Thursday, December 31, 2020

The Pro Safety Beauty Summit: My Favorite Beauty Products of 2021


2020 brought so many changes to the world and has created so many new trends for every industry. The beauty industry in particular has had to come up with innovative ways to adapt and many trends are here to stay. That is what the new Pro Safety Beauty Summit is all about. The Pro Safety Beauty Summit will take place January 11-13 with several top beauty industry experts as guest speakers. This virtual event will cover all of the latest trends in the beauty industry and what new directions the beauty world is headed in 2021. It will also feature some of the latest new products and rising companies that are making waves right now. I have an exclusive preview of the gift bags for this fun event and I have rounded up a list of my top 3 favorite products here! 

1. RMS Beauty living luminizer 

The RMS Beauty living luminizer is a great beauty product because it is super versatile which will definitely be a trend in 2021. This sparkly finishing luminizer goes over top of any makeup look and really brightens it up! It is the perfect thing to achieve that dewy skin look that can be so difficult to create with heavy makeup. You can check out my NYE makeup tutorial to see how I used it in real life! 

2. Hand sanitizing spray 


This moisturizing hand sanitizer spray is one of my favorite products because I have always been conscious about germs even before 2020. I love that this one is also moisturizing because as we all know sanitizers can really dry your hands out after a lot of use. This way when I'm on the go I can take care of moisturizing and also keep my hands clean at the same time! I also love that it comes in a spray which is much more convenient than the gels. Plus I can spray it on my arms too if I need to which let's be honest, sometimes you just want to sanitize everything after traveling in a big crowd!

 


3. The hair wipe 

The hair wipe is another really innovative product I am interested to try. This shampoo wipe works on all hair types and is completely rinse free for when you're on the go. It is also small and convenient to carry with you if you don't have room for a dry shampoo. 

All of these products are definitely useful for 2021 and beyond! I can't wait to hear from some of the guest speakers at the Pro Safety Beauty Summit so make sure to tune in! You can follow this link to their website to reserve your space and learn more about the event! 

NYE Glam MakeUp and Hair

 


 

 Happy New Years everybody! I wanted to share this tutorial with you for a fun and sparkly NYE makeup and hair style featuring some new products that I am absolutely loving right now. 


First I started with my hair. For the hair style I went with a gentle wave and wanted my hair to be very smooth and shiny for this look. Using the JOICO violet smoothing foam to prep my hair I was able to get a great curl that was not frizzy and laid very nicely. I also used the JOICO Blondelife line including the shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask before I styled my hair. Then I added the brightening veil which really helped give my hair a good color and prepped it for styling. I also used some of my favorite go to products for my hair including the CHI iron guard to protect my hair from the heat and the Big Sexy Hair mousse for lift and texture to help the curls stay. Check out the new technique I tried to achieve these waves in my video! 

Next I created a glittery NYE makeup look using some of my favorite brands like Shiseido, Ofra cosmetics, Becca cosmetics, Marc Jacobs and more as well as some brand new products!

I started with this Shiseido self refreshing foundation that also has spf 30 in it. I love the feel of this silky smooth foundation and the fact that it protects your skin from the sun as well! I mixed two colors, lace and ivory together to achieve a tone that matched my skin. I also used my brand new Ofra highlighter in Rodeo Drive which I got on sale during black Friday! I love how sparkly the Ofra highlighters are they really pick up the light and seem to last! I finished off with a new product called a living luminizer by RMS beauty. I love this pearly finish because it is so versatile. You can really use it for so many things. I put mine on top of my cheeks and the inside corners of my eyes. For my eyeshadow I used the Marc Jacobs Very merry cherry palette along with some other colors from my Shiseido eye palette. For the finishing touch I used this Shiseido shimmergel gloss in Shin-Ku red and my new Sweet Street cosmetics lip color in bright red for a festive and vintage holiday vibe. 

Check out my latest article on the upcoming Pro Safety Beauty Summit for more of my favorite new beauty products and trends for the New Year! 

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Holiday Gift Guide: Find Everything You Need For Less This Year at the Barstow Outlets

 

This year has been so crazy and it can be hard to find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list on a budget! But luckily I found the perfect solution at the Outlets at Barstow California. They have the best designer brands and amazing deals going on all month long! This mall located right in the middle of Los Angeles and Las Vegas is the perfect stop to get that last minute shopping done on your way to your Christmas destination. I have put together a gift guide below of my favorite finds from stores like Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Kate Spade, Old Navy and more to give you some inspiration! Check it out and let me know what you think plus stay up to date on all the latest sales by following @outletsatbarstow on Instagram! 

1. Stylish Gifts at Kate Spade NY for the Fashion Lover in Your Life 

Kate Spade New York is one of my favorite stores at this mall. They always have the latest styles and tons of girly fun looks! I especially love the statement purses and whimsical phone cases they get in during this time of year! If you are shopping for a fashionista this year the Kate Spade outlet is the place to go. I had a ball shooting their sweet holiday collection at the store! Hurry in before these yummy designs sell out. 

2. Fun Stocking Stuffers for Everyone at Michael Kors 

Add a little sparkle under the tree this year with these fun goodies from Michael Kors. They have tons of small leather goods, perfume, watches and more in the store. And the best part is most of them are under $100! Bring luxury to the whole family with these fun gifts! 

3. Something for the Guys at Old Navy

Guys are some of the hardest to shop for in my opinion! That's why I love Old Navy because they have everything a guy could want and all the latest styles so it's super easy to pick up gifts for all the guys in my family. I love these hat and scarf sets! They will keep any guy warm while looking sophisticated and trendy this year. 

4. Winter Weather Wear in Style from Tommy Hilfiger 

Tommy Hilfiger is another great brand for the fashion conscious names on your list. I love their puffers and matching scarves and hats for a warm and stylish look this winter. If you need to pick something up for an outdoor lover Tommy Hilfiger has some great weatherproof options!  

5. Luggage from The Luggage Factory for the Traveler on Your List 

The Luggage Factory is one of my favorite stores at the Barstow Outlets. You all know how much I love to travel so my suitcases usually get worn out very quickly! The luggage factory has everything you need from carry ons to larger bags in all the best brands like Samsonite, Delsey Paris, and more! Plus you won't believe these prices! If you know any travel lovers perk up their spirits this year with a new suitcase or weekend bag so they can be ready to go as soon as travel is safe again! 

6. Shine Bright and Celebrate With Jewelry from Claire's 

Claire's is the place to go if you want to spread holiday cheer! They have an amazing deal on jewelry buy 3 get 3 free right now so you can even keep a few pieces for yourself and still check off everyone on your list. This is the perfect store for finding gifts for teens on your list because they have everyhting from holiday themed nail sets to light up Christmas headbands! 

7. Find the Perfect Gift for Mom at Coach 

Coach has some amazing deals going on this year including a 70 percent off sale! This is my favorite go to spot for finding the perfect gift for mom. They have great purses of all shapes and sizes that will make any woman in your life feel stylish and chic. They also have all kinds of small leather goods like passport holders, wallets and more so you can get a complete matching set! 

8. Purchase a Mall GiftCard for the Pickiest Shoppers

There is always that one person on your list who is impossible to shop for! This year make it easy and head over to the Outlets to purchase a mall giftcard. That way all your Christmas shopping will be done without having to search through multiple stores! The giftcards are good at any store in the mall! 

Happy shopping! 

*This post may contain affiliate links.  


Monday, November 30, 2020

The Top 10 Instagram Worthy Spots in Paris

Paris is the ultimate blogging and Instagram destination for anybody who appreciates beautiful scenery and amazing history! Plus let's not forget the fashion. I have put together this guide based on my time in Paris to help you get those amazing shots that will seriously improve your insta-game whether you are just traveling for fun or you want to post your adventures on your blog! 

1. The Louvre

 The Pyramid is an obvious choice for a great photo spot, but don’t forget the gorgeous  building itself. The Louvre may not be recognizable to all in this shot, but the amazing architecture still gave me a dreamy backdrop. You may want to stroll over and snap a few around the landscaping of The Carrousel Garden and The Tuileries too. 



Best time of day for photos:  The Louvre Pyramid with its lights is a bit more spectacular at dawn or dusk. It’s true, the Pyramid and the whole place is gorgeous any time of day, but early in the morning and after sunset, there will be fewer tourists to contend with. Also try a Tuesday since museums in Paris are closed. 


2. Palais Royal

How often can you say architecture inspired your look? The Palais Royal will give you so many options for poses and angles. Plus the resulting photos will pretty much all look like magazine covers.  

 

Best time of day for photos… going to have to go with as early as possible again. 




3. Eiffel Tower

This pink dress and the Eiffel Tower had me feeling like I was in a dream. What can you say about one of the most Insta-worthy places on Earth? Every angle and perspective is going to give you an opportunity for a great photo. Try shooting from Rue de l’Université for a great view. 

 

Best time of day. Seriouly any. But experimenting with different times of day and different types of weather/light is worthwhile if you have the time and opportunity. 



4. Place du Trocadero

 

Place du Trocadero gave me an amazing vantage point to get the Eiffel Tower over my shoulder. I could have taken in this view all day. The Trocadero is an area of Paris across the Siene from the Eiffel Tower. It’s about a 5 minute walk that is well worth it. Head to the stairs. 

 

That last hour before sunset or dawn will provide some great light. If you have the camera skills, try a few just after sunset as well. 

 



6. Hotel Plaza Athenee

 

My inner Audrey came out to play at the Hotel Plaza Athenee. The Eiffel Tower in the distance paired with a gorgeous balcony overlooking the fashionable Avenue Montaigne will have you living all the Devil Wears Prada dreams. You don’t have to be staying at this 5-star beauty to get a great shot. The outside is stunning enough to provide great photo ops. But the inside… the staircase, the breakfast room, the courtyard. There are almost no words to describe them. They are all breathtaking and will provide never-ending elegant backdrops. There are some suites with Eiffel Tower views that are unrivaled. 

 

Any time of day, but the light in the early morning and just before dusk is beautiful. Also, if you happen to get to stay in the winter there will be ice skating in the courtyard and lights twinkling if you get out there just before the sun goes down. 



7. Arc de Triomphe

No Paris photo tour is complete without a stop at the spectacular Arc de Triomphe. This massive structure is of course most identifiable from a bit of a distance as shown here, but I would recommend getting closer for some more creative shots as well. 

 

Any time of day, but you’ll have fewer people milling around at sunrise. 



8. Musee D'Orsay

Musée d'Orsay in the center of Paris on the banks of the Siene is the home of one tres Instagrammable clock. Go directly to the fifth floor to take a look at Paris through the clock. When you’re done gazing, it’s another fantastic spot to stop and pose. 

 

 

Early again! And head straight for the clock! 




9. Sacre Couer 

The view of Paris from the steps is breathtaking. There are so many picturesque views at Sacre Coeur, you’re going to want to try them all. From down by the carousel, to the top of the bascilica, I was literally surrounded by photo ops. Don’t forget your trick shot of the “sinking” house. 

 

Early, early, early. Or late… the lights of Paris just before dusk are gorgeous.  



 This most popular of all of the avenues in Paris is one with so many possibilities. If you can’t beat the heavy traffic, try to feature it in your background as part of the scene. Everywhere you look is another opportunity. 

 

You can try to shoot early, but the lights just before the sun goes down can be beautiful too.  


Where is your favorite spot in Paris to get amazing pictures? Have you visited any of these places? Tell me in the comments below!  

Saturday, November 28, 2020

Girls Weeknd Guide: My 22nd Birthday In Las Vegas

 I'm feelin 22! And this year for my birthday I decided to celebrate in Las Vegas where the party goes on all weekend long! Check out the link to this video of my stay at the Paris hotel in Las Vegas to see some of the highlights. 

I have written up some of my favorite spots from the weekend for you guys as a guide to the best places to celebrate in Las Vegas! Some of these places are great for a girls weekend or just a relaxing getaway too! Let me know if you have been to any of these places in the comments! I also included my styles for each day and night to give you some packing inspo for your next trip. Basically the only style tip you need to remember for Vegas is: Sequins are always in! 




Day 1: on my first day in town I arrived in the afternoon and checking into my hotel the Paris Las Vegas. I love this hotel because I enjoy all things french of course but also for the location! It was the perfect home base for my birthday weekend and has a great spot right on the strip. The hotel is super fun to stay at and honestly I could spend an entire weekend just exploring the property! To start with there is the Eiffel tower attraction complete with a delicious french restaurant on the third floor just like the real Eiffel tower in France! You  also can't miss the "Village Shops" a row of eateries and souvenir stores set on a very authentic recreation of a Parisian boulevard complete with cobblestone streets! My favorite place to grab a midday snack here is the Crepe store where you can order authentic French breakfast crepes made to order or some delicious sweet dessert crepes. After checking in, I headed over to the Fashion Show Mall where I did some birthday shopping and got a free gift box full of coupons and birthday goodies like a confetti shooter and colorful candles! I would definitely recommend stopping by because the fashion show mall is worth seeing while you are in town and the birthday box is a fun bonus if you are spending your special day in Vegas! 
Afterwards I headed off the strip for dinner to my favorite restaurant in Las Vegas called the... located in the Gold Coast Casino. This place serves the best prime rib and for my birthday they even gave me a special chocolate espresso cake for dessert which was to die for! If you love classic American cuisine this is the place you have to visit! 
Finally I finished my night with a drink on the strip from Gustav's bar back at the Paris enjoying the lights and amazing views of the city. 

My looks for Day 1
This was my casual outfit for shopping at the mall. I love this silver sequin skirt for a fun statement piece! 

Day 2: For my second day in town I did some more exploring of the Paris hotel and found this fun insta wall in the lobby for taking pictures! Then I headed over to the casino floor for a craps lesson. Here is a Vegas tip for you if you're over 21, if you go down to the casino floor early in the morning between 9-10am they sometimes offer free table lessons which can be a fun way to learn about the different types of games played in the casinos! After a relaxing morning I headed out to high tea at the Waldorf Astoria across the street from the Paris. This high tea comes with some stunning views as well because it is located at the top of the WA in the skybar lounge. This was a super fun birthday activity and a great excuse to get dressed up too! I loved the fancy tea cakes and they even brought me a glass of champagne for my birthday! 

After tea I walked back through the Crystal Shops to the Bellagio hotel. The Bellagio is a beautiful hotel with tons of amazing spots to explore but my favorite area is their botanical garden. Each season they change out the design and have a new theme for guests to enjoy. They build elaborate flower displays and sometimes they even move! It is something you can only find in Vegas and definitely worth visiting! This year's theme was Autumn Woods and they had the most beautiful little fairy house displays! 
 
Finally for my birthday dinner I headed over to Giada at the Cromwell. I was so excited to try this Italian restaurant by celebrity Chef Giada, and the food did not disappoint! Although the best part was the amazing views of the strip from the restaurant windows. You can even see the Bellagio's famous water fountain show from some tables!
I finished off my night at the Cosmopolitan hotel's Chandelier bar where I ordered an amazing Peach martini that honestly tasted like Peach ring candy! It was such a fun birthday experience and I loved the sparkly chandelier backdrop! 
My Day 2 Looks
I loved this gold sequin dress for my birthday look! It is a tea length dress which was perfect for my afternoon tea in the sky! I did my make up extra sparkly too for Vegas style and finished off using this golden Shiseido lipgloss which went perfectly with my outfit! 
  

  

Day 3: For my final day in Vegas I headed over to the Premium Outlets in the north end of the city. You know I can't pass up a good shopping opportunity and these outlets have some of the best name brands  and amazing prices! Some of my favorite stores where you can find some steals are Armani, Jimmy Choo, Saks Off Fifth and much more! I would recommend making this stop on your last day in town since it is a little out of the way but it is definitely worth it! 

My shopping day look
I loved wearing this sparkly purple Shiseido lipgloss to match my sweater and finishd off with a touch of sparkle wearing this tassle necklace from Kollectin.   

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Saturday, August 15, 2020

Amazon Hosts A Virtual Skin Wellness Summit + Other Beauty News Updates


 This summer is all about the beauty industry as brands have found innovative ways to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Now more than ever products that promote at home self care and DIY beauty routines are in high demand. This weekend Amazon hosted their first ever virtual skin wellness summit featuring Zuri Hall and Catt Sadler as hosts. 

https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=19282306011

Other beauty brands and influencers have been producing some amazing virtual events for the makeup and skincare community throughout the summer. Shiseido has just announced their brand new brand ambassador Hunter Schafer. The Hollywood star is the perfect pick for Shiseido. Get her take on the new collab below 

“When I look at SHISEIDO, I see a level of artistic energy that is really unique. As someone who likes to be artistic with makeup, that was something that instantly attracted me to the brand. SHISEIDO is about more than trying to look pretty or appeal to a specific standard of beauty. SHISEIDO is parallel to art.” – Hunter Schafer

While normally in person beauty events would dominate the summer this year things are a little different and brands are finding new ways to connect with their audience online. Schafer is helping to connect her Gen Z fans who are digital natives, to the brand and has already shared some of her favorite products with us! I can't wait to see more from this partnership! 



Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Jason Aldean Will Give A Virtual Appearance On Late Night With Seth Meyers




 
Multi-Platinum entertainer Jason Aldean takes his genre-blending sound to Late Night with Seth Meyers tonight (7/28 at 11:35P CT on NBC) with a virtual performance from his home outside of Nashville, TN of his Top 15 and climbing single "Got What I Got." The R&B infused track from his sixth consecutive No. One selling album 9 (Macon Music/Broken Bow Records) shows how a "power ballad meets clever fusion" (Dallas Observer) with "soft and upbeat production" (Billboard). "Got What I Got” has quickly resonate with fans, already boasting over 92 million streams and is available at all digital retailers here.

After almost 15 years at the top of his format, three-time ACM “Entertainer of the Year” Jason Aldean has seen trends come and go. He’s helped bring a few out of the shadows, like a Country-music Columbus making the mainstream’s first contact with hard rock (“Hicktown”), hip-hop (“Dirt Road Anthem”) and R&B (“Burnin’ It Down”). But after all that time, he continues to hold his ground making modern albums with an old-school soul—most recently with his ninth studio album, 9, which debuted at the top spot on Billboard’s Country Albums chart. Notably, all seven of Aldean’s previous studio albums have been certified PLATINUM or Multi-PLATINUM by the RIAA, while bolstering 15 billion streams and more than 18 million albums sold as well as 23 radio chart-toppers. For more information, visit www.JasonAldean.com.
 

Sunday, July 19, 2020

CdM At Home: My Southern Glam Apartment Tour



I am so excited to share my new apartment tour with you guys! I decided to give my home decor an update since I was moving to VA and am totally embracing the southern theme in my new city!

Check out the video above to see how I updated my look using the same core pieces. You'll notice a lot of the same items from my last apartment but I also used some antiques and statement pieces to pull my look together. I especially love my new comforter from Wayfair.com for my bedroom.
I decided to change up my bedroom from a French bohemian style to a more southern glam theme and incorporated some more colors this time so I love the bright colors in the new comforter that really tie the room together.

During this crazy time where we are all staying at home I was inspired to update my home to reflect a space I wanted to spend time in. I decided to add a reading nook and I am actually in love with the space now that it is set up. I couldn't have done it without the help from DK travel who provided me these beautiful books to display. If you love this idea check out my tips below for creating a home library!
I decided to use my favorite books to display facing outward and then fill in the empty spaces with some of my other books. To make it visually interesting I stacked books underneath them as well.
I love using these travel books because they are beautiful to display and full of fun inspiration to read when I am looking to take a break from everyday life.
When lining up the other books I tried to put the same sized books next to eachother so it would look cohesive and the shelves were full.
I added in a few vases and decorative pieces as well to tie everything together. I love just taking a few minutes to sit in this space and read or just sip my tea in the morning. And the best part is you can make your library fit in whatever space you have whether you want it to be large or small!

I hope these tips were helpful! Thank you so much for reading and let me know if there are any additional pieces you want linked from this video!




Saturday, March 21, 2020

CerisesduMatin Corona Virus Update: Quarantine Self Care Survival Guide


This week has been a very difficult time for all of us with uncertainty for entrepreneurs and workers across all industries. I have seen tons of blog posts about how to fill our time during this mandatory stay at home period so I thought I would share some self care tips for you all today instead! Because managing our anxiety during this time is so important as well as keeping busy so instead of overloading you with more project ideas I've included some of my favorite products for chilling, relaxing, and taking a moment to do that self care we never have time for!

1. Watchworthy App

I love this app because it crates personalized recommendations for shows and movies to binge on. You can swipe left or right on shows you like and don't like. It's just like tinder and let's be honest we could all use a distraction from dating apps right now. It takes so much pressure off of picking the perfect TV option and makes binging on TV a super easy and stress free process! Check it out here Watchworthy.app


2. SHRD Protein Cream: Gold Deluxe


Celebs love the SHRD products! 

The ultimate indulgence this protein cream from Taiwanese haircare brand SHRD is the perfect way to relax and pamper yourself. The cream is 
a luxurious new leave-in treatment that combines gold leaf and deep-sea water sourced off the Eastern waters of Taiwan to provide essential nutrients to the hair and scalp. The SHRD brand are the experts in Taiwanese beauty and have just launched this exciting product in the US so don't hesitate to try it! You can order and find out more here https://shrd.us/

3. Completely Bare at home Wax Strips
These are a life saver in times like these. I know I am used to heading into the salon to get my eyebrows waxed regularly and would not want to show up to my virtual web hang outs and work meetings with crazy eyebrows! I am loving my Completely bare at home wax strips that are easy to use and give salon quality treatment! Don't forget to also apply the after care cream to avoid redness and remove all wax from your skin! https://completelybare.com/

4. Boscia Face Mask and lip surface repair


The Boscia mermaid cryogenic facemask is one of my personal favorites for making my skin look and feel brand new. You can check out all their face mask options for different skin types and skin goals on their website here https://www.boscia.com/shop/category.php?category=new

5. Watch Powerful U’s Award-Winning Documentary titled Perception: Seeing Is Not Believing.


This is a great time to practice self care for our body as well as our mind! There are some great documentaries and books that we can be reading to contribute to self improvement. I know for me I love feeling productive so reading or watching a documentary can be a great way to get your brain working! The award winning filmmaker James Purpura has just released a great documentary called Perception: Seeing is Not Believing. The film explores ways we can take control of our life and gain confidence. You can check out more on his Powerful U platforms! This film is FREE to watch all month long too!

Wishing you guys a good and healthy self quarantine period! One of my favorite ideas for staying connected during this time of social distancing is a virtual happy hour with friends so go ahead and throw on that face and hair mask and break out the wine! Let me know what some of your favorite self care routines are that are keeping you sane right now!