Dawn’s DIY: Getting Trashy with The Container Store!

Trashcans. Umm, is there anything less romantic or less exciting than trashcans? Not much.
Well, my buddies at The Container Store have changed all that.

Take your trashcans from boring to beautiful with help from The Container Store!

Take your trashcans from boring to beautiful with help from The Container Store!

My mom has always sworn that the only place to get trashcans is at The Container Store. And, I am continuing that trashcan legacy…with my own little twist on it.

For the past 5 years, I’ve had trashcans from The Container Store, that I decorated with some fun glitter stickers, to just give me a little daily delight when I go to throw something away. Hey, it really is the little things, people.

So, when those trashcans started looking a little sad and worn, I went right back over to The Container Store, picked up 2 of their Halo trashcans, and picked up a few packages of glitters to make ’em sparkle.

Here’s how I did it, and how you can, too!

Our “Ingredients”
*2 trashcans from The Container Store (1 for trash & 1 for recycling)

*Glitter Alphabet stickers from The Container Store ($3.99 per package)

*1 pencil

* Tape measurer

1) Start with white, black or metal trashcans. They can be as basic as these white Halo touch lid trashcans, ‘cuz don’t worry, we’re gonna spruce ’em right up!

1) Start with simple, basic trashcans with a flat, non-textured lid.

1) Start with simple, basic trashcans with a flat, non-textured lid.

2) Take that tape measurer, and measure the trashcan lid from top to bottom, marking the midpoint with the pencil.

Measure the trashcan and find your midpoint.

Measure the trashcan and find your midpoint.

3) Using the side of the sticker package, draw a light line with the pencil, which will help you place the letters in a straight line.

Using the side of the sticker package, draw a light line, to help with straight placement of letters.

Using the side of the sticker package, draw a light line, to help with straight placement of letters.

4) Stick on those stickers – and that’s it – ta-dah!!! You’ve got sparkling trashcans, my friend.

 

 

The ingredients for this BF Trashcan DIY create a sparkling trash experience. Wait. That sounded way cheesier than I thought I would.

The ingredients for this BF Trashcan DIY create a sparkling trash experience. Wait. That sounded way cheesier than I thought I would.

Nothin’ trashy about a little sparkle, at all…

And it can be fun for the whole family - and, not to mention - suuuuper easy!

And it can be fun for the whole family – and, not to mention – suuuuper easy!

photo 2

 

xoxo,
Dawn

You’re So Vain, You Probably Think This Post Is About You: Personalizing Your Vanity

A few days ago, I shared with you my lifelong love affair with my vanity.

No – not that kind of vanity. I mean, the love affair I have with my dressing table.

Today, I’m bringing you a few of my design tips that have made my boudoir one of my favorite places in my home.

To personalize my antique white vanity I have now, and to offset its stark neutral tone, I like to add some delicate elements of color.

My neutralish, antique white dressing table with delicate splashes of color and metallics. The antique red velvet chair in this photo has now been replaced by a beautiful, french blue velvet chair with an ashy gray-stained wood frame, which I found at HomeGoods this past fall.

One of the best opportunities to add color and whimsy, to a small space such as this, is to look at what utilitarian purposes you can maximize to dress the space up a bit.

Instead of junking up your happy place, choose must-have pieces that can both serve a function and delight the senses

In this case, I used this prime (and pretty) opportunity to do this with my makeup brush holders. Why not give those expensive investments, called brushes, a lovely home? I opted for julep cups and blue sea glass cups and votives.

I also mindfully choose what sits out on my vanity.

Pretty products on display are key. They set you up to feel luxurious as you primp for a night out!

I like to display the prettiest products, and pieces that delight me most on top, where you- and everyone else – can see them. You can’t go wrong with products with pretty packaging, and laying out your favorite, colorful, eye-catching pieces of jewelry on display. Here, I have my favorite vintage 50s pastel, french colonial, floral necklace on my vanity, Tarte amazonian clay eyeliner (in a cute turquoise and gold pot), and my beloved Crème de La Mer.

Julep cups for brushes and lovely vintage necklaces make for a pleasant primping place

As for practicality? I keep my most often-used products on top or in the top drawers for easy access.

Over the vanity, hangs a soft, powdery pink chandelier to add some warm lighting, which aids in makeup application.

A chandelier spilling warm light lights the way to feeling your beautiful best every day

Whatever your aesthetic, just be authentic to yourself. Think about what delights you, what inspires you, and what will make you feel most beautiful as you sit down for a few moments to become your most beautiful self each day.

I hope you begin a torrid, lifelong love affair with your vanity, as well.

 

xoxo,
Dawn

BF Asks: What does your vanity look like? 

 

The Sweet Life with Dawn McCoy: A Magical Day at Magnolia Bakery

My heart belongs to Magnolia Bakery. So when I got the opportunity to visit one of my favorite places for a little frosting lesson and fun, I jumped at the chance. Find out how the frosting experts at Magnolia get that “signature swirl”, see if I can replicate it and see what other emotions their delicious treats stir up for me. A magical day at Magnolia, indeed. Join me for a taste…

 

Now, isn’t THAT the sweetest?
xoxo,
BF

Thirsty Thursday: ONEHOPE Wine Mimosa Bar Set – DIY Mimosa Bar

Brunch is the best. Brunch with bubbly is better. But brunch with bubbly that benefits kids in need? Well, there’s nothin’ better than that. That’s why I’m proud to support ONEHOPE Wine as they promote their new Mimosa Bar Set ($139). Did you know that with every case of sparkling that ONEHOPE Wine sells, 25 meals are connected to children in need via the World Food Programme? Gives sippin’ mimosas a whole new meaning.

Do good by poppin' some bubbly with the ONEHOPE Mimosa Bar Set

So how can you help? By drinking mimosas. Yep, it really is that simple. The ONEHOPE Wine Mimosa Bar is the perfect addition to any brunch, shower or party. Just serve it up with your favorite juices and fruit and encourage some DIY magic by instructing your guests to mix and muddle their mimosas while mingling with friends.

A Happy Easter, indeed with the ONEHOPE Wine Mimosa Bar Set ($139)

So how did I customize my own ONEHOPE Mimosa Bar Set at my 3rd Annual Classic Southern Easter Dinner?

MY 3rd Annual Classic Southern Easter Dinner was a garden party theme. Know what pairs beautifully with a garden party theme? A DIY Mimosa bar!! Say whaaaa?!

Well, I supplied my guests with the following juice options:

The juice is loose!

  • Orange
  • Grapefruit
  • Pineapple
  • Cranberry
  • Pink Lemonade

And the following muddling ingredients:

  • Mint
  • Blackberries
  • Raspberries
What was my favorite mimosa recipe, you ask?
ONEHOPE Sparkling Wine + Cranberry Juice + Mint + Blackberries = Perfect Easter Mimosa
BF’s Fave Mimosa Combo: Cranberry-Mint-Blackberry-Bubbly
Also, I must say, I didn’t know if my gentlemen guests would be into it but I would venture to say that they loved it more than the ladies, even. And the ladies looooovedit! We even had to bring the mimosa makins’ outside because we enjoyed refilling our glasses so much!

Don't even ask what's on Jose's phone. It's just about the carafes, folks. Focus on the carafes.

The ONEHOPEWINE Mimosa Bar Set really made the afternoon even more enjoyable than it would have been – and it truly was an integral part of the most magical, memorable day.

Mimosas make the meal even more enjoyable...even the bunnies seem happy!

Each Mimosa Bar Set (right now, only $139) includes:

  • 3 bottles of ONEHOPE Brut Sparkling
  • 5 carafes
  • 4 fruit bowls
  • 1 muddler
  • 1 muddling/rimming sugar tray
  • 25 straws
  • 10 juice carafe tags
  • 8 fruit cards
For more info on the World Food Programme:
Twitter: @WFP
Instagram: @wfpusa
xoxo,
BF
BF Asks: What mimosa recipe are you most excited to concoct?

High-Low 4/22/14: Easter & Ouch

Yet again, it’s time for the most popular column on BeautyFrosting – my High-Low. *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 the sake of reflection 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…

***

HIGH-LOW 4/22/14

Easter? Yay!!! Face burns? No bueno.

This week was a doozy (aren’t they all?) as it contained my favorite holiday – for which I hosted a garden party – and my not-so-fave as, well, my face got burned! And it all happened in one day. See? Doozy.

As my old boss used to say, Oy vey.

Up first? The high, of course. Here we go, here we go, here we go.

HIGH: My 3rd Annual Classic Southern Easter Dinner

My Easter table surrounded by friends. My cup runneth over...both literally and figuratively

I love having a houseful of people. To be honest, I feel most alive and happy when I am hosting a soiree at my house – surrounded by friends, indulging in delicious, homemade food and drinking wine and laughing. Add in some board games and I’m having the time of my life. All of that just does my heart good. And it definitely does my heart good to look around me and see the folks I hold so dear looking plumb happy.

Which is why I ignored a friend’s advice when he told me to skip hosting my annual classic southern Easter dinner this year (although he’s usually quite wise). With all I have going on, it just didn’t seem like the smartest thing to do. But I am so glad I did it!

There were old friends, new friends and enough food, wine and spirited conversation to go around. And I really appreciate that my guests who have attended each year said that they so look forward to it and it’s one of their most beloved events of the year. It might be a hefty task to take on when things are busy and bustling but anything that makes me feel so good simply can’t be a bad thing.

The theme this year? Ricky Nelson-Garden Party style. In the backyard with the tasel garlands, puffs on trees, birds and the bees. Oh, you know what I mean...

The reason I love this tradition so much is because it marries the best of the old traditions precious to my family – which reminds me of my younger days – with the new traditions that I’m creating on my own with my friends and surrogate family out here in LA. It is such a beautiful thing – and isn’t that what life’s all about?

As with everything, it’s all in the delicate details – and the delicate details are what delight me. I used my Nanny’s silver, made her Jello lime salad in her vintage jello mold and served the salad on her white and gold cake stand. I always feel connected to her when I bake but when I actually use precious family treasures that she owned for years, I feel especially connected to her.

Marrying the old traditions with the new ones. Pictured here is my Nanny's silver and my favorite new washable linen napkins from Haute Hostess (Left) and Jessie Steele (right)

We started out the day with a DIY Mimosa bar from One Hope Wine that was a hit! Guests could custom-make their own mimosas featuring One Hope Sparkling wine and select from a bevy of juices, fruits and mint to muddle, mix and design to their heart’s content. More on the Mimosa Bar (and how you can order the One Hope Wine Mimosa Bar Set) on Thirsty Thursday this week!

DIY Mimosa Bar featuring One Hope Wine Mimosa Bar Set - this was a HIT!

 

What else was served for dinner? Well, we always have a HoneyBaked ham, my Cowboy Corn Casserole, my Paris, Texas Green Bean Casserole, my Southern Pea Salad, Matt Marr’s Prized Deviled Eggs, mac & Cheese, turkey, salads and SO much more!

 

The Spread: southern fare galore!

 

As for the best part? Dessert, of course! I baked my annual Easter Bunny Coconut Cake (this year her name was Bedelia – yes, seriously), my Chocolate Cream pie, my Blackberry Cream pie and my Nanny’s ‘Nana Pudding. Holy goodness, it was all delicious!

But even more delicious than the food was the company. Thank you to each and every one of you who came and celebrated a beautiful spring day in my backyard. The memories will live on long after the food is gone – and the memories were downright magical.

The memories will live on long after the food is gone...

LOW: Ouch!

LOW: Ouch! Too many irons in the fire and something might catch ON fire! (p.s. That white stuff on my face? It's Silver Sufudiazine which helps burns)

 

I’ll keep this short. I burned myself. While busily setting the table, cooking, baking and decorating for Easter dinner, I spotted a Diptyque candle on fire in my living room. Nope. Not stressful at all. A fire extinguisher would’ve made a mess for such a small fire so I (dumbly?) decided to blow it out. Well, the hot wax splashed up and hit my face. It actually didn’t really hurt – probably because I was so focused on putting out the fire!

I’m fine  – and it could have been much worse but I did receive 4 small burns on my face – one second degree that’s requiring a bit of attention so as to prevent scarring. But thanks to my dermatologist, I’ll be right as rain in no time. And, again, even though I’m calling it a low, I know that there is much, much worse than having a few burns on your face. A good reminder to yes, keep all those irons in the fire but to keep your eye out for things catching on fire with all we have going on every day.

xoxo,
BF

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

 

 

Looking Back – How BeautyFrosting Was Born

BF Turns 2 Bloggiversary Party Co-Hosted by HomeGoods & Hope At Home - fashion illustration by Kara Endres of Sprinkles in Springs and cake by Magnolia Bakery - Photo by Takahiro Watanabe

When I started this little adventure called BeautyFrosting 2 years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. I had never written a blog. Actually, I had never even really read a blog! I mean they seemed like such a fad and, um, who had the time?
How BeautyFrosting came to be.
Then one day I found myself in Dallas sitting at our fave family spot, Mi Cocina, pondering the possibility of moving home from LA to Dallas. I was at the lowest point of my life having ended a 7-year relationship and having left my job that I’d had for years with Barbra Streisand as her personal shopper. I was down, depressed and my life wasn’t looking so beautiful.
I was searching for an answer and I found it while talking to my mom and one of my oldest, best friends – Kristin Merritt Liles. We were talking about beauty, baking and how much I love connecting with people and came up with the crazy idea of starting a place of positivity and light filled with all of the people and things I love so much. From that little, crazy nugget of an idea, BeautyFrosting was born.
Looking back, I realize that this one little leap of faith gave birth to so much. In the months following, I hit the ground running. I researched blogs that had similar aesthetics to my own, learned about the best ways to start a blog and would spend hours on Pinterest getting very clear about what exactly I wanted BeautyFrosting to be about.

Celebrating BF Turns 2 with dear friends - photo by Drunken Pixel

Introduce yourself to people, be kind and be clear about what you want.
Knowing what I know now, I realize that folks must have thought that I had some major cajones – or maybe they just thought I was naive. I was told repeatedly by brands and other bloggers that I was doing it all wrong – backwards even. I was building the brand and consulting the PR before the blog had even been written or made its online debut. But I was doing it my way and it just made sense to me. After all, why would anyone (brand, person or otherwise) want to work with me if they didn’t even know who I was? Yep, that’s where my southern sensibility comes in. Whether it seemed smart or not, pr agencies and brands that I still work with have told me since that they worked me simply because I seemed charming and honest. So there ya go, folks – charm and honesty are the way to go!
Work with the talented people you already have around you.
Rather than be yet another blog to hit the already-saturated market, I decided to spend 4 months sending emails and making phone calls to hundreds of pr agencies and brands. I decided to pool my brain trust of dear, talented and creative friends to create a blog on a budget that was literally less than $200.
I created a logo and branding template – that would shape the entire blog and brand – thanks to my talented best friend and former roommate, Vanessa York of Shindig Shoppe. After all, who could understand my aesthetic better than my best friend who had lived with me for 2 years? I asked my talented photographer friend, Amy Opoka, if she would take my profile photos for the site and she did an amazing job of executing my vision on a shoestring budget.
This early experience taught me how crucial it is to collaborate with the talents of those you know best. I learned to always ask because the worst that could happen is that they say no. By the way, no one ever said no.

With my BeautyFrosting logo and graphics goddess - and best friend - Vanessa York of Shindig Shoppe - photo by Drunken Pixel

Celebrate every milestone in life.
Ask my mom and she’ll tell you – I love celebrating and I love me a party. Even as a child, I would try to find reasons to celebrate every occasion. My Barbies were getting married? Let’s throw a wedding! I got an A on a test? Let’s have a tea party! I made the cheerleading squad? Let’s have a tex-mex party! So in true Dawn-fashion, I decided to throw a Cupcakes and Cocktails debut party here at my house to celebrate the debut of the blog before anyone had even seen it. Besides being a precious affair, we brought out the laptop and let friends and former coworkers get a sneak peek at what BeautyFrosting would be. I really think a lot of things got rolling because of the choice to celebrate this little milestone. And celebrating milestones is a great way to remember the gratitude every step along the way.

Celebrate the milestones - and little victories - along the way - Photo by Drunken Pixel

Most important lesson learned on this journey? Don’t be afraid to be a fool.
Was I fearful of starting a brand new chapter of my life? Hell, yes. But you get past the fear, accept that you may indeed be a fool and get past yourself. I asked pr companies to send samples before I even knew what that meant. I asked friends to devote hours of their time and because I believed in this so much, they believed in it and wanted to be part of it, as well. And I realized that it was more important to appear confident than it was to have 1 million readers. I have never been more proud of anything…and that’s coming from someone who was never raised to be proud. This blog has literally changed my life and I am so much better because of it.
Most Importantly…Thank YOU.
I know that I am nothing without all of you guys – my readers and social media followers – finding interest in what I write about, take pictures of and who I am. So, I want to thank each and every one of you who read this every day, like my pictures on Instagram and Facebook and tweet at me. (By the way, 2 years ago, I had no idea about what any of that was – that’s how much things can change in 2 years.) I have a feeling that the next 2 years will bring even more exciting change and I hope that you will be there for my journey every step of the way. You have made my hearts so full.

Cutting the cake and celebrating 2 years of BeautyFrosting - thanks to YOU!! Photo by Takahiro Watanabe

xoxo,
BF
BF Asks: What’s your favorite feature on BeautyFrosting? What would you like to see more of?

Valentine’s Day: Home is where the heart is!

Happy, happy Valentine’s day, beauties! Sending a virtual hug your way…right…now.

Here are some fun ideas to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a BEAUTYful way!
Whether it’s creating a signature Valentine hairstyle at home or whipping up some homemade lip balms for you and your girlfriends, the key to this Valentine’s is home is where the heart is!

 

THE HEART BRAID

 

Cozy Friedman’s Heart Braid is her signature Valentine’s Day style, featured in Cozy’s Complete Guide to Girls’ Hair. If you have the French Braid down packed then this style will be an easy feat!

 

What You’ll Need: Wide-tooth comb, fine-tooth comb, decorative hair clip, ponytail holders

 

Directions:

Step 1: Starting with damp hair (either towel-dried or misted), use a wide-tooth comb to detangle the hair.  Then, using a fine-tooth comb, part the hair down the middle of the head.  Clip one side up right above the ear.

 

Step 2: On the other side of the part, use the fine comb to gather a thin section of hair from the crown.  This section should measure about 2 inches from the hairline to the top of the head.

 

Step 3: Divide this section into three, and begin a French braid starting at the crown and curving toward the temple, then toward the back of the head, like the top lobe of a heart.  You will be lifting hair into the braid only from this side of the part.  Leave no loose hair in front of the ears.

 

Step 4: When you reach the center part at the back of the head, secure the braid with a ponytail holder.  If the hair is very long, end the braid about mid-ear; the ends will hang down the back.

 

Step 5: Unclip the hair on the other side of the part and repeat the process.  Secure with a ponytail holder.

 

Step 6: Join the ends of the braids together in the

 

 

To pucker up for this special day, bond over these beauty recipes from author of Bonding Over Beauty, Erika Katz. These easy recipes can be stored in an adorable heart case or a small jar.

 

FRUITY LIP BALM

To keep lips soft and silky, this fruity lip balm exfoliates dead skin and softens at the same time.

Ingredients:

 

Directions:

Clarify the vegetable shortening by heating it in the microwave for 15 seconds. Stir in the drink mix. Pour the mixture into a lip gloss jar. Let the mixture harden for 10 minutes and your lip gloss is ready! You can decorate the jars with fun stickers and sparkles! Lasts up to six months unrefrigerated.

CHOCOLATE LIP BALM

 

This lip balm contains shea butter, beeswax, and coconut oil, which are all excellent natural emollients. You can get creative and add other flavors like peppermint oil, tangerine oil, or raspberry oil.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon shea butter
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 2 teaspoons grated beeswax
  • 1 tablespoon vitamin E oil
  • 15 chocolate chips
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Directions:

Put all the ingredients into a double boiler on the stove or in a microwavable container.

Warm the mixture until it melts. Stir until smooth. Pour the mixture into a lip gloss container

and refrigerate until it hardens. Lasts up to 3 months at room temperature.

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day today? 

Tress Tuesday: John Frieda’s Glam Chignon at Zac Posen NYFW

There are so many fabulous styles walking the runways during New York Fashion Week. I’m being sent hundreds of images every day and it’s so hard to pick just one to share with you guys!

But here’s the first one that makes the cut of being shown to you beautiful people because I LOVE the hair!

For the Zac Posen show, John Frieda Global Creative Consultant Luigi Murenu created glam, deconstructed chignon to go with the structured autumnal palette.

Here’s your “how-to-do-the-do”!

HOW TO:

•         Before drying, Luxurious Volume Volume Building Mousse was raked through to build texture while still keeping the hair soft and touchable

•         Hair was pulled back into a chignon at the nape of the neck, with a pieces left loose to give the look a messy, modern edge

•         Each loose piece was carefully crimped, resulting in a mohair-like texture

•         The look was set in place with Luxurious Volume All-Day Hold Hairspray

Rock your own runway look at home! And pleeeeease post pics if you do!

xoxo,
BF

Makeup Monday: Bobbi Brown Beauty at New York Fashion Week

Oh fashion week, how you woo me!
For most of my fabulous & fashionable friends, New York Fashion Week is a time to discover all the fashion they will be coveting for the upcoming season.

But, for me, it’s all about the BEAUTY!!!

I am particularly smitten with this look created by, natural beauty goddess, Bobbi Brown  for the Holmes & Yang Fall 2013 collection. It just makes sense that Bobbi would be their go-to goddess of gorgeousness as Katie Holmes is the official face of Bobbi Brown cosmetics! And this look is oh-so-Katie!

Bobbi Brown's look at Holmes & Yang Fall 2013, New York Fashion Week

Inspired by the 1940’s Katharine Hepburn, it features a jammy, just-bitten raspberry lip, a strong brow, a clean, natural, polished eye and – of course – Bobbi’s signature flawless complexion.

Here’s what Bobbi says inspired her:

“Holmes & Yang loves a 1940’s look, ala a young Katharine Hepburn. Dewy faces and feminine raspberry stained lips provide a nice balance against the masculine textures of the collection.” – Bobbi Brown

And here’s what designer, Jeanne Yang, has to say about it: “The makeup look was created with the modern woman in mind; she might be running around town, but at the end of the day, she looks fresh, feels great, and exudes polished beauty.” – Jeanne Yang

And…here’s how you can get this gorgeous look at home! Love that!!

Bobbi Brown Face Chart, NYFW Holmes & Yang 2013 Runway

Skin: Hydrating Face Cream ($55), Hydrating Eye Cream ($49)

Face: Luminous Moisturizing Foundation ($47), Creamy Concealer Kit ($33), Sheer Finish Pressed Powder ($36)

Eyes: Bobbi & Katie Palette ($68), Espresso Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($23), Extreme Party Mascara ($25)

Cheeks: Antigua Illuminating Bronzing Powder ($38)

Lips: Raspberry Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks ($25)

p.s. I LOOOOOVE Bobbi’s pot rouge! So sweet & easy for a quick, running-out-the-door cheek & lip!

 

xoxo,

BF

Red Carpet Style Alert: Julianne Hough at tonight’s People’s Choice Awards 2013

Loving Julianne Hough’s style & glamour on the red carpet at tonight’s People’s Choice Awards?

 

 

Thanks to her makeup artist, Molly Stern, YOU can get her same gorgeous look here to rock for your red carpet event!

 

 

Don’t say we never helped you get ready!

 

xoxo,

BF