Summer is almost here (that’s for you, East coast)…but summer here in Los Angeles is pretty much all year and, funny enough, I’ve been in the mood for a new bikini. Taking it back a minute, I have an obscene amount of bikinis, like OBSCENE, but I always wear the same two or three, which is pretty typical Jamie. But then, I was introduced to VOYAGE SWIMWEAR.
Turns out my friend Brittany Harris, from college, started the swimwear line and the story literally floors me. Brittany was living down in Florida after we graduated from Hofstra and started designing her own bikinis, just because she felt like it. People would come up to her at the beach or at hotel pools and ask her where she got her bikini…and that was the start of VOYAGE Swimwear. The line is currently sold at THE FOUR SEASONS Shanghai, Mumbai and Beijing, which is pretty much the most glamorous thing I’ve heard all week. Obsessed. Oh, and let’s not forget the map pattern fabric, inspired by her childhood travels with her grandparents!
I’m an avid supporter of small businesses (hello, I’m my OWN small business), which is why I’m excited to share VOYAGE’s Kickstarter campaign. Brittany is hoping to debut VOYAGE in a renowned international fashion show during the famous CANNES FILM FESTIVAL in Cannes, France this May. The funds will go towards the fashion show participation fee and travel costs. If you can, let’s all support a small business (that’s awesome) trying to make shit happen.
Learn more about VOYAGE’s Kickstarter campaign HERE.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored but all opinions are my own, as per usual. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Queen of the Quarter Life Crisis possible.
When I found out that tomorrow, February 20th is national HYDRATION DAY I had to do a post. For one, I’ve actually made it a goal in my life to drink more water one, because it’s good for your bod, and two because it’s the best thing you can do for your skin during the winter months. Sure, I live in Southern California so I’m not exactly in the Polar Vortex, but it does get pretty dry sometimes and since dehydration can lead to fine lines and wrinkles, you’ve gotta nip it right in the bud. Here are three of my favorite things to stay hydrated:
Bkr water bottle// I’ve found that having a super cute and environmentally friendly water bottle helps me actually remember to drink more water throughout the day and this version IS super cute.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream Instense Hydration// To shed light on the importance of year-long hydration, Kiehl’s has teamed up with Fiji to celebrate February 20th as HYDRATION DAY, to educate customers about the effects of hydration, and dehydration on the skin. They came out with their newest product, the Ultra Facial Cream Intense Hydration which was “torture-tested” under extreme conditions. It was tested 1.) In the arid climates of Phoenix, and 2.) On a group of avid swimmers, daily exposed to damaging chlorine. Intense, for sure. Oh, and in honor of Hydration Day, on February 20, Kiehl’s will offer its shoppers complimentary hydrating facials and Fiji water in store, no purchase necessary.
Avene Thermal Spring Water// I’ve been using this hydration spray for years. Seriously, it’s fabulous for travel, especially on planes, and does a great job to really soothe and soften the skin.
Let’s face it, most people are really excited to watch Olympics figure skating, and this round up of heinous 80s skating offensives is pretty amazing – TheLuxurySpot.com
I’m obviously always obsessed with all things GWEN STEFANI, but I got a pitch recently about the above photo that really made me realize something: Gwen has the BEST pregnancy style EVER. Seriously, like ever. She looks better pregnant that most people (myself included) look while they’re not pregnant and hommage must be paid. I’m obsessed with the Mark and Estel Belled Mini Dress that Gwen is wearing (above) over leather pants with heels, of course. Here are a few of my other favorite Gwen pregnancy looks…
Again with the leather leggings and it’s perfection.
The white jacket really accentuates her baby bump and her “fancy sweatpants,” as I like to call them, are perfect.
Hands-down my absolute favorite. I’m a big fan of the red dress, especially on blondes, but this version is the most put together version I can possibly imagine.
Gwen has always been the queen of mixing patterns and I love the mixtures here, especially with her signature red lip.
After trying purple lipstick and cat eyeliner, I was feeling a little vampy. Maybe my quarter life crisis is bringing out a darker side in me? Who knows. What I do know is that I wanted to explore this edgier side of my adult self a little more.
After seeing images from New York Fashion Week (they must’ve lost my invite in the mail?), I knew exactly what trend I wanted to try next. From Rebecca Taylor to Charlotte Ronson, from Tess Giberson to Rebecca Minkoff, vamp nails were a dark and sexy standout from thepièce de résistance of the clothes.
Now while DIY nail art of any kind is a legitimate fear of mine, I decided to suck it up and attempt the vamp French manicure, seen above at Rebecca Minkoff.
Once I picked out my colors, OPI “Lost on Lombard” and NYC “Black Lace Crème,” panic sunk in as to how I was ever going to create this look and avoid my nails looking like a kindergarten art project. Then, I found this nifty (yes, I said nifty) trick on Pinterest using hole reinforcement labels and went for it.
I painted two coats of the OPI color and then waited for them to dry (fully!) before placing the reinforcement labels on to make the perfect French tip. I then applied one coat of the black tip color, pealed off the labels, and covered the whole look with OPI topcoat.
I absolutely love how this twist on the classic French manicure turned out—it’s dark, edgy, and totally different from your everyday mani.
Have a beauty trend you’d like to see me try? Tweet me @han_cran, #beautynewbie, with your suggestion!
