Cecy & Blake: Unique Designer Handbags

Happy Monday to All! 

It's Thanksgiving week here in the U.S.  I am thankful for the many blessings in life and that includes freedom of speech: the opportunity to write and say your opinions on a blog!  Thanks to all of you for coming here week after week and listening to me blab!

A few weeks back I did a collaboration photo shoot with Cecy & Blake, a new handbag designer here in the Seattle area. I had a wonderful time and enjoyed meeting them.  This gorgeous hand painted collection just launched on kickstarter for a 33 day campaign, and it's exciting to help spread the word!

The designers's artistic talent is evident on every handbag.  I love it that each bag is original. Who doesn't love to show off your latest style that no one else has!?!  These bags pair great with your casual wear or a dressy outfit.  They make the perfect holiday gift!

Photography: DenMar Studio

The main qualities of these beautiful bags are:

1. Made from full grain leather(the most expensive, sturdiest part of the leather; only hides with minimal number of blemishes make it into this category.
2. Functionally designed by a Yale-graduated engineer.: Tote has 6  inside pockets, the clutch has credit card spots.
3. Each bag and wallet is individually hand -painted by skilled artists
4. Cecy & Blake bags use a best-in-class leather paint specifically formulated for painting leather sneakers. It is water resistant, scratch resistant, and fade resistant.

 Cecy& Blake have expressed their passion to create high quality, innovative products at a fair price.  Words from the designers: " We put our heart and soul into our project and hope people love what we have created, as much as we do."

I hope you enjoyed learning of this new designer! You can also find them on Instagram.What are your shopping plans this Black Friday? Stay safe, don't get trampled in all the madness.  I wish you a beautiful Thanksgiving with your family and friends!  See you again soon,

                                                  xo Valerie 



                                                                  

Las Vegas: The Ultimate Style Guide

*This post is in collaboration with Vegas.com. All opinions are my own

VIVA LAS VEGAS!

Swimming pools, shopping, dancing ,what's your dream?! Las Vegas has it all. It is a fun place to relax, unwind and show off your great style. I was invited to a style challenge by the site vegas.com to create a collection of outfits.  This is my take on how a gal can transition from day to night and be effortlessly chic.

How to Style Faux Fur

Hello Lovely People,

How was your weekend? Maybe you spent it shopping for the upcoming holidays, I did get a few gifts bought.   Here in the northwest the colder weather has settled in, so it is starting to feel more like fall for sure. 

 As much as I LOVE warm weather, it's nice to  pull out the furry, warm fuzzy pieces to liven up your wardrobe for the long days of fall and winter. Faux fur is always a great choice, and pairs well with casual or dressy outfits.

  

Layered on top of a long sleeved knit top and your favorite leggings, a fur vest can add a lot of glam to your otherwise simple outfit.  Some gals don't want to go all out with a fur coat, so a vest is a fabulous way to make style statement as well.

What I love about faux fur the most, is it makes you feel just a bit glamorous, girly, and admired.  Whenever I see a lovely lady in fur, it always catches my eye!  Seeing it takes me back in time to the fashion  eras of the 30's and 40's that I adore so much.  The fur trend never seems to leave us, it just get reinvented to wow us all over again. What are your favorite go to "glam" pieces this fall?

 I hope your week is off to a great start! Perhaps you have Wednesday off for Veterans Day if you live in the U.S.  Be sure take time to pause , remember, and be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy because of the sacrifices of many.

XO VALERIE

|Shop the Look|: Faux fur vest(similar) | Faux leather leggings| Knit long sleeved tee| Riding Boots|(similar)

One Year Blogaversary: Plus Benefit Cosmetics Giveway

Happy Tuesday!

As I mentioned in a previous post, September was the one year anniversary for my blog.  I would like to say a very sincere THANK YOU to all who have read my blog posts, commented, shared, liked, and followed me on social media.  I appreciate all the support, and I am so glad to share my journey with all of you!


The challenges of blogging some days have totally kicked my butt!  My laptop has definitely come close to making a few trips through the air!  Anyways I made it through and plan to keep fine tuning things to make my blog the best it can be.  Also if you have not subscribed to my blog by email I would be thrilled if you did,  just hop on over to the sidebar >>>> thank you!

To show my appreciation, I am hosting this great  giveaway along with some other fabulous bloggers. I am grateful they allowed me to join in. I would love for one of you to win the loot! 


Good luck on the give away, and have a fantastic week!

xo VALERIE

Last year, I conducted two advent calendar giveaways (one for the US and one for the UK) and they proved to be enormously successful. So this year, I've teamed up with several other bloggers to run a a group giveaway!

This giveaway is in association with all of these lovely bloggers. Pay them a visit!

 Left to right: My So Called Chaos, Anna in Wonderland, Simply Wright, Logan Can

Left to right: Rae's Think Pad, Auburn Pride, Maple Leopard,  Peace Love Sequins

About the Prize:

Please note, this is open to residents of the US and Canada ONLY. However, check back tomorrow (November 3) for an equally amazing giveaway for my ladies of the UK and Ireland. 

You'll win a Benefit Party Poppers calendar, which includes 12 of Benefits best selling products, one to open on each of the 12 days leading up to Christmas. You'll receive $90 worth of products including:

• the POREfessional PRO balm
• BADgal lash volumizing mascara
• lollitint poppy pink lip & cheek stain
• ooh la lift undereye brightener
• they’re real! lengthening mascara
• they’re real! remover
• rockateur famously proactive face powder
• high beam complexion enhancer
• total moisture facial cream
• hoola ultra plush lip gloss
• sugarbomb ultra plush lip gloss
• watt’s up! soft-focus highlighter

Rules:

-You must enter via Rafflecopter. Winners will be cross checked to ensure fair entry.

-You must reside in the United States or Canada 

-You must be 18 to enter, 13 with parents' permission.

-Winner will have 72 hours to claim prize before the prize becomes null and a new winner is drawn. 

-Contest will run until November 16 

-Good luck!

This giveaway is not associated in any way with Benefit Cosmetics.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Perfect Holiday Gift: An AIBI Watch

Complimentary Service/Product: I received an accessory of my choice, in exchange for a review.

 Good Morning!

Wow this weekend flew by fast, and now Novemeber is here. It's almost time for the holidays, time to get shopping!  If accessories  are on your list, AIBI watches are timelessly classic and 

make the perfect gift for him or her. 

I was excited this past week to receive my Julia Engel Miami Rose Watch.  I put it on right quick and headed to my favorite cupcake store in town: Bella Bella Cupcakes. There is Always time for cupcakes!

 The possibilities to style this watch with you favorite outfits are endless. Take control of your  schedule and every moment in your life with one of these gorgeous watches.  I love the superior craftsmanship and the brand story behind them.  

AIBI represents the purest of love among human beings.  The company was started by a man and woman who met at a high end jewelry and watch party.  A classy gentleman was wearing a simple watch who caught her eye, and from there they fell in love and the watch company was born.  The simplicity and true love of Aibi since it's foundation, has caught the eye of many fashion stars.

 AIBI designer watches are the perfect choice for your lifestyle needs.  No matter your age, you can always look stunning and gorgeous with this perfect accessory. Compliment your stylish look, and dare to be different.  This holiday season choose a watch that is uniquely you, and represents all  that you love in life!

Have you started your holiday shopping yet, or are you one those last minute procrastinators!?!  I hope you have a great week and hope your gift seeking endeavors go smoothly.  I am hosting a giveaway this week with some other bloggers, so be sure to come back in a few days to enter!

                                     xo Valerie