My Style: Athleta Fashion

gifted Athleta Up-Tempo Seamless Bra, Illuminate Tank, Shiva Shimmer Top, & Lightning Chaturanga Leggings // Nike Tennis Shoes 

With  17+ years of dance experience from ballet and tap, to hip hop & jazz, I was at a loss at what to do once I graduated college and took my last dance class. A year or two after graduation I took a beginning adult ballet class just to get back in a studio and ended up teaching the class the following year. I was never one for a gym, often choosing yoga and group classes over weights and a treadmill. 

Over the past few months I let fitness take the back burner as I became busier with my job, side jobs, and wedding planning. This past weekend Lifetime Fitness opened their doors and I've already taken multiple classes (I'm so sore, but that's the best feeling!). I'm excited to make fitness more of a focus in my life. Whether it's taking Lola for long walks or hitting up Yoga in the Park with my girlfriends, just getting off the couch and getting active is all that matters!

Thanks to Athleta Fashion, not only can you find cute pieces that you can wear to the gym but also in your everyday life. If I'm at home, you can typically find me in yoga pants and a tank, my at-home uniform if you will. I love that these pieces can be worn in every aspect of my life. So even if your hair is thrown up in a messy knot and your covered in sweat, you know that you still look stylish - especially when everyone is more focused on your outrageous printed leggings! :) 

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Thanks to Athleta for sponsoring this post, all opinions are my own. 

Strut Your Style Pin and Win with Divine Caroline

I've partnered up with Divine Caroline and a handful of other stylish bloggers to round up the hottest spring trends of 2014. We want to know which fashions inspire you the most! Plus, we want to keep you looking divine with a $500 shopping spree! All you have to do is click here for a chance to win $500 and browse the style board I helped curate!

I created the Prepster Spring looks for the Strut Your Style Pin & Win Sweepstakes. Lately I'm all about a statement pant and with a patterned sweater, I'm not afraid to stand out in a crowd! Pearls are a girl's best accessories and with spring's arrival, it's time to bust out the open toed heels!

What look best suits your personality? Let me know in the comments below!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Divine Caroline. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting content that makes The Brunette One possible!

Style Your Life with Kleenex

This past weekend I was in Kansas City for Go Blog Social. As the conference's Communications Director I spent the majority of the conference glued to the trifecta (iPad/Mac Book/iPhone) live tweeting (#GBS2014) all of our amazing speakers. In addition to my electronic essentials,  I want to share a few of my blogging conference essentials for  Go Blog Social. 

Having a stash of business cards is essential for any networking event, especially Go Blog Social. Not only am I there representing GBS, but I'm also there networking for The Brunette One and Midwest Bloggers. There's nothing like a hand written to-do list and this inspiring mini notebook from Graphic Image is easily thrown in my purse to jot down any quick thoughts. 

My GiGi NY key chain wallet is the perfect size to carry all of my essentials (ID, credit card, some cash, and of course my trusted Starbucks gift cards!). We were gifted Jouer lip stick and Stila lip glaze in neutral shades, which are both perfect for an everyday lip color. And of course, a hair clip, because sometimes you just gotta throw it up!

Last, but certainty not least, my Kleenex On-The-Go Slim Pack. As an allergy sufferer and with the arrival of spring, I never want to be without my Kleenex. And thanks to their stylish designs and small packaging it easily fits into my handbag and clutch when it's time for bag change.  Kleenex recently partnered with Isaac Mizrahi to create four designs to help express personal style and incorporate the latest trends. On the Kleenex Style Finder, you can find your own personal style and watch videos featuring Isaac and his latest styling advice. 

You can also find me over at Divine Caroline showcasing my favorite Prepster Spring looks for their Strut Your Style Pin & Win Sweepstakes. Click here for a chance to win $500 and browse the style board I helped curate!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kleenex. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting content that makes The Brunette One possible!

A Perfect Valentine's Day with Winter's Tale

Valentine's Day is soon approaching and my fiancé and I usually prefer to keep our evening fairly low-key. We have been movie buffs for as long as I can remember, but rarely agree on the romantic movie. It helps that I'm usually for the action, mystery, or sci-fi flick, but I love when a particular film not only has every aspect of mystery and suspense for him, but also carries romance for me. I'm anxious to see Winter's Tale for this very reason.

With actors such as Colin Farrell (just saw him in Saving Mrs. Bank, he is so good), Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, and Jessica Brown Findlay, you have the makings of one fantastic film. Set in the early 1900s, we have the story of Peter Lake, a thief who falls in love with a dying women, Beverly Penn, after attempting to break into her home. Irish gangster Pearly Soames and old boss has a vendetta against him and continues to chase Peter in hopes of killing him. In the midst of his war with Pearly, and with Beverly's love, a love that lasts over lifetimes, Peter wakes up in modern day NYC, he can't remember his name, but he can remember her.  I can't wait to see what happens and every time I see the trailer on TV, I remind my fiancé that this is what we need to see when the movie opens on Friday, February 14, Valentine's Day!

After getting our puppy, Lola,  I've become a serious homebody and the polar vortex temperatures aren't encouraging me to leave the house anytime soon unless it is for the essentials. So this Valentine's Day weekend I'm hoping we not only get to catch a showing of Winter's Tale, but also spend some time in the kitchen cooking a delicious meal, maybe hand-made pizzas, followed by a cozy night by the fire with Lola in tow. A game of scrabble, stove-top popcorn, and and a movie from the Golden Globes nominations of "Best Movies" that we both haven't seen to close out the weekend celebration.

Make sure to see all of my inspiration for Valentine's Day here. Let me know what you plan on doing this Valentine's Day, are you spending it with your significant other? Night out with the girls?


Disclosure: This post was sponsored by WB Winter's Tale through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about WB Winter's Tale, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting content that makes The Brunette One possible!

Shopping Cart: Uncommon Goods Jewelry

She Believed She Could Bangle | I Carry Your Heart Bowl | Pave Ring | Diamond Arrow Bracelet | Diamond in the Rough Ring | Raw Gemstone Earrings

Happy Monday. As the record below temps prevent me from doing anything too productive, I've been spending my time scouring Uncommon Goods for my latest inspiration and jewelry finds. I've been on a bit of a shopping hiatus after the holidays and am scouting my next must-have accessory. 

I'm loving this jewelry holder, not only does it quote one of my favorite poems, it's a perfect resting place for my engagement ring on a bed-side table and these earrings. The gold and diamond ring? An investment, but man, she's a beauty. It can even be considered an unconventional wedding ring. Would you wear it as such or a right hand ring? If simplicity is more your style, you can't go wrong with this  ring. 

My favorite pick may be the slim bangle that is engraved with the phrase "She Believed She Could" that I would pair with this arrow bracelet. This year I have some big dreams I'm hoping to accomplish and this would be a constant reminder that if I believe and if I work hard enough, I can make anything happen. Who wouldn't want that splendid reminder everyday?

This post was sponsored by Uncommon Goods, thank you so much for supporting the great brands that make The Brunette One possible!

Beauty: #DoveGreatHairDay

Soft & managable straight hair, ps. my long bob is growing out so fast! 

A car #selfie to document a good curly hair day.

Do you remember back in September I told you that I switched hair care products over to Dove’s Hair Therapy Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner? After a solid month of use, my hair has never felt healthier. My hair has less split-ends/breakage and softer, more manageable than it has been in the past few months. Always smooth to the touch! I had selected the intensive repair combo because I am constantly styling my hair with both a straightener and a curling iron. I have naturally wavy hair {that rarely is seen on this blog}. However, it is only ever seen in natural form when I hit snooze too many times and am left with no time to dry, I am definitely not a morning person. But I'm even noticing my curls have a little extra bounce in them, I am putting the blame (the good sort) on the switch in shampoo and conditioner. 

Now I want to give my readers another chance to win a sample from the Dove Hair Care product line! All you have to do is fill out this survey, so easy! Only the first 500 entrants win a sample - so hurry, go enter now!

Dove understands that having beautiful, healthy-looking hair gives you the confidence to feel your best. Whether your hair is dry or damaged, Dove has a tailor-made solution for your hair care needs.  After just one wash hair is shiny, healthy-looking and full of life. Thanks to Dove, you can look and feel beautiful from the inside out.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Dove via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dove.

Beauty: Dove Hair Care

Two years ago I picked up a habit of dying my hair when I was too afraid to make a significant cut, ombré first, then red followed up with my current state of dark brunette. Six months after 'the big chop', now more than ever, I've had unhealthy attachment to my curling iron. After years of long hair, I now have to deal with a cut that I want to style every day. It’s safe to say my hair has seen its fair share of breakage (I shed more than a dog probably does) and split ends. That’s where Dove’s Hair Therapy Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner step in. Even after the first wash, I noticed an immediate difference between the shampoo/conditioner I used to use compared to Dove’s. My hair was soft to the touch, no left over residue, and smelled amazing (a must!). Plus a shampoo and conditioner that work with your hair’s keratin to help strengthen and repair? Who can compete with that? I can rest a little easier now knowing my shampoo and conditioner are working for me and not against.  After washing and drying my hair, I curled it with a curling wand and my curling iron and spritzed a bit of hairspray.

Leave a comment below and let me know your hair care routine! Have you tried Dove Hair Care before? Make sure to share your results here, thousands of prizes are up for grabs!

Dove understands that having beautiful, healthy-looking hair gives you the confidence to feel your best. Whether your hair is dry or damaged, Dove has a tailor-made solution for your hair care needs.  After just one wash hair is shiny, healthy-looking and full of life. Thanks to Dove, you can look and feel beautiful from the inside out.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Dove via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dove. Thank you for supporting content that makes The Brunette One possible.

Travel in Style

T-Shirt | Jeans | Sweater | Heels | Foldable Flats | Wallet | Sunnies | Lipstick | Shopper | Laptop

Truth be told, traveling often gives me anxiety {lost luggage, delayed flights, etc.}. But the secret to a stress-free trip is to pack just the right carry on. A carry-all tote with a wallet that can double as a clutch, foldable flats to get through airport security, a magazine & laptop to make it through your flight {or being delayed}, a sweater that can double as a blanket, and of course once you land, a swipe of lipstick and shades to mask any sleep lines!  Don't forget a cute pair of heels to switch into!

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 HP + Intel want you to Pin Your Style! For a chance to win prizes like HP Envy 4 Touchsmart Ultrabook™  or a gift card to bring your style to life, HP has teamed up with Project Runway. All you have to do is pin a photo collage that includes the HP Envy 4 Touchsmart Ultrabook™ in correlation with this week's theme, Travel in Style. Then use the Pin It button on the Pin Your Style contest page. Don't forget to share your board with friends to earn the most votes! Click here to enter, happy pinning!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. Thank you for supporting content that makes The Brunette One possible.

My Style: Concert Attire

UO Tank | Target Skirt | F21 Jacket | Aimee Necklace | gifted Hanes Tights 

A glimpse into my everyday musings...When teaching my ballet class last Monday evening, the sun was shining late into the evening, the smell of grills firing up in the distance filled our senses, and the opened windows allowed a warm breeze to make its way into the studio. I literally stopped in the middle of our bar warm up to exclaim, “Doesn’t it just smell like Spring? I love it!” I believe is what the doctors could diagnose as spring fever. Cue the weather forecast to see if patio weather was in my near future as I was banking on dining al fresco for my birthday on Thursday. Flurries, high 37 degrees. Sometimes Mother Nature can be a real B, thanks for the 25th birthday present, not. But alas, I’m happy to report that the spring wardrobe I was planning to bust out can still be brought to fruition in small doses, with the help of one trusty accessory, tights. This pair of jet black tights {these are under $6!} will be getting me through these last few weeks of Mother Nature’s confusing weather patterns. This is what I ended up wearing to a Sunday evening spent with Bon Jovi with my mom and aunt! 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. Thank you for supporting content that makes The Brunette One possible. 

A Touch of Luxury

Top  | Skirt | Scarf | Flats | Bracelet | Lip Pencil | Nail Polish | Laptop | Tote 

When finding yourself in a wardrobe rut, there's nothing better than swiping on a bold lip and grabbing a chic printed tote to carry your daytime essentials, eg. a wallet, extra hair ties, cosmetic bag, a novel & of course a laptop. It's the little details added to your routine that can make one feel quite luxurious! This monochromatic look is inspired by the sophisticated and timeless beauties, Grace & Audrey. One can't help but feel fancy in this twirl-worthy outfit.

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I've partnered up with HP + Intel + Project Runway to introduce you to an exciting contest where you can win prizes like an HP Spectre XT Touchsmart Ultrabook™ and a gift card to bring your style to life by getting the top votes for your board. Want to participate? It's easy:

Pin a photo of the HP Spectre XT Touchsmart Ultrabook™ via the Pin It button on the Pin Your Style contest page. Then, build a board that represents that week's theme. Check out the weekly Pinsetter images on the site for inspiration.

Submit your board's URL into the site to enter. Then, share your board with friends to earn the most votes!

Good luck!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. Thank you for supporting content that makes The Brunette One possible.