STRIPES : KCFW F'17 X KENDRA SCOTT OOTD

Kansas City Fashion Week Fall Winter, is rolling on this week. As "Official Media" , I am going there a few days and some nights. If you havent read my Recap of the KCFW Kickoff at Kendra Scott , then click HERE. If you want to know, how I planned my outfit, for the first day, then you are in the right place. The Media Passes were in my inbox, I had more or less zeroed in which days I wanted to go for, then is the question of ,"What do I wear?"

Chic yet comfortable , feminine and edgy, could be phrases used to be describe my personal style. Fashion Week is always seasons ahead, if you didn't know that already. So in Spring, you attend Fall-Winter Shows and vice versa. This season, I planned my Outfits, for each of the nights, I am attending , by focusing on some of the current Spring Trends. I know, trends, come and go, and a classic style is eternal. But Fashion Week, is also a time, when you get to highlight your personal style.

For the first day , I focused on the current Spring Trend - STRIPES. 
Stripes had sprung all across the Spring Summer '17 runways, from New York, to Milan, and even closer home in KCFW. The best part of this trend, is that the sheer variety of Stripes which are in vogue now. From the Blue-white pinstripes, or banker, stripes, to rainbow stripes, to even monochromatic stripes. Feminine tops, to boxy culottes, not so classic button downs , to dresses, you take your pic. I picked out a White Shirt Dress in horizontal stripes in Red and Blue. On hind thought, this could also be a great 4th of July Outfit, if you pair my ensemble, with Red Lips. There's something so fresh and appealing about Spring Whites. They get you dreaming about good weather, even if its pouring , when I type this post. I paired it with my Royal Blue Ballet Flats, as I wanted comfortable footwear on the first day. I know, I will be bringing out my heels, all week long, so gave my feet some well deserved rest, the first day. My White Fossil Watch , my Diamond bracelet were my accessories for the afternoon.

My make up was fresh and dewy and day time appropriate. I skipped eye shadow altogether, and concentrated on my eyeliner and mascara. Here is a rundown on the Makeup I Used that afternoon, if you wanted to create this look for Spring soirees.

Make Up Deets : 
Face: 
MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Foundation 123
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer NW20
Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray  
NARS Blush, Orgasm 0.16 oz.
Eyes: 
Urban Decay Primer Potion - Original
MAC Fluidline Eye Liner Gel Blacktrack
Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara (Very Black) 
Lips : 
MAC Lipstick - Girl About Town
Nailpolish : 
Essie - Petal Pushers.

Outfit Details :
Striped Shirt Dress : Old Navy(Old). Similar Here and Here
Blue Suede Ballet Flats : Off Broadway Shoes. Similar Here
Watch - Fossil (Old). Similar Here

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KCFW FW '17 KICK OFF AT KENDRA SCOTT - A RECAP

Photo Courtesy : Ryan Swartzlander Photography

Kansas City Fashion Week is back with a brand new season. As the sun played hide seek. amidst showers, on Sunday afternoon, the fashion fraternity of KC , got together, to celebrate all things Fashion. KCFW Fall Winter 2017 kickstarted with a fundraising event , held at the Kendra Scott store in Town Center, in Leawood. An afternoon of Designer Presentations, mingling, networking and not to forget , shopping for a cause.

KCFW is a week long Fashion extravaganza, which keeps outdoing itself in every season. There were two designers who previewed their designs, before it hit the runways, later this week. Oliviet by Tobie Marie , showed a collection, inspired by Jackie Kennedy. She mentioned that used lavender, grey and white throughout her collection, along with a lot of detailing, inspired by Broken Glass. The idea of women trying to break the glass ceiling , everywhere. Go Girl ! Jamesia Manning was the other designer, who previewed her collection. She is a self taught designer, who would like to cater to a customer, who would like a classic look, with a touch of her signature style.

Admiring the lovely Baubles of Kendra Scott, sipping on some Bubbly , enjoying the delicious small bites, the afternoon went well. Its always so good catching up with your favorite faces, and exchanging notes and sharing a smile , before the runway shows kick off. And who doesn't love to shop? A part of the proceeds of the sale at Kendra Scott today, went to the newly formed non profit, Kansas City Fashion Council Inc. 

The Runway shows start from Wednesday, and run through Saturday. While Kansas City Fashion Week, is often associated with Union Station, this season kicks off its shows, at a new venue - The Grand Hall of Kansas City . 

Photo Courtesy : Ryan Swartzlander Photography

Stay tuned to the Blog, for all the latest updates of KCFW.  

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SEPHORA PLAY FEBRUARY' 17 - REVIEW

Spring is here and its time to cue to everything Blush. The February edition of the Sephora Play Box, seemed to be a harbinger of the upcoming days of Blush. Sephora Play is a monthly Beauty Subscription service. Priced at $10, it includes a set of 5 beauty , skincare and fragrance samples, all chosen around a monthly theme.  The blush bag for the month of February was the best bag so far. It scream Spring in every way. The boxes can sometimes be hit or miss with the products. SO without much further ado, lets get started with the contents for February. 

The theme for the month of February was "The Soft Side" which featured products highlighting feminine hues and a softer side, in makeup and skin care. 

I want to begin with the Lipstick sample, as I am a self confessed lip junkie. Its the first time, that I received a NARS Lip product in the box. NARS Velvet Lip Glide in Bound is  a dusty rose liquid lipstick, which doesn't dry super matte. It dries semi matte. The color reminded me of a lighter version of MAC Mehr, though the Nars product isnt as highly pigmented . Although I liked the formula, and I love dusty rose lipstricks, this shade was kinda lost on my skin tone. I know nudes are not supposed to stand out like concealer lips, but this didnt wow me, as much as I thought it would.

I have naturally bee stung (looking lips ), so I dont need a lip plumper. But if Sephora has sent one along the way, why not try it. Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy in Milkshake, is a sheer tinted gloss, which uses a botanical-infused formula to visibly plump lips. It also claims to hydrate and soften the lips over time. It can be used along the edges of the lips, to plump then, and layers well under other lipstick. Its got a light shimmer, which gives off a subtle sheen, if used on its own.

I use waterproof mascara on a daily basis. Every other mascara sample, that I receive in subscription boxes, is not a waterproof one. Why is that always ? Sephora Collection Lashcraft Length and Volume Mascara, has a unique paddle shaped wand. It claims that the first coat builds the length and the second coat gives it volume. I mean, my Maybelline Falsies(waterproof) Mascara gives a better output for length and volume, and is priced lesser . The paddle shaped wand, though is nice. I only wish it came in a waterproof version. It claims also that you dont need make up remover, to remove it, just warm water would do. Then my question is , what if it starts to rains and I am wearing this mascara? March showers are famous , right.

Talking of skin care, this bag, had a unique moisturizer, Clinique Pep-Start Hydroblur Mositurizer . Not only can it used as a moisturizer, but it works good as a primer and can also be used over make up. Yes , you read that right. I was a bit confused when I heard that. The idea is to give your make up a natural or a dewy look. It does have a unique texture, but honestly, I am a bit wary of products which make too many claims. I have dry skin, and like a moisturizer which does it job.

The Origins GinZing Eye cream is a cult favorite amongst beauty lovers across the world. But i had not tried it personally. So when i came across the sample of Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream, I was excited. Its a luminous eye cream for starters. Something I had never heard of. Maybe I am a bit late on the wagon, of makeup and skin care blended together. I know I should use eye cream more often, along with my Retinol routine. Since this eye cream has a slight shimmer factor, it can also be used as a subtle highlighter, or as an instant pick me up.

Last but not least, is the fragrance sample. Marc Jacobs Divine Decadance, is earthy and woody, with top notes of champagne extract, orange blossom, bergamot.  It layers well with other fragrances.


SHOP THE BOX :

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FREEZING MOO IS THE COOLEST NEW ICE CREAM PARLOR IN KC

I scream , you scream, we all scream for Ice Cream. Since we are officially in Spring, I thoughts its time to bring forth the Ice Cream updates. I have two lip smacking Ice Cream posts lined up for all of you. Lets begin with something close to home. FREEZING MOO is the new Ice Cream sensation which has hit Kansas City. It opened its doors in December 2016, and has been an instant hit with the locals. We had been there with our daughter, and we all had such a great time.

Whats so unique about a new ice cream place? There's once in almost every alternate strip mall across town. What if it tell you, that its ice cream, without preservatives, which has not been lying in the freezer section of a grocery store, for the last six months. Freezing Moo brings a popular concept from Thai street food - Rolled Ice Cream.

You pick out a flavor and a serving vessel ( a waffle bowl or a paper bowl). Me and my husband had picked out Whole Lotta Latte (Coffee, Caramel,Cookies) and our daughter picked out Cookie Monster(Oreo Cookies, Chocolate Sauce ). Then when your name is called out, you head to one of the four windows, in front of a freezing station. A Master Ice Cream maker gets to work on your creation. Fruits or cookies are mashed and chopped  first. Then fresh milk, and cane sugar is poured into the mixture, and the Cream starts mixing it all up, and smoothing it out on the cold plate. Then comes the art of rolling the freshly made ice cream in to swoon worthy curls. Topped with toppings of your choice , you are ready to dig in.

From the lines leading up to the counter and the constant buzz in Social Media, you can guess how popular this new ice cream joint has become among locals. I have seen people braving the cold Midwestern Winter, to have a bowl of freshly made rolled ice cream.

 Its a fun joint, if I may say. The walls are covered with  Post It notes from patrons, who have been there . And not to forget the famous wall of Selfies. Yes you heard that right. The owners of Freezing Moo , encourage you to take a selfie while you enjoy your ice cream. They have a Wifi printer , which prints out copies of your selfies. And there's sticky tape on hand. So you stick a print of your selfie with the ice cream, on the walls. That was such a nice touch.

Coming to the ice cream and its taste . How different was it from regular ice cream? I would say, there was a marked difference, and no ,I  am not being a part of the hype, when I say so. I loved those curls. I am surely going back there. Though I must add, wish they had smaller serving sizes for children. Or maybe Me and my daughter are going to share a bowl. 

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TROLLS "HAIR UP" SPRINKLES BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR MY 4 YEAR OLD

"Trolls ", seems to be the favorite word  in our household , since Fall. So its not strange, when we asked our daughter, what she wanted as the theme of her birthday, you might have guessed it. For those of you, who are not aware, "Troll" was an animation feature film which had released last Fall. It became an isntant hit among for not only the tsory line, but also its songs, and its strong female lead - Poppy. The Trolls were known for their colorful hair among other things, and the many tricks they could do with their hair. The film also featured a song, called " Hair Up" .

The Internet , especially Pinterest is full of inspiration for a Trolls themed Birthday cake. Elaborate tiers, gum paste figurines, its all there. I have done fondant cakes for Riona. They look great in a party . But fondant is almost like edible play dough, and no one likes the taste of it. This time around, I didnt want to do a fondant cake. It had to be Buttercream, as I know my daughter likes that.

How do I decorate? My mind was blibking in trying to think of a cake, which would please a 4 year old. I knew I wanted colors in there. The Rainbow plays an important part in the Trolls folklore. So I wanted to incorporate rainbow colors in it. So I baked two Funfetti Cakes, frosted them with vanilla buttercream. Then I covered the sides with Rainbow Sprinkles. I piped buttercream icing, to resemble the "Hair Up" of the Trolls. Rii loves M&Ms and I wanted to incorporate them into the design. I put in M&Ms in the VIBGYOR sequence of the iced buttercream troll hair. Then I sprinkled some more rainbow sprinkles in the center of the cake to finish it off.

My 4 year old loved the cake.

TROLLS "HAIR UP " SPRINKLES BIRTHDAY CAKE : 

Ingredients :
Funfetti Cake Mix : 1 packet
Vanilla Butter Cream Icing : White
Butter CReam Icing : Black : for writing
Vegetable Oil : 1/2 cup
Eggs : 3
Water : 1 cup
Butter : for greasing baking pans

Disposable Piping Bags
Wilton Tip - 12 and coupling
Offset Spatula
Wilton turntable

Procedure:
Pre-heat oven to 350F. Follow package instructions to bake the cakes. I used two 6inch spring form round pans, which I had greased with butter, and placed on a sheet tray. Once the cakes are out of the oven for 10 minutes, use an offset spatula, to go along the sides of the pan to release the cake.

Let the cake cool for at least 5 to 6 hours, before you start decorating.

Use a sharp serrated knife to level the cake.

Prepare your cake board , or cake stand. Place a dollop of frosting, in the middle, and place your first layer of cake. This prevents the cake from sliding and falling off.

Frost a thin layer of icing on top of the cake. Then place your second layer, on top of it. But turn the cake upside down, to put the bottom up. That way, you get a flat top for your cake. Frost a thin layer of frosting. This is your crumb coat. Let it chill for two hours in the refrigerator.

Take a large sheet tray and cover it with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Place a large boil, upside down. Then place your cake board ,with your cake on top if it. Make sure its steady.  Pour sprinkles on your hand, and keep pressing along the sides of the cake.

I filled in a disposable piping bag with vanilla buttercream icing and fitted it with Wilton 12 tip and coupling. I piped in the trolls hair look alike icing.

I filled in the center of the cake with more sprinkles. Then I added M&Ms along the piped Trolls hair. Added in some Daisy candles . I used Black ButterCream Icing and piped in " Happy Birthday " on the cake board.

We were all set to party with our Queen !

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