Project Emilie: Getting Famous at Fashion Stars 2014

Fashion Stars for a Cause 2014 was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Raising money for the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas and meeting 11 other Fashion Stars was overwhelmingly rewarding.  But the highlight of it all was the gala last March.  I felt blessed to have 10 supportive members of my family by my side on the big night.  Everyone looked like stars in gowns and tuxes.  But it goes without saying that everyone's favorite fashion model stole the show during the Tootsies runway presentation.  As we walked the runway, each Fashion Star was given a beautiful introduction by Terry Bentley Hill.  Once it was my turn to get up there and attempt not to become fashion roadkill, Terry mentioned Small 4 Style and Project Emilie.  Seconds later, Em stood up and did her princess wave to her adoring fans.  It was so cute!

Emilie is always eager to meet new people, and it was no different at Fashion Stars.  Her fearlessness and confidence to be herself is inspiring.        

Emilie's response to her fame?  She's gonna work that runway next time!

 Meeting a new fan and bestie, Val Valentine

 With fellow Fashion Star Regina Bruce

With her new pal, the fabulous Yvonne Crum

Feeling Blue... Makeup! BA Star Eye Shadow Palette

Runway images from elle.com

Every spring fashion magazine lately cites blue eye makeup as this season's hot look.  In an attempt at being cool, I recently jumped on the blue wave and tried BA Star's Midnight Smoky shadow palette.  The runway makeup artists make blue shadow look easy to pull off, and it takes a few attempts to get it just right.  Luckily, BA Star makes it simple.  I started by brushing the neutral shades over the entire lid and used the blue shadow in the palette as an eyeliner.  Once I got comfortable with the boldness of blue, I went all out and rocked blue shadow - runway style!  BA Star cosmetics are made for performers who need their makeup to last long.  But if you're like me and don't thrive in the performing spotlight, you can still benefit from BA Star's long-lasting cosmetics.

Tip: a neutral lip offsets the bold blue eye look.  Classy! 

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Powerful Pink: NYC Forever Fuchsia Expert Last Lipstick

With cosmetics, I like to maintain a balance of cheap & chic brands with high-priced products.  Because NYC Cosmetics is a top brand for high-quality, cost-effective makeup, it's easy to experiment with fun colors.  I love a lipstick that stays on all day.  NYC's Expert Last Lipstick in Forever Fuchsia is a hot pink that isn't too deep, making it the perfect summer shade.  Try it out!  It's only $2 and you can get it at Ulta or Walgreens. 

Not ready to show off in Forever Fuchsia?  Don't fret - NYC Expert Last Lipstick comes in 18 colors.

 

NYC Forever Fuchsia Expert Last Lipstick c/o Influenster

May is Melanoma Month: Gotta Hat It Fundraiser

This Saturday, May 3, walk with AIM at Melanoma to raise money and awareness for skin cancer.  May is melanoma month to promote the most common form of cancer in the United States, and the importance of early detection.  From now through the end of May, DermOne and Dallas celebrities are joining forces to fight skin cancer.  You have a chance to bid on a one-of-a-kind hat designed by a well-known local personality.  The Gotta Hat It online auction will benefit AIM at Melanoma, which is an internationally-known healthy skin initiative.  This is the first Gotta Hat It auction, and it will be introduced at the 10th Annual AIM for the CURE Walk this Saturday.

PS - Get a free skin check at DermOne in Grand Prairie on Saturday, May 17 from 8am to 2pm.  Call (817)466-8651 for more information.  Don't forget to mention "Melanoma Month!"

The hats in the Gotta Hat It auction were designed by:
Julie Fisk - KVIL 103.7 host
Leslie Ezelle - HGTV Design Star All Star winner
Charles Smith II - fashion designer
Prashi Shah - fashion and event decor designer
Rachael Lynee Burns - Miss Texas International 2014 
Lucy Dang - fashion designer
Anthony Muelle - fashion designer
Cigi Ingram - artist, actor, model
John - KVIL morning personality
Linde Dellinger - AIM at Melanoma

Sophisticated, Chic & Quick: Rimmel London Makeup Look

As a girl on the go, I don't have as much time as I would like to spend on my makeup.  I also don't have as much of a budget for makeup as I would like either.  After using Rimmel London products for the past several years, I've come to realize that jumping from brand to brand wasn't that fun.  I like the feeling of knowing that Rimmel is both quality and cutting-edge.

Rimmel works for every girl, and for every event in her life.  It's easy for you to take control of the level of drama in your look.  Day or night, you can never go wrong with neutral eye shadow and beautiful red lips.  Below I've shown how you can get a simple, fast daytime look that's Sophisticated & Chic.  To shop for these makeup items, hover over the photo below and click on the icons.  I think you'll be happy to know that most of Rimmel's products are under $10!  

Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation c/o Influenster.  

Look Du Jour: Sweet Dreams, Sweetie!

Now more than ever, I've realized the importance of a good night's sleep.  Better sleep results in less stress and enhanced beauty - an even better reason to look fashionable and take advantage of overnight beauty products while you snooze.  I suggest adding a strand of pearls for a touch of fanciness.  So put on your eye mask and have sweet dreams.
  
PS - this picture is shopable!  Simply click on the item you want to learn more about.  

Color Wow Hair Products

Do blondes really have more fun?  I like to think so, but definitely not when our hair is brassy.  Color Wow's Brass Banned Mousse.  The lavender-tinted product counteracts the brassy tones that develop in blond hair when you spend time in the sun or dye it.  Usually, I don't like mousse because it has a tendency to make hair stiffer, but this Brass Banned Mousse actually makes my hair soft.  Don't worry brunettes... there's a formula for dark hair too.

Even though I've never dyed my hair, I also really like Color Wow's Color Security Shampoo.  It seemed to make my flat hair look voluminous and vibrant.  You can get both products, as well as other Color Wow products at Ulta (my favorite cosmetics store)!  

Sam Edelman at Nordstrom Northpark

I had the opportunity to meet legendary shoe designer Sam Edelman earlier this spring.  Nordstrom Northpark Center was the perfect setting for Mr. Edelman's fans to shop his latest collection and snap some photos with the designer.  After 30 years of experience in the industry, it's clear that he knows exactly what women look for in the perfect shoe.  As a salesperson at Nordstrom Galleria Dallas for the past few seasons, Sam Edelman was my favorite brand to sell.  Because why wouldn't you want to own a pair (or several) of Sam Edelman's?  They're stylish.  They're comfortable.  And they're affordable.

 The Sam Edelman "Karina" Wedge that I purchased.

Photo booth with Angela Hudson and Michael Fiorendino.

Meeting the man behind a brand that you actually wear every day is even cooler than meeting a celebrity.  Sam Edelman is part of the everyday life of thousands of shoe lovers.  I'm so happy to have gotten to chat with the one who designed several of the flats, heels, and wedges in my closet.  It's also inspiring to meet someone who has made his passion profitable.  He worked for several well-known brands like Ralph Lauren and Kenneth Cole, and even built the iconic brand Esprit.  You may remember the brand Sam & Libby, which he started with his wife in the late 1980s.  After realizing a need in the market for fashion-forward footwear at a reasonable price point, he started his namesake brand in 2004. 

As usual, Nordstrom knows how to put on an awesome event.  Women's Shoes manager Angela Hudson goes above and beyond to make her department look perfectly merchandised, and there was no exception for the Sam Edelman event.  Pretty displays and a photo booth made the event even more fabulous.  I also got to catch up with Nordstrom co-workers and friends Michael Fiorendino and Chris Dekkers.  It was an eventful evening to say the least.  I'm looking forward to talking with Mr. Edelman soon and seeing what shoes he comes up with next season.

Nordys Reunited!  Chris Dekkers, Alex Small, Michael Fiorendino

Nice L'eggs! Sweepstakes and Review

Icons with the greatest impact on fashion have something in common: great legs.  What makes their legs even greater?  Hosiery!  Look at past and present style icons like Jackie O., Kate Middleton, and Taylor Swift.  It's a simple fact: classy girls wear hosiery.  I like to think of myself as a chic sophisticate as well, so I'm a fan of adding an instant element of polish to my outfits with hose.  I recently tried L'eggs Sheer Energy hose in suntan, a color which is appropriate for my painfully pasty legs.  As much as I would like to get a spray tan, throwing on a pair of L'eggs is a lot quicker and classier.  

The L'eggs brand allows you to choose your shade and style.  Best of all, you don't have to fight mall traffic to get them.  Most major drugstores carry L'eggs for extremely affordable prices.  This really opened my eyes to the premium that many pay for a name brand.  I've tried hosiery at every price point, and I've found that the only differentiating factor is the brand name.  Why splurge on designer hose with no visible logo when L'eggs looks just as posh?  You could pay 4X more for a pair of Donna Karan hose that's made of the exact same nylon and spandex as L'eggs.  When comparing L'eggs with an expensive brand-name hose, I think that L'eggs is made of a more substantial material that doesn't rip as easily.

As you may have noticed, L'eggs brought back the classic egg-shaped packaging in honor of their latest L'eggs Lucky Egg Sweepstakes.  Take a spin for a chance to win a Las Vegas trip for the ultimate egg hunt.  The grand prize winner and a friend will win shopping sprees, makeovers, and tickets to a Las Vegas show.  The contest ends on Monday, April 28 (one week from today) and you must be 21 years old to participate.  So it looks like I'll have to wait until Wednesday to enter!

Fashion Stars for a Cause 2014

2014 Fashion Stars for a Cause: Hilary Kennedy, Alex Small, Toni Munoz-Hunt, Antonia Hubert, Britt Harless, Ashley Burghardt, Cynthia Smoot, Robin Brock, Carla Miller, Regina Bruce, Rhonda Marcus.  Not pictured: Janee Hill.  Photo by Danny Campbell

The night we were all waiting for finally happened on March 21.  Friends and supporters of the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas convened at the Dallas Country Club to promote suicide prevention.  The first Fashion Stars for a Cause event was a huge, SOLD OUT event.  Hundreds of people from the Dallas fashion and charity community, plus 10 members from my family, were in attendance.  The chic soiree began with the signature Fashion Stars Cocktail and a runway show.  After the 12 Fashion Stars strutted on the runway in Tootsies dresses, Terry Bentley Hill inspired the audience with a message of hope.  All of this was possible because of Yvonne Crum.  She's tirelessly dedicated to important causes, especially the SCC for the past several years.  Her energy and involvement is inspiring.  Thank you, Yvonne for making it happen.  It means so much to me that I was nominated alongside these dynamic, accomplished, and compassionate women.  This was an experience of a lifetime that I'm forever grateful for.  

Fashion Friends: Dawn Mellon, Alex Small, Shona Gilbert, Val Valentine, Cheryl Rochefort Rios, Lisa Petty.  Photo by Danny Campbell

On the runway!  Cynthia Smoot looked stunning in yellow.  Notice Grant, my official photographer, in the right corner.  Photo by Danny Campbell.

It's not too late to buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a Cabo trip - $50 each or 3 for $100.  Remember to mentioned Alex Small when you buy your raffles online!  The winner will be announced on May 24 at the Beverly Drive Polo Cup and Concorso at the Prestonwood Country Club. 

Rhonda Marcus, Alex Small, Regina Bruce. Photo c/o Regina Bruce

Rhonda Marcus, Hilary Kennedy, Ashley Burghardt, Alex Small.  Photo c/o Regina Bruce.

Alex Small and Val Valentine.  Photo by Danny Campbell

The Small Family

Photo by Danny Campbell

Yvonne Crum and Hilary Kennedy.  Photo by Danny Campbell

Photo by Danny Campbell

 Stay tuned to read about Emilie's star experience at the Fashion Stars for a Cause event.  She's very dedicated to her fans!  You know she loves a good runway show...

Louise Murphy (Aunt Lou Lou), Alex Small, Elaine Small (Mom), and Emilie Dufour (fashion model).  Photo by Danny Campbell

Yvonne Crum, Alex Small, Grant Small, Emilie Dufour

Special shout out to these girls!  Caroline and Yvan volunteered to sell a lot of raffle tickets at the event.  And they're graduating from high school this spring... congrats!