NYC Bridal Week 2013 Recap

Bridal Week 2013 has been clicking along here in NYC and what dreamy week it has been. I have been super busy and therefor constantly checking my Pinterest feed to see all the gorgeous dresses for one very important runway in life. Here are some of my favorites, how about you?

Can Oscar de la Renta really do no wrong? Not from my point of view. 

His gowns were all a bride's dream. He even added a little Something Blue to some. 

 Monique Lhullier never disappoints. I love all of her soft chiffon dresses. 

That top right with the crystals is especially catching my eye.

 Roman Keveza has always been a favorite of mine.

The wrapped dress gives a little Grecian Goddess without being hoakey.

 Vera Wang along with some other designers made some bold red statements. 

I can't say I'd pick this as my wedding dress, but I definitely love the gown! 

 Marchesa's line of sheer, peepholes, and even some high to low gowns was fit for a princess.

 Justin Alexander had really great style. His dresses are beautiful of course, but out of every runway show, his hair and beauty was impeccably done and by far my favorite. 

So who would you pick for your big day?

Easter Weekend | Pastel Dresses, Rooftops, and Brunch

Tulips in full bloom, warm weather, and little girls twirling in their new pastel dresses...it must be Easter! My Easter weekend was eventful and spiritually enriching, how was yours?

For starters, I had a Saturday morning pancake brunch and Rooftop Easter Service with friends. We were 5 blocks away from the Empire State Building so it was right in our face. Not a bad way to jump start your Easter weekend n'est-ce pas? This is the view of the Chrysler Building (my favorite), I truly love that this is my life.

Here is me and some of my model friends working it for the camera haha....in a Blue Steel sort of way. For Easter service numero uno I rocked the yellow color fad with an oldie but goodie dress that doesn't get too much free time out of my closet. It is a trapeze dress which I despise, so I cinched in the waist with a vest, and then added tights and boots for the chilly rooftop wind.

I also mastered the art of the Victory Rolls this weekend. Secret tip? You can NOT skip the step about curling your hair first. If it's straight your hair resists being wound, but once it's been curled, it naturally loops right into a little Victory Roll for you to pin and enjoy!

I also rocked my own pastel dress. A sugar coated ice blue dress from Express, that I've owned for ages. I never had much use for it in the Carolina's where dressing up is a four letter word, but here anything and everything goes at all times. I love NYC! To add a little edge to the Polly Anna white bow top, I knotted a plaid button down! Hey, now I would also be allowed in Brooklyn...maybe! Apparently this weekend was all about reviving forgotten pastel dresses for a bright and cheery Easter.

My annual Easter Brunch with the roomies at Alice's Tea Cup was as always divine. As was our walk through Central Park...despite the loads of tourists that have yet again arrived in packs to the city. To tie a bow on the weekend I attended my Easter service at Hillsong Church NYC. It's church mixed with rock and roll, you should check it out and don't forget to find me and say Hello!

I hope you had a wonderful Easter Weekend 

and are refreshed to conquer the week!

Faux Bob Hair Inspiration

I will tell you what, Busy Week, doesn't even begin to cover the warp speed I am traveling at this week. So sorry to be a bit delayed on posting this week! But it is nonetheless always a good busy when you are hitting the pavement and being productive right? Especially when you keep it in style. As you may be aware, I change my hair a lot and love finding new creative hairstyles to try. Some planned, some not. But unfortunately with long hair, the only downside is you can't have it short right? Wrong! Inspired from a Faux Bob Tutorial on Pinterest, I decided to take a whack at getting my old coiff back. Yes, believe it or not too long ago my hair was actually this short! I hope this hair inspiration gives your the motivation to try it for yourself!

Source: hairromance.com via Jessica on Pinterest

The best thing about the Faux bob is built right in the title. You get to have a faux bob for just a day, a few hours, however long you feel like committing to the short do, without actually snipping any shears! This is a relatively easy hair do, that didn't take me too long the first time and it only gets easier each time. Plus it's always good to find new hair inspiration styles right?

It's as easy as 1,2,3...5?

French braid the bottom half of your hair and pin to your head. 

Tease the top. 

Ponytail at the back. 

Tuck under and pin. 

(And for me) Curl the shorter layers that fall out. 

Don't forget to layer on the hairspray when teasing and then when finished to keep your faux bob in place. But when pieces do fall throughout the day, don't fret! The messy strands give this bob the edge it needs.

I just love Pinterest and all the Hair Inspiration it provides! 

Be sure to follow my boards for inspiration everywhere!

Giveaway Winner from The City of Dreams

The weather in NYC this week is outstanding...as in it literally has me out-standing, as much as possible. I was walking back late last night in short sleeves and a skirt...no jacket, no tights! Way better this last year's non-existant Spring. Here is my view yesterday from another day at work in NYC. I love living in The City of Dreams. So in honor of the ever beautiful Central Park, get yourselves outside and enjoy this fine day!

Oh right, you want to know who the amazing Pureology Haircare Giveaway Winner is, huh? Well I shall not keep you waiting. You all were so enthusiastic on Facebook, Twitter, and The Embellished Life I must say I love that you are a part of The Embellished Life family. I love sharing my birds eye view from the City of Dreams with you, and love hearing from you and your life!


and the giveaway winner is...

Congratulations Bee Bedard!

You are the winner of a set of Pureology Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner! I hope you enjoy it as much as I have, it really is an incredible hair nurturer.

Be sure to stop by the Pureology Facebook page 

for more chances to win product!

And as always be sure to 

follow The Embellished Life  

to always be in-the-know on fashion. 

Giveaway: Pureology Color Treated Haircare

When you have as much hair as I do, it tends to be an ever present focus in your beauty regime... and in my case my constant outlet for creativity. My hair is super thick, curly, and currently very long. So getting ready for work (or more-so a date) takes a bit of a commitment. When you have color treated hair you must be extra attentive that you are giving your locks the love they deserve. You need to choose specific shampoo & conditioner for color treated hair. Well the people at Pureology are stepping in to help out your tired tresses and revitalize your color! 

Source: google.com via Caitlin on Pinterest

Just yesterday I decided to try something new with my hair. I was inspired by all the bun updo's I have been seeing in editorials so I did my own. After some teasing, time, and 28 bobby pins later, I had this wonderful bun updo that I was quite happy with.

Well Pureology Serious Colour Care comes to my rescue for my deeply red locks. Red is a color that fades very quickly and I want it as bright as possible for as long as possible. That is where Pureology steps in.

FAST FACTS: Things to love about Pureology
1. Earth Friendly
The ultra hydrating formulas offer extraordinary color protection and superior hydration that is 100% vegan and the NEW Zero Waste Packaging is 100% recyclable bottles.


2. Super Thick Super Concentrated
The highly concentrated ZeroSulfate^® 250mL shampoos offer 70+ shampoos per bottle and they are NOT KIDDING. The first time I used Pureology, I used my normal amount of shampoo and I was swimming in way too much shampoo! Less is more and it is a great thing.


3. Natural Ingredients
The ZeroSulfate^® shampoo formula cleans hair without stripping color using coconut, corn, and sugar. And nourishes your hair with rose, sandalwood, and green tea using the exclusive AntiFadeComplex^® which incorporates UVA/UVB sunscreen, and vitamins C & E.
The Pureology conditioner intensely hydrates with Jojoba Esters and shea butter and refreshes with peppermint, sage, and rosemary (seriously you can feel it cooling your scalp)!

Now it's your turn...

Pureology is giving  one of their best-selling

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo & Conditioner sets
to one lucky reader!!

To win:
1. Like Pureology on Facebook {and comment below}


Additional Entries:
2. Be a follower of The Embellished Life {comment below}
3. Follow EmbellishedBlog on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway {comment with URL}

Giveaway ends 

Tuesday, March 13th Midnight NYC Time!

GOOD LUCK!

Pourquois Pas? Become a Redhead

Happy Leap Year! Now, I've said it before, I will say it again. It's not blondes who have all the fun, it's redheads! Well after Fashion Week ended I was bored with my look and wanted something bold, fresh, and fun. What is a strawberry blonde girl to do? Become a Redhead! REALLY Red! I searched Pinterest tirelessly for hair colors that caught my eye...

Source: Uploaded by user via Angie on Pinterest

I wanted something bold and very saturated. I knew I wanted red, but that is a shade with a thousand meanings. I did not want to become a redhead if it meant carrot or Ariel. But I have gone auburn before and wanted something much more fierce than that.

Here is me before.

Then I took a trip to Ricky's, lingered on hair swatches with the minutest differences and consulted with Pinterest on my phone. And I must say, this color was the hardest to dye my hair at home, only attempt if you are really very good with your hair. I saturated my hair in sections working bottom to top, root to end.  My whole sink and arms was tattooed in red from places my hair had brushed or my bottle had dripped. While my hair set I played Mary Poppins scrubbing (literally with a Brillo pad) to get my sink white again, and washing my skin back to normal. 

Here is me now.

This is just the bold red color I had in mind and it really does garner a lot of attention. To become a redhead, at least in NY, you have to be able to handle a few more cat calls than normal. But you also get positive attention from this rockstar color, and I love how it electrifies every outfit I wear! 

So become a redhead!

It's Leap Year after all!

14 Days of Valentines | Day 9: Fragrance

Happy Fashion Week my dears! The tents of Lincoln Center fill with fabulous people starting today and I cannot wait to report back to you all the excitement from the runways. In the meantime I hope you are enjoying your 14 Days of Valentines! And what girl doesn't want luxurious fragrance to add a touch of sensuality to her daily routine? Day 9 is all about taking time to smell the roses...or gardenias, or sandalwoods...whatever tickles your fragrance fancy.

Beyond the normal perfumes of perfection I am loving this Bond No.9 solid perfume. It is a NYC Wall Street Perfume Token...WHAT! This is how you one-up a compact. I am so adding this to my must-have-inside-my-purse list. You never know when a cute man may stumble into your happy hour drinks with your coworkers and you suddenly need to turn on the charm.

14 Days of Valentines | Day 9: Fragrance by fashiondiva304 featuring oversized jewelry

What is your signature fragrance?

14 Days of Valentines | Day 6: Serenity

Day 6 is exactly what I need about right now: Serenity. As the 14 Days of Valentines clicks on...I am knee deep in fashion show seating charts and shoveling food in when I can grab a second in my 15 hour work days. New York Fashion Week begins in 4 days and it is a whirlwind of excitement and stress that every fashionista craves at her inmost being.

A good glass of wine, some soothing aromatherapy, and a full 9 hours night of sleep is just what the doctor ordered to get caught up on your beauty sleep for Fashion Week... and Valentine's Day! I personally have the Holly GoLightly sleep mask and that darling Rosanna Inc tea set on my hit list.

14 Days of Valentines | Day 6: Serenity by fashiondiva304 featuring knit shoes

How do you achieve serenity?

Red Hair: Dare to Go Deeper?

I am thinking of going redhead mes cheris...really red. Although I'm not exactly which shade I'm bold enough to go for, that will also look good on me. I love red hair and whether I am my steady strawberry blonde or a dark auburn, I just love the statement red hair makes. Red hair is bolder and more unique than brunette and don't believe what they tell you...it's not blondes that have all the fun...it's redheads! At least that is my assessment, after being every color in the beauty aisle!

I love Alison Sudol's hair (lead singer of A Fine Frenzy), it has a more Ariel from The Little Mermaid quality but I think I want a deeper red.

Source: cuylovely.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

You see, every so often I get antsy and need a change of speed in life. My hair is my solution to change. It is so much fun to try new things with your hair, and the second you can let go and try anything you will have a freedom that takes you to awesome places! Red hair is such a statement and that is what I am all about.

Source: google.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: diana212m.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: fuckyeah-hair.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

So I need your vote my dears! 

Which red should I dare to rock?

The Great Hair Giveaway

I always get compliments on my hair which has come from many years of honing the art of maintaining it for sure...which is not void of some decent Middle School scarring. But one thing is sure a great cut, head turning color, and the right product will give your hair its best life. Great hair is a right we all have and now you can too because Paul Labrecque is hosting a giveaway for one of you lucky readers to win some great hair product!

Source: Uploaded by user via Alex on Pinterest

Remember when I received my great hair makeover at Paul Labrecque? It was a fabulous experience that left me walking out onto the Upper East Side turning more heads than Serena Van der Woodsen.

Since then, I have been loyally using their Luxury Hair Care line of products for Colored Hair. The product smells great, cleans well, and never leaves your hair feeling heavy and full of product. Even the color finish leaves a nice steady shine, and locks in those frizzies so your ready to rock the world.

And now Paul Labrecque wants to give you a little of the magic! They are hosting a great hair giveaway for one lucky reader to receive a Shampoo, Conditioner, and styling serum on them!

{extra styling product not included in gift}

Paul Labrecque offers great hair styling solutions for Curly, Straight, Volume, or Color (which I use). In addition they also have a daily and repair collection. So choose your collection to best suit your great hair needs.

To Enter:
1. Be a follower of The Embellished Life!
2. Visit the Paul Labrecque website and tell me which collection you would choose (comment: 1)

For Additional Entries:
3. Fan Embellished on Facebook (comment: 2)
4. Follow Embellished and Paul Labrecque on Twitter and Tweet this Giveaway! (Comment: 3)

Giveaway ends Thursday 

November 10th at Midnight NYC Time

Be sure to enter to get that great hair 

you've been dreaming of for this holiday season!

Good Luck mes cheris!