2014 Spring Fashion Haul Video!

Hi Lovely Readers! Today I wanted to do something a little different on the blog and to show you a couple of pieces that I've picked up for Spring 2014!

Most of the pieces that I've picked out are great transition pieces from winter to spring and that you can wear all year! I love pieces that are versatile and that you can get the most use out of.

Also just a note on the quality of the video - sorry for the blurry quality! I had to use the camera on my Mac instead of my camera.  

Here is a link to all the products in the video! I hope you all enjoy!!

H&M Patterned Scarf

Zara White Three-Quarter Sleeve Asymmetric Blouse

Navy Peplum Top Banana Republic

Loft Leopard Print Hidden Placket Cardigan

Loft Super Skinny Jeans in Glacial Lake Blue

H&M Flared Dress

Anne Klein Petrica Flats

Easy Spirit Grammercy Flats

H&M Patterned Scarf / Zara White Three-Quarter Sleeve Asymmetric Blouse / Navy Peplum Top Banana Republic / Loft Leopard Print Hidden Placket Cardigan / Loft Super Skinny Jeans in Glacial Lake Blue / H&M Flared Dress / Anne Klein Petrica Flats / Easy Spirit Grammercy Flats

How to Create a Sleek & Smooth High Ponytail

Lately, I’ve been totally crushing on sleek ponytails. Many of us think that ponytails are for those days when you just don't have time to do your hair or that it's something that you throw your hair into after the gym.

Ponytails can make quiet a statement.  Ponytails are perfect in showing off flawless makeup or to make a statement with your clothing since you won't be hiding behind your hair. It’s definitely a way to make yourself noticeable! In recent times, the ponytail has made a huge comeback with stars like Kim Kardashian and Blake Lively rocking the hair-do!

Steps for Achieving a Sleek Ponytail:

1.  If you have extremely thick hair like me run a straightener through your hair OR you can always blow dry your hair straight.

2.  Using an elastic, gather all hair into a high ponytail (or into the height which you want).

3.  Take your favorite hair spray and hair spray your head lightly.  If you’re not a fan of hair spray you can always use a light-hold hair gel.

4.  Using a fine tooth comb, comb the top and sides of your hair until your hair looks perfectly smooth and sleek.

Tips & Tricks for Achieving a Sleek Ponytail:

Tilt Your Head Back – Tilting your hair back when pulling your hair into a ponytail creates a tighter hold.  This also keeps the hair underneath from slipping out (especially with baby hairs!). 

Use a New Elastic – Make sure you’re using a new elastic or an elastic that’s tight .

Let's Get Fancy – If you want to get a little bit fancy, you can take a small piece of your hair from the underside of the ponytail and wind it around the base of the ponytail to cover the elastic.  Then pin into place for a long-lasting hold!

Hottest Spring 2014 Fashion Trends

With spring just around the corner, I've been majorly crushing on a couple of trends and have been seeing them everywhere! I am excited for the warm weather and absolutely cannot wait to rock these trends! Here are My Golden Beauty's Hottest Fashion Trends of Spring 2014.

White, pink, blue, mint, violet, coral - These are the hottest pastel colors out there. Don't worry, you won't feel like the Easter Bunny.   Designers have gotten pastels right and have done these colors so gracefully. Pastels are definitely one of the hottest trends right now for spring.  Pair with jeans, skirt, white or black pants and these classics are updated and ready to wear for 2014.

Crops tops are EVERYWHERE and are extremely popular for spring and celebrities everywhere have been sporting crop tops everywhere, especially Kim Kardashian.  Crop tops are best paired with a midi skirt.  Midi Skirts are youthful and when done right, look very modern.  I would recommend pairing a midi skirt with a crop top or a tucked in top so that it accentuates your waist and offsets the length.

Alright ladies, pleats are making a HUGE comeback. Of course pleats have been around for quite a while but it's good to know how to update this old trend.  Make sure pleats aren't too "puffy" and also either wear with a tucked in shirt or a crop top to accentuate your waist! 

I LOVE collarless jackets.  Collarless jackets are timeless and for the springtime they are perfect for those chilly spring nights.  This trend will be staying around for a while.  It's best to stay safe with a neutral or solid color, but it's always fun to take a risk with bright colors and prints.

Casual Friday Style

Not only do I love Friday's because it means that the end of the work week is finally here, but also because my company allows Casual Friday's! I really wanted the leopard cardigan print to stand out so I left all other pieces of the outfit minimal. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Outfit Details:

Cardigan: Leopard Print Covered Button Down Cardigan from LOFT (here)
Tee: Long Sleeve V-Neck Tee from GAP (here)
Jeans: LOFT (here)
Boots: Alfani (here)
Handbag: Louis Vuitton (no longer available in LV stores)

PRODUCT REVIEW: Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil

Face oils or face creams? That's the debate I've been having lately.  I walked into Sephora a couple of weeks ago and was convinced to buy the Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil (retails $50.00 for 1.7oz or $18.50 for 0.5oz get it here) instead of what I had initially gone in for which was the Lancome Energie De Vie Dullness Relief & Energy Recharge Daily Cream (see my review here). How did that happen and why did I change my mind?!

Why are face oils better than creams? Face oils come without chemicals, toxins, and all the bad ingredients that creams can contain.  Oils have been around for many years - but how is that we as a society have just discovered them?  Most people are under the impression that oils can cause breakouts, are pore-clogging and make our skin look and feel greasy.  But that's not really the case.

Your skin certainly needs a certain amount of oil. Oils can transform your skin and keep it healthy.  Facial oils are also a fantastic base for makeup because they plump fine lines, even texture and can give the appearance of dewy skin.

This face oil in particular is made with Seaberry Oil. Seaberry oil (also known as seabuckthorn oil) is an antioxidant which is rich in moisturizing omegas 3, 6, 7 & 9.  Seaberry oil is also noted for protecting the skin from aging free radicals.

According to the the Fresh website, those individuals that used the Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil felt the following:

- Proven to provide 24-hour hydration
- 100% felt their skin was immediately nourished
- 100% reported their skin was supple
- 97% said their skin was immediately hydrated
- 85% felt it decreased roughness on contact

The Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil comes in a thick glass bottle filled and a dropper.

How do I use the Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil? I use this product by taking the dropper and placing a drop or two on my face.  Then I take my finger tips and massage the face oil on my face and into my skin. The oil feels lightweight and my skin doesn't look oily after.

So how did I feel after using this product for three weeks? My skin felt smoother and hydrated then it was before. Especially during the winter months when the weather is dry I pay extra attention to my skin.

The only complaint I had about the product was that it does have a strong smell.  If you can get past the smell of the product then you'll love it!

Before:

After:

Will you be trying this product? If so let me know your thoughts!

Best Dressed at the 2014 Academy Awards

Last night at the 2014 Oscars, celebrities packed on the glitz, glamour, and their best outfits.  Many celebrities graced the red carpet of the 86th Academy Awards and looked oh so fabulous! I would have to say that I love watching all the award shows, especially the Academy Awards, just to see what all the stars are wearing.  Here are My Golden Beauty's Top Three Academy Awards picks!

Picture Source: Vogue.com

Lupita Nyong'o has once again gotten the nail on the head. In a stunning baby blue Prada dress and a diamond studded headband, Lupita looked beautiful!  I would have to say that Lupita is definitely on a red hot red carpet streak.

Up next is the beautiful Kate Hudson who always looks stunning on the red carpet. This year Kate Hudson rocked a plunging neckline Atelier Versace gown.

Last, but not least, I felt that Camilla Avles in a peach colored Dolce & Gabbana dress looked amazing!