“No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.”

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These past few days have been rather intense, as I am finally nearing the launch of my next grand adventure. Mornings are crisp and afternoons are still bright and warm, as shorter days are fading into nights that are nearly cold.  Lately, I have been all work and little play, so in lieu of soirées and other beautiful adventures, plans were made to do absolutely nothing at all. Although there was still time for leisurely morning brunch, shopping for beautiful dresses, reading under the October sun – warm and golden on my face, fresh raspberries tarts (almost too beautiful to eat) and time with friends. I love todays inspiration images.  I wanted to put together something romantic, fashion inspired and sexy…

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Let your mind take you everywhere that’s beautiful.

Wishing you a weekend of magical moments

xo

A favorite color of mine is and has always been blush – the color of ballet slippers. The romantic, feminine and fabulous shade graced Spring runways and became the hottest wedding color for 2014 and 2015 spring weddings.

Blush dresses offer a gorgeous alternative to ivory or white. A sweet take on pastels and perfect for any bride wanting color on her wedding day, if you love the trend, below are some amazing dresses that embrace all shades and styles!

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Would you wear a blush wedding dress, or are they too overly girly for you? Leave a comment below letting me know if you love this trend or not.

Top Rated Eye Creams

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Newsflash!! The skin around the eyes is 10 times thinner than the skin on your face, and it ages 36 percent faster, so if you’re not treating it with a little extra TLC, it’s time to start. Here are some of the best eye creams that target a ton of issues so that you’re left looking younger, more awake, and bright-eyed!  Recently I went on a search to find the top eye creams by reviewers and here is a total beauty list to narrow down the millions of options out there to find the right one for you! These are not listed in any particular order, pay attention to reviewer rating 1-10 and your specific concerns, Happy shopping!

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Best Eye Cream No. 11: Clarins Super-Restorative Total Eye Concentrate, $83 average member rating: 8.0*
Why it’s great: Reviewers call this eye cream “amazing,” “very effective” and a “must-have.” One reviewer says it “absorbs quickly, isn’t greasy” and keeps her eyes looking “fresh and young.” While many reviewers acknowledge its high cost, they find that it is “ultimately worth the money.”04-totalbeauty-logo-best-eye-creamsBest Eye Cream No. 10: La Mer The Eye Concentrate, $195 average member rating: 8.4*
Why it’s great: La Mer—the crème de la crème—the most expensive and, arguably, most famous product in our list. As fancy as it is (it’s even got a silver-tipped applicator!), it’s just as effective. This product is luxury at its best! Reviews say it is the only eye cream that has help dramatically diminish dark circles. Others chime in, saying it is “fantastic for under eye dark circles” and that they have noticed significant results in just four weeks. And, “most importantly, no milia,” says one reviewer.03-totalbeauty-logo-best-eye-creamsBest Eye Cream No. 9:Benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream, $34 Average rating: 8.6*

Why it’s great: True to its name, this cream is “remarkably, wonderfully potent,” according to reviewers. This moisturizer is “made to brighten the eye area and fade dark circles … [it] means what it says and says what it means,” writes one satisfied reviewer. “This is unbelievable,” writes another. “It is really rich and creamy, and a little goes a long way.”

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Best Eye Cream No. 8: Dermalogica Age Smart Multivitamin Power Firm, $58 average rating: 8.6*
Why it’s great: “I swear by this product,” says one reviewer, who claims she saw a “difference in lines in the first week.” Reviewers also love the texture of this eye cream: “It goes on silky and isn’t greasy at all.” Overall, reviewers are impressed with this “great eye cream” that “helps with lines” and “getting rid of puffiness.”06-totalbeauty-logo-best-eye-creamsBest Eye Cream No. 7: Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, $47 average rating: 8.7*
Why it’s great: This “thick and creamy” eye treatment is a favorite among reviewers because it “is rich and goes on smoothly.” The refreshing “cooling sensation” it delivers is another perk. “All I need is a small amount and it makes my under eye skin soft, smooth and glowy,” sums up one reader.

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Best Eye Cream No. 6: Dermalogica Total Eye Care SPF 15, $48 average rating: 8.9*
Why it’s great: “I swear that after using this product for a week people asked me what I was doing differently,” raves one reviewer, who writes that she “can’t live without this.” Other readers express similar feelings, saying it “smoothes the delicate eye area and has a very light tint that brightens and blends well.” As one reviewer summarizes: It “helps with fine lines, puffiness and dark circles, plus SPF. What more could you ask for?01-totalbeauty-logo-best-of-eye-creamBest Eye Cream No. 5: ZO Skin Health Olluminate Intense Eye Repair, $130 average rating: 8.9*
Why it’s great: Readers say this “intense eye repair cream” has a “great anti-aging formula” that is “very high-quality” and “pretty amazing.” It “reduces lines,” helps with “puffiness and dark circles” and “keeps skin fresh, hydrated and supple.” One reviewer is impressed that the cream is “not too heavy” or greasy, which means she can “apply eye makeup over it in the morning without the makeup smudging.”04-totalbeauty-logo-best-of-eye-creamBest Eye Cream No. 4: Mario Badescu Ceramide Eye Gel, $18 average rating: 9.3*
Why it’s great: Readers love this cooling eye gel for reducing puffiness. In addition, they say it “makes the under-eye look smoother” and is “moisturizing.” A few reviewers recommend keeping it in the fridge because it “works even better to de-puff if you keep it cold.” One fan notes it takes only “five minutes for it to reduce puffiness and dark circles.”

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Best Eye Cream No. 3: Shiseido Future Solution LX Eye and Lip Contour Regenerating Cream, $130 average rating: 9.4*
Why it’s great: Don’t be deterred by this eye cream’s steep price tag, reviewers say. They call this “fantastic” product “one of the best eye creams” and say it’s “well worth the money.” One reader raves “it leaves [her] eyes and mouth smooth, moisturized and flawless.” Another claims “it got rid of [her] under eye circles immediately.” Still worried about the price? Reviewers swear that “a little goes a long way.”12-totalbeauty-logo-best-of-eye-creamBest Eye Cream No. 2: SkinCeuticals Eye Balm, $82 average rating: 9.6*
Why it’s great: Reviewers call this eye cream “the best.” They saw a “definite difference” in as little as “two weeks.” Other selling points? The formula is “very soothing,” “absorbs quickly,” “refreshes the eye area” and “is the best for aging skin.” As far as the price, one reader declares, “You get your money’s worth!”

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Best Eye Cream No. 1: Borghese Fluido Protettivo Advanced Spa Lift for Eyes, $47.50 average rating: 9.9*
Why it’s great: This top-rated eye cream is described as “worth its weight in gold,” a “must-have” and “exceptional and effective.” Those with sensitive skin especially appreciate the “thin, fast-absorbing” formula because it “doesn’t sting, burn or irritate” their eyes. It has a protective, triple-action anti-oxidation and moisturizing shield system to fight environmental aggressors. It resurfaces skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles with MPG.  One reader says she “keeps coming back to this” product because she can feel her “skin tighten up and de-puff” immediately after applying it. Simply put: “You will not be disappointed.”

FLOWERS THAT HANG FROM THE CEILING

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How can a ceiling covered in flowers not wow you? Crystal chandeliers complete the glamorous effect of this lush indoor inverted garden. Use the same concept over a dance floor, head table or ceremony site.

THE PERFECT FLORAL ARCH

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The arch is a focal point of any ceremony, so make it something to stare at. And there’s nothing quite like a flower-covered trellis to do just that. Hanging crystals and cascading vines create a pretty backdrop for photos. Play with color and floral varieties to make it work for any season or setting.

ALL WHITE EVERYTHING

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There’s something so timeless about a clean and crisp all-white reception. Use height, texture and lighting in your centerpieces to create depth. This will make your flowers stand out — even against a monochromatic background

OBSESSION WITH OMBRE

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The ombre trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. It’s made its mark on almost every wedding element, from invitations to cakes and even dresses. This look works best on long tables, so you can really see the slight variation between each shade. You can stick to one flower type, like roses or hydrangeas, to really make the colors pop, but feel free to do whatever types of flowers you love!

FLORAL WALLS

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Flower-covered walls are the next big thing in wedding flower decor. And why not? This idea pulls double-duty as both a ceremony and photo booth backdrop. It’s also a great way to bring the outdoors in if you’re saying “I do” in a ballroom setting.

HAPPY PLANNING!

xo

BEAUTY MUST-HAVE: A CLEAR STICKER THAT MAKES ACNE DISAPPEAR

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Spot-treating blemishes has never been a discreet or on-the-go act. The whole process, of having to commit to a night spent with pink or white drying lotion dotting your face and flaking on your pillow just to shrink a pimple in a day’s time, was in desperate need of an upgrade. Thankfully, it’s finally gotten one—in potent sticker form. Tear open a sheet of the treatment dots and peel them off like you would those old-school Candy Buttons, then slap them anywhere you have acne or feel inflammation brewing and leave on for eight hours. The patch locks the salicylic acid, tea tree oil and hyaluronic acid in and delivers it deeper into your skin to fight flare-ups faster than traditional methods.

My only caveat, what makes those ugly pink drying spot treatments so effective is the sulfer and other ingredients that all the other acne shelf products don’t contain.  Bottom line, if salicylic acid works for you, this is a genius product.  Personally it does nothing for my skin.  Everyone is different!

Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots, $30, sephora.com.

BEAUTY MUST-HAVE: AN INTOXICATING FLORAL SUGAR SCRUB

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​I fall in love with a lot of body scrubs, it’s true, but I’m not being hyperbolic when I call each one “the best.” The thing is, they all satisfy different needs: This one wakes me up in the morning like no other beauty product can, plus its cleansing agents eliminate the need for body wash; This one does the work of a spa-grade service and is my go-to before self-tanner application. And when I want a heady dose of perfume along with my exfoliation, I reach for & Other Stories Floral Memento Body Scrub. “Dusty violets settling among bergamot trees and peony dreams” is the poetic scent description given; to me, it smells like hundreds of delicate flower petals have been muddled into a vat of sugar. It’s so intoxicating that I find myself using it just as much as a calming aromatherapy treatment outside the shower, opening it just to breathe in deeply.

 & Other Stories Floral Memento Body Scrub, $15, stories.com.

BEAUTY MUST-HAVE: THE BEST EXFOLIATOR FOR SOFT, SMOOTH, LINE-FREE LIPS

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     Dedicated lip scrub—if I had to guess—is not something most people have in their showers or medicine cabinets. Lip exfoliation just isn’t talked about the way body or face exfoliation is; you probably just grab a cheap toothbrush or washcloth and rub it against any flakiness in the winter or when your lipstick isn’t going on smoothly. And that’s fine, but once you find a really great lip scrub—one that has just the right mix of gritty, grainy texture and softening oiliness, plus smells and tastes so good you won’t be able to help eating a little of it (and that will be okay because it’s made with natural ingredients)—you’ll wonder how you ever went without it. Sara Happ’s is that one. I’ve been using her scrubs almost daily for years and every time I run out, I feel anxious, like a key step in my routine has been thrown out of whack. Peony, the newest flavor, is the first that isn’t fruity or sweetly gourmand—it just might be my favorite.

 Sara Happ The Lip Scrub in Peony, $24, nordstrom.com.

BEAUTY MUST-HAVE: THE BEST-SMELLING TEXTURE SPRAYlandscape-1432745643-hbz-beauty-must-have-dry-shampoo-article

For the last few months, I’ve been on a quest to get those perfectly gritty, textured, model off-duty waves without ever taking a curling wand to my head. For a while, I was going to sleep with two pigtails and unwinding them in the morning, but too often it led to weird kinks and cowlicks. Sleeping in a French braid gave better results, but a little too much volume up top. Then, I made the breakthrough tweak: Instead of pulling my hair back and beginning to braid back from the top, I part it down the center and start the French braid at ear level, mist it with Oribe Thick Dry Finishing Spray and wake up to rumpled waves that start at just the right place and hold all day. It sounds like nothing, but I’ve never gotten so many compliments on my hair.

 The thing with Oribe is this: Editors rave about it constantly for a reason—it really is one of the best. And though the signature scent alone has a cult following, so much that there’s a perfume version, it’s just too overwhelming for me. So when I ran out of it recently, I decided to hold off on replacing it and instead try every other dry shampoo and texture spray in the beauty closet. The clear winner was Toni & Guy’s Matt Texture Dry Shampoo. First, it sprays on 100% clear—something many promise, few deliver. Second, it does the oil-absorbing, hair-refreshing work of a dry shampoo, but also creates the tousled, messy texture you get from a great salt spray. Finally, the scent is so clean and light and citrus-y that it really, truly does make your hair smell freshly washed days later. The true sign? I spray it on like crazy at the office and instead of complaining of headaches, everyone comes over to borrow it.

Toni & Guy Casual Matt Texture Dry Shampoo, $15, target.com. -MarieClaire

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. . . another week and so far, my thoughts are filled with romance, soft pastel colors, bundles of tulle, billowy clouds and late-summer rain. Evenings spent with family and friends while we say our bittersweet farewells to the last days of summer . . .

Wishing you an enchanting week, overflowing with beautiful things, before inspirations of fall abound.
xo

I hope that your holiday weekend was filled to the brim with celebration and tons of laughter. Mine was spent with my beautiful twin cousins, Angii and Mandy.  There was talk about the past, the present, and so many other lovely things; beautiful late night dinners and early morning breakfasts, there were in-depth makeup lessons, followed by a cool, sunlit shopping experience and a stop by my favorite restaurant for lunch and frozen gelato — just to name a few of our fabulous weekend activities!

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“Let us read and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world”

– Voltaire

Saturday night was dancing – in our prettiest dresses and highest heels – under a chandelier lit canopy of lights that illuminated grass-covered walls and gorgeous decor…  We danced the night away, amongst smiles and laughter; a feeling of magic in the air, as we were swept away by the music, new friends and the most spectacular rooftop garden.  It was an unforgettable night! A special thank you to my cousins, who are both newly married and chose to leave their men at home to come wing-man this single girl! Now that’s true love!  😉

Remember, there is always time to put on your prettiest skirt and twirl around to your favorite song. Even if you’re all alone. Never stop dancing, it keeps you young!

xo

Today’s gorgeous images swept me away and inspired me to put them all together in one beautiful and romantic post. Inspired by my favorite color combination — soft blush and striking black — it includes all things feminine, black and white polka dots, sweet and sexy lingerie, as well as flower embellished martinis; almost too beautiful to drink.

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“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak”     – Rachel Zoe

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“To create something exceptional, your mindset must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail.” – Giorgio Armani

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This weekend marks the last holiday of summer, from swimming pools and days at the beach to dinners outdoors, we say goodbye to sunlit days and warm summer nights.  And so, before we wrap ourselves in cosy knits and search for tall leather boots hidden in the back of the closet, may your weekend be a beautiful whirl of celebration, for the end of summer is upon us. Wishing you a perfect one.

xo

There is nothing quite as beautiful or unique, as a perfectly gorgeous wedding dress. Lately, more care has been put into the intricate details on the backside of bridal gowns. Your guests will mostly be admiring you from the back as you walk down the isle, recite your vows, have your first dance, and toss your bouquet.

So, give them something to talk about! Whether you want to show it all off with a sexy low back or want to glow with an ethereal look and soft illusion back, there is a gown out there for you! And trust me, these gowns are as gorgeous in the front as they are in the back.

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On a personal note, I couldn’t not include my dream dress (below), so simple and sophisticated, yet sexy and dreamlike. This dress makes me swoon. I think Im in love 😉

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The way something as simple as layered scalloped lace can create such a stunning effect.

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Or the way the back of this dress is just two simple bows

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Let your imagination carry you away, to the beaches of Brazil, Hawaii, Greece; wherever your mind takes you. Sailboats and nautical stripes, coral and bikinis… Let yourself be swept away, for the warmth and beauty of summer, will soon be fading into a new season.

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Today, I enjoyed the cool breeze off of the ocean, stuck my feet into the warm sand and felt the touch of sunlight, warming my skin and relaxing my body and mind. I’ve been so preoccupied these days.  I sometimes share deep truths about my life on this blog, but I really try to make it more of a beautiful escape… for us all. It’s so important to take time to enjoy the simple things, to reflect and meditate…. life is simply one beautiful day at a time.

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“She loved the sea. She liked the sharp salty smell of the air, and the vastness of the horizons bounded only by a vault of azure sky above. It made her feel small, but free.”

― George R.R. Martin