LA by Diana - Personal Style blog by Diana Marks

December 22, 2016

Denim for Your Curves

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you already know that I am always supporting healthy body image and embracing curves (if you are lucky to have them ;)). That's why I got super excited when I found out that a luxury denim brand for curvy women Slink Jeans is launching their curvy line for smaller sized women early next year! Stay tuned for that, and in the meantime, check out their plus size super sexy curve hugging jeans for plus sized women HERE.

The Hustle Is Real

In my recent Facebook live video, I was discussing how much I actually work, so customizing this clutch at my favorite Zazzle was a no-brainer. Hustle in life, and you'll get to the top - it's a no brainer.

Plant Based Goodness

As you know from here, I have been playing around with plant based food options. It's nice to make these small healthy changes every time I cook (or prepare food haha!). I changed my regular butter for Earth Balance Buttery Spread in my go-to sweet snack (blueberry waffles!) for me and my friends. At first, they didn't even notice, but after a few minutes of munching on the waffles, they started noticing a bit of a change in taste. When I told them about my little trick, a few people admitted that they already use Earth Balance, and that's how they knew the difference. It's a healthy delicious and easy substitute for healthier vegan options of your favorite recipes. Try it out for yourself and read more about the benefits here.

All Black Glam and Luxury Deals

Happy November, my friends! Time is flying, can't believe that the holiday season is almost here. The best part of it is that most of our favorite items, that we always wanted to buy, will go on holiday sales, and we can finally splurge on shopping :)

I remember when I bought this The Kooples blazer last year, I was so obsessed with it and so excited to finally get it, only to get heartbroken a month after when I realized it went on a 50% OFF sale! I could have saved hundreds of dollars! Luckily now I don't have this problem thanks to this cool new service Shoptagr.com.

Urban Fashion with SOREL

This post is sponsored by Zappos and SOREL, opinions are my own

You guys know that I have been obsessed with shopping on Zappos.com`recently. How can I not be?Fast free shipping and 365 return policy made me a real addict :) I am especially obsessed with shoe shopping there - so many options to choose from! The new interesting brand that I discovered is SOREL. They have great winter boots that you can style up or down, and take to busy urban streets. They are perfect for rough winter weather, and versatile enough for different styling options. I styled these in a preppy cozy look with a cashmere turtleneck sweater, skinny leatherette leggings and a preppy coat.

Statement Pieces

This post is sponsored by Zappos and Coach, opinions are my own

Taking advantage of the season these days and transitioning my wardrobe and accessories to fall colors. In love with my new Coach Canyon Quilt Exotic Chelsea Crossbody - it's such a great statement piece that is also very functional. It fits a ton of stuff and enhances any look, from casual to classy. I love the whole new collection of Coach bags, that is available on Zappos.com. I believe I already mentioned their fast, free shipping and 365-day return policy, which virtually makes me addicted to the whole shopping experience there :)

#GoComfy with Cuddl Duds

As much as I love wearing sophisticated outfits, I am a big fan of comfort too. My lifestyle is always on-the-go, and staying comfortable and stylish is my ultimate goal when I decide what to wear. Of course, it also depends on the occasion and the events that I have scheduled for the day. I like to wear soft versatile layers on regular errand days, and I ran into a "problem" after I discovered Cuddl Duds. I can't take their clothes off! :) Their ultra-soft layers feel so comfy, yet look so stylish, that it's really hard to switch to anything else. My go-to look is black leggings and black crew top with stylish sneakers and a cool bomber jacket.

Cuddl Duds can be worn in many different situations and contexts. Plus you accomplish more in your day when you make your comfort a priority, and have the confidence to fully focus on things that matter. Cuddl Duds is more than just a clothing brand, it's a lifestyle brand that enables comfort in every shape and form. Take advantage of a JCPenney in-store 25%-off promotion through the 8th!

Travel Giveaway with See Monterey

This year is full of travel adventures for me. From busy city getaways to tropical Caribbean destinations, I am really taking it to the next level. However, I am not forgetting about my California, Monterey County in particular. As you might know, I visited the county back in April and am yet to go back and explore it in more detail. It’s hard to say what my perfect getaway is, it really depends on my mood and company. Sometimes I like outdoor activities, sometimes all I want is just spend a few leisurely days filled with food and wine. But what I know for a fact is that Monterey County has it all. It’s a vast geographic region that encompasses a life-enriching array of experiences – with places like Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea, etc. From the coastal to inland, there is something unique for everyone.

READ ON FOR AN EXCITING TRAVEL GIVEAWAY!

Transitioning to Fall

This post is sponsored by Zappos and Coach, opinions are my own

Fall is here, and that means it’s time for wardrobe transitioning and adding a few statement pieces, that will last through the season (and hopefully much longer!). I partnered with my favorite Zappos.com again to showcase the beautifully crafted Coach bag collection that they carry. I have always been a fan of Coach bags - they are definitely not cheap, but well worth investing in, as their quality and craftsmanship is phenomenal. Plus purchasing them through Zappos is hassle free with their fast, free shipping and 365-day return policy.

As for the outfit I am wearing, I am excited to start thinking of wearing layers. My new favorite color mix for fall is green + cream. Added a beige coat and created a sophisticated luxury look with the help of my new gorgeous Coach Swagger 27 bag - a true statement pieces of a real lady ;)

Blending Passions with Wente Vineyards

When you find something you are passionate about, you undoubtingly set aside the time it takes to hone your skill. You put in the time it takes not because you have to, but because you love to. You enjoy the journey, not the destination, and that's what life is all about! For me personally, my passion has recently become meeting people. I used to read books on human dynamics and self development, but I recently found out that socializing and meeting new people brings me great joy and faster and richer experience. I love learning about people's lives, and how a series of events have shaped their lifestyles and personalities. It's a fascinating subject to me, and I am always generous with my time for interesting people. Hopefully, one day I can put all the things that I have learned from them in writing.

It's easy to blend my passion with Wente Vineyards, as wine is a great compliment to a long and interesting conversation. Whether at a restaurant, at a picnic, or at home, Wente Wine is a perfect entertainment addition.

Try their wine and take advantage of free shipping using this code JRNYSHIP1 for a limited time!

Stripes and Sneakers

You guys know how much I like casual european style. I never seem to get enough of white sneakers, there is something dressy about them! They have to be snow white to make an effect though. Today's look is head-to-toe VIPme.com - another online boutique with affordable and unique fashion definitely worth checking out! Use code SIDiana158 for a discount!

Plant Made Dinner with Earth Balance

My life has become crazy busy recently. With so many things happening, I hardly have 5 hours of sleep, not to mention that I haven't been to the gym in a few weeks (guilty of that!). I obviously know that it is just a period, and I'll have a more well paced life once things settle down. But how do you maintain a healthy lifestyle while being so busy? I addressed my diet. I obviously can't make strict dietary restrictions (otherwise I will just go insane, I love food way too much :)), but a few adjustments that I made in my diet went a long way. I now have more energy and am able to keep up with my schedule without always feeling tired. I limited (not excluded!) meat products and recently found out that I am gluten sensitive, so I limited gluten products as well. Replaced my morning oatmeal with a "healthy granola + greek yogurt + berries" combo, that I alternate with a meal replacement vegan shake. Lunches and dinners are usually on-the-go for me these day, and I am trying to play around with vegan meal options.

Therefore, an invitation to a plant-made dinner with Earth Balance came at the right time. I got to explore delicious plant-based dishes made with Earth Balance products (the dessert with peanut butter mousse and coconut whip was soo good!) and mingle with a great group of other foodies and bloggers.

Plant based food doesn't only mean healthy to me. It means vitality, energy and adventure. I do not in any way promote a fully vegan lifestyle as I believe it's a personal decision for anyone based on multiple number of reasons, but I strongly believe that including more plant meals in our diets and limiting animal products definitely helps in our journeys to health and vitality!

Win A Trip Around The World: 5 Cities In 30 Days

This post is sponsored by Radisson Blu but my love for their hotels is all my own.

You all know that I love to travel and try to get out of LA as much as I can - and it's not nearly as often as I'd like to! My longest trip this year was a three week non stop European tour, and I tried to share every detail with you guys. But more than that, now YOU have a chance to take 30 days and travel around the world yourselves and visit 5 amazing destinations (airfare for two included).

I partnered with Radisson Blu - one of the world's leading brands with nearly 300 hotels in operation in 69 countries and territories to give away this phenomenal experience. And participating in the giveaway is also super FUN! To enter, take a journey through Paper City, and discover fun facts/clues about each location, helping you guess the city. It's simple and fun!

Here are my top 5 destinations that I would definitely recommend :

1) Athens, Greece - I started exploring Greece this year, and I definitely fell in love with the country. I am yet to see it's beautiful capital - Athens.

Pastel Summer

I love finding great sites with unique and stylish clothes. Dresslily has it all, plus the clothes are so cute! Obsessing with the booties!

Casualing

California Dreamin'

This post is sponsored by Zappos, opinions are my own

This summer has been very interesting and full of events for me. One of the highlights of it was a crazy month long European adventure. I came back refreshed and inspired again, and decided to change my lifestyle (details soon). As it always happens when traveling, I learned a few more things about myself, especially the fact that I am more of a free and artsy thinker, than I thought I was. That clearly reflected on my style as I started rocking the all american rock'n'roll look in addition to my go-to casual european to elegantly classy outfits much more often. Lucky Brand and Zappos.com are helping me in this transformation. Lucky brand shoes are made for californians on the go. They are made to dance, work, run, jump, play and rock'n'roll, and take your looks from day to night. Lucky Brand's new fall collection, which is available on Zappos.com, is so cool that it took me hours to choose shoes for upcoming fall looks. They all look perfect and versatile. And most importantly, Zappos.com has us covered with a free shipping, and 365 day free return policy.

I chose Lucky Brand Belia boots in black as I am a huge fan of booties and can never have too many :) They go well with everything from shorts to dresses and pants. I styled them in a typical california boho look with skinny jeans, leather jacket and a hat. As for the second look, I went with a bit more classy option of lace up flats that definitely go well with skinny pants and dresses. Styled them in my typical euro fashion :) Which look is your favorite?

London Diary with British Airways #Bleisure

You guys are definitely aware that I had quite a busy July traveling non stop around Europe, and the center of it all was my favorite London. It has a very special place in my heart as I used to live there and it definitely feels like home every time I go back. Not to mention that my best friend lives in London, and we always have tons of adventures when we get to meet. Since London makes me so happy I try to go back there as often as I can. Most of the time, it's still for business, but I am an expert at combining both business and leisure, and I highly recommend doing that to everyone who travels. I always take some time off my busy schedule for catching up with friends or simply exploring the city. You can't go to a place like London and not take advantage of countless activities and places it has to offer. So if you ever travel there for business, make sure to squeeze in an extra day or two for additional exploring ;)

For The Love of The Journey

Life is made up of so many different journeys. Some of them are physical, some are emotional, some are professional. All of them are different, challenging or easy, hidden or apparent. And they all make us grow, learn and experience lasting effects for the rest of our lives. For today's post I have partnered with The Wente Vineyards to talk a bit about my own professional journey.

Huge Travel Giveaway with Country Inns & Suites

You guys know how much I enjoy travelling and staying at cool hotels. As of right now, I am typing this from Bodrum, Turkey, prepping for a boat tour along the Mediterranean coast until the end of the month. I love exploring other countries as much as I love to travel around my local California. There are so many essential things that I need for comfortable travel, but perhaps the most important one is proper lodging. I need to stay as productive and comfortable as possible, especially since I am always on the go. So good hotels are extremely important to me. They don't have to be upscale, but I need a proper comfy bed, great customer service, fast internet everywhere and "at home" atmosphere.

LEARN HOW TO GET A FREE TWO NIGHT HOTEL STAY in the US and Canada BELOW:

Conscious Designer Shopping With ThredUP

I know, we are in the middle of summer now, but some people are already thinking about refreshing their fall wardrobe. If you have been reading my blog long enough, you are probably aware that I am a huge fan of recycling clothes, as I change it so frequently. Every season I will pack a huge bag of items I don't wear any more, and either donate them or trade them to consignment stores and shop for new or recycled clothes afterwards. I find it both financially responsible and ecologically sound.

I recently discovered thredUP that took it to a whole other level for me. It is basically a giant online consignment shop (up to 90% off retail price!) that’s really thoughtfully curated and easy to navigate. I hate digging through countless racks of clothes trying to find a perfect item, and with online shopping this problem has been solved. At thredUP in particular, all you have to do is type in whatever you want to get (item, brand) in search, and you'll see countless available options which you can sort by size and/or color immediately. So much time saved!

Get Away From It All On a Boat

Summer is here and water is calling. That means boating season is in full swing, especially considering that one of the most popular holidays is on the horizon - Independence Day! And what better way to spend the Fourth of July than on a boat with friends and family? I haven't planned it out completely yet, but I am definitely playing around with the boating idea for the 4th - especially since it's so easy to arrange thanks to Discover Boating. I imagine watching fireworks from a boat must be a phenomenal experience!

Affordable Luxury

Elegance is my forte, but somehow people think that to look elegant you need to spend a lot of money on your look. I always love defying that idea when I find high-end-looking pieces at a fraction of a price. This time I am particularly taken with this elegant jumpsuit (that literally gets you compliments from every passing stranger ;)) from Dezzal and the amazing jewelry pieces from the Happiness Boutique. Affordable luxury at its finest! Look details and discounts at the bottom of this post.

European Casual

Shaving Tips for Men, or Impress Him for Father's Day

I am not an expert in men's lifestyle, but I have lived with men most of my life, and I have learned and researched on quite a few tips and tricks (and products!) over the years in different areas of their lives. I am also trying to revive my male corner, that I introduced a while ago, and I couldn't pass up on this amazing post idea partnering with Baxter of California again.

Today we'll be talking about men's shaving. Men hate it, but most of them simply have to do it. If you are a guy, reading my blog, hopefully you'll learn something new from this article. If you are a woman, then you can take a note of this information and impress a man in your life with your sound advice (or a great gift!), especially since father's day is coming up!

French Business

If you have been following my blog for a while, you know how much I love to incorporate french details in my style. This look is a perfect reflection of it. White lace details add a sophisticated touch to an overall casual business look.

By the way, you guys, completely random, but I just discovered a special treatment for hair loss that I'll recommend for my dad. Check it out, and tell your men in your life as well - PRP for hair loss.

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's day is coming up soon, and it's always a challenge to come up with a special gift for that significant man in your life. You want to get something that captures the strength and character of your Dad (or husband!?), something he could use and show off all the time, something that would remind him of how much you mean to each other. This year, I might have just a solution for you. A gift from WEWOOD, an eco-friendly company that produces incredibly cool 100% natural wooden watches and stylish and fun wooden sunglasses. The added bonus of gifting a WEWOOD piece is getting to tell your special man that you planted a tree in his honor. That's right, the environmentally responsible company promises to plant a tree every time they sell a wooden piece. So somewhere in the world, a tree will grow tall & strong, just the way your father raised you.
Use a unique promo code (WWFD16) on WEWOOD when making a purchase for Free Shipping & a Free Pin Removal Tool. The pin removal tool allows buyers to resize their watches at home instead of having to visit a store! And HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY ;)

Reasons to Love Boating

Summer is right around the corner. Don't ask me how this happened, I am as surprised as you guys are :) But as much as I am shocked by how quickly time is flying, I am also very excited for this summer. I am planning to be more adventurous and spontaneous this year and who knows what I'll end up doing these summer months, but one particular activity had been on my mind lately. My favorite memories by far are related with summer boat trips in the South of France in the past two years. Sadly though, this year I won't be visiting the French Riviera, but luckily I live in sunny California and there is a wonderful online resource Discover Boating, which will definitely help me create unforgettable summer boating memories.

Classy Lady

As much as I love my casual European style that you get to witness on my Instagram, my favorite looks are elegant ones. This one is my particular favorite because of a classy black top with cut out shoulders, that I found at a local boutique in Santa Barbara. Paired with elegant accessories, like sunglasses, earrings, heels and a timeless Lady Dior, the whole look makes me feel like a modern version of Audrey..

Enjoy Life and Experience Monterey

One of my new years resolutions this year was to be more adventurous, spontaneous and to make the most out of life. Not just every day, but every hour, and every moment. In other words, to embody the spirit of Grabbing Life by the Moments. That's when the best memories happen anyway! So when my friend asked me to go join her on a road trip along the California coastline back in April, I immediately said yes. I would normally take a few weeks to think about it and plan everything out, but this time we decided to be spontaneous and fun. We had no particular plans and no hotel reservations. We just took Highway 1 and drove. And it turned out to be one of the greatest experiences of this year so far!

I got to discover places in California that I didn't even know existed. My favorite part of that trip was definitely visiting Monterey County. That's where we spent most of our trip anyway! Even though we didn't have even remotely enough time to see everything Monterey has to offer, we were mesmerized by the little that we saw. From scenic views along the coastline on Highway 1, to breathtaking beaches and cutest beach towns, there are countless things to see and do there. Whether you are going on a local food and wine tour, outdoor adventure trip (biking, hiking, scuba diving, kayaking, hang gliding, horseback riding and surfing are just a few of the adventures that lure visitors there), or a family and friends road trip, Monterey County is the best place for all of it!

Smoothie Obsession

As I mentioned last month, I am trying to get more vegetable in my diet and wanted to quickly update you guys on my progress. I try to get pressed juices or smoothies whenever I feel like I am lacking greens as it's the easiest and most convenient way to have enough vegetables in your diet. Smoothie King's Veggie Avocado Pineapple smoothie is still my favorite as avocado is so filling and nutritious that I can't find any other food that will get me so obsessed about it :) Don't forget to sign-up for a $2.99 20oz. coupon via email and sign up to earn rewards in the Smoothie King loyalty app ;)

City Stroll in Timberland

Springtime is in the air, it's time for more time outdoors, long city walks and coffee breaks while sitting on the terrace. And that means comfortable (and stylish!) footwear! I teamed up with my friends at Timberland and Zappos.com to showcase their wide selection of springtime shoes for modern trails like farmers markets visits, city strolls, movie nights and brunch breaks. From stylish flats to fashion-forward oxfords and chunky heels, Timberland’s styles for women are beautiful, comfortable and perfectly versatile to transition your daytime outfit for a night out. They are all available on Zappos.com with a fast free shipping, 365 day return policy (!) and world class customer service.

I chose Timberland's Oxford sneakers in birch color - they fit my casual european style perfectly. An urban-outdoors, style driven sneaker like this is perfect for all occasions this spring. I wore this look from day to night from a casual neighborhood stroll to a movie night later that day. Chic, comfy and versatile. Check out all Timberland selection on Zappos.com here.

Floral Spring

Spring is in full swing, and it's time to share with you one of my favorite shoots I did in the beginning of the year with the talented Brooke Mason. It's all about spring fashion trends: florals and bright colors. There are spring trends that come and go, but florals are always going to be timeless. We created this little lookbook for you guys to showcase incorporating this pattern in your everyday looks whether it's in dresses, rompers or even boots ;) Enjoy!

Also, if you want a quick and easy solution to change your hair style or hair color this spring, consider wigs.com =)

The Other Mother

Mother's day is coming up so soon, but in addition to acknowledging our beautiful selfless mothers who always have our backs, I am partnering with LovePop to help recognize the "Other Mother" in our lives. It can be an aunt that never told your parents about that one time, a teacher who never gave up on you, a mentor who has always guided you in the right direction or a boss who recognized your talents before you did - she is the woman who doesn't fit that simple definition of mom, and she has no obligation to add to or invest in your life, but she still does it without asking anything in return.

In my case this person is my grandma. She is the person who loves me unconditionally and is always on my side no matter what. I can trust her with all my secrets and can definitely call her my best friend. Every time I am going through a rough moment in life, she is always there for me trying to be a good advisor, supporter and listener. Her positive approach to life, her ability to gracefully deal with any conflict and her ways of appreciating every little thing in life inspire me to move forward and be a better person every day.

This mother's day you can recognize the "Other Mother" in your life with a special and unexpected 3D pop-up card from LovePop. Say thank you and tell her about her spirit, her smile and her impact on your world with a personalized hand written message on a beautiful 3D LovePop card. You can also nominate your Other Mother for a special card on LovePop site (all nominees will receive a card!) and even win a very special curated gift basket for her. Submit your "Other Mother" story here.

Entertaining (and Cleaning) Made Easy

This post is promoted by Dyson

I love gathering my friends for Sunday movie afternoons at my place, but I hate cleaning. It was always too much time and hassle to do it after everyone leaves. But not anymore! I have discovered the new Dyson V6 Absolute Cord-Free Vacuum, which is a complete lifesaver. It is a cord-free vacuum that is super lightweight, extremely versatile and, most importantly, powerful. You can really clean everywhere with it: the couch, the car, cobwebs in corners, crumbs left in the sofa cushions after people leave, etc. And it's all thanks to the cord-free nature of it. This machine is definitely every entertainer's dream!

I find myself cleaning more and more often, because it's so easy now! I ditched my old vacuum completely, and, thanks to different attachments, I can now reach anywhere and clean my house from floor to ceiling, including all those hard-to-reach places (under the couch, the crevices between appliances, you name it!). It's so easy and fast (literally under 20 minutes!).

How to Have More Fun in Your Life

We all have busy lifestyles these days. The term "work hard, play hard" is used everywhere, yet a recent Chase Freedom Unlimited Card survey found out that Americans are experiencing fun deficit and are not having enough fun in their lives. But Chase is on a mission to change that by introducing the new Chase Freedom Unlimited card, that offers 1.5% unlimited cash back on every purchase. There’s no minimum to redeem for cash back—cardholders can redeem any amount, any time.

There are so many ways to have more fun in our lives, and it doesn't have to be expensive or cost anything at all. As you can see from the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card survey, spending time with people you care about tops the list, small treats like coffees, ice cream etc and treating others are next on the list. But to add more fun we have to first recognize that the sources of it are truly unlimited.

As for me personally, this year I have gone through a lot of changes in my life. I learned that life is an unpredictable journey and that I have to appreciate every single second of it. I am therefore thriving to add fun to my life every single day. Here are my little tips and tricks for adding more fun in life:

1) Laughing, goofing around and just being silly anywhere I go.

Veggie Blends for Spring

Spring is in full swing and it's time to rethink out diets for health and body benefits ;) I personally noticed that I haven't been getting enough vegetables in my diet, and I was trying to find a way to add them. As we all know, the easiest one is to drink them in a nutritious smoothie. I was excited to find out about the new blend from Smoothie King - Veggie Avocado Pineapple. There are tons of reasons to love avocado, and no matter how you pair it, they just add up. From skin and blood pressure benefits, to weight management benefits, avocado has it all. Plus it tastes delicious mixed with juicy pineapple. But don't stop there, there are other veggie flavors at Smoothie King, that are delicious and nutritious: Apple Kiwi Kale, Berry Carrot Dream and Carrot Kale Dream. Sign-up for a $2.99 20oz. coupon via email and sign up to earn rewards in the Smoothie King loyalty app ;)

Hotel d'Angleterre: Luxury Boutique 5 Star Hotel in Geneva

I know, I know. I promised this post for quite a while and have been teasing you guys with gorgeous photos of this beautiful hotel for the whole month. But here it is, the highly anticipated review of my luxury experience in Geneva.

While traveling to Switzerland, I stayed at a luxury Hotel d'Angleterre, conveniently located on the banks of Geneva's Lake Leman and set in a refined building dating from 1755. The first thing I noticed was the warm welcome each guest receives while staying there. You don't feel like a hotel guest, you feel like a family friend thanks to excellent service and meticulous attention to details of the hotel's staff.

The hotel boasts 39 luxury guest rooms and 6 elegant suites, which are individually designed in a combination of refined Swiss style and traditional charm with modern amenities. No room looks similar to one another, making the hotel feel like a warm and welcoming luxury estate, full of tastefully selected and placed antiques and exquisite works of art.

My favorite place to relax at night was their swanky and wildly popular Leopard Bar offering live music in a luxury cozy library setting enhanced by a lit fire.

Major Jewelry Giveaway

I am super excited to announce that I have partnered with 7 Charming Sisters for this super exciting giveaway! Everyone WINS! We will have 25 winners!!! And each of them will receive any piece of jewelry from the 7 Charming Sisters website! The jewelry is so pretty, versatile and trendy that I am sure each of you can find something they love. The giveaway will last for 10,000 minutes in honor of reaching 10K likes on their Facebook.

The only requirement to participate is to go on 7 Charming Sisters Facebook HERE and comment on any picture posted by the brand using a hashtag #7CS10KGiveaway . Then leave me your email in the comments to this blog post so that I can contact you when you win. That's it! Super easy!

Captain Obvious Runs for President with Hotels.com

Time flies and I can't believe it's another election season. Aside from the presidential race, there is another fun race to be followed. "Captain Obvious running for President" race...but he is actually physically running! He will be providing his own satirical insight on the election along the way, which you can follow on his microsite here. Captain Obvious also has over 300K Twitter followers who follow his updates and the #ObviousPresident hashtag.

Hotels.com is supporting Captain Obvious during his race because they believe in simplicity as much as he does - and he'll need a place to sleep at night! They’ll be providing him with running shoes, socks, shorts and everything else he needs for his run.

The Perfect Products to Give to or Steal from Your Man

I have to admit, I am not a huge beauty geek. I tend to stick to the same routine and switch it up only once in a while, whereas I know a lot of girls who explore new brands compulsively. Most of the products I use are quite predictable, but I have a few secrets here and there, that are not so typical to others.

For example, sometimes I like to use mens grooming and skincare products on myself. My particular favorites are shaving creams, shower gels and deodorants. For some reason I like masculine woody scents of these products much more appealing and alluring then female versions, plus I find that the overall quality is better.

I am now particularly obsessed with the new brand I discovered - Baxter of California. After spending some time on their sleek website browsing through a curated lineup of hair, skin, body and lifestyle products, I found quite a few products for myself and men in my life. Check out the site and discover great content of videos, inspiration looks and obviously great products. Also get a 15% off and free US shipping with the code BAXTERFAVES.

Favorite Accessories with Sakroots

Spring break is here, and it's time for beach accessories. My must haves this season are the Artist Circle Sakroots XLG Tote and the cutest black espadrilles. Sakroots has created a whole new collection of functional spring break accessories featuring colorful and original artwork, and they support various nature and music charities within their Choose Your Karma Program. My beach bag is in aqua water nation print, which supports WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, the leading global charity dedicated to the conservation and protection of whales and dolphins. Not only I love the fact that I am supporting this particular charity, I am also geniunely obsessed with the print. It's bright, playful and just fun. Shop my bag, the cutest espadrilles and other spring break essentials here.

Modern Esthetic with Montblanc Legend Spirit

It's been a while since my last post, as you might have noticed. I have been traveling quite a bit in February and, if you follow me on socials, I visited a few amazing cities last month. I still can't believe I went to Miami, San Francisco, London and Geneva all in one month. I feel incredibly blessed and humbled to have had such an amazing month. Traveling is something that really inspires me, opens up my mind, let's me be more creative and feel free...

Speaking of traveling, you can check out this super cool interactive game with the new perfume Montblanc Legend Spirit, that I am partnering with for today's post. Whether racing a convertible to the beach or exploring a rugged trail by bike, the game lets you create your own Montblanc Legend Spirit Environment full of adventure and fun.

But let's talk more about the new fragrance - Montblanc Legend Spirit! Honestly, I am a huge believer in the power of scents. It's extremely important for both men and women to choose perfumes that fit their persona. When you meet someone, who wears a particular powerful perfume, you make a subconscious judgement of that person, as you treat their perfume as part of their identity. You can be immediately drawn to them for no reason, just because their scent has such an effect on you, and if chosen well, this person will have the same effect on you as well ;) I know for myself, if I met a man who wore Montblanc Legend and represented it in his essence (passion, confidence and authenticity!) I would definitely fall head over heels .

Valentine's Day with Olay

This post is promoted by Olay

The most important day in February is finally behind us and here is a little beauty/fashion recap of my experience. My look was planned out well in advance, so I didn't have any stress on that matter. I am totally happy with the outfit I chose, as the weather turned out to be nice and that romper color is a great way to start introducing a spring theme into my closet.

As for my beauty preparation, I teamed up with Olay, and had been using their products for about two weeks prior to Valentine's Day and I definitely saw lots of improvements in my skin. I was using Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye Swirl day and night and my skin definitely felt smoother and more hydrated around the eye area (even after only a few weeks use!). I complimented my routine with Micro-Sculpting Cream for overall moisturizing with Hyaluronic Acid, Amino-Peptides and Vitamin B3, and was definitely happy with my skin condition on Valentine's Day. It was plump, hydrated and felt renewed. Olay products definitely helped me feel confident and enjoy myself on Valentine's Day ;)

Getting Ready with Olay

For this post, I teamed up with Olay

We all have important events in our life, whether it’s birthday parties, nights out, or simply dates with someone very special. And even though we know it’s not beneficial, yet we still put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be at our best for these big occasions. Don’t get me wrong, an appropriate amount of pressure and self-critique is always a good thing, but unfortunately we go way too far most of the time.

I am partnering with Olay to change up my beauty routine using their Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye Swirl and Cream, a product that helps to take some of the pressure off ourselves because it allows us to take comfort in knowing that we are treating our skin to the best products possible. As with many ladies out there, I am getting ready for a big night on Valentine's day, and Olay is definitely helping me with that. I particularly like Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye Swirl, which I have been using day and night along with Micro-Sculpting Cream, and I am definitely seeing some improvement in the lines around my eyes and in the firmness of my under-eye area. Most importantly, my skin also feels more hydrated. I love complimenting my routine with Micro-Sculpting Cream for overall moisturizing with Hyaluronic Acid, Amino-Peptides and Vitamin B3 - definitely lifting and hydrating!

Oceanside

Every once in a while I find a dress that completely transforms my self perception. This time it's a beautiful strapless dress from Ever Pretty in a gorgeous coral color. It's perfect for any occasion, from formal events and wedding receptions, to romanic walks on the beach and long summer date nights. When I wore this dress I felt confident, feminine, and most importantly beautiful - precisely what a dress should make me feel. The fact that it's very reasonably priced makes me want to get it in a few other colors as well.

Shop this dress and other ridiculously affordable gorgeous pieces for any occasion at 20% off with this coupon "DML20162" until the end of March.

#NOFOMO Bikini Confidence

This post is sponsored by Target

No one is free from the self-doubt and insecurities associated with swim season. We too often let how we look distract us from enjoying the best of spring and summer. This year, I am partnering with Target again, for their #NOFOMO campaign, which takes swimsuit season with a positive, empowering new attitude by encouraging all of us to be fearless and just have fun on the beach or anywhere else swimsuit-appropriate ;)

This topic is very dear to me, as I myself have experienced a lot of psychological challenges due to swim season and I missed out on a lot of great moments in life because of my body insecurities. A lot of times I used to avoid going to the beach/pool with my friends or participate in summer adventures simply because I was very conscious about my body and they way it would look in a swimsuit. I am sure a lot of ladies out there can relate.

Over the years, though, I have been on a quest to learn how to embrace my body, appreciate the good moments in life and defeat my insecurities. Basically, I have been learning to have the #NOFOMO attitude that Target is promoting. The best way to do it is by finding a good swimsuit and Target is definitely a great place to do that at. The important thing when choosing the right swimsuit is your attitude and a basic understanding of your body. But, most importantly, you need to be creative in your choices; try colors and styles you never tried before and have fun all along! I found three different looks that fit my pear-shaped body and accent my curves without revealing too much of my flaws. The first two looks are different swimsuits in an elegant black (which is perfect for any shape) and colorful pink (great for summer relaxing by the pool). The third one is a bright mint bikini. Love that the color immediately lifts my mood and makes me dream of seaside vacations.

All of these looks definitely inspire a #NOFOMO attitude in me, and I hope to be more fearless from now on. With #NOFOMO I am definitely planning to finally do all those things that I always avoided, like dancing on the beach in my swimsuits, going scuba diving, going to more pool parties and finally not be afraid to play beach volleyball!

Golden Hour with La Prairie

I am not a person who spends too much on beauty products. I love a good deal like any girl my age, but sometimes I can't help but indulge in expensive and luxury skincare products.

Today I am partnering with one of the best and most luxurious beauty brands out there - La Prairie. I am sure lots of your have heard of the world-renowned Swiss company of timeless beauty. Its innovative skincare, color and fragrance collections are widely regarded for setting the benchmark within the luxury cosmetic industry.

We'll be talking about their La Prairie Cellular Radiance Perfecting Fluide Pure Gold, which showcases a new milestone in skin revitalization.

The product is inspired by my favorite time of the day - the golden hour. There is a magic time when a fleeting light casts a spell on everything it touches. It happens the moment the sun begins to rise, and again just before it sets. Shadows lengthen, colors are enhanced, the earth is in soft focus. Warm light bathes the skin in breathtaking beauty. It is an elusive moment, revered by artists, that stirs something deep inside us, and feels unlike anything else in the world. Some call it the Golden Hour. La Prairie calls it Radiance. La Prairie Cellular Radiance Perfecting Fluide Pure Gold re-creates that magic and makes skin glow with an immediate golden luminosity, enhancing a flawless skin finish.

To help mimic the subtle luminosity the “golden hour” imparts on skin, Cellular Radiance Perfecting Fluide Pure Gold is empowered by La Prairie’s advanced gold-science platform– an exclusive combination of pure gold, golden reflecting agents and a unique anti-aging golden peptide – and our exclusive Golden Lotus Blend made with Lotus Japonicus, an extraordinary flower revered in Asia where it is considered to be a plant of renowned beauty.

Once Cellular Radiance Perfecting Fluide Pure Gold is applied, the lightweight gel-cream emulsion becomes fluid, working its magic on skin. Instantly, skin looks enhanced. Enriched by gold’s anti-redness properties, it calms skin’s appearance and imparts a fine, soft-focus finish. Over the long term, skin quality is improved from deep within, as texture is continually refined and smoothed, firmness increases.

I tried the La Prairie Cellular Radiance Fluide for a few weeks now and I can definitely see some changes on my skin. But besides obvious results, I am all about excellence in any way possible. From what's inside to the packaging this product is a pure work of art and science (costs like art for sure ;)), but definitely worth it if you are an admirer of such luxury ;)

Miami Vibes

If you follow me on social media, you already know that I spent the past few days in Miami. It was my first time there and I really enjoyed it. Tropical climate is not something I experience often, so it was definitely fun to watch the weather change so fast: heat waves, high humidity, heavy rains and cold evenings (in January only) could all happen in one day. I spent my time exploring the city and hanging out in South Beach. Even paid a few visits to the beach itself ;)

Packing for any trip is quite a challenge for me, but it has gotten much easier thanks to my favorite Lulus. I picked out an outfit which was perfect for Miami – a beautiful yellow body, a high waisted skirt, sexy high heels (Miami style!) and an elegant clutch, which I am sure I’ll use a lot in upcoming seasons. Oh, and by the way, I am obsessed with the choker necklace – such a sexy and charming piece!

Athleisure for every occasion

This post is sponsored by Target

January is a month of cold weather and the post-holiday lull. All we want is to get in sweatpants and a cozy robe, and sit on a couch watching our favorite show and relaxing. But with going back to work and our new year's routine changes, it's key to balance our comfort and style with easy, versatile pieces for every occasion.

Luckily, Target has got us covered again. Target's athleisure collection includes a range of items, from patterned leggings to leisure dresses to sweaters. They are all super comfy, but, most importantly, they're super versatile and stylish. I created three different looks with pieces from the collection for different occasions.

The first look is a perfectly comfy sweat suit from Target, which I accessorized with high-heeled booties and a leather bag for a touch of glam in an otherwise casual ensemble. It's the perfect look for a weekend brunch with friends.

Smoothie King Change a Meal Challenge

January is an important month. We make our New Year's resolutions and during this month we'll be able to set our course in the right direction. Making healthy and active goals are on top of our resolutions lists every year, and each year we are trying to come up with easier ways to stick with them. The Smoothie King Change a Meal Challenge might just be the right way to go in 2016.

The Smoothie King challenge is to replace one meal a day with one of their highly nutritious and filling smoothies. They are all under 400 calories (based on 20 oz serving), minimum of 10 grams of protein and 35 grams of quality carbs. We all know by now that incorporating enough protein and carbs helps us feel longer.

Personally, I try to maintain my weight by sticking with my diet, and what a better way to keep on track with it, than a delicious smoothie instead of one meal. I think I already found my favorite flavor - it's Lean 1 Chocolate. Definitely worth trying ;)

If you want to join me and participate in the Smoothie King Challenge, share your goal to get started on Smoothie King's site. You’ll be entered to win prizes and earn more chances to win every time you post #changeameal smoothie selfies. Join the e-Kingdom to get a $2.99 coupon and #changeameal. Earn rewards every time you #changeameal! Smoothie King will select and notify winners via social media comments and/or email. Smoothie King will ship all prizes within 6 weeks of prize claiming by the winner. Join the challenge here: CHANGE A MEAL CHALLENGE

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