GIFT GUIDE: For the kids

It's that time of year again!! Thanksgiving is right around the corner... & what's hiding right behind it? - CHRISTMAS!  We may be a little over a month away, but the time to prepare starts now. Christmas shopping & sales are starting to pop up everywhere, and this is where the fun begins.

 In my attempt to make life a little easier, every FRIDAY leading up to Christmas Eve, I'll be putting up GIFT GUIDES to aid in your holiday shopping.  This week, I've selected a few of my favorite items for the kids in your life. And BTW... I've also dedicated a Pinterest board specifically for gift ideas!! Want more?? Check out some other pics here!! Enjoy!

1. ABC Kids Custom Print // 2. "Wooden Instagram" Toy Camera // 3. Burberry Infant/Toddlers's High Top Sneaker // 4. Love Rope Bracelet // 5. Intarsia Bunny Sweater Dress // 6. "Space Invaders" Crayons // 7. Juicy Couture Leopard Print French Terry Set (Infant) // 8. Anthropologie Comme Le Grinch A Vole Noel // 9. "Batman" Alarm Clock // 10. "My First Purse" Play Set

- post by jen ramos

Isabel Marant Rocks it @H&M

We've all been waiting to see the Isabel Marant for H&M collection & the day is finally here. Unfortunately it's the same day I'm at West Elm - so I may have to shop online! But for those of you who can make it early to H&M - Its all available now! The collection is definitely more affordable compared to the stuff we're used to seeing at the Isabel Marant shop. My favorite pieces for both women & men are below.

How about you? Have you see it all yet? which are your faves?

These boots! I think they'd look great on my husband.....hmmm

See You at West Elm

Are you ready for tomorrow's West Elm event here in NYC?  I'll be hosting it! 

It's going to be a simple, yet fun DIY - plus there will be lots of sweet treats & hot chocolate on hand for you to enjoy! Great way to start off the Holiday season no??

The event will start at 6:30 at the West Elm Broadway store but will also be hosted at other stores like Scarsdale, Dumbo, Chelsea, Fenway & more.  Keep in mind - I will NOT be hosting those other events.  However, at the event tomorrow we're going to be giving away (2) framed Cocoa & Hearts paintings to (2) lucky winners!! So, don't miss out!

Speaking of 2....here is how I styled a hot chocolate & dessert table for 2.  I used all West Elm dinnerware on top of my beautiful marble oval coffee table.  One of my favorite pieces for the table styling, was the gold napkin ring set that West Elm has right now, you can see them below! Many of you were asking about the mugs I painted - they were inspired by my popular color series artwork via my Cocoa & Hearts gallery.
 

 I'm so grateful to be collaborating with West Elm - thank you so much W/E!

Maybe we'll see you at the event tomorrow??

-images & styling by jen ramos

Beauty: B.B. Cream

Hello everyone! So, I have to talk to you about a recent change I made in my makeup application routine: BB Cream!  I've been hearing a lot about it lately, and more & more creams seem to be popping up everywhere I turn.  I decided to give it a try a few months ago & HONESTLY, this stuff is amazing!  I don't even think there's any use for my foundation anymore! I used to buy Laura Mercier or Chanel foundations - and you know those can run anywhere between $50-75 each!

You're probably wondering, what the heck is a BB cream though?? So, it's really a "blemish/beauty balm" and it's supposed to do everything a tinted moisturizer should do, just more I guess. And it does. The one I use is Garnier's Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector.  It has full coverage, it's light, & evens out my skin tone perfectly, I don't need to use any additional products! It's super affordable, only $12.99!!! Crazy huh?

I did some Sephora searching & found the best of the best BB Creams. So, here we go!

Do you have a favorite BB Cream, or another product that you absolutely swear by??

1. Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Cream // 2. Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Smart Gel BB // 3. Yves Saint Laurent Top Secrets All-In-One BB Cream // 4. Clinique Age Defence BB Cream // 5. L'Oreal Paris Studio Secrets // 6. Smashbox Camera Ready

- post by jen ramos

BEAUTY: 6 Eye Creams

Hi again! Kelsey from Kelsey Nicole here. Soon after I turned 26 in May, I decided to it was time to bump up my skincare routine, get serious about my skin and use products that will help retain moisture and also delay wrinkles and other forms of aging. I don't necessarily have wrinkles (yet) but I do have some fine lines around my eyes. One of the absolute best ways to preserve youthful skin is by using eye cream. Here are a few options that I have either tried myself and loved or have heard positive reviews on:

Restorsea Revitalizing Eye Cream | One Love Organics Active Moisture Eye Balm | Somme Institute Eye | Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream | Philosophy Miracle Worker Retinoid Eye Cream | Clinique All About Eyes

- post by kelsey

Oscar Blandi Hair & Beauty Giveaway

TGIF right?? Well, I'd like to leave you all with a wonderful giveaway!

This week, you're in for a treat!  We're working with Oscar Blandi and giving away some of his awesome hair & beauty products valued at over $300.00!  PLUS, we're not stopping there. We're also gonna throw in some freebies from the MADE BY GIRL shop. To give you a total prize valued at over $400.00!!! Check out below how you can enter.

What Will I Win?

Oscar Blandi Hair & beauty products valued at over $300.00! Products include:

• (1) Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo
• (1) Oscar Blandi Dry Conditioner Spray
• (1) Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo Powder Spray
• (1) Oscar Blandi Dry Texture & Volume Spray
• (1) Oscar Blandi Olio di Jasmine Hair Serum
• (1) Oscar Blandi Pronto Gloss Instant Glossing Cream
• (1) Freeze 24•7 Skin Glacé
• (1) Freeze 24•7 Skin Smoothie 
• (1) Cargo HD Picture Perfect Translucent Powder

PLUS : Extra gifts from the MADE BY GIRL.  Including:

• (1) Small Gold LOVE (8"x10") print 
• (1) Fashionable Zoey (Brown) Tote
• (1) Flora Gold Wire Bracelet

 Total Value of Products: $416.00

 How Do I Enter?

• All you have to do is follow MADE BY GIRL on instgram here & REGRAM this photo onto your Instagram. 
• You must use tag:  #MADEBYGIRL - so we can find you!! 

Giveaway ends?

You have ONE WEEK to enter! Giveaway ends on: November 15, 2013.



- post by jen ramos

Speaking at Love Your Life Event

This past Monday I had the opportunity to speak in front of several women here in NYC at the Love Your Life event.  My beautiful friend Lynette Lewis shared the stage with me as I spoke about how I started MADE BY GIRL, the many failed business attempts, including a CHOCOLATE truffle business. We also discussed the story behind why I started painting & how I launched Cocoa & Hearts, the desire to have children, the times I felt hopeless in my life, my faith & encouraging others to follow their dreams. This is one of the few times I've opened up about PERSONAL things in my life in front of an audience - it was a beautiful experience that I will never forget.

Lots of WOMEN came by to ask me questions after the event & one woman even prayed for me, which was really beautiful.  I thank all my friends & family who came out to see me on Monday & for all the women who read my blog & showed up, thank you for your support!  I continue to pray that God will open up more doors for me where I will be an inspiration to other women whether its through my business or through my Faith.

 The top I was sporting is  from MANGO & a blazer from Zara.

I also advised women on (5) simple tips to starting their own business.  In this video below, you'll hear me talk about one of my first businesses where I made chocolate truffles & how that DID NOT WORK for me!  Although I LOVE chocolate. Ha!

You can watch the video & hear me discuss that part - it's about 3 min long- enjoy! 

This is the first video I've posted of me on my blog (I think!) -it's very odd...but, here you go!