LA by Diana - Personal Style blog by Diana Marks

June 16, 2017

Meet a Celebrity at Barnes & Noble + GIVEAWAY!

This post is sponsored by Barnes & Noble, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

We are so "digitized" these days that we forget how fun it is to go to actual book stores. I remember years ago, when I just moved to LA, my local Barnes & Noble book store used to be my favorite place to hang out. They have great atmosphere, good background music, coffee and books available for purchase and/or reading there - what else do you need for a perfect afternoon?

And I didn't realize that it's also a great place to meet other interesting people, including celebrities too! Barnes & Noble host more than 100 000 events per year, bringing major authors, actors, musicians and other influential figures to their stores across the country. All you have to do is buy their book, and you can talk face to face with Cameron Diaz, Kim Kardashian, Bruce Springsteen etc. Check out your local Barnes & Noble store locator and their events and find out where to meet Kevin Hart, Eddie Izzard, Bethany Mota, Sherman Alexie and Don Winslow in June alone! Meeting celebrities is easier than you think these days!

Also, super exciting giveaway! You can win a $20 Barnes & Noble gift card, just visit the Barnes & Noble store locator and comment which author/event you are most excited to attend! Don't forget to leave your email so that I can contact you!

Transition Easy with tasc Performance

This post is sponsored by tasc Performance but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I love the fact that fitness clothing is becoming more fashion friendly, and we can easily transition outfits from yoga to working out to hanging with friends these days. And tasc Performance is taking it to a whole other level with their innovative and comfortable performance lifestyle clothing, and they start with their fabrics! Their fabric blends are sustainable, chemical-free and derived from the highest quality natural sources, including bamboo, merino wool and organic cotton. When I wore this outfit I didn't want to take it off! I started the day with a light workout at the park, and transitioned it to a chill brunch + a beach bike ride with friends. tasc fabrics deliver the luxuriously soft feel paired with natural moisture-wicking, UPF 50+ sun protection and odor resistance without sacrificing style. They have the cutest styles and colors! Check out their performance wear HERE. AND USE A 20% OFF code experiencebamboo

Discover Your Unique Personality Type with Good&Co

This post is sponsored by Good&Co but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

We are fortunate to live in a time, when information is so easily accessible, innovation and individuality are encouraged, and growth and progress are the definition of success. We can also learn about ourselves much faster with the help of personality quizzes and tests, and therefore choose a better fitting career path. My new favorite way to learn more about myself is the Good&Co app. It's a self discovery app that uncovers your personality type through a set of fun quizzes. It helps you discover your strengths and weaknesses, find a career you love, learn how to succeed in it, explore your work style and how to become a better leader. Not bad for a simple app, right?

I took the first test to get my custom Strengths Card, which showed (or rather confirmed) that I am a strategist, a go getter and a visionary, and also confirmed just once again that I have a creative personality (along with other traits like discoverer, innovator etc). It's pretty fun to discover your unique personality traits, and to find a new or adjust your existing career in case the one you have no longer fits your personality. As for me, I am sticking with the same path as it still fits me perfectly - creating great content, negotiating on my own behalf and having my own schedule :)

Download the app and take the first Good&Co quiz yourself. Unlock the Strength card, discover in-depth insights into your work style and your compatibility with others and companies!

Protection without Distractions with U by Kotex Fitness

This post is sponsored by U by Kotex Fitness, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summer is around the corner and we are all trying to get our bodies ready for those bikinis and hit the gym as much as we can. I initially went back to my regular workouts to get in better shape for the summer, but now I do it more for mental reasons. Regular exercise supports my energy levels and my sleep patterns and elevates my mood. So many perks!

But we all know how easy it is to break the pattern and slide out of the routine. When I have a long break from the gym, I drag going back and end up not going for weeks or sometimes months. And for us, ladies, it's especially hard to stay on track when that time of the month comes along. All we want to do is stay home and do nothing, even though we know that exercise will actually help us feel better. Well...gone are those sad days, because U by Kotex Fitness is a new product line designed specifically for that time. They have a whole line of products such as pads, liners and tampons, that are shaped to fit and flex with your body, and uniquely created for exercise. Designed specifically for bodies in motion, each U by Kotex Fitness product offers you comfortable protection that stays in place - so you don't have to! I love that U by Kotex Fitness products support my decision to be my period boss. Learn more about U by Kotex Fitness here.

Life Hacks: How To Indulge Mindfully with VitaTops

This post is sponsored by VitaTops, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

My life has always been an "organized mess", as I call it; and you guys know about it. I don't shy away from stating the reality of my behind-the-scenes, which is sometimes full of events and meetings, sometimes full of boring and unproductive errands, and always full of emotional highs and lows. It's a mess, but a mess that I learned how to survive and thrive in. With such a hectic lifestyle, I rarely have time to cook, and, even if I did, I am just not a big fan of cooking. Therefore, I always try to find different products that can make a healthy, delicious and fast meal or snack on the go. I love sharing them with you guys, so here is another discovery of mine - VitaTops MuffinTops!

Join Me At KAABOO Del Mar

This post is sponsored by KAABOO Del Mar, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

If you have been following me for a while, then you probably know that I am all about experiencing life and getting out of your comfort zone. That is why this year I am challenging myself to a new experience. I am going to be attending a music festival for the first time. In the past I avoided such events, but there is always first time for everything. Especially if you find a more comfortable and quality experience that is not just another music festival ;) So here it is! After careful research, and due to the line up being just recently released yesterday, my festival of choice is KAABOO Del Mar. It's a live music festival and cultural experience in beautiful Del Mar, San Diego happening this September 15th-17th at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. I was just in that area last weekend, and instantly fell in love with the area. So pumped to go back there in September!

My Favorite Pieces from Uniqlo’s Spring Collection

This post is sponsored by Uniqlo USA, but my love for their modern apparel is my own.

Spring is around the corner, and it's time to switch our wardrobes and get out of our coats and sweaters into a more breezy stylish wear. This time I am partnering with Uniqlo to showcase their apparel that comes from their Japanese values of simplicity, quality, and longevity. I love the how I was able to find amazing elegant pieces for a great price, and the quality is just superb. Their spring collection is incredible, and being a classy girl who was tired of casual winter wear, I went for their women's drape long jacket with matching jogger pants in a beautiful brown color, that is a perfect shade for this spring. The material is resistant for wrinkling, and shapes the body perfectly. As elegant as the outfit looks in heels, I absolutely love the way it looks with my fashion sneakers, creating a perfect balance of casual and classy. Check out Uniqlo's spring collection HERE.

Health and Wellness in the New Year with Olly

This post is sponsored by OLLY, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Last year was a very challenging year, and it is taking it's toll on me these days. Not only you guys are seeing that my creativity and overall drive has declined significantly this month, but I also hit my lows with depression and anxiety. But it's life, things happen and we learn how to get back on our feet. I am now actively trying to get back to my normal routine and get my health back on track.

Regular sleep is obviously important, just as much as workouts and fresh air. But there is one thing we don't nearly get as much of these days, and it's probiotics. They support our immune system and digestive health as well as overall health and wellness. They also support regularity or relieve occasional constipation. Thanks to OLLY Quick Melt probiotic sticks I can immediately jump start my wellness journey. OLLY created this delicious, multi-tasking blend of good bacteria to help support digestive health and overall wellness. OLLY packed 10 billion live cultures from four scientifically studied strains into everyday single-serving stick. Perfectly portable and totally tasty, OLLY probiotic sticks make it east to be good to your gut wherever you are. That's what I start my wellness journey with!

Try a free sample of OLLY Quick Melt Probiotic Sticks HERE, while supplies last. Plus you'll learn how to save 20% on your next online OLLY purchase.

Augustine Prague: A Luxury Collection Hotel

Last year was full of travel experiences for me. I stayed in lots of lovely hotels, from big chains to boutique ones, and one of my favorites and freshest in my memory is Hotel Augustine in Prague. It was my first time visiting Czech Republic, and the hotel was a perfect choice. It is centrally located in a quiet neighborhood walking distance to city's sights like Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, and, most importantly, it has the most fascinating history.

The hotel's suites feature amazing views of Prague castle, the monastery or garden courtyards. But the most impressive room is the 360-degree-view Tower Suite, a three-story penthouse that once served as the monastery's observatory. You can see the whole Prague from there!

Home Favorites

A lot of you know that I moved last September. I left my beloved Beverly Hills, where I lived for almost 5 years, for vibrant Venice Beach - a completely different area in Los Angeles located next to the Pacific Ocean. It took me a long time to make that decision, but once I made it, I wanted to move fast, as we all know that moving is one of the most stressful experiences in life. I found a lovely modern apartment, where I am temporarily living, while getting familiar with the area and prepping for a more permanent settlement here. The new place has a beachy Venice-appropriate vibe as opposed to my classy black-and-white Beverly Hills pad. Naturally, I didn't want to bring my favorite pieces from the old apartment, but I also didn't want to get rid of them. Putting things in storage felt like a perfect solution, but I didn't want the hassle of actually arranging a delivery and going to the storage unit myself. Luckily I found the wonderful company Make Space, that takes care of all the storage problems for me. Their team came over at a designated time, picked everything up (and packed it!), and also provided me with their free stylish storage bins. I didn't have to lift a finger! Any time I want any or ALL of my items back, I can simply order them online (I can see everything I am storing with them on my account online!) and their wonderful team will bring it all back to me. And all of this for a very affordable price! It's a super easy and convenient way of approaching storage nowadays. Gone are the day of self storage, and I couldn't be happier about it.

The apartment where I am currently staying, came in furnished, and while I didn't want to refurnish it as I really like the design, I needed to add several details to make my temporary place feel like home. You see glimpses and pieces of it on my social media, but here are just a few of my favorite additions to my current home.

My bed is super important to me, so the first thing I did was upgrade my bedding to a luxurious Brooklinen collection.

Dove Hair #SkipAWash Challenge

You might know that I don't like spending tons of time on my beauty / make up routine, and today I am partnering with Dove Hair to bring you guys another life hack that has been a great time saver in the recent days for me.

My life is always hectic (from meetings to events, admin, errands, shoots, and so much more!), but I always have to look presentable and picture ready. The part of my hair routine, that I drag the most, is washing my hair, as drying and styling it takes a while, and I lose productive daytime doing it. When I heard of Dove #SkipAWash challenge, I immediately got interested, because who wouldn't mind skipping a wash (or two!) and save those extra hours while maintaining fresh looking hair? ;)

I do play around with different dry shampoos every once in a while, and I am always happy to try new ones as I haven't found my go-to quite yet. But the Dove Refresh+Care Detox & Purify Dry Shampoo might just be the one! It's quite big (so lasts longer), immediately refreshes my hair and controls hair oil while allowing to skip a regular wash. Super easy to use too! Just shake, spray on lifted sections of dry hair, 8-12 inches from roots, massage through roots and brush through! Voila - a perfect fresh look for an extra day! It's been a real time-saver for me. Try it out and let me know your thoughts!

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.

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