Showing posts with label party. Show all posts

Holiday Party Survival with Dove



Over the weekend I hosted a holiday party for my friends. As much as I love hosting parties and try to get as much prep done as I can, the morning of is always a bit chaotic. The combination of a 400° oven that's been on since 8 a.m. while rushing around getting the house and myself ready is more than enough to make me break out in a sweat, and the last thing I want to worry about when I'm greeting my guests is whether or not my deodorant is holding up!

For this occasion, Dove invited me to try their new Dry Spray Antiperspirant. Like the name implies, when you spray it on it dries instantly. I was truly impressed by this, as I've never found that quality in a spray deodorant before; I could just shake, spray and go! Perfect because I just barely made it into my dress and heels before guests started to arrive. In the past I've loved Dove's products for their signature 1/4 moisturizing technology and the Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant is no different, my skin feels so soft and dry after using it.

Dove promises 48 hours of odor and wetness protection, and while I didn't do a full two day experiment, I can honestly say that by the time I saw my last guest off and finished my party clean up, I was still feeling fresh. Big goodbye hugs for everyone! And yes, it is 100% little black dress approved. Not a single white mark to be seen! I even tested it by spraying directly on a black tee I was going to be laundering anyway, and the spray was completely clear. Having spent too many occasions with my arms awkwardly down, Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant is officially part of my holiday party survival kit.

Having hosted a successful soiree, here are my tips to having a top notch party:

  • Make sure you've got a detailed list of all the food you are serving and go over it once before the party starts and one more time during - completely forgetting about an appetizer in the fridge or leaving a cheese off the cheese plate is no fun.
  • When entertaining in close quarters, try to stick to appetizers and finger foods, if some of your guests will have standing room only, they will appreciate being able to easily eat, hold on to their drink and still be able to mingle.
  • Plan at least a few party games, especially if your guest don't all know each other. I planned a Yankee Swap where I bought all the gifts so there were no hard feelings and it was a lot of fun. Other party hits are Apples to Apples and Taboo.
  • Use Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant to get ready in a flash and feel fresh all night.
Happy Hosting!


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I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Not your average party shoe

Recently I've been embracing the idea of incorporating more trainers into my wardrobe, and when JD Sports offered to send over a pair of shoes, I had to choose the most glam pair on the site.

Something about the shiny black snake embossed leather on this pair of Nike trainers made me want to dress them up with velvet and jewels. With all the running around on the holidays, I wondered if these trainers could be just glitzy enough to complete a party look - and I do think they are!

Even if I might not opt to wear them in place of heels all night, it's always good to have a backup, and they will most certainly add a lot of flare to my weekend looks. It's great to have the comfort of a Nike trainer with the style of fashion trainer. The monochromatic look sets these apart from so many other styles.

This weekend I will undoubtedly be doing a lot of running around! The last weekend before Christmas there will be no relaxing for me - I'm already worried about getting it all done; so many cookies to bake and gifts to wrap. My fellow procrastinators, it is time to rally.

Black bejeweled sweater, velvet blazer, skirt, trainers-3.jpgBlack bejeweled sweater, velvet blazer, skirt, trainers-1.jpgBlack bejeweled sweater, velvet blazer, skirt, trainers-6.jpgBlack bejeweled sweater, velvet blazer, skirt, trainers-5.jpgBlack bejeweled sweater, velvet blazer, skirt, trainers.jpg
The Rundown
Jeweled Sweater Kohl's similar
Skirt c/o Vera Wang for Kohl's similar
Black Velvet Blazer Urban Outfitters similar
Leather Trainers Nike c/o JD Sports
Fold Over Clutch Alberta Di Canio via TJMaxx similar
Gold Twisted Bracelet The Cavernous Jewerly Box similar
Naomi Druzy Ring c/o Kendra Scott
Pearl and Rhinestone Ring Forever 21
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Lion Around" Essie



Thanks to JD Sports for sponsoring this post!

NYFW RewardStyle party

Just say the words 'rooftop party' and I'm there. RewardStyle once again put on an amazing party at the top of the Empire Hotel in NYC. There were so many bloggers in attendance who I got to meet or catch up with, and sadly so many who I missed!

Adding to the fun, several brands were present to show off their new lines, offering contests and goodies. Piperlime and Ann Taylor had some stunning fall pieces, and Kendra Scott's new line had me lusting over everything, (you know costume jewelry is the way to my heart) there is a photo below of a few of their rings, all of which I want.

A DJ after my own heart and a couple of Gin and Tonics later, I wanted to dance, but since no one else seemed to be into that, I just instagramed to my heart's content.

Even thought the day had threatened rain, and the humidity was insane (I did in fact melt), the party was far from a washout and I had a fabulous time.

A quick little shout out to some of the amazing bloggers I got to chat with at the party: Meg, Nnenna, Becky, Alyson, Alex, SamKendi, and Alex after the party, it was so great to see you all!

Kiss tee, sequined skirt-3.jpgempire hotelphoto boothmeg, nnenna, lydia.jpgann taylor cuffkendra scott ringslets have a drink.jpgmeg and cake trufflecake trufflemeg and nnenna.jpgmeg and nnenna-1.jpgview from the empire hotel Kiss tee, sequined skirt.jpgKiss tee, sequined skirt-6.jpgKiss tee, sequined skirt-7.jpgKiss tee, sequined skirt-5.jpgKiss tee, sequined skirt-4.jpgKiss tee, sequined skirt-1.jpg
The Rundown
Kiss Kiss Tee J.Crew similar
Sequined Skirt Kohls similar
Shoes Adrienne Vittadini via TJMaxx similar
Grayson Bar Bag Linea Pelle
Earrings c/o Lucky Fabb
Spike Bracelet "Baby B" c/o Marrin Costello
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Pearl Midi Ring Forever 21 similar
Signature Spade Ring Kate Spade
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses "Sierra" c/o Under Armour
Nail Color "No Place Like Chrome" Essie


I heart NY and RewardStyle

Last week I got to attend the RewardStyle fashion week party, which was held on the rooftop of the Empire Hotel in New York City, right next to Lincoln Center.

It was a gorgeous summer day, and the rooftop setting could not have been more perfect. The the turnout was huge, there were so many bloggers who I was excited to finally meet in person, as well as good friends like Meg and Nnenna who I got to catch up with.

I had such a great time at the party, my only regrets are that I didn't get to chat with more of the fabulous ladies who were there, and that I didn't take more photos, but I hope you enjoy the ones below!

IMG_9486.jpgIMG_9491.jpgIMG_9481.jpgIMG_9497.jpgmeg and lydia-4.jpgnnenna and meg-3.jpgIMG_9512.jpgIMG_9375.jpgIMG_9382.jpgIMG_9395.jpgIMG_9457.jpgIMG_9428.jpg
The Rundown
White Crochet Lace Dress TJMaxx very similar, similar
White Blazer Cynthia Rowely via TJMaxx similar
Leopard Wedge Sandals Sam Edelman similar
Teal Ostrich Tote London Fog c/o Linger Rose
Pave Hexagon Earrings Thrifted similar
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Crystal Stretch Bracelet Take for Granite similar
Watch c/o Caravelle by Bulova via Lucky Fabb
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Signature Spade Ring Kate Spade
Sunglasses Ray-Ban Meteor c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color Sally Hansen The Real Teal

How Pinteresting

Over the weekend one of my oldest friends and (somewhat negligent blogger) Bethany hosted a Pinterest Party - which is pretty much like any other party, only the guests are invited to bring a dish that they created from their Pins.

The motivation being that so often we spend all day and night Pinning these things which would be wonderful - if we actually got around to creating them - so having a party is a great way to encourage oneself to do so.

I decided to bring a simple appetizer that I'd tried before, Goat Cheese and Peach Tartlets, as well as an ambitious dessert that popped up on my feed a few days prior, Shortbread covered in Salted Caramel and Dark Chocolate.

I'd never made my own caramel before, and while I did follow the directions and cooked it to the right temperature, it was very soft and once the squares where cut up, they all started to ooze, literally right off the plate.

Aside from that, they were very delicious!

Of course, I had to put together a Pinterest inspired outfit as well!

Pinterest inspired.jpg Pinterest inspired-1.jpg Pinterest inspired-5.jpg Pinterest inspired-4.jpg Pinterest inspired-7.jpg
The Rundown
Sweater Ralph Lauren Thrifted similar
Pleated Skirt Thrifted similar
Pumps Seychelles Check's in the Mail similar
Leopard Clutch Dela Chic
Necklace The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Signature Spade Ring Kate Spade 
Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Nail Color Essie No Place Like Chrome