LA by Diana - Personal Style blog by Diana Marks

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December 27, 2016

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!

December 22, 2016

Denim for Your Curves

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

November 21, 2016

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.

November 13, 2016

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.

November 11, 2016

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

October 18, 2016

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. 

October 13, 2016

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 :)

October 3, 2016

#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!

October 1, 2016

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!

September 28, 2016

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 ;)

September 25, 2016

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! 

September 14, 2016

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!

September 10, 2016

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!

September 7, 2016

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.

September 5, 2016

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!

August 29, 2016

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?

August 7, 2016

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 ;)

July 27, 2016

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.

July 22, 2016

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:

July 12, 2016

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!

June 30, 2016

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!

June 28, 2016

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.

June 7, 2016

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!

June 2, 2016

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

May 30, 2016

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 ;)

May 26, 2016

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.