LA by Diana - Personal Style blog by Diana Marks

April 12, 2016

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

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 ;)

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