Have you all heard of Influenster? Basically, you sign up, fill out a few surveys about yourself and sync your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.  Then, they match you up with brands to send you free products. You don’t have to be a blogger or even have a ton of followers to get free stuff. Anyway, I’ve gotten a few things over the years, and these lipsticks are the latest.

I’ve heard a bunch about Bite Beauty on YouTube, so I was excited to get these. They sent me a red, berry and a pink/nude. The berry is SO bright; I’d save it for special occasions. They smell like the Fresh Sugar lip balms. The pink/nude shade, Pepper, is my favorite because it’s the most subtle.

Did you get these too? What did you think?

When I was younger, I remember wanting Seventeen but only being allowed American Girl. These days, I take a lot of care in the types of things I read and watch, because I know that it shapes my thoughts and perspectives. I have a lot of favorite sites, blogs and books, but I also appreciate a good magazine. One of my favorite ways to spend a weekend morning is flipping through new issues.

I used to only buy them when I was getting on a plane or sometimes for beach trips. After I started blogging, I found that I was pulling a lot of inspiration for posts from magazines and buying more and more of them. Here are my favorite magazines and a little about what I like about them:

Allure/Glamour: This one’s all about beauty, so of course it’s one of my favorites. I flip through and find out about new products that are coming out, like the new waterproof version of my favorite mascara from Too Faced. I especially loved the cover pictured above and bought purple eyeliner to copy Salma’s makeup look. Glamour’s similar to Allure, but covering a more wide range of topics. I loved this article they did on confidence with Mindy Kaling.

Better Homes and Gardens/Good Housekeeping:

O: I love Oprah’s Favorite Things and she has a really great set of contributors. Everything is positive and helpful.

Real Simple: I like that the tips and shopping suggestions are always attainable. There are recipes too, but I skip over those and look for home decor, fashion and beauty. In the latest issue, I loved the dresses they picked out for spring. The blush sheath I just bought from Ann Taylor was featured. It’s very cool to see things you have in your closet in a magazine.

Richmond Magazine/R Home: My favorite part about these is seeing my friends and people I admire featured in the content.  I met Carey of Corks and Caftans through work and it was very cool to see her feature in their BVLD insert.

I’m also a huge, huge fan of Young House Love. I first heard about them when they spoke at an AIGA Conference and was so absorbed in their story about leaving their careers in advertising  in New York and building a business together here in Richmond. I even got a photo with them that night. R Home featured them and their new book (I bought one one but two copies – I guess I thought I needed a backup?) a few months back.

My friend Olivia (@lovebrooksy) curated an art deco piece for a summer issue.

And my friend and fellow Elements Beauty Blogger Caroline of Sweet Caroline RVA writes for their bridal issues.

Shape/Women’s Health: WH is an interesting one. They cover fitness and recipes, obviously, but also mix in some fashion and beauty. I don’t subscribe to Shape but I pick it up at the grocery store when the cover looks interesting. They have great features on workout clothes that have introduced me to some new brands. How fun is this bikini from a summer issue?

I try to get my magazines through Amazon so I can manage all of the subscriptions in one place. For a few of them, I’m also subscribed to the digital versions, which I really enjoy. I get an email when the new issue comes out and download it to my iPad. When you read the issue through the Newsstand app, the formatting is a little different and more interactive than print, which I like. A lot of times you can also click through directly to buy what you’re reading about.

Which magazines are your favorite?

PS: The best part of magazines are OBVIOUSLY the free sample/perfume inserts, am I right?

I’m so, so excited to share that R Home did a feature on me (and Kitty) in their March/April issue. Here are the details:

First, Julie Young, a contributing writer, came to my house to interview me. We chatted for a few hours about VCU, my career and my home. A few weeks later, Sarah Walor came by to take photographs based on the story Julie had put together.

I had to give Kitty about 50 treats that day, trying to get her to pose for the camera.

Sarah, Julie and the team did a beautiful job and it was such a fun experience! Check out the article here.

I took over the Virginia Bloggers Instagram for a week and had a blast. It was fun sharing a little piece of each day. Here are a few of my favorite shots.

(Click through for the captions)

I think it’s fun to give a friend something special at Valentine’s Day. Here are a few things I’ve given in the past and some ideas!

Flowers from Amanda Burnette: I’ve ordered flowers from Amanda several times and they’re ALWAYS beautiful. They’re so much more unique than something you could get at a national chain or at the grocery store. TODAY (2/10) is the last day to place your order to get these in time for Valentine’s Day!

Deborah Lippmann Nail Polishes: All of these polishes are gorgeous. As a fun little bonus, they’re all named after songs. I’m partial to Respect and Sarah Smile. They’re also free of harsh chemicals and cruelty-free. Get them for 10% off AND in time for Sunday if you order by tomorrow at elementsbeautyshop.com.  If you’re in Richmond, you can even stop by their store in Carytown. Elements also has my FAVORITe perfume, the Elixr of Love from Caswell-Massey. I can’t imagine anyone not liking this scent. It smells SO good.

Candy Valley Cake Company Cake Pops: Keya Wingfield makes the most beautiful intricate and creative desserts I’ve ever seen! I was introduced to her work when she made these gecko cake pops for one of my clients back in 2010. She also made these awesome and super realistic pops for my clients at Elements. You still have time to get these heart cake pops if you order today!

Buxom Lip Polish: These are one of my favorite lines for lip gloss, and they’re all named after women! I was first introduced to them when I worked at a bareMinerals boutique in college and they had only Krystal, Dolly, Bambi and a few others. They’ve since expanded the collection to include Jessica, Elizabeth, Christina (!), Kristen, Kelly and more. I gave my friend Sophia her namesake shade when I did her makeup for her wedding  last summer. My personal favorites are Erin, Krystal and Dolly.

Rich Bitch: A lot of my friends are in similar industries and we talk a lot about our careers, professionalism and give each other advice and share resources. I think a book that’s really helped you is an awesome gift. My friend Sara gave me Cheryl Strayed’s ‘Brave Enough’ for Christmas, and I thought it was just the perfect gift. Last month, my friend Jevata and I hosted an Inspiration party and invited some women we admire and care about to share their favorite books. You can check that list out here.

Experience gifts are always awesome too. Nobody hates a gift certificate for a mani/pedi. I like Heather at Canvas the Salon. SHE DID OLIVIA POPES NAILS, people! She’s right here in Richmond but she was called in to do a VIP manicure for Kerry Washington in DC. You can read about how it happened here. Of course I IMMEDIATELY ordered the shade she used. It’s available in this kit at HSN. I ordered several to save as gifts!

Erno Laszlo Hydra Therapy Mask | $90 |ElementsBeautyShop.com – The biggest difference I notice is that it makes the skin very soft and plumps it up. I love the way it smells and this is one of my most luxurious-feeling masks.  You sleep in it too!

Boscia Tsubaki Deep Hydrating Sleeping Mask – I got a sample of this in one of my Sephora orders and just ordered a full-size. Here’s what Sephora has to say about it: Tsubaki (Camellia) Oil firms, hydrates, and protects against free radical damage. Allantoin provides hydration and supports natural cell renewal with natural anti-bacterial and deep-cleansing benefits. Wakame prevents fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness by replenishing protein, helping to support natural collagen production. Rice Bran Oil reduces dark spots and increases micro-circulation for soft, glowing skin. I say,  it smells amazing and gives you super soft, moisturized skin to wake up to.

REN Instant firming Beauty Shot | $54 | ElementsBeautyShop.com –  I like to carry a sample-sized version of this in my makeup bag to pat on whenever my makeup creases (usually between my brows). This smells like roses and the little bottle is so cute. I recently tried it all over my face, patting it on before moisturizer, and I loved how it felt and made my foundation look. They hyaluronic acid in this is meant to plump up your skin and hold in moisture. It also smells like rose. 

La Mer Soft Cream $85 – $465 | Nordstrom – obviously a classic. I got this as a Christmas gift and then re-purchased when it ran out about eight months later. I use this sparingly because it’s so pricey, sometimes just as an eye cream.

Fresh Rose Mask $62 | Sephora – This mask feels SO fancy and it’s super gentle. The texture is somewhere between a liquid and a gel. It smells soooo good. When my face feels dry and irritated, this os the one I use.

byTerry baume de rose $60 | Beauty.com – I got this on a Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal and combined used some birchbox points. This is VERY similar to Dior’s Creme de Rose, and I’ve been using it throughout the day whenever my lips get dry. If you’re looking for something similar but less expensive, try Benefit’s Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm. They smell like roses and come in a few different colors. “Lollibalm” is my favorite and reminds me of the new lilac Lip Glow Dior came out with for spring.

Erno Laszlo Hydra Therapy Serum | $90 | ElementsBeautysShop.com – A long time favorite. I went into detail on this one here. Basically, it’s super light and I like to add it underneath another moisturizer for winter.

GlamGlow ThirstyMud Mask | $69 | Sephora – This one smells like coconuts and is SUPER moisturizing. You can either leave this one on for a few minutes or sleep in it (I usually wash it off). I use this one when my face is extra, extra dry but not irritated or sensitive. If you’re going to get this one, make sure to get the kit. (same proce as the mask but has some extras).

Ole Henriksen Blue/Black Berry Enzyme Mask | $34 | Sephora – When I’m not sure which my skin needs more – moisture or exfoliation – I use this one. It smells like lavender and feels calming and nice for irritated, dry skin.

Post your favorites for winter in the comments. I want to try them all!

PS: Use the code TIRAMISU for 10% off any purchase at ElementsBeautyShop.com

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I am SO excited to talk to you all about Adornable Box. Remember the boutique,  Beckett, that I mentioned in my Charleston travel post? The owner, Athena, just started a jewelry service that’s amazing.

Here’s how it works:

After you share some info about your preferences with Adornable, they’ll send you a box full of jewelry to try. You have 3 days to try on your jewelry and decide which, if any, you’d like to keep.

Then, pack up the box with the items you are returning, use the enclosed return label to return the box, and ENJOY your new pieces You’re only charged only for the items you keep.

Everything came in these cuttle little pouches with personalized notes from Athena about why she chose the items. The prices are also noted on each piece.

I’ve tried jewelry subscriptions before and never found anything I loved. I like delicate jewelry that’s simple but pretty and that’s exactly what Athena picked out for me.

I LOVE this bracelet. This and the earrings are definitely my top two picks. I’ve been wearing the bracelet almost everyday. The necklace with the tiny blue beads is so elegant and unique. 

I was amazed by the quality of all of the pieces.  The #1 thing I was concerned about is having pieces that don’t tarnish and that hold up well. Even though the prices range from only about $15-$35, everything is so nice. I’ve worn these several times and everything is sturdy.

These are the kind of earrings that slide through your pierced ear so a section is on either side. I wore them everywhere from a Christmas party to work.

This piece was neat in that you could wear it as a necklace or as a bracelet.

I layered the blue bead necklace with a piece I already had. The notecard Athena has enclosed with it suggested I pair it with a white/cream blouse, which I’ll definitely be trying.

This is such a fun concept and I can’t wait to get my next box.

To sign up for an Adornable box of your very own (or get one for a friend for Christmas!), fill out this form. For the holidays, you’ll get a $10 coupon in box to use toward favorite pieces. If you’re giving Adornable as a gift, you can purchase a gift certificate of any amount for the receiver to spend on their favorite pieces!

My favorite local beauty boutique, Elements of Carytown, is having a Christmas Party this Thursday. A Very Cary Christmas will be from 4-8pm. See more details and RSVP here.

The Elements Beauty Bloggers have put together gift guides with our favorite beauty products. Check out Caroline, Whitney, Susanna and Stephanie’s picks here. All of the products talk about (and everything else in the store) will be 20% off when you mention any of our blogs or use any of our discount codes online from 12/3-12/10. That means you can get goodies from REN, Peter Thomas Roth (hello, time to splurge on that 24K gold mask), Malin + Goetz, Erno Laszlo (my personal favorite) and more. PLUS, shipping is free with any $25 order.

For a more extensive guide of my all-time favorite Elements products, click here. If I had to choose just one favorite, it would be this Erno Laszlo Hydra Therapy Infusion Serum. It smells amazing and is just moisturizing enough for my skin.

My friend Jevata and I had a fabulous time at Saks a few weeks ago. Her friend Beverly George is a personal shopper there, and we thought it would be fun to let her try out fall’s trends on us. First, a little explanation on what a personal shopper is, and who can use the service.

Anyone can use a personal shopper. Budgets vary, of course, and Beverly can accommodate. She works with people who are looking to expand their wardrobe because of a life change like a new job, people who shop with her for new things each season, and people who shop couture that needs to be custom-ordered. She has clients all over the country. You can send photos of yourself so she can pick out clothes that will work for your build and style.

You can also shop for gifts. Beverly can work with you to shop for family or for special occasion items like bridesmaids gifts.

If you’re interested in trying or purchasing any of the clothes or accessories below, email her at Beverlybeverly_george@s5a.com or give her a call at 804.317.1413. You can also follower her on Instagram: @saksfifthbev.

After we tried on our first outfit, we went back to the room to find fruit, cheese and water to refuel for our next outfit change.

We wore these masks to protect the clothes from makeup. (Have you ever seen these before? I hadn’t.)

For our first look, I love this Tadashi Shoji strapless gown and Elie Tahari fur jacket. (I lovvved this coat)

Jevata sported this elegant white Escada suit. I love the bow in the front.

I LOVED these Stuart Weitzman shoes. (PS, that’s Essie’s Bikini So Teeny on my toes)

Jevata looks SO stunning.

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