5 Ways To Get Glam For The Holidays

It's holiday time y'all! Get ready for sparkly dresses, killer heels and bold makeup looks. During the holidays, party-hopping can take its toll, especially when you have to figure out what beauty looks to pair with each outfit. To make things simple and chic, here my 5 top tips for getting super glam for the holiday season:

1. Pick a Glam Hairstyle

The perfect hair look ties your whole holiday look together. So start here with a style that compliments your face, goes well from day to night (for the party-hoppers like myself) and make you feel glamorous. This holiday season I got my hair straightened so for this tutorial I opted for a half-up/half-down look with a chic side-swept bang.

2. Make Your Eyes Pop

My eyes are my favorite facial feature so I always play them up. They're the keys to the soul after all. For a glam eye look, try COVERGIRL's newest mascara innovation; COVERGIRL Clump Crusher Mascara.

It's been proven to increase lash volume by up to 200% with ZERO clumps. I hate mascara clumps, so this product is definitely going to be a beauty mainstay this holiday season.

3. Go For Bold (Lips)

Next up - lips! You guys know how much I love red lips. Nothing says holiday chic like a bold lip. Whether you opt for bright red or deep plum, a bold lip always makes a statement. Plus, who doesn't love a little lip stain around the champagne glass rim? So very ladylike.

4. Accessorize For Your Life

Accessories provide the absolute best toppers for your holiday outfits. A statement necklace like this one can really take a simple top or a little black dress to another level. Also, festive rings, bracelets and earrings are perfect compliments. Just be sure not to overdo it!

5. Nail It

Glamorous nails are the quintessential accessory for the holiday season. There are so many awesome color options during the holidays. You don't have to stick with the traditional red or green colors to say festive either. COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss provide a nice array of holiday-appropriate colors. Check out the 15 colors available now with more coming in January (including Snow Storm which I am wearing in the photo above)!

What I love about these nail glosses is that the colors come through really potent and saturated even with only one coat. And the glossy color lasts for up to a week with out the need for a top coat. Love love love this collection of nail lacquers.

What makes YOU feel glam during the holidays and what are your go-to tricks?

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Kickin' It: Cocktails & Couture Party 2012

 On Saturday night I had the pleasure of attending this season's Cocktails & Couture shindig during NYFW. It's the quintessential blogger meet-up party every season, hosted by beauty blogger extraordinaire Lianne Farbes. This season, the esteemed co-host was big-hitter Patrice Yursik of Afrobella.com (love her!) and the presenting sponsor was BlogHer.com. In true blogger meet-up fashion, there were cocktails, cameras & cute outfits galore. Check it out:

Danielle Gray, Lexi Felder, Eboni Ife and Merli Estime

Hostess Lianne Farbes and Jessica Andrews

Lianne hosted some awesome giveaways throughout the night. The cocktails were flowing courtesy Hpnotiq and there were on-site blowouts & makeovers by Christo Fifth Ave and DDF.

Me and Lianne Farbes

Love these girls!

Lianne's arm party - so cute!

Ty Brown, Patrice Yursik, Sharontina Brightman, Ro

Patrice was in town this NYFW season and I got to spend time with her - LOVE this lady. Check out her blog Afrobella.com, you'll fall in love too.

Stylish editors Geneva Thomas & Chastity Saunders

SanTara of TheGorgeousIngredient.com

Me & Sharontina Brightman of TheRunwayTimes.com

Cece Olisa, Alissa Wilson & I

Danielle Gray of TheStyleandBeautyDoctor.com - always with the perfect red lip!

Good times! Looking forward to the next C&C Party.

LBS Feature: Elle Magazine

So yesterday I got my LIFE when I saw I was featured on Elle Magazine's online beauty section for my participation in the BlogHer 12 fashion show! I had such an amazing time (as noted in my Instaweek 8.7.12 post) and in the process I was interviewed by ELLE about my blog and my beauty look. Elizabeth Arden was the makeup sponsor and Paul Mitchell was the hair sponsor - loved working with both!

Click HERE for the full story!

My Insta-Week: 8.6.12

Last week I had a blast prepping and participating in the BlogHer 2012 conference and it's subsequent Style & MC'd Fashion Show. Here's what I got into:

- I met The Lorax! Yes, I'm 4 years old at heart. And yes, I went to see that movie when it came out....without any kids in tow. I love Disney. And I'm so happy I met The Lorax at the BlogHer12 conference. He was quite friendly. Full recap on the BlogHer12 conference coming tomorrow!

- I'm so honored to have participated in the BlogHer Styl'd & MCed Fashion Show, sponsored by 6PM.com and PetSmart. The clothes were absolutely amazing! Special thanks also to Elizabeth Arden for beating my face something serious! And to Paul Mitchell for the amazing hair look (check out my faux bob on the top left). Shoutout to some of my favorite bloggers Cece from The Big Girl Blog, Alissa from Stylish Curves, Claire from The Fashion Bomb, Jenni from ISPyDIY, Erin from Scandalous Beauty, and more for sharing in the fun with me. Had such an awesome time!

Photo Credit: ISpyDIY on Instagram

Pictured above: Me, Alyssa of Stylish Curves, Reagan of Hairdresser on Fire, Claire of The Fashion Bomb, Jenni of ISpyDIY

- I did tons of shopping this weekend. Went to this jewelry market and found that awesome gold bangle trio above. I'm in prep & go mode for my new baby Citizen Jade. I'll be telling you all more about it as the plot develops. In the mean time, Sign Up HERE to be the first to know about it.

- Do you guys like that peach top above center? Saw it at American Apparel and I'm contemplating on whether or not I should go back for it...

I'm On My Naomi Campbell

Ok ignore the ratchetness of this post's title and stay with me here. Guys! I'm going to be walking in a fashion show! The lovely folks at BlogHer have invited me to take my talents to the runway in the form of a sponsored fashion show on this Saturday, August 4th. They are featuring a group of their favorite bloggers and I was chosen. I am ECSTATIC!

Alright before I hyperventilate let me back up for a sec. Before finding out that I would be walking in their Styled & MC'ed show, they actually invited me to speak on an amazing panel for the BlogHer 8th Annual Conference, with moderator Kathryn Finney of The Budget Fashionista. The panel is called Three-dimensional Beauty on a Two-dimensional Screen: Style and Design Bloggers Share Trade Secrets. The panel will be all about how bloggers use words & images to convey lifestyle. If you're an up-and-coming blogger, or even an old head, residing in NYC or close by, you should definitely plan on being there!

So back to the fashion show - I'm beyond excited. I have a fitting this Wednesday and then the actual show is on Saturday. A bit nervous that I might end up as "fashion roadkill" a la Carrie Bradshaw, but I can't wait to share the experience with you guys. And if you're in NYC you should totally stop by and cheer me on! I'll keep you guys posted on the venue & time details.

Remember this episode of Sex & The City? Yeah...

Should I be nervous? You think I'll fall in my heels like Carrie did in Sex & The City?


I'll be watching the following video in preparation. Sashay! Chantay!

Kickin' It: NYFW BlogHer Style Luncheon

On Thursday, February 9th, I was invited by Kathryn Finney of The Budget Fashionista to take part in the very first BlogHer Style Luncheon. Kathryn invited a group of bloggers to take part in an intimate luncheon so that we could network, celebrate the kickoff to NY Fashion Week and also preview The Strand Hotel's newest Fashion as Food menu offering. I had an absolute blast. Here's a brief recap of the festivities:

Upon arriving, we were all greeted with individual place settings and the menu of the day which included The Strand's newest lunch offering; a Food as Fashion Menu. The specialized menu curated by chef Kelvin Fernandez features different courses inspired by fashion icons like Karl Lagerfeld for example. Each course had a special dish and a cocktail to accompany.

I sat next to the lovely Claire Sulmers of The Fashion Bomb. Don't you love her bright purple top? Tres chic. Make sure you guys are checking her site for NYFW content, she's everywhere!

Nikki Ogun of InStyle, Claire Sulmers of TheFashionBomb & Me

Kathryn Finney of The Budget Fashionista, Patrice Yursik of Afrobella

 I was so incredibly happy to be in the company of bloggers like Kathryn of TheBudgetFashionista and Patrice of Afrobella! These are two ladies I look up to and adore. They are the epitome of blogger stars and they always stay true to who they are. Definitely something I strive for.

For the occasion, I chose to don a black dress with leather detailing from Damn You Alexis. One of my hidden gems, they have some amazing classic pieces for curvy girls. Be sure to check them out!

Each guest was gifted an amazing vintage powder compact handpicked by Kathryn herself. Vintage is my fave, so you know I was hyped.

More to come from New York Fashion Week events! Today, I'm live-tweeting for NaturallyCurly.com and they're Texture on the Runway event, so be sure to follow me @LoveBrownSugar and check out www.TextureOnTheRunway.com for live updates!