A Birthday Gift From Sephora & Nars

Hello!  I hope everyone had a nice weekend.  Today, I realized that I have officially made it to the six-month mark of blogging.  Whew!  That was not an easy feat.  Blogging has opened up a whole new world of friendships, creativity, and self-reliance for me.  Around this time last year, I remember asking myself if I was accomplishing the goals I had set out for myself in this lifetime.  I realized that I wasn't, but that I was the only one stopping myself!  That was a major revelation...a story for another day.  I always think of birthdays as a time to reflect on the year that has passed and also as a time to evaluate my life in a major way.   I also think of birthdays as bittersweet because with age (and wrinkles), also comes wisdom lol!  However, I realized that getting older doesn't have to be something you dread if you are constantly making positive changes in your life towards your goals and happiness.  How do you celebrate birthdays? 

 It's important to have something fun to look forward to on your birthday to celebrate as well!  So, you can imagine how excited I was when I received this birthday card from Sephora for being a Beauty Insider with a fabulous gift from Nars (with a purchase)!  Are you a Sephora Beauty Insider? 

Satin Lip Pencil In Rikugien (Top), Velvet Matte Lip Pencil In Cruella (Bottom)

Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella (Top), Satin Lip Pencil In Rikugien (Bottom)

The store I selected to get my birthday gift from for being a Beauty Insider was the Sephora location at South Coast Plaza Mall.  I chose to shop at that location because of the great customer service I always receive.  There were a few other items I picked up while I was there (you have to purchase an item in order to receive your gift), and I will share a post about those items later on.  However, I am just thrilled about trying on these new Nars Lip Pencil colors in Cruella (Velvet Matte) and Rikugien (Satin) when I go out for dinner and dancing this weekend with my friends to celebrate!

A Special Thank You to Sephora and Nars for Making Birthdays Fun Again!

Hope you Make It a Great Week:)

XO Joanna 

One-Shoulder Capelet Style Dress

One-Shoulder Dress: Similar Similar Similar Similar

Heels: Michael Kors Similar Similar Similar

Python Clutch: Zac Posen Similar Similar

Jewelry: Eclectique Boutique

Sunnies: Gucci

Makeup: Cynthia Jensen @ Envy Beauty Studio, Long Beach

Hair: Loryn Ruiz-Mendoza @ Envy Beauty Studio, Long Beach

Photography: Franz Swantko

Hello and Happy Thursday to You!  It's almost Friday people, so hang in there.  Summer is here, and it looks like dress season is in full swing!  Woo hoo:)  Do you like wearing dresses in warm weather or do you prefer shorts?  

It's been pretty warm here lately, so I like wearing mini dresses.  I especially like the one-shoulder style.  There is just something so sophisticated about that style that I love.  This is an old dress I have had for a while, but I just recently found all the right accessories like this awesome olive python clutch from Zac Posen, these shoes from Michael Kors to add some edge to it, and this necklace and bracelet combo in jade and onyx to wear with it.  I admit, this outfit is a little eclectic, but somehow I thought it all worked together. Actually, the boutique this necklace is from is called "Eclectique" and they sell a bit of decor, high-quality handmade jewelry pieces, and photography.  If you are ever in the Long Beach area, you should stop in and see this little gem.  

  

Style Tip: Belt voluminous dresses for a more fitted look, or let it loose if you want a flowy and comfortable feel.  Either way looks good in my opinion.  What do you think of one-shoulder dresses?  

Hope you have a great weekend!

XO Joanna  

A Touch of Gold

Blouse: Costa Blanca

Pants: Free People

Sunglasses: Gucci

Shoes: Vintage

Bag: Furla

Necklace: Vintage
Hair and Makeup: Francisco Estrada
Photography:Franz Swantko

Happy Friyay to you!  Hope you have a fun or productive weekend planned, or both.  Anything exciting going on?  As you can see, I am back with the striped decor.  Can you see how much I love this pattern?  I just love stripes.  They make me feel happy:)  How do you feel about stripes?

About this look...Uniquely cut lace patterns in clothing is a rare find.  Intricate laser cut and scalloped lace like the one on this blouse is something that I find so intriguing in clothing.  It really adds that "second look" factor to a basic black and white outfit.  I am also in love with scallop trims right now.  This blouse has both intricate laser cut lace and a scallop trim, so I feel like I really lucked out in finding this.  This blouse is something I have had for a while, but just recently, I decided to pull it out of my closet so I could style it with these gold accessories. Yay :)

Gold seemed like the right choice here to give it that pop it needed with the gold link necklace and these mens-inspired vintage white and gold tip ballet chunk-heel loafers.  I say mens-inspired, because they have the vintage spat look to them in the front. These are made of leather and were in perfect condition when I found them.  I needed an excuse to wear these lovely shoes, so here it is!  What do you think?

Style Tip: If you normally wear neutral colors, try on a touch of gold accents this weekend to make your outfit pop!

Hope you have a Wonderful Weekend:)

XO Joanna