New Clinique Fall Eye Palette at Belk Galleria Dallas

I like a good smokey eye palette, and I love a good GWP (gift with purchase).  The Clinique counter at the Belk Galleria Dallas is having a fab special right now.  When you purchase $55 worth of Clinique, get a super-cute limited edition palette of 6 must-have shadows that are perfect for fall.  There may be sweet shades on cover of this palette but the eye shadow shades on the inside are even better.  And you definitely won't want to hide your eyes with sunglasses when you have these eye shadows on.  The smokey eye isn't a new trend, but most "perfect" smokey eye palette are full of shades of gray and black.  Clinique's fall shadow palette has neutral yet interesting colors, like navy and pewter.

At Belk Galleria Dallas with your purchase and palette, also receive a Clinique makeup bag with lipstick, cleanser, makeup remover, mascara, and moisturizer when you buy.  While supplies last only, so you have to get over there! 

Galleria Dallas Hosts 2016 FGI Dallas Rising Stars Awards

Rising Stars! From left: Shane Monden, Jason Fitzgerald, LaToya Jones, James Turner, Alex Small (FGI board member, ;) only non-Rising Star on stage), Binzario Couture designers Luis Nazario and Andre Yabin, Allison Mitchell, and Jeremy Michael Calhoun

Fashion Group International (FGI) of Dallas recognized some of the brightest fashion industry stars in Dallas earlier this March.  FGI is a world-wide professional organization for those who work in the fashion industry, many of whom are entrepreneurs.  The 18 FGI Dallas Rising Stars nominees this year were chosen for both their fashion sense and business savvy.  As usual, the Galleria Dallas was a fabulous host and Jan Strimple wowed us again with her runway show featuring Galleria Dallas retailers and the Rising Stars fashion nominees.  

I'm so happy to know several of the 2016 Rising Stars nominees and admire their work.  I have to give a special shout out to my friend Taylor Miller, who has run a successful business Hazen Jewelry since she was nine.  She and I went to SMU together and bonded over our mutual love of fashion and business.  By far the youngest of the 18 nominees recognized this year and I know we're all looking forward to following the progression of her business.     

The Nominees (Winners in bold):

Fashion: Binzario Couture / Charles Smith II / Ese Azenabor
Accessories: Allison Mitchell / Jeremy Michael Calhoun / Taylor Miller

Art: JoJo Herdashey, LaToya Jones, Shawn Saumell
Interior Design: Andrew Gonzales, James Turner, Kara Legako
Make Up: Jarred Trehan / Joanna Hathcock / Shane Monden
Photography: Cameron Phan / Jason Fitzgerald / Kelly Williams

We're proud to say that FGI Dallas has some of the most involved members of the 6,000 people who are a part of FGI around the world.  The whole community came out on FGI Rising Stars night to show their love and support for the fashion industry and those who keep it alive.  These pictures show how fabulous Dallas fashion is, so enjoy these beautiful images by some of my favorite Dallas photographers - Thomas Garza, Danny Campbell, Quoc Cong, and Gregory Martin.

 Holly Quartaro, Lilit Matevosyan, Alex Small, Britt Harless, Elizabeth Anyaa

 Rosanne Hart, Andre Yabin, Alex Small, and Luis Nazario

 Venny Etienne, LeeAnne Locken, Korey Williams, Andre Yabin, and Tiffany Hendra

 A look by Ese Azenabor

 Taylor Miller, Hazen Jewelry designer and FGI Rising Stars nominee in accessories

 Selfie time! From left: ShantaQuilette DeVelle, Charmaine Marshall, Leah Frazier, Alex Small

 Winners!  Binzario Couture designers Luis Nazario and Andre Yabin

 A look by Charles Smith II

Khanh Nguyen and Charles Smith II

 Scott Kehn and Chuck Steelman

 LaToya Jones, Allison Mitchell, Steve Kemble, Alex Small, Yvonne Crum, and Chad Collom

 Jennifer Socarraz-Fleming gets caught by the Fashion Police 

 Binzario Couture's finale look

 Taylor Bacic with the Fashion Police!

 Steve Kemble, Ken Weber, LeeAnne Locken, Chuck Steelman, Tiffany Hendra, Chad Collom, and Brook Branagan

 David Marx, Gina Marx, Andre Yabin, Luis Nazario, Yvonne Crum, Alex Small, Kim Rozell, LaToya Jones, and Charmaine Marshall

 A look by Binzario Couture

 Britt Harless and Jan Strimple

Katy Messersmith, Yvonne Crum, and Marc Mattox

 Carinthia Kishaba, Allison Mitchell, and Courtney Kerr

 A look by Binzario Couture

Interested in applying for membership to FGI Dallas?  Check out the website for more information.

Decadence: 1920s Fashion Exhibit at Galleria Dallas

Beginning this Friday, experience vintage fashion at its finest at the Galleria Dallas for Decadence: Fashions from the 1920s.  You don't even have to go to the museum to see classic designer clothing and accessories from an iconic decade in fashion, the 1920s.  Owner of Vintage Martini and the exhibit's curator Ken Weber has put together a fabulous selection of vintage fashion for Galleria guests to enjoy.  Between your shopping excursions stop by the first floor to see the exhibit.  These beauties will be on display for everyone to enjoy from January 22 through February 28.  I'm very excited!

It's Christmas at Galleria Dallas!

The holiday season always sneaks up on me, but seeing the giant Christmas tree at the Galleria Dallas always puts me in the spirit of the season.  They've really gone all out for the holidays this year.  Here are just a few highlights of the Christmas season at the Galleria Dallas:

• Christmas tree - It's the tallest indoor tree in the country AND more skaters visit the Galleria's tree than the one in Rockefeller Center in NYC!
• Snow Globe - Tag #GalleriaHoliday when you post your snow globe pic on social media.
• Ice skating - You won't see me on the ice but if you like skating, it's a must-do activity when you visit the Galleria.  I'm very clumsy so I'll stick to what I do best... shopping!
• The newly expanded ZARA store.  Enough said!

Merry Christmas and Happy Shopping!

Fall 2015 Fashion & The Bachelor at Belk

with Jake Pavelka and Yvonne Crum

This is a seriously long-overdue post, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to tell you guys about meeting The Bachelor[s] at Belk Galleria Dallas in August for a fall fashion trend event.  It was such a fun night with an intimate cocktail meet and greet followed by a fashion show with two of the most well-known Bachelor stars: Sean Lowe and Jake Pavelka.  Even though these guys are perfect for TV, they also seem like nice, real people.  This was especially exciting for me because I had huge crushes on both Jake and Sean during their seasons.  Bachelor hunk Sean Lowe and his sweet, petite wife Catherine Lowe were happy to chat with guests and pose for fan pictures.  Bachelor and pilot Jake Pavelka led the fashion show commentary with TV host Amy Vanderoef.

with Catherine and Sean Lowe

with Jake Pavelka

Legendary stylist Charmaine Marshall produced another awesome fashion show featuring the season's hottest trends.

1.  Sharp Cuts: sleek and chic with modern prints
2. Rugged Individualist: relaxed and rough around the edges
3. Uptown Folk: a mix of handcrafted and couture
4. Urban Athletics: fashion meets function (ath-leisure)
5. Town & Country: luxe with a traditional twist

Enjoy these pictures by Shana Anderson!  

Catherine Lowe, Sean Lowe, Charmaine Marshall, Salem Boohaker, Amy Vanderoef, Jake Pavelka

Catherine and Sean Lowe

Taylor Bacic, me, Yvonne Crum

Top Picks: Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show Spring 2015

Leah Frazier and I attempting to make a model face

With the start of each season comes the Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show at the Galleria Dallas, a runway show extravaganza where the hottest fashion and beauty trends are featured for an audience of excited guests.  What's different about this show is that even though it's early in the morning on a Saturday, there's so much energy, coffee and perfume in the air that you quickly forget how early you woke up!

Nordstrom Regional Beauty Director for the South Gilbert Vera did an amazing job hosting the show.  A true beauty expert with 15 years of experience, Gilbert led us through the top 3 trends of the season: New Neutrals, The Right Bright Lip, and Sculpting Made Simple.     

Pretty much every big beauty brand that Nordstrom carries was mentioned on the runway, but a few brands in particular had some innovative new products that I think people need to know about!  If you were to buy only 3 new products this season, here's what you need:

1. Clarisonic (shop here)
You can't have a beauty event without talking about the Clarisonic, which some people are skeptical about using until they've tried it.  The Clarisonic rep said, "Everyone with skin needs a Clarisonic!"  I think she meant to say everyone needs a Clarisonic, but nevertheless I totally agree with her and loved that comment.  She highlighted the new Smart Profile Clarisonic, but I think any Clarisonic is great.

2. Dior Lip and Cheek Glow (shop here)
Normally I wouldn't splurge on a single product, but this one has more than one use and gives you a customized glow because it works with your skin's unique pH.

3. Yves Saint Laurent Couture Variation 10-Color Eye Palette (shop neutral "Nu" set here and purple "Tuxedo" set here)
Everyone needs an all-in-one eye shadow palette for easy and beautiful eyes.  Both the Nu and Tuxedo sets have great essential colors, so if you're picking one it just depends on your style.