Holiday Travel & Beauty Must-Haves

‘Tis the season for friends, family and looking fabulous! I'm preparing for the upcoming holiday travel season and one thing I look for in my beauty essentials is hassle-free experience. Check out some of my picks on how to stay effortlessly chic while on-the-go with these TSA-friendly beauty products that you can check and carry-on!

Modella Weekender

For all of your other beauty go-to’s that keep you looking marvelous under the mistletoe, stow away in the Modella Weekender. Complete with TSA-friendly travel bottles and separate compartments, your beauty and accessory essentials stay organized and easy to find.

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Aubrey EveryDay Basics Moisturizer

Wow your friends and relatives this holiday season with a glowing complexion! Replenish dry winter skin with Aubrey EveryDay Basics Moisturizer for Normal/Dry Skin. The combination of organic argan oil, organic aloe vera, horsetail and coltsfoot will hydrate and soothe skin, resulting in improved skin texture and elasticity!

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bodycology Fragrance Mist

Smell delicious as you spritz on-the-go this with bodycology Toasted Sugar Fragrance Mist. This blend of amber, orange, and vanilla is warm and sensual and will make you feel like you’re already cozied up by the fire. Plus, conditioning and hydrating Honey and Aloe Vera provide a burst of refreshment.

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Dew Good this Holiday Season with Gifts from MIYU Beauty

I came across these and thought they were super cute and wanted to share. Check out the full collection for your holiday season shopping here.

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Statement Accessories - Sylca Designs

Sylca Designs is going bold with their signature statement necklaces, oversized cocktail rings, arm party-worthy bracelets and accent accessories.  Launched in 2012 by co-designers Sylvia and Camila Echavarria, Sylca's accessories are powerful and transformative, but also completely wearable, thanks to lightweight materials like ultra-durable Bayong wood and vegetable fibers like abaca. Super stylish, trend-driven and affordable (retailing between $18-$60), Sylca Designs’ jewelry and accessories are the perfect complement to any stylish look this season.

Sylca Designs is available in boutiques throughout the US and online at www.sylcadesigns.com

ELLE x Joe Fresh Holiday Shopping Event

Tonight I attended ELLE magazine and Joe Fresh's private holiday shopping event in SoHo and it was one of my favorite shopping events of the season, and not just because I'm obsessed with the metallic sequin graphic miniskirt.

I walked in and saw the Anne Slowey, of ELLE magazine, chatting it up with a group of fashionistas. I was then greeted by a cute model/bartender with a glass of complimentary champers, and I knew it was going to be a good night.

My fashion picks of the night were the black ponyhair ballet flats, bronze gold sequined miniskirt, white leather embellished jacket, black-and-white hammer pants, red corduroy pants, and black bomber jacket.

Another impressive point of the evening was Joe Fresh's retail decor with white reindeer, runway shows playing on loop, and a cool DJ spinning tunes.

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Holiday Gift Guide: Treat Yourself

It's officially holiday season and here are a few suggestions on what to get for yourself to add a little cheer to your holiday season! Treat yourself!

Lolita Lempicka’s Unlock the Mystery Collection is the perfect gift for you love this holiday season, $100 at Neiman Marcus. The set includes a jasmine, ylang-ylang, neroli, sandalwood, and coco scented 80ml Eau de Parfum, 50ml Body Lotion, and Jewelry Cuff designed by the Lolita Lempicka family.

To unwind from a day full shopping and cocktail party-hopping, Bodycology offers fantastic sets at Walmart and Target under $20 including Soothing Body Scrubs and Body Butters, Travel Cases, a Sock Set, and an adorable Scrubbing Mitt with hand and body lotion.

Sometimes you just need a pick-me-up to get you in the holiday spirit. Aubrey offers fragrant little indulgences like their Almond Bliss Body Spritzer, Pomegranate Crème de la Shave, and Rosemary Peppermint Shampoo that feature natural fragrant oils and healthy ingredients to get you in the holiday mood and gently nourish skin and hair. At Aubrey-organics.com

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It's late.

It's late. I've been working all day, went to an event, came home and did 30-minutes of my Brazilian Butt-lift DVDs. Now I'm unwinding, watching stand-up comedy with a glass of chocolate almond milk and going through emails and tweets. I came across this pic of Nicole Richie in an email from Vogue magazine and just loved it. I had a moment of where I was posting selfies with no make-up and no filters with me wearing a scarf. I felt so gangsta in my scarf. I posted a few and then thought otherwise and promptly deleted them. It's late and I should probably get to bed. Sweet dreams lovahs.

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Get the EXACT Look: Rosie Fortescue x Torn by Ronny Kobo Taylor dress from SpottedOnCeleb

Gorge MIC gal Rosie Fortescue was Spotted this morning wearing the Torn by Ronny Kobo Taylor dress from SpottedOnCeleb.com. Her EXACT dress is available to buy now.

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How to Build Your Empire: Stop networking. Start cultivating.

The word “networking” is often viewed as a dirty and slimy word. Who wants to feel like they are being networked? More often than not you leave a “networking” event feeling like you need a shower and wondering, “Well what was the point of that?” If you have ever felt that way then fret not! Below are my top five tips on how to stop networking and start cultivating meaningful relationships to take your career to the next level.

Tip #5: Be interested (and listen).

I have found that they best way to connect with people is to be genuinely interested in what they have going on. Forget about talking about the last 5 projects you worked on or your web series that is currently in development. Listen to what the other person is saying and engage in regular conversation with them rather than try to steer the conversation back to the “business”. Try to connect on a friendship level and not only will you be memorable but also you will be on your road to becoming friends.

Remember: People like to hire and work with their friends and people that they genuinely like, not someone who acts like they are on a job interview.

Tip #4: Be confident (even if you aren’t “currently working” on anything).

If you are like the majority of creative people out there, you freeze up, get defensive, and lose confidence the moment some one asks you, “So what are currently working on? What have I seen you in?” and then that little sparkle in your eye fades and you feel judged if you don’t have a knock-em dead response. Just take a deep breath, smile, and respond with some thing that you are currently doing to cultivate your career, e.g. “Actually, I’m in a improv  class right now and I’m so excited on using what I’m learning in my next role.” The trick here is to come from a place of optimism and excitement. Who doesn’t want to work with someone that is positive and always working to improve their game?

Remember: Always stand in your power and don’t let any thing shake your confidence. Think about the most popular kids in high school – what did they really have going on? Who knows, but they strutted their stuff like ruled they world. So should you.

Me with actor, philanthropist, and fashion designer, Gbenga Akinnagbe

Tip #3: Look for connections in unexpected places

Thinking outside of the box of people to connect with may surprise you. I went to a breakfast series for alumni of my alma mater in NYC. The speaker just happened to be a CFO for one of the top independent production companies. He did an amazing job, I chatted with him afterwards about his weekend (not the business), and then sent him a thank you email a few days later. A few weeks passed by I came across a breakdown for a role in a film his company was producing. I shot him a quick email, and by the end of the next week I was in auditioning for the role with the producers.

Remember: The morale of the story.

• Connect with people with common interests
  • Went to the same school
  • Create a genuine bond
    • Talked about personal interests not business topics
    • Forget about titles
      • Who knew meeting the “finance guy” could lead to an audition for a feature film?

Tip #2: Follow up and follow through.

Congrats! You’ve made a genuine connection with some one either in the industry or connected to it. So now what? Follow up. Send an email to see how they are doing and if they want to catch up over coffee or catch the new movie that’s out. Follow them on Twitter and send appropriate tweets to them. Add a Google alert with their name and send them emails or notes when some thing cool happens in their life/career that pops up.

Don’t forget to follow-through. Did you promise to send them a link to your latest blog post? Recommended a cool Thai place for dinner? Follow through by sending the info to them, your thoughtfulness and action to cultivate the relationship will go a long way.

Remember: Following up and following through is an easy way to stay top of mind with industry influencers in a way that is authentic and helpful. Who doesn’t want to work with some one that follows through on their word?

Tip #1: Add value and cultivate reciprocal relationships.

Be willing to help others before expecting them to help you. Whenever I ask a fellow actor, writer, producer, director, or whomever for any thing, I always make it clear that I am willing to help out on their projects as well (even if it isn’t my sweet spot of acting). Grabbing Starbucks, editing a peer’s article, etc. Coming from a place of “I am valuable and I this is the value I bring,” is way more powerful than coming from a place of, “I need. I want. I lack.”

Remember: Think back to tip #3. Stand in your power and be confident. For any relationship to thrive and prosper both parties must add value to their endeavors.

Have questions on how to stop networking and start cultivating? Please feel free to leave them in the comments below!

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My Interview with Beauty Expert Jamie Krell: Create a girls night at Home and hit the town

I love hanging with my friends, gabbing about boys, our careers, closets, and the latest episode of Scandal. So luckily I got to catch up with Jamie Krell (see below for her awesome bio) on how to take my girls night experience to the next level.

Quick tips:

 Raid Your Kitchen Cabinet – Everyone should have Apple cider, baking soda, and green tea bags with Honey! How to tighten up, help with breakouts, and keep skin clear all within your kitchen. Have a spa night in with your girls and get clearer skin.

A Kicker without The Liquor-  You’ve got a little downtime with the girls. How about some mocktails? No need to drink all of calories before you head out for the night.

More about Jamie

The at-home spa day is quickly becoming a go-to for celebs and the everyday woman as a way to beautify in the comfort of home. Jamie Krell has teamed with Good Earth Tea to help you learn how to capture the beautiful celeb glow while relaxing with your friends at the casa.

Jamie’s been seen on nearly every network as a fashion and style expert. She began her work with the the costume designer of Friends and quickly moved on to E! and the Style Network. Regular appearances include The TODAY Show, The View, The Talk, Entertainment Tonight, and Access Hollywood.

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Sky Ferreira for Maison Kitsuné Spring/Summer 2014

Sky Ferreira, singer-songwriter, model and actress, appears to be the face of Maison Kitsuné's Spring/Summer 2014 collection. 

Following the debut of her successful album Night Time, My Time, Ferreira is joining forces with the brand to lend her talents and beauty to its "New Wave" themed collection, inspired by New York's young artists and musicians on the rise.

"We are thrilled to work with Sky this season," says Gildas Loaëc, co-founder of Maison Kitsuné. "We tend to stray from the conventional and lead with bold creativity, which Sky embodies perfectly."

Captured by Henrik Purienne, the famed fashion photographer and filmmaker, whose images are renowned for their sensuality and romance, this exciting campaign brings a Parisian sensibility to life in the big apple.

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