Viva la Via Spiga: Exclusive Peek at the Resort Collection (Discount Code Included)

I am a certifiable shoe addict...just ask anyone who has taken a look into my closet.  Shoes are stacked high on the shelves, hidden behind my clothes and hanging on the backs of several of my closet and bathroom doors.  So imagine how much I swooned when Vogue sent me the pics from Via Spiga's resort collection??? Which ones are your favorite styles???  Just for being a loyal follower, enjoy 15% off by using the exclusive gift code RESORTREADY when you shop this newest collection. This offer is good through January 16, 2014 and is only valid on full-priced items. HAPPY SHOPPING FASHIONISTAS!

FOXY

NINO

FOLA2

VALENE

BALLARD

Bloggers of a Feather, Flock Together: Face of Aftershock Event in Dallas

Last night was the reveal of the "Face" of Aftershock London, an international formal wear brand that opened its U.S. flagship store right here in Dallas! The winning model would be the face of the brand for a year and also win a trip to London.  All of the Dallas fashionistas were at Aria and dressed to the nines. After all of the holiday eating, I was dressed "comfortably" to the nines...ensuring that my pants had a stretch waist haha but nonetheless all decked out in Express.  First...let's start with the shoes.  Yes, I built my outfit entirely around my shoes.

Gold strapped ankle heels by Michael Antonio from DSW

I paired these heels with a "Members Only" styled jacket from Express, a regular cotton racer backed tank and silky styled cobalt blue "above-the-ankle" pants from Express.  Cobalt Blue was THE color of the year for me for 2013 (See blog post featuring my cobalt blue Kate Spade handbag). I finished off the look with a gold and black clutch by Express (of course) and accessories by Stella and Dot & by my girl, Chelsea Bond's "Jetsetter Happy Hour Jewelry".

Pictured with fellow Dallas bloggers: Kelley Barnes of The Style Barn and ShantaQuilette Williams of Style Follows Her

I am always encouraged when bloggers can gather in one building and get along so great and encourage and uplift one another. We are all in it for the love of fashion...but sometimes women can get catty and our competitive natures can take over. However, with these women it was all love and I'm excited for any new ventures that involve these beautiful and talented Dallas bloggers.

The whole concept got me thinking about Ecclesiastes 4:12: ~Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.~

Once we realize that as a unit we are more powerful and can make more waves in Dallas and the fashion industry as a whole TOGETHER, I think that we will all go pretty far. My theory is to always uplift and support all bloggers that I encounter and to engage in as many partnerships and collaborations as I can. I think overall in life, this is how God intended for us to be--to work together towards a common purpose instead of trying to do everything on our own.

Me and the beautiful Mary Mirsky, Stylist and Dallas Blogger...this is what I call "High Low Fashion"...me being the high and Mary being the low...height-wise...haha!

All in all, it was a fabulous event..full of mixing and mingling and rounding out 2013 with some of Dallas' finest fashionistas.  I can't wait for what 2014 will bring...what God will reveal and the opportunities that will be realized.  BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL~Leah

Me and the hardest working PR girl in town, Amber LaFrance of Culture-Hype

Fabulous Find: All the Wire Jewelry

This week I stumbled upon my newest jewelry obsession: All the Wire. After going to Courtney Kerr's premiere of her new show and meeting her bestie Tori Gonzales (see blog post here for more details), I found out through all of the various social media channels that Tori has her own jewelry company with her sister Desiree. Naturally, me being the nosy fashion journalist that I am...I just had to get the skinny on her jewelry collection. I immediately click on "shop" and the shop-a-holic in me just goes nuts...despite the fact that I should be Christmas shopping for others...OOPS!  Don't you just hate when that happens?

All The Wire Texas Charm Necklace ($25.00)

I see this Texas charm necklace and I immediately purchase it. I'm a Texas girl at heart, born and raised in Dallas and anything that I can wear to let everybody know that Texas is the best...I gotta have it. The jewelry is excellent for layering which is one of my favorite things to do. I can't wait to show you guys how I rock it when it arrives!  WOOP! WOOP!

All The Wire Chevron Midi-Ring ($10.00)

She also has adorable midi rings which have become my favorite jewelry obsession for the past year. Above all, the prices are super affordable. I just purchased both the charm necklace and the midi-ring and both cost me under $50!  SCORE!!!!  HAPPY SHOPPING DIVAS AND ENJOY! LET'S SUPPORT THIS DALLAS DIVA AND HER COMPANY!

Up Close and Personal With Courtney Kerr

I was so privileged to have been only one of a handful of hand-selected press to attend the "Courtney Loves Dallas" premiere at LOOK Cinemas on December 5, 2013. Although "Ice-Maggedon" was slowly making its way into Dallas, I drove through sleet to go to the premiere (I'm a Bravo TV-aholic so what can I say?) and to obviously see and interview Courtney Kerr. To read my interview click here.

Now....since I am in the fashion circle and on the scene in Dallas...there are many times where I will sit down at shows a seat or two from Courtney or attend special blogger events with Courtney but never have we actually talked face to face.  Can I just say....that she and Tori are hilarious???  Like seriously...they have both been adopted into the family as my home-girls...they just don't know it yet.

Tori Gonzales, Me and Courtney Kerr at the premiere of Courtney Loves Dallas at Look Cinemas on December 5, 2013.  Photo Credit: Thomas Garza Photography

Tori totally tried to jack me for my Kate Spade handbag but I wasn't having it. I told her she could cop one too for $90 at Nordstrom Rack. But in all seriousness, I was just touched with how down to earth Courtney was and the fact that through all of the fame, she still sticks close to the friends that have been there with her since day 1.

Tori Gonzales, best friend of Courtney Kerr and co-star of "Courtney Loves Dallas" cracking me up...I think at this point she was telling me..."Let's not talk about me...let's talk about you...and that handbag!" (See a better pic of my fabulous handbag in another one of my blog post's by clicking here.) Oh yeah...and all that hair is MINE OH MINE! / Photo Credit: Thomas Garza Photography

She is also a true testament to the fact God can change your life in an instant. Courtney was in corporate America doing like most of us bloggers...blogging on the side.  I can hardly imagine that she knew that she would be in this place right now.  All of that to say...don't get down on your luck or think that God has forgotten about you. In the blink of an eye He can elevate you and give you so much provision that you are just amazed. Just keep believing and pressing forward.

I pray that Courtney remains humble throughout it all.  This is the second interview that I have done with Courtney and she has remained the same.  Last interview I had with Courtney she said that she prefers to do most of her PR so that she can retain control of her own image and how she is portrayed. You have to respect her hustle.  

Me interviewing both Tori Gonzales and Courtney Kerr / Photo Credit: Thomas Garza Photography

All in all, being there with Courtney was first of all an honor...that Plan B PR thought that I was "special" enough to be one of the select press individuals there to interview the new reality star.  But overall, I gained so much motivation for myself...to keep pushing...to know that what God has for me is coming...and that I need to be prepared...because in an instant, your life can change in the blink of an eye.  Will you be ready when He elevates your life to the next level? How are you preparing yourself? Have you prayed for humility and that His will be done?  If not, these are the questions that need to be asked and ultimately answered. 

Blessings, 

Leah J.

Does This Skirt Make My Butt Look Big?

So I went into H&M several weeks ago to get this sweater that I had my eye on.  I've been into this big print movement and just wanted to try it out.  It's a huge oversized sweater that I can wear with a skirt or with leggings/jeggings.

All H&M Everything...Large Over-sized sweater, Leather skirt with Studs and textured tights

So of course I go into H&M and the sweater is only $14.95...so excited! If I'm going to wear a large oversized top then I always make sure to slim my bottom so that I don't look large.  It's a way of balancing the whole look out. So this leather studded skirt from H&M was perfect in mixing in a more fitted bottom and balancing out the huge sweater on top. If I ever want to slim it out, I can add a belt around the middle. The whole look was under $50, so score!

J. Brand Jeans, Tootsies Blogger's Brunch and New Friends

Tootsies Blogger's Brunch 12.4.2013 - featuring a special presentation by J. Brand Jeans (Model wearing: Blouse by Alexis and J. Brand Jeans)  PHOTO CREDIT: LEAH FRAZIER

Tootsies invited roughly 20 Dallas fashion bloggers on December 4, 2013 inside its store for a special bloggers brunch and I was so excited to be one of them.  We received first hand tips from J. Brand's guru, Oscar--who has fitted J. Brand jeans for Madonna, Serena Williams, Kelly Ripa and Beyonce.

My name tag from the event...they spelled my name wrong but who cares...it's still a pretty big deal!

After the event I am officially in LOVE with J. Brand's jeans and I can not wait to get my first pair.  There is a pair called "Photo Ready"...it has 4 times the amount of stretch (Thank god!) and makes you look 1 to 2 sizes skinnier.  I can't wait to get these jeans and to take pics for this blog!  Especially since I have been going SUPER HARD on the holiday eating. (oops!)

Tootsies treated us like royalty...an awesome swag bag with a $50 gift card to Tootsies, Nicole Miller iPhone 5 case cover, sunglasses, etc. Also, I really enjoyed meeting all of the other Dallas fashion bloggers. They were all friendly and so super excited to network and to connect with other bloggers.  There was no competitive air and I was so encouraged that these women looked at me as a friend rather than rolling their eyes in envy or jealousy as women can get when we are all after the same thing.  There was nothing but DALLAS BLOGGER LOVE in the air!

Me and Dallas writer, Teia Collier (My Outfit details: Necklace, Express; Polka-Dotted Blouse, H&M; Jeggings, Express; Boots, Nine West)

Me and Dallas fashion blogger, Meredith Govea of Create That Outfit (she was super sweet and will always get my support here in town!)

Welp...just another day and another fashion event in Dallas..until next time!  Ciao fashionistas!!!

A Day In The Life of a Charity/Fashion/Lifestyle Writer

I get asked a lot of questions or better yet told of how cool my job is and honestly, I couldn't feel more blessed to be able to do what I do everyday and to meet such an amazing and diverse group of people in the city of Dallas. So since inquiring minds want to know...I figured I would do a post about a typical Saturday OR a day where I'm slotted to cover several events at one time.  And since Dallas is SO huge...it ends up being 3-4 events in one day.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

• 6:30AM - wake up...fix my early morning cup of joe which normally rounds out to about 5 cups of coffee (I know...horrible habit)  Start to think about the events I have to cover, the people I'm going to meet and the questions I will ask.  At this point in time, I actually consider writing 1-2 articles/posts before heading out the door for the day.
• 9:00AM - hit the shower but not before skimming through social media to get a good laugh or to see what I can do to increase readership for the events that I will be covering for the day (What hashtags will I use, who I will tag and what are they already posting about their events)
• In between all of this, I have to carefully select a comfortable yet trendy outfit. Nothing is worse than being photographed as a "fashion writer" and you look everything less than fashionable.
• 10:00AM - bolt out the door to head to the grocery store to get canned goods for the first charity event.  Yes...most people will get things like this the day before...but with my life...I don't have time for that!
• 11:25AM - DETOUR!  Remembers that today is Nordstrom Rack's holiday sale and Kate Spade handbag/tote is on sale for $90!  Heads over to Nordstrom Rack...already knows where the purse is...scoops it up, gives troubling husband advice on what handbag to buy for his wife for Christmas, and is out in less than 10 minutes.

"Isn't she a beaut???" In my Cher from Clueless voice. haha Kate Spade tote for $90 from Nordstrom Rack..what a steal and worth making a detour for.

• 11:35AM - Starts to think....there was a clutch I left at Express and didn't buy last week that will look REALLY cute with my outfit for tonight's charity event...makes another DETOUR across the street to North Park Mall and picks up clutch. SCORE!

Express clutch for FREE 99!  After applying my Express coupon and remaining funds on my Express giftcard. SCORE!  I love the gold detailing on this clutch and its versatility.  It can be dressed up or down. If I didn't have the gift card it would have only cost me $22.

• Noon - arrives at Chili-anthropy charity event in Deep Ellum.  Scopes the scene, finds the organizer to make introductions, finds photographer for arrangements on post-event photos and then makes the room (with a cocktail of course) to get short interviews and gather info for a write-up. After I feel like I have enough content then I par-tay! Chili, Tequila and Fritos...FUNNERS!

Great friends...freezing our butts off for charity...thank God Jarrod's chili could warm us up! From left to right: Larry, Amber, Me and Jarrod at Chili-Anthropy charity event benefiting North Texas Food Bank

• 1:10PM - hauls butt from Deep Ellum to Frisco through traffic to make the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Holiday fashion show for Miss Me Jeans. Looks at gas light...nope, can't make it to Frisco...will have to pull over and get gas!  Darn...especially when my GPS shows that I'm gonna get to the event at 2:03PM -  Anyone who knows me knows that I HATE being late...plus the event organizer made it VERY clear that the show was going to start on time promptly at 2:00PM. So....I'm not going to say what I did or how fast I went but....I made it to the event on time. LOL Was also excited to get a V.I.P. swag bag that included a pair of my very own Miss Me blinged out Jeans!

Me and the lovely ladies of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

• 3:30PM - head home for a quick nap before getting ready for the Trend Next charity fashion show benefiting Baylor Health Care Systems. Watched crap reality TV to unwind and tried to get in a quick hour and 15 minute nap before getting glammed up for Trend Next.
• 5:00PM - started getting ready for Trend Next...mulled over whether to go "natural girl", "vampy vixen" or "smokey-eye Kim K-ish". Decided to go with a smokey eye with vampire red lips...it was a hit! Finished up getting ready but couldn't head out the door without taking my journal with me to take notes on the event.  Have to mix business with pleasure!!!

My new ECO-FRIENDLY journal courtesy of one of my newest partners, Grapevine Mills Mall.  Small enough to throw into my clutch and go!  PERFECT FOR THE JOURNALIST ON THE GO!

• 6:45PM - arrive at the event...ready to see some awesome fashion, eat some gourmet food and support founder, Shamequia Cason, as she educates about organ donations and Baylor Health Care Systems. This event was fantastic!  Elegantly done and I am SO proud of all of the hard work that Shamequia did to have Trend Next (in my opinion) as one of the top fashion events in Dallas for the year.

Me posing at Trend Next.  Outfit Details from Head to Toe.  Earrings by Purple Aura Jewels, Necklace by Lia Sophia, Dress by Express, Clutch by Express, Textured tights and Booties by Steve Madden Girl from DSW
Photo Credit: Eden Russom (Love her!)

• 10:35PM - post updates to social media...eat my cookie from my swag bag from the event, fix a glass of Dr. Pepper 10 and CRASH!!!!!

JUST ANOTHER DAY IN THE LIFE OF A DALLAS FASHIONISTA JOURNALIST!  WAKE UP, REPEAT AND DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN.

Get the Defibrillator---Urban Decay Is Coming Out With Naked 3

So...by now you guys should be at a point where when I tell you something is going to be a hit, or that you should mark your calendars for something, then you should do it, right?  Well...my favorite make-up brand Urban Decay is posting all over the web and on Instagram about the release of Naked 3...the third (well technically 4th) eye shadow pallet from the Naked series. (See related blog post: Get Naked!) 

Urbandecay.com / The moment I thought I was gonna pass out from excitement.

Anyone who is everyone will be rushing out to get this new pallet so PLEASE take it from that it will behoove you (I just love that word..behoove)...it will "behoove" you to go to Urban Decay's website and sign up to be on the list to get the EXACT release date for this newest pallet. It will sell like hotcakes as soon as it hits the stores so I wouldn't even risk it.  Both Naked 1 and 2 were $50...so start saving your funds now and get ready to own a piece of greatness.

Naked 1, 2 & 3 side by side...SWOON!!!!! This is a snapshot of the evil trolls at Urban Decay teasing the lowly beauty obsessed peasants about the newest release of Naked 3.  HOW EVIL!

I have both Naked 1 and 2 and have yet to be disappointed. I've received the most compliments I have ever received makeup wise when I use these eyeshadow pallets and it's just all around a must have. Whether you are new to the use of eye shadows or a pro who uses 6 brushes when doing your eyes, you MUST have these pallets.