Shimmery New Year’s Eve Makeup

After working with her on our New Year’s Eve Space Jam shoot, everyone in the office is pretty much obsessed with makeup artist Laura Martinez. She always looks flawless herself, and the subtle glittery looks she created for the story were just too good not to share. We met up with Laura at Roar Salon to learn how to achieve this “Holiday Shimmer” look that we can’t wait to try out ourselves. With musician (and American Idol Season 8 contestant) Kendall Beard playing model, we’ve got a great example of how this glittery look can work for blondes. “We did a frosty silver on Kendall,” says Laura, “but metallic pewter, copper, and golds are great colors to try out for darker skin tones.” Read below for all the steps you’ll need to know to achieve this mistletoe-ready holiday look: SUPPLIES: Make Up For Ever HD Primer Make Up For Ever ...read the rest of the story here



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How to Have a Stress-Free Holiday

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but with the endless to-do lists, maxed-out bank account, and full-to-the-brim calendar, it can also be the most stressful. Here on the blog, we talk a lot about how to make the holidays beautiful and delicious, but I also didn’t want the season to slip by without spending some time talking about how to make it truly joyful. Back when I was an event planner, I worked on a lot of holiday parties for my clients, and I often witnessed hostesses who were so stressed and harried by the time the actual holiday rolled around, they just wanted to get it over with! I’m sure we’ve all felt that way at one time or another, and over the years, I’ve developed a few techniques that help me extract the most joy, fun, and treasured memories out of the holidays… and ...see the slideshow here



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Which Pricey Beauty Products Are Worth The Splurge?

Let me start with a disclaimer: I am not one of those girls that thinks that if a beauty product is more expensive, that automatically means that it’s a better product. I’ve used more than enough super-cheap, super-awesome products (hello, $3 NYC Liquid Eyeliner), as well as products that were both expensive and disappointing, to know that you don’t always necessarily get what you pay for in the beauty world. That being said, one of the best things about being a beauty editor is having the opportunity to test super-luxe products that would have normally be (way) out of my budget. Not all of the pricey picks win my heart, but I must admit that there are some more splurge-y primpers out there that are totally worth their hefty price tags. At a time of year when you’re busy gifting everyone on your list, sometimes it can feel dang good ...see the slideshow here



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Weekend Notes

In the past 5 days, I’ve been in Virginia, Atlanta, and Dallas… and today I’m headed back to Austin to luxuriate in several weeks of being at home, enjoying the holidays with family, finally wrapping all my gifts, catching up with girl friends who I’ve totally neglected during my book tour, and probably baking one too many batches of Christmas cookies. There is really no better feeling to this homebody at heart. Huge thanks to all of you who have come out to celebrate at my book parties over these last few weeks — getting the chance to meet all of you and hear about the parties you’ve thrown and the recipes the book has inspired you to make has truly been the most wonderful and humbling part of the entire tour. Stay tuned for a couple more west coast parties to pop up on the calendar in the new ...read the rest of the story here



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2 Great Holiday Punch Recipes

Thank goodness that the old-school punch bowl is having a “moment” again, since a huge batch of fruity, boozy punch is one of my greatest secrets to stress-free holiday entertaining. There’s something about it that instantly sends a “let’s get this party started!” vibe the second guests walk in the door, and most importantly, it makes life infinitely simpler for the host when you can mix it then forget it (instead of being left to play bartender all night.)Every year, I tweak my recipe and try out some new flavors, and so far, these two have been the biggest crowd pleasers. Even if you have a very large punch bowl, be sure to mix up a second batch in the fridge — guests will inevitably go back for seconds (and thirds), and no matter how much I end up making, it’s always gone at the end of the night. They ...read the rest of the story here



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The Winner of Our Instagram Challenge!

Over the past few weeks, you guys have filled my feed with the most beautiful photos showing how you’re using Camille Styles Entertaining at home — it’s been endlessly inspiring! Today we’re excited to announce the winner of our #CamilleStylesEntertaining instagram challenge, and the West Elm gift card prize goes to… @merrittwakefield! There were so many beautifully styled images it made it difficult to choose, but I really love the way that Merritt got inspired by the book to host a cookie swap, made it her own by trying out some new cookie recipes, and embraced the ritual of gift wrapping to get in the holiday spirit. See her original post here. It’s what the #CamilleStylesEntertaining ethos is all about! Hope you’re all loving the book, and keep sharing how you’re using it to host a gathering, put your own spin on the recipes, and interpret the ideas in a ...read the rest of the story here



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Cabin Fever

After watching hours on end of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks on Netflix, I’ve got a bad case of cabin fever — and no, I don’t mean the irritable, restless kind. I mean I am intensely in to all things alpine right now, from these anonymous ism deer socks from j. crew to this fair isle sweater by native youth. In a few weeks I’ll be hitting the slopes with a group of friends in Taos, and until then I’ll be dreaming of stone fireplaces and woolrich blankets… Wouldn’t it be wonderful to spend Christmas eve tucked inside a mountain cabin with snow falling outside? Oh, and by the way my dream cabin is sans cheesy decor — it has antique rugs, a library full of books, and a dark green velvet sofa on which I’d cozy up by the fire, pour myself a glass of red wine, and finally finish ...read the rest of the story here



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The Moscow Mule

See full story at A Sign And Stamp Social. Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit. Photo by Kate LeSueur.

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Best Beauty Gifts 2014

‘Tis the season: for socializing, merrymaking, and, of course, finding the perfect gift for every person on that very long list of yours. I’ll admit that I’m not necessarily the best or most original gifter in the world — I mean, what does one get one’s beloved father-in-law who neither wants nor needs anything? — but, I have learned one thing when it comes to gifting the ladies in my life, and that is that no female child or adult will ever hate a fun beauty gift.

I know I may be biased, but I really think that beauty gifts always seem to hit the spot around the holidays. Despite the fact that many women would love to, say, invest in a good set of makeup brushes, find a new signature scent, or experiment more with their lip color, I’ve found that many ladies are hesitant to indulge in these items for themselves. That’s why I’ve rounded up my picks for the best beauty gifts of 2014 — trust me that you can’t go wrong with these winning sets!

featured image source

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Oh, What a Night!

big thanks to West Elm.

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The Allcorns

photographed by wynn meyers

In the spring of 2014, newlyweds Chris and Katie Allcorn did what so many crowded Austinites only dream of: packed up and got out of town. Turned out the small town lifestyle they longed for wasn’t too far away — it lay quietly waiting about 30 miles southeast of Austin in the 7,500 people town of Bastrop, Texas. It’s there the couple purchased an empty historic building on the banks of the Colorado River and began to re-envision it as the hill-country hangout of their dreams: a place with great food, cold beer, and perfectly slow sunsets that fade into memorable nights of live music. Together with their partner Justin Kula, Katie and Chris opened the doors to Neighbor’s Kitchen and Yard on August 1st. Since then they’ve booked Austin acts with cult followings like Mike and the Moonpies, WC Clark, and Two Tons of Steel to perform on their riverfront deck. Taking cues from the storied dance halls of Texas’s past, Neighbor’s may very well be set to take it’s place next to Luckenbach and Gruene Hall. There’s one major difference, though: don’t expect to order a chicken-fried steak with gravy. In a bold (and spot-on) move, the Allcorns decided to focus their thoroughly modern menu on pizza. Really, really good pizza. Six custom house pies, build-your-own options, and the varying daily slice keep patrons coming back for more. Like every good Austinite knows, when something’s really good around here, the secret tends to get out. We weren’t two minutes into our interview before a denim-clad local sauntered in with a friendly, “Hey Chris! What’s the slice?”

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How to Avoid Hat Hair

photographed by Cassandra Elrdige

A winter perk is breaking out the cute hat collection, but what’s a girl to do when she has to remove the hat and confront the dreaded “hat hair” situation? Maritza Buelvas here, and I’ve developed a fun and easy technique for avoiding hat hair, keeping your hair in place from the winter winds and fighting frizz all at the same time. Since this style makes the grade in the Windy City (where I’m from), I know it will work wherever you live!

SUPPLIES:

• medium barrel curling iron


• volume hair spray


• fine tooth teasing comb


• hair pins


• invisible hair elastic


• a fabulous hat

DIRECTIONS:

1. Spray hair all over with volume enriching hair spray.


2. Wrap small sections of hair around a medium-sized barrel curling iron to give texture and style-ability to your hair. If your hair has plenty of natural texture, you can skip this step.


3. Create a three dimensional braid by doing a standard three-stand braid, but tucking strands underneath (as opposed to on top) to give hair lift and depth on one side of your head. (Note: A “3D” braid keeps its look and volume when wearing any kind of hat.)


4. Repeat the same step on the other side of your head.


5. Lift and tuck any hair that’s framing your neck by simply rolling your hair upwards and pinning the ends into place.


6. Now you’re ready to put on your favorite winter hat. And the best part is when you decide to take it off, this hairstyle will still look great.

CREDITS:

Hair and Copy by Maritza Buelvas | Photography by Cassandra Eldridge | Makeup by Brenda Arelano | Modeling by Willow Star

ABOUT MARITZA:

Maritza Buelvas is a published hair guru, beauty editor and beauty instructor. Via Beauty For Bloggers she teaches beauty artistry workshops and web design classes for the beauty-focused blogger and beauty entrepreneur. Maritza also contributes regularly to online fashion, lifestyle and beauty bibles.

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White Chocolate Peppermint Cocoa

Click here to read the full story. Photos by Buff Strickland.

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Paper Gifts for Everyone on Your List

While we decidedly like to hear our favorite Christmas tunes after Thanksgiving, it’s never too soon to get our holiday cards in order for the season. And while browsing our favorite online destination for custom cards and stationary, we were thrilled to see that Minted has expanded their inventory into art prints, kids items, and even home décor. With our custom card order placed, we couldn’t help but spend some time perusing the site for gift ideas and wrapping paper. Turns out we are totally into paper this year. For guys, for kids, for very stylish mother-in-laws — Minted has the perfect paper gift for everyone on your list!

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Portrait of a Mentor

Do you have a mentor? A person you can (a) go to for advice, and (b) trust their wisdom enough that you actually take it to heart and allow it to inspire your actions? I’ve been thinking a lot about female mentorships lately, and how important it is to support each other in our unique journeys as women — whether CEO’s, school teachers, mothers, or students, we all face similar challenges and can undoubtedly benefit from the experiences of someone who’s walked in our shoes before.

This month, we’re partnering with Marie Claire and Estee Lauder (a brand founded by one of the most trailblazing women in business history) on the #BeAnInspiration campaign that’s all about dreaming big and inspiring each other along the way. In honor of the collaboration, we interviewed three successful, smart, and incredibly talented women to find out how mentorships have played a major role in their success — whether as mentee, or as a mentor themselves. I loved learning more about the personal journeys of these women who I admire so much, from a gutsy CEO to a pioneering designer to a producer whose mission is to empower girls to change the world. While diverse in their careers, one quality that these women have in common is courage. Not one of them followed a prescribed formula that could guarantee success; instead they took risks, forged new paths, and just went for it with confidence and grace. Click through to learn how they did it.

featured image by belathee

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Pistachio-Crusted Salmon

See the full story at Entertaining With Caroline Huddleston Haley. Photos by Kate LeSueur.

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Deviled Eggs with Brisket and Herbs

See the full story here. Photography by Kate LeSueur.

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10 Best Halloween Movies

For those who love horror, suspense, and camp, this is the absolute best week of cable tv that happens all year. No matter what you’re doing to celebrate tonight, you know that when you get home you’re sure to find something spooky on late night tv. We’ve rounded up 1o of our favorite haunted hits, from old familiar favorites to scary new shows to keep you on the edge of your seat this year. Our criteria? Suspense. Humor. Creepiness. And — of course — style.

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Cake à la Céline

photo by jessica attie

This delicious recipe for candied orange olive oil cake was given to us by our sweet friend Celine Ord of the blog Aquahaus. (We took the liberty of naming it after her!) Check out the full party where Celine served this amazing dessert here.

Recipe originally adapted from Epicurious.

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How to Look Great When You Work Out

“The Outdoor Voices girl is a spunky fun whip with drive ambition and curiosity. She’s a delight to be around, quirky — and, she’s cool, but not trendy,” says the high energy creator of Outdoor Voices, Tyler Haney. Like everyone else, Team Camille Styles can’t get enough of this styling and comfortable new line of workout attire, so we sat down with the 25-year-old former track star to find out more about her J.Crew-approved line and got all of her tips for how to look great when you work out.

featured image by Naomi Shon

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How to Look Awake

The summer sun is officially gone (well, not gone, but decidedly more elusive), the temperature has dropped, and our school/work schedules are officially in full swing. Fall is certainly an exciting time of year, but between the go-go pace and the chilly, overcast days, I admit that I’m having a harder time feeling energized these days. Luckily, I have a contingency plan — and, of course, it involves beauty products.

Behold, some of my best tips, tricks, and products for faking a wide-awake look, even when you feel like you’d rather get a root canal than get out of bed. A side benefit: I find that when I look like my best self, I’m somehow tricked into feeling better, too. That, my friends, is a win-win situation — read on to snag some of these sneaky beauty tricks for yourself!

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Apple Almond Breakfast Cake

It’s finally Apple season, meaning the weather is cooler and indian summers have passed. Fall is officially here with all the flavors that follow. I’m craving the most warming and comforting flavors like apple crisp and nutmeg with pretty much anything. This apple cake is pretty perfect any type of day, but it is especially perfect with tea or hot coffee.

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Fall’s Best New Mascaras

If you’re like me, you usually slap on your mascara as the last step in your beauty routine without thinking twice. While we may swap out eyeshadows and lip products according to our moods and the changing seasons, mascara is one of those old faithful products that can remain static in our makeup bags once we find one that does the job. But, where’s the fun in that?

In the fall, when we’re often looking to update and/or polish our beauty looks, updating your mascara can actually be a small detail that makes a huge difference. It’s incredible how much sophisticated formulas can become in even a few months; so, if your current mascara hasn’t really been doing the trick lately, here’s your chance to branch out and take some new lash lacquer for a test drive. Whether you prefer all-natural, waterproof, or crazy-dramatic formulas, there’s a new pick out there for you — better get ready to bat ‘em, girl!

featured image via devote

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How to Live Minimally

I am an accidental minimalist, mostly the result of making three cross-country moves in fewer than five years. As a result, I’ve learned to pack lightly, purchasing and keeping things that will be worth the schlep. But the more I’ve pared down, the more I’ve realized how owning less creates a lot of clarity. It forces me to think about what I actually like and want and to prioritize my interests rather than just buying for the sake of it. It’s a mentality that has seeped into my overall approach to living, reminding me to be intentional not just about what I bring into my home, but also what I create, what I consume, and how I spend my time. It’s less about owning fewer things and more about owning things that matter to you. Here are some suggestions for developing a similar approach.

photography by michael muller

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Get On “The List!”

Tomorrow morning we unveil The List, the official Camille Styles newsletter! We have been working on it for months and hope you’ll love these monthly updates packed full of insider info, like what’s currently playing on our rotating soundtrack in the office, exclusive recipes for what Camille is whipping up in the kitchen, special event invitations, previews of upcoming stories and sneak peeks of what’s happening behind the scenes on-set and at the office. Sign up by entering your email in “The List” form at the bottom of this page to receive the debut newsletter tomorrow and get a first look at our upcoming projects (including this year’s Halloween shoot!)

featured image via pinterest

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Double Take :: The Red Mini

Ever since this year’s Oscars, it seems that red is having a major moment. So for this month’s installment of Double Take we chose this fun and flirty Kate Spade zooey skirt, and I enlisted two stylish girls to share how they would dress it up, or dress it down because the possibilities are endless…glam it up to host a holiday party or throw on some sneakers for an easy breezy everyday ensemble.

photography by kate lesueur

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Fall Makeup Updates

Certain beauty products will always have a special place in our hearts, and in our makeup bags. Whether you’ve sworn by NARS Orgasm blush, MAC Russian Red Lipstick, or that trusty shade of taupe shadow since the beginning of time, there’s nothing wrong with having reliable staples (or go-to beauty looks that will always make you feel confident). But, at the same time, variety is the spice of life — and, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t tell you about the fabulous new beauty products that are worth temporarily storing your Orgasm for, right?

I want to start this off with a disclaimer: I’m not saying that you should toss any of your existing products that work for you. Rather, my goal is to provide a bit of a tip sheet that may help you take advantage of the new season with some new, fabulous products that will not only give you a new look, but potentially make your life easier in the process. Without further ado, my suggestions for the best makeup bag updates on the season — tell me which shiny new primpers you’ll be trying out!

featured image via dallas wardrobe

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Decoder :: Fall Foundation Finder

I’ve never understood why women seem so hesitant to admit that they wear (and like!) foundation. In almost every beauty interview I read, the subject either denies wearing anything at all on her skin, or hesitantly admits to sporting tinted moisturizer or BB cream. (FYI: Most BB creams are essentially foundations with some bells and whistles added. Truth.) Me, on the other hand? I love a good foundation; always have, always will. There’s something about covering and smoothing out any imperfections that are bugging me that makes me feel like I’m a master of the universe. Which is exactly how we want to feel when we’re heading into the hectic autumn months, am I right? Admittedly, the foundation/tinted moisturizer/BB/CC universe has gotten a little bit overcrowded and confusing in recent years — so, if you’re looking for a cheat sheet to the best new skin perfecters, you’ve come to the right place!

featured image by david armstrong for british vogue

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Besties :: Marissa and Katie

It’s a small world sometimes — when we reached out to our sweet friend Katie Crown at ELLE Magazine to talk about being part of our Besties series, we were surprised and delighted to learn that her best friend is Marissa Lippert, a New York nutritionist (and now restauranteur) whose work we’ve admired for years. We spent an afternoon with these two business-minded besties at Marissa’s gorgeous new West Village café, Nourish Kitchen + Table, to learn about a big city friendship that’s blossomed through a shared love of good food, good wine, and the occasional night in.

photographed by belathée photography

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Peek behind Alyson Fox’s new line

We’re still swooning over Alyson Fox‘s chic home tour from last week, and today she’s giving us a backstage pass to FOX_A, her new clothing line set to launch in early October. We meet up with our favorite down-to-earth designer in her home studio to talk about fabrics, the business of fashion, and what it takes to have a design manufactured (read: patience.) Join us for a sneak peek of Alyson’s new clothing line that is — what else? — subtle. Thoughtful. And incredibly cool.

photographed by jessica pages

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Decoder :: Mani-Pedi Polish Duos That Are Meant To Be

I don’t know about you, but by this point in the summer, my hands and feet are looking… less than pretty. After a summer spent tromping around New York City in sandals, getting assaulted by mosquitos every evening, and sadly living without professional mani-pedis, my hands and feet have certainly seen better days. So, when I finally do get around to treating my fingers and toes to some DIY TLC, I make sure to pick a standout nail polish combo that will distract from any less-than-smooth-skin and gnarly cuticles — but, I try to think beyond the classic pale pink/true red combo that I often turned to as a teenager. These days, try to think more in terms of complimentary or contrasting shades; color pairings that make both shades stand out, and manage capture whatever mood I’m feeling at the moment. Click on through to check out a few of my favorite end-of-summer polish combos, plus a few that will carry you straight through the beginning of fall.

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Home Tour :: Alyson Fox

“The listing we found just said ‘VIEW,’” says Alyson Fox of the rustic green hilltop she and her husband (creative director Derek Dollahite) would eventually build their future home on. “There were no pictures or anything. And when we finally drove out here, we knew right away it was special.” The two decided to take a chance and leave central Austin for the small town of Spicewood, about 25 miles outside of town. Together, they designed an incredible Neutra-esque hill country escape that fuses concrete, copper, wood, and glass. The project was truly a family affiar — Fox’s brother-in-law served as general contractor and together, the three creatives built the house from the ground up. With massive glass windows and an open floor plan, the home they built serves as a place of creative inspiration that quietly celebrates that most important aspect — the view.

photographed by jessica pages

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Office Style :: Jan Showers Design

It seems as if every corner of famed interior designer Jan Showers’ Dallas headquarters is dripping in glamour. The stylish, memorable spaces that Showers and her team create have been featured everywhere from Architectural Digest to ELLE Decor, so we couldn’t wait to tour their beyond chic Design District headquarters. We gathered tips on styling bar carts, credenzas and coffee tables (oh my!), swooned over their travel tales of antique hunting through Paris and Venice and joined in the fun with three Jan Showers girls who have found great friendships at work.

photography by kelly christine

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Entertaining With :: Rebecca Finell

If you (or any of your friends) have children, you’ve most likely been in a room with one of Rebecca Finell’s designs. The iconic green grass drying rack she created is on the windowsill of practically every new mom we know. Rebecca’s already built and sold her first product company, Boon, and after taking a year off to spend time with family, the smart designer is back with a bang: allow us to introduce you to Finell, Rebecca’s insanely gorgeous lifestyle brand. Featuring tabletop, serving pieces, decor, and even handbags, the entire line is pretty much our neo luxe dream come true. Rebecca and her talented team at Finell invited us over for dinner, to show us how these products function just as beautifully as they were designed.

photographed by kate lesueur

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Decoder :: The Best End of Summer Scents

August can leave us ladies in quite a pickle: on one hand, fragrance can be a lovely reprieve from inevitable ripeness of our sweatier, stickier state. On the other, the last thing we need is to overwhelm our senses even more with a too-strong fragrance. As someone who has a love-hate relationship with summer (I love beach days and cool breezes at night; I hate the daily battle with city humidity and rabid mosquitoes), I’ve made it my mission to seek out fresh fragrances that last and won’t add to my state of warm-weather distress. Click through my list of hot weather picks — whether you’re a perfume lover or hater, I bet you’ll find a scent you love right this way.

featured image and backgrounds found via pinterest

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How to :: Organize Your Closet

Three months ago my closet was a mess — and when I say a mess, I mean I had to call in the professionals. With a little help from Jill Siegel and Peter Stafford of California Closets, I was able to transform the scariest room in my house into a place of inspiration. Getting ready in the morning — what was once a truly dreadful task — is now a relaxing and creative experience. It was an incredibly fun process, and along the way I learned a few great tips from Jill and Peter that anyone can apply to their current closet situation, no matter the budget. Read on for some solid tips on organization, and to see my dramatic closet transformation in action:

photos by Chad Wadsworth and Jennifer Rose Smith

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How to :: Setup the Perfect Bagel Bar

The build-your-own bagel bar at our bachelorette brunch from this morning was such a major hit, I wondered why I hadn’t done this setup at countless gatherings before. It couldn’t have been simpler to put together, required zero cooking time (a major plus when the weather’s as hot as it is in Austin right now), and apparently, everyone loves bagels. There are even loads of gluten-free versions on the market for your guests that opt for a GF diet. Keep reading for a few tips on making your bagel bar feel special enough for a party while keeping it effortless on the host.

1. Bagels should be as fresh as possible. Pick them up on the morning of the party from a spot that you know makes them fresh daily. Get a variety: I opted for plain, everything, and cinnamon raisin to please all palates. You can certainly go for the full-sized bagels, but I loved how our mini versions let people try a variety of different topping combinations.


2. Toast them just before serving. I split bagels and placed them cut side up on a sheet pan under the broiler for about a minute just before serving. You want them lightly toasted — make sure to keep an eye on them under the broiler so you don’t end up with blackened bagels.


3. Go crazy with toppings. Here are the accompaniments that I set out on our bar:

• a variety of cream cheese: plain, herbed and strawberry are popular choices


• sliced heirloom tomatoes


• capers


• cucumbers and radishes, sliced thinly (I used a mandoline)


• red onion, sliced thinly


• smoked salmon


• fresh herbs, like dill, chives, and basil


• lemon wedges


• coarse sea salt, like maldon (I sprinkled this over all the vegetables on the serving platter, too)

Most importantly, have fun with it! This is a party menu that requires zero kitchen skills, so just buy great ingredients and go to town with styling a pretty buffet setup using a big cutting board and mismatched bowls and platters. Set out the mimosas and maybe a fruit salad, and you’ve got all the makings for the ultimate brunch.

*photos by Wynn Myers

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Pretty Simple :: The Subtle Shimmer

Don’t you just love it when a new eyeshadow or lipstick completely shakes up your makeup routine? Martha Lynn here, and I must confess that as a makeup artist even I can get in a product rut. We all need our go-to “five minute face”, but it’s good to try and stay open-minded to new products, too. You never know — you might find a game changer. These eye shadows from Estée Lauder were just that for me! I love that they have a subtle shimmer without feeling over the top and the shades play well with the florals that we are seeing everywhere this season. They’re perfect for creating a pretty nighttime look that isn’t too heavy for summer. You can dampen your makeup brush if you want the colors to be more vibrant but I’m loving the soft pastel look we created today on Lander:

1. Using a wider eye liner brush like the one in this kit, smudge a dark charcoal gray color like “Cyber Metallic” along the upper lash line.


2. Cover the remainder of the lid with a pale shimmery pink like “Cyber Pink” and then focus a shimmery purple like “Cyber Lilac” towards the corners of the eye and in the crease. (Tip: Blending is your friend here and since the colors all compliment each so well. Feel free to blend away!)


3. Focus a peachy pink color on the apples of your cheek to compliment the purples in the eye shadow.


4. Give yourself two coats of mascara allowing the first coat a chance to dry a little before adding the second coat — I like Dior Show for tons of drama.


5. Finish with your favorite pink lipgloss!

• Eye Shadows // Estée Lauder Pure Color Gelee Powder Eye Shadow in Cyber Pink, Cyber Metallic and Cyber Lilac


• Lipgloss // MAC Tinted Lipglass in “Prrr”


• Blush // MAC Powder Blush in Peachy Keen


• Brush Kit // Aerin


• Not pictured // Dior Show Mascara

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Bottoms Up :: Watermelon Sangria

Every year, I always seem to end up with one signature drink of summer that I master and then make for just about every party of the season. It usually has a few defining qualities: a propensity to be made in large batches, requires only a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, and at least a little fruitiness. This summer, watermelon sangria is my jam. I’ve long known that sangria (of any kind) is the go-to drink for savvy hostesses everywhere: mix up a huge batch the night before, then chill it and forget it while the fruit infuses everything with sweetness and flavor that gets even more delicious the longer it soaks. In this version, I found a way to use up all the watermelon that I can’t resist buying when it’s ripe at the farmer’s market. Keep reading for the recipe…

Watermelon Sangria

*serves 8

• 2 bottles rosé


• 1/2 seedless watermelon cut into 2″ chunks with skin still attached


• 1 bunch fresh mint


• 1 bottle moscato d’asti


• agave syrup, to taste


• for serving: watermelon balls and fresh mint sprigs

1. Combine rosé, chunks of watermelon, and fresh mint in a large pitcher or punch bowl. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (even better overnight!)


2. Chill glasses in the freezer. Spread watermelon balls into an even layer on a plate freeze. (These will be your “ice cubes.”)


3. Just before serving, add 1 bottle moscato d’asti and a big squeeze of agave. Stir everything together.


4. Remove chilled glasses from the freezer, add a couple balls of frozen watermelon and mint sprigs to each glass, and pour sangria over.

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Dream Job :: Art Curator at Wythe Hotel

When we think of “hotel artwork,” most of us can’t help but imagine mass-produced abstract prints in poor color choices, or large-scale, arbitrary stock photography (insert sad face). But at Brooklyn’s Wythe Hotel, that’s not nearly the case; instead, each and every piece of artwork you’ll see has been carefully and intentionally selected to bolster the room or hallway in which is resides… and since the building is a renovated factory from 1901, there’s no shortage of history and industrial inspiration. Of course, curated art collections aren’t born overnight, so when Kimia Ferdowsi Kline — the mastermind behind the it all — landed on my radar, I knew she’d be the perfect subject for this month’s Dream Job installment. We sat down with the art curator and visual artist to talk making it in the art world, taking inspiration from your environment and balancing personal passions with work…

Photos by Belathée’s photography

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Camille Loves Jasmine

It seems that every time I visit a new destination, I somehow fall head-over-heels for a certain scent that comes to represent the place in my memories. There were the rose gardens in Paris… the lavender in Tuscany… then the diffusers that smelled like sea salt and were placed in every corner of our hotel while honeymooning in Capri. My latest obsession is with jasmine flowers, which grew all over the gardens and walls of our hotel in St. Tropez earlier this summer. Their scent is at once sensual, delicate and feminine, and I find it completely intoxicating. I’ve been searching for ways to bring the fragrance home with me, and while I wait for our new jasmine vines to blossom in the backyard, I’ve found a few simple ways to get more immediate gratification. Here are my current favorites:

1. diptyque jasmin candle


2. le labo jasmine perfume oil


3. jo malone white jasmine & mint


4. black jasmine liquid marseille soap by compagnie de provence


5. voluspa amaranth & jasmine

image source

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Weekend Notes

Good morning, lovelies! Hope you’re all enjoying your weekends, savoring summer, and diving into something extra delicious on this Sunday morning (and if you haven’t decided what yet, may I suggest one of these?) Our weekend kicked off early with Phoebe’s first trip to the zoo on Friday, and since then it’s been a whirlwind of birthday parties, errands, and getting stuff down around the house. Today I’m looking forward to a more relaxed day to unwind and start a couple of projects on my list, including the last round of design revisions for my book! It’s so exciting to see all the pages finally come together and look the way I’ve envisioned them for the last year and a half, and I can’t wait until October so all of you can see them too! But first things first: I’m heading off to grab a coffee and go for a long hike with Adam and Phoebe before the day gets too hot. Enjoy my favorite links from the past week!

One of the coolest weddings in history.

And this one is gorgeous, too (with a Mary Kate & Ashley-designed wedding dress!)

What not to say at a dinner party.

Pretty new desktop wallpapers for summer.

It’s the weekend, which means it’s time to break out the punch.

Dying to make these Salted Caramel Apricot Pot de Cremes.

Shoppers, rejoice! Madewell is sneaking a peek at their fall collection.

*and a few fun things you may have missed!

We skipped out on work to go eat lots of ice cream.

I shared 5 looks from a week of great style.

These are the 10 instagrammers that make us want to book a flight.

*photo: The Coveteur

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10 Best :: Unbelievable Hotels

Our “Month of Travel” on the blog has been particularly inspiring for me — we’ve connected with travel writers, friends living abroad, and photographers documenting incredible adventures on instagram. We even spent an entire happy hour on Camille’s patio swapping vacation stories with our contributors. While I’ve found great new destination cities and landscapes, some of my most exciting discoveries have been the incredible hotel properties quietly hiding around the world. Our team put our heads together to create a list of our top ten hotels — some of these places we’ve actually been to, and some are still on our dream itineraries. Either way, these ten unbelievable hotels are destinations themselves:

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Love + Work :: Sea Chant

“There are moments when we are looking at something we made together and it’s exactly what we have been dreaming and envisioning, something we could only create together…and it’s just really satisfying and full of love-feelings,” says Carissa Gallo, one half of the cutie couple behind Sea Chant, a photo/directing duo based out of Portland, Oregon. Carissa and her husband Andrew shoot on location around the world, they create moving, ethereal video and film work for clients like Levi’s, Kinfolk, Nike, Frankie Magazine and more. Portland and Barcelona-based photographer Berta Pfirsich stopped by the studio to capture the pair in their light-filled, collaborative space, and we found out about their greatest adventures together, where they find inspiration and how they find balance in juggling their roles as husband-wife and creative collaborators.

photography by berta pfirsich

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10 Best :: Travel Instagrammers

Summer is for travel, and there’s no better way to document your latest bout of jet setting than with that oh-so-handy iPhone. It’s time to ditch the hefty family cam and opt out for that little device of pure technological genius. Our social platform of choice? Always Instagram! In the spirit of adventure, we’ve rounded up our top all-time favorite Instagram users that expertly capture that spirit of spontaneity we’re all hankering for. My mantra will always be my mother’s (hang up and hang out!) but I make an exception for those moments that are just too good to pass up, and these folks do it best.

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Monochromatic Monday :: Natural Selection

If you’re a person who loves design, you may find yourself prone to short-lived love affairs with trends (read: phases). I’m no different, I’ve been through neon jeans, ikat prints, and yes — I even had my moment with the chevron. That’s why when I find something that appeals to my “forever taste”, I know it’s going to be a good investment. For me simple white linen, straw bags and hats, cuff bracelets, organic shapes and anything made from recycled glass are sure to draw my eye year after year. This weekend I discovered the Brooklyn based line loup charmant and pretty much fell in love with their delicate white vacation-y pieces. It’s so in line with what I’ve always liked that I feel confident in splurging for a piece or two. Now I just need the beach destination to go with it! As for the hand-painted tribal patterns on my board, I know it’s probably just a summer fling. But those can be fun, too…

image sources {row one} loup charmant, elephant ceramics, emily isabella {row two} native kee tumblr, eduoard buobat, evil eye print from the aestate {row three} forever 21, pinterest {row four} vogue, miann scanlan, oui blog

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Weekend Notes

Hello, hello! It’s a big weekend around here… we celebrated Chanel’s birthday yesterday (hence the huge cup of coffee in my hand as I recover from last night’s “punch”), and now we’re all anxiously awaiting the arrival of our editor-in-chief Lauren’s baby tomorrow! Can’t believe there’s going to be a newborn in our midst, and knowing her mother as I do, this is going to be one special little girl that I am so excited to meet. Also: thank you all for the incredibly kind, smart and generous comments on last week’s post about Avoiding the Comparison Game. I’m so glad that the piece resonated, and you can bet that your responses gave me lots of food for thought, as well. We’ve got some fantastic posts coming this week that I’m really excited to share, including the peach shortcake that I can’t stop making, the books I’m currently reading, and our team’s favorite hotels of all time. But for now, enjoy a few can’t-miss links from the past week!

Such an adorable DIY way to present a gift card.

How to make your workout wear as chic as the rest of your closet.

A pistachio & rosewater pavlova that’s got to be one of the most gorgeous desserts ever.

These recipe greeting cards are such a healthy & fun way to keep in touch with foodie friends!

In case you’re looking for a great new read…

This downtown LA loft is the definition of cool.

Love every romantic detail in this French-inspired wedding.

Toast the weekend with these grapefruit, ginger & lemongrass cocktails!

*and a few fun things you may have missed!

A handful of items that should always make it into your beach bag.

The most mouthwatering desserts with one of summer’s best ingredients.

A peek at the fantastic style behind one of the coolest hotels around.

*image source: simply slow

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Camille’s Carry-On Essentials

I’ve mentioned before that I’m a pretty streamlined packer, and the same goes for my “personal item” bag that gets stowed under the airplane seat. The key is to strike that balance between feeling underprepared, and feeling overly laden down with a too-heavy tote (the opposite of a vacation mentality!) I actually used to bring way more stuff with me, but after lots of travel over the years, I’ve finally mastered the art of bringing only what I know I’ll really use and leaving the rest at home. There’s something really freeing about heading to a destination with a little extra room in your bag for the potential treasures you might want to bring back home with you! Click through for my carry-on must-haves, and I’d love to hear in the comments: what are the items you can’t bear to leave home without?

*homepage image: ann street studio

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Office Style :: Hotel San Jose

Austin’s beloved Hotel San Jose serves as a favorite watering hole for locals, a must-visit spot for boutique hotel lovers from across the world and as one of the overall iconic epicenters of cool in the city. We stopped by for this month’s installment of Office Style to find out more about some of the stylish inn keepers who run the place where dogs are always welcome and everybody knows your name. They dish on what makes this inviting spot so special, their picks for the songs of the summer and what it’s like to bring a cocktail to some of their favorite celebs who frequent the place.

photography by nicole mlakar

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10 Best :: Summer Hats

One of the best things about summer is fully indulging my love affair with hats. (You’ll rarely see me on a hot day without my favorite straw fedora from JM Drygoods.) It’s an accessory that serves so many purposes: protecting fair skin from the harsh summer sun, adding a bit of flair to a ho-hum outfit, and hiding less-than-perfect hair. (And when you’re not wearing hats, they can make for great set dressing on a coffee table or bed!) So whether you’re a maniac for millinery or feel timid about hats in general, click through our selection of the best summer hats of 2014 and try one on for size:

featured image via mille

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How To :: Shop Smart for Antiques

Downton I adore you, but my first love on PBS will always be Antiques Roadshow. If you haven’t already discovered it for yourself, the show is part adventure, part history lesson, and part treasure hunt for those who love history and stories revealed through unique objects. With the Roadshow stopping in Austin this year to film three episodes, we simply had to take advantage of the knowledgeable appraisers who were in town to participate. We were lucky enough to get set up with appraiser Sara Wishart to talk about maker’s marks, collecting china, and how to shop smart at the antique market. And — to add to the fun — Michael and I got to have two of our own items appraised at the Roadshow! Read on for Sara’s tips and to find out what happened when Michael and I arrived on set…

featured image by leigh metcalf

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Besties :: Kate and Claire

When we first created the Besties series on the site, I had this particular pair of stylish creatives in the back of my mind. Claire Zinnecker and Kate Stafford Weaver have both long been part of the Camille Styles team (Kate lends her photographic eye to Pretty Simple and Claire has created dozens of ingenious interior DIYs for her series, Transformed ). Their friendship is one that stands out for both it’s depth and span: these two sun-loving blondes have shared over twenty summers together in Austin, and all the seasons in between. We caught up with Kate and Claire at Deep Eddy Pool to talk about style, pursuing your passions, and a strong friendship forged in the blue-green waters of Austin summer. With a shared sense of faith and commitment to hard work, still waters run deep between these two quiet creatives.

photography by nicole mlakar

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10 Best :: Lake Houses

I don’t know about y’all, but there’s nothing that screams summer to me quite like a day spent at the lake. I love that feeling of familiarity when I dip my toes in the cold water, plants tickling my legs and waves made by boats rolling all around me. Even the murky dark waters of uncharted territory that I used to be so fearful of hold promise of adventure and discovery. I can’t wait to feast on barbeque all day and then watch the moonlight reflect in the waters. So when I dream of the perfect summer night it can only end one way: in a cozy lakeside abode, listening to the soft waves crash onto the shore and racing back to the waters in the morn. Keep reading to dream on with me….

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Summer Travel Essentials with The Weekender

It was on a trip to Ireland when she was eight years old that Lauren Greenberg caught that elusive and impossible to shake travel bug. “I took pictures with my mom’s Minolta and wrote in my travel journal every night,” she remembers. Since that first trip, she has travelled the world — celebrating along with the Spaniards in Barcelona following their World Cup victory, trekking through a jungle to find secret hot springs in Taiwan (that day ended with eating grilled squid on a stick at a bustling night market), cruising all around Paris and the Champagne region by Harley and watching the sunrise over Machu Picchu. After years of sending itineraries and travel advice to friends, she decided to turn her expertise in to a blog and just launched, The Weekender, that showcases her highly curated itineraries for her favorite destinations. She’s mastered the art of packing light, so we asked Lauren to share a few of her summer travel essentials.

featured image by brandon kidd photography

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Pretty Simple :: Hair Flower

I think a pretty accessory in your hair can really bring something special to even the most basic style. Martha Lynn here, and this look is no exception: instead of adding an accessory, we created one using her hair! This style is easy to achieve and you don’t have to have hair down to your waist to make it work. You can use my technique to add several “hair flowers” or keep it simple like we did here. Perfect for a summer wedding or brunch with the girls, this look will have people wondering how you did it!

1. We started with Lander’s hair in soft curls but this would work with straight hair or using your natural texture.


2. Gather all of the hair from the ear forward and brush out to smooth the top to prep for your braid.


3. Create a simple three strand braid aiming the hair in a diagonal (this will help with “bumps” when you create the flower). You could also do a fish tail if you want your flower to look more textured.


4. Roll the braid back up on itself in a clockwise direction.


5. Adjust as needed pulling out sections if you need to to make the “petals” show more. Secure with a few bobby pins.


6. We left the tail of the braid out at the bottom to add interest. Voila!

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