Holiday Style On the Go

This post is in collaboration with Drybar.

The holidays are a busy time of year. Essentially, your normal life is put into hyperdrive with family photos, parties, shopping, cooking and traveling being added into the mix. If you have a 9am to 5pm job there really isn't a lot of time to change for those happy hour cocktail parties or Christmas parties let alone time to plan what to wear, shower and re-do your hair. I've partnered with Drybar to show you that you don't have to worry about your hair or outfit this year. Within an hour you can look amazing and get pampered at the same time.

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Here are some simple steps to Holiday Style on the Go:

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1| Choose a work outfit that you can either dress up (i.e. switch out the top or switch out the bottom) or that incorporates holiday colors and can be altered with accessories. I have two examples for you:

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A. Dress up your basics - I started with a simple black pencil skirt and a button up shirt. All that I need to change with this outfit is my top and shoes.

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B. Style your holiday color - I started with a basic, organic cotton red dress from Synergy Clothing. I simply just need to take off my blazer and belt, change my shoes and add some sparkling earrings.

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2| Make your appointment with Drybar. Just hop online, choose your location and then choose your appointment time. They even have an app you can download so that you can do it all from you phone.

3| Head over to Drybar and get pampered! When you walk in they greet you with a beverage of your choice, some snacks, fashion magazines and they are always playing awesome movies. I watched Four Christmases and Elf while I was there. THE BEST!

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4| Choose your hair style from their Drybar menu. They are all named after fun cocktail drinks. I asked my mixologist (a.k.a. hairstylist) if I could create my own cocktail. I would call it a mix between the Mai Tai and Cosmo Tai.

5| Relax and enjoy the hour of bliss.

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6| Change into your holiday outfit.

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Outfit A - Changed my top and shoes. Added red lipstick.

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Outfit B - Removed my belt and blazer. Changed my shoes. Added some earrings and red lipstick.

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7| If you need a gift for the party, grab a gift card or some of their amazing styling products.

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8| Go party, and get ready for a lot of compliments!

Photos by Sarah Bel Portraits.

For more holiday style inspiration, check out my holiday style guide with Ebay. 

Smoke & Shadows

Happy Halloween! In honor of the spooky holiday my dear friends Ale Vidal, Stephanie Neiheisel and I decided to create a shoot around the idea of smoke and shadows featuring this to DIE for dress by Fame & Partners.

The most glamorous ghoul of them all is a vampire. They are always depicted as wealthy - living in castles, wearing intricate jewelry and sporting bad ass black hair. With the golden details of this unique top over a slim, satin black dress - Stephanie portrayed a vampire living among the smoke and shadows of darkness.

Rarely as a stylist and art director do I get to be theatrical with my concepts. Instead it's always creating to sell something or someone. In some ways what I do with commercial styling can be see more as smoke and mirrors over something like this. Obviously, thought and planning went into the concept, outfit and makeup for this shoot. Sometimes with "lifestyle" shoots they can appear "effortless," but in reality they are just the same amount of effort - sometimes it's even MORE planning. Doing that as a profession day in and day out can take a tole on your perception of reality causing high expectations of myself and for others.

The world of content creation and Pinterest is a world of smoke and mirrors. Though a lot of the imagery can be achieved on your own much of it can't. My advice is to always remember that a lot of the content is purely inspirational and creates a dream world like television. Take it with a grain of salt. Don't let it kill you! (mwahahahahaaa). But seriously...don't let it suck the life out of you like a vampire.

Photography by Ale Vidal Styling and concept by A.V.E. Styles Makeup, hair and modeling by Stephanie Neiheisel Dress from Fame & Partners

How to Look Web-Cam Ready

In one week I'll be presenting about Pinterest strategies for hundreds of stylish bloggers and business owners for Alt on Topic. I couldn't be more excited to share my Pinterest knowledge, but I'm so nervous about giving a talk online. I've never done it before, and I am just praying I don't have any technical difficulties. One thing that has crossed my mind is what I should wear and how I should dress for my talk. Let's be honest, web cameras make everyone look terrible. Whenever I see my face using Skype and Facetime I just try to look away because I feel like the wide angle distorts my face a bit. After thinking about what to wear and how to impress for my presentation, I decided I needed some help in the makeup department. I asked my dear friend, Stephanie Neieheisel, to show me how to create a face that is web-cam ready, and we thought this would be great advice for all of you too! You can check out the video below, and don't forget to subscribe to her YouTube channel for more makeup tips!

Of course, makeup isn't the only thing that can help you make a great impression. Check out my latest eBay guide sharing accessory tips to help you look great for an online date. And, if you're interested in attending this one day webinar head on over to Instagram to win a ticket to Alt on Topic.

How to Make Hair Extensions Look Natural

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I've always wanted long, thick hair like a princess, but it has never been in the cards for me. I have very fine, curly hair that's on the thinner side. I've definitely learned to embrace what God has given me, and I adore the short cut my hairstylist and friend, Kim Cornwell gave me, but when I see these milkmaid braids and fishtail braids I start wishing I had Elsa's hair from Frozen.

I've always known hair extensions could be an option, but they've always seemed really expensive with a lot of upkeep. When IrresistableMe Hair Extensions asked if I was willing to give their extensions a whirl I thought, "What do I have to lose? Let's find out if these really do work."

I went on their website and chose the correct weight, length and color of my extensions. I had Kim help me decide since she knows my hair really well. The extensions are extremely good quality. It's all human hair sewn into clips so that you can easily put them on and take them off as you wish.

The next step was getting the extensions cut and getting some education on how to properly place them in my hair so that I don't look like I have a mullet. Jenny Strebe from The Confessions of a Hairstylist was kind enough to show me exactly what to do. If you are need of really great hair tutorials and you appreciate product reviews, go follow her on YouTube and on her blog.

So here are the steps according to Jenny:

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#1 Divide your hair into sections starting with the bottom first.

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#2 Back comb the section where you will attach the hair extension so that it gives something for the clips to grip.

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#3 Repeat this process a couple more times as you get higher and higher in the hair line.

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#4 Once the extensions have been placed. Style as you would like. However, if you have yet to have your extensions blended into your haircut follow the steps above and then have a professional hairstylist cut your extensions while you are wearing them. Jenny also recommends point cutting the ends so that they really blend in and don't have blunt edges.

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#5 Go out and rock those locks!

Caring for your extensions:

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1. Always label your extensions as you take them out so you know which piece goes where.

#2 Gently wash and air dry your extensions when needed. Treat them just like you would treat your hair.

#3 Do not rat or back comb your hair extensions!

Photos by Talk Studios

Get the look: Blouse, jeans, shoes

Boudoir Redefined

Sometimes you are just struck by an image and inspired immediately. I saw an image on Pinterest (click here), and right away I knew I wanted to do a photo shoot that celebrated the natural beauty of the female body. I loved the idea of seeing water droplets on the skin, golden sun rays illuminating the body and hair blowing in the breeze. Liz Evans was the perfect photographer for this project because she has a whole company called Boudoir Redefined seeking to redefine the celebration of the female form. Boudoir doesn't always need to be smokey eyes and bed sheets. Boudoir doesn't even mean a woman isn't wearing clothes...Boudoir is purely celebrating the female body.

I thought Kelsey would be the perfect model for this project. I had the chance to work with her during a bridal shoot, and I was just entranced by her beautiful skin. She was really excited about the project too! Azure Shaffer did her makeup on the bridal shoot and did an AMAZING job. I knew I wanted her back for this, especially since she knew her skin already.

After three months of planning we headed out to the Salt River. It was a scorcher of a day. We all ended up in the water which was perfect to keep us cool. There were a couple of Tim Gunn make it work moments like sewing her into her bralette. It all worked out in the end.

I loved this shoot because it was so simple. It wasn't about the clothes at all. It was just about the feeling, the light and the confidence of being a women. I did, however, get to use an amazing French vintage nighgown my mom's friend gave me. It was the PERFECT slip for this project. It had lace ties all down the side. A simple bralette and high-waisted swim bottoms from Urban Outfitters was the perfect second look.

Photography by Liz Evans, Boudoir Redefined Art Direction and Styling by Alex Evjen, AVE Styles Modeling by Kelsey Groetken, Agency AZ Makeup by Azure Schaffer, Artistry by Azure Assistant Styling by Alyssa Hodson