SEPHORA PLAY - AUGUST '17 - REVIEW

We are close to Halloween and I am catching up with my Review of my Sephora Play box from August 2017.

Better late than never .

The Theme for the month of August was " The Imnovators." The idea was to have a ring side view of some of the products which are new and creating waves in the world of beauty.

I have to begin with the most iconic product in the Box - the Micro Mini Beauty Blender. The original Beauty Blender is a must have for everyone, and despite all the zillion copies available in the market, the original still reigns supreme. The Micro Mini beauty Blender is perfect for under eye concealer or blemishes or any of those precise areas that you wanted to touch up. Not to forget, how cute is this. If you haven't yet used a Beauty Blender, then go ahead and try it out. They have creating a storm on the beauty scene for the past 15 years almost. Wet the sponge and squeeze out excess liquid, and you are all set to use it. Beauty Blender gives you that flawless air brushed finish with almost any foundation or concealer that you might be using.

The second make up product from the box was the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick. I received the shade - " Shell." Currently, I am very tanned and the color sample sent across, is a lot lighter. The product is creamy and pigmented and claims to be a foundation and concealer in one. I used it as an under eye concealer , and it worked fine.It didn't cling to my dry patches or crease. Would live to try it out as a foundation in my correct shade.

From Make up to Hair products. My hair is long, dry and colored . Did I mention that its also fine. I don't like products which claim to be moisturizing but weigh my hair down. Caviar is a well known brand, and I was looking for an opportunity to try out some of their products. Caviar Alterna Miracle Multiplying Voume Mist is a lightweight hair styling mist that add volume, texture to hair while strengthening and softening it. My Hair is textured and voluminous so this product was not the perfect match for me.

Coming back to Makeup and this time, lets talk about a Mascara. Clinique HIM Dual Ended High Impact Mascara and Primer Duo. If there's a primer for your face, for your eye lids, then why not for your lashes, right. Its a two step process, where you first apply the primer and then the mascara. If only Mascara samples came in Waterproof varieties.

Coming to Skin Care, Koress Golden Krocus Ageless Saffron Elixir Serum. Now that's a mouthful to remember. I love to cook with saffron, and it was interesting to use it as an ingredient in my skin care routine. This product is a potent anti aging seru, infused with Greek saffron , visibly reduces the apperance of fine lines. I used it before my night time Retinol routine. it smelled divine and was one fo the most luxurious serums I have used.

Last but not the least- the fragrance sample of the month. Burberry 's My Burberry Black is inspired by the iconic Burberry Trench coat. This fragrance features a seductive blend of jasmine, candied rose and amber. Right up my alley of floral fragrance.

Overall, it was a great box, except for the hair product.

SHOP MY BOX :

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ANIMAL PRINTS, BELL SLEEVES & RUFFLES - FALL FASHION

Animal Prints have been a part of Fall Fashion for ages . The style of prints might change, but some form of animal prints always make a comeback on the runways, at Fall-Winter shows . I decided to style Animal Prints two ways, in my Fall Date Night outfit. It was the Man's Birthday and one of the most special days of the year. My goal for my outfit was that it had be chic and comfy.

Olive /Military Green scream Fall just like Pumpkin spice. And I  literally wear my military green and camo jackets to death this time of year. So when I came across this top/blouse in military green with a unique snake print, I knew I had to have it. It was flowy, which meant, I could easily hide my food baby.

The Ruffles and Statement Sleeves from Spring-Summer easily flow into Fall. The tones change, and the prints, but the silhouettes can still work, with season appropriate accessories.

Leopard is a Neutral, by all means, isnt it ! At least in my books, it is. With Animal Prints, there's always the risk of overdoing it and looking like a Christmas Tree. But toning down the python/snake with a leopard seemed like a good idea to me. If you want, you can even pair the blouse with black patent leather pumps, or even black booties.

Its all about balance when you are planning an outfit. If you have Volume in your top/bouse, then you try to balance it out with a more fitted/leaner silhouette below, and vice-versa. As my Top was flowy and billowing, I wanted my skirt to be slightly more fitted. A high waisted skirt is great, or a even a mid rise skirt, for someone who has a body type like mine. I opted for a black skirt with leather detailing. I know the pictures don't pick up the leather part of the skirt, but Mommy Bloggers often don't have the luxury of lengthy photoshoots. Apologies for that. This skirt is an oldie, and has been featured in quite a few outfits here on the Blog, so you can tak ea look at those, if you want.

MAC Mehr on the Lips, as its another Fall staple for me. Some Silver Hoops and we were all set to party.

SHOP MY OUTFIT : 

Disclaimer : This Post was Sponsored by Kohl's and Influenster, but the opinions are those of my own. 

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JUNIOR LEAGUE OF KANSAS CITY'S HOLIDAY MART 2017

I had taken a break from Blogging, as I was away on a long family vacation to Iceland. I had enough content for posts to go up scheduled, which I usually do, when I am travelling, but this vacation, I just wanted to enjoy, without having to worry about work. Thank you to everyone of you, who understood that. While the last post on the Blog, had a philanthropic tone to it, I was fortunate enough to have the new post have a philanthropic to it as well.

Junior League of Kansas City's 30th Annual Holiday Mart.  The perfect example of Shopping for a Cause. Holiday Mart is one of the largest non profit shopping events in town, led fully by women volunteers. Months of planning and hard work, by fabulous women, who donated their time, to bring this amazing event to life. A weekend of shopping which rings in the Holiday cheer earlier. Since 1988 this event has raised more than $17 million for the betterment of Kansas City. Proceeds from Holiday Mart support community project, sponsored by the Junior League of Kansas City, including their Signature Programs, focused on women and children.

Junior League of Kansas City is an organisation of women, committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

 More than 20,000 shoppers, more than 200 vendors and sheer magic. Holiday Mart 2017 was held at Bartle Hall, in Kansas City, from October 19 to 22nd, with loads of Special Events, like Preferential Shopping, Ladies Night Out and even Pictures with St. Nick.

Here are my Picks for a fabulous day of Shopping for a great cause.

As parents, we are always teaching our daughter the importance of kindness. The lovely booth of Inspired Good Publishing was such a great place to stop by. Loved their Acts of good Journal.

If its Holiday Mart, I have to shop for Holiday decor, right ! And Amber Marie and Co, is simply the best, I tell you.

I am obsessed with greys and neutrals. As you can see how Mommy and Daughter are dressed for the day. The most magical Christmas ornaments and holiday decor had me hooked on. Could I simply take the whole booth, and deck up my halls as a Winter Wonderland. I am moving over from red, golds and greens, and its all going to be silvers, and whites and greys. Winter is Coming !

I was fortunate enough to attend the event with my family, so it was a great parenting opportunity, in explaining philanthropy to my 4 year old. Cheers to strong women all around.

My Man, who is a fabulous Dad, plans the most amazing trips for us. We really loved our Icelandic adventure put together by him. We had got home from Iceland , the night before we attended Holiday Mart, and the Man had more travel plans for us. Aren't these Hand Lettered Art Work from Gale Nation,  the perfect Gift for this amazing Man.

And I had to drop by Scoobie. How could I not shop from Sarah's beautifully curated fashion finds. Ladies, she has the most amazing collection. She retails through Trendz Market and The Garment District downtown. Can the best Boutique Award go to Scoobie please !

I had picked out this amazing Sweater for myself while browsing the racks. Then I asked Sarah, if she wanted to style me in something. My Jetlag ridden brain needed a girl friend's help.

Then she brought out this amazing Champagne colored Crushed velvet Bomber, with ruched details on the sleeves and the back. She mentioned that it matched my style, and not everyone can pull it off. Yes, it came home with me.

As an Influencer, you have to make sure, you keep sharing about all your adventures as well. Isnt my job so much fun ! Love doing what I do.

If you have already met Santa, earlier this year, then you can expect at least one fabulous gift, earlier. Bulls Eye Bows makes these amazing Bows and Arrows with soft balls , instead of an arrowhead. Our 4 year old, wanted one, and we told her that of she could try it out. And she hit the bulls eye, at the first shot. If you are shopping for Christmas gifts for the youngsters, then its a great gift idea and its pretty safe too. There are different bows matched to everyone from 3 year olds to adults.

Vests and me are meant for each other I feel. From Plaids - Beverly's Apparel  to Suedes - Julie's Boutique , I did have quite a spread to choose from.

One can never have too many bows. Loved the extra large bows from Three Sisters Bows.

Did I mention that besides his day job, and being a musician, and being a great photographer and a great travel planner, this man is an amazing Chef. he enjoyed his time browsing through the various food and condiment booths. All Star Dips got his stamp of approval. We picked up Lobster, Lemony Dill and hot Hot Habanero.

I loved the Berries and Jalapeno Compote from Forever Herbs.  

Oven baked cheese had us intrigued. I love my baked Brie . We tried out the baked cheese from Gardner's Oven Baked Cheese of Wisconsin and it tasted very similar to how fried Paneer(Indian Cottage Cheese) would taste like. Interesting !

We shopped till we dropped, and it felt good to think, that our shopping was for such a great cause. Thank you Junior League of Kansas City and Kathryn Elise Studio for such a brilliant time.

Mark you calendars for Holiday Mart 2018 .

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PIZZERIA LOCALE X RYE : FOOD FOR A CAUSE

I am a foodie and I am a Mom. So when I got the invite to check out a unique collaboration of two famous Chefs coming together, for a charity benefiting children, I knew I had to be there. Rye, is one of our favorite restaurants in town, and has been featured earlier in my Blog. And we fell in love with Pizzeria Locale, when we sampled their fare at the Foodie Chick Event. Two James Beard award winning chefs, Colby Garrelts(Rye, Blue Stem) and Lachlan Mackinnon Patterson(Pizzeria Locale) decided to bring their unique culinary styles together, for an unique creation.

Their delicious partnership is a part of a fundraiser for Child Protection Center(CPC),which has been serving the Kansas City area, for the last 20 years. The CPC is a child-friendly safe haven for children who are allegedly victims of child abuse, or who have witnessed homicide or extreme violence. As a mother, who is trying her best to explain her daughter, what could possibly be child abuse , almost every day, before she leaves for school, this collaboration rang close to heart.

What exactly is the specialty Pizza ?

Kansas city is after all the barbecue capital of the world, so this collaboration also pays an homage to that. Chef Colby brings his famous Barbecue Sauce, to pair with Chef Lachlan's four ingredient crust.

Its a white pizza, which is one of my favorites. The customary fur ingredient crust, chicken, red onion, garlic oil and the pizza goes into the oven. Baked to perfection its finished off with Rye's signature barbecue sauce. It could not have had a better platform to show off that fabulous barbecue crust. The pizzas are 11 inch personal pizzas and they fill your tummy and your heart.

It pairs very well, with a full bodied Red. Pizzeria Locale has a few wines on tap, and they really were good with their wine pairing suggestions.

This creative collaboration is on till October 10th , at any of the Pizzeria Locations in Kansas City. Both Chefs will be available at the Oak Park Mall location on October 10th, between 5 to 7 pm.

So if you are making plans of eating out , make sure you head to Pizzeria Locale and contribute to the cause. Not to mention that fabulous slice of goodness. I bet you will order yourself another pizza to take home with, once you have worked your way around one. 

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