Kendra Scott at La Encantada – Tucson, Arizona

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My mom and I had a fun girls’ day checking out the Kendra Scott boutique at La Encantada shopping center in Tucson, Arizona. Their beautiful shop is bright, fresh, and accented with statement pieces like golden light fixtures, large crystals, and leopard print chairs.

We chatted with the beautiful Kendra Scott girls (and one adorable Yorkie, Oliver) while we browsed, taking in all the sparkling jewels displayed around the shop. The Kendra Scott associates were so helpful, suggesting alternate colors and checking on ring sizes or styles for us. There was no snooty vibe in this place… The girls were warm and friendly and we immediately began chatting like friends.

My favorite feature of the store is the Color Bar – a giant touchscreen that allows you to create your own jewelry, visualize your design on the screen, and have it made by a Kendra Scott associate right in front of you. No waiting, no ordering, no shipping… Just instant gratification, wrapped up in a bright yellow bag.

I browsed the Color Bar and decided to design a Brynn Link Bracelet with iridescent drusy. A Kendra Scott associate helped me to choose the perfect stones and then built my bracelet right in front of me.

If you’re in the area and need help choosing jewelry for a special event or want suggestions on styling a coordinated jewelry set, I highly recommend paying a visit to the girls at Kendra Scott. They have great style and they make the whole process so fun. You won’t want to leave!

Best of all, Kendra Scott gifted me a beautiful set to give away to one of you. Stay tuned for a Valentine’s Day giveaway soon… I’ll post updates on my social media accounts.

Top.  Jeans.  Necklace from Jewel of the West.  Bag.  Sandals – Old, Currently Loving These.

Recommended Hotels:  Hilton Conquistador and Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain

Early Morning Hike

Start your day with a beautiful sunrise hike into the desert. No matter which hotel you choose, there are hikes for every fitness level nearby. Ask your hotel concierge for a map and recommended trails nearby. Watch the colors of the desert change as the sun rises. Save some time by enjoying breakfast at your hotel (both the Hilton Conquistador and Ritz Carlton are great) before you start the day.

Breakfast at Hotel

Morning…

Tour the tents of beautiful stones, crystals, fossils, and jewelry at the annual Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase – the largest in the world. A great place to find gifts, home decor, and even get into a little jewelry making. Wear comfortable shoes, pick a section to start, and browse tents upon tents of sparkly things.

Lunch at Wildflower

Afternoon… 

Drive out to Biosphere2, a 3-acre project in the desert originally designed as a space colonization experiment where scientists lived, sealed away from civilization, for 2-year periods. The structure is now owned and operated by the University of Arizona for research purposes and tours. Take the guided tour which begins with a short video and allows access to the structure and all five of its biome areas.

Evening… 

Make reservations at Core Kitchen at the Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain. Get there early to have a drink and watch the sunset over the mountains, illuminating the cacti and plants beautiful shades of purple, gray, and orange. After dinner and dessert (I highly recommend the hot donuts with coffee ice cream and a side of French press coffee) enjoy beautiful live music in the lobby/courtyard area and indulge in a little dancing.

Fluff Bar.  Palm Breeze.  Yours Truly Cupcake.

We had a blast at my very first Denver event this past weekend! Located at the gorgeous Fluff Bar in downtown Denver, the event featured a lash bar and braid bar as well as special discounts on everything from blowouts to spray tans to manicures. Their stylists gave me a flirty set of false lashes and a rose-nude lip look for the party. I can’t wait to pop in and do a full glam session for my next blog shoot… The Fluff stylists are talented at what they do and I really enjoyed their high-quality products.

You know you’re at a fun event when you end up with no photos of yourself on your camera! I can’t believe we didn’t snap a photo of the outfit I styled or the incredible lashes Fluff Bar applied for me at their lash bar. But… I created an Valentine’s Day style and beauty inspiration board for the event and you can get an idea of the Valentine’s Day look I wore. Down below, I’ve linked all the pieces to create your own Valentine’s Day look based on my inspiration board… Full of sparkles, gold, glitz, and a red pop of color on lips.

I co-hosted the event with Denver closet organizer and personal stylist, Kendra Rostvedt. She brought some designer consignment goods available for sale and gave styling tips to guests.

Palm Breeze tended bar for our event, providing their refreshing Palm Breeze beverages in Pineapple Mandarin Orange and Ruby Red Citrus flavors for guests over the age of 21. The bartender gave guests colorful aviators with their drinks. My personal favorite cocktail? Effervescent Palm Breeze with a splash of champagne and a pinch of cotton candy from Yours Truly Cupcakes for a bit of sweetness and pink color. Delicious. Palm Breeze gave away two $50 Fluff gift cards to guests at the end of the evening.

Yours Truly Cupcake provided the most adorable sweet treats for our event! They made adorable mini cupcakes in vanilla and cocoa, plus individually wrapped pink cotton candy puffs for guests to take home. Any dessert with sparkle sprinkles is a win in my book, but these are my absolute favorite. It’s so rare to find desserts that are both beautiful and delicious… These are both.

I love the idea of giving Valentine’s Day sweets instead of flowers for something a bit different. If you’re in the Denver area and are looking for Valentine’s Day gifts for family, friends, the office, or a loved one, Yours Truly Cupcake is offering the cutest little Mini Cupcake Boxes for $10 or Mini Dessert Boxes for $12. You can order online here… If you try them, let me know what you think and what flavors you tried!

Be sure to follow me on social media to stay informed of future events! I would love to see you there and chat with you in person!

My Valentine’s Day Look:  This head-to-toe neutral look is soft and sexy but makes a statement with sparkle. It’s also extremely flattering and elongating to dress in similar shades. Bonus? You can wear these beautiful, sparkling neutrals long after V-Day.

1.  Start with a shimmering gold sequin skirt.
2. Add a flowy camisole top in a creamy color.
3. Top with a beige moto jacket for edge.
4. I added a belt for extra sparkle.
5. Get a pop of color with cat-eye winged liner and a classic red “Ruby Woo” lip.

Similar Hat.  Sunglasses.  Sweater.  Similar Sweater.  HRH Pearl Choker.  HRH Crystal Choker.  HRH Lasso Lariat Necklace.  Jeans.  Similar Boots.  Similar Coat.  Bag is Sold Out – Currently Dreaming of This One.  David Yurman Bracelet.  Moonstone Bracelet from Jewel of the West.

Miranda L. Sober Photography

In Denver the weather has been up and down for the past few weeks. It can be sunny and in the 50’s one day, then swings to light flurries and the 20’s the next. It’s made it difficult to dress, but at the same time it’s great preparation for the transitional spring days to come.

I really love using shades of gray (no pun intended) for my neutrals this time of year. They blend beautifully with the lighter spring colors and still look flattering on pale winter complexions. I’ve linked some favorite gray pieces under the photos above and in the slide below. The best part is that most of these items are on sale now, which makes it a perfect time to snap up some great pieces you can wear next year as well.

Another transitional style tip I have is to get a perforated white sweater like the one I’m wearing. They’re light in color and in weight, making them perfect to layer until the weather warms enough you can wear them on their own. I’ve linked some perforated white sweaters under the photos above and in the slide below for you.

What’s the weather like where you are? Do you have any transitional weather style tips to share with the rest of us? I’d love to hear them!!

Pearl Detail Chanel Sunglasses.  Chanel Dress – Fall/Winter 2015.  Chanel Belt – In Stores Only, Similar Here.  Chanel Booties – Old, Similar Here.  Chanel “Wallet on a Chain” Bag – Old, Similar Here.

Miranda L. Sober Photography

I’m incredibly fascinated with the style of the 1920’s – 1940’s. I love the time when people would dress up for travel, women wore hats and gloves, and things were made to last. Tweed. Leather. Gold details. Polished and sophisticated. Understated glamour. I can spend hours in an antique shop, hunting for treasures from that time… A battered suitcase. Worn leather gloves. A hat with fine netting sweeping over the eyes.

This dress makes me think of fashion from my favorite era. It is from Chanel’s Autumn/Winter 15 Brasserie Gabrielle collection, available at Neiman Marcus and Chanel boutiques (over the phone or in person only). The collection celebrated the classic French style of the chic little brasseries so many artists, designers, and intellectuals frequented in the 1920’s. The collection is classic, sophisticated, and feminine… My favorites in a nutshell; pieces that will last a lifetime without looking outdated.

I went to Denver’s recently revamped Union Station with my friend and photographer to do a little exploring. The interior of the updated train station is beautifully done; the light from the windows streams in across vintage-inspired wood tables, sumptuous leather seating, and golden lamps. A coffee shop, an ice cream parlor, fantastic restaurants, a hotel, and a bookstore surround the station’s main floor. If you didn’t catch a glimpse of students working on laptops or people browsing their smart phones, one could imagine travelers from a time gone by headed to catch their next train with a newspaper and hatbox under their arm.

We admired the luxe and 1930’s-inspired The Cooper Lounge, overlooking the train station. Then we browsed the beautiful flower arrangements and little gold and mercury class vases at Bloom. We finished our adventure with hot coffee from PigTrain Coffee. Until next time, Union Station…

My favorite tweed dresses…

Pre-owned Chanel tweed dresses…

Sunglasses.  Jacket.  Jeans.  Boots.  Boot Cuffs.

I appreciate any accessory that allows me a bit more versatility with my closet… Especially one that involves luxe faux fur! These boot cuffs from Royal Scout and Co. slide on like the top part of a sock under boots, then peek out and fold over to reveal high quality faux fur. You can add them to any of your boots, from ankle booties to tall over-the-knee boots.

I’m wearing the Grey Wolf color in the photos above. I found they added the perfect amount of beautiful texture to my outfit. And if you want to switch it up, try wearing the boot cuffs on your wrists! I think they look especially chic with classic peacoats and edgy leather jackets.

Royal Scout and Co. products are made in the U.S. and I think they’ve discovered the key to gorgeous, quality faux fur… I currently have my eye on their Maxi-Wrap and Throw. While we’re freezing we might as well look stylish, right?!

SALE ALERT!! For a limited time, Royal Scout and Co. is offering a 20% off sale sitewide using code ROYALWOLF.

Have you ever tried boot cuffs on your boots?

Stocking Hat.  Sweater.  Similar Vest.  Leggings.  Similar Boots.  Tote.  Necklace.  Bracelet.

Miranda L. Sober Photography

The Denver temps have dipped down into the 20’s and yours truly can be found bundled up from head to toe. (And dreaming of a tropical vacation!) Luckily, now is a great time to get beautiful winter pieces at incredibly low prices. For example… This cozy hat was $98 before the holidays and is now $29. This oversized sweater was nearly $200 and is marked down to $99. It looks just as good with leggings and duck boots as it does with a skinny jean tucked into sleek leather boots. What do you think of this black-on-black casual look?

If you’re in Denver, mark your calendars for Friday, January 22nd. From 5-7pm I’ll be at Fluff Bar downtown for their Sips and Styles event. There will be complimentary champagne and great discounts on pre-booked blowouts, makeup, and hair tools. Fluff is offering a $19 braid bar and $19 lash-and-liner applications too, so you can go straight from the event to your night out. Fluff is located at 1516 Wazee Street. Hope to see you there!!

Sweater – SALE ALERT!  ‘Lasso Lariat’ Necklace.  Leggings.

Miranda L. Sober Photography

Fashion and beauty are my passions, but you know what makes a passion even better? The ability to share it with others. I can’t express how much it means to me that so many of you enjoy the styles I create – whether it be an outfit, a makeup look, or even my interior decor. I love sharing with you and receiving your feedback and encouragement. I hope to continue consistently posting beautiful content that makes me proud and makes you happy!

When I put on an outfit I prefer a mix of high and low fashion; I might style a dress from Target with a bag from Chanel. I enjoy wearing classic, feminine, timeless styles that I can pull from my closet again and again. I would love to hear what looks and styles you’d like to see more on TheCashmereGypsy.com in 2016. What posts are your favorite? Do you like a mix of casual and dressy outfits? Any styling questions I can answer for you?

Shoppable Fashion Inspo

Sometimes I style an outfit and post it simply for inspiration… If you’re like me, you follow a lot of people on Instagram or Pinterest you can get styling ideas from. There are times when I may not be able to find the exact match of what I’m wearing, it may be an older piece from my closet, or the item may be sold out. I can promise I will always try my best to link similar items, items at lower price points, and plus size pieces. But if I can’t find the item or anything similar, the post will simply be a little fashion inspiration.

#1 – Blog Posts

Most of the time, I try to post current items that you can purchase and get the exact look I’m wearing. If I’m doing a blog post on the items, I always link each item right below the series of photos and I include a little shoppable slide down below the text at the end of the blog post. To shop one of these slides, simply click the arrows on either side of the photo slide to scroll through the images. When you see an item you like, click on the image to shop. It’s as easy as that.

#2 – TCG Shop

I’ve recently added a new feature on my website I like to call my “TCG Shop“. It’s a place where you can find all my favorite pieces and items from current blog posts and Instagram photos located in one easy-to-shop spot. There might even be some items you won’t see on the blog or my Instagram feed… Just all my favorites in one place! Click on the ‘SHOP’ tab at the top of my website. Scroll down to see all the items I’m currently loving and click on any image to shop. I plan on updating my shop on a weekly basis, so check back frequently to see new items.

#3 – Sidebar Favorites

I’ve also added these cute (okay, I may be biased) mini slides to the right hand side of my website. They function the same way the photo slides at the bottom of my blog posts do… Just click the arrows on either side of the image to scroll through and if you see something you like, simply click to shop. I switch these up frequently… I’ll feature my favorites from current sales, head-to-toe outfit looks, seasonal and holiday pieces, and I’ll usually have one mini slide specifically designated to under $50 items – perfect for gift shopping!

#4 – LIKEtoKNOW:IT

If you like fashion, beauty, and decor you need to join LIKEtoKNOW:IT. You sign up once with LIKEtoKNOW:IT, then each time you ‘like’ a LIKEtoKNOW:IT blogger’s photo on Instagram, it sends you details and links to all the items in that photo directly to your email. You can even choose when you receive the emails – asap as soon as you click ‘like’ or consolidated into one daily or weekly email. (I’m impatient so I chose the asap option, but I think browsing your favorites on a nightly basis is a great idea.)

Update: Now you can download the brand new LIKEtoKNOW.it app (available here). When you simply screenshot or like your favorite LIKEtoKNOW.it-linked images on Instagram and open the app, it will generate shoppable details for all your screenshot and liked images – no LIKEtoKNOW.it account necessary.

My favorite features of LIKEtoKNOW:IT are the hashtag options… There are so many searchable Instagram tags like #ltkunder50 and #ltkunder100 for lower-priced options. Are you a sale fiend like me? Search #ltksalealert to find current deals and steals.

You can view my LIKEtoKNOW:IT profile HERE. You can also see and click my current LIKEtoKNOW:IT posts on the right hand side of my website. Need help? Here’s a how-to video.

I hope this helps to organize and make sense of the shopping options here on TheCashmereGypsy.com; I know it can sometimes be a bit confusing! Let me know if you have any questions or need any help finding an item I’ve worn. Any ideas for mini slide themes in the sidebar? I’d love to hear your ideas and suggestions!

Pore Refining Primer.  Pink Color Corrector.  Small Under-Eye Brush.  Foundation Brush.  “Barcelona” Foundation.  BeautyBlender.  “Ivory” Concealer.  “Desert” Powder.  Powder Brush.

Miranda L. Sober Photography

In the video above, I start with a clean face and the first step (primer + under-eye color correction) from my dark circle correction post. This easy step creates a smooth, poreless base for the full-coverage foundation look I walk you through in the video above.

I hope you enjoy this tutorial. As many of you know, I usually don’t get much sleep and as a result this look is one I’ve relied on many times for taking photos, filming videos, and special events. It conceals my sleepless nights, fine lines, and breakouts and it lasts all day. If you wear this for a wedding or special event, just tuck some oil blotting sheets in your bag to touch up.

You can find product links directly under the video above. Or… Click through the arrows to scroll through the image slide below. When you see a product you want, simply click on the image to shop.

If you prefer a light-coverage look, please watch my 5-Minute Daytime Makeup Tutorial and 5-Minute Fall Makeup Tutorial.

Hermès Maxi Twilly Scarf.  Handbag.  Similar Coat.  Similar Turtleneck.

Miranda L. Sober Photography

After just a few posts between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, I’m back and ready with lots of fun new content for you guys in the new year. I have some ideas for makeup tutorials, outfit ideas, and trend reports, but I’d love to hear any requests you may have for me. What would you like to see more of this year on The Cashmere Gypsy? Beauty reviews, makeup tutorials, more casual outfits, more formal outfits? Let me know what you’d like to see and I’ll do my best to provide it.

I adore camel coats… They’re one of my favorite classic coat styles, along with the navy military-style coats I posted about recently. If you want to invest in a flattering, timeless coat… My advice is to go camel or navy military. These coats look polished, sophisticated, and expensive on their own with very little styling or accessorizing.

My favorite feature of a camel colored coat is how beautifully it pairs with so many gorgeous colors. Here, I’ve paired my camel coat with a wine/marsala turtleneck and handbag, but I’ve also worked in tones of yellow, gold, and soft gray with my scarf and boots. It’s safe to say strong jewel tones will best make a statement, but you really can’t go wrong with these iconic coats.

If you’d like to add a camel coat to your wardrobe, browse my picks down below. The coat I’m wearing above is from J.Crew but just recently sold out before I was able to post this look. I’ve included my favorites in the slide below; click the arrows to scroll through the items and when you see one you like, simply click to shop.

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @brittanypillard… This week I’m going to be giving away a 2016 agenda so you can start the new year off organized and prepared for anything. Stay tuned!