Bay Area Fashionista

Spring weather

Photos: Earrings: John Hardy /Lipstick: c/o Dolce & Gabbana “Amethyst” / Necklace: Made by local artist. Similar -> SAVE or SPLURGE / Dress: MARC by Marc Jacobs /Nail Polish: Chanel “Charivari” / Handbag: Coach / Bracelet: c/o Twisted Silver (use code INSIDERS for 15% off) / Bead Bracelet: Swarovski (old) Similar -> SAVE or SPLURGE / Shoes: Chelsea Paris also in RED!

The past couple of weeks here in the San Francisco Bay Area have been beautiful. Temperatures have been in the high 60’s and low 70’s; which is extremely unusual for January. Unfortunately, with beautiful spring-like weather in January there is a dark side. The trees are confused so we are starting to see cherry blossoms, plum blossoms and Magnolias. In addition to confused vegetation, we have had absolutely no rain for months! The last time the San Francisco Bay Area endured this type of weather was 1977-1979. At that time we experienced a severe drought which required residents to ration their water use, in some cases, using extreme measures to do so.

I was a very small child in the late 1970’s and all I remember about the drought was eating off of paper plates and drinking from paper cups. There was a huge pipe on the Richmond- San Rafael bridge which carried water across the bay and I used to marvel at its’ huge size when we crossed the bridge. I remember a lot of dead lawns and an increase in popularity of the “rock garden.” Do you remember rock garden’s? They were a collection of different colors of rocks arranged in a pattern separated by thin wood panels in people’s front yards. They remained in place throughout the 1980’s until people finally realized they were terrible to look at and replaced them with plants.

Due to the current drought, I am afraid what we experienced in the late 1970’s will soon be reality again here in the Bay Area. In the meantime, the only thing we can do is conserve water and enjoy the sunshine! That being said, I have been boxing up my boots and heavy clothing, moving them to the back of the closet, and bringing out my spring wardrobe! Why not!? If there are cherry blossoms everywhere, I might as well dress for spring!

These new pumps from Chelsea Paris are soft and extremely comfortable. I cannot wait to pair them with other looks throughout the spring season. Are you experiencing unusual weather where you live too?

How to get Claire Danes beauty look from the 2014 SAG Awards red carpet

Claire Danes dazzled on the red carpet last weekend at the 2014 SAG Awards. Her beauty look was fresh and her sleek gown by Givenchy showed her extremely fit post-baby body. Loved it! Although the gown may be hard to come by, we can all get her beauty look at home with a few simple steps and cosmetics by Laura Mercier!

Below are step-by-step instructions, with products, on how to get Claire Danes beauty look at home. A special THANK YOU to Laura Mercier for providing us with these fabulous tips!

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Claire Danes

2014 Screen Actors Guild Awards

“Female Actor in a Drama Series” for “Homeland” Nominee

Look by Matin Maulawizada Global Brand Ambassador for Laura Mercier

Makeup artist Matin Maulawizada drew inspiration from Danes’ Vionnet gown which he stated “contained a Roxy Music feel.” To complement the beautiful gown, he created a modern and sexy look with a glimmer reminiscent of the 1980s.

FLAWLESS FACE:

1) First, Maulawizada prepped Danes’ skin with Laura Mercier Mega Moisturizer Crème SPF 15 in Normal/Combination Skin ($50), Laura Mercier Repair Eye Serum($80) and Laura Mercier Repair Eye Cream ($75). Then he massaged Danes’ face using Laura Mercier Foundation Primer ($32) to relax the skin and create an even canvas (the massage is her favorite part of the process!).

2) Next he applied Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Foundation in Sunny Beige ($50) all over her skin, slightly contouring her face. After that, he blended Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Foundation in Warm Ivory ($50) into Danes’ skin, highlighting its natural radiance.

3) Lastly, he lightly dusted Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder in Universal ($35) to set her makeup, ensuring she looked flawless throughout the evening.

4) Maulawizada applied Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colour in Rosebud ($24) and a touch of Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colour in Sunrise ($24) to the apples of her cheeks. He used a touch of Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Highlight – 01 ($36) onto her cheek bones.

BOLD EYES:

1) Maulawizada applied Laura Mercier Crème Eye Liner in Cobalt ($22) to Danes’ lash line.

2) Creating a bold eye look, he applied Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Smoke ($26) followed by Laura Mercier Baked Eye Colour in Mystical ($23) and Laura Mercier Satin Matte Eye Colour in Dark Spirit ($23) all over her eyelids.

3) To accentuate her eyes, he dusted a thin layer of loose, blue glitter to Dane’s eyelids. For a similar product, Maulawizada recommended using Laura Mercier Sequin Eye Colour in Lapis ($23).

4) Maulawizada applied Laura Mercier Long Lash Mascara in Bleu ($24) to accentuate Dane’s lashes.

SOFT LIPS:

1) Adding the final touch of glamour, Maulawizada applied Laura Mercier Lip Plumper in Pink Pearl ($30) to Danes’ lips.

Spring 2014 color trends: pink

Pink is one of the hottest colors for the spring/summer 2014 season. Emerging from resort 2014’s fuchsia trend, pink has become one of the top colors favored by store buyers and consumers for the warm weather season.

The runways in New York, Paris, Milan and London showed a variety of rainbow colors for spring/summer 2014. While pink graced the runways, it was by no means a dominant hue. During the resort 2014 season, store buyers and consumers favored both pink and cobalt blue, leading stores to stock up on the sweet hue for spring. The result? Pink is dominating store shelves more than the “IT” color of 2014; Radiant Orchid. Can it be?!

Normally associated with flowers, demure styles and innocent personas, pink is sometimes ignored by more sophisticated dressers and those who want to project a more mature being. Not for spring 2014! Pink is being shown in every shade imaginable from sweet pastels through to bold neon hues. Pink is taking the season by storm and not allowing anyone to classify it as a “girly-girl” type of hue.

Since pink is being shown in so many variations for spring 2014, it is taking on many personalities. At Burberry, pink was shown as an accent to traditional classic hues; making it the perfect way to add a pop of color to an ensemble as well as a way to update one’s look. Burberry also showed pink on vintage inspired silhouettes perfect for a wedding or fundraising luncheon. Chanel gave pink an edgy 1980’s look on its’ couture runway in both medium and pastel shades.

There are also designers showing pink for spring/summer 2014 who did not show the hue on their fashion week runways! Valentino is showing neon pink on store shelves as is Rebecca Minkoff. Gucci is also showing pink for spring although after watching the Italian powerhouse’s runway show from spring/summer 2014 one would have assumed to see purple, purple and more purple!

It is interesting how consumer interest and store buyers are able to sway which colors actually make it from the runway to store shelves; and ultimately reality. After all, if it was on the runway and it never made it to the store, how will it make it to reality? Just a side note 😉

What do you think of pink for spring/summer 2014? Will you be wearing it?

Shop pink for spring and summer 2014:

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