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NYE Essentials: Ring in 2015
New Year’s Eve is the time to dress extra sparkly! But what’s the point if you don’t have awesome pics at the end of the night??
Here are 3 things to guarantee a memorable night and awesome start to the Year of Dreams 2015!
1. Sesame Gifts – The App is amazing! It is totally beautiful and takes subscription boxes to a whole new level with the beautiful graphics, custom items and packaging that speaks to you. The Shutterbug by Jojo box is a must have for NYE. It works to ‘supe’ up your phone if you will! The accessories in this box will make your camera phone pictures better than ever. It comes with a wide angle lens, a super LED light panel and real FILTERS!! I was so impressed with this box and the magnetic ring adheres to your camera to make the lens easily attachable and detachable when you are not using it.
- Wide Angle/Macro Lens – 2 in 1 lens for up-close and wide shots
- The Pocket Spot Light – for constant lighting
- Phone-O-Chrome Filter
- Gift certificate for free admission to Photojojo University – to learn more online!
Hand Picked by Photojojo
“We scour the ends of the internet to discover the very BEST in mobile photography. We wanted to pass on our pic-tastic knowledge so you too can be an amazing mobile photographer!”
PhotoJojo gathers and shares great mobile photography finds in the form of DIY projects, tips, tricks, and gear. They love photography, and they really REALLY want you to love it too! Visit them at www.photojojo.com
2. Bubbly from Piper Heidsieck Cuvée Brut Lightbox – This champagne is a no brainer! It comes with a beautiful box that you can put a small candle inside and create a beautiful center piece for your party. This Festive gift box of Piper Heidsieck containing the Piper Heidsieck Limited Edition for the Christmas period, the Lightbox. The Piper Heidsieck Lightbox is inspired by the new headquarters of the House, which was designed in 2008 by architect Jacques Ferrier. Ferrier designed in 2010 the French pavilion at the world exhibition in Shanghai. This gift box is a cool package that will make the perfect wine tasting retains temperature between 10 and 12 ° C. The metal cover is transformed into a candle in a holder. While drinking this spreads a cheerful and elegant light!
3. Kari Gran Lipwhip for kissing HAPPY New Year! The countdown is on, the last thing your boyfriend or husband or date wants is lipstick stains. Skip the dark lipstick and kiss him with Kari Gran’s organic lipwhip. Just-barely pigmented lip whip contains naturally hydrating and soft gloss-making oils like caster seed, olive, calendula, and avocado, and it goes on like a dream—and stays there. Organic cinnamon and peppermint and wild-harvest pimento berry give it a soft sweetness; other natural ingredients lend a barely-pink tint. The sleek, black glass packaging that carries the entire line—a line born of the need for what is natural and nourishing—pushes it into the realm of local luxury.
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New Year’s Eve Glam: It’s All in the Details
New Year’s Eve is, no doubt, one of the most glam holidays on the calendar. It’s that special night when you kick it up a notch (or two, or three!). Glam doesn’t have to be from head to toe–sometimes it’s all in the details.
Here are some ways you can add a little touch of glam to your look…
HOLIDAY INSPIRED MANIS
For this look, I had just gotten a fresh dark maroon O.P.I. mani–but I couldn’t leave well enough alone! Well, that’s the point of glam, isn’t it??
I happened to receive my Julep Maven box in the mail just as I returned home (more on that in a future post) and inside was tiny star glitter. Meanwhile, my dark gold glitter Bon Bons nail polish (more on that later, too) was beckoning to get in on the action.
So, what I did was apply the Bon Bons ($.99) over my mani. On my ring fingers, I only put the Bon Bons half way up. Then, I sprinkled on the star glitter over the wet polish. I waited for it to dry a bit and covered the glitter in a clear coat.
www.baricosmetics.com
www.julep.comI love how the Bon Bons glitter polish has glitter of different sizes, creating depth. The way it looks over the maroon reminds me of this limited edition Chanel nail polish I was in love with back in the days, Ciel de Nuit (except, it had a dark blue base).
The next look is more Christmas-inspired, but still appropriate throughout the remainder of the holidays.
The colors are from Dr. Remedy’s line of enriched, natural nail polish. I did a funky French manicure using the Serene Silver Glitter ($14) on the tips over the amazing Revive Ruby Red ($17).
WOW LASHES
Another way to up the glam factor is to give yourself some WOW lashes for the night. Faux lashes don’t always have to be of theatrical proportions. Kiss makes incredibly natural lashes ($3.99) that come with applicator strings on either side for easy application. They allow you to easily set the lashes in place and then pull away the strings.
What I’ve learned about lash application is that the glue is almost more important than the lashes themselves. You need adhesive with immediate stick-power, that dries crystal clear. Kiss 24 Hour Flexible Hold Adhesive ($3.99) did the trick. I loved the easy applicator.
Just enough so that even your boyfriend will give you that “there’s something different, but I can’t quite put my hand on it” look.
Have any New Year’s even inspired looks to share? Let us know in the comments.
xoxo, Olisa
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Entertaining Tips from Nadia G and @VanGoghVodka
Christmas is over and Hanukkah ends tonight, but fortunately, the holidays aren’t ever yet!
The grand finale, New Year’s Eve, has yet to come. Like many people, you may still be undecided about your New Year’s plans. You may even be entertaining the idea of hosting your own last minute NYE bash. Personally, I feel an intimate gathering or even a rockin’ house party is ten times better than any club or mega event.
So, if you’re thinking about entertaining this year, we have some tips for you from Nadia G of Cooking Channel’s Nadia G’s Bitchin’ Kitchen and Van Gogh Vodka.
Nadia G and Van Gogh VodkaGet yourself out of the kitchen. “The hostess should enjoy her holiday party every bit as much as the guests,” says Nadia. “The best way to get yourself out of the kitchen is to prepare foods ahead that will taste great at room temperature.” By letting guests serve themselves, everyone can eat on their own time giving the hostess time to kick back and relax with her own cocktail and spend quality time with friends.
Let the guests be their own bartenders. Nadia G recommends a vodka punch like her Pomagrenade Punch or a DIY mixers bar: stock a table with bowls of bite sized fresh fruit and herbs that have been soaking in liquor and simple syrup. Serve these gourmet mixers with chilled bottles of unflavored- and flavored-vodkas, carbonated water, rum and white wine. Guests will have a blast mixing and matching cocktails and experimenting with new combinations!
Pomagrenade PunchGive them something sweet – and don’t forget the coffee. Nadia’s Chocolate Balls made with butterscotch chips, peanuts and crushed pretzels are easy to whip up and major crowd pleasers. Topping off the evening with coffee is always a good idea; have regular and decaf on hand for guests to choose from at the end of the night.
Send the guests home with something you’ve created in your kitchen. “Everyone loves my Homemade Hot Cocoa mix. I add a little cayenne and some cinnamon to step it up,” says Nadia. “Gifted in a glass jar or a tin with a bright ribbon, it’s my personal way to say Happy Holidays at the end of the night.”
And of course the most important part of a party is the music; as Nadia says, music can make or break a party. If the host or hostess doesn’t have any musical taste, get a friend to make a playlist for the party.
Here’s one more idea to help make your party a hit.
HOLIDAY MOJITO
1 1/2 oz Van Gogh BLUE Triple Wheat Vodka
1/4 cup fresh squeezed pink grapefruit juice
1 heaping tablespoon minced fresh coriander
1 teaspoon maple syrupDirections: In a shaker combine all ingredients above. Shake vigorously with ice. Strain into martini glass rimmed with maple flakes, drop in 2 coriander leaves, and garnish glass with pink grapefruit rind twist.
For more recipes, get your hands on Nadia G’s cookbook: Nadia G’s Bitchin’ Kitchen: Cookin’ for Trouble
xoxo, Olisa
