Gift Wrap party with Simply Made

It's time to put some pretty things under the tree and I've enlisted my dear friend and "gift wrap queen" Stephanie from Simply Made to come play with me.  Cheers to the holidays!  

Dots on dots

Yep, it happened!!  Dots on dots!!  I figure why not?  I thought this peter pan sweater was adorable and even though I am head to toe blue, I like it!  The patterns are just different enough to make them interesting!  And of course you remember my love affair with these leopard pumps!  

Photos: Corey Morgan

Sweater: J.Crew, Pants: J.Crew also like these and these, Sunglasses: Ray Ban, Purse: Kate Spade older also love this, Shoes: Kate Spade

Yes Sir!

I love army jackets and think they are such a versatile layer to really any outfit.  They are fairly light weight but just add the perfect casual touch! Paired with dresses or denim you can't go wrong! Photos: Corey Morgan

Jacket: Madewell similar here and here, Blouse: Anthropologie on sale now, Jeans: J.Crew, Sunglasses: Ray Ban, Purse: Kate Spade similar here and here, Booties: Dolce Vita similar here and here

Basic black

 

Photos: Alice Hu

Jacket: Piperlime, Jeans: Paige denim, Heels: Alice+ Olivia, Sunglasses: Target, Clutch: Chanel ( on loan)  similar here and here, Lipstick: MAC Russian Red

Party girl

I feel like every girls needs just one totally fabulous, flirty true party dress.  Full skirt, bright color, all girl!       

Photos: Corey Morgan

Dress: Zara also love this and this , Clutch: Anthropologie on sale now, Shoes: Alice + Olivia , Glasses: Target  Lipstick: MAC Girl about Town

Happy place

We all have our place...the place that makes our heart calm.  The place that feels like home.  That lifts life off our shoulders.  Balboa Island is mine.  Nothing compares.  The sound of the water , the hustle of the boats, the laughter and chatter in the air while people stroll the boardwalk after grabbing their coffee on their morning dog walk.  It's a life, a calm heart ... it's my place.    

 Photos: Alice Hu

Top: H&M also adore this, this and this Jeans: Paige denim , Shoes: older but similar here and here , Lipstick: Yves Saint Laurent Pur Rouge Couture

Fall Beauty 101

Being in the hair and makeup industry  for years I definitely have picked up a couple tricks of the trade.  Skin care is the basis of all makeup and by taking proper care of your skin you can achieve that flawless makeup look anytime! I tend to frequent a 5 minute face and keep things simple and quick. With that, I need products to help me in my effort to look fresh and pretty.

I have melasma from hormone influx with babes and I find that 75% of my clients suffer from the same issue.  Melasma is the discoloration of the skin which is caused by hormones.  It can darken with sun exposure so it's very important to keep sunscreen on  at all times to keep it from becoming more noticeable.  When I asked my dermatologist about this super fun issue, he said that until I was done with having babes or wasn't going  to be on birth control there wasn't much I could do.  Well, we are officially done with babies and no more birth control so coming soon is a peel regime to hopefully help!  I will make sure to share!  I have been aggressively treating my melasma for the last year and have definitely kept it at bay.  This Kate Somerville Complexion Correction is my fave.  It's light and goes on right before my tinted moisturizer  with SPF.

I start by cleansing my skin with a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil (bonus is super cheap! )

buff  skin and slough off that top layer of dead skin with Clarisonic

apply Complexion Correction and Tinted Moisturizer

sweep on a great bronzer and blush like my fave from NARS

add a couple coats of mascara

icing on the cake in my Russian Red lipstick!

Left to right: Cetaphil cleanser, Clarisonic , Kate Somerville Complexion Correction, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with SPF, Dior Show mascara, MAC Russian Red lipstick and NARS Laguna/Deep Throat blush duo

Neon Lights

My fabulous aunt knows me to well and picked me up this great striped green frock when she was vacationing last month!  Not only is it completely adorable but fits like a glove!  She gets me!  It's in a fun bright green but boasts a sexy unexpected strapy back.  Perfect with sneakers or colorful heels.  

Photos: Alice Hu

Dress: also love this and this, Shoes: Macy's , Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs Lipstick: MAC Girl about Town

Polka dotted pleats

Booties have been the end of me!  I have been on the hunt for the perfect pair for years now!  Drum roll!!!!!!!  Corso Como to the rescue!!  Not only are these the most fabulously comfortable shoes ever they are gorgeous!!!  I am so giddy to have come across them and can't wait  to stock my closet with millions of Corso Como's!!!

Photos: Corey Morgan

Moto Jacket: Old Navy, Dress: Modcloth, Earrings: Stella & Dot, Bracelet: Stella & Dot, Booties: Corso Como, Lipstick: MAC Ruby Woo

White after Labor Day

I know the rule is no white after Labor Day but I say "why not?".  White is chic and polished and should work all the time!  I am a big fan of clean blue and white and love the freshness of the combo.  Here are a couple of my fave fall transitional pieces that break the rules!  

Blue and white by kacee-geoffroy featuring druzy stud earrings

Dorothy Perkins cable crewneck sweater dorothyperkins.com

Zara vegan shirt zara.com

Zara lined jacket zara.com

Zara jump suit zara.com

J Brand super skinny jeans my-wardrobe.com

Zara footwear zara.com

Jimmy Choo silver heel shoes forwardforward.com

Zara handbag zara.com

LOFT druzy stud earrings loft.com

Zara stone necklace zara.com

Leopard and leather

I have been on a moto jacket kick and wanted to find a fabulous reasonably priced one to rock all Fall and Winter.  Not only is this one completely swoon worthy it's super duper reasonable!  SCORE!!  I feel like they are the easiest way to edge up any outfit.  I snagged this super comfy maxi dress and added a belt to add some waistline.  Voila!  Perfect night out on the town!   

Photos: Corey Morgan

Moto Jacket: Old Navy, Dress: Sam & Lavi similar here, Belt: Target, Bracelet: Stella & Dot Portia Bracelet, Bag: Kate Spade , Heels: Alice & Olivia, Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Dotted

In So Cal summer holds on for a long time!  I always find myself pining away for the days of falling leaves and layers but no luck!  We get full summer weather where I live until about October.  On the bright side, I do get a lot more wear out of my summer wardrobe.  This adorable polka dotted Jcrew shift had to be mine the second I saw it at one of their styling events.  It's an adorable date night ensemble or perfect for a summer wedding!  I would even pair it with some tennies and pop around town running errands in it.    

Photos: Heather Molina

Dress: Jcrew older but adorable option here, Sunglasses: Ray Ban, Clutch Jcrew, Bangles: Kate Spade and  older Jcrew but similar here and here , Shoes: Ivanka Trump but also love these.

Horse town

I grew up in a horse town not far from where I reside now.  To be specific, it is self titled "Horse Town USA".  Ya I said it!  We grew up with horses, although I have to admit I'm still a little skittish around them. One of my most nostalgic feelings is wrapped around the smell of my dad's saddles in his trailer.  I've always been so fascinated by horses and their gentle giant ways.  I love to watch them play and nip each other.   I was so lucky to grow up around them.  My dad still has horses that he boards nearby.  I love taking little visits with my little ones to see papa's horses, pick oranges and check and see if the chickens have laid some eggs.  There are often new babies born and the place is full of the most friendly stray dogs. Special little place.   Photos: Corey Morgan

Top: Jcrew, Shorts: Jcrew, Necklace: Jcrew, Sandals: Tory Burch , Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs

Wedding sparkle

We are a part of our dear friend's wedding this weekend and this gorgeous Alice and Olivia is just the number for the big day! I scored this stunner on the luxury consignment store The Real Real a year ago and man is it a show stopper! Cheers to your "happily ever after" Erik and Jen!

Photos: Corey Morgan

Dress: Alice + Olivia

Sweets and Bubbly

I had been on vacation all week last week with my family in Balboa Island and wanted to invite some of my girlfriends to a fun duffy boat  ride.  A little bubbly, gorgeous french macaroons from my favorite Sweet and Saucy and great girl time is just priceless! My sweet friends Brooke ,Christina and I had been trying to get together for weeks and this was the perfect excuse.  The sunsets had been amazing all week and of course the night we wanted to putter around on the water it was horribly overcast!  What the heck?!  Our sour weather didn't cramp our style though!  Cheers to a fabulous girl's night out!

Photos: Corey Morgan

Cardigan: H&M, Dress: Jcrew but also adore this, Shoes: Sperry's, Earrings: Francesca's Collection similar here,  Bangles: CWonder here,here and here 

Fresh Produce

I love when I get to pop over to our amazing farmer's market but it's a rare occasion.  In the meantime, I found a great little produce stand with all sorts of mutant sized veggies and fruits right by our house.  I would be all over having my own garden if I didn't kill all things that live in the dirt! Talk about Black Thumb to the max!  This light weight tunic top and white cutoffs are the best for grabbing some yummy things for dinner.  I am just smitten with my adorable striped Sole Society flats that go with basically everything! Bring your oversized bag for your goodies and you are keeping it fresh!  

Photos: Corey Morgan

Tunic: Even Sisters but can also be found here, Shorts: Jcrew on sale, Flats: Sole Society, Purse: Lux Clothing and similar here from Madewell, Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Dress Code

I have the great luxury of wearing basically whatever I want to my "office" .

Being a hair and makeup artist definitely gives me room to play with my

options. There really isn't any dress code.  Because I predominately work

with brides I do however try and keep in mind for their big day that I am in

a good amount of their prep photos and want to look sharp and put together.

 I want to look young and relevant but still professional.  I also have

practicality factors like flexible materials for me to reach above my head or

workable bottoms for bending.  I like to make sure I always keep my shoes

really comfy and basically stick to flats or cute sandals.  Here is a chic look

that I would totally rock to my "place of  work". I like to channel a little

Jennifer Lopez in "The Wedding Planner". Can't go wrong!

This would also be a great look for a more formal office setting with clean

colorful pumps.

 

JCrew ladies who lunch by kacee-geoffroy featuring j.crew

Maxed out

Maxi dresses were by far one of the best creations!  They are gorgeous dressed up or down!  I loved this flowy, breezy blue and white one I found at a nearby boutique.  I popped on a fun salmon belt which helped nip the waist in a bit which is much more flattering on my shape.

Photos: Heather Molina

Maxi: Lux Clothing but also love this, Belt: Jcrew, Sandals: Tory Burch, Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Lazy Monday

Mondays are my lazy morning days.  I give myself and the kids a bit more of a cushion in the morning for Pinterest surfing and cartoon watching.    I adore these beautiful Plum Pretty Sugar pjs for so many reasons!  Clearly they are adorable but they are so comfy and keeps you from looking like a hot mess when the delivery man comes and catches you still in your pjs at 11:00.  They come in the most gorgeous patterns, with all sorts of other swoon worthy styles and their robes are something to be desired!!!  

Photos: Corey Morgan

Pretty Pj set from Plum Pretty Sugar

Pattern Mixing

Pattern mixing can be tricky business. How much is to much?  What works and what doesn't?  I say trust your instincts! Fashion should be fun and you can't take yourself to seriously! Go for it!  

Photos: Corey Morgan

Striped top: Jcrew, Floral skirt: Jcrew similar here from Ann Taylor, Heels: Cathy Jean similar her from Zappos, Necklaces: Jcrew, Bag: Kate Spade and also love this from Fossil, Sunglasses: Ray Ban