Bay Area Fashionista


A few must-have beauty tools

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Photo from left: Save Our Sweaters c/o ifabbo / Makeup Geek New Years Eve  c/o ifabbo/ NYX Butter c/o ifabbo/ c/o Laura Mercier Hand Cream / Becca Brush c/o ifabbo / Bon Bliss c/o ifabbo/ ReVive Face Cream / La Mer eye cream

I have a few favorite “go-to” items during the cold weather months. These items help me solve many beauty and fashion problems which occur during the cold weather! Here is a breakdown on a few of my favorite cold weather “go-to’s” during the holiday season:

“Save Our Sweaters” this solves the problem of pilling! How many times have you felt like you needed to retire your favorite sweater because you wore it so much, it started to pill! Problem solved with “Save Our Sweaters.” This product carefully and gently removes pills from knits. Who knew this was possible?!?! 

Skin Care: Let’s face it, the cold weather and constant exposure to artificial heat wreaks havoc on our skin. My “go-to” solutions? Laura Mercier hand cream, ReVive face cream and La Mer eye cream. Moisture has returned. Ahhhhh. . .

Lips: There are so many lip balms on the market today yet most of them do not offer a fashionable touch of color while protecting your lips from the cold air. My “go-to” lip balm? NYX Butter. It adds a touch of red which keeps my appearance in check and my lips moisturized. Love!

Make-Up brush: The holidays are filled with over-night trips, ski vacations and tight schedules. This means little to no time in the morning to do a full beauty routine. Never fear, the Becca Brush is here! This fabulous make-up brush allows you to apply your foundation, blush, powder and more without having to clean the brush between applications. Not only that, when you pack for a trip, you only need to pack one brush! What will you do with all that extra space in your suitcase? I end up packing more lipsticks 😉

Warm and cozy bath: “Bon Bliss” is a candy-like bath moisturizer which is perfect for cold weather dry skin. Plus, who doesn’t love a warm bath, which smells like delicious candy, on a cold day! I love how soft my skin is from using Bon Bliss, you will love it too!

The perfect eye shadow for New Years Eve.  Makeup Geek’s “New Years Eve” eye shadow is the perfect party eye shadow hue for the festive holiday season! It i sparkling, gold and ideal for holiday soiree’s and a New Years Eve bash!

Happy Holidays and sparkle on 😉

What are your favorite beauty tools during the cold weather and busy holiday season?


Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Santana Row

The holidays are fast approaching and it is time to start thinking about last minute holiday gift shopping! If you are local to the San Francisco Bay Area, then you are already familiar with Santana Row in San Jose; which by the way, has FREE parking! Why not drive down from the city and enjoy a day of shopping and dining at some of the Bay Area’s most renowned restaurants; while parked for FREE!

Since this time of year can be stressful, I put together a little holiday shopping guide with a few gift ideas from select Santana Row shops. Of course, to get the full effect, you will need to stop by Santana Row to see these beauties in person! If you are time strapped, or do not live near Santana Row, never fear, I have inserted shopping links throughout the article so that you can stay in fuzzy slippers and continue drinking hot cocoa while shopping 🙂

For the hip man or woman: Scotch & Soda

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From top: All items Scotch & Soda: Barfly EDT  (in-store only, call 1-408-217-0032) / Sweaters (on sale!) / Clutch (on sale!)

The three gift ideas pictured above are from Santana Row’s newest shop; Scotch & Soda. This is one my new favorite shops. The store is cozy yet full merchandise which would make great gifts for both men and women. In addition to warm sweaters and great outfits, the store has fragrances, handbags and accessories. There is also a lot on sale! If you haven’t stopped by Scotch & Soda yet, please do! You will love it!

For the perfect gift, for anyone: C. Wonder

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From top: All items C. Wonder: Bike / Clutch (on sale!) / Pillow covers /Bracelets / Jewelry Boxes (30% off and comes in more colors!)

The above photos are from my all-time favorite gift shop; C. Wonder! I love this store so much because it has something for everyone on your holiday list. The store is packed with monogrammed items which will make the perfect, personalized this gift this holiday season; not to mention they are VERY on trend! Love that!

C. Wonder is also stocked with holiday foods such as candied popcorn and chocolate. There are scarves, sweaters, jewels, mugs, cheese trays; you name it, it is in stock. If I could have fit the entire store in this article, I would have! If you need to do some heavy shopping, I recommend stopping in at C. Wonder, Santana Row. You might just find everything you need in one place!

For the home decorator on your list: Z Gallerie

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From top: All items from Z. Gallerie, Santana Row: Light fixtures (in-store only, call 1-408-615-9865) / Clock / Budda / “The Godfather classic quotes” book

Z. Gallerie is the perfect place to find that something for the home decorator on your list. Not only does Z. Gallerie have fabulous home decor in stock, they also carry artwork and a fabulous book collection which will start interesting conversations when displayed on one’s coffee table. Perfect gift!

For the resort traveler on your list: Calypso St. Barth

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From top: All items Calypso St. Barth, Santana Row:  Candles / Clutches  (in-store only, please call 1-408-551-0024)  / Scarves / Necklace / Handbag (in-store only, please call 1-408-551-0024) /  

Calypso St. Barth is perfect for the world traveler on your list. The store is filled with beautiful pieces which evoke a tropical beach vacation vibe. There are unique handbags, jewels, scarves and beautiful sweaters which will make the perfect holiday gift for the globe-trotter on your list. Many of the Calypso St. Barth stores carry merchandise from local designers, so when you purchase an item in-store, there is a good chance it is limited edition or even one of a kind! Your globe trotting gift recipient will be quite pleased 😉

 

 

So make sure you stop in at Santana Row this holiday season to complete your gift shopping! There are many stores to choose from and since the restaurants are amazing too, you can make a fun-filled, luxurious day of it! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

*This post brought to you by Santana Row. All opinions are my own.


Romania and cool hues

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Photos: Earrings: Bailey, Banks & Biddle (also love SAVE or SPLURGE) / Lipstick: c/o Laura Mercier Mocha Myth / Necklace: c/o Twisted Silver Romania  (save 15% with code INSIDERS) / Jacket: Banana Republic / Shirt: Gap / Belt: CWonder / Buckle: CWonder / Bracelet: c/o Twisted Silver Romania (save 15% with code INSIDERS) / Nail Polish: Chanel Magic / Jeans: c/o Levi’s ( save 30% with code GREEN30 )/ Clutch: Coach / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

One of the big trends on the street right now is the black metal trend. I love the new “Romania” collection from Twisted Silver which offers black metal with a unique design. I love the twisted floral-like pendant and matching details on the bracelet.

Another way I am tipping my imaginary hat to the black metal trend is with this amazingly warm jacket! The jacket features black buttons with a floral-like carved out design which plays well with Twisted Silver’s “Romania” collection. I am looking forward to wearing Twisted Silver’s “Romania” collection throughout 2014 and beyond. I am also looking forward to staying warm in my favorite new jacket!

Are you integrating the black metal trend into your wardrobe? If so, I would love to hear how you are wearing it!

To shop Twisted Silver’s “Romania” collection, please visit twisted-silver.com. Use code INSIDERS for a 15% discount! Great place for holiday shopping! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉