Friday Favorites: High-Fiving My Dream Team, Good Carma Studio

Posted on September 4, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

Celebrating a High-Five circle with the best team ever (Good Carma Studio) at The District in LA, after the No Kid Hungry Influencers Brunch I hosted.

Celebrating a High-Five circle with my dream team – and the best team ever (Chrissy and Melissa of Good Carma Studio) – at The District in LA, after the No Kid Hungry Influencers Brunch I hosted.

Today’s fave? A picture that was captured as I was high-fiving my dream team, also known as Good Carma Studio, after our No Kid Hungry Influencers Brunch on Wednesday. (*Please Note: Blog post to come)

While it was a truly stunningly beautiful affair, I am even more proud that it was an event – full of heart – that accomplished what we set out to do: get out the word about childhood hunger and breakfast in our schools.

I am so thankful to have a team that works as hard as I do. Trust is EVERYTHING to me and I trust these women implicitly.

Chrissy Kling & Melissa Wallace, you are gifts—and you produce the best events to boot!!!

Again, special thanks to our sponsors Tyson Foods, Kellog’s and Citi for all you do to help eradicate childhood hunger in America.

xoxo,
Dawn

Make It Count Monday: Wear A Shirt To Spin Class & Help Out A Charity

Posted on August 24, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

Partied with Walk With Sally Saturday night, and advocated today.

Helping out a charity can be as simple as buying a shirt or hat, and wearing it to your spin class…like I did here with my Walk With Sally tank at SoulCycle

And, all I had to do was throw on a shirt. Did you know that you can help a nonprofit simply by taking an Instagram picture of you wearing one of their apparel pieces? This afternoon, I hit @SoulCycle Beverly Hills (to try to balance out some of that shrimp’n’grits & biscuits I had earlier today at @HandtheH, AND the pasta dinner I had last night), and sported my new #WalkWithSally tank I picked up yesterday for $25. See, doing good, giving back and paying it forward doesn’t have to be just about volunteering or giving money, it can be about increasing awareness, too. Nonprofits depend on it. 3 new people found out about WWS today, thanks to this tank. So spend a few bucks, look sporty for your spin class, and get the word out about your favorite non-profit. Done and done. #DreamItDoItDone – See more at: http://iconosquare.com/viewer.php#/detail/1058274151935095772_29991131

Stepping Up: The 12th Annual Step Up Inspiration Awards at the Beverly Hilton

Posted on June 11, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

Dawn McCoy (ummm…me) at the 12th Annual Step Up Inspiration Awards at the Beverly Hilton

Have I mentioned how much I love Step Up? I know, I know. I have – and have again.

The stars of Step Up with star, Lea Michele. Their lights all shine equally bright!

The Step Up logo is more than just a logo…it’s a mantra.

But it’s just because that’s how deeply it lives in my heart, and impacts my everyday life. I was introduced to Step Up by my best friend, actress Sarah Jane Morris 3 years ago, and I quickly became a member, changing my life – and my heart – for the better.

My best friend, Sarah Jane Morris, & I at the 12th annual Step Up Inspiration Awards at the Beverly Hilton on Friday, June 5th, 2015.

This past Friday, June 5th, 2015 was my second year to attend the Step Up Inspiration Awards – and their 12th year of hosting this awards luncheon, so full of heart.

But this year, I didn’t just attend as a guest, I was also honored to be the announcer of the show – or as they call it – their “Voice of God.”

Are you there, God? It’s me, Dawn.

And yes, you can call me that from now on. I’m kidding. Kinda.

Behind the scenes action at the Inspiration Awards. Generated by IJG JPEG Library

No, it really was a dream come true, and not just because it was the first time I had been the announcer at an awards show.

Being interviewed on the red carpet. That’s me. Always straddling the line between talent and press. Literally. I mean, we took down the rope so we could do interviews for #Dear15Me.

As I sat there with 850 others in the room, feeling my own dream come to life, I got to hear the stories of dreams coming true for so many others, including Julie Bowen…

The ridiculously impressive – and kind – Julie Bowen. Generated by IJG JPEG Library

Cristela Alonzo…

Our charming emcee – and my fellow Texan (holla!) , Cristela Alonzo.

Lea Michele…

The lovely Lea Michele at the Step Up Inspiration Awards. Generated by IJG JPEG Library

honoree Peter Kim of Hudson Jeans…

Honoree, Peter Kim, CEO of Hudson Jeans, as photographed by Amy Tierney

and honoree, actress & director, Elizabeth Banks.

Honoree, Elizabeth Banks, as photographed by Felix Salzman

But, I also got to see the girls of Step Up, whose dreams are coming true – like honoree Maria – simply by being able to graduate high school and attend college, thanks to Step Up, so that they can pursue their dreams.

Step Up Honoree, senior Maria Soto. This girl is everything we wish we were at that age!

Step Up believes all girls should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential, and the Inspiration Awards raises 55% of the funds Step Up needs to serve its Los Angeles community for one year. Know how much we raised this year? Over $400,000!! We went well past our goal of $75,000!

Speaking of raising money, I have never seen anyone in entertainment work so hard (while being SO adorable and full of heart) as Modern Family’s Julie Bowen did, while trying to raise that money. I wish I could say every celebrity put this much heart into their work with charities!

I’ve always really, really liked Julie Bowen, but after seeing her work her heart out? I can honestly say that I LOVE this woman!!

It was a day that I will always will remember, not just because I was surrounded by the most talented people with the most generous of hearts, but because for the first time, I actually could count myself as one of them. Thank you for letting me be a very small part of the magic, Step Up.

So incredibly honored to be in this company. Wow.

Memories like those never die.

xoxo,
Dawn

Where Foodies Meet Fundraising: No Kid Hungry Taste Of The Nation LA in Culver City

Posted on June 8, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

This tree could just have easily have read, “DM hearts NKH”

Today, I’m feeling miiiiiiiighty grateful, because yesterday, I got to eat so that kids can be fed.

I know. This sounds like a dichotomy. How can eating actually feed others?

Well, if I know anything from my collaborations with No Kid Hungry, it’s that with these guys, anything is possible.

Linds & I at Taste Of The Nation LA, benefitting my beloved No Kid Hungry

No Kid Hungry’s Taste Of The Nation events do just that. Food-loving patrons pay for a ticket to get the opportunity to try bites from a bevy of the best chefs in their city, and 100% of the profits earned go to No Kid Hungry programs. That certainly fills me up more than any pizza could.

So, yesterday, I headed to Media Park in Culver City for Taste of The Nation LA, with my friend, Lindsey, and we ate and drank to our hearts’ content.

Gearing ourselves up to be stuffed silly!

Among the hundreds of options, there were…

Delicious scallops…

Scallops and ravioli goodness from Maru in the VIP lounge

and peach tarts from Maru in the VIP lounge.

Peach tarts, served with ice cream from Maru. This is what you get when bread pudding and peach cobbler have a baby.

Deconstructed Philly cheese rolls with the melted cheese INSIDE from The Bazaar by José Andrés at SLS.

All I can say is…YUMMMMMM.

One of my favorite lunch spots, Mainland Poke, served up some fresh goodness to balance out the decadence.

Mainland Poke is one of my favorite lunch spots!

Chile Con Corny from Dog Haus: Masa-Battered Smoked Queso Sausage, Haus-Made Pepper Jack Sauce & Crushed Corn Chips. Holy heck.

Chile Con Corny, from Dog Haus

Plan Check burgers with cheese crostini, sunnyside up egg, bacon two ways (why yes, there WAS bacon jam), melted cheddar and dehydrated ketchup (think fruit leather). Amazeballs, y’all.

These divine little Plan Check burgers had the longest line by far: too much, and just enough all at the same time. Just decadent.

As for dessert? Oh, a little Moët Chandon bubbly certainly never hurt anything.

Champagne, anyone?

And did I mention SNOW CONE cocktails from Davey Wayne’s? Oh, I didn’t. Well, I did now. Summer in a basket, my friends.

Nothin’ says summer like snow cone cocktails!

So, whatever city you’re in, do your darndest to get yourself to a Taste Of The Nation this year. I’ve been to two now, and it’s just one of the best – and most rewarding – culinary experiences you’ll ever have.

Upcoming No Kid Hungry events: The No Kid Hungry Chef’s Cycle is coming up THIS WEEKEND! (http://chefscycle.org/) Nearly 50 chefs and restaurant industry professionals are riding bikes 300 miles to raise funds and awareness for No Kid Hungry. The East Coast ride takes place June 7-9 and the West Coast ride happens June 14-16.

Roll me away…

xoxo,
Dawn

BeautyFrosting 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge 2014

Posted on November 3, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

It’s become an annual tradition – BeautyFrosting 30 Days of Gratitude #BF30DaysofGratitude.

BeautyFrosting 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge #BF30DaysofGratitude **chalk art by Yumarie Morales

What is it? 30 consistent days where you post a pic on your social media outlets of 1 thing you’re grateful for every day. I choose November 1st to start because it’s not only the month of Thanksgiving but also, my birthday month! But you can start anytime. Don’t let that stop you. You can even start – RIGHT. NOW.

Why do it? In my lifetime, I have found that the single fastest way to surefire happiness is having an attitude of gratitude. I start my day every day by walking my pup and listing all of the things I’m grateful for that day. It reminds me of what I have, quiets the negative self-talk and reminds me of how good I have it, even on those less-than-sunny days when the clouds roll in and the challenges feel like mountains.

How to do it? Simply, choose a day to start and post a picture of something or someone you’re grateful for, every day for 30 days. Include the hashtag #BF30DaysofGratitude so I can see that glow of the gratitude light shine. You don’t have to, of course, but I really love seeing what my readers, friends and followers are grateful for.

My promise: It’ll not only change your outlook, but it’ll change your life.

xoxo,
BF
BF Asks: Are you gonna accept the #BF30DaysofGratitude Challenge?

Wet n Wild More Kisses Event at Walgreen’s Hollywood

Posted on September 16, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

A few weeks ago, I had one heckuva crazy busy day – 2 interviews and seven events in one single day! Yep. Crazy. But I’m so happy that to start that crazy day off, I got to attend the Wet n Wild More Kisses event at the Walgreen’s flagship store here in Hollywood.

Fergie and me at the Wet n Wild More Kisses event at Walgreen's in Hollywood, benefitting American Cancer Society - the official sponsor of birthdays

It was a celebration to promote the partnership of Wet n Wild and Walgreens as the official sponsors of the “More Kisses” campaign to benefit the American Cancer Society, the official sponsor of birthdays.

25 cents of every sale of Wet n Wild’s Think Pink lipstick (pictured below) will be contributed to this inspiring cause.

Wet n Wild Think Pink lipstick

Using the iconic portrait, “Kissing The War Goodbye,” featuring an image of a nurse and sailor kissing outside the Walgreens location in Times Square as inspiration, the event repeatedly recreated that iconic kiss by inviting all guests in attendance to kiss their loved ones outside the Hollywood Walgreens.

At the Wet n Wild More Kisses event at the Walgreen's Hollywood flagship store. 25 cents of every sale of their Think Pink lipstick will be donated to the American Cancer Society

Wet n Wild’s global beauty ambassador, Fergie, acted as the Grand Marshal of the Kiss, counting down the event amongst guests, press, and celebrity friends. It was like New Years in August!

Fergie at the Wet n Wild More Kisses event

Not only did I get to see my old friend, Fergie again (looking glamorous per usual) but I also had the pleasure of getting to sit down and visit with a new friend, Italia Ricci of ABC Family’s Chasing Life as she donned her pretty pink in honor of the big event.

Check out the next post for the interview with Italia!

BF Asks: Ummm…how cute is that photo booth?!

High-Low 12/16/13: Santa For A Day & Maturity?

Posted on December 16, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

HIGH: Santa For A Day

I am not exaggerating when I say that I had one of my favorite days ever last Friday. I got to be Santa for a day. Yes. Really.

Santa for a day at the Toys and More! Holiday Toy Drive Shopping trip for Saint Joseph's at Target

So how did this come about?

My super generous and thoughtful friends, Michelle Lankwarden and Mike & Lauren Hissrich have hosted a Toys and More! toy drive for Saint Joseph’s kids for the past 3 years.

Michelle & Lauren - dreamers, magicmakers and Santas

But the one they hosted this year on Crowdrise went above and beyond all of the expectations and goals. They raised over $14,000 to buy toys for the kids of Saint Joseph’s!!

Well, I may be exaggerating a bit but it was IMPRESSIVE!!

So we all met at Target in Burbank on Friday morning. I received my dream assignment of buying toys for girls ages 4-12 and my partner and I set out with shopping carts to fill. We had almost $3,000 to spend on our group.

Meet my new little friends…don't tell Miss Ellie!

As I made my way down the Barbie aisle, I felt the magic of Christmas take hold.The Barbie aisle is one of my favorite places on earth. Don’t judge.

In my happy place - the Barbie aisle at Target

It reminds me of the little girl I used to be, the creativity that Barbies brought into my life (I wrote EPIC storylines for them) and it just is my happy place when I need a little pick-me-up at Target. To think of the countless wide, glee-filled eyes and smiles that these Barbies, Care Bears, dolls and colorful, crafty toys were going to bring into the lives of these kids – and the various ways they might be inspired by their new toys – was almost too much for this heart of mine to handle. It seriously felt like it was gonna burst! It put a huge smile on my face and it didn’t go away all day long.

The smile wouldn't stop...

I was so proud – and honored – to be included in such a warm, generous and fun group of people as we shopped for these special kiddos, enjoyed the spirit of the holiday season and enjoyed the special luxury of having our own cash register ringing up all of our treasures. Thanks, Target!

I’m pretty sure that the unparalleled joy I felt that day must be what heaven feels like. I already can’t wait for next year!!!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!

LOW: Maturity?

What other people think of me is none of my business…yep.

I pride myself on being sensitive to the feelings of others. Mix that with the fact that I’m a sensitive soul and sometimes things can get tricky. So when someone I love expresses an opinion about me that’s a little, um, unflattering and a little hard to hear, I really try to listen and look at it from all angles. Especially when it’s someone I dearly respect and greatly admire. In the past – in my youth – I would take someone’s opinion as fact without questioning where they were coming from, what their motivation was or what my own feelings were about it. I would take it in, let it wreck me, torture myself over it and never forget it.

The beautiful gift of getting older is that you start trusting yourself and start listening to your instincts more. Another beautiful gift is that you relinquish a little bit of the need to please everyone. Because folks – you’re never gonna please everyone! And that golden nugget, my friends, is coming from a people pleaser! Learning that not everyone will like you, you will not always love everything that people have to say about you and that other people’s opinions truly are none of your business are all beautiful things about getting older – and, hopefully – wiser.

So today, I sit in peace with the fact that I have a few friends who may not love or understand my life as it is right now but I am comforted to know that they always want the best for me. And while I appreciate their input and love, I appreciate the choice I have to either listen and take it in or listen, trust my gut and simply say thank you. I think this might be what they call – what’s the word again? Oh yeah. Maturity.

BF Asks: What was your High-Low this week?

*So what exactly is a High-Low, you ask? High-Low is the BEST & WORST part of your day, week, month, etc. I started this tradition with friends & family after I discovered it through a movie decades ago. Not only is it useful for reflection sake but it is also an excellent way to communicate with your spouse, kids or friends over the dinner table. By introducing this tradition to folks, parents have told me that their kids have opened up more and friends have told me that their spouses have become more communicative. Try it for yourself and let me know what your experience is!

Whatcha Wearin’ Wednesday, BF? Foreign Exchange We Wear Pink Long Sleeved Shirt

Posted on October 16, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

You know how I know I have to have somethin’? When I see a pic briefly on Instagram and CANNOT stop thinking about it.

This was the case with FE Wednesdays We Wear Pink long sleeved shirt ($22).

Foreign Exchange "On Wednesdays We Wear Pink" long sleeved shirt ($22)

This basic dusty mauve long-sleeved, pullover tee features the famous – and oh-so-hilarious – line from Mean Girls. However, you’ll feel anything but a mean girl sporting this shirt as 25% of the net proceeds will be donated to Bright Pink to support breast cancer awareness.

Bright Pink is the only national non-profit organization focusing on the risk reduction and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women while providing support for high-risk individuals.

So, try showing your sunny support by buying this top and starting your own “On Wednesdays We Wear Pink” trend in your hometown!
Sweet solidarity, people.

"On Wednesdays, We Wear Pink" - heck yeah, we do!

While it’s currently sold out, get yours in November by preordering now. I love this shirt so much and I know you will too!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What have been your favorite breast cancer awareness-supporting products this month?

Whatcha’ Wearin’ Wednesday? Nalukai Pink Rose Quartz Beaded Bracelet benefitting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Posted on October 9, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

I, quite literally, wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m proud of this and – to be honest – in a city like Los Angeles, it definitely helps set me apart from the crowd.

So when I can adorn my heart-laden arm with jewelry that is also full of heart, it makes my heart soooo happy!

Whatcha' Wearin' Wednesday: Nalukai Pretty in Pink Collection benefitting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

That’s why I am so proud to present today’s Whatcha’ Wearin’ Wednesday featuring one of my all-time favorite jewelry lines, Nalukai.

The Nalukai Collection, developed by designer, Tricia McCarthy, introduced her “Pretty in Pink” collection to some fellow tastemakers and myself a few weeks ago at a girl power-filled dinner at The London West Hollywood. The collection was created to honor Breast Cancer Survivors and proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Personally inspired by Tricia’s sister-in-law, Laura, ‘the original’ Nalukai (a Hawaiian word that means a wise soul who has weathered life’s storms), and her two-time successful battle with breast cancer, Nalukai Collection celebrates each person’s unique story and journey by providing the finest & most fabulous hand-crafted jewelry. Quite mindfully, each piece in the Nalukai Collection will never be identical, just as no two people are. “I created the “Pretty in Pink” collection as a symbol of inspiration and courage so the wearer has a constant reminder of love and support no matter what they are going through,” says Designer, Tricia McCarthy. “The spirit and essence of Nalukai is to give back and encourage individuals to tell their personal stories through jewelry with pride.”

To hear Laura’s incredible two-time breast cancer survival story, watch this video: http://www.nalukaicollection.com/blogs/true-nalukai

The new “Pretty in Pink” Collection includes four dazzling pieces: Pink Enamel Signature Pendant, Pink Tourmaline Statement Ring, Pink Tourmaline Signature Pendant and Pink Rose Quartz Beaded Bracelet!

My favorite – and the one you will see me wearing all month long is the Pink Rose Quartz Beaded Bracelet ($300) – a 7” Believe in Pink bracelet made with 8mm stone beads and adorned with two rose gold charms in Believe and Stand Strong in the Wind. Such a good reminder to have on my wrist every day.

A reminder on my wrist: Nalukai Pretty in Pink "Believe in Pink" Bracelet

I am so proud to support breast cancer survivors and breast cancer research funding as 50% of the net proceeds from this bracelet are donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

What could be more beautiful than that? Yep, I believe in pink. I’m a big believer.
Now, go get yourself a bracelet and feel good about it!

Believe in Pink - and believe in a cure for Breast Cancer

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: How are you supporting survivors and research during this Breast Cancer Awareness month?