Wednesday Wants - Kendra Scott Designs

Kendra Scott Designs just opened a new store on the Country Club Plaza! Admittedly, I'm excited to have a new designer in town, but I didn't really know much about her designs before now. After reviewing the product line, I've become a huge fan! Her pieces are delicate, bold, colorful, and timeless. I would say the most extensive category are earrings and they truly run the gamut of design and color. There is something for everyone. 

I am attending a blogger event at the new space next week and I've made my wishlist of pieces! All are things I can wear daily and with almost everything in my closet. I'm excited to see them in person and possibly take one home! Here's what I've picked!

 One/Two/Three/Four/Five/Six

I love the hand bracelet and have wanted one for a couple of years. I just haven't found one I love. And the idea of a double ring intrigues me. I can't wait to try it on. 

 Are you a fan of Kendra Scott? Do you own any of her pieces? If so, share with us your favorites! And, let me know what you think of my picks! 

ULTA Grand Opening - Aspen Square

Before last night, I had never stepped foot inside an ULTA. After last night, I will forever be an ULTA fan! I attended the Grand Opening of their ULTA store in Aspen Square off of 135th and roughly Metcalf. It was amazing! This store was enormous! Clean, white, bright, and stocked to the brim with over 20,000 products! Their product lines range from drugstore beauty brands to high-end cosmetics, fragrances, haircare, hair tools and accessories, nail everything, dermatology, and a salon! Seriously, check out this new store stat!

I was invited to the event, along with several other local bloggers, to cover the event for my blog. It was a festive atmosphere of friends chatting, playing, testing, and purchasing new products and old favorites. I learned so much while I was there! They offer a brow bar, and for last night, a complimentary Braid Bar. Several vendor representatives were there chatting about their products, and I took full advantage! A NY based makeup artist from Tarte taught me the fine art of applying a cat-eye, which looked amazing, so I purchased the eyeliner and fancy angled brush that came with it. I'm really excited to give it a whirl soon. (If it turns out okay, I may try a tutorial.)

I took a turn at the Braid Bar and came away with a fun up-do. If only I had somewhere to go after the event! With amazing hair and awesome eyes, I felt like it was a look wasted on Sheriff Callie from Disney and my son and husband who could care less! But, those at the event seemed to love it so that's all the matters! And, I found the mirrored aviators I've been searching for for months! Not sure I'm cool enough to pull them off, but the other bloggers seemed to think I could!

With all that being said, here are the photos I took of the event! So much to share!

I love benefit cosmetics! I've been a fan for years. Their shadows and blushes are all so pretty and neutral. And, I love that they are using a Barbie theme!

 The next mascara on my list of must-trys is this one. It's supposed to give you the illusion of false lashes, but the tag line reads...."They're real, honest!" Clever!

I am a big fan of their "that gal" face primer. If I'm really dolling up for the day, I use this to give my face a little more brightness and it really helps keep your makeup in place. I definitely want to try the dr. feelgood balm. This would replace those blotting clothes that I always buy, stash in my bag, and never use. And it smells so good!

I tested this product on my hand. The Big Easy is a makeup that goes on like liquid and dries to a powder! Genius! You can now replace that powder with one simple product. (I for one never use powder. I hate that cakey feel it can give you or the tightness it can leave your skin.) This was light to the touch and disappeared within seconds. 

  Yummy treats and drinks were being passed around throughout the evening. Don't these look divine?

 

The Braid Bar was packed! And rightfully so. One adorable look after the next was being created and showcased around the store. This is Sarah Scoop from Sarah Scoop! We met via Twitter, but officially met face to face last night! How cute is this look?

My girl Jennifer even made it to the event! Okay, she didn't, but she's here in spirit. She is the spokesperson for this line of haircare called Living proof and we were given a sample in our swag bag from KCFW. If it gives me anything close to these Jen locks, I will be hooked!

Essie heaven right here!

Tools of the trade!

This is where the NY based makeup artist worked her magic. Here's hoping I can replicate!

My turn at the Braid Bar!

Finally it was time to check out. And if you missed anything along the way, well here's your change to grab it and go!

 

Oh, here are those mirrored aviators I was telling you about earlier. Whether or not I'm cool enough to pull them off, I purchased them anyway!

I had a blast at the ULTA event! Thank you so much ULTA and KC Magazine for including us!! I will definitely be back and often!

Rebecca Minkoff - It's a Girl Thing

Last Thursday night my mom and I attended an event at Halls Plaza in honor of Rebecca Minkoff called It's a Girl Thing. We had such a great time! We mingled, drank, ate and shopped. Oh, and I met the simply, lovely Rebecca Minkoff! I've been a fan for years, owning only handbags but admiring her entire line, and couldn't wait to get a glimpse of her in real life. She is gorgeous, incredibly chic and so nice! I was star-struck. But we made conversation easily. She told me she loved my bag (I was carrying one of hers), chatted about a sample sale in NY where I purchased my first bag and how she owned the booties I purchased that evening in brown.

 

 

I couldn't stop admiring her! Dressed in head-to-toe black, she screamed sophistication. Clad in a pleated, short leather skirt, simple black tee and adorable floral heels, I wanted everything she was wearing. Including this amazing silver bracelet adorned with chains. I've been searching the internet frequently in hopes of finding it! And like I said earlier, so nice!

 

The event was awesome! There were signature cocktails, hors d'oeuvre, the most adorable handbag cookies, an amazing array of pieces from her collection which was inspired by space, and a huge piece of art designed by a local Kansas City artist that shoppers signed as a thank you to Rebecca. And, I met follow Kansas City blogger, Jana! We "met" on Twitter over our excitement for the event. Love that I actually got to meet her in person.

 

You can see the details of her inspiration within the design. The arm of this coat reflects that of an astronaut suit.

 

This dress is darling! I love the fabric and the mystery behind it. And the low back was a showstopper!

Notice the star outline in the quilting? Almost resembles a rocket ship as well.

 

These cookies were darling and so yummy! And the drink was perfection. Nothing like a little Prosecco and raspberries on a Thursday night!

 

I loved this bootie, until I found the perfect one below! I liked that it wasn't suede throughout, allowing for longer wear. And the gold studs added the right amount of pop!

Every girl needs a cross-body bag in her collection! I love the array of colors and the mass of gold chains!

 

The olive green sandal on the left almost made it's way home with me, but I went for a practical bootie. I can't wear sandals too much longer and I didn't want to have to wait until spring to wear it again! However, it is the perfect neutral with black and white!

 

Leopard, leopard, leopard! I love the tennis shoe! What a great way to wear tennies without looking like you are!

And here we are. She's signing the bootie I purchased!

 LOVE!

The Graffiti Wall was so cool! Here was my message to her.

And last but not least, the booties! They are amazing. I love the textured leather, the ankle strap and the heel height. Perfect with skinnies, skirts, shorts and dresses! Definitely a shoe that I will keep for years! 

 

"XO Rebecca Minkoff"! Right back at ya!

 Thanks to Halls for hosting such an amazing event. Here's to many more!

Stay tuned for what I wore to the event and how I've styled the bootie!