Friday Giveaway: L’Occitane, Sunless Bronzer, Eye Cream, Tom Ford Bronzer, Chanel Polish, and More

photography courtesy of retailers

Every now and then I like to mix up the giveaways with a beauty drawer grab bag. Like this one. Today’s giveaway includes:

-Rene Furterer Fioravanti Shine Enhancing No Rinse Detangling Spray
-L’Occitane Spring Cherry Velvet Moisturizing Gel
-Eau Thermale Avène Moisturizing Self-Tanning Lotion
-Chanel Nail Colour in Cinéma
-Estée Lauder ‘Advanced Night Repair Eye’ Serum Infusion
-Tom Ford limited edition Illuminating Cheek Color in Bronzed Amber

Thinking you could make use of these beauty products? Enter here to win them all.

Where Do You Go for Your Favorite Mani/Pedi?

La Bichette

Usually, we’re recommending places we think you should try, but we want to know what you love. Vote in our Best of Big D reader’s choice survey and tell us your favorite salons, spas, and beauty rituals.

Where to Shop in Dallas this Weekend

Shop Dior Fall 2013 Ready-to-Wear Collection Today: Highland Park Village’s new Christian Dior store is taking its last order for  its fall 2013 RTW collection. Even if you can’t buy, you’ll want to see Raf Simons’ artsy Warhol-inspired dresses, cable knits, and full skirts in person.

Nordstrom the Half Yearly Sale: Womenswear is seriously discounted at Nordstrom this weekend (and through June). I have my eyes on a pair of Vince sandals that I’m pretty sure will have a new home come Saturday.

Etsy Handmade Gifts & Mini-Market at West Elm: The beloved online artist mart has a few local Etsy vendors displaying their wares at the Mockingbird Station home store tonight. Head over between 6 pm and 8 pm for handmade gifts, accessory workshops, refreshments, and gift bags. A $5 raffle to win a West Elm price package benefits Genesis Women’s Shelter.

Memorial Day Sale at Melanie Gayle: Shop through Monday for a little discount on all your upcoming summer staples: maxi skirts, flirty dresses, colorful minis, etc. Buy one item for 10 percent off, two items for 20 percent off, and three or more items for 30 percent off.

Update:
Memorial Day Benefit at Piermarini: Shop through Monday and 10 percent of all purchases will benefit Miracle Players Foundation, which raises money and awareness for children’s cancer research.

Sneak Peek: Courtney Kerr x BaubleBar Jewelry Collection, Launching Tuesday

photography courtesy of BaubleBar

Courtney Kerr has long been a fan of BaubleBar, a trendy online virtual jewelry counter. This, mixed with her affection for statement jewelry (note exhibits a, b, and c), made the collaboration between the two a no-brainer. It’s been in the works for a year, but you’ll finally get to shop Courtney’s Bauble Bar next week. This marks another milestone for the  Most Eligible: Dallas reality TV star-turned-blogger-now-turned-designer, but it wasn’t all glitz and glamour.

“When they pitched this idea to me last summer, I never imagined all the dedicated hours that I would spend staring at samples and making decisions and that it would be so difficult,” she says. “Obviously, I wanted the collection to be done right, and of course I wanted it to be a reflection of me as a blogger and style tastemaker, but also, speak to my personality.”

This sneak peek at a few necklaces reveals a variety of looks, from simpler, old Hollywood-inspired gold and crystal necklace to a blinged Art Deco collar with pink stones and turquoise spikes.

“Looking at the collection I see every kind of girl: the one who wears long flowy maxi dresses with traditional turquoise jewelry, the one who dresses in head-to-toe black and tops it off with a badass spiked chain, and the gal who uses her layered jewelry to make a statement. Either way, there is something for every girl in this collection, and it’s a project with an incredible company that I could not be more proud of.”

Clear your e-shopping carts. The collection launches online on Tuesday.

photography courtesy of BaubleBar

Links We Love

Krista’s coverage of Dallas helping Oklahoma on FrontBurner
Holly Pelham Davis’ list of 15 “power foods” on D Moms (I heart quinoa)
It’s swimsuit season, so this guide on making the most of your bikini wax on Allure’s site
Some vegan leather love on StyleSheet
This lavender lemonade recipe on Munchin with Munchkin

What’s in Joslyn Taylor’s Bag?

I’m a Joslyn Taylor groupie. Since she came to work at D Magazine Partners as an editor for D Home and the executive editor of D Moms, I’ve been inserting her into every lackluster part of my life by asking WWJD? (What would Joslyn do with this blank wall? What would Joslyn add to this coffee table? What lip color would Joslyn choose?) Whether you follow her on her personal blog, Simple Lovely, or have had the pleasure of perusing a copy of D Moms, you’ve likely garnered some inspiration. She finds a little magic in every scene and generously shares her enchanting discoveries. Even a look in her handbag makes me want to go shopping for cosmetic cases and pretty pouches. (“I need to go to a pouch support group,” she admits.) Take a look:

photography courtesy of Barneys New York

1. Gaia pouch. “All of Paula Minnis’ bags are handmade by women in need in Dallas, using vintage, repurposed, or sustainable materials. I stash my own business cards in this one. Right now I carry three (!) one for D Home, one for D Moms, and a personal card.”
2. Clare Vivier Leopard print wallet clutch. “I am obsessed with LA-based designer Clare Vivier’s clutches. I use them to corral everything from coins to cosmetics. This particular one holds all the business cards I collect.”
3. Gold pill case. “This was a gift from my best friend a few years ago. She owns a vintage shop and always finds the coolest stuff. I use it for my Advil (which makes combatting a headache feel infinitely more glamorous).”
4. Graphic Image notebook. “I am never without a notebook for jotting down ideas and taking notes when I’m interviewing subjects. I also use this one to stash ephemera like pretty postcards, notes from my girlies, and photo strips (I am a photo booth junkie) and taking notes when I’m interviewing subjects.”
Continue reading "What’s in Joslyn Taylor’s Bag?"

How To Help Our Friends In Oklahoma

I’m stealing an entire post from Joslyn on D Moms this morning. If you’re browsing various news channels this morning, feeling sick over the sad stories of loss that have risen from the debris in tornado-damaged Oklahoma towns, there’s something that can make you feel a little better: helping. Even if it’s just a little. Jos blogs:

My friend and Oklahoma-native Sarah James shared a great list of ways to provide assistance to victims of yesterday’s horrible tornado, and I thought I would be helpful to share here as well.

Per Sarah, here are some ways to help:

• Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the disaster relief fund – this took me about 10 seconds to complete
• If you prefer to donate to the Red Cross online, click here.
• You can text FOOD to 32333 (the OK Food Bank) to give $10 to help with relief efforts via News 9
• The Salvation Army
• Feed The Children Disaster Relief
• Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief
• Disaster Relief of Oklahoma
• World Vision
• If you are looking for a family member, please visit Safe & Well.
• Google Crisis Map
• The Penn South Pet Clinic is collecting displaced animals.
• Annie’s Ruff House in Norman, OK is taking any dogs displaced by the tornadoes in Moore.

If you have any other suggestions, feel free to add it in the comments section.

Most Wanted: NCLA Galaxy Nail Wraps, Rose Gold Star Studs, and a Striped Marc Jacobs Clutch

photography courtesy of retailers

1. NCLA’s “Stephanie’s Galaxy nail wraps. Each package comes with 22 wraps so you can squeeze more than one application out of them. I plan to get these bad boys gelled on to make them last longer.

2. Jennifer Meyer’s mini rose gold star studs at Ylang23. Rose gold is a trend I can groove with. These tiny diamond-studded stars are dainty everyday studs.

3. The Marc Jacobs black and white striped sequin clutch at Forty Five Ten. Trends don’t last forever, but black and white will always be a classic combo.

4. These Miista rose gold and coral sandals from Nicole Kwon. Ever stocking cool things things, Nicole Kwon now has these (rose gold!) Miista sandals on shelves. Or, rather, in these pretty cubes.

5. The “Squirt,” a mini version The Wet Brush. It slides through tangles when your hairs are behaving badly. Good for bed head, convertible head, wet pool head, and wet ocean head. Buy it at Buy Buy Baby near the Galleria or online.

Friday Giveaway: $120 Gift Card to Run On!

These could put a little pep in your step, no? (photography courtesy of New Balance, carried at Run On)

Yeah, I see you out there, getting your sweat on, panting around the Katy Trail, working on your bikini body. I’m doing it too. (But you’re more likely to find me taking a break with a mimosa on the patio at Company Cafe.) Run On knows you need a new pair of kicks to help you keep up the motivation and keep your, well, run on. That’s why they’re offering one lucky ShopTalk reader a glorious $120 gift card to spend at their new Murphy store. And if you’re going to spend it, why not take it to the grand opening party on June 1, where they’ll be highlighting some “pretty sweet shoes,” hosting venders, and sizing people? But they had us at “pretty sweet shoes.” To redeem this gift card, you’ll need to use it at the Murphy location. If you’re good with that, enter here.

Where to Shop in Dallas this Weekend

Get Primped at new Pouf: The new beauty bar in Mockingbird Station opens with a party this Saturday. Stop by any time from open to close (9 am to 8 pm) and check out the new digs. If you book one of the first 15 appointments, you’ll get a swag bag with samples from the salon’s product collections, Kevin Murphy and Glo Minerals. Enter the raffle, which will benefit Girls, Inc., for a shot at winning a blowout, full face makeover, and before and after pictures courtesy of Flirt Boudoir Photography.

Handbag Sale at Stanley Korshak: Be the first to shop the newly marked-down spring bags this weekend and find vacation-worthy Nancy Gonzalez totes, Nina Ricci crossbodies, and colorful Anya Hindmarch printed clutches for 30 percent off.

Margaritas and Markdowns: Head over to a few of our favorite Lovers Lane shops (Mine, Elements, Lou Lou, and Hemline) through Saturday for margaritas and sale racks. But don’t miss the new arrivals, like Elements’ printed frocks  by Finders Keepers and Alice McCall and Hemline’s Splendid separates and lacy Dolce Vita numbers.

Nikki Reed on Her 7 For All Mankind Jewelry Collaboration and Her Biggest Inspiration

I wasn’t able to make the private event at NorthPark this week to celebrate the launch of Mattlin Era by Nikki Reed for 7 For All Mankind, but fortunately, People Newspapers reporter Georgia Fisher got it covered by passing along the assignment to her shadow of the week, high school senior Claire Criss. The duo interviewed the Twilight actress and jewelry designer, and Criss wrote up the following story:

Walk through NorthPark’s 7 For All Mankind, and it is abundantly clear why Nikki Reed’s jewelry was chosen for the store.  Best known for her part as Rosalie in the Twilight saga, Reed has now added jewelry-designer to her chain of talents.  Launching this week in Dallas, Mattlin Era — Reed’s label — is a great addition for all jewelry lovers.  With a unique look and a price point of less than $100, the collection is sure to be a hit.

Reed agreed to lend her name to the five-piece line just a few months ago, and the day her manager called about the opportunity, she put twelve sketches together in a matter of hours. The Starry Knight necklace and matching earrings are inspired by 7 For All Mankind’s Photo Real jeans, which are embellished with Swarovski crystals. The pieces really compliment the jeans, making the collection even more appropriate for the store.

Continue reading "Nikki Reed on Her 7 For All Mankind Jewelry Collaboration and Her Biggest Inspiration"

Links We Love

This Wasabi Bloody Mary recipe on A Beautiful Mess (Is it Saturday yet?)
It’s wedding season, so this How to be the Best Bridesmaid Guide Ever on Refinery29
Erin Wasson on StyleSheet
Jenna Marbles’ at home workout (YouTube video)
Sarah Hepola’s White Girl’s Guide to Quinceañera Dresses

Can’t Miss: Traffic Los Angeles Pop-Up Shop at The Lumen Hotel Today

It’s total excitement overload at The Joule. First, Traffic’s men’s store stunned the crowd with its slick city styles. Then, we got to shop TenOverSix, which opened last week; peruse the coffee table book selection at sleek Taschen library; sniff the aromas stirred up by neighboring coffee house, Weekend (which opens later this month); and take a sneak preview tour of Espa, the hotel’s sexy underground spa, set to open in early June. Now, there’s even more to jump up and down about.

Impressively, Traffic Los Angeles, who hasn’t even opened their women’s shop yet, is already hosting a pop-up shop with merchandise marked down to 40 percent off. It’s happening today. Stop by The Lumen from 1 pm to 9 pm for complimentary sips, light bites, valet, and to shop discounted spring and summer collections from the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Paul Smith, Iro, Comme des Garçons, Dsquared, Rick Owens, J Brand, and more.

What: Traffic Los Angeles Pop-Up Shop
Where: The Lumen Hotel
When: Today, May 14, 1 pm to 9 pm

Update: Weekend will not open until later this month, and the spa opening has been pushed back to early June.

Who Wants to Attend a Private Screening of Scatter My Ashes at Berfdorf’s?

Tomorrow night, Entertainment One and the chatty ladies of D: The Broadcast present an advanced screening of Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s. The fashion documentary shines a sparkling spotlight one Fifth Avenue’s most famous department stores. Sprinkled throughout are witty quips and commentary from fashion’s most loved designers, artists, and celebrities. (Vera Wang, Karl Lagerfeld, Rachel Zoe, Diane von Furstenberg, Isaac Mizrahi, to name a few.)

It’s at swanky new Look Cinemas in Addison, it includes complimentary Patrón and Ultimat Vodka cocktails, and, of course, it’s private. But good news. I can get two of you in. So at the end of the day today, I’m giving away one pair of tickets to tomorrow night’s exclusive movie preview. It starts at 6:30 pm with drinks and the screening begins at 7:30 pm. All you have to do to win is shoot me an email telling me you want to attend. I’ll draw one name at 5 pm.

Where: Look Cinemas
When: Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 14 at 6:30 pm
To win: email here

Most Wanted: A Beaded Cuff, Stella McCartney Underpinnings, and Books from New Taschen Library

photography courtesy of retailers

1. Helmut Newton’s Polaroids at the new Taschen Library at The Joule. I’ll take several of the coffee table books from this sexy little reading room.

2. This Rundholz striped tee from Cicada Collection in Snider Plaza. The ways in which a basic white t-shirt can be utilized are endless.

3. Anything from Stella McCartney’s SS2013 lingerie collection, but especially the Laura Pottering bustier and briefs. Shop the collection in the Highland Park Village boutique.

4. A refill of my beloved Memoire Liquide perfume in Amour with notes of vanilla, Tonka bean, and incense. It’s sweet and smoky and a departure from cliché designer fragrances.

5. This “Highness” beaded cuff sold at Dallas’ BelAir Home. Designer Josefina de Alba models the technique for these pieces after that of the Huichol people in Mexico. Each piece is handcrafted and takes three days to make.