LA by Diana - Personal Style blog by Diana Marks

March 28, 2016

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

Patterns and Expressions with Jonathan Adler Phones

If you follow me long enough, you might know that I am always searching for original artwork or print for my house and my style. I love different patterns in clothing and life, but tend to stick with classic black and white combinations. Luckily, even with these two colors, the amount of patterns is virtually limitless. Starting from home decor to my accessories, books, candles and outfits, I am always searching for the next favorite and original print.

So naturally, once I learned about the new collaboration between Moto X Pure Edition and Jonathan Adler, I immediately got interested. Jonathan Adler’s designs span furnishings to fashion. Now, he brings his penchant for impeccable craftsmanship and irreverent luxury to personal technology in an inspired collaboration with Motorola. He created three limited editions of the Moto X Pure Edition. The designs are unique and eye catching, but most importantly, they are great ways of expressing one's personality. I personally like all three designs, but my favorite is monochromatic just because it's me ;)

By the way, the new Moto X Pure Edition is worth mentioning by itself along with its incredible features:

• Top-rated 21 MP camera

• All day battery

• TurboPower for the world’s fastest charging

• A stunning 5.7” Quad HD display

• Front-facing stereo speakers deliver crisp, clear, and powerful audio

• Advanced water protection so spills, splashes, or rain won’t ruin your day

• It’s unlocked, which means you can use your Moto X on any network, and switch carriers whenever you want - without having to buy a new phone.

LA Winter

Black and White Reflections

Happy New Years, my dear friends! Let's take a moment in our lives and be grateful for the beautiful 2015. This black and white look is a symbolic representation of my year. For me personally it was a very tough year, a lot has changed in my life and sometimes life looked completely black. But there were definitely a few positive moments represented by "white".

It's important to see the good in bad situations, but most importantly, stay humble and grateful. No matter the challenges that this past year has brought on me, I am grateful for every second of it and I am also extremely grateful to be healthy and alive greeting the beautiful 2016! I hope you guys can relate and I wish you more white than black in the New Year. Black is a necessity though, the outfit wouldn't look stylish and refined without it ;)

Scotland Fashion

My trip to Scotland was brief but full of memories. The weather was terrible that weekend - it was rainy, windy and very very cold, but it didn't stop us from having a great time full of adventures. From visiting the Edinburgh Castle, exploring spooky Greyfriars Kirkyard, having coffee breaks at the Elephant House Cafe, where JK Rowling wrote her first Harry Potter, and ending the day on a bar tour around town, there wasn't a moment not to feel bored.

As promised here is one of the looks that I wore during the trip. I was so excited to visit the country for the first time and took time to decide what look I am going to wear - tartan was on my mind and I found this perfect mini-skirt at my favorite Lulus. I wore the skirt from day into the night, switching a few items around for a glam look.

One For All

This post is sponsored by Target

This is the season of inventive ways to gift more with less. Target invites us to choose one key centerpiece (apparel or accessory) of the "perfect gift" for multiple friends, family members or colleagues.

I created three different gift packages for three different people in my life, and included the same key piece: these incredibly cute winter mittens. :)

The first gift is for my best friend's daughter Sophie. She loves everything cute and everything shiny. The mittens are perfect accessories for an 11-year-old girl, and those shiny Essie nail polish colors will definitely excite her this holiday season.

The Power of The Body

We are so close to winter and the best and most stylish item for the season, to my mind, is a turtleneck. This year I went wild and bought tons of turtlenecks in all colors imaginable. It's just so easy to throw it on and immediately add a touch of elegance to the look. But I went even more excited when I discovered the Colorado body from Wolford - it has a perfect form fitting silhouette with a light shimmering effect on the outside. A truly luxury piece to add to a classy look for a touch of class and sophistication. It's also definitely a great gift idea this holiday season ;)

By the way, I used my Anti Static brush to style my hair here.

London Gal

As you might now from my social media, I recently took a trip to the UK. It was such a great experience to come back to a place, which I once called home - rediscover myself and more importantly, reflect on my life especially considering the important changes I am going through. One might say that vibrant London is not the best place to reflect, but since it has a special place in my heart, it definitely was the perfect option. I walked around local streets, caught up with friends and met a few new interesting people, but most importantly, I recharged myself emotionally and simply had a great time.

To stay stylish on this trip I relied on my favorite Lulus, which saved me on my previous European trip back in June. I managed to find perfect outfits both for London and Edinburgh (where I went for a weekend) and this one is my London look: vegan leather pants, true Londoner booties and obviously a hat. Stay tuned for my true Scottish look in Edinburgh :)

Accessories First

This post is sponsored by Target

Most of the time when we style our look we add accessories at the very end, to complete the outfit. But this time around, Target is challenging all of us to make accessories a priority and start styling our looks with them to spice up an outfit by inspiring unlikely twists in your style - especially with winter accessories which are decked out in sparkles, shine, metallics or fur. ;)

I was challenged to create two looks inspired by my favorite accessory from Target's Wonderlist (search "Wonderlist" on Target.com). I chose the fluffy and very cozy faux fur scarf, which is perfect for winter, and came up with two looks.
For the first look, I thought it would be great to have a tight turtleneck sweater underneath the scarf to draw all the attention to the scarf. For the second one, I added a winter dress with leggings and booties for a little more casual feel. Both looks are styled with gray colors, which I think is a great color combo with white.

So make dressing a little more fun and glamorous this season by starting a look with your favorite scarf, fur, clutch, bag, hat or mittens. ;) Let me know if you already have something in mind. And by the way, Target offers FREE standard SHIPPING (3-5 business days) and returns on ALL orders from now through December 25.

A New Way to Stay Hydrated

Healthy levels of hydration can increase energy levels, regulate circulation and digestion, and improve overall skin complexion. I don't know anyone who doesn't know this, yet most of us are still dehydrated due to our busy lifestyles and/or frequent travels. It's especially easy to forget about hydration while on a trip. As you might know from my social media, I am in London right now and I found a great way to help me reach my hydration goals before and during my trips.

First on the List

This post is sponsored by Target

In November, holiday gifting is already on everyone's mind. In the hustle of gift ideas, we often forget about the most important person in our lives - ourselves. If we are lucky enough, we may have a surplus in our allocated budgets to spend on ourselves, but, more often than not, we spend our entire holiday budget on gifting others.

This year I am teaming up with Target to change that. We encourage you to put yourself first on your holiday list...right now! Before holiday madness kicks in, find a gift for yourself! Target believes that when you treat yourself first, you'll be inspired to treat others with more optimism and excitement. So I decided to check it myself :P

I shopped Target's Wonderlist (search "Wonderlist" on Target.com) and found myself three little gifts: one piece of apparel (a green turtleneck), one accessory (a holiday-friendly velvet clutch), and one beauty item (Essie nail polish with golden glitters). These three little gifts are going to be a great foundation for many holiday looks to come, but here are two of my favorites thus far: a casual comfy look with a warm cardigan for a holiday stroll around the neighborhood, and a classy look in green and blue hues, finished with over-the-knee boots and a statement necklace for a holiday party.

Now I am definitely more excited to shop for others ;)

How will your treat yourself first this season with Target's Wonderlist?

Casual look:

Party Perfect with Lulus

Holiday season is right around the corner and this means - party season! I love an all-black glam look for a party, especially if it's as sexy as this jumpsuit! :) I found it at my favorite Lulus.com, which also carries a million options of cute and glam holiday dresses and I am already eyeing a few. What are your favorite pieces for the holiday party season?

Layering 2.0

This post is sponsored by Target

Winter is right around the corner, and, being an L.A. resident I couldn't be more excited. We'll finally get those few month of cold and have a chance to show off some winter fashion! I am partnering with Target again to showcase the most popular way of dressing this time of the year: layering. Instead of going for typical layers of clothes, I decided to spice it up by introducing accessories as a layer and, most importantly, layering the bottom of my look (the boots) as well. Both the top and bottom of my look have three layers, and they match perfectly in one cute and cozy look.
I love adding a statement jewelry piece to a turtleneck, or any tight top for that matter. It adds an extra layer of chic without being too bulky. The thin, long, gold necklace was a good addition to an overall winter ensemble.
As for the white long socks, I was amazed. I found these at the back of my closet, barely worn due to being too long, but they added such a level of coziness and made my boots look so different. Will definitely be incorporating more of these layers through the winter.

And what are your ways of layering this season?

Two Dots: The Game You Won't Stop Playing

I am not a big fan of games, but I found this one game that is so addictive that I simply CAN'T STOP :) It is called TWO DOTS. It is super simple, but very fun. The point of the game is to connect the dots of the same color, sink the anchors and do it in as few steps as possible. But apart from its addictive concept, it has the most relaxing and playful background music. Perfect for an afternoon break or a fun distraction. Check out the game's Facebook page here, download the game and let me know how you like it.

Knit Coat and Anna Wintour

The temperature finally dropped here in LA and I can start wearing jackets! This is so exciting for me :) Couldn't wait until I could finally rock this knit coat from Abercrombie. It makes a simple leggings+t-shirt combination look cool and trendy.

Suspender Pants

This season I didn't go to fashion week. It's been a very rough period of my life and fashion week plans quickly fell apart... I did however plan a few looks for it and this was supposed to be one of them. But who needs fashion week to dress for it? :) I can just dress like this here in LA.

Little Details

I like my outfits to be simple yet stylish and sometimes it's all about the little details that you add to the look that change the whole perspective. In this particular case I added a sophisticated pendant from Michael Hill to the feminine lace top, velvet skirt and ankle boots, and this added a touch of elegance and charm that the look was missing. Michael Hill is a great site for sophisticated jewelry options for every pocket.

Lace Up

I am back in LA after a month long absence and the weather is still not willing to admit that it's fall. Showcasing my "still-early-fall" looks in the next few weeks ;)

3D creativity with Sprout

If you follow me on social media, you might know that I've been super excited to explore HP Sprout in the recent past. It is so high tech, that it's hard to believe it's real. We are talking 3D printing and scanning, people!

Dating Tips for Men + Play #AYTO to WIN A Trip to Hawaii

I have noticed quite an increase in my male audience and wanted to start a little section for guys. Whether it be male fashion, lifestyle or dating tips, I'll be sharing some articles every once in a while. But I am sure ladies can still benefit from this material and, if they like it, share it with men in their lives.

Today I am going to share a few dating tips for guys, which are especially relevant for first dates. So without further ado, here is my list:

Feminine

Refresh Your Fall Wardrobe With Golden Tote

My style is changing as often as the weather and I am always looking to try something new. But occasionally I get stuck and run out of ideas on what I want to try or where I should shop. Not to mention that it's all incredibly time consuming. I am sure I am not alone in this, right ladies? ;)

Recently though I discovered a new service that could be a great solution for all of us. It's called Golden Tote, and it's basically a program where you purchase a surprise tote full of clothing ($49 for 2 items or $149 for 5-6 items) and you only choose 1-2 items in that tote. As for the rest, it's picked out by Golden Tote's stylists based on your style profile. So you actually get a surprise bag with amazing stuff for a steal! I was excited and a bit scared when I placed my order for a large tote, but ended up overjoyed when I got a whole new wardrobe in the mail :) I created 4 different fall looks with the items and honestly, I can't decide which look I like the most. By the way, since the return policy is all or nothing, girls are also trading pieces they don't like in their tote on "Golden Tote Trading Group" Facebook page.
Golden Tote launches new sales on the first Monday of each month, so go check them out ASAP before this month's items sell out! And here are the looks I created with mine ;)

I love early fall fashion. There is something elegant and romantic about it. This velvet midi skirt that came in my tote, paired with lace crop top and a foulard helped me create just that type of mood.

A Week in Target Denim

This post is sponsored by Target

I was challenged by Target to showcase my love of denim and make it a part of my look each day over the course of one week. I was super excited to experiment with it, because as you know, there are countless options of wearing denim in your day to day life, so I couldn't wait to explore them.

Monday was very busy, I had to work from home taking care of emails, admin and accounting. Left the house for a few errands in my favorite skinny jeans, a relaxed shirt and my favorite Kenzo espadrilles - stylish and easy!

Avoid Life's Uncomfortable Moments

I partnered up with U by Kotex again this month to talk about life's uncomfortable moments and dealing with them. Quite recently I discovered that I am quite a fan of wearing swimsuits as part of the outfit and inevitably, a lot of times it gets uncomfortable to wear a swimsuit throughout the day. To avoid that uncomfy feeling, I use everyday liners. They always keep me fresh and comfortable, and it's an essential element to any woman's life. U by Kotex Lightdays liners are great for everyday use, since they are breathable, soft, silky and they flex with the body. If you'd like to try them, get $1 off your U by Kotex samples HERE.

Fall Fashion

As much as I hate to see summer end, I am kind of excited to start transitioning my wardrobe into early fall, which, in my opinion, is the best fashion season. Restocking my wardrobe for fall is so easy thanks to my favorite Lulu's. I found tons of affordable items that I adore, including these high waisted elegant shorts in beautiful grey shade and the beautiful open back top to go with the shorts. Happy Shopping!

Denim Truth & Dare

This post is sponsored by Target

Whatever the season, the year or age, denim is always on trend. The beauty of denim is that no matter your shape, size and body type, you can still have at least one flattering denim piece.

This month I have been challenged by Target to share my denim truth with my favorite denim style and play with my denim dare by trying a denim style that's totally different from what I usually wear. Instead of playing with denim styles (skinny, flare, boyfriend), I decided to play with different washes. For my denim truth, I wore low-rise skinny jeans in medium wash - my usual go-to. Skinny jeans are always flattering and the wash is great for styling the look up or down. In my case, I styled it up with a pair of high heel sandals and a skinny top. As for my dare, I decided to experiment with washes and got skinny leggings in indigo acid wash. They look so cool and so retro, that it inspired me to go for a grunge look with a cool "Rolling Stones" tee, leather booties and a fedora hat. Daring my denim look made me feel creative and confident, I think I might have discovered a new style ;) And how would YOU dare your denim style? By the way, Target has a great denim promotion going on right now: shipping and returns are FREE. So go ahead, dare yourselves ;)

Comfy and Confident

I partnered up with U by Kotex to talk about being comfy. As a woman, there are so many things that can make us feel uncomfortable: smudged make up, bad hair days, poor clothing choice and of course... "those" days. Those days when we don't feel like doing anything at all and want to stay at home and be taken care of. With U by Kotex products you can get comfortable and confident every single day of the month. Personally I am a huge fan of everyday liners. They always keep me fresh and comfortable, and it's an essential element to any woman's life. U by Kotex Lightdays liners are great for everyday use, since they are breathable, soft, silky and they comfortable flex with the body. If you'd like to get free U by Kotex samples, you can redeem them on bringcomfyback.com.

Patriotic Vibes

In our world of globalized fashion, it's hard to stand out. You can buy a t-shirt during your random travel to Prague and come back to California and see the exact same t-shirt on your neighbor. I am not saying that it's bad, I myself am a huge consumer of mass fashion, but every once in a while I'd like to wear something a little more special. Thanks to Zazzle, I can customize my basic clothing items and choose from what seems to be unlimited options if I am out of ideas. Since I a new US citizen as of recently, I was feeling patriotic about my new country and especially the state I live in and I chose the corresponding tank and a tote from Zazzle. But even those basic items can be styled up for a casual glam look.

Back to School with Sakroots

I can't believe we are already in August and school is just around the corner. Even though I no longer go to school, I still have that "back to school" feeling every year when the time comes. I also still need a few essentials for my home office and work, and what's a better time to shop for new stuff than "back-to-school" season? Here are a few of my favorite must haves for this time of the year.

I've become quite obsessed with backpacks in the past few years (ironically enough, I hated them when I actually was at school :) ), because they are a great way to keep my hands free and still have all the essentials with me. Sakroots has surprised me again with their colorful and original selection of prints. I'll definitely be wearing my new artsy backpack very often. As for the other must have, I cannot imagine my life without it - Sakroots agenda. My days are so crazy and hectic that if I don't have a planner with me, I go insane. The one from Sakroots is definitely the best - it's big enough, stylish and just fun.

I like Sakroots not only for their products, but also for the company's direction. Not only Sakroots supports young artists, but the company also runs a "Campus Circle" campaign, which consists of college ambassadors sharing the Sakroots story around their campuses.

By the way, you can receive 15% OFF you first purchase if you sign up with your email on the Sakroots homepage. So hurry up and make one of these awesome backpacks your own!

Hotel Pullman Brussels Centre Midi

As I continue my hotel reports, it's time to talk about my stay in Brussels. I stayed at the ultra modern and chic Pullman Brussels Centre Midi, which is located right outside a major local and international train station of Brussels. Considering that I spent two out of three days traveling outside Brussels, and left Brussels for Amsterdam by train, I couldn't imagine of a better place to stay. But regardless if you need to travel outside of Brussels or prefer to spend your time in the city, the historical heart of Brussels is only a 15 min walk away, or a short 5 min metro ride, with the station located right next to the hotel.

Location aside, the whole hotel is simply superb. Designed by architect Jean-Philippe Nuel, this 4 star upscale hotel is definitely a place to be - sleek, modern, minimalistic and glamorous! Out of all the places I stayed at, this one was by far the hardest one to leave! I am just too addicted to cool designs and great customer service :) And of course, the best part of any European hotel stay is... breakfast! It was definitely superb and the variety was just insane. I wished I stayed there longer so that I could try everything they had :) So delicious!

Cut Out Shoulders

WestCord Fashion Hotel Amsterdam

It's already been two weeks since I am back, but I am still not over my post-trip depression :) It was such an amazing experience, particularly due to the beautiful hotels I got to stay at.

Today I'll tell you a bit more about my stay in Amsterdam. First of all, I arrived at the airport and got a TESLA cab - that's how you ride in Amsterdam! Definitely in style ;) Then it took me to the WestCord Fashion Hotel Amsterdam and I can't imagine a better place for your home away from home in this vibrant and international city. My hotel choice was pretty straightforward for two reasons. First, I am a fashionista (hence "the fashion hotel") and second, its convenient location. The hotel is close to public transportation which takes you directly to the center of the city, an airport is only a short drive from it and, most importantly, it's located right across the World Fashion Center. The rooms are very convenient (and quiet, which is kind of a big deal for me!) and the design throughout is all about fashion and glamour - definitely my vibe!

My favorite amenities of this hotel are The Wellness Garden with 2 saunas and Turkish steam room, indoor swimming pool, and the SKYY bar on the 10th floor with great views of the city. And I was definitely obsessed with breakfasts there - seriously I don't think I ever ate so much food at once. But I don't regret it at all - it was healthy and definitely delicious. I can't wait to get back to this beautiful city and come back to WestCord Fashion Hotel Amsterdam.

Soft Skin and Healthy Body

This week I partnered up with Flywheel and Vaseline for an exciting opportunity. I got a chance to attend the popular cycling studio Flywheel in LA yesterday. Normally, I am not that much into cycling classes, but I might reconsider my preferences after visiting Flywheel. The upbeat music, dark room and constant movement made me feel like I am in a club, only it was a healthy version of it :) I was half dancing, half cycling and definitely got my blood moving. It's a great cardio workout for people like me, who don't move much.

After the class I got a chance to try out and take home Vaseline Intensive Care Spray Moisturizer, which I used all over my body after the much needed shower. I usually don't use any body lotions because I can't stand feeling sticky or greasy after I just cleaned myself. In so many years I never found one that I could use regularly. But Vaseline definitely made a difference. It took me seconds to dry after my initial application, and the skin instantly felt smooth and moisturized. A very convenient 360 degree application made the process super fast, which is extremely important to me. I absolutely loved the experience and I will definitely be using the product for a while now. Finally a body lotion I can use regularly! Have you tried it?

My European Vacation

For those who still don't follow me on the social networks, it's time to tell you a bit more about my European trip. This year it was packed with gorgeous locations, great company and amazing food. I spent 3 weeks in Europe, kicking off my tour with a week in Cannes followed by a road trip around Tuscany and three day stays in Brussels and Amsterdam. I managed to see a total of 16 big and small towns all over Europe over the course of my trip. It was a little exhausting, but very exciting. I came back with a huge baggage of great memories and I think I even got a little depressed upon arrival, because this trip was like a dream and yet it was over so soon :(

I was freaking out for a couple of weeks before leaving since I had absolutely no idea what to pack with me. I wanted to have a lot of outfit options, but didn't want to take a big suitcase in lieu of the amount of travel that I was planning to do. I also had to plan warmer looks in case of chilly nights or temperature changes from country to country. I also refused to take anything that I couldn't wear more than once and anything that wasn't pretty enough. I bought so much stuff from different online stores in hopes to get those ideal outfit options, but ended up returning most of it. I was getting desperate...

But then I remembered about one store that somehow slipped my mind - my favorite Lulus. After spending hours on the website, I finally chose a few great summer dresses, pants, tops and a cool white jacket - perfect for summer nights. Whether it was surviving extreme heat in Cannes, getting lost on the streets of random Tuscan towns, admiring the architecture of beautiful Brussels or having the time of my life in vibrant Amsterdam, Lulu's made it easy for me to look stylish and feel comfy. Check out my looks that I wore in different cities and let me know which one is your favorite!

CANNES (France):

Back On The Grid...

It's been a few days since I am finally back in LA and I am almost over my jet lag. It's great to get back to a cooler drier climate and enjoy LA's chilly summer nights. I love taking my looks from day to night with a few easy adjustments and this look is not an exception. I wore my cool new shorts from Soul Escape all day and then I threw on my new leather jacket (that I got at half price on sale in Amsterdam!) and changed my shoes for booties for a movie night.

From Basics to Statements

This post is promoted by Target

I love summers for the range of colors and prints I can mix effortlessly. The easiest way to update my style this time of the year is by introducing prints. And the simplest and most affordable way to do so is with the help of Target, which is always one step ahead of the trend game. This season’s new print is tribal and frankly speaking, I am already obsessed with it. It’s also surprisingly easy to style! Just add a basic tank or tee to your tribal bottom and voila - effortlessly stylish and fun! It’s amazing how the right pair of accessories can turn your look into casual, sophisticated or fun! All three options are below.

Another Secret

This post is promoted by Skinny Cow

It's time to reveal my second secret as part of "What's My Secret" campaign with Skinny Cow. As I mentioned in my first post, finding time to relax on a daily basis is not easy, but it’s definitely essential for a balanced life. I really like weekends for this reason. Sometimes, I like to stay in and cancel my brunch/dinner plans and just enjoy a quiet time by myself. I like to read a good book, flip through a nice magazine or immerse myself in a photography book. Regardless of what it is, it definitely has to be without technology (no phones or laptops are allowed during that time!). I like to have a little snack as well. It goes without saying that Skinny Cow ice creams, chocolates or iced coffees are a perfect idea for this time of the day (time for oneself!). After I am done with my reading and indulging activities, I am ready to move on with my day in a calm and positive manner. Hope you enjoyed my little secret. Share your secret tips on Twitter with the hashtag #SkinnyCowSecret. Direct message to @TheSkinnyCow for a chance to receive a sweet treat (coupon). More details HERE.

Cannes Diary - What to Wear and Where to Eat

As you know from my social networks, I am currently traveling across Europe, and as part of this amazing trip I spent last week in Cannes. I had so much fun there, going to the beach, eating unlimited seafood and croissants and catching up with my friends. My summer fashion consisted of very light items with thin materials due to hot weather in Europe and trying to minimize my luggage size. Here is a photo diary of my looks and places to visit via my Instagram @byDianaMarks. Enjoy :)

Hat: Club Monaco. Romper: Sandro. Flats: Soludos.

Swimsuit Fashion

Summer has officially started a few days ago and that means that swim season is in full swing. As you might know from my previous posts, it takes me quite a while to find the best swimsuits every year, so stay tuned this summer for my swimsuit finds on the blog and socials and find below my current faves.

American Girl

This post is promoted by Target

It's time for the second installment of the Target swimsuit series (read the first one here). It's so easy to get lost in Target aisles and find so many amazing pieces literally at a steal! I was looking for another swimsuit to flaunt my body shape and I found this one in an American flag print. This time I decided not to hide my hips, but rather accentuate them with a fun print bikini. I never thought that this print could look so great!

The obvious choice for an outfit styled with this bikini was denim overalls and a backpack - it somehow feels all-American :)

Alternative ways of styling include these shorts and this denim vest, or a fun romper like this one.

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