Saks 5TH Avenue Beauty Blogger Cocktail Party

Last Tuesday I attended a Beauty Blogger Cocktail Party at Saks 5th Avenue, and as promised here are the details of the event! 

The Saks 5th Avenue Beauty Team was on hand to tell us about all the makeup trends for the fall. Big on each of the panel members' list was a chocolate brown makeup palette. Jessica (Far Right) shared with us the Bobbi Brown Rich Chocolate Collection Fall 2013. As you can see chocolate brown hues around the eyes and a deep cranberry lip and cheek are central to this look. 

Bobbi Brown Rich Chocolate Collection Fall 2013 

Bobbi Brown Eye Palette full of pretty brown shadows 

At the event, I was also introduced to a new line of makeup. Sisley, began as a luxury skincare line in Paris during the 70s. It has since morphed into a full beauty line. We got to sample some of the Sisley eyeshadows and let me say, they were gorgeous! If you're looking for a bold shadow to really make your eyes  POP I would highly recommend Sisley. 

Sisley Eyeshadow Palette 

Sisley Lip Color Collection 

At the event there was of course, champagne, and other yummy sweet treats. 

I went with Joelle, of The Colors of Joelle. 

Joelle and I

I think the highlight of the event for both of us was being invited to the backroom to see the new shipment of Designer Bags that Saks had just gotten in. It was a style blogger's Heaven! Fendi, Prada, Celiene....do I really need to say more? LOL

Before we left, we received two goodie bags full of beauty supplies! 

So far, this is Bobbi Brown to Go compact and eye cream has been my  favorite find from the bags. 

Thanks again to Saks 5TH Avenue for the invite! 

Going Green To A Cocktail Party

                 

Dress: Belk / Earrings: Francesca's Collection/ Shoes: c/o deb / Clutch: Victoria Secret via Goodwill 

So a few weeks ago I got invited to attend a Blogger Cocktail Party at Saks 5th Avenue and leading up to the event, I had no idea what to wear. I just turned 21 in May and had never been (invited) to a cocktail party before. I've been crazy busy with school here lately so I didn't have a chance to go shopping for anything until the night before. I strolled into Belk at 8:43 p.m. and in 17 minutes flat lucked up on this gorgeous jewel tone stunner. 

The moment I saw it hanging on the rack, I knew that it would go perfectly with the emerald earrings  I purchased earlier this summer at Francesca's. They were on clearance for $5! For a little fun, I added my new cheetah print pumps from Deb and my glittery Victoria Secret clutch. I felt so glamorous! 

I think part of the reason I was so attracted to this dress is because Emerald is my birth stone. I can't wear to it again, perhaps for a more casual occasion. Check back in tomorrow for a recap of the Saks Beauty Event and insider tips on Fall Beauty Trends! 

Love In The Equation

Shirt: c/o deb (similar) - Skirt: The Limited (similar) - Heels: c/o deb - Clutch: Victoria Secret via  Goodwill- Bracelet: Rue21 - Lipstick: MAC Hang Up 

Although I often like to think that there are some trends I have outgrown, screen print tees being one of them, I proved even myself wrong on this day. By pairing this Love t-shirt with my red pencil skirt and matching single sole red heels, it gave it more of a mature and classy appeal. 

Yes, t-shirts can be classy. 

If you have zillions of t-shirts and don't know how to wear them other than with jeans and sneakers, this is one equation for an outfit you will love. 

A T-shirt + Skirt + Heels = cute, classy, chic outfit

On the other end of the spectrum if you have an expansive selection of work attire-- slacks and skirts-- but know clothes for your downtime, investing in a few fun and affordable t-shirts is a great way to bring new life to your work clothes. It's also a quick way to go from work to cocktail hour or date night in just a matter of minutes. 

Shop deb's collection of screen print tees here. 

Linking up with: Style Elxir, Real Girl Glam 

The Cover Up

Top: c/o Jordan Taylor Beachwear /  Skirt: New York and Company (similar) / Shoes: c/o Deb

Prior to receiving this fabulous little cover up from the Jordan Taylor Collection,  I can honestly say that the thought of styling beachwear as a part of my everyday wardrobe had never crossed my mind. However, this top is easily a staple that any woman could appreciate having in her closet. With a simple pencil skirt, my strappy heels from deb and little bit of lipstick, I was able to take this cover up from the pool to an office appropriate ensemble. 

I highly encourage you to check out the Jordan Taylor website, there are lots of easy transitional pieces like this one and their Resortwear Collection 2014, is coming soon. I went through the gallery, and there is some super cute stuff! 

So, question of the day: would you wear a cover up outside of the pool or beach? 

 

SeventeenU at NCSU

Seventeen Magazine hosted Seventeen U at North Carolina State University yesterday and I couldn't have been more excited about it.

Last year when Seveneen U rolled through campus I missed out on it, but this year I made sure I was there bright and early to collect my goodies...and boy, did I! In high school, Seventeen Magazine was my FAVORITE magazine. I had two subscriptions (why, I don't know) and would tear pages out of each issue to use as covers for my binders at school. My friends and I would sit in class staring at my binders and picking out our favorite pieces from the pages of Seventeen magazine that I used to decorate them. Even at 21, Seventeen is still one of my go-to mags. 

The Seventeen U Tent on the NCSU Brickyard 

Inside the tent was a mini Keds showroom, braiding bar and gifting suite. 

Mannequin in the Keds showroom  

Keds has the cutest clothes-- I loved the polka dot shirt 

 At the SevteenU  Tent, everyone was given four slips of paper to write their name and contact information, and entered to win four different prizes. I didn't win anything but I still got amazing goodies from the gifting suite.

The bag included the Septemeber 2013 issue of Seventeen, Palmers Ultra Moisturizing Lip Balm, NYC Lipgloss, Hair Chalk, and a $15 coupon for Asos.com! Obviously, I was a happy girl. 

Thanks SeventeenU for coming to my campus! 

 

The Silver Pumps

 

Sweatshirt: Forever21/ Leggings: The Limited/ Shoes: JcPenny

Helena of Brooklyn Blonde is the first, and perhaps only person I've ever seen wear metallic silver pumps and make them look classy. For the last few months I've been salivating over her silver Jimmy Choo's and searching for a similar pair of my own. I finally found the perfect pair at JcPenny's on clearance for $7! They were the only pair and they just so happened to be my size, which obviously means they were meant to be, and just for me!

I paired them with my leather leggings and this recent purchase, a bedazzled sweatshirt from Forever21 for a sleek and polished look. I can't wait to style these heels with other items in my closet, I know they are going to get some good mileage!

I Didn't Get Invited To The White House, But....

Top: Express via Marshall's / Pants: Express via Marshall's / Shoes: Steve Madden/ Bracelet: Rue21 / Bag: Michael Kors 

My Invite! 

I did get an invite to my Chancellor's House for a Student Leader Reception! Never would I have imagined four years ago as a freshman at N.C. State that I would eat dinner with my Chancellor, but last night it happened. As the editor-in-chief of the Nubian Message, a weekly African American newspaper at my university,  myself as well as several other Student Leaders were presented with this cool opportunity. 

I know how difficult it is to get in touch with Chancellor Woodson, (the Nubian has attempted before without luck for quotes) so to receive this invite, was a big deal! When I got it, I had no idea what I was going to wear, but I knew it needed to be polished, classy and most importantly, professional. I eventually decided on this printed peplum top from Express (via Marshall's) and these cropped black slacks (on sale for $15!). I really wanted to wear my Jessica Simpson Cheetah print heels, but ultimately decided that my black pumps with the lower heel were more appropriate for the occasion. 

We had a nice dinner of Spaghetti with cheesecake for dessert, and while the food was good, I was most impressed with the "mature" nature of the conversation my fellow peers and I had with our Chancellor. We discussed everything from the North Carolina Legislature passing a law that allows concealed weapons on UNC-Campuses (check out this article in the Nubian's sister publication, Technician) to Women's Safety on campus, and a Tweet sent by a student at App State that was among other things, racially insensitive and bigoted. 

It made for a fun evening and is just another awesome opportunity that life at N.C. State has presented me. I won't get sentimental, well...at least I'll try not to, but I must say that my school has treated me well and that I will definitely miss it come this May when I graduate! Shout out to the Class of 2014! 

 

p.s. - how bazaar is it that guests at the Chancellor's home park on the grass? o_O haha, check out Miss B chilling on his front lawn!