Gallery Wall Goals

September 27, 2016 admin Leave a comment

With my boyfriend Scott as my @bloggerphotographer, and one very important half of our Haute House Flower two-person team, our love of photographs and capturing memories is mutual. While I may not have known exactly how I wanted to decorate our home when we relocated from California to NYC, but I knew a gallery wall of framed photos would definitely play a role in our decor.

So when online custom photo framing company, Framebridge wanted to partner up to help decorate the walls of our new NYC apartment, I could not have been more excited! The concept of professionally framed photography is something I have always loved, but I will admit, the measurements, the matting, etc can get a little bit intimidating.

One of my favorite features Framebridge is the fact that they make it incredibly easy to submit your art in just a few simple steps.

Honestly, the hardest part for me was narrowing down which of our quadrillion pictures to post! I personally really wanted to have a theme to our photos, not just have it be random photos that we loved. When imagining what I wanted to look at every day, I really wanted a constant framed inspiration, and a reason as to why we were here in NYC. It’s cheesy, and I’m sure you’ve seen it all over social media, but it’s something that actually resonates with me, and can apply to any goal you’re going after…”remember why you started.” Revisiting your original goal or mission is a fantastic tactic to help determine if it fits what you stand for, and where you want to go. I can still remember so vividly being back in California, my heart aching for this city, so much so that we decided to move here…so posting photos of all of our trips out here as a couple that inspired us to move here was a no-brainer.

Here are photo-framing tips that I picked up throughout this process, that I hope can be helpful to you. Also, keep read on for a special framing offer just for YOU (yes, you!):

1) Pick photos or art that you love and want to look at every day. A good test? Look away quickly and and look back at the image. What’s the first emotion you feel? If you don’t feel anything, move on to the next picture. Anything you put in your home should immediately spark a feeling in you; whether it’s laughter, excitement, bliss, or even a bittersweet memory of something that no longer exists.

2) Try and stick to a cohesive color scheme. Just as bloggers do to their Instagram feeds, or as a curator would to the walls of a museum look at how the colors fit together and complement each other. Feeling stuck or commitment phobic of a color? Go the route I went – I chose to edit our photos in black and white to keep our color scheme even more uniform, and to ensure that I would never get sick of them.

Also, thinking about the color scheme of the existing furniture and decor that will surround the art, will help you narrow down the concept of the art you’re choosing to frame. Since our bedroom is so white (and so are our dogs!), the black and white photos also plays into the charcoal tones of our bed

3) Plan around your wall space. Especially if you have a tiny Manhattan apartment like me, your wall space is very limited, so measuring and rough sketching out where the art will go in advance is important. We must have toyed around with art placement on every different wall in our home before deciding on the bedroom! .

Love it, hate it? I’m totally dying to hear what you think, so be sure to let me know what you think in the comments section below!

ALSO, Framebridge and I have partnered up to offer you 15% off of your first Framebridge purchase! All you have to do is click HERE and you can enter HAUTEHOUSE15 at checkout. Be sure to follow along on Instagram to see more sneak peaks of our NYC apartment!

All photos by Scott White (@BloggerPhotographer)

Frames and framing services provided courtesy of Framebridge (@framebridge).

*THE APPAREL*

Overalls: Kendall & Kylie , similar HERE

Shirt: Free People

*THE JEWELRY*

Ring: David Yurman

articles, beauty, outfits

Beauty School Drop-In: Blowout

June 6, 2016 admin 1 Comment

How I mastered the at-home blowout in one hour, by dropping in to beauty school at Coba Cosmetology Academy.

I was never the girl that was obsessed with styling her hair growing up. Blame it on the bowl cut, the daily braided buns required for 12+ years of ballet, or my mom and sister’s high maintenance curly hair; that made my naturally stick-straight locks seem like I had styling “under control.” For me, it was always clothes and makeup first, and hair came as a distant afterthought. However, as the years have passed, and my hair has grown to lengths beyond my bowl cut’s wildest dreams, I’ve been trying to get a handle on styling my hair. Nothing gives me the results like a salon blowout, but that can get expensive, and I simply just don’t have the time to get a blowout every few days.

Knowledge is power, right? Having the the ability to recreate a professional-grade blowout at home (and not lose my patience) seemed like it would solve my hair woes forever. I’m a firm believer in leaving it to the experts when I don’t know how to do something. So when Coba Cosmetology Academy invited me to check out their facilities in Orange, CA, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to drop-in to beauty school, learn from the best, and have one of their students teach me how to break down, and finally nail the at-home blowout.

Living in Orange County, I wasn’t familiar with Coba, but I am so impressed by the facilities and the staff. Coba’s cosmetology course teaches students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and professional attitudes for success in the profession, while preparing them to pass the California State Board licensing exam, and help them find employment in the field, all within just ten months. Even better? They have a salon where you can get amazing discounted services performed by students (ahem – a shampoo and blow dry begins at $15)

If you’ve been following along, you may also remember that one of my New Year’s resolutions was to learn how to master the at-home blowout, so I’m excited to be making some headway on my list. Read on for my lessons learned from Coba Academy’s best and brightest.

Step 1:

Wash hair with KMS Color Vitality Shampoo

Follow by washing with KMS Color Vitality Conditioner

Step 2:

Apply KMS Silk Sheen Leave-In Conditioner, which can be used as a detangler.

Spray KMS Free Shape Hot Flex Spray on to use as your heat protector

Apply KMS Add Volume Root and Body Lift to build and add body

Apply KMS Tame Frizz De-Frizz Oil

Add all product before pre drying, otherwise hair will get “crispy”

Step 3:

Rough dry hair for 2-3 min to remove excess water

Divide your hair into five sections (2 sections on the sides, and 3 in the back) by creating a horseshoe shape from your temples to the back of your crown, and then parting it down the middle.

If this is your first time, you may want to clip up the sections, so you can more easily work on one quadrant at a time.

Step 4:

Start by holding the first section of your hair taut, and use the round brush to lift your hair up and away from the scalp.

Position the dryer at an approximately 45 degree angle, and blow dry down the length of the hair, while slowly moving the brush through the hair as you go. When you get close to the end of the piece of hair, use the diffuser nozzle on the dryer to hold the hair up, while putting the round brush close to the scalp, to begin the same process over again. Continue this process until the piece of hair is completely dry. This for me, was the hardest part to get a grasp of, but once I mastered it, it made all the difference in my blowout.

Continue, drying under for volume; and over for smoothing… then under again, for more volume, until hair is completely dry.

Important to note: All of the tricks in the world do not matter, if you don’t have the right brush, which I immediately realized has been my main issue all along. If you have long hair (especially), a successful blow out begins, and ends with your brush. This round brush is not only 100% gorgeous to look at, but it’s large enough that you’re not having to readjust your dryer every second, and makes each pass through, that much easier.

Voilà! That’s literally, it. I’m kind of embarrassed that I didn’t teach myself this earlier, but better late than never. I need to run out and buy all of these products asap, and I do still need more practice, but how do you think I did for my first (official) time?

Was this tutorial helpful? Tell me your other burning beauty questions, and I’ll do my best to get them answered in an upcoming post! Make sure you’re also following me on Instagram, for exclusive giveaways, as well as my daily beauty and fashion obsessions du jour.

For additional information on Coba Cosmetology Academy, please visit: Coba.edu

*THE APPAREL*

Dress: Vintage, similar HERE

*THE BEAUTY*

Brush: Olivia Garden Nanothermic 82 Brush (3 1/4″)

Shampoo: KMS Color Vitality Shampoo

Conditioner: KMS Color Vitality Conditioner

Leave-In Conditioner/Detangler: KMS Silk Sheen Leave-In Conditioner

Heat Protector: KMS Free Shape Hot Flex Spray

Volumizer: KMS Add Volume Root and Body Lift

De-Frizz Oil: KMS Tame Frizz De-Frizz Oil

Hair Dryer: BaByLiss Pro BABP2800 Porcelain Ceramic 2000-Watt Dryer

*THE JEWELRY*

Ring: David Yurman

*THE PHOTOGRAPHER*

Scott White: Follow him on Instagram! @BloggerPhotographer

articles, beauty

Nightly Skincare Routine

February 1, 2016 admin Leave a comment

Raise your hand if you hate taking off your makeup! Presenting, the nightly skincare routine that takes only five minutes, and costs under $60.

As a true makeup lover, I have no issue taking the time to reapply my makeup every few hours, some could even venture to say I’m a little bit addicted to it. There’s just something about it a fresh coat of Urban Decay Ultra Nourishing Lip Gloss, and a sweep of NARS Bronzer in Laguna that makes me feel that much more pulled together. However, when it comes to taking my makeup off at night, that’s a whole different story. You may remember last week’s post about my New Year’s resolutions; but my beauty resolutions the past 2 years have been to simply TAKE MY MAKEUP OFF AT NIGHT.

I think part of the forgetfulness (ok fine, and laziness) comes in wanting to not just waste a face of makeup just on work. I wear makeup for me, but I also wear it so I look presentable in public, and that includes for my boyfriend Scott. He is amazing in that he tells me I look beautiful without makeup all the time, but we live together, and I think it’s important to keep the romance alive and look pretty and polished for him as often as possible. Second reason; I famously don’t need a lot of sleep, I’ve been a six hour sleeper since I was a baby, (my poor parents!), but when I am ready to sleep, I am READY. The last thing I want to do is wake myself up by splashing water on my face, or using my Clarisonic to take off my makeup. Thanks to my beloved Neutrogena Makeup Removing Cleansing Towlettes, I’ve gotten ten times more consistent with removing my makeup at night. Nowadays, I’ll maybe only forget to take off my makeup a couple times a month. (usually on Saturday nights, whoops!)

I keep a packet of wipes on my nightstand, at my desk at work, in my car, and in my bathroom. Call it excessive, but they work for everything, even beyond removing your makeup (I’ve used them to remove bronzer smudges off walls (lol), hair product off of your hands, coffee spills off leather, they even serve as an excellent post-workout towlette! They are packed with moisture and have the most addicting, fresh, comforting, scent about them. I have literally tried every type of makeup wipe on the market, and these remain a strong first.

Read on for the rest of my night time makeup removal regime, please note that all of this I do while sitting in bed, and catching up on YouTube beauty tutorial videos. Efficiency = heaven. While the face wipes remain the same, I do like to switch up my face products and eye creams to keep my skin guessing. Below is one of my favorite go-to nightly skincare routine combos that is super easy, and not to mention, wallet-friendly:

Step 1:

Neutrogena Makeup Removing Cleansing Towlettes

Gently wipe your face with a towlette, removing dirt and all traces of face and eye makeup. Do not rinse. (Tip: For those of you that have eyelash extensions like me, these wipes are a must-have so you don’t have to get your lashes wet. I simply close my eyes, and gently wipe the tops of the lashes from the lash line, outwards.) I typically use 2-3 wipes per makeup removal session.

Step 2:

Sebamed Anti-Ageing Q10 Lifting Eye Cream

Lightweight yet buttery and glides on. Simply apply by lightly tapping (not rubbing) under eye area with your ring finger.

Step 3:

L’Oréal Collagen Moisture Filler Day/Night Cream

More on this little miracle product later, but trust me, it’s life-changing. Apply dollop to entire face and neck in gentle, upward motions, and literally feel your skin start to look younger. (Tip: I use any excess to moisturize my hands)

Et voilà! You’re fresh faced and most importantly, finished. Do you live by makeup wipes, or is it just me? What’s your nighttime makeup removal routine? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below! Make sure you’re also following me on Instagram, for exclusive giveaways, as well as my daily beauty and fashion tips (and obsessions!)

*THE APPAREL*

Sweater: Enza Costa

*THE BEAUTY*

Towlettes: Neutrogena Makeup Removing Cleansing Towlettes

Face Lotion: L’Oréal Collagen Moisture Filler Day/Night Cream

Eye Cream: Sebamed Anti-Ageing Q10 Lifting Eye Cream

*THE JEWELRY*

Ring: David Yurman

*THE PHOTOGRAPHER*

Scott White: Follow him on Instagram! @BloggerPhotographer

articles, outfits

2016 New Year’s Resolutions

January 20, 2016 admin Leave a comment

My 2016 New Year’s Resolutions revealed. Every January, I take a few minutes to turn the focus inwards, on the ways in which I can improve myself.

Happy New Year Lovers! Is everyone back into the swing of things, and settling back into work? #TheStruggleIsReal, am I right?

As we ring in this first month of 2016, I can’t help but reflect on this past year and all of the incredible things I’ve gotten to do since launching Haute House Flower, all thanks to each and every one of YOU! I’ll actually be sharing some of these highlights in a super personal, exclusive interview (more details coming soon!), so be sure to follow along on Instagram to stay tuned on the big reveal.

I’m definitely someone you could classify as highly conscientious (read: Type-A to the MAX!), and I typically don’t share my New Year’s resolutions with anyone, I usually prefer to share achievements when they happen. However, I wanted to share a few lighthearted resolutions that I’m absolutely forcing myself to do this year…also in the hopes that you guys can help hold me accountable! My plan is to share them on the blog, and hopefully I can inspire some of you. Hey, they say that the discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen, right?

1. Fashion Resolution: Wear More Color

This outfit doesn’t count. Lol. So here’s my theory; there are girls who wear color, and girls who wear black, and then there are the girls that seamlessly can do both. I’m finding myself in an in-between place. Why? Let’s be real: I’m a fashion & beauty publicist by day, and a blogger by night. (read: PR girls notoriously wear black.) I have tried to fight this all-black-everything outfit stigma over my 10 year stint in the PR industry, but black honestly is the easiest thing to wear, and always looks chic and pulled together, even those times when you’re SO not. That being said, I want to explore a wider color range beyond just black and my current go-to neutrals (white, nude, grey, navy) and force myself to get out of my comfort zone for a few reasons:

a) Colors photograph better. Yes, this is my number one reason. LOL.

b) Colors elevate your mood, and make your outfit more memorable.

c) I have my whole life to wear black.

d) I think wearing color will make me a better dressed human, and who doesn’t want that?

2. Beauty Resolution: Learn How To Do a Salon Professional Blowout…AT HOME

I’m truly embarrassed that I don’t already know how to give myself a proper salon-worthy blowout. I WORK IN BEAUTY YOU GUYS. I’ve tried so many different approaches, and countless YouTube videos over the years, I’ve even enlisted the help of my hair stylist, and I still can never seem to make my hair look 1% as good as it does when I leave her salon. This is pathetic, no? To my credit, not only do I have a ton of hair with very fine strands, but it’s extremely long. The thought of being able to get the bouncy, whip-my-hair-back-and-forth sassy hair of my dreams, (at home, nonetheless) makes me happy beyond measure. Not to mention it’s a huge money saver!

3. Personal Resolution: Travel More

I love to travel. However, with my crazy hectic work schedule (see above) I just don’t get the opportunity to travel as much as I’d like. I’ve been fortunate to travel all over the world, but I have to admit that some of my favorite blogger’s Instagram’s are giving me major wanderlust FOMO. A self-confessed workaholic, traveling is how I unwind. Locations on the immediate travel agenda include; Las Vegas, NYC, Miami, and let’s wish upon a shooting star that Paris is in there somewhere.

So now on to you…do you set New Year’s resolutions? If so, what are they? I’d love if you shared any details with me. Also, what do you want to see from Haute House Flower in 2016? I’m here for you, so tell me everything, darling…Cheers to you, and to an amazing year!

Jordan

*THE APPAREL*

Jumpsuit: Vintage

*THE JEWELRY*

Ring: David Yurman

*THE PHOTOGRAPHER*

Scott White: Follow him on Instagram! @BloggerPhotographer

articles, beauty, outfits

Flashes of Delight

December 31, 2015 admin Leave a comment

Achieve that lit-from-within skin radiance realness; with the at-home microdermabrasion kit from DERMAFLASH.

In my early twenties, I became obsessed with flawless looking skin. Like so many women, I made the mistake of trying to achieve this look by covering my skin with foundation and makeup, rather than focusing on taking care of my skin. I always wore sunscreen, but I was self-admittedly horrible about removing my makeup before bed, much less getting regular facials. Luckily for me, I’ve never been prone to acne, and have always had pretty clear skin, so despite my best efforts, I was to maintain relatively clear skin, even though I was slacking big time on my skin care. A few years ago, as one of my best friends was prepping for her wedding, she kept going on and on about the benefits of microdermabrasion. I always thought that she was doing microdermabrasion to treat acne, but as she told me more about it, I started to realize that it also was used to help decrease and prevent the signs of aging. Now, I’ve been on the watch for wrinkles since age twenty-two, so hearing about a regular procedure that would help promote luminous, youthful-looking skin, caught my attention right away.

I got my first microdermabrasion treatment weeks later, and loved the results; baby soft, radiant skin, with a glow that simply cannot be achieved with makeup. I was hooked. However, as time has gone on, and my schedule has gotten increasingly packed, I’ve had to streamline my beauty maintenance regime each month to be as time-efficient, and as cost-effective as possible. The fact is, I don’t always have time for a trip to a med spa for my beloved microdermabrasion, and the price tag adds up, which makes it that much easier to postpone. You can imagine my delight, when StyleWatch and DERMAFLASH asked me to try out their at-home microdermabrasion kit.

I was absolutely thrilled with the results. The product is so easy to use, and my face feels baby soft after my first DERMAFLASH facial. The best part? Makeup goes on smoother, and skin products sink into skin, making them that much more effective! You have ten minutes to do this once a week, and if you don’t…MAKE the time! You’re so worth it. 😉

DERMAFLASH – $189

What it is:
A first in class at-home, patented, safe, hygienic, exfoliating device inspired by dermaplaning, a procedure available only in medical spas or doctor’s offices, which refinishes skin by removing dead skin cells and built up debris, while also gently removing facial hair for smooth, luminous, and youthful-looking skin. DERMAFLASH Facial Exfoliating Device prepares the skin perfectly for skincare and creates the ideal canvas for flawless makeup application. DERMAFLASH makes you look as though lit from within and results increase with each use.

What it does:
Made specifically for women, DERMAFLASH Facial Exfoliating Device comfortably and discreetly sweeps away skin imperfections, dullness, and peach fuzz with a subtle sonic vibration. In just three simple steps, it gently removes dead cells, debris, and fine hair from the cheeks, jawline, lip area, chin, and forehead. It is safe for all skin types, skin colors, and ages. DERMAFLASH immediately unveils smoother, more vibrant, and younger-looking skin with each use, which can all be achieved in the comfort of your own home.

This set contains:

DERMAFLASH Facial Exfoliating Device, charging base, and line cord
6 x DERMAFLASH Exfoliating Edges – To perform DERMAFLASH
0.8 oz Prep(a pre-treatment cleanser)
0.8 oz Soothe(a nourishing hydrator for use immediately after using DERMAFLASH)

Suggested Usage: (*Please refer to your owner’s manual for exact directions.)

Use DERMAFLASH Facial Exfoliating Device one time per week.
Emulsify Prep with warm water and gently massage onto face. Rinse well with water and pat dry.
Apply Edge by using short feather strokes in a downward motion.
Beginning at cheekbone, hold skin taut with finger from opposite hand.
Following the contours of your face, use short feathery strokes in a downward motion covering each area only once. The blue pads on either side of the device will act as your guide.
Lie pad just above the surface of your skin to keep DERMAFLASH at the perfect angle.
After using DERMAFLASH device, massage a small amount of Soothe onto the face.
Insert used edge back into cartridge and place DERMAFLASH on charging base.

Would you ever try microdermabrasion at home? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below! Make sure you’re also following me on Instagram, for exclusive giveaways, as well as my daily beauty and fashion tips (and obsessions!)

*THE APPAREL*

Sweater: Nordstrom

*THE BEAUTY*

Product: DERMAFLASH

*THE JEWELRY*

Ring: David Yurman

*THE PHOTOGRAPHER*

Scott White: Follow him on Instagram! @BloggerPhotographer

articles, beauty, outfits

Glam Girl Gift Guide

November 23, 2015 admin Leave a comment

We all have that ONE friend or family member. That Glam Girl (or guy) who seemingly already has everything, and has very specific taste, yet gives no recommendations for what they want or need this holiday season. It’s impossible to give them gifts! At the risk of sounding super annoying, I’m kind of that girl.

People start asking me in early November what I want for the holidays, and for whatever reason, my requests for gift cards are just no longer an acceptable answer. What they’re not understanding, is that I thoroughly enjoy the process of shopping. Yes, it’s super helpful, and so appreciated if you’ve already gotten me an item on my list, but if something makes THE LIST, it probably means I’ve been thinking about it for awhile. This also means that the satisfaction that I’ll get out of purchasing that item in-store, then walking out of the store, with a shiny bag heavy with aforementioned item, re-opening it at home, and putting it away, is half the fun for me. (By the way, I’m pretty sure that qualifies me as a shopaholic, no?)

Unfortunately, I don’t have all the time in the world to shop, but one thing is for sure, my friends and family know that they cannot go wrong if they get me something at my go-to beauty mecca, Ulta Beauty. Their mix of drugstore, department store, and salon products in every price range, all under one roof, makes it a one-stop-gift-shop. Whether it’s my beloved makeup wipes, my signature scent, or salon-exclusive shampoo…… I’m guaranteed to love it.

In the spirit of the holidays, and for the sanity of my loved ones, I wanted to share a couple of items that have made it to my personal holiday list this season, and that are sure to be a hit with the Glam Girl (even if it’s you) in your life. The best part? They are both under $20 each (!), plus you can snag them online now. (Because let’s be honest, not everyone loves the physical act of shopping as much as I do.)

1) House of Hues 34 Piece Complete Face Set – $14

This is THE ultimate palette to get you through the day, night and weekend! At $14 (it’s a $66.50 value), this is the ideal secret santa gift. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t love this, and the colors are just gorgeous. I love that there are so many pretty lip shades! The palette’s small, compact size allows you to pop it in your purse for an evening out, or to keep in your car for those traffic touch-ups. (I know I’m not the only one that does this!)

Collection includes:

2) Be Discovered 67 Piece Collection – $19.99

When I spotted this, it was like a beacon of light was shining down on it, screaming, “I’m perfect, I’m perfect!” Guess what’s even more perfect? The PRICE. I’m sorry, it’s only $20 for everything I’ll ever need (a $175 value!), plus it comes in a case? How is this possible, like, what’s the catch?! Ladies, this is what makes Ulta Beauty just AMAZING. I personally snagged the classic black version for myself, but it also comes in mauve.

Needless to say, I couldn’t wait to try it out for myself, and I can safely say that I’m obsessed. The bronzer/blush duos, and the brushes are just gorgeous, and I love that everything can fit all in one place.

Ulta’s Be Discovered 67 Piece Collection is a collection designed to be an all-in-one cosmetic case for your beauty needs. This case has two secret compartments full of products and tools. For pesky little sisters, curious puppies, and no-boundaries roomates, not to worry, there’s a lock and key closure.

Collection includes:

Basically, it’s perfection in a box. I plan on keeping this at the office so I never have to lug my insane looking, bronzer-coated makeup bag there again. I’ll just pop my concealer and BB cream in there, and I’ll have everything I need. Ahem, what are you waiting for, have you ordered it yet?!

What’s on your list this season, or who is the biggest headache on your list? I’d LOVE to help you out, and want to hear from you in the comments section below! Ps. Make sure you’re following me on Instagram, I have some super amazing giveaways, and shopping discounts coming up, that are designed to help with all of your holiday shopping, and gift-giving this season!

*THE APPAREL*

Robe: Vintage

*THE JEWELRY*

Ring: David Yurman

*THE PHOTOGRAPHER*

Scott White: Follow him on Instagram! @BloggerPhotographer

articles, beauty, outfits

Boldly Go

October 21, 2015 admin Leave a comment

Fashion month has officially ended. C’est fini. While I was fortunate enough to experience every delectable detail of NY Fashion Week in person, I have to admit, my FOMO for Paris Fashion Week (ok, and London and Milan too…) was at an all time high this season.

Every day, my Instagram feed and Snapchat stories were overloaded with European fashion week adventures, of both the filtered, and unfiltered variety. I watched, mesmerized as street style stars like @PeaceLoveShea and @CarolineVreeland took social media by storm; all while narrating the trends for the season via 10 second Snapchat runway clips from epic shows like Dior, Barbara Bui, and Balenciaga. As a long-time fashion and beauty publicist (and girly-girl at heart) I live for the runway coverage. The dramatic outfits, over-the-top sets, music, models, and of course, the makeup. Whether I was watching social media selfies, or snapchat soliloquies, one thing was evident, bold eyebrows and defined arches are here to stay.

This is fabulous news for someone like myself; who has recently made peace with her dark, shapely brows that she once hated at 16 years old. It was only a few years ago that I learned that I still needed to fill my brows…being dark and arched is half the battle, but being full is quite another. I’ve heard for years about Anastasia Beverly Hills, and as my brow obession has grown, I’ve been dying to try them out. So when People Stylewatch and Ulta Beauty asked me to review their Anastasia Beverly Hills bold brow kits, I jumped at the opportunity.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Dark Brown – $21

I love anything with dual purposes (can you say efficiency?), and this double sided pencil and spooley brush duo is no exception. The pencil allows you to draws the tiniest of lines, allowing you to easily mimic brow hairs with the skinny pencil. I then used the spooley brush to blend color for a natural finish.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in Dark Brown – $23

Since my brows have some sparse areas, I also used this powder duo to get a full, dark brow look. I actually just used a pointed q-tip (beauty essential) to draw the darker color over the parts of my brow that have little to no hair. I then used the other, rounded side of the q-tip, and dipped it in the lighter color to cover the darker shade, and the rest of the brows./>

Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlighting Duo Pencil in Shell Lace – $23

Definitely my favorite product of the ones that I tried, this double-sided pencil is an Anastasia Beverly Hills salon secret weapon. I used it as the finishing touch to make my arches pop. The shimmery end glides over skin to illuminate browbones, while the matte end softly defines. I simply applied the matte directly under the brow hairs on the brow bone, and then applied and blended the shimmer highlighter across my entire brow bone with my finger.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel – $22

To keep everything in place, I applied the Anastasia Brow Gel as my last step. I loved the finished, groomed effect that it gave. It kept my brows controlled throughout the day, without any flaking.

I loved all of the products, and for everyday I’ll be using the brow wiz, the brow gel, and the highlighting duo. The powder duo is gorgeous, but just a little bit more time consuming for me (personally) for those rushed mornings, but definitely a MUST for weekends and evenings. Are you an Anastasia Beverly Hills devotee? What are your favorite products, I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below! I also have some super exciting, designer giveaways in store for you this month, so stay tuned by following along on my Instagram!

*THE APPAREL*

Dress: Vintage

*THE JEWELRY*

Ring: David Yurman

*THE PHOTOGRAPHER*

Scott White: Follow him on Instagram! @BloggerPhotographer

outfits

StyleCon OC

October 13, 2015 admin Leave a comment

Life has been so busy lately that I almost didn’t realize that it’s almost been ONE year since I launched Haute House Flower! I can’t even believe it, what an incredibe whirlwind it’s been.

For those of you that have been following along in my adventures in style, blogging, and work (especially those of you that have been here since the beginning!) thank you so much for all of your comments, love and support. Even though I can’t always respond to everyone, I read and truly appreciate every single comment, and like. I am so excited to continue to grow and share with each and every one of you, and I can’t think of a better way to kick off YEAR TWO, than with some amazing news…

I am beyond thrilled and honored to announce that I’m going to one of the featured bloggers at StyleCon OC this year! Come meet me and 15 other bloggers at The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center on Saturday, November 7, 2015.

Tickets start at $29 and include a custom StyleTote valued at almost $75 stuffed with some of my favorite beauty and fashion finds. The $79 VIP ticket includes an even more fabulous (and I mean fabbbulous!) VIP StyleTote.

Click HERE to buy tickets, can’t wait to see you there!

About StyleCon:

StyleCon is a one-day event which takes place from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, November 7, 2015, at The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center.

StyleCon is estimated to draw 1,000 millennial social influencers, media and fans. Attendees will engage with leading brands, attend style panels, fashion presentations and meet & greets with favorite Instagrammers, bloggers, and YouTubers, and collect lots of fun giveaways. Not to mention, there will be boutique- style shopping, and yummy food trucks so attendees can enjoy the whole day at StyleCon. Topshop (my fave!) is StyleCon’s leading fashion sponsor and is hosting a Pop Up Shop with lots of activations. Other participating brands include; Sleek Hair, Blushington, SkinnyPOP, VitaCoco, Honest Tea, and many more!

Be sure to invite your friends to the event, and stay connected by following StyleCon on Instagram, and Facebook.

Haute Off The Runway, outfits

NYFW DAY TWO

October 5, 2015 admin 3 Comments

NYFW is, to say the least, not very conducive to high maintenance outfits. Pair that with changing in between shows, lugging your outfits and makeup around, it can get un peu exhausting.

While Fashion Week occasion calls for over-the-top outfits, New York as city, has no mercy. Whatever your mode of show transportation; in the back of a town car, an uber, or hustling on the subway, New York is still a (beautiful) grind. When I tried on this playful chiffon number from Stone Cold Fox, I instantly knew it would be my favorite outfit of NY Fashion Week. The breezy chiffon, off-the shoulder, voluminous sleeves, and mod babydoll look felt effortless, but looked fashion forward, and most importantly, just felt like ME. These knee high boots, (my favorites, that continue transition so easily from season to season) add drama without the discomfort. With the platform, they’re actually pretty comfortable. Well, at least for a few hours of pounding the pavement anyways! 😉

*THE SHOW*

Runway Photos by Getty Images

THE BRAND: Tracey Reese RTW Spring 2016

THE DESIGNER: Tracey Reese

THE INSPIRATION:

Tracy Reese’s women’s ready-to-wear Spring 2016 collection was contemporary feminity at it’s best. Ladylike silhouettes with a seductive, yet playful twist. Bold oversized flowers (obviously I was instantly obsessed!) were strewn strategically over sheer chiffon frocks, strapless fluid jumpsuits and off the shoulder knee-grazing dresses.

One thing is clear, lace is the new topper. Lace sweatshirts and sheer collared confections added instant elegance to more revealing ensembles. My favorite look of the show; a layer of delicate black lace placed over a minimalist sequined slip dress. Sarah Jessica Parker collaborated with Tracy Reese on the perfectly paired footwear that added oomph in true SJP form…can you even handle those clear cap-toes, not to mention the glitter booties?!

[To see more of my New York Fashion Week adventures, check out #AHauteHouseFlowerBloomsInNYC and follow me on Instagram!)

*MY OUTFIT*

Dress: Stone Cold Fox (sold out); similar HERE

Boots: Aquazzura

Earrings: Lord & Taylor

Handchain: Saks Fifth Avenue

Ring: Chanel

Bag: Saint Laurent

*THE PHOTOGRAPHER*

Scott White [Follow him on Instagram @BloggerPhotographer!)

Haute Off The Runway, outfits

NYFW DAY ONE

September 21, 2015 admin Leave a comment

Returning to NYFW for a second season, I figured I would know the drill; eat, sleep, fashion shows, repeat. Although I anticipated the changes with this season’s new show locations, the scattered venues called for a whole new level of organization upon arrival.

Fresh off a red eye, disoriented, and en route to my first show on day one of NYFW, a last minute rainfall made way for an impromptu photo shoot. One of the things I love the most about blogging and photography, is that it forces you to capture the little things, take note of the world around you, and enjoy life’s spontaneous moments. It’s such a good reminder, that I personally need to be more mindful of; even in the busiest and most chaotic of times, you can always take a minute to dance (or shoot!) in the rain.

Speaking of the world around you, let’s take a second to talk street style! If you’ve been following my NYFW adventures on Snapchat (@HauteHouseFlowr) and Instagram, you know that the trends and people watching was NEXT LEVEL this season! The street look was rampant with fringe, shades of cream, platform shoes, enormous sunglasses, ear dusters, and all things 1970’s (and a little bit of rocker early 80’s!) which reigned supreme. As for the runway? Stay tuned for all of my NYFW show recaps…coming your way this week!

[To see more of my New York Fashion Week adventures, check out #AHauteHouseFlowerBloomsInNYC and follow me on Instagram!)

*MY OUTFIT*

Dress: A.F. Vandevorst

Shoes: Gianvito Rossi

Earrings: Lord & Taylor

Watch: Movado

Ring: David Yurman

Bag: Saint Laurent

*THE PHOTOGRAPHER*

Scott White [Follow him on Instagram @BloggerPhotographer!)

HAUTE HOUSE FLOWER

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NYFW DAY ONE

Returning to NYFW for a second season, I figured I would know the drill; eat, sleep, fashion shows, repeat. Although I anticipated the changes with this season’s new show locations, the scattered venues called for a whole new level of organization upon arrival.

❁ A Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle Blog by Jordan Landes-Brenman