the New York travel theme. There’s a reason why Broadway shows are such a draw, and I love them just as much as anyone. But today, I want to take a trip to Off-Broadway.
Kirk Theatre, where I saw my first Off-Broadway extravaganza, was one of my favorite trip experiences. The room that we were in was small and intimate, the ticket cost reasonable, and the talent every bit fit for Broadway. I’d, of course, suggest reading reviews before you choose a show.
The room was so intimate and the stage so close that even if you’re destined to sit in the back row, you will feel like you’re in about the tenth row at a Broadway production.
With this vibe, performers will often venture out into the audience, creating camaraderie among attendees. Off-Broadway is where you can be sure to find me on my next NYC trip!
On my last business trip to New York, I decided to slip in adventures that were the epitome of touristy. Don’t get me wrong… I’m all for experiencing a city just like a local, but there’s a reason why tourists do, in fact, love going to tourist attractions. They’re fun, interesting, filled with people who are traveling and, therefore, often injected with that exploring spirit. In other words, you’ll be mingling with those who are upbeat and ready to make new friends. That’s an aspect that I love whenever I’m in a new place…or, frankly, an old favorite.
So I didn’t think twice when I saw the inviting door of M&M World. Plus, I don’t need much of an excuse to be lured into a place filled floor-to-ceiling with chocolate deliciousness.
And you know that when I entered, I acted exactly like a tourist. I joined in the “M&M line dance” (yes there is one), explored, and sampled way more M&M’s than any nutritionist would condone. I had a blast.
That night, I met up with a friend who is a NYC local, and we went to hubs where the locals like to gather. So I got the best of both worlds on my trip. Oh, New York, I can’t wait until we’re together again!!
PS. In case you’re wondering, I got this Vintage-inspired tee at a market in the SoHo. This place is the mecca for unique couture.
If you love lifestyleshows, then you’ll really love VS1. For those of you who haven’t heard me chatting about it yet, this is a new app that broadcasts shows in real time, and lets the audience participate.
I’m one of the first hosts, and if you tune in, you can help the engineers perfect the app just by participating. If you haven’t already downloaded it, use my Lounge ID as your Initiation Code. It’s 30013. Then you can join in.
Here’s my show schedule for 1/23-1/27, Monday-Friday:
Beauty Breakdown 2pm PST (5pm EST)
We’ll cover the latest makeup trends as well as the classics.
Travel Talk 3pm PST (6pm EST)
We’ll reveal some of the best destinations….from the hottest, to the most unique, the most adventurous, the friendliest, and ones with the best deals.
Happy Hour 3:30pm PST (6:30pm EST)
We’ll chat about whatever strikes our fancy…from dating to dance and everything in between.
Dance Party 4:30-6pm PST (7:30-9pm EST)
We’ll be getting our groove on to popular tunes, and learning the choreography so you’re ready for the weekend! For part of this week, the focus will be Meghan Trainor’s hit, “Dear Future Husband.”
Do you ever wish that you could take a free dance class in the comfort and privacy of your own home? And then be ready to rock those moves the next time you’re at a party, or out on the town? Well, now you can! I’m very excited to announce that I’m one of the first US live-streaming hosts for VS1, an app that runs interactive lifestyle shows.
It launches Wednesday, January 18. I will begin my program with popular-dance lessons to current songs, makeup tutorials, and dating and travel talk. All you have to do to join in the fun is download the VS1 app. Search for my show by my Lounge ID: 30013. You can watch and follow along, make comments, and ask questions that I’ll answer in real time.
You can even become part of the show because I will be able to add guests who tune in. Just send me a message mid-show, and your wish could become a reality.
Here’s my VS1 show schedule for this week. Don’t worry if you can only join me for part of a show. You’ll always be welcome.
Wednesday-Friday 2-6pm PST (5-9pm EST)
Makeup and Beauty Tutorials
2-3pm PST (5-6pm EST)
Learn the latest tips and tricks. My very first makeup tutorial on VS1 will be Charlotte Tilbury.
Happy Hour
3:30-4:30pm PST (6:30-7:30pm EST)
Grab a drink because we’ll be chatting about everything from dating/relationships to lifestyle. Feel free to write me with questions in advance, or ask in the moment.
Dance Party
4:30-6pm PST (7:30-9pm EST) I’ll be teaching a class to popular music that is perfect for all levels…complete with a warmup, routine, and cooldown.
Since we’re going to be dancing so much, I decided to post these black & white pictures that I ran across from my last NYC trip. I LOVE dancing—everywhere. The elevator at our hotel was no exception. My photographer, Kylee, stealthily clicked pics while I was dancing away!
In this video, I’m showing how you can use the Love palette by Too Faced to create a causal, everyday look.
Normally, when I create makeup tutorials, I like to edit them with lots of cuts to jazz up the experience. But today, since today I’m creating more of a natural look, I went for a laidback approach. This was shot in just one take.
