Summer Escape Series: Style Refresh

For the second part of my Summer Escape Series, I'm focusing on a style refresh - fashion, beauty and accessories to amp up your look for the season! The pieces I picked are perfect for a day at the beach, or for a mini-vacay! I always treat myself to at least one bold summer piece, usually in a print or color I wouldn't normally reach for. My carryall is also full of summer beauty essentials - in this case, a pretty blue polish, and bronzer for a warm glow. And to give me an extra boost of energy and satisfy my sweet tooth - my Starbucks! I love the new look of the bottles (it makes them easy to carry), and of course the flavors. Caramel is my personal favorite, but there's also vanilla, and coffee + milk. I usually pack one or two when I'm headed out for a little pick-me-up throughout the day.

SHOP: The prettiest tropical print dress (also love this one and this one) | Perfect snakeskin sandals for the beach | Classic aviators for everyday | A wear-with-everything necklace (also love this one) | A bronzer for a natural glow | My favorite iced coffee | Nail Color in Not a Cloud in Sight 

The new line-up of bottled Starbucks® Iced Coffee beverages gives you great-tasting, energizing 

refreshment with premium Starbucks® coffee from 100 percent arabica beans. Starbucks® Iced Coffee 

ready-to-drink beverages are perfect on-the-go refreshment to help you through the daily commute,the midday slump, or an exciting road trip adventure with friends. Best enjoyed chilled from the bottle, look for it at major grocery and convenience stores, available nationwide.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, produced in collaboration with Glam and Starbucks. I received a

Starbucks Iced Coffee sample to review. The opinions shared in this post are my own.

Riri Hearts MAC Summer Collection

Following the success of the Riri Woo lipstick (that sold out in 3 hrs!), the rest of the Riri Hearts MAC Collection is slowly trickling in with the release of the second installment on June 7th (collection information via Spektra).

The collection will be available online only, and if you missed out on Riri Woo the first time around, it will be available as well.

Riri Hearts MAC Summer Collection

Lipsticks $15

RiRi Woo - Matte cool red (retro matte)

RiRi Boy - A retro matte version of Up the Amp (retro matte)

Heaux - A deep berry (retro matte)

Blush Duo $26

Hibiscus Kiss - Cool Coral/Matte Neutral Bronze

 photos via

Lustre Drops $20

Barbados Girl - Light golden bronze shimmer

I have my eye on the Riri Boy lipstick, (Up the Amp in matte? yes please!), the blush duo and the Lustre Drops. What will you be purchasing?

Summer Escape Series

Can you believe it's the middle of the week already? Even better, can you believe Memorial Day is next week? To celebrate, I thought it would be fun to begin a Summer Escape Series - full of the who, what, wear and why of the months ahead. Expect event recaps, outfit posts & ideas, summer beauty, foodie posts, and anything else related to summer in NYC. I'm not sure exactly what I'll be doing yet, aside from rooftop bar hopping, spending hours at the beach, and Central Park Summerstage (the best free concerts in NYC!). But for me that's the best part of the season - impromptu, last minute plans!

To kick things off, I'll be attending the Smirnoff Stir Up Your Summer event for much needed pre-summer fun! I cannot wait to mingle with my fellow GLAM bloggers, try the new Smirnoff Sorbet Light and be pampered! Check back for my recap and photos of the event next week.

Do you have any exciting summer plans? Anything you'd like me to include in the series? Let me know!

The deliciously light taste of sorbet now comes in a bottle.  Introducing Smirnoff Sorbet Light. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. Made With Smirnoff Vodka Infused With Natural Flavors. 30% Alc/Vol. ©2013 The Smirnoff" Co., Norwalk, CT. Per 1.5oz serving: Calories 78, Carbohydrates 1.3g, Fat 0g, Protein 0g.* 25% FEWER CALORIES THAN THE LEADING DESSERT-INSPIRED VODKA.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Smirnoff via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Smirnoff.

Currently Coveting: Fragrance Picks

It's about that time of year to switch out my heavier signature scents in favor of lighter, fresher fragrances for the warmer months. In addition to my obsession with See by Chloe (and another scent I'll be telling you about in another post), these three scents are so amazing if you're looking for something new. I've had samples of quite a few scents lately, and these are my faves!

Gucci Guilty Black - Notes: Pink Pepper, Red Fruits, Violet, Patchouli, Amber

Diptyque Philosykos - Top notes are fig leaf and fig; middle notes are coconut and green notes; base notes are cedar, woody notes and fig tree. 

YSL Parisienne - Notes: Cranberry, Blackberry, Rose, Violet, Peony, Vetiver, Musk, Sandalwood, Patchouli

Have bought a new fragrance lately? Let me know!

What To Wear: Cutout Details

Though the theme of this year's Met Gala was punk, a few of my favorite looks were ones that didn't adhere to the theme. Carey Mulligan (how sexy are her shoes!), Emma Watson and Miranda Kerr all arrived in sexy black dresses with cutout details that I can't get enough of. And let's be honest - I'll take any excuse to continue to wear black. A slinky black top or dress with slivers of skin showing will be so chic this summer. Check out a few pieces to get the look below.

photos via