So Much to Smile About

Hair By Sassoon Salon

Liz — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:25:05 +0000

Over the weekend, I got a bit of a makeover, thanks to the amazing team at Sassoon Salon in Tysons, and I’m so excited to share the result! Color Director Jade DelProposto took my hair a couple shades darker while keeping it natural (compare the photo below to the one on the left). Most people were in the salon getting their summer highlights done but I love dark hair and was ecstatic with the result! After the color, Salon Director Yoshiko Shimizu gave me the best cut I’ve gotten since moving to DC – she knew exactly how to fix all my layers so they actually had movement. Plus, it’s super easy to style.

As you probably know, Vidal Sassoon, hairstyling legend and founder of Sassoon Salon, recently passed away, so I really appreciated the opportunity to not only visit the salon, but learn more about Sassoon’s history and what makes them unique. Keep reading for more info and photos!

One of the things that makes Sassoon Salon unique is their commitment to creating looks that are quick and simple to recreate. This is a tradition that Vidal Sassoon started in the late 1950s and early 1960s that broke with the current stiff, sprayed styles women were wearing. “He changed the way everyone looked at hair,” Grace Coddington, the creative director of American Vogue, said in an interview (via the NYT). “Before Sassoon, it was all back-combing and lacquer; the whole thing was to make it high and artificial. Suddenly you could put your fingers through your hair!”

Another interesting thing about Sassoon is their seasonal collections. Twice a year, the Sassoon International Creative Director, Mark Hayes, develops seasonal collections that showcase the newest and latest ideas for clients. The current summer 2012 collection is called “Athletica,” and is inspired by the Olymipc Games. Did you know that Vidal Sassoon created a haircut for American figure skater Dorothy Hamill in 1976 and then became the ‘official hair care consultant to the athletes’ for the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984? The history behind Sassoon is just fascinating!

Dress: Aqua / Bag: c/o Danielle Nicole / Shoes: Lattitude Femme c/o T.J.Maxx

If you’re in the DC area, I’d encourage you to check out Sassoon Salon in Tysons Galleria. And no matter where you are, if there is one near you, try them out! Thanks again to the Tysons team for taking such great care of me!

Disclosure: The salon services provided were complimentary. But as always, it’s very important to me that I offer honest reviews to you and only write about products/services/businesses that I like and fully endorse.

Danielle Nicole Handbags

Liz — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:31:18 +0000

If you follow my instagram or have seen me in person recently, you’ve probably heard me talking about my new Danielle Nicole handbag. I’m seriously obsessed. Not only is it big enough to hold all my belongings without feeling heavy, but it’s the perfect style, and at $108, the perfect price. Plus, Danielle is from the DC area! How fun is that? She got her start designing cosmetic bags for Bergdorfs as an intern, and soon after, was designing complete leather collections for Bergdorfs, Neimans, Saks, and more. But in 2008, the recession prompted her to use leather alternatives for a more affordable line, which is what you’ll find now. In fact, every bag below is right around or under $100. Obsessed!

Photography by Katie, via Guest of a Guest.

1. Carmen satchel / 2. Mia shoulder bag / 3. Charley clutch
4. Aztec crossbody / 5. Jelly tote / 6. Reef tote
7. Mia oversized clutch / 8. Carmen tote / 9. Mia tote

Shop more styles here!

Disclosure: The handbag was sent to me as a gift – but had I known about it sooner, I would have gotten it for myself! As always, it’s very important to me that I offer honest reviews to you and only write about products that I like and fully endorse.

Neutral Picks

Liz — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:29:56 +0000

I know I should wear more color, but I really, really love black, greys, and neutrals – especially when I see images and pieces like these! Plus, that denim vest I was loving earlier? This is the perfect way to wear it!

1. J.Crew dress / 2. ASOS sunglasses / 3. T by Alexander Wang shirt
4. J.Crew hat / 5. Barneys scarf / 6. Sam Edelman shoes
7. Rebecca Minkoff bag / 8. Topshop vest / 9. J Brand jeans
10. Zoe Karssen tee / 11. Topshop blazer / 12. Aldo shoes / image 1, 2

Things I’m Afraid To Tell You

Liz — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:26:05 +0000

When Meg emailed me about participating in a challenge started by Ez and inspired by Jess about things we may be afraid to share with our readers, I was immediately intrigued. As Jess states so well, sometimes it’s easy to get “swept up in the beautiful images” online and their “promises of perfection,” and forget that the real world is rarely so put together. I know I’ve done this. So I jumped at the chance to share a few things that aren’t easy for me to admit. And so did all the wonderful and inspiring bloggers below. Continue reading for the things I’m afraid to tell you, and be sure to check out the other participating blogs today for a healthy does of reality.

Cassie: Coco + Kelley / Christine: Court & Hudson / Caitlin: Sacramento Street / Roxy: My Cup of Te / Crystal: Blog / Meg: MIMI+MEG / Ashlina: The Decorista / Katie: Modern Eve / Erin: Apartment 34 / Erica: Design Blahg / Victoria: Vmac & Cheese / Christine: Miles to Style / Franki: Life in a Venti Cup / Sue: The Zhush / Erika: Radiant Republic / Gabrielle: Savvy Home / Monika: The Doctor’s Closet / Naomi: Design Manifest /Tobe: Because It’s Awesome / Becca: {extra}ordinary wonders / Lynzy: Sparkling Footsteps / Hitha: Hitha On The Go / Sarah: Note To Self / Liz: So Much To Smile About / Sarah: Blogstar / Alissa: The Goods Design / Jessie: Style & Pepper / Erika: Small Shop Studio / AV: Long Distance Loving / Maggie: Maggie Rose Blog / Nicole: The City Girl In Me / Priscilla: The Best Laid Plans / Jen: Concrete Jungle DC / Janelle: Food Fashion Fitness / Natalie: East Coast Chic

Things I’m Afraid To Tell You:

1. I’m not always smiling. It’s funny how people assume things about you based on what they read from your blog. Now don’t get me wrong – I’m definitely a happy, optimistic person most of the time. But sometimes, life is really, really hard. Sometimes, I struggle with feeling nothing I do is good enough, or not knowing what I’m doing, or feeling alone, or too much pressure (from myself and others)… sometimes I am self-conscious about my body shape or fashion choices or whether I “fit in” anywhere – I once cried while trying to take outfit shots I was so unhappy about how I looked (see #3 below). And sometimes, I have to deal with things outside of my control that aren’t easy – like career (I still work a full-time job in government relations), family or health issues. Still, at the end of the day, I never forget how lucky I am and this blog will always be a way for me to share the things that are making me smile. We all need a happy place to escape to, and luckily for me, this blog makes me happier than I ever would have imagined.

2. When I started this blog, I was looking for inspiration to help me feel more fashionable. I didn’t actually think of myself as a stylish person – just someone interested in fashion, beauty, shopping, and dressing well. And even though I’ve come a long way in just a couple years, I’m still learning. Sometimes, I forget and pronounce “chic” like “chick” or “haute” like “hot.” When I have an event, I still try on a million outfits and run each of them by my roommates. But I’m learning.

3. I don’t think I’m very photogenic. My head tilts to one side, my eyes close more than I’d like, and I’m curvier than the majority of style bloggers I follow. I also have bad hair days, and sometimes, really don’t care about what I’m wearing (see #5 below).

4. I’m not crafty, I don’t enjoy cooking (but I really wish I did), and I’m pretty clueless about home decorating. My favorite food is Kraft Macaroni & Cheese and I eat it for dinner way more often that I’d like to admit.

5. I commute in flats.

Thanks again to Jess for her initial post, and to Ez for starting the movement. For more, here are the bloggers that previously participated in Ez’s Things I’m Afraid To Tell You:

Design for Mankind | Little Brown Pen | Beautiful Hello | Curating Style | Sweet Fine Day | The Jealous Curator | Happy Days | Sage & Berries | Really Handmade | Peck Life | Satsuma Press | Rena Tom | For the Easily Distracted | The Hemborg Wife | Vitamini Handmade | Courtney Khail Stationery and Design | Meg in Progress | Dando Photography Blog |Widdershins22 | Alison Citron | Pink Moon Daily | Just Pretty Things | From China Village | Tea with Me | The Darling Ewe |Not Your Average Ordinary | The Electric Typewriter | Elleby Design | Parsimonia {Secondhand With Style} | Life as an Artistpreneur | Hello Cupcake | Dellie | The A & B Stories | Pretty Little Things | Feistyelle | Nib & Zed | Well and Cheaply | I Ripple. I Dance. | Whitfield Awesome Blog | Foxtrot Press | Dry As Toast | The List of Now | Apple Blue | For the Love of | Four Flights of Fancy | Miss Modish | Snapshots & Secrets | Dirty Laundry | Bubby & Bean |Penelope’s Press | Little Nostalgia | Vale Design | Pikaland | Fleurishing | Print Pretty | Vespa Tales | Hazel & Agnes |Amanda’s Musings | Mo’ Funk Designs | Ordinary Mommy | Camp 1899 | In Honor of Design | Liberty’s Yarn | Love, Life & Pictures | Stacey Winters | Owl in the Rain | Living Life Creatively | Emma Elizabeth Clease | I Live in Vacouver Now | British Cream Tea

Weekend Recap

Liz — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:48:42 +0000

I don’t know about you, but I could use another weekend. It went by so fast!

1. Anyone who has seen me lately knows I’m obsessed with my new Danielle Nicole handbag. More info coming soon! 2. I wore this Milly dress from Rent the Runway to the Taste of the South gala, with Nikki Baker earrings. If you aren’t familiar with her jewelry, see this previous post – it’s all beautiful and she’s an amazingly sweet person! 3. The JW Marriott recently introduced new aromatherapy bath amenities and I got to sample them. The exclusive line was created to soothe hotel guests and smells and feels fantastic. Now I just need an excuse to get away. 4. I visited Sassoon Salon for a bit of a makeover – a darker hue and more layers! Will share more shortly!

Happy Mother’s Day

Liz — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:25:34 +0000

I love you, Mom!

Me, my mom and my sister from 2005.

Happy Friday!

Liz — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:47:55 +0000

Happy Friday friends! I hope you had a great week! I’m finally feeling like I’m starting to recover from what seems like the craziest few weeks I’ve had in a long, long time. And I couldn’t be more excited about this weekend – I’m heading out now to a state society dinner, then brunching and shopping tomorrow before Taste of the South, and relaxing on Sunday, finally. It’s going to be great. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

image

The Front Row At Bethesda Row

Liz — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:52:55 +0000

If you’re in the DC area, The Front Row at Bethesda Row is an event you do NOT want to miss! Next week, on Thursday, Bethesda Row is screening the fashion documentary, God Save My Shoes – and on Friday, May 18, Bravo host Andy Cohen will be at their signature runway event (that showcases summer ’12 and fall ’12 looks from Bethesda boutiques) to sign copies of his new book, Most Talkative! I mean, how amazing does that sound? I went to both events last year and had an absolute blast. Click here for more info!

To see my recap of last year’s event, click here!

Camera-Ready Makeup

Liz — Thu, 10 May 2012 04:35:43 +0000

Yesterday I shared some photos from my television debut with Rent the Runway and CBS/WUSA9 – but today, I wanted to talk about what happened even before the photos – the makeup! Since I’d never been on TV before, I took to twitter to ask some friends, and experts, for products they would recommend. Kate from KStreetKate.net (and a former Miss DC), Angie Goff from NBC Washington, Lara from the Glossarie and Kara from Politics of Pretty, all gave me some amazing suggestions. How could I not share?!

Sai, Caitlin, and me, via Caitlin.

1. Make Up For Ever HD complexion starter kit (“I used it for a photo shoot and the result was flawless” – Lara) / 2. Smashbox Photo Finish primer (“You’ll never take a bad shiny photo again!” – Kate) / 3. NARS lipstick in schiap (What I wore on camera – no nudes allowed!) / 4. Benefit highlighter / 5. Benefit blush / 6. Bite Beauty lip tint in cherry / 7. Bite Beauty lip tint in tangelo (SO smooth and long-lasting, plus antioxidants) / 8. Le Mertier de Beaute eyeliner (My fave, originally recommended by Bergdorfs PR girl) / 9. Amazing concealer (“Best trick I learned.” – Angie) / 10. Diorshow mascara (“The very best.” – Kate)

I’d been wanting to try more Make Up For Ever products ever since I got my makeup done during New York Fashion Week – last week’s television appearance was the perfect occasion! Instead of buying a separate foundation and primer (as recommended by Kara), I went ahead and invested in the starter kit, and I’m so happy I did. After all, the line was specifically created in response to the need for products that could counter the unforgiving high definition camera lens. Definitely a camera-ready requirement! I also just recently discovered Bite Beauty – their lip tint not only goes on super smooth and lasts, but they are packed with as much antioxidants as the equivalent amount in 10 glasses of red wine! My lips feel and look great – check them out on Sephora!

Anyone else have camera-ready product recommendations? I’d love to hear!

PS – speaking of makeup, be sure to head over to Politics of Pretty for my feature in Kara’s AM to PM series, where you’ll learn all about my makeup and skincare routine!

Gifts For Mom

Liz — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:08:47 +0000

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and if you don’t already know what you are doing for mom, here are just a few last minute ideas! I’d tell you what I have in mind, but wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise for my mom (hey mom)! But you can never go wrong with flowers, fun accessories, the perfect perfume or a trip to the salon! She deserves it!

1. H.Bloom flower subscription / 2. Kate Spade bracelet / 3. J.Crew scarf / 4. Little Black Bag eGift Card - a new shopping concept where you receive a personalized bag with fun items (think ZacPosen, BCBGeneration and Betsey Johnson) to keep or trade! / 5. Jonathan Adler throw / 6. Cire Trudon candle / 7. Valentino Valentina eau de parfum / 8. Kelly Wearstler vase / 9. Tiny Jewel Box is currently holding their annual top to bottom sale with up to seventy percent off designer jewelry, like this charm bracelet! / 10. Sassoon Salon at Tysons Galleria is offering special Mother’s Day packages, like a cut, color, treatment & blow-dry for only $158! Call 703-448-9884 for more information!