SBD Girls Spring Essentials 2015

~ spring is officially here and we've been basking in its glorious sunshine the past week {we're secretly hoping it stays warm and breezy forever} and this makes us especially excited to wear light, breezy fabrics, invest in fun sandals, {flats and heels, of course} all while treating ourselves to pedicures with fun and playful colors {a must do to show off our pretty shoes}.  here at SBDgirls HQ, we always want to share some local shop love {along with a few of our favorite brands} to help fill your summer closets but also bring our beauty and skincare picks into the mix. because looking good from head-to-toe is fun! most importantly, we're sharing one of our favorite sun protection product which every beauty maven knows is an absolute must!

1. we have been majorly crushing on all that Shop Maccs has to offer and this new addition to their shop (the Sophie Playsuit ) is just YAAASSSS!  wear it with either of the sandals picked here for two totally different looks

2. we found these Schutz Juliana Cage Sandals on Shop Bop and fell in lust with them! not only do they come in many covet-worthy shades, but they are so versatile you can wear them with jeans, moto pants, or even to dress up a maxi dress or a high low skirt

3. you need new sandals for summer, you just do. these Rebecca Minkoff Sava T Strap Jelly Sandals are just too cute to pass up and since they are a VERY reasonable price compared to most designer sandals this summer we encourage you to give into the urge

4. new jewelry is encouraged at any time of the year and these new Olive and Piper Line Crawler Studs are no exception. treat yourself to something unexpected and sparkly {even better with an affordable price tag} this spring. i mean, you kind of deserve it.......just sayin. 

~ switching up your beauty products and skincare textures in the warmer months is key to avoiding unnecessary breakouts or wreaking havoc on your skin.  think about it, we change up our wardrobe to accommodate the warmer climate, so why not our skin? replace regular makeup formulas with water proof/long wearing and oil free or more matte textures.  skincare should also have a shake up if you're starting to notice a heavier feeling when wearing your moisturizer.  if you use a cream, switch to a lotion as the months get warmer and ALWAYS wear a sunscreen during the day! included above are our picks for some fun newness to your routine

5. Consonant 100% Natural Matte Finish Sunscreen {available at www.ecodivabeauty.com} is the perfect addition to finish off your skincare routine this summer.  not only is it all natural, fragrance and essential oil-free but it has a matte finish and your purchase supports a local business which is always a bonus! 

6. Prtty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion {find on www.ecodivabeauty.com or at Kiss and Makeup Locations }  is a tried and tested beauty favorite! SBDgirl Tarah Kostenko picked up her first bottle a few years ago and uses nothing else on her clients or herself ever since.  this subtle, light  reflecting body lotion has a a natural emollient base that hydrates without feeling greasy, gives a GORGEOUS glow and conceals spider veins and evens skin tone. available in 5 different shades which makes it perfect for all skin tones

7. Flash Tattoos were everywhere last summer and we see no signs of their popularity slowing down.  their newest collaboration with the Rainforest Partnership {Illia, new with color 3 sheets per pack} is inspired by the colors and magic of the rainforest.  with every purchase of the Illia collection 5% of the proceeds is donated back to the Rainforest Partnership which protects tropical rainforests by partnering with people at global and local levels to create lasting solutions to deforestation.  now you can shop with a cause and look cool too! 

8. we admit it, we've neglected our pedicure over the fall and winter. so to get in gear we needed a colorful collection of nail polishes to inspire us and Essie's newest collection for Spring 2015 {brought to you by their new Global Color Designer Rebecca Minkoff} Floralista is perfection!  it includes 2 nudes, 3 grey to blue shades and 1 bright orchid, so really the perfect mix for us as we love our neutrals and have that pop of color when we crave it.  pick yours up at your local Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs or nail salon.

- we've linked everything for your viewing pleasure so be sure to check out these fun new additions and use the hashtag #sbdsummeressentials on Instagram or Twitter to show us what your must haves are! stay tuned for our #makeupmonday post about all our favorite Stila products!

Oscars {Best Dressed}

~ last night was the 2015 Academy Awards hosted by Neil Patrick Harris. with the showstopping tribute to the Sound of Music by Lady Gaga and the deeply moving {we're looking at your Chris Pine *nothing hotter than a sensitive man*} performance of Glory by Common & John Legend along with so many winners taking the opportunity to bring attention to important causes, memories and necessary actions, it was a memorable night in Oscar history. while the night, undoubtedly, will remain a fond memory in every attendants minds, we, as usual, we're thrilled to see what the beauties of Hollywood would wear on the red carpet. there were many hits, and a few misses { as typical to every red carpet} and we're put together a few of our favorite looks of the night ~

Emma Stone in Elie Saab

Chrissy Teigen in Zuhair Murad

Jenna Dewan-Tatum in Zuhair Murad

Jennifer Aniston in Versace

Reese Witherspoon in Tom Ford

Zoe Saldana in Versace

Golden Globes Recap: SBD Girls Best and Worst Dressed

~ awards season has begun with the arrival of the Golden Globes red carpet!  now I know there's been a few awards already, however none so talked about by us regular folk than the well publicized Golden Globes.  Fashion Police is back on E! and the SBD Girls are ahead of the game bringing you our picks for Best and Worst Dressed.  in our opinion everyone was being a bit safe but the amount of glamour cannot be discredited, the ladies looked lovely no matter how little fashion risk they took, here are our picks:

Best Dressed

~ the ladies in white! now these dresses were playing a bit safe but gorgeous none the less, Emily Blunt looked like a chic Grecian goddess in custom Micheal Kors.  Reese Witherspoon relied on her tried and true recipe for success, old hollywood inspired glam with side swept hair and straplesss dress by Calvin Klein.  Sienna Miller also played it safe in our opinion but she just looks so damn good in boho chic Miu Miu

~ now these 3 ladies opted for color (or shade for Gina Rodriguez) and every aspect of their look fits effortlessly together. Jane the Virgin actress Gina Rodriguez ( and Golden Globe winner! ) is ultra glam in this Badgley Mischka gown, and while the color plays it safe, we love the silhouette and bottom detailing.  Felicity Jones was our pick for most fashion forward for the night, we loved her teal Dior gown, with it's beautiful structured top and dramatic full skirt.  we can't leave the gorgeous Allison Williams out, and while we think the Girls actress played it safe with this pick, there is no denying she is giving major red carpet glam in her Armani Prive.   from the hair, to the makeup everything works beautifully together (albeit a tad prom like)

Worst Dressed

~ now worst dressed can be a bit harsh as all of these ladies look beautiful and may be taking fashion risks (in Claire Danes case) but they missed the mark a bit in our opinion.  Claire Danes is in Maison Valentino, and while our affinity for Rock Studs is major, we felt she just didn't shine in this busy print.  Salma Hayek's Alexander McQueen frock is beautifully detailed but over accessorized!  had she laid off the floral hair piece, big earrings, rings and bracelet and just kept the clutch and belt ( maybe the earrings) this look would have worked.  Kiera Knightley.....now we love Chanel but this look is a little too matronly with this collar.  to say that this worked is a gross understatement, especially when you lay eyes on the butterfly bracelet.  Kiera, you look lovely in lace, print and ruffles just not all together!

~ so ends our first red carpet post of the awards show season! stay tuned for more Golden Globes beauty coming at you tomorrow!

Happy New Year {2015}

~ wishing you all health, happiness and prosperity in 2015. thank you for sharing in our love of beauty|style|pretty things. we cannot wait to share in more prettiness with you all! ~

xoxo Oz & Tarah

{Merry Christmas !!}

~ wishing you lots of joy and quality time with your families and loved ones! we hope Santa treated you your hearts desires, whatever they may be. sending you all lots of love and happiness ~

xoxo

Current Prettiness

~ i love fall/winter. it is definitely my favorite season for beauty, fashion, decor, pretty much everything. it is also the season where i likely spend the most money. y'all know how i feel about scarves. adding to that obsession is leopard, red lips, jeweled everything and so much more. i recently added a few pretty things to my closet/jewelry box/makeup kit and i am obsessed with them all. see below for my current prettiness ~

       

 1. Nars Cruella Velvet Matte Lipstick ~ this is a gorgeous scarlet red lipstick pencil that pairs perfectly with the glimmering gold and silver lids of fall/winter and winged liner 

        2. Olive + Piper Lucy Crystal Collar ~ i got this a while back and have worn it a few times and get so many compliments on it. it's the perfect accessory for almost any outfit, dress, even a basic t-shirt. i'm looking forward to wearing it to many cocktail parties this holiday season 

        3. Nars Virtual Domination Cheek Palette ~ i'm a nars-oholic. i have more nars palettes than a girl should own but i regret nothing and love each of them madly. i find that palettes make life easier: for application, for transport and for organization 

        4. Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Spray ~ i'm a sucker for a good perfume and admit to being one of those girls who sprays way more perfume than is acceptable before leaving the house. in an effort to not cause my girlfriends to choke on my perfume bathed body, i have begun purchasing rollerballs ~ small, portable versions of perfumes. the dolce one is my newest addition, so sweet and feminine smelling but very gentle, not overpowering at all, exactly how i like my perfumes 

       5. Clare Vivier Leopard Clutch ~ this, my friends, is my absolutely favorite new purchases. i've had my eyes out for a versatile leopard clutch for a long time now. i kept missing out on the J. Crew and Zara ones. they're so popular they get snatched up within hours, it seems, of being out. this Clare V. is just as popular and a bit pricier. I got mine through Piperlime and had to wait three months before it was available for shipping but it was so worth it. it is the perfect size for everything i would want to carry with me while carrying a clutch, it's soft and smooth, flexible and it doesn't fuzz or come apart like other leopard clutches i've had in the past. j'adore so hard.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Scarves

~ i'm not sure what vancouverites did to upset mother nature this morning but she was mad. it poured so horribly, trees falling everywhere and huge puddles of water...everywhere. strong winds moved trees and branches so powerfully that streets are filled with tree debris. thankfully it's calmed down as i write this post but the cold, grim weather made me think of scarves. if you follow along you'll know how often i speak of scarves. i go everywhere with a scarf, every season {except summer but even then, a thin one is in my bag}. i'm a huge fan of scarves. i have drawers full of different lengths, wool blends, styles and prints. even as i sit here writing away, i have a scarf wrapped around my neck keeping me warm. there is something cozy about a scarf, wrapping you in its layers, protecting you from the cold. needless to say, i love them. i've always got my eyes on the scarf racks at zara, jcrew, forever 21 and anthropologie finding that they have the best selection for my tastes. winners is great too as is le chateau for basic colors. i've put together a small selection of some scarves i've got on my wish list. i'm especially looking forward to a plaid scarf. yay for shopping!
xoxo
Oz

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Fall Style Favorites

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 ~ one of my favorite things about fall {other than sweater weather and creamy earl grey tea allthetime} is the deeper color palettes found everywhere from clothing to makeup, accessories and shoes. rainboots, red lipstick and an every day bag that is neutral enough to be worn with all my outfits always make me happy. i'm coveting a jeweled sweater this fall but the above are a few of my staples and fall favorites ~

xoxo
Oz

Pretty Things

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~ accessories make me a happy girl. i probably spend more money on shoes, jewels and bags than i do on clothing. pretty accessories are the best way to change up constant wardrobe staples and outfits, giving them a fresher look, newer color combinations and more fun. my wardrobe isn't the biggest considering the industry i work in. i tend to be very relaxed in my clothing choices, jeans almost always and cute sweaters, cardigans, tshirts and the likes. ive recently gotten into buying more dresses. comfort is always key for me but ive been paying more attention to what i've been buying and finding that i can dress a little nicer and still be comfortable. i went to a wedding on sunday and wore a dress i've had for a while but dressed it up a bit. it was a day time wedding so sparkly glam it was. these shoes from nine west are THE most comfortable heels i've bought to date. heels are not my friend; a high school sports injury has made high heels an enemy of mine. truth be told, i don't own a pair of stilettos or pumps. strappy sandals and heels are where i am more comfortable and can walk around without looking like i'm going to topple over. image my surprise finding these heels and feeling like i could run a marathon in them. charge it! i'm a big fan of sparkly earrings and spend way too much time on bauble bar, browsing and buying, browsing and buying. i have a lot of hair, a fairly large head and an oval shaped face so big earrings work for me. these beauties are just so darn pretty. they aren't available anymore but bauble bar has TONS of gorgeous statement earrings. i don't get to wear them too often but when i do, i get so many compliments. statement pieces=investment pieces. now, my sparkly clutch is a whole nother story. this clutch used to be a french connection vest. i'd had it in my closet for years, never having worn it and not really knowing the best way to pull it off. i didn't want to give it up because it was so pretty so i thought what could i do with it? i saw a bunch of sparkly clutches on some of the blogs and follow and *light bulb moment* turn the vest into a clutch! i posses no sewing skills whatsoever but luckily, i work in fashion and know many designers who do. my good friend Vincent Lee used his magic fingers and sewed this gorgeous sparkler up for me. one-of-a-kind ~