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Lara, Lara, Lara

Nokia x LeiVanKash Mood Board #NokiaLVK

I’m always posting competitions for all of you lovely readers to participate in that I’ve had a blast this past month having the tables turned on me! Nokia has partnered with London-based designer, Leila Kashanipour and her jewelry line, LeiVanKash to challengers on a one-of-a-kind fashion quest!

{Taken from LeiVanKash instagram page — you’re in love, right?}

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With Leila’s bespoke designs in mind, and a Nokia Lumia 900 on loan for a month, I was asked to create a mood board using my new phone to inspire a new piece of jewelry form my favourite LeiVanKash

Join PC & Refinery29 for Tinseltown!

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Last night, I hosted the DIY station for Refiner29’s pop-up shop, Tinseltown and had guests make and decorate their own holiday cards using Sarah Reynolds signature frame stationary.

The pop-up shop officially opens today and runs through the weekend. So head over to 201 Mulberry Street and do some holiday shopping, get a makeover (and tattoo — theirs a falsey station!), and make some cards!

{My DIY card station}

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A Moment with Piers Morgan…

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{James, me and Piers Morgan!}

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{Next time we’re wearing newscaster outfits!}

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{Inside the control room}

I confess, I’ve been scrambling this week. I was committed to not working today to give my boyfriend, James a 100% of my attention (he took the day off) for his birthday which could not have fallen on a busier week. In attempting to do so, I pulled my first all nighter since college (the lack of beauty sleep shows in the pictures) and forgot to plan the day! Fortunately, I have the best friends in the world and texted one of my dearest, Shant this afternoon asking if he could give us a private tour at Piers Morgan. (We made a last minute plan to see the “Playing with Fire” exhibit at the MAD Museum across the street) Well it’s true what they say about 12/12/12 birthdays — they are lucky! Piers Morgan himself (right before he had to go on set live) came with our tour!

Happy holidays! Win this Nicole Miller Dress

Continuing in the holiday theme of I wear it, you win it! (don’t worry, you’re not actually winning the one on my body), this week we’re giving away the Nicole Miller Textured Lurex Jacquard Combo Peplum Dress ($420 value) to one lucky winner! Talk about the perfect holiday party dress, it fits like a glove!

There are 4 different ways to enter:  Each option counts as a separate entry.

  • Leave a comment under the post telling us why you want to win
  • Follow @PrettyConnected on twitter & tweet, “Follow @PrettyConnected and RT for your chance to win @NicoleMillerNYC holiday dress #NMHolidays #giveaway” or tweet us why you want to win using the hashtag #NMHolidays and #giveaway
  • Follow @PrettyConnected on Instagram and leave a comment using the hashtag #NMHolidays
  • Like Pretty Connected on Facebook and leave a comment under any post.

PC featured in SpaFinder #GiftWell campaign. Join the party!

Known as the go-to source to help you find and book the right spa, resort, massage studios, salon, fitness and other wellness destinations, SpaFinder wants to help you #GiftWell. As in ending the buying and receiving of horrible, awkward or just plain embarrassing presents. And guess who gets to be in the campaign sharing their most annoying gift? (Hint, hint.)

{Outfit: Alice + Olivia jacket, iSantuary necklace. Hair/Makeup: blowout by Drybar, Sephora Brand Color Lip Blast in Royal Rasberry, Maybelline Colossal Mascara, Rimmel London Special Eyes Precision Eye Liner Pencil, bareMinerals Stroke of Light Eye Brightener, Tarte  Maracuja Miracle Foundation SPF 15, Geurlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder.}

Lets face it; we all have a story. Mine is Big Mouth Billy Bass. He’s that seemingly cute fish you mounts on your wall that sings Bobby McFerrin‘s, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” every time you hit the button. It’s fun and humorous the for the first 50 times you hear it and then after that you want to throw it out the window. Or in my case, re-gift it!

Gift Guide: PC Top Holiday Picks!

Who’s on top of their holiday shopping? Here are some of my personal picks of gifts I’ve gotten (mostly for myself) and loved!

1. Royal Apothic Conservatory Collection Candle in scent English Rose ($26) – this candle is lie a little piece of heaven. It’s a soy-blend wax and burns for 60 hours. It’s larger then it looks in the picture (5″h, 3″ square) and is gorgeous from package to scent. It’s like walking through a rose garden, the scent is superb.

2.  Sarah H. Reynolds Original Frame Notecards & Envelopes ($22/set of 10) – I love sending cards and this versatile set includes two of each print of five original charcoal frame drawings and ten envelopes by NY based artist, Sarah Reyholds. Leave your love note, thank you, or even your own drawing or picture inside one of these beautifully drawn frame (or use stamps!) and send. I like that they are artsy and give you a foundation to customize the card and they work for number of different occasions so they are handy to have around.

3. International Sanctuary Beautiful Green Necklace ($40) – As seen in my video campaign with SpaFinder (and regularly in photos on my instagram page, I wear this necklace all the time. This website (and necklace) are amazing. iSanctuary works to help victims of human trafficking reintegrate by employing survivors.  Their mission to end human trafficking through

Getting Glam with Lise Watier + 12 Strokes of Midnight Promo

You may remember from my post last month I traveled with 8 exceptional beauty bloggers to Montreal to celebrate the launch of Canada’s #1 prestige beauty brand, Lise Watier‘s new US website. While there the brand spoiled us with stretch limousines, makeovers, breakfast with Madame Watier at the Ritz Carlton and photoshoot with Brian Ypperciel! To give you a taste of the experience and the world of Lise Watier, check out this video they made from our trip!

{Behind the scenes of my photo shoot}

PC Celebrates Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday 24 Collection #Holiday24

There’s no doubt about it, last night Target blew it out of the water at the launch party for the Target + Neiman Marcus collaboration. I was so excited to be invited to this event, all I’ve ever wanted was to be able to shop Neiman Marcus at Target prices.

The collaboration which features over 50 gifts from 24 of the most coveted American designers (we’re talking Prabal Gurung, Marchesa, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs, Rag & Bone, DVF, Proenza Schouler, Jason Wu, Rodarte, Tory Burch…) priced between $7.99 – $499.99, with most items under $60.

{Live Target model rocking the Alice + Olivia Holiday Collection bike ($499.99)}

The event was to die for! Two floors of designer goods, interactive floor models (on girl was biking in place, while another was knitting the most giant fabric I’ve ever seen in the window), and most of the designers we’re in the house, walking the floor — I nearly passed out — too many of my heroes in one space. The champagne was flowing and the guests we’re taking advantage of the sneak peek to shop the collection before it’s December 1st launch date!

{Leighton Meester joined in the celebration}

{Target model knitting the largest sweater!}

{Karlie Kloss at the Holiday 24 party}

Karlie Kloss, was the face of the #Holiday24 campaign and the first person I saw at the event (looking ever as stunning in a black dress with star sparkles). I wasn’t about to miss the opportunity to ask her who she was wearing and her must-have beauty product for the season. The answer, “I’m wearing

GIVEAWAY: Win BaubleBar + Essie ‘Beyond Cozy’ Holiday Set!

As many of you know, I was honored to be featured in the BaubleBar + Essie holiday campaign as the face of the ‘Beyond Cozy’ set! The collaboration, which features 6 different sets based on a shade from the Essie holiday collection, lets you pick 3 BaubleBar bracelets + the nail polish shade of your choice and comes with a sleek carrying case for only $50!!! (It’s kind of the most amazing holiday gift). So happy holiday readers, I’m giving one away!

WIN IT! ‘Beyond Cozy’ set (which includes the Essie “Be Cozy” shade and the matching BaubleBar bracelet I’m wearing in the campaign + the chic case).

There are 3 ways to enter:  Each option counts as a separate entry.

  • Leave a comment under the post telling us why you want to win.
  • Follow @PrettyConnected on Instagram and like the post that matches this giveaway.
  • Follow @PrettyConnected on twitter & tweet us why you want to win or tweet about the promotion using the hashtag #BeyondCozy.

Be one of BaubleBar + Essie’s leading ladies!

Shopping HomeGoods with Carson Kressley

Of all the places and shopping buddies I’ve had, getting to shop HomeGoods with Carson Kressley was probably one of the most memorable shopping dates I’ve had in a while. First off because, I didn’t even know their was a HomeGoods in NYC — it’s right on 99th St. and Columbus, and it’s massive! Secondly, because Carson is every bit as fun, charming and hilarious as you’d expect.

He took me on tour of the store and even picked out a present for me! Now I’m no stranger to HomeGoods or  their sister companies, TJMaxx and Marshalls (all owned by TJX), which I grew up on. All three are great stops for checking just about anyone off your holiday list, however unlike the other two retailers, HomeKids doesn’t have clothing and instead focuses on giftables in the bed + bath, tableware, gourmet kitchen, home office, seasonal, pets, garden and home categories. From kids, to pets, coworkers, friends,