Coastal Crazed Fashion

Recently, my husband and I were lucky enough to head to Santa Cruz, California for a weekend getaway. The trip was through my work. Every 2 years, the owners pay for all the employees to go on a weekend trip and participate in a race, AMAZING! Previous trips include British Columbia, Arizona and Napa Valley...really bummed I wasn't there for the last one ;-)

It wasn't all play thought. We participated in a 1/2 marathon (well, Corey did...I did a 10K which is 6.2miles).  Even though I only did the 10k, I am definitely proud of myself, since I can never run over 3 miles at a time (regardless of how hard I train). I finished the race in barely over one hour (I would've finished in less than an hour, but I got a little confused at the finish line haha).

More important than my minute athletic accomplishments, is the fashion that came with my Santa Cruz trip. The ocean, the boardwalk, the endless palm trees were just what I needed to inspire my spring wardrobe. Lots of pastels, whites and bold accessories.

Departure Outfit: Pants (Banana),  Flats (Urban Outfitters), Top/Jacket (DownEast Basics), Necklace (Forever21) 

Necklace: Forever21 (about $8)

On the plan (finally). It only took 1 cancelled flight,  5 hours stuck in the Boise airport, a rerouted delayed flight to San Fran, a poker game and drinks before 11am and a final boarding...yikes!

As soon as we arrived at the hotel we rushed and got ready for a semi-formal dinner.  No time for showering ladies, it was a makeup touch-up and outfit change only. After seeing the pictures, I am a little disappointed by the fit of the dress. I now call it the "saggy-boob-dress" (sad, but true). My apologies for my horrific posture. Oy-Vay!

Dress: Forever21 (about $20), Necklace: gift from my sister-in-law

 Our office picture, post-race. Don't mind the sweaty, tired looks and the treacherous green tops. :-) I love this group. I'm so blessed to work for such an incredible office!

Downtown Santa Cruz

Hotel Pool

My boardwalk attire:

Pants: Gap, Sandals: Target, Top: Forever21 ($10) 

Necklace: "Bombshell" a gift from Silverado (from my older sister and her boyfriend), Watch: Target (gift from my mother-in-law), Ring: Forever21

LOVE the buttons up the back!!!

Our Hotel 

Spring is alive in CA - Birds of Paradise were everywhere

I want a backyard full of palm trees!

Hotel View

On the way back to Boise, I bundled up because it was freezing at home. My airport arrival attire:

Hat: Wet Seal, Glasses: Kate Spade, Jacket: Target, Jeans: Banana, Shoes: Sloan Boutique in Portland ($12) 

Sweater: DownEast Basics

Hope these pictures leave you inspired and ready to dress for spring. Hopefully it'll warm up soon!

Be Bold,

Be Brave,

Be Beautiful,

The BoiseBombshell 

Now Trending: Clear Clutches

The overall concept of a clear clutch doesn't make much sense. Isn't the purpose of a bag to hide all the stuff inside? With the clear clutch trend you definitely have to make sure you keep the contents of your clutch well organized or insert a wristlet to hide your stuff. Although this trend might not be practical for everyday use, it certainly makes a statement.

Charlotte Olympia Clear Clutch & Wristlets

Charlotte Olympia Clear Clutch w/ Insert

Stella McCartney Clear Clutch (love the angles on this one! looks like an emerald cut gem)

Gucci Clear Clutch (love the geometric detailing)

Charlotte Olympia Clear Blue Clutch

Charlotte Olympia Clear Clutch w/ Gold Accents (love the signature spider detail)

What do you think bombshells? Love it or hate it? I think the trend works for the spring and summer season. It's light and airy. If paired with the right ensemble, I feel the clear clutch could be a ultra modern statement piece. I just might try this trend for spring :-)

Be Bold,

Be Brave,

Be Beautiful,

The BoiseBombshell

A Pop of Pink

 Have I mentioned Target is one of my favorite go-to stores? I LOVE it!!! I scored at Target last week, getting some basics (like long-sleeve tees for $5) and some fun items too, like these hot pink gloves. Lately, I've been really into hot pink. I am obsessed with these genuine leather gloves with zipper detail and matching scarf hot pink scarf (both from Target).  

Gloves: $15 & Scarf: $10 (both from Target)/Jacket:Gap

 Another fabulous Target find? This dress! Only $12!!! I love the animal print/floral combo. I have been really into pairing black and browns together. The light brown boots and belt seemed to work with this patterned dress.

Dress: Target $12

Necklace: Vegas & Belt: Banana Republic

Boots: Ether in Portland (under $35)

Everyone seems to wear so many dull colors in the winter. I like to go bold and bright, to add life to this chilly season. Give it a try bombshells, add a pop of color to your next ensemble.

Be Bold,

Be Brave,

Be Beautiful,

The BoiseBombshell

Brush It Off Bombshells

I love the ambition that comes with starting a new year. Once I get my Christmas decorations down and clean my house, I start getting into other things, like my makeup drawer.

I decided it's about time I cleaned my makeup brushes, it's only been about 5 years or so, disgraceful I know. At first I thought I should just buy new ones, but then my mother insisted I could just wash them and they'd be good as new. So smart that lady :-) Washing my makeup brushes seemed like sound advice, so I went for it.

Note to my fellow bombshells: do NOT do this right after cleaning your sinks, otherwise you'll just have to clean them again (a lesson I learned a little too late).

STEP 1: Fill sink with warm water & hand soap (the water was clear when I started, yikes)

 STEP 2: Add brushes/makeup pads and let them soak

 STEP 3: Use your hands to ring out water /makeup on pads, rinse and repeat until clean

(for brushes, I swirled them around in the water so I didn't ruin the bristles)

STEP 4: Set pads/brushes on a towel and let air dry (this takes about 24-48 hours)

When you're brushes are dry, you won't believe how incredibly silk smooth they are....AND bacteria free (yay!). Makeup artist Rachel Devine of Ontario suggests doing this every 2 weeks. I think that's a little excessive, but certainly more than every 5 years would be best (oopsie). Rachel also suggests throwing out you mascara every 3 months (another thing this bombshell fails to do). Sigh. Maybe that'll be my New Year's resolution :-) Having clean brushes can help reduce breakouts (I almost typed breakups...now wouldn't that be nice) by eliminating bacteria and it also allows your makeup to go on smoother... and who doesn't want that?!?

Clean Brushes = Clean Skin

 Brush off that old makeup and clean your beauty tools bombshells!

XOXOX The BoiseBombshell

PS: The 70th Annual Golden Globes are Sunday, January 13th on NBC 8ET/5PT, MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

~Boise Bridal Show Tomorrow~

Boise Bombshell confession: I am OBSESSED with everything weddings.

Why the sudden confession? Tomorrow is the annual Boise "Wedding Party Show" from 10am-5pm at the Boise Centre on the Grove. Lucky me is going because my cousin recently got engaged over the holidays. We're going to scope out some ideas and hopefully find the inspiration we need to make this wedding a one-of-a-kind experience.

I love weddings, always have. I am one of those girls who cries at any wedding scene during a movie. I keep telling my husband we'll have to get married at least 3 more times because I have so many wedding ideas. 

Wedding #1: I'd love to have a wedding in New York City. Simple NYC Court House ceremony, cocktail reception with a live jazz band and the getaway car would definitely have to be a taxi. I'd wear a short dress, birdcage veil, bright lips and funky shoes. Corey would go a little jazzy in slacks, button down with a vest and fedora.

Cocktail Reception

Fedora

 

Lively Chevrons Short Gown

Birdcage Veil

 

Modern Bouquet

Vintage NYC Cab

Funky Wedding Shoes

Wedding #2: Another one of my dream weddings? Elegant evening ceremony and reception at a vineyard. The vines would need to be full and covered in twinkle lights. I'd love a tent with fabric draping on the tent ceiling, with chandeliers of course :-) The dress would be fitted, lace and backless. Vintage getaway car with fireworks.

Rustic Setting

Twinkle Lights in the Vineyard

Backless Wedding Gowns

Vineyard Reception

Fabric Ceiling Tent

Vintage Getaway Car

Wedding #3: Glamorous Hollywood pool wedding. For this I would want hundreds of floating candles in the pool with clean/simple decor. Hair down or in vintage pin curls, no veil, beaded hair piece, all in a silk modern gown.

Pool Candles

Pool Flowers

Modern Chic Decor

Pool Candles

Blake Lively - Hollywood Glam

Headpiece

Jenny Packham Gown

Vintage Pin Curls

Pool Reception Decor

Louboutin Glitter Sling-Backs

See I told you I LOVED weddings!!! I am so excited to see the bridal show tomorrow I can't even sleep. Check out the show details, this Saturday and Sunday (January 5th & 6th). Enjoy your weekend bombshells!

XOXOX The BoiseBombshell