Get Oscar worthy lashes with Physicians Formula's Eye Booster Instant Lash Extension Kit

Hi lovelies,

The Oscars are finally here and I'm getting ready to head over to my friend Kayla's place to watch and celebrate with fancy cocktails, pretty dresses, yummy treats, and good friends. More than watching who's going to go home with the coveted statue, we love to see what all the stars are wearing on the red carpet and what beauty and hair trends they are rocking as well. 

For me, I'm going to rock my signature smokey eye look, black tights, and golden bronze baroque dress. If you're like me and love to try out new beauty trends, check out below on how I achieve my smokey eye look with my brand new Physicians Formula's Eye Booster Instant Lash Extension Kit.

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6 Easy steps to Achieve Oscar worthy lashes:

Before and After

Step 1: Eyeliner (pencil): Lightly line your eyes with black or dark brown eyeliner pencil.

Step 2: Mascara: Sweep Lash Boosting Mascara to prep for fibers and layer on lash boosting ingredients.

Step 3: Eyeliner (liquid): Apply liquid black eyeliner to your top eyelid. For a more dramatic look, also apply a thin layer to the lower lid. 

Step 4: Extensions: Brush-on extensions to upper lashes while mascara is still wet to instantly build lashes.

Step 5: Eyeshadow: Apply black, dark brown, or dark bronze eyeshadow. I suggest to not use a creme eyeshadow but use a powder eyeshadow and lightly moisten your eyeshadow brush before applying the eyeshadow to it.

Step 6:  Mascara: Reapply Lash Boosting Mascara to seal and set extensions.

Try the new Physicians Formula Eye Booster Instant Lash Extension Kit yourself for easy DIY ultra-glam lashes in just two minutes!

*Although this is a sponsored post by Physicians Formula all opinions are my own

New York Fashion Week: Recreate the romantic bouffants from Badgley Mischka's FW '15 runway

Hi lovelies,

As a fashion and beauty lover, one of my favorite things to do is to recreate beauty, fashion, and hair trends from the runway, especially from New York Fashion Week. I just scored the insider scoop on how to get the look from Badgley Mischka's Fall/Winter 2015 collection from contributor Wendy Rose Gould on Latest-Hairstyles.com. 

Get the runway look the real way:

"NYFW Fall/Winter 2015 is wrapping up, and my goodness have we loved the looks. Everything is super fresh — remarkably “fresh” for autumn, even — and there’s a certain romance in the air," explains Wendy Rose Gould of Latest-Hairstyles.com. "For makeup, it’s all about nude, natural lips and eyes that stand out in a room. For hair, it’s about romantic simplicity."

"Badgley Mischka’s runway had all of the above, and we fell in love with the entire look and collection. Especially the hair (naturally)! The hair was inspired by the collection itself and incorporates both sensual modernity and a hint of old fashioned. Peter Gray for Moroccanoil created what’s been dubbed the “sexy walk of shame” or, in his own words, the “stride of pride.” The style is delicately textured, just loose enough, and very sexy. Think glamorous bedhead."

Step 1: Up The Shine Factor
After washing your hair, lightly mist with a little hairspray, such as Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray. This will create a strong, shiny foundation for you to work with. Rough dry your hair with fingertips on low heat to create a loose and piece-y texture.

Step 2:  Curl, Girl
Using a large, 1 1/2-inch barrel curling iron, curl two-inch sections of hair. Alternate directions as you do this, then apply more hairspray to create additional definition and hold.

Step 3: Time for Texture
For that sexy “bedhead” appeal, use a little dry shampoo or texturizing spray at your roots. This will both mattify and add texture. Try Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo.

Step 4: Be a Tease
Begin to gently backcomb hair in 1 1/2-inch sections starting at the crown, toward your forehead. Gray says, “To ensure even crown height, count the number of brush strokes and gradually increase strokes as you work towards the top of head.”

Step 5: Gather Hair
After teasing, gather sections from your ear to temple on either side of your head and twist back towards the center. Once at the back of your head, secure with bobby pins and a spritz of hairspray for good measure. You can even add an ornate hair accessory, such as the one pictured.

Positively swoon-worthy, right? Let us know if you try this one out.  If you do, we’d love to see the finished look. Feel free to reach out with a photo or feedback via Instagram or Twitter!

New York Fashion Week: Watch Cynthia Rowley's F/W '15 Digital Runway

Hi lovelies,

One of my absolute favorite designers is Cynthia Rowley and since I was stuck in L.A. during pilot season I wasn't able to attend her coveted show during New York Fashion Week but luckily for me, I was still able to watch her digital fashion runway and I wanted you all to be able to share in the fashion genius that is Cynthia's Fall/Winter 2015 collection.

I loved the addition of sheer into her pieces along with the deep purples, blues, and metallic embellishments. 

WATCH Cynthia Rowley's Fall/Winter 2015 fashion presentation:

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*Photo credit to William Eadon

The urbancode Spring/Summer 2015 collection: Leather and silk

Hi lovelies,

I can't wait to breakout the latest fashion trends for spring and summer. Although it's virtually always summer here in LA, I still like to rock season-appropriate gear and incorporate layers and must-have pieces. Luckily for me with spring right around the corner, urbancode has debuted their newest collection that is all about that leather and silk. 

Here's the fashion scoop on urban code's newest collection:

urbancode launched with its line of women’s accessories in 2008, from its London based design house.  The brand has evolved to include women’s wear with an emphasis on faux fur and outerwear.  urbancode is renowned for their fashion forward designs, high quality design and craftsmanship. With over 30 years designing and manufacturing experience, urbancode ensues that the utmost care is lavished into every one of the styles.

The SS15 boasts a collection of urban silhouettes, must have fabrics and unique finishes. With their faux fur expertise for winter, urbancode will now enhance this offering by providing premium, faux leather pieces for the new season.

Colour and texture both play a big part in this collection with duck egg blue pastels sitting alongside classic black and vibrant red coral pieces adorned with industrial zips and buckle fastenings.  Soft faux suede pieces in warm camel add a hint of prairie cool.  Fringing is a strong story seen throughout the collection with dresses, tops and bags adorned with the long, soft strands.

The classic biker jacket with multiple zips, stand out collars and textured shoulders sit alongside duster coats.  Asymmetric, pleated faux leather skirts and high waist shorts create a strong collection. 

urbancode offer pieces that can be worn in different ways; with a simple button up jacket with removable frill hem.  Ideal for adding a unique edge to your look or with the hem removed, leaves a chic and wearable jacket.

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Celebrate awards season and Hollywood's biggest night with colorful and fun M&M’s

Hi lovelies,

As you all know, awards season is one of my most favorite times of the year.

But what I love even more than dressing up for the after parties, watching all of the movies and television shows that are up for awards, and making bets with my friends about who will go home with the gold this year, I love treating myself to yummy M&M's.

It's a fun, colorful, and delicious treat during award season and while watching my favorite nominees, movies, and shows on-screen. I add them to my sugar cookies, brownies, and sprinkle them on my ice cream

One of my favorite ways to incorporate my yummy M&M's into my awards season décor is to place them in a clear vase next to candles as the centerpiece, so my friends and I can easily snack on them while getting ready for the red carpet or catching up on the latest movie or TV show. I also have a bronze-gold sequined wall that works perfectly behind my vase of M&M's. I either fill the vase with M&M’S Milk Chocolate, M&M’S Peanut, M&M’S Crispy, or a combination of all three.

My yummy M&M's offer comfort when there are sad scenes in a movie and they sweeten the comic relief during the funny scenes. I'm not a huge fan of scary movies but when I do watch them, I like to bundle up with a comfy blanket on the couch, some hot cocoa, buttery popcorn, and a bowl of peanut M&M's. Enjoying their colorful candy shells and tasty flavors makes watching any scene or special occasion even sweeter.

M&M's is also getting in on the awards season act with by debuting a national commercial on Hollywood's biggest night with M&M's characters taking over the movies.

I'm always on the hunt for new recipes and ways to enjoy M&M's, so please comment below or share your tips and tricks with us on Twitter - @CandyWashington and @MMsChocolate.

Other fun tips includes Red's words of red carpet wisdom! Below are some tweetable quotes from Red:

.@MMSChocolate & @MMS and I both know that more isn’t always better on the red carpet. #Oscars #Ad

Red carpet tip: always travel with an entourage. That’s why I bring @MMSChocolate & @MMS everywhere. #Oscars #Ad

Happy awards season!

*Although this is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own.

LA TRAVEL MAGAZINE LAUNCHES WINTER ISSUE AT BARDOT HOLLYWOOD

Hi lovelies,

I had the pleasure of attending LA Travel Magazine's winter launch party at Bardot Hollywood. It was so much fun to sip on champers and dance the night away to both an awesome DJ and live music. Check out the release below and pics for additional scoop on the decadent evening. 

LA TRAVEL MAGAZINE LAUNCHES WINTER ISSUE AT BARDOT HOLLYWOOD
Historic Hollywood Hot Spot Hosted the Debut of the Winter Issue

Los Angeles, CA February 10, 2015- On Friday, February 6, 2015, Los Angeles Travel Magazine hosted a launch party to celebrate the release of the 2015 Winter issue. The event took place at the stunning venue Bardot, located at the intersection of Hollywood and Vine in Los Angeles, CA.

 Editor-In-Chief, Jennifer McLaughlin-Dunn and Executive Editor, Michael Dunn hosted the exclusive event. The pair debuted the ultimate resource for the West Coasts savviest travelers among magazine contributors, city officials, media guests, and local Angelenos. 

The event featured entertainment by DJ Dave Wrobel and Elan Artists, showcasing a number of 1920’s themed performances by The Melodies. Guests socialized in the old Hollywood glamour ambiance of Bardot, sipped on hosted cocktails sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and visited the Celebrity Cruises booth to enjoy a free glass of champagne and enter to win a free cruise. 

Just above Hollywood’s most historic theater, the Avalon, Bardot nightclub ushers in its guests with an old-world warmth. It features a number of private spaces and a main room with a view of the Capitol Records tower through the open air ceiling. Just around the corner from Hollywood’s Pantages theater and surrounded by legendary stars of music and film industry, Bardot is the intimate nightclub ideal for Hollywood’s celebrities. 

The following sponsored the winter launch party: Bardot, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Celebrity Cruises, Elan Artists, Huey Bui Photography, Ken Alcazar Photography, DJ D-Dub and AMG Media Group.

Los Angeles Travel Magazine is a quarterly magazine devoted to inspiring and informing travelers through stories and photographs showing the world’s most luxurious travel destinations and travel experiences. The winter issue will provide readers with the hottest destinations for winter travel along with a variety of off the beaten path travel adventures. 

For media requests or to schedule an interview with an LA Travel Magazine spokesperson, please contact Alyssa Kuhlman at alyssa@amgmediamarketing.com.  For access to all the event photos please visit https://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesTravelMagazine. 

About Los Angeles Travel Magazine: LA Travel Magazine is based in Southern California and is produced and published by AMG Media Group. It is the only magazine devoted to inspiring and informing Angeleno travelers through stories & photographs showcasing the world’s best luxury destinations & local travel experiences. For more information about Los Angeles Travel Magazine visit www.latravelmagazine.com.

Cooking Channel Host and YouTube Star Laura Vitale: Have a romantic date night at home for Valentine's Day

Hi lovelies, 

Since Valentine's Day is tomorrow night I wanted to share with you recent interview with the Cooking Channel and YouTube star Laura Vitale! Check out how she would plan a lovely date night at-home for Valentine's Day!

Stay-at-home dates can be as romantic as time spent in any special setting, as long you take the time to set the scene using creative ideas and preparing a meal intended to woo your sweetheart.  Light candles in the entrance of your home as a surprise. Set the table with a tablecloth, cloth napkins, nice dinnerware, crystal, and flowers.  Also, choose the wine and soft music you want to listen to ahead of time and have it playing in the background.

 Now it’s time to decide on your romantic dinner menu, wine and cocktail pairings and dessert.  Our guest, self-taught YouTube Cooking Star, Laura Vitale from “Laura in the Kitchen,” will be able to help with that, especially for the millennial generation. Recent statistics show:

• More than 40 percent of millennials ranked Italian as one of their top meals to enjoy on Valentine’s Day. Laura will share her exclusive Valentine’s Day recipe from “Laura in the Kitchen” and provide quick, step-by-step instruction on how to cook the dish at home.
• A recent survey by ConAgra Foods found more millennials are considering the dine-at-home option instead of going to a restaurant this Valentine’s Day. Laura will share additional insights into factors like costs, crowds, etc. that are driving this decision.

Laura was born and raised in Italy until she was twelve years of age and moved to the United States. She is a self-taught chef who started her cooking journey working with her father in their family restaurants. Laura will share easy tips for others who want to improve their skills in the kitchen without any kind of formal training.

Celebs Gifted with Clio Speaker at the Pre-Grammy Gift Lounge

Hi lovelies,

I just got the insider scoop on one of the most coveted gifts during this award season! The Clio Speaker by ClearView Audio was all the rage during an invite-only pre-Grammy Gift Lounge. 

Shop here for your Clio speaker and check out some of your favorite celebs rocking them below!

Lalah Hathaway: Grammy winner Lalah Hathaway for Best Traditional R&B Performance showing off the almost invisible speaker, Clio by ClearView Audio, at a pre-Grammy gift lounge.

Scheana Marie: ‘Vanderpump Rules’ star Scheana Marie looks gorgeous at a Pre-Grammy gift lounge as she shows of a Clio by ClearView Audio invisible speaker.

Demetria McKinney: ‘RHOA’ start Demetria McKinney at the Pre-Grammy gift lounge checking out the chic Clio speaker by ClearView Audio.

Tahj Mowry: Tahj Mowry is all smiles at the Pre-Grammy gift lounge as he stops to check out the sleek invisible speaker, Clio by ClearView Audio.

Top Spring/Summer '15 Accessory Trends: Statement Earrings by Cecilia Gonzales Jewelry

Hi lovelies,

One of the hottest trends this upcoming Spring and Summer season are statement earrings. To easily achieve this look, check out the statement earring collection from Cecilia Gonzalez Jewelry. 

More on the collection:

"Cecilia Gonzales Jewelry creates a distinct personality through a combination of shapes, contrasts, and metals.  The simplicity and unique minimal details make the line versatile and easy to wear.  All pieces are handmade in the USA and range from $26 to $148."

PROJECT: New York January 2015

Hi lovelies,

One of my favorite fashion trade shows is PROJECT New York. It has over 150 brands and booths.

Even though I couldn't make it this year since I'm in LA now, I wanted to share with you their awesome recap.