California, Here I am!

As some of you (maybe?) know, I was lucky enough to go to The Oscars Gift Lounge out in California last week. It was a dream come true! So now, I'll be telling you about every detail I can remember. This will be broken up in numerous posts so- here is part 1! Hope you enjoy :)

I have never been to California. It has been a part of my "5 year plan" to go to Cali since I was 16 years old. In case you were wondering.... I'm 26. So obviously, that didn't work out as planned but still.. I made it there. I have been dreaming of California for as long as I can remember. I'm an East Coast girl, so this was something huge for me in itself- let alone me getting to go to The Oscars Gift Lounge.

Here's me in the airport bathroom. Classy, I know. 

I was terrified of going on the plane. I am not a plane person- I get dizzy, nervous, and tend to freak out. So being alone on a plane for 6 hours wasn't my favorite part of the trip- but I freaking made it. So that's all that matters.

I wait outside the airport for the shuttle. PALM TREES EVERYWHERE. Oh it was just beautiful. It was sunny, gorgeous weather- and no sign of snow. Which I loved. Since I hate snow, and Connecticut seems to be covered with it haha.

I get to the hotel. The Sofitel. It is just stunning. 

Anywhere that you can see Bloomingdales out the window just makes me smile. 

Once I got there I got to meet the fabulous woman behind The Artisan Group, Valerie. I have "known" Val for over a year now- but us being on different sides of the country haven't "officially" met until this week. She is absolutely amazing. We get along so well- she is such a sweet woman I was just so happy to finally meet her. You know I had to run up to her and give her a big hug!

Aren't we adorable?

So once I put my bags away (yes, I'm telling you every little thing here. I told you, this was going to be dragged out over numerous posts. Let me relive this!! haha) we went directly to a place where I feel most comfortable. The Bar.

Drinks make me smile. I had a nice big glass of wine- which I needed after a day of traveling, especially since the entire 6 hour plane ride I had a woman who spoke no English lean over me the entire flight to look at the clouds out the window. Seriously, if you see one cloud, you've seen them all. I don't get what the fascination is with that. Either way, the glass of wine was welcomed.

Val and I gabbed away the whole night. It is so nice to be able to talk to her in person rather than phone/email/text. We went from drinks at the hotel bar to The Capital Grille for dinner. Let me just say, YUM.

I of course took a gorgeous picture of myself in the mirror- but the pic looks like crap. You can't tell I have a great royal blue dress on- it looks black in the photo. But, so you can see for yourself... I feel I looked great!

For my first night in California, it was absolutely perfect. Great company, great drinks, great food. What else can I ask for? It was just spectacular. To end the night off right, I got to relax in this extremely comfy bed. I thought I would never say a hotel bed is comfortable, but OMG this bed was just perfect.

Day 1. Completed.

Check back for Day 2!

One Week from today...

One week from today I'll be on my way to California for The 2013 Oscars Gift Lounge with The Artisan Group (TAG).

I am freaking out.

I cannot wait. I made this AMAZING necklace last night (no pics yet) but it isn't for the gift lounge- it's for the dinner the night before with all my TAG ladies! It's all funky and spikes and gorgeous. I can't wait to wear it.

I still haven't decided on my jewelry for the gift lounge. I have 2 dresses I'll be wearing and I'm just so indecisive! I'll figure it out this week though- I have to! haha

Well.. I figured today I'd show you what is in the gift bags I'll be handing out at the event...

Swarovski Pearl Charity Bracelets!!!

I love these bracelets. They are so silky smooth looking- they are perfect to add to any outfit. I think I'm going to make myself a black pearl one for the gift lounge- since I'm leaning towards wearing black dresses. I'll probably wear a bunch of stacked bracelets- some black and some with color- to be a little pop!

One week, One Week, One Week......

That's all that has been going through my head lately! I just have to remember to breathe and I'll be okay.

Breathe.

#Oscars #GiftLounge in 10 DAYS

The Oscars Gift Lounge is in 10 days!!!

I can't believe it. It has been such a hectic couple of months that I can't believe it's already here. I was sick, we've been super busy with Jewels For Hope, I've been working out- picking out outfits-shoes-hair-makeup AH. So much work for this. I can't wait!!!

So far, the only thing left for me to do for the gift lounge is make some final decisions- on makeup, how my hair looks, what jewelry I'll be wearing, and what extras to bring with me. Oh, and for me to figure out how to knock myself out as soon as I get on the plane so I'm passed out for the whole flight. (I don't think I'll be figuring that one out, but at least I can control all the other things I have to do haha)

So for now... let's talk about makeup.

I did some makeup trials yesterday while being snowed in (don't you love this weather we're having?)

I would love love love your thoughts! I normally ALWAYS wear pink eyeshadow. Always. So I decided to do something a little bit different... special really. Since this is a special occasion. This is THE occasion. Woo... Breathe Stevie, Breathe.

Okay...

Blues or Browns??? TELL ME! What do you think?