Dear 15 Me

Posted on May 26, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

Hey there!

Do you remember being 15? The insecurities, the peer pressure, the awkwardness?

No? Well, then consider yourself lucky.

It’s hard out there for teens, and I want to do something about it.

While there’s no time machine to take us back to 15 to correct our thinking back then, we at #Dear15Me hope our past stories and struggles, and current strengths and hindsight vision will help inspire – and make the road a little easier – for teens to walk today.

Sometimes we all just need to hear these two words: "You're Okay." Won't you share the words that encourage you?

Sometimes we all just need to hear these two little words words: “YOU’RE OKAY.”

Bonus? Those who have participated, thus far, tell me that sharing their stories has been super cathartic, and has helped boost their confidence today.

Yep. This is actually a win-win movement that changes both the lives of others, and yourself.

Here’s the scoop:

How does it work?

It’s really simple. And there are two easy choices to get involved, using the power of social media.

CHOICE A

1) Post a picture of yourself at 15 (or any teen age), with a caption saying: “Dear 15 Me…”

2) Follow it with what you were feeling at that age, and most importantly..

3) What do you wish you could go back and tell yourself at 15? What would help or inspire you to get through those tough years with a little grace?

4) Share on your social media channels, ask 5 of your friends to join the movement and ask them to do the same.

Together, we can make a difference in the confidence of today’s teens. And be sure to tag @Dear15Me and @BeautyFrosting so we can share your experiences with our social media channels.

CHOICE B

1) No picture readily available of you at 15? Don’t feel like sharing 15-year-old you with the world? No problem. Just print your choice of the “Dear 15 Me…” sign pdf below.

2) Write your piece of advice on there, and tell the world what you wish you could tell 15-year-old you in the caption. What do you wish you could go back and tell yourself at 15? What would help or inspire you to get through those tough years with a little grace?

4) Share on your social media channels, ask 5 of your friends to join the movement and ask them to do the same.

Together, we can make a difference in the confidence of today’s teens. And be sure to follow us and tag @Dear15Me and @BeautyFrosting so we can share your experiences with our social media channels.

It’s that easy.

Below, please find examples from celebs, bloggers, influencers, myself – and others who have joined the movement – so you can get an idea of what we’re all about.

xoxo,

Dawn

Actress, Sarah Jane Morris, shares her support of the #Dear15Me movement for teens everywhere – and the future of her kids, Emmett and Beau (pictured here)!

Actress Sarah Jane Morris is on board

Blogger, Rachel Sarnoff of Mommy Greenest, shared her story on her blog, and it was beautiful!

Actress & Thick Dumpling Skin blogger, Lynn Chen, shared how she wished she had better spent her time in her teens, and it was deeply moving.

What have I learned in my life of struggles and strengths? To embrace your quirkiness. It can be the very thing that sets you apart.

I say, “Embrace your quirkiness!”

BF Asks: Are you up for the Challenge? The #Dear15Me Challenge, that is. If so, post you pic and spread the word! Want to use a current picture, holding our #Dear15Me sign. Email me at [email protected] and we’ll send the printable pdf files your way!

The Container Store Opens Today at The Farmers Market in LA!

Posted on August 9, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

I am SO excited for the grand opening of The Container Store at the legendary Farmer’s Market at The Grove in Los Angeles today! They’re open today 9 am-9 pm and tomorrow 10 am-7 pm and 10% of every purchase made will go to my fave organization, Step Up Women’s Network – of which I am proud to be a visionary member. There will also be prizes and giveaways and more!

I'm so excited! I just can't fight it - about the grand opening of The Container Store at the Farmer's Market at The Grove today!

If you want to get organized – and need a little inspiration – head over to yesterday’s post – The Container Store Diaries: My Closet Makeover on BeautyFrosting to see how they got ME organized! It will surely inspire your organizational process.

Also, I was honored to co-host the VIP Preview Party of The Container Store this past Thursday, along with Sarah Jane Morris, Daniel Musto, Trina Turk, Amy Davidson, Ashley Jones, Lacey Chabert, Liz Dennery Sanders, Alison Deyette and more!

What's better than getting to host a Step Up Women's Network event? Getting to host with my fellow co-hosts, fellow Step Up member and dear friends, actress Sarah Jane Morris and style expert & host, Daniel Musto

My fellow co-hosts, actress Amy Davidson and host, Alison Deyette and I, along with our good friends, Melissa Wallace and Chrissy Kling of Good Carma Studio

With one of my favorite Step Up graduates - Rosie.

It was an evening filled with dancing, delicious food – and, of course, a private preview of the new Container Store opening at the Farmer’s Market at The Grove!

Now open! The Container Store at The Farmer's Market at The Grove in L.A.!

They even served food on their products? What do I mean? I mean, they used file boxes and pencil containers as vases…

The crafty catering display of The Container Store featuring catering by Tres LA.

Desk trays as catering displays and more!

Dessert displayed in desk trays? Brilliant. And so apropos and on brand.

So go get your shopping on!!

Excited to shop!!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What’s first on your Container Store shopping list?

High-Low 2/10/14: Showtime & Expectations

Posted on February 10, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

With everything that happened in the last week, it felt like it was more like a month! Wednesday was one of the most challenging days I’ve ever had because literally everything that could go wrong went wrong. I had two band members who had to take their loved ones to the hospital unexpectedly for dire emergencies and there was a world of changes going on that I just was not prepared for.

But then there was so much sweetness that I thought my heart would burst. Ah, life, how you love to throw the curveballs and the cupcakes at us all at the same time. Without further ado, my weekly High-Low.

HIGH: Showtime

Beau’s Debut! Well, now that People Magazine announced it last week, I can announce that my heart just got a little bit fuller – and pinker – thanks to the birth of Beau Katherine Brower!!

HIGH: Beau's Debut!! I got to visit her on her first day at the hospital and I fell instantly in love. Swoon.

Beau was born to some of my best friends, Ned and Sarah Brower (also known as actress Sarah Jane Morris) on Saturday, March 1st and she is just gorgeous and perfect! And since they waited to find out the sex, it was the sweetest of surprises that she was a girl!!! I went to meet Miss Beau and, of course, couldn’t show up to the hospital empty-handed! So I swung by my fave baby store, Bel Bambini on Robertson and picked up some pink to properly celebrate Beau’s debut! I’m utterly smitten and am determined to spoil her rotten. As you can see, it’s already started.

Pink presents for Beau from Bel Bambini - I couldn't help myself! Girls are so fun!!

Hotel Cafe As many of you may know – and many may not – I am a singer/songwriter. I’m not full-time anymore at all but I still write and love to play my favorite venue here in LA (and my home away from home), The Hotel Cafe.

High: Hotel Cafe Show 2/8/14 - For The Lovers, Love-Hopeful, Heartbreakers & Heartbroken

I had the pleasure of playing this past Saturday and it was just the most fun! I got to play with some of my all-time favorite musicians and friends including Ben Peeler, Garrett Hanson, Joel Martin, Jon Button and Malcolm Cross. I realized it had been 10 months since I’d played there and that is 10 months too long. I love to title my shows so this Valentine’s one was called “For The Lovers, Love-Hopeful, Heartbreakers and Heartbroken.” One could argue that I was workin’ through some pretty powerful emotions up on that stage but I worked it out through singing my heart out, dancing and seeing 100 of my friends’ faces smiling at me from the audience. It was just perfect. And it’s gotta happen more often. It does my soul so much good.

This photo perfectly captures my joy of the evening. Just bliss. (*Dress is Plenty by Tracy Reese for Anthropologie and sideways cross necklace is by Flea Market Girl)

LOW: Expectations

Low: Expectations

Let me start by saying that I am so grateful for the week I’ve had and the amazing people that I have in my life. Whenever I express the lows, it’s not to complain but rather to really experience these lows so that I might see the highs more clearly and appreciate them more richly. This week I let myself be let down by a few people. What do I mean by that? I mean that I had some expectations of people and well, they fell short. Not the people but my expectations. I was expressing my annoyance and hurt with my dear friend (and talk show host/therapist) Matt Marr and he blew my mind once again with his insight and wisdom. He said to me, “Expectations are future resentments.” Word. They sure are.

And with me, this goes tenfold. I don’t have many pet peeves but one of them is when someone makes a plan with me and cancels or doesn’t follow through. It gets under my skin like nothin’ else. Those closest to me know this and try to operate accordingly. But what I’m realizing is that I need to lower my expectations a bit. People are human. Things come up. People make mistakes. I’m not saying it’s going to happen today but an ongoing goal of mine is to become a little less rigid and a little more forgiving in terms of people who don’t meet my expectations as I think they should. Thank you for these thought-provoking words, Matty.

xoxo,
BF

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!

Tress Tuesday: hairdo by HairUWear Clip-in Bangs (yes, really)

Posted on July 23, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

Every time I see Sandra Bullock with bangs, I want them.

Every time I see my BFF, actress Sarah Jane Morris, with her new bangs – I want them.

Sarah Jane Morris - cute with any hairstyle but especially Michelle Pfeiffer meets Diane Lane with bangs

Even in the rain, her bangs look flawless. Mine would be a frizzilicious mess. Sigh.

Sarah Jane Morris with gorgeous bangs even in the rain...sigh. I covet.

In fact, anytime I see any cute actress with bangs – well – I want them.

But, alas, my face shape was not the kind that was born to wear bangs. At least not all the time with a commitment and all. And my naturally frizzy, curly fine hair takes some major effort when it comes to perfect bang-styling. One of my biggest beauty regrets is that I didn’t get a brazilian blowout or keratin treatment prior to shooting this music video (a duet with Chris Richards) of Not So California (go ahead, check it out! You know you wanna. Yep, I sing too!). Oh sure, the bangs look good in the beginning but by the time we’re shooting on the beach, oooooh boy!

Before Beach Shoot: Bang Perfection

Post-beach shoot: Ack!!!! What happened and how did those strange things appear on my head?

That’s why I am L-O-V-I-N-G, LOOOOOVING these hairdo by HairUWear clip-in bangs.

Yep, you read that right! These are CLIP-IN bangs by hairdo by HairUWear!!! ($29)

For only $29.00 at Ulta, you can have the option of bangs every day. And the best part? They are completely able to be styled as you wish. Want some feathered bangs? Get your groove on! Want to curl them for a little beach wave action? Get beachy, you little mermaid.

These are what they look for prior to easy clip-in:

What they look like on their own: hairdo by HairUWear clip-in bangs ($29)

As for me, I love popping them in when my hair is not the squeaky cleanest, I have a little too much front frizz going on or I just want to switch up my look for one of the dozens of events I have that week. I love that it’s presto-changeo with virtually no effort or styling. I just part my hair, position the bangs and go.

Depending on where you clip them in, you can make them longer or shorter so it is truly a breeze!

I wore them on Saturday to Meg’s birthday pool party and NO ONE knew they weren’t real.

Pulling one over everybody at Meg's pool party...

And we’re talking beauty and fashion bloggers here, people! I had to show them to make them believe me!

Just another girl with bangs...nothing to see here!

So I can vouch for these 100%. Just choose the best color for you, use the little clip-combs to secure and bang it out whenever your little heart desires! Super easy and super fun! I am loving this style alternative!!!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Do you look good with bangs or no bueno?

Primping with…actress, advocate wife, mother, (& my dear friend) Sarah Jane Morris

Posted on September 28, 2012 by BeautyFrosting

Hi BeautyFrosting readers,

Yesterday my first column, “Primping with…”, was featured on Giuliana Rancic’s fabulous site, FabFitFun!

In “Primping with…”, I’ll be bringing you everything you ever wanted to know about primping with Hollywood celebrities, personalities, and everyday, glamorous ladies just like us!

For my inaugural “Primping with …” column, I couldn’t think of a better person to primp with than one of my best friends, and favorite actresses – Sarah Jane Morris. We met in Dallas 13 years ago, as college students/actresses on a movie set and were fast friends. I always say it was friendship at first sight!
Sarah is a television and film actress best known for her roles as Julia Walker on ABC’s Brothers & Sisters, and most recently as EJ Barrett on CBS’s NCIS. She is also a wife, and a mother to a 2 ½-year-old son.

I chatted with Sarah as she primped for Healthy Child Healthy World’s “Date Night” annual fundraiser for which she was a chairperson.

Sarah Jane Morris at Healthy Child, Healthy World (photo courtesy of J&D Photography, JandDphotography.zenfolio.com)

BF: What’s your favorite color?

SJM: Blue.

BF: Sarah, let’s start with an easy one. Shower or Bath?

SJM: Shower to bathe, bath to relax!

BF: How do you relax or rev-up while primping for a night out?

SJM: Shut the door to my bedroom and enjoy the peace and quiet.

BF: Ha! As a single girl, I sometimes take for granted how cherished that time can be! What are you wearing for the event?

SJM: I’m wearing an LBD (little black dress) I got in Montreal by designer secondhotel, blood-red platform Christian Louboutin heels I got at a consignment store, and a black woven clutch with a gold chain strap.

BF: Any special preparations for the night? Did you do your own hair and makeup or did you call in the experts?

SJM: I went to Dry Bar in West Hollywood to have my hair blown out but ended up throwing it back in a ponytail because it worked better that way with the structured neckline of the dress. And makeup artist Sarah Uslan did my makeup.

Sarah Jane Morris with makeup artist, Sarah Uslan

BF: Well, of course, we’re dying to know what Sarah did to make you even more gorgeous than usual! Spill it, sister.

SJM: She used Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm in Nude, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 4.5, Cle de Peau in Beige on top & tapped towards the temples, Dolce & Gabanna Perfect Concealer #1 on the inner corner, and finished with a dusting of Koh Gen Do translucent powder. She perked my cheeks up with Illamasqua Blush in Tremble on apples of the cheeks. To make my eyes pop, she used Armani Eyes To Kill in #9, 15, 16 (with #9 blended on the inner corner, 16 on the lid and 15 in the crease), Dolce & Gabbana The Eyeliner in #5 (rimming the upper and lower lash lines) and Laura Mercier Eyebrow Pencil in Blonde. For my lips, it was my go-to lip routine – Jemma Kid Lip Liner MUS, MAC Hug Me lipstick and Cle de Peau lip gloss. I almost always wear false lashes to events but on a daily basis I love Lancome Hypnose mascara.

BF: Speaking of daily basis, what are your daily beauty staples when you’re getting ready yourself? We love this stuff! No detail is too small.

SJM: Like Sarah used on me for HCHW, I use Cle de Peau concealer in Beige (which you turned me onto for my wedding!), Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (nude or sand) and/or Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 4.5, Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, NARS Orgasm blush, Chanel Silky Cheek Colour in Tea Rose, Jemma Kidd Makeup School Perfect Tan Bronzing Trio, Armani Fluid Sheer #4, Jemma Kidd MUS, MAC Hug Me and Cle de Peau gloss. I also wear Epicuren Zinc Oxice SPF 20 under my makeup.

BF: What’s your signature fragrance?

SJM: Stella McCartney eau de parfum or Bliss eau de toilette roll-on (something you gave me, for Christmas).

BF: Do you have a nightly beauty ritual? (As you know, I never miss my bath and book every night!)

SJM: I wish, but no, not really. I’m lucky if my face gets washed! I always brush my teeth, though!

BF: Well, that’s good!!! Brows – wax or tweeze?

SJM: I only tweeze and occasionally I get them tinted (and trimmed and shaped, but not waxed). The tinting mostly just fills them in more when I darken up the little tiny blonde brows, so I don’t have to fill them in with makeup. Looks more natural and frames the face nicely.

BF: What is your go-to everyday hairstyle?

SJM: My go-to everyday hairstyle is either “yesterday’s hair,” a ponytail or a little bun. Goody makes this corkscrew pin that does a perfect stay-put chignon! I switch it up for events, but I often end up with it down with a loose wave.

BF: You’ve always been in such amazing shape! How do you stay fit?

SJM: I’m sort of genetically predisposed to a fit figure, but I’m also a very active person, especially since I have a 2 1/2-year-old son who keeps me busy. I do love pilates, though, and occasionally I need some Kundalini yoga in my life, but generally I just take walks with the family, ride my bike with my son and eat just about everything in moderation.

BF: Ahhh-yes, eating! Since we all have to eat and try to figure out the best way to do that day of eating for you look like?

SJM: I always start my day with a cup of coffee followed by a light breakfast that usually includes fruit, wheat toast or cereal, and sometimes an egg or bacon (I love bacon!). I often need a snack mid-morning (yogurt, nuts, or a Mojo bar) because I don’t eat lunch usually until after I get my son to sleep for his nap. I don’t eat a huge lunch…sandwich, fruit, cucumbers and hummus, or whatever is quick. This often means I need another snack after my son wakes up, so we’ll share some popcorn or fruit or cheese and crackers. For dinner, we tend to do a protein of some sort and a couple of veggies (broccoli, kale chips, corn, potatoes, or whatever else is fresh from the farmer’s market). We don’t do a ton of sweets, but we also don’t usually go to bed without a few bites of ice cream or a little cookie or something! 

BF: I did NOT know that you love bacon! How did I not know this? You can take the girl out of Memphis…but you can’t take the Memphis out of the girl. Nor can you take her bacon! Speaking of your hometown, what is the best advice you received from your mother?

SJM: What’s on the inside is what counts. But always wear mascara and lipstick.

BF: I love your mom. Always have. And I love her just a little bit more now! What is the best advice you’ve ever received from anyone?

SJM: “When a door closes, a window opens.” If I’m patient enough, I can usually see the truth in this when I’m bummed about something.

BF: When did you start wearing makeup? Do you feel that was too early, too late or just right?

SJM: I can’t remember the precise age, but I would say probably 8th grade? I had older sisters, so I would sneak into their makeup and practice and I just gradually started wearing it more and more. I think whatever age it was, it was appropriate. My southern mother wouldn’t let me do anything like that that she didn’t think wasn’t!

BF: Isn’t that the truth?! What’s one of your earliest beauty memories?

SJM: Ha! Well, one of my earliest MEMORIES is sneaking behind my mom’s bed with her little super-sharp sewing scissors and trying to cut my own hair. I had very long, blunt bangs that I thought I would just trim a little off the bottom like the hairdresser did. I got mixed up and cut above my fingers holding the hair instead of below and ended up with a huge hole in the middle of my bangs!

BF: Any beauty blunders you wish you could take back?

SJM: I got a perm in probably the 3rd grade that I thought was so cool because I really thought I looked like I had naturally curly hair. I wish I’d had the sense to realize no one else was buying it because my stick-straight bangs were the only thing natural happening on my head!

BF: What advice would you give to your 13-year-old self?

SJM: Be whoever you want to be. That might mean you try out being different people at different times, but eventually you will find who you really are and are not defined by what you do or who you surround yourself by in life.

BF: What advice would you give to your daughter, if you ever have one?

SJM: Don’t smoke! It makes your skin look bad, makes you feel bad, and will eventually kill you or someone else.

BF: Amen! Word. All that jazz. What are your top 5 beauty products?

SJM: Basic Organics E-Ointment, Epicuren Zinc Oxide Sunscreen, Dermalogica Cream Facial Cleanser, Caudelie Cleansing Water, Lancome Hypnose Mascara.

BF: Almost done! Give me one word that describes you right now?

SJM: Content

BF: Word (there’s my inner hoodrat coming out again). What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Sarah & her husband, rock drummer, Ned Brower at Healthy Child Healthy World "Date Night" event

SJM: My family… I have a wonderful, loving husband and amazing son.

BF: Yeah, you do! As you know, people in Hollywood (heck, people everwhere!) talk. What would you like to hear people say about you behind your back?

SJM: I would like people to say that I am super-confident, charismatic, and kind to everyone!

BF: And, BF & FFF readers, I can assure you that’s just exactly what they say. Thanks Sarah!! Mwah!

Stay tuned for my next “Primping with…” column on www.FabFitFun.com!

If you would like to be featured on “Primping with BeautyFrosting” or have any burning beauty questions you’d love me to ask our primpettes, I’d love to ask them so please email them to me at: [email protected]

Dawn McCoy is an entertainer, former celebrity personal shopper and creator/editor of www.BeautyFrosting.com, a beauty, baking and being blog. She lives in The Cupcake Palace (as her friends have cutely coined it) in Los Angeles with her Maltese, Miss Ellie and oodles of pink.

Happy weekend, beauties!!

xoxo,