Birthday Affairs & Sparkly Shoes

I always buy myself something simple and special for my birthday. It's usually from the shoe and handbag department. In keeping with my shoe habits, and my awesome purchase just a year ago,  I went for some new ones for the fiesta this year. Only these were from my mom. She saw that I loved them and said "Get 'em honey. That'll be my gift!" It's seldom my mom shrieks ove a pair of shoes, so i was particularly happy she loved these. Fabulous! I snatched them up and wore them last Friday for a few day fetes I had scheduled. 

No birthday would be complete with lovely roses from my parents. The little ones also gave me some stunning red ones. And of course, the food element makes its way in there. A foodie trivia game, you say? Can't wait for the next dinner party! Sexy shoes, red feathery headband and geekery nibbles. How lovely!

So, so thankful for another one! And another pair of sparkly's. 

Do you gift yourself something special for your birthday? 

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Boots, Flats and Spiked Vibes

This is my favorite time of the year for many reasons. I don't know anyone who doesn't look forward to the coziness of fall fashion. The layering, the furs (faux or not), puffy coats, warm vests, hand-knit scarves, fabulous hats and of course the shoes! Well, and bags!

While editing my list of must-purchase shoes, particularly boots and chic flats within the next month, I fell in deep like with these. Each one of them has something special that speaks to my personality and sense of style.

I'm looking at my current boot and flat collection and it's looking pretty pathetic. It's just that time to update and upgrade. These are great options!

The Selection:

1. Reebok kicks
2. Rachel Comey
3. Wanted 'Kiley'
4. Jeffery Campbell spiked 'Lita'
5. Sam Edelman 'Park'
6. Nike 'Luxe'
7. Jeffery Campbell 'Hayden'
8. Ego & Greed 'Driver'
9. Via GiltGroupe

What's on your fall must-have boot and flat list? 

*I've not tried on any of these shoes so I can't speak for accuracy of size, fit or comfort. I simply like them! 

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Days 2, 4 & 5 of .... Filming in D.C. and a Wrap for Now

H Street Location Eating Goooood Sweets!

My lovely Exec Producer and Newtwork Owner

Deliciousness! http://followgram.me/i/214613521511684614_6548269

Take 6, I think, at 11 pm. 2nd location of the night.

Super tired feet and food mess after shooting this segment. http://followgram.me/i/216511423536372206_6548269

With Chef RL Boyd During our Segment.

My bestie and me at last location in DC

The ever so flamboyant staff at my last location in D.C.!

So, finally, the time has come where I can share the hush, hush about the filming I've been doing... oh but wait, I think I want to do that on my food blog this coming Monday. I find the topic of my show to be far more fitting there than here. It's coming, it's coming, I promise and I can't wait! But, I will say that the last few days of filming in D.C. were the most exhausting even though running down my script had become a breeze! We tossed it and left it to my improv skills to chit chat about my featured locations (wink)... and guests. I have a great producer that modifies and adjusts accordingly. She's so fun and just makes it come to life.

It ultimately worked out. However, you know how hindsight is 20/20? I'm looking at these looks and thinking of how lax I was in styling myself. Yes, the makeup was done well, with falsies and everything, hands were mani'd, etc... But the wardrobe. This is where I'm having a hard time reconciling. To my credit, 85% of my wardrobe is in storage in Atlanta and I have (still) very limited clothes with me. I had to work with what I had on me. And, the network stylist is in NY! For some reason, pulling from boutiques became a task I didn't have time to commit to. Not to mention we started filming 4 days after I relocated to D.C. Talk about pressure and no time.

I need an assistant, right?! For every aspect of this process! Because yes, I still have 8 more episodes and 16 locations to film. That gives me the opp to get it together to refine and switch up the look. I need to really showcase me; The shoes, the hats, the jewelry, great hairdo's -- funky, boho, classic, chic, bold, but timeless. More or less like this for more relaxed locations. I can't let the subject or format of my show dictate what I wear, unless of course it were some risqué theme where I'd rock something way left field. Thankfully, that's not the case. Well, my last location might raise some eyebrows! lol. ;) ;)

For now, I'll retreat these looks for simple outings and not cameras that record everything. I can only imagine what the B roll looks like! They work, no doubt, just not in the way I need and want to  portray myself  and my brand! :) And obviously compliment the other hostesses on the exciting new online network! We're all being so chic.

Checkout Flanboyant Eats™on Monday for ALL the sexy details, including launch date, launch party and all shows revealed!

Share your thoughts, fashionistas!

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Makeup prod c/o : L'oreal, Clinique, CoverGirl

PS: I may upload some behind the scenes shots as soon as I can find them! They're hiding.

Wearing:

Top (day4): Missoni for Target top; Vintage KORET skirt, L.A.M.B shoes; C.B. Herrera necklace, 25 year old raffia belt via Kmart; Ralph Lauren sunnies; Mixed bracelets; Sterling silver and gold hook bracelet by Sonya LTD in St. Croix. 

Middle (day 2 & 4): BR skinny jeans; FE21 top; Steve Madden pumps; J.Crew sparkly elastic bracelets, C.B. Herrera braceletes, vintage necklaces, vintage crystal teardrop pendant as seen on SJP in Sex and The City!

Bottom (day 5): Loove this dress by Papaya; C.B. Herrera coral and Swarovski multi-layered necklace; Shoes by Paola Ferreti; Vintage lucite bangles

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Sparkles & Shoes for the New Year!

My Christmas was short of spectacular. My new year was no different. I won't go into detail but it emotionally took me off track and I was unable to really enjoy my holiday. But not for my parents and my pup Paris, I would have stayed in bed the entire time. In fact, I did that NYE. Pathetic, I know.

I've been told I need to work on my attitude when dealing with unfortunate situations. But, when you just don't see a silver lining in that dark cloud, how can you transfer those negative emotions into a happy, happy, joy, joy state of real existence?

It's now Jan. 2nd and I'm determined to make the best out of the most inconvenient, most painful and daunting occurrence that's had me in a royal funk for 9 days now. In that, I spent hours perusing designer deal websites that offer glitz and glam to make every girls nightmares go away.

For starters, anything bling-y makes you smile! Doesn't it do it for you, too? Chic for sure, but all those flashy sparkles always make me giddy. Then there's green. The color of grass and money. You can't go wrong with that. There are shoes and hats, of course, two accessories, which by I allow myself to fix all woes! And perfume, especially personalized ones. Those are a sure way to make you feel .

So for Christmas, I relished in the sweet (and some practical) gifts I received and those that remain on my wishlist... because there's always the hope of that Prince charming making his way to my heart by Valentines... or my birthday... or Christmas, again!

Here's to hoping you had a marvelous Christmas and lovely New Year's Eve celebration! May all of your wishes come true this 2012!

http://instagr.am/p/d4Tx8/

 

http://instagr.am/p/d4puh/?ref=nf

http://instagr.am/p/d5I2T/

T to B: 
Personalized Coco Chanel perfume
Missoni knit hat
"Zipper" crystal bracelets from J. Crew
"Lorna" studded pump by Sam Edelman




* all pictures except the Missoni hat were taken by my lovely iPhone and edited in Instagram, which by the way, I love! Follow me there at "BrenHerrera"

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GILT City Atlanta Launch & A Sweet Blogger Win!

(Aspire Magazine publisher, N. Renee Webb & me)

(Aspire Magazine publisher, N. Renee Webb & me)

Axor Urquiola from Hansgrohe USA bathtub

(Gilt City President, Nate Richardson, Evelyn Mims, Producer at NBC 11 Alive and me)

Just when I have no energy or motivation to go out and mingle, which you all know requires lots of dolling up and schmoozing, especially when it's a room chock-full of "must-knows," I get a tweet from a friend letting me know they're going to be at the Gilt City Launch of the Atlanta edition. And, I need to see this friend.

I had already been invited to the private soirée, but after having showed up a full evening in advance, fully dressed, I had little interest in going through the same exact motions. It really happened that way. I pulled up the to the strategically situated and absolutely beautiful MODA edifice, all to find out the event was the night following. 

As I walked up to the door, I thought something was off as I didn't see anyone trying to ID themselves at the door. But, an elderly man was so polite and complimented my outfit, that I decided to quickly run back to my car so no one could see what I was wearing. Oh yeah, I was going to rock the same look to the T in 24 hours!

And so I did. The pants are my latest obsession and am begging to wear them again. I snatched them up at a local thrift store for a mere $6. They were such a hit, I was offered $50 for them that night! Ha. Don't you love when that happens? But, you can see why! These have to be the hottest knickers, ever. 

The GILT City Atlanta launch party was swanky, full of energy and laced with beautiful and fashionable people. Designer Mychael Knight from Project Runway was in attendance, as he is at most of these type functions in Atlanta. Dancing With The Stars Karina Smirnoff was also there, clad in body-fitting black and white dress. But, I totally overlooked her. 

I did have a chance to parlay with Gilt City President Nate Richardson, a lovely young man vibrant with personality. We talked up my fave spots in Atlanta and D.C. and other goodness. 

2nd best to mingling with old fave friends like Evelyn Mims from NBC locally and a few writers, I enjoyed the cocktails and the artwork! I've always appreciated art and design in all mediums, but staring at a tub for 10 minutes gave me new perspective on taking baths (which I find a bit, eh, gross). I later found out the Axor Urquiola from Hansgrohe USA bathtub is part of a collection in a showroom just 20 minutes away. 

Party was swanky and delicious as evidenced by the popsicle in my hand in the 1st pic, which took place not even within 5 minutes of arriving (hence the sunnies still on --- which I hate when others do! ha! I'm caught!)

To top it all off, and making my attendance worth every bit of two drives into the city, I got word last week that I won the Gilt City Blogger Challenge, garnering me a feature on GiltCity.com, $200 to shop on Gilt.com and $100 to giveaway, so stay tuned for that! 

An uber sexy evening, well spent! 

Thrifted Ellen Tracey knickers; Thrifted bouclé blazer; Old Navy tank; Sam Edelman "Navarro" pumps; Moschino sunnies; Tory Burch cuff and bracelets; chunky glass ring; vintage choker; C.B. Herrera earrings; Kenneth Jay Lane owl necklace; boutique found purple faux snakeskin clutch

*1st 4 pics courtesy of Jay Young Photography; Love my Hipstamatic bathtub shot and mediocre shots of shower head and friends, courtesy of my iPhone.

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