A Shade Of Orange: No Kid Hungry Back-To-School Influencers Brunch Eve

Posted on September 1, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

Getting ready to host the No Kid Hungry Back-To School Brunch for Influencers in LA tomorrow. *Custom No Kid Hungry Manicure by Note at Enamel Diction

We’re in an orange matchy-match mood over here at @TheCupcakePalaceLA today. But, ummm, Miss Ellie, can you puhleez get off my @HossIntropia dress for the @NoKidHungry Influencers Brunch I’m hosting tomorrow? No?

I’m a proud ambassador and advocate for No Kid Hungry because all kids need to be fed to be fueled to flourish. After all, breakfast and lunch should be a requisite for all, not just a luxury for a choice few.

If you’re interested in getting involved with @NoKidHungry, head over to www.NoKidHungry.org, where helping can be as simple as hosting a bake sale for the whole month of October, like I am, when Domino Sugar is matching registered bake sale donations dollar-for-dollar up to $75,000.

SO excited to raise awareness tomorrow with my editor, blogger, writer, host and actor friends!!

And, stay tuned for more ‘tails on my Bake Sale announcement. Hint! There may be a Texas element…

xoxo,
Dawn

Life’s Not Always Peachy Keen: A Little Social Media Truth Talk

Posted on August 18, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

Life’s not always peachy keen…even on days when there are peach muffins for breakfast.

Life’s not always peachy keen…even when there are peach muffins for breakfast. Let’s get real, folks.

Life is made up of lots of little crumbs — some sweet and delicious, and some just too tough to digest.
Yesterday I posted that I was having a tough morning and was baking to deal with it. I was hurting for someone I love, about something that is out of my control. I was overwhelmed with messages of love, concern, care and support from friends and everyone I love. Thank you all.
But that’s not why I posted that.

As a so-called social media influencer I think it’s our responsibility to not treat social media as a Christmas card that just shows us at our best and our happiest. That’s not real, and that’s not life. We all have down days and we all have problems and moments we struggle with. I think it’s important to show what we do to cope with the hard times as honestly as we capture how we celebrate the good times. By being honest with our social media, and showing both the highs and the lows, I hope our friends and followers can see who we truly are, and hopefully know they’re not alone when they experience those darker days.
Hopefully, they’re reminded that lightness always follows the darkness, and they will be okay.

That’s The Way It’s Done: Jouer Cosmetics

Posted on January 30, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

This is how it’s done. Today, I received this gorgeous Inslee Haynes illustrated calendar from Christina Zilber of Jouer Cosmetics. As lovely as it was, what was even lovelier was the gracious, heart-filled, handwritten thank you note that accompanied it.

Grace, graciousness and gratitude: My 3 favorite G's.

In this industry, I have seen firsthand how successful small businesses can be, and it just makes my heart skip a beat when those small business achieve big victories.

Because I know how much hard work goes into it.

When I am being interviewed or serving as a panelist, one of the most popular questions I get is “How can I make my small business a success when it comes to social media and publicity?”

I always say that the relationships you build with editors, bloggers, tastemakers and celebrities can make all of the difference in the world, when it comes to turning that small business into a big success.

This is an example of how to do just that.

Do like Christina – be beautiful (inside and out), be gracious and be grateful.

We feel it tenfold and want to see you succeed.

Now, I’m off to try that “sneak chic peek” of the new Jouer Luminizing Liquid Highlighting pen!

p.s. I’m gonna have to hang that calendar over my new desk in February!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What do you think turns a small biz into a big success?

Gorgeous Giveaway: A BeautyFrosting-FleaMarket Girl Cupcake Necklace Giveaway!

Posted on March 28, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

As y’all know, I celebrated my 2-year BeautyFrosting bloggiversary a few weeks ago. I was suprised and delighted that some of my favorite brands sent me a slew of some of my most favorite products – including this FleaMarket Girl cupcake charm necklace!

How perfect is this FleaMarket Girl cupcake charm necklace?

But why should I be the only one celebrating? After all, you – my readers and social media followers – make BeautyFrosting possible. So it may have been BeautyFrosting’s birthday but YOU get the gifts! I have a number of BF Gorgeous Giveaways over the next few months that I am SOOOOO excited to share with you. And I’m thrilled to kick it off with this one!

Win It! I am giving away 5 FleaMarket Girl Cupcake Charm necklaces! (details below)

I am giving away 5 (!!!) FleaMarket Girl cupcake charm necklaces to celebrate 2 years of BeautyFrosting! To enter, just do two of the steps below:

1) Follow BeautyFrosting on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

2) Share one of our pics on Facebook or Twitter or regram our pic on Instagram. Be sure to tag @BeautyFrosting @FleaMarketGirl #CupcakeCharmNecklaceGiveaway

3) Tell me what you love about BeautyFrosting. Was there a story that resonated with you? What’s your favorite feature? Was there a product you saw on BF that ended up becoming a favorite?

That’s it!

Again, I’ll pick 5 (!!!) winners next Friday, April 4th who will win this oh-so-gorgeous FleaMarket Girl cupcake charm necklace!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What outfit would you wear with your FleaMarket Girl cupcake charm necklace if you win?

High-Low 10/28/13, Part 2: Dallas Moments ( last 5 out of 10) and Pushing Buttons

Posted on October 29, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

HIGH: My Trip Home to Dallas, Part 1

Well, my trip home to Dallas was just one big High, really. So here are the last 5 of my Top 10 Dallas moments.

5) Moments with Mom. My mom is my best friend and we have too, TOO much fun when we get together. Whether it be high tea at Eden Cafe…

Tea w/ Mom is one of my favorite traditions that we have. We've been doing it since I was 8!!

or sharing shocking secrets at Mi Cocina…

Oh, what will we talk about next? I suppose it just depends on the adventures we have between now and Christmas...

You never know what’s going to come up in one of our tête-à-têtes!

4) With all of my family and old friends in Dallas, it’s always fun to find a new one. That’s why I adored getting to happy hour it up at Truck Yard with my new friend, KellyAnn Sutton of Anthropologie. KellyAnn and I actually met through Instagram!! How current is that? And we were delighted to find that we’re definitely meant to be friends!! So thankful to know her.

Happy Hour at the super cool Truck Yard in Dallas with my new friend, KellyAnn Sutton of Anthropologie

3) While many of my friends have nieces and nephews, our family has always veered a bit from the norm. So, I was delighted to get to spend a little quality time with my big brother, David, and my stuffed coyote nephew, Archibald by the pool. Yep, totally normal – us McCoys.

With my stuffed-coyote-nephew, Archibald...don't ask.

2) As if you thought we hadn’t gone to Mi Cocina enough already as a family, we also take our friends. It’s become a tradition that we sip margaritas and snack on tex-mex at Mi Cocina with my dear friends from college, Tadd and Jenna Tate. We always laugh our way through the meal and we always – and I do mean, ALWAYS – close the place down!

Another night of oversharing & laughter at Mi Cocina with my family & friends

1) One of my favorite bakeries on the planet is Tart Bakery in Dallas. So I was delighted when Tart sent me back to LA in style with a BeautyFrosting-themed cakelet! What a sweet and delicious delight!

A BF-themed cakelet from Tart Bakery in Dallas

LOW: Pushing Buttons

No family is perfect...

Well, after that much fun, something a little dreary was bound to happen. And it did the last night I was in Dallas. Our family went to Meddlesome Moth and, well, my big brother and I ended up getting into a tiff. Here’s the thing about family – the fact that you know each other best and have known each other longest is truly a double-edged sword. After all, they totally understand who you are because they’ve seen everything you’ve been through; but in times of struggle and conflict, they also really know how to push your buttons. So I was sad to leave without telling my brother goodbye. And I hate, hate, HATE doing that. But the upside? We both realized our wrongs and apologized. We’re fine now but I just hate that I left Dallas on a sour note. My brother actually suggested coming up with a safe word so when we start pushing buttons again, we can agree to shelve the dispute for a different time. I liiiiiiike this. Now, just to put it into use…

Friday Funday: Wednesdays at Sunset at The London West Hollywood

Posted on August 9, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

To me, Summer 2013 will always be about rooftop Wednesdays at Sunset at The London West Hollywood.

On the rooftop of The London West Hollywood reflecting on all of the friends, fun and fine tunes Summer 2013 has brought into my world

I imagine I will forever think of that rooftop – set to the sounds of Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” and Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” – as the frozen video of Summer 2013. And what a magical memory to have!

I have spent a few “Wednesdays at Sunset” at The London West Hollywood and each one has been better than the last. But I have to say the best one I’ve had yet was when I hosted a Rooftop Cabana Cocktail Party for my favorite blogger-friends a few weeks ago.

Hosting a cabana party for a few of my blogger friends at Wednesdays at Sunset at The London West Hollywood

Between the delightful conversation with my fellow bloggers, new friends meeting each other and delicious bites and cocktails, it was my favorite event of the year thus far!

The attendees at my Blogger Cabana Cocktail Party on the rooftop of The London West Hollywood

I get by with a little help from my friends...and with the help of the beautiful setting of The London West Hollywood

We snacked on seafood cocktail, BBQ chicken flat breads, the LA Street Dog and delicious marshmallow cupcakes and sipped Strongbow Mimosas which were DIVINE!

The delicious details at The London West Hollywood "Wednesdays at Sunset"

And with our soundtrack set to the spins of Infamous DJs, we were in summer heaven!

My guests included the Beauty Professor, Spoiled Little LA Girls, Skinny Fat Girl Diary, Jennifer Chan of E!, Rose Curiel of E!, Whitney Lader of hoopLA, Hostess Handbook, Elle contributor Ashley Terrill, Jessica Yudin of The Fetch Betch LA & FabFitFun and more!

And everyone was delighted to receive L’Oreal Paris giftbags courtesy of L’Oreal Paris USA and Corbis Entertainment!

Jess Garvey of Hostess Handbook (on left) with her luxe L'Oreal Paris USA gift bag!

I want to extend a special THANK YOU to our gracious hosts, The London West Hollywood (of course!) and my fairy godmother, Gina Wade Creative. This wouldn’t have been possible without your imagination, generosity and amazing service – not to mention – the most fab hotel, and rooftop, in town!

I'm always smiling at The London West Hollywood!

‘Til next time, my beloved London…

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What defines Summer 2013 to you?

Thirsty Thursday: Pampadour Summer Sangria

Posted on July 18, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the “Be Parisian For A Day Event” hosted by Fournier PR. While eating macarons (yes, I’m serious)…

Macaron heaven at Be Parisian For A Day

and getting to know all of the new beauty products I’m destined to be in love with –

Being, well, Parisian...or at least trying to be...

I spotted this:

PAMPADOUR. SUMMER. SANGRIA.

Pampadour Summer Sangria

So what is this sangria-making “Pampadour“, you ask? Well, I asked the same thing…and then I promptly signed up and became obsessed. It’s a social platform for beauty. Need more details? Here you go: If Facebook married Pinterest and it was a marriage based solely on a love of beauty then you would have Pampadour. And luckily we do. By the way, that sounds divine, doesn’t it?

I’ve played a bit on Pampadour and let me tell ya – it is ADDICTIVE!!

But back to their sangria. It was delish and they were nice enough to send me the recipe.

It’s a refreshing warm weather beverage that’s just dying to be enjoyed with friends!

Summer happiness - also called Pampadour Summer Sangria - in a cup

Pampadour Summer Sangria:

1 bottle White Wine ( Pino Blanc or New Zealand Sauvignon – I personally prefer the $3.99 Espiral Vinho Verde from Trader Joe’s!)

1/2 c Brandy

4 c Club Soda

Sliced Plums, lemons, limes, strawberries, apples, tangerines

Serve chilled on Ice.

xoxo,

BFBF Asks: What’s your favorite sangria recipe?

Whatcha’ Wearin’ Wednesday, Vanessa F.?

Posted on October 31, 2012 by BeautyFrosting

Whatcha’ Wearin’ Wednesday, Vanessa F.?

This week’s chic & sophisticated WWW (Whatcha’ Wearin’ Wednesday) girl is Vanessa F.:

Our WWW girl, Vanessa, at the Young Hollywood Awards

I met the lovely Vanessa, a director of brand development, at last June’s Young Hollywood Awards and was immediately taken with her sweet holiday/summer, cherry-stained lip. So I immediately had to ask:

Vanessa, Whatcha’ Wearin’?

Vanessa

(Vanessa) pulls out a tube of Dior lipstick from her purse.

Christian Dior Lipstick Dior #444 Red Muse ($32)

So what is this holiday-ready color?

Christian Dior Lipstick Dior #444 Red Muse ($32)

xoxo,

BF Asks: What’s your perfect holiday-ready lip color?

Whatcha’ Wearin’ Wednesday, Vanessa F.?

Posted on June 20, 2012 by BeautyFrosting

This week’s chic & sophisticated WWW (Whatcha’ Wearin’ Wednesday) girl is Vanessa F.:

Our WWW girl, Vanessa, at the Young Hollywood Awards

I met the lovely Vanessa, a director of brand development, at last week’s Young Hollywood Awards and was immediately taken with her sweet summer, cherry-stained lip. So I immediately had to ask:

Vanessa, Whatcha’ Wearin’?

Vanessa

(Vanessa) pulls out a tube of Dior lipstick from her purse.

Christian Dior Lipstick Dior #444 Red Muse ($32)

So what is this summer-lovin’ color?

Christian Dior Lipstick Dior #444 Red Muse ($32)

xoxo,

BF Asks: What’s your perfect summer lip color?