How to Choose an Eyebrow Shape

let's discuss how to choose an eyebrow shape. here's a video tutorial i put together almost three years ago!

since that vlog i have had several people ask me what is the right shape of eyebrow for their face. since we are all made differently, there is no one single shape of eyebrow for everyone. the best way to determine the most flattering shape for yourself would be to follow these guidelines:

step 1: determine the shape of your face. grab a mirror and measure.

oval: your face is longer than it is wide, with a curved jawline and soft cheekbones.

heart: the widths of your forehead and cheeks are about the same with a pointed chin.

circle: your face is about as wide as it is long with a softly curved chin and full cheeks.

square: the wides of your forehead, cheeks, and jawline (which is usually well defined) are all equal.

step 2: choose an eyebrow shape that will best flatter your bone structure

oval: looks best with an extra long brow. drag the tail of your brow out just a bit to add width to your face. this creates more dimension.

heart: looks best with short and thick brows. if the brow is too wide it makes your chin appear more narrow and the thickness will help offset your forehead space. i think i could add a spare bedroom with all of my extra 'forehead space'.

circle: looks best with strong, arching brows. the higher the arch, the more dimension your face will have.

square: looks best with a gently rounded arc. because your bone structure tends to be a bit sharp, choose a shape that will soften it.

using these tips work with the natural shape of your brow and groom it to your desired look. good luck.

xo
kristie

Polka Dot Mani With butter LONDON

polka dot mani's are so hot right now.

and that, my friends, was my best Zoolander impersonation.

Derek Zoolander knew what was hot and i like to think he and i have that in common, along with our ridiculously good-looking faces and our propensity towards the black lung. for serious though, polka dot manis are hot right now, ridiculously easy and require nothing more than a variety of writing tools.

crayons work great for the larger dots, pens give you a perfect medium size and a sharpened pencil is ideal for pinpoint dots.

to get this spring inspired mani i used these colors from butter LONDON: Poole, Bobby Dazzler & Bit Faker.

at the Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too it is more than just a center for ants, it is a place where they teach you there's more to life than just being really, really, ridiculously good-looking. if that place really existed, i imagine this polka dot mani tutorial would be one of the lessons.

Poole, Bobby Dazzler & Bit Faker

cool story Hansel.

xo,
kristie

*editors note: conversation happening in my head, right now:

in case you were wondering this isn't my normal vernacular.
or like, it IS, it's like ex-squeeze me but have you ever heard of a Zoolander quote?
i'm sure you've heard of a Zoolander quote, you're over 20.
uh, earth to Kristie, i was making a joke.
uh, earth to Kristie, duh, okay i knew that!
uh, earth to Kristie, i'm not so sure you did cuz you were all 'well i'm sure you've heard of a Zoolander quote" like you didn't know it was a joke!

Fashion Friday: Winter to Summer Outfit

photos courtesy of Tman

fashion fridays are back! i've been wanting to begin incorporating more outfit posts and there are a few things holding me back. for one, how many pictures do you really want to see of me? seriously. anybody who looks at this blog will either think 'megalomaniac' or 'beauty blogger'. i'm hoping you veer towards 'beauty blogger'. two, getting Tman home while it is still light outside ain't easy. any friends willing to step in as photographer will be paid (in product, of course!).

here is the outfit i recently wore to interview MAC Pro Caitlin. i needed something reasonable enough for winter that still says spring. it is April and that snow is not a photoshop special effect, it's real. the black denim and closed toe pumps are winter wear but the lace peplum top is pure spring. i think the combination works.

let me know what you think of my first 'outfit of the day' post, also known to fashion bloggers as OOTD. apparently bloggers only speak in acronyms or slang. it's so presh. i think it is only a matter of time before Rosetta Stone offers a course.

top: c/o Vintage Fringe jeans: Paige Denim sunglasses: c/o Sunglasses Shop

shoes: Joan & David necklace: c/o Stella & Dot purse: c/o d'Andrea Handbags

xo,
kristie

DIY Glitter Nail Polish

it's been a while since i've done a DIY and i decided to begin a series called 'Frankenpolish' teaching you how to DIY your own nail polish, in this case, glitter polish.

ask me what my favorite color is.

just ask me.

it's glitter. not really a color, i know, but like a bird i am attracted to shiny objects. particularly all that glitters.

in the world of nail blogs (i follow my fair share) they have a technique they like to call 'franken' which is what you do when you mix colors or create a polish blend of your own. the first time i heard that term i thought it was perfect because it draws such a clear picture of a mad scientist blending and tweaking to create something just right. have an outfit you can't quite match? just franken it. looking for a glitter mix with just the right blend of colors? just franken it.

so the first my my 'Frankenpolish' series is DIY glitter polish which is ridiculously simple. collect the glitters you would like to use, create a paper funnel and add your glitter blend. mix polish and apply.

xo,
kristie

Sonicare AirFloss Review [A Journey Into My Oral Health]

i believe in good oral health but flossing is one of those activities that is akin to nails on a chalkboard, Justin Bieber selfies and a sick child. in other words, i'm not a fan. when Philips offered to send me their Sonicare AirFloss to try out i figured, why not? anything has to be better than Justin Bieber selfies flossing.

i should have known i would like this product considering Sonicare toothbrushes have been taking up premium real estate on our bathroom countertop for the last 6 years. if i have to brush my teeth without my Sonicare my teeth are like the remains of a scratch lotto ticket, little fuzzies here and there. maybe i have become a little too dependent on that sonic technology? 

the Sonicare AirFloss has a body size similar to the Sonicare toothbrush. instead of a small bristled head, you get a snap shaped tip that shoots a combination of air and water. the microburst technology removes 99% more plaque between teeth than brushing with a manual toothbrush (goodbye scratch-card fuzz). its small shape makes it comfortable to use and it is ridiculously faster and easier than manually flossing.

just think, no more measuring out your floss, wrapping it around your finger until it turns blue from lack of circulation and no more awkwardly trying to reach those back molars. it is as easy as pushing a button, no blue fingers required.

i have always been a little self conscious about my teeth. it is the one area that i have never been able to fix. as a child i fell out of my high chair and landed on my face which caused me to lose my top two teeth (which the dentist just simply pushed back in) and permanently 'bruise' my adult teeth. if you look closely you will see a yellow smudge on my bottom two front teeth. i've spent a lifetime explaining, 'no, that is not corn stuck on my teeth it is a bruise' and then explaining 'yes, teeth really can bruise, i am not making that up'.

while i don't mind having a crooked chin when i smile, that yellow has always been an annoying reminder. to overcompensate i want to make sure my teeth are well taken care of because i would hate for people to think the yellow is due to bad hygiene. this Sonicare AirFloss makes taking care of my teeth so easy.

the one downside of using this AirFloss is that it can get a little bit messy. typically when i floss i lean in close to the mirror to see what i am doing. the first time i used my AirFloss i picked it up, leaned into the mirror and pressed the floss button. my mirror was promptly met with a large splash of water from the microburst ricocheting off my teeth and onto the mirror. no, that is not a bokeh effect on my picture below, i was ineffectively trying to capture my mirror splash.

word to the wise, close your mouth and don't lean in. that's advice that would be well received for many things in life, AirFloss included.

xo,
kristie

MAC Pro Makeup Tips

have you ever wanted to sit down with a MAC Pro artist and get some tips? well guess what? i did.

MAC Pro artists are like those girls from high school that were everything. you know the ones - they were edgy, they were artsy and most of all they were nice. their coolness came from their confidence in who they were and where they were going. you admired them for that.

meeting with MAC Pro Caitlin was like reconnecting with an old friend, she just gets you. more than that she sees the best in you and wants you to see it also. she embodies the spirit of what MAC cosmetics is all about, being the best you.

some stats on Caitlin:

Hometown: Vancouver, BC

Time with MAC: 20+ years

Makeup Style: edgy and experimental

Mother: 1 boy + 1 girl

i showed up to our interview with my son in tow (sick day) and was immediately greeted with a friendly smiley and a few moments of chit chat about Diary of a Wimpy Kid (book of choice brought along by Cohen). meeting another mom who could tell me about the most recent DofaWK put me instantly at ease.

we headed back to the private makeup room (i didn't even know these existed in MAC stores!) to discuss all things makeup.

first, i wanted to know how one becomes a MAC Pro artist? turns out, 20+ years with the company just might do it. Caitlyn explained how she began working in-store and proceeded to be promoted as an educational trainer throughout Asia. she moved to LA to continue as a trainer and eventually made the move to NY to work in the International Training Department which covered over 44 countries. educating MAC employees is important and MAC's thorough employee training is what makes them so successful.

Caitlin shared with me a story of an experience she had at Paris Fashion Week. she was working backstage and rounding up the models for their makeup. (note to the reader, MAC practically owns the runway when it comes to Fashion Week makeup) there were three models flipping through Vogue and she overheard them saying things like "her hair is so silky", "this skin is flawless" & "i wish i had that butt". the ironic thing was, the model who "wished she had that butt" was looking at a picture of herself. a picture that had been touched up and reshaped to become a person unattainable, even to that person themselves.

welcome to the world of beauty.

a world that projects images of women, bodies and beauty that is completely unrealistic.

Caitlin went on to explain that MAC embraces the idea of there is no single woman who represents MAC Cosmetics. sure there are the big names who endorse the Viva Glam campaigns (MAC AIDS Fund supporting those living with HIV & AIDS) but MAC wants you to know that you are perfect for MAC because you are YOU. they aren't pushing makeup as the key to making you beautiful, they are pushing makeup as a blend of art + fashion. kind of refreshing, isn't it?

MAC, short for Makeup Art Cosmetics, is an extension of the artistic palette except the canvas happens to be you. Caitlin says mix it up. be willing to change it up so that you are not relying on makeup. instead you are having fun with it. fashion is fluidity and MAC is consistently introducing new lines and new colors allowing you to experiment with trends and discover new things. "Makeup is fashion," says Caitlin.

it was then she brought out the book. the coveted seasonal lookbook that MAC puts out for fall/winter and spring/summer. included in this book are the four key trends to the season and beautiful high resolution images (untouched, which is practically unheard of) demonstrating each of these trends and which runways they were seen on. i have only ever seen PDF's and images of this impressive book and here was one just for me. i think my heart may have skipped a beat.

we discussed some of her favorite looks of the season which happened to be Sci-chedelic; daring pops of color and using makeup to make a statement. most popular are the Pur-itan bronze looks which happen to be the most 'marketable' of looks.

my last request was that she share her five favorite products from the MAC core line. they were:

• Natural Radiance, a primer with highlighting properties built in. pat it on your cheekbones and temples after makeup for fresh bounce to your skin.
• Highlighter Pens. apply product and give them a few seconds of drying time. this will make all the difference in their coverage.
• Bronzer in Refined Golden, her perfect hue.
• Pearl Creme Colour Base, a product i think i have raved about, vlogged about and use about a million times. 
• 217 makeup brush, the perfect brush for eyeshadow application.

after listening to Caitlin with intense attention i realized an hour had passed. while i could have talked to her all day, this cool girl was on her way to New York to shoot a tutorial video. i clutched the beloved lookbook and thanked her for the wealth of knowledge, Caitlin now has a fan for life. grabbing Cohen's hand we made our way out of the MAC store, but not without purchasing a few must-haves of course!

my MAC Spring Summer 2013 Lookbook with Refined Golden Bronzer & 217 makeup brush

xo,
kristie

Mad Men Inspired Eye Makeup {Step by Step}

here is a makeup tutorial i created last year inspired by Mad Men. my makeup/fashion/beauty inspiration most often it comes in the form of television (once my children are nestled all snug in their beds of course). i can't help but love the clothing, makeup and set design of Mad Men. who doesn't love that era?!

makeup for that time period most commonly emphasizes strong eyeliner, a deep contour shade and heavily mascara'd lashes. here's my eye makeup step by step tutorial that this beauty blogger can't get enough of:

1. apply matte eyeshadow to entire eyelid, preferably the color of vanilla.
2. using a pencil brush, apply a dark mocha to crease of eyelid. 
3. follow with a shimmer shade applied to middle of eyelid and brow bone with a fluffy shadow brush for a highlighted effect.

xo,
kristie

a love note.

a love note to Tman on his birthday. 

that's us, ten years ago. Tman was wearing his Seven For All Mankind jeans i had helped him pick out and i was wearing my new Tiffany & Co. necklace we had purchased together in St. Thomas. like our wardrobe, our relationship was new, very new. we met in Seattle, we fell in love, we married in Korea and spent the next four years traveling the world.

thank you Air Force.

first came love, then came marriage, then came three babies in the baby carriage (i guess that carriage would be me?). five different homes, two tours of duty, four years of Medical Residency and two years of Allergy Fellowship have landed us here. 

there's no place i'd rather be.

to bring you back to those days at the Nettleton where we would leave love notes for one another, here's one more. 

happy birthday to my best friend. you may be old but we're traveling there together. you're kind, you're supportive, you're smart, you're cute. you, my dear, are my dreamboat.

xo,
kristie

Step by Step Eye Makeup Tutorial

step by step makeup tutorials are my thing. i love to experiment, i like to keep it varied and i enjoy a little self expression through my makeup. my primary occupation is being a mom, so while i don't live life on the edge i do like to throw some color in there once in a while. these tutorials are what get me out the door looking like a MILK – Mom I’d Like to Know. 

so if you'd like to add a little color to your life, follow the instructions below:

1. apply white cream shadow from eyelashes to the crease.
2. using a matte blue shadow apply color to the outer half of the eyelid.
3. with a very fluffy brush, apply grey to the outermost corner of the eyelid.
4. using the same brush, apply brown to the crease of the eyelid.

xo,
kristie

Smashbox Photo Op Eyeshadow Palette

shown above is the Smashbox Photo Op Eyeshadow Palette in Smokebox II, but first i'll digress.

Smashbox Cosmetics offers a complete line of makeup products which doesn't always get the credit it deserves. their contour palette is my numero uno product and i've seen it used by a Real Housewive of Beverly Hills, so there's that. i've raved about their shadows before because they include a great variety of mattes and to know me is to know i love matte. the shade, not the person.

since we're discussing shade, let me say that i have none to throw on the Smashbox Photo Op Eyeshadow Palette. it has been at the forefront of my makeup drawer and i have been using it on the daily.

below is the makeup look i have been wearing most often, using the reddish brown in the the crease (the reflection is from the gold flecks also found in that shade) with the smoky grey in the outer corner. the matte bisque provides the perfect foundation for it all:

best of all, this palette includes all of the colors you'll need to recreate one of my favorite eyeshadow looks found in the tutorial below. the unsmoky smoky eye.

with each color heavily pigmented your palette color stays true. the quality of the pressed powder makes for a very smooth application with virtually no fallout. the colors last all day with no creasing or fading and the brushes work amazingly well for a 'brush with purchase'. 

if your makeup collection doesn't include a Smashbox eyeshadow palette, you may want to put an end to that.

xo,

kristie

Makeup Brush 101

makeup brushes and their uses

let me show you a few things - part two of my makeup brush 101 series teaching you how, where and what to use makeup brushes for. to get an overall comprehensive look at basic makeup brushes and their uses, check out this post here. otherwise, class is in session.

all dressed up in black and white...and you got dressed up to the nines. JT's been running through my head all day errry day and i happen to love that his latest single has this old hollywood vibe to it. so why not get dressed up to the nines? i'm always ready to show Tman a thing or two about love.

and makeup.

when it comes to makeup for your cheeks the possibilities and combinations of makeup brushes are plenty. some makeup brushes work best for bronzing, others work best for highlighting. the five makeup brushes listed above are the ones i use most frequently to highlight, contour and color my cheeks.

kabuki - perfect for applying bronzer as it picks up plenty of product but applies it in a diffused manner thanks to the fluffiness. i prefer a kabuki with a flat top because the straight edge is clutch for contouring cheek bones.

blush - this is a typical brush that usually comes in a makeup brush set. works for applying blush, bronzer and highlighter but i prefer it for blush. the rounded brush head applies color evenly and directly to the apples of your cheeks.

contour - a smaller bristled brush with stiff fibers makes contouring easy by applying color directly and with concentration. this particular contour brush is fluffy enough to apply a pressed powder yet small enough for precision.

fan brush - very loose brush fibers pick up smaller amounts of product which is perfect for highlighting. a common highlighting mistake is too much product and a fan brush picks up just the right amount and lightly distributes shimmer.

angled brush - i prefer the angled blush brush for applying blush along the cheek bones as the angle conforms to the cheekbones perfectly making color distribution even.

and now that i've shown you a few things, let JT show you a few more:

xo,

kristie

Tribal Nail Art Tutorial

tribal nail art tutorials typically involve several colors of polish, teeny tiny brushes and a very steady hand. many people have complimented this tribal nail mani usually followed by the comment 'that must have taken you forever'. 

surprisingly, it didn't.

last year i posted about using permanent markers for manicures and created some simple tutorials with it. since then, the nail art trend has continued its popularity and has become increasingly complex. thankfully fine point permanent markers not only make it a cinch, they come in a variety of colors that make them more cost effective than purchasing individual bottles of nail art polish.

while i may be a beauty blogger i consider myself a nail art civilian. my talents only take me so far. thankfully, permanent markers help bridge that gap and allow me to explore creativity beyond paint brushes.

oh yeah i'm easy, easy like Sunday morning. Lionel Richie taught me that.

xo,
kristie

m.pulse Skin Care for Men

several months ago i had the opportunity to attend the grand opening of m.pulse , Denver's Intense Pulse Light Spa. since that grand opening they have taken Denver by storm and opened up two more spas with plans in the works for more! one of the things i appreciate about the m.pulse philosophy is that they recognize men need skin care too. 

i often notice that beauty brands, particularly skin care, market themselves primarily to women. i get it, women buy more beauty products, women tend to be more concerned about skin care, women rule the world (oops, a little Beyonce slip there, but can you disagree?!) i mean women are a force to be reckoned with in the beauty marketing machinery.

but how about men? Tman just might kill me for this but seriously, who do you think he goes to for advice when his skin starts to get dry and scale-y? that's right, moi. he may be a doctor but i am the beauty expert in this family.

perhaps it was kismet that m.pulse sent Tman a variety of products to try just when his skin was starting to scream SOS from the dry, Denver winter? nah. i'll chalk it up to m.pulse's savvy understanding of men's health.

his first stop was the bamboo face scrub, purple packaging does not scare him away. one round with that scrub packed a mean punch in removing all the superficial dead skin cells. what was once rough and ruddy became instantly smooth and soft. 

 

the other products were helpful in maintaining that great skin. he now officially has his own product basket on the bathroom counter (the one that is 10 ft. long, 9 ft. of which is my personal real estate). i think i may have converted him to the dark side, because once you go great skin you can never go back.

xo,
kristie

Makeup and Fashion Trends for Spring

Trending April by blushingbasics featuring yellow gold jewelry

what are my makeup and fashion trends for spring? as a mom my uniform tends to be jeans and a tee on the daily. running kids to and from school, practices, errands etc. i look for practical. when i find clothing that can stylish, but still comfortable and easy to wear, i am wishing i could high five myself. seriously, merging practicality, style and comfort is not an easy thing.

you may or may not know that i adore all things Topshop. 14 years ago i had a roommate who lived in London for a semester and brought me home a bowler purse from Topshop that i used and abused. off white and rust red (it was the late 90's after all) i carried that purse to work, school and every emo/hipster/straight edge concert i attended.

that's me and my beloved purse on the left. far right was my boyfriend, a drummer. like i said, the 90's folks.

that hair! emulating my favorite singer of the moment (from Pretty Girls Make Graves) who also happened to be my hairdresser. 

i digress. Topshop was and always will be a favorite. this spring they have brought midi tube skirts to their collection and i am snatching up one in every color. they are easy to dress up with heels or dress  down with flip flops. the jersey allows for casual comfort and the fit and length allow for style. 

gold everything of course. 

now is the time to start sporting that bronzer and one of my favorites happens to be the Clinique bronzer. not too orange and not too dark, this bronzer is perfect for the sun-kissed look. along with a golden glow is a pink lip gloss, Jane Iredale's PureGloss lipgloss. a perfect pink for spring the new PureGloss is glossy but not sticky and creamy but not heavy. a juicy contradiction, kind of like a Starburst. Jane Iredale products are good for the skin, and in this case good for your lips! definitely worth seeking out.

xo,

kristie

At Home Spa

this post sponsored by Eucerin

taking care of your skin is essential and creating an at home spa is easier than ever. with a snow day enforcing martial law on the city of Denver, my girls and i decided to DIY our own spa.

we gathered our supplies of cucumber eye masks, LUSH Cosmetics face mask (which is great for kids because it is all natural and non-toxic), some great Eucerin lotions to finish the job and last but not least, healthy snacks & drinks.

sunscreen is important on ANY day, not just summer days

keeping your body hydrated is essential in helping your skin look younger and healthier. water helps to remove toxins in your system as well as helps your body to retain important nutrients. vitamin-loaded fruits and vegetables are also an excellent way to make H20 intake is complete!

my two little ones, Chloe & Olive, had a blast playing with the masks and the lotions but the best part was definitely the refreshments. having seen the recipe for infused water and veggie bowls on Pinterest i decided to give them a shot. 

Infused Water - healthy to drink and fun to eat.

1/2 cucumber sliced
1/2 lb. of strawberries cut in half
add water and let cool in refrigerator for approx. 30 minutes

Veggie Bowl -

2 carrots sliced into straws
1/2 cucumber sliced into straws
cherry tomatoes
Ranch dip
add 1/4 cup of Ranch dip to small bowl, top with veggies

while the weather forced us to stay in, we were able to have a fresh, fun, spring day. i mean it is April, sheesh.

with all things H20 in mind, Eucerin would like to offer you an H20 prize pack filled with essential ingredients to keep your skin glowing. (trust me, these products are wonderful) follow the rafflecopter instructions below to enter:


a Rafflecopter giveaway


xo,
kristie

*Eucerin products and prize pack were provided as part of the Eucerin Skin First Network. All opinions, experiences, pictures, food, children & fun were entirely my own.

Makeup For Small Eyes {Eye Makeup Tutorial 1-2-3}

thanks to reader Bonnie for requesting this tutorial. i have had a lot of readers ask how to apply makeup for small eyes, or how to make small eyes look bigger? here is a tutorial showing you step by step how to achieve it.

step 1: apply nude shimmer eyeshadow over entire lid:

step 2: apply your dark shade ONLY to outside corner of eye. applying too much dark shadow can make eyes appear smaller. by applying a small amount, you still achieve a smokier look, without compromising your eyeshape.

step 3: apply highlighter shade to brow bone, center of eyelid, and inner corner of eye. highlighting these areas will make eyes appear larger and brighter.

your finished product:

to add extra eye-opening oomph, use a white eyeliner and line the inside waterline of your eye. this will give the illusion of extra large eyes. avoid using any eyeliner on your bottom lid.

xo,

kristie

for more makeup tutorials click HERE

Lucky Magazine Fashion and Beauty Blog Conference (a.k.a. Luckyfabb)

Brandon Holley Editor in Chief, Lucky Magazine

last week i had the opportunity to attend Lucky Magazine's Fashion and Beauty Blog Conference (a.k.a. Luckyfabb). held at the swanky SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, fashion and beauty mavens flocked to attend. with a conference room filled with over 250 fashion and beauty bloggers, Lucky brought us some great speakers, panels and loads of ideas.

Brandon Holley, Lucky Magazine Editor in Chief, was there to greet us and impart some wisdom. Lucky Magazine is a bit of a trailblazer in their efforts to work with bloggers. they value our input and they put together this conference to help bloggers connect with each other, the magazine and with the superstars of our field.

Kelly Osborne opened the conference and was the perfect way to start the day. always irreverent but consistently candid, she shared with us some of her favorite trends, gave some advice (be nice!) and kept us laughing with anecdotes about Joan Rivers. when asked what trends she would like to see die, she mentioned ombre hair and 'mullet skirts'. at that moment i was quickly recalculating my wardrobe plans (mullet skirt stayed in suitcase) and grateful my ombre has almost entirely grown out. otherwise that could have been an extremely awkward moment.

one of my favorite things Kelly talked about was the important of bloggers supporting other bloggers and i couldn't agree more. there are a few bloggers who have helped me out tremendously (Jen @ Tatertots & Jello, Abby @ Twist Me Pretty & of course all of my fellow BBC members) and have given me platforms and exposure to help me grow. 

in addition to some great speakers there were also panels featuring superstar bloggers and Marketing/PR directors of major brands to continue to give wisdom and advice. above is perhaps one of the most well known fashion and beauty bloggers, Emily Schuman from Cupcakes & Cashmere who had three points of advice for bloggers:

1. Be authentic
2. Be nice
3. Enjoy what you are doing

a common theme with all of these power bloggers was they began blogging as a creative outlet and hobby. when you love what you are doing it shows, and that authenticity translates into reader connections and growth.

day one finished with guests Drew Barrymore and Betsey Johnson. listening to Drew Barrymore speak was like having a conversation with your best friend. absolutely relatable, loves poop jokes and completely likeable. i had the opportunity to ask her a question and as soon as we started speaking tears came to my eyes and i started blubbering something about her empowering women, etc. etc. i finally pulled it together and discussed how her new beauty brand, Flower Beauty, could really connect with consumers by creating a forum for bloggers and consumers to share their reviews, makeup looks and experiences on FlowerBeauty.com. i would love to see that happen.

Betsey Johnson wrapped up the party with a preview of her new reality show on the Style Network. she is amazingly vivacious for a 70 year old woman and was so fun to watch. she jumped, she cheered, and she let me take my picture with her. (check it out here on Instagram, Blushing Basics latest addition)

day two was filled with breakout classes and gifting suites. one of my favorite classes was How To Grow Your Traffic, put together by The Find. this class went in depth in explaining how SEO works, how to track your views, how use key words and really delved into the geekiness of blogging. there really is a major technical aspect to blogging whether it is SEO or HTML and learning it is like learning a new language. thankfully it was broken down into an understandable element and i was able to learn some valuable information.

let me break off on a tangent to explain that the presenter and VP of Marketing for The Find, Dave Cook, happens to be the best friend of an old friend of mine.

here's me with Carl, our mutual friend (picture was taken in 2000). we knew each other in a past life as straight edge kids and it was shocking to run into one another, 13 years later, at a Fashion and Beauty Blog conference. 

this is the first of two times i am referencing my 'Beauty Evolution' post this week. ahhh, nostalgia.

the conference was a great opportunity to connect with bloggers and enjoy all the good/bad stereotypes of bloggers.

as the wise housewife said:

"I may be in the Hollywood Hills, but I still know how to get hood." -Nene Leakes

xo,
kristie