POPSUGAR Must Have Box Review (plus a coupon code!)

It’s no secret that I’m kind of obsessed with subscription boxes lately, and have been trying them out in search of the “perfect box” (for myself that is, obviously preferences vary!). I recently had the chance to try out the POPSUGAR Must Have box, and I have to say, it’s pretty amazing. So amazing in fact that I immediately purchased the next month (can’t wait to see what’s in it).

I’m sure you’re familiar with POPSUGAR, the hugely popular website that provides up-to-the-minute content on entertainment, fitness, food, shopping and more. The POPSUGAR Must Have boxes are curated by POPSUGAR Editor in Chief Lisa Sugar and include full-sized items from the best in fashion, beauty, home, food, fitness and more. And this year, the boxes all have themes that relate to the month; January was all about warmth and health, February focused on Valentine’s Day love and pampering and March was all about spring travel. As you can see below, April embraces spring showers and farmer’s market finds.

There are several reasons I really love this box:
1. Full-size products (no lame sample sizes here!)
2. It doesn’t just focus on beauty or fitness – it’s a fun grab bag of products from each sector of life.
3. Themed boxes – because who doesn’t love a theme?

Each box retails for just $39.95 but contains products valued at over $100. Plus, if you buy more than one month, discounts apply (3 moths = a $10 savings, 6 months = $25 savings). Sign up now at musthave.popsugar.com.

And I have a coupon code for you! Use code MARIN5 at checkout for $5 off any new subscription through 5/31/15.

Details from the April box:

DABNEY LEE Dottie Umbrella
ONE LOVE ORGANICS Gardenia + Tea Antioxidant Body Serum
PRODUCE CANDLES Rhubarb Spring Candle
FLIP & TUMBLE 24-7 Bag
POTTING SHED CREATIONS Garden-in-a-Bag Basil
MOTT 50 Gift Card
— Over a $120 Value

*Originally reviewed for Marin magazine, but all opinions are my own.

Cat lady covets: Tiger appliqué sweater

Tux the Dapper Gent

So technically this is a tiger and not a domestic cat, but it’s still the cat family so I’m going with it. I was scouring the fall sale at my local LF boutique and saw this gorgeous sequined face peeking out at me from beneath a pile of sweaters (it gets pretty crazy in there during sale). I didn’t even have to try it on to know I needed it. It has that element of business in the front (plain cream boyfriend cardi), party in the back (a giant freakin’ sequined tiger face!). Not to mention it’s pretty comfy and cozy (no scratchy sweater here) and has ridiculously long sleeves, which a long-limbed person like myself enjoys. I also love the fact that it’s totally re-purposed from a thrift shop sweater – I’m doing my part to help mother earth people. And loving cats at the same time – it’s…

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Hot Spring Trends for 2014

It’s that time of year again…Spring fashion! The March issue of Marin magazine is out, and I have to say, I really love this shoot. I came up with the idea of focusing on four trends rather than just one to give readers more style options. And I wanted to really emphasize accessories as well (I feel like they sometimes get lost in shots on the model), so I came up with the idea of pairing a full model look with an accessories still life, tied together with paper backgrounds that I sourced at Flax in SF. The whole crew was amazing, and the shoot had lots of energy thanks to photographer Sasha Gulish (and a little backup music from Britney Spears when we needed some extra sassy attitude from our model Taylor).

I had to include this outfit from the Table of Contents page as well – how cute is this dress? The looks says “nautical” in a more subtle way – and cutouts are SO on trend for the season.

*Click here for all of the clothing/accessories details from the shoot.

And of course I had to include some behind-the-scenes shots for fun 😉

Some of the clothing options for the shoot

Taylor getting her lipstick touched up and the accessories for the “white” and “floral” spreads

The metallic still life being set up and Taylor rocking her metallic outfit

A look at the white outfit in action and setting up the white still life

Cat Lady Covets: Paul & Joe makeup set

Post from my other site Tux the Dapper Gent that I just had to share with my fashionistas/makeup lovers/cat aficionados!

Tux the Dapper Gent

I’m already pretty obsessed with makeup (hello VIB rouge status at Sephora), but add cats to the packaging and I’m 100% on board. I saw this set while browsing the Urban Outfitters website for more cat items (of course) and fell in love. The cat head on the top of the cheek tint (could also double as a lipstick) is so adorable I’d probably be afraid to use it. What it doesn’t show on UO is the precious kitty-covered makeup bag that it all comes in, but I used my internet savvy to find a pic.

And while searching for said cosmetic bag I was directed to Paul and Joe’s website, which unearthed another hidden gem. Your eyes aren’t deceiving you, yes, this is an eyeshadow palette that looks frighteningly and perfectly identical to Tux. Must I have this? I don’t think I even need to answer…but…

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Valentine’s Day Style

Valentine’s day is tomorrow and love is in the air! Fashionistas – here are some looks that say “I love you” in style.

2013 Color of the Year: Emerald

Every month I produce a style page for a local magazine, and for March (I’m a bit behind in posting these) I chose emerald jewelry. Not only is emerald Pantone’s new color of the year for 2013, but I thought it a very appropriate theme for March – two glamorous birds with one (gem) stone here people. Below are my picks:

Though most of the jewelry is seriously out of my price range (see all of the details here), a girl can dream, right? For some more budget-friendly emerald options, I rounded up a couple of my favorites.

1. Victoria’s Secret Knife-pleat maxi dress (on sale for $98!) – I have this and love it!
2. Banana Republic Quilted faux-leather cross-body $60
3. Ray-Ban Square Key Youngster sunglasses $109

4. Greylin Silk Button Down blouse $97
5. Sephora+Pantone Color Theory Shadow Block (Eclipsed) $26
6. Steve Madden Rantt sandal $50

New styling work: Spring resort wear

Wow, sorry guys, it’s been awhile since my last post. I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to share all the cool things I’ve been up to lately! So I’m going to stop and take a breather, write some blogs, and catch you up!

The year started right away with a big Spring fashion shoot editorial. As always, it’s challenging to do a shoot in January for two reasons: 1) weather in the Bay Area is very iffy around this time of year, and of course rain was in the forecast leading up to the shoot, and 2) that means trying to contact PR and fashion companies before and during the winter holidays…never the best timing.

I had been itching to do another resort wear editorial, so that was the theme of this shoot (as applied to the Marin lifestyle). That meant more “preppy country club,” less “floaty kaftan on the beach in Capri.” Thankfully the clouds parted long enough for our models to slip into swimsuits and pose in actual sunshine. Below are the results!

Stay tuned for upcoming blogs on emerald jewels, stylish summer must-haves, my debut as a cover model, and the day I met Zac Posen.

United Scents of America

It seemed only fitting to celebrate America in today’s post, and what better way to show your state pride than through…your scent? Sounds crazy, but after seeing what fragrance notes are listed in each of the 5 debut fragrances in the United Scents of America collection (California, Florida, Texas, New York, and New Jersey) they seem not only accurate but also downright delicious!

Of course, I’m partial to California, and the description of fresh-cut coconut and eucalyptus with a lingering vanilla bean note sounds right up my alley (must be a Cali girl!). I think it perfectly blends the scent memories of Nor Cal (crisp eucalyptus on a cool foggy morning) with So Cal (suntan lotion on a sunny beach day). And I can never pass up a great Cali-inspired item (see more in my Pinterest board “I heart California” here).

I’m curious to see the next 5 releases from this company – Hawaii seems like an obvious choice…and maybe an apple-inspired scent from Washington? What states would you like to see next?

A More Subtle ‘Stache

They seem to be everywhere these days…mustaches that is. At first it was a slow trickle of novelty items into stores like Urban Outfitters, but now it seems like any store you walk into will have something mustache-related – mugs, tshirts, necklaces, hats, tote bags…the options are endless. Even some weddings are now featuring the whimsical theme!

I find them hilarious and am always tempted to buy one of these items, but nowadays when shopping my first thought is “can I wear this to work?” which would usually end up in answering myself “eh, probably not the most professional-looking item you could be buying right now.” However, last Friday I had a little brunch/shopping day with my bff, and just couldn’t pass up this little gem – actually, both of us ended up buying one, like a bizarre little friendship bracelet. It’s perfect “grown-up” mustache jewelry (if there is such a thing) – a subtle gold ‘stache outline connected to a thin gold band. And for only $6, I was sold (purchased here). In fact, I bet most people wouldn’t even notice that I’m wearing a ‘stache bracelet unless they looked closely. But I would know, with a twinge of a smile at my lips, my little secret, knowing I can proudly (and subtly) rock my ‘stache.

*For a good cause: Rock your ‘stache in Movember and raise awareness for men’s health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer initiatives.

OMG, Lisa Frank!

For some people, a scent or a song can take them back to a moment in time. But sometimes all it takes is a name…

During my childhood, I guarded my Lisa Frank treasures like they were gold. Only my very best of friends would receive a note on that signature rainbow-emblazoned stationary – written in perfect penmanship with the provided square pen, and sealed with a carefully selected shimmering purple kitten sticker. I can only imagine that this is where my love for flamboyant prints and colors stems from…either that, or living in Florida.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened my email yesterday morning and saw the heading “OMG Vintage Lisa Frank” from sender Urban Outfitters. Could it be true?! One click later revealed that yes, UO is in fact carrying a very limited edition collection of vintage Lisa Frank items. I scrolled through website, memories flooding back and realizing that at one point or another I had owned almost all of these items. Then came the tiniest desire to own them again…I’m not sure if I will end up buying something, but if you have the urge to relive your childhood, all of the items can be found here.