I can’t believe the year is almost done! 2016 has been a blast. Every year I like to take a day and go through every Instagram and blog post and take a moment to appreciate all the amazing memories I’ve had and shared. I’ve had so many incredible features over the years but being in Real Simple and People StyleWatch were big moments for me! I’ve also added to my sizable list of makeup heroes spending time with the founders of so many top brands ahem Kat Von D, Laura Geller, ColourPop, Ole Henrickson, Charlotte Tilbury… and their celebrity endorsers — Kerry Washington, Courtney Love and Lionel Richie are probably at the top of that list. And so much travel!!!! Plus my Urban Decay campaign I’m still dying over. Okay, I’ll stop and save the reminiscing for my next post, where I put my highlights down in one post. It’s something I recommend for everyone. Document your moments so each year you can look back at all you’ve accomplished. Be proud of yourself, even in tough times because when you come out the other end those were the moments that made you grateful for what comes next.. and you know that the best is yet to come! You just have to belive. See you next year… cheers!
By now you hopefully all heard that my love, Nicolette Mason launched a collection with Modcloth! It came out over a month ago, right when I was headed to Australia so I didn’t get the Charming Coterie Sweatshirt I ordered until last week! And with being home this week in Boston, I’ve been snuggling up in it non-stop. (You can see the whole collection at modcloth.com/nicolette-mason or scroll through below).
I also went to my first mall in I can’t tell you how long (the joys of being home for the holidays) and was shopping like a mad woman. (I have some serious bags to hide from James when I get back to NY). But the sales we’re CRAZY! Everything at Express was 50% so I found my dream blanket scarf for for $59, which with the sale went down to $30! And then I made the score of the century at DSW with these Joie boots that we’re originally $295, then $160 with 80% off!!! So $32 later I was a very proud owner of black boots. While they seem to have gone back up on the DSW site, they are still a major score at $79.94.
Last night, Express hosted the Grand Opening for their 3 story Times Square location in NYC. Located on 46th Street and Broadway, bloggers took over the first hour of the event before it was open to the public and Robin Thicke
The heat wave finally broke and it could not have been a more gorgeous weekend to be in the Hamptons and head back to StyleCaster’s Summer Haven for the #EXPDENIMLAB Party. Hosted by Express, the clothing brand decked out the home in a denim bar featuring a medley of jean styles from skinny to leggings, mini shorts, denim vests, jackets, and tops. Shoes, jewelry and accessory items were also on display. The full on pool party sponsored by Patron and Perrier, had guests shopping to the tunes of Paul Sevigny who DJ’d the event. My homegirl, Jenni from ISpyDIY also set up a distress station where guests could customize their denim. Which, needless to say was where I could be found taking an x-acto blade to my new jean shorts!
#Twinsies! Both Lindsey from Saucy Glossie and I opted for Express’ faux leather black tank matched opposite some skinny jeans and black heels. I’m head to toe in some of my favorite Express’ new items for fall.
After working with Dressbarn for their suit drive to benefit Dress for Success (I hope some of you we’re able to donate!), the brand approached me for a fun challenge — finding a universally flattering dress despite size and shape. Does a one-dress-looks-good-on-all frock exist?
Well here it goes… the 5 Ways to Wear It: Spring Fashion Challenge.
Description: Flirtatious ruffles flutter at the sleeves, edges and hemline of this slinky monochrome wrap dress, which ties at the waist to create an instant hourglass shape. 37″ from shoulder to hem. Full wrap detail closure. Material is 95% polyester/5% spandex. Machine Wash. Available in Size 4 – 24.
{How I rocked the Flutter Sleeve Ruffle Wrap Dress}
Usually I find when shopping online the items look better on the site then when they come in the mail. Not the case when it came to this dress. It fits like a glove and cobalt blue is all the rage. It’s an easy dress to take from day to night and style in a variety of ways. It’s also really easy to pack so this dress will for sure be going on my Beirut-Rome trip I have planned next month!
For all of you Dressbarn fans, they we’re nice enough to offer a 20% off coupon for all of you to enjoy, valid through 4/30. Details below:
Disclaimer: This dress was sent to Lara on behalf of Pretty Connected for the 5 Ways to Wear It: Spring Fashion Challenge. Pretty Connected was under no obligation to participate or receive any financial gain.
A psychic once told me that come my 28th birthday I would have the first of seven great years ahead. As I get another year older… at least I have that.
Generally, my birthday is a one day festivity — I’m not one of those week long birthday people. Although ironically this year it turned into a 3-day affair.
Day 1: October 25th, or as I like to call it ‘happy last day of 27’
Dinner at Catch
My bestfriend couldn’t make it to my birthday since he was traveling, so he and some friends took me to dinner at CATCH. A frequenter told us that the main dishes had nothing on the appetizers so we ordered just about every starter on the menu (3 fold). The Crispy Fish and MRC roll are not to be missed!
Day 2: October 26th — my actual birthday
Serendipity's Frozen Hot Chocolate
For the first time in I don’t know how long I took the day completely off and besides getting my nails done, I spent a quiet day reading. It was kind of the best! Then at night the 8yr old girl in me from her first visit to NYC wanted the frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity’s, so my boyfriend took me. The food has gone down hill and yet still attracts a crowd. The 28yr old in me wasn’t nearly as impressed as the 8yr old version — apparently only one of us got better with age.
Day 2: October 27th — the birthday party
Birthday surprise! My mom{Skirt: Nicole Miller, Top: Elizabeth and James, Glasses: Express}
This was the big day, I was expecting about 80-100 people which was slightly more stressful then anticipated. Although everything was coming together perfectly; My hair (which I have to thank Bumble and Bumble for, their new Straight line is divine!), the skirt borrowed from Nicole Miller’s showroom (which is incredible!), matched with a black Elizabeth and James halter top; and then to nerd things up a bit, I wore the faux-glasses Express gave me from a partnership we did earlier this year. And I had the festivities at my good friends table tennis club/bar, SPiN New York; which at 13,000 sq. feet is impossible to fill so at the very least worrying about space and fitting all of my guests wasn’t a concern.
Although the problem with parties that large is the ratio of friends trying to buy you drinks to what you can actually handle boils down to big trouble. Which I got in — somewhere around my 5th jack and ginger I turn around and there is my mother! If I wasn’t so excited, I’d be horrified — she flew up from Boston to surprise me, and surprise me she did! It was perfect.
Then came the 3-day Halloween festivities and I am officially partied out! Good night New York, I love you.
Playing dress up! Nicole Miller dress, Express glasses, scarf, beaded bracelets, Jeffrey Campbell shoes
Ever wanted to be a model and walk the runway? Or watch a fashion show live? Well here’s your chance! This Saturday, 7/23 Express is taking over Times Square (NYC) and is opening their runway to the public in an attempt to break the Guinness World Records for most people modeling on a catwalk (current record is at 521). From 9am-5pm, models (that’s you!) get an exclusive Express tee, a surprise savings card, and a chance to win a $250 Express Gift Card. Then at 9pm Express will host their Holiday 2011 Runway Show. Can’t make it? Watch the show live at 9pm at Express.com.
And yes, I’ll be there! Last night Lucky Magazine and Express hosted a little soiree to celebrate the campaign and asked 8 bloggers to partner with them –myself being one of them! So I’m throwing out my camera fear and going to rock that runway! I hope you’ll join me! I’ll also post pictures from Saturday’s event and how I styled the Express collection so check back!
More pictures from last nights Lucky/Express event…
Caroline from sweetcarolineinthecity.com and I we’re jazzing up our outfits with Express accessories. I’m all about this Express Necklace!
I was getting Parisian nerdy-chic with Express while
{Nicolette Mason for Modcloth 
