#Blogmas GIVEAWAY & Fascino Boutique: The Grand Opening

December 10, 2015 by Bree Fesh in Events, Giveaways

For those of you who have been following me for awhile, you know that I am obsessed with the Pittsburgh based, online boutique Fascino, seriously this little shop has the cutest clothing and accessories for great prices! And I have news for my Pittsburgh readers, they're not only online but now have a storefront located on Mount Washington, just a block down from the Monongahela incline. (And coincidentally across the street from my old apartment building, was my love for this store meant to be? I think so!) Recently I attended their grand opening party and as I expected, their boutique was chic and flawless (and of course there was champagne!). Before I get to the giveaway details, here are some highlights from opening night:

Have to love a crafty DIY jewelry holder.

A sign I definitely need in my apartment.

Owners Stef Christiana & Kelly Williamson

Fascino is located at:

128 Wyoming St, Pittsburgh, PA 15211

And their shop hours are as follows:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 5:00PM-9:00PM

Wednesday: 5:00PM-9:00PM

Thursday: 5:00PM-9:00PM

Friday: 5:00PM-9:00PM

Saturday: 12PM-5:00PM

Sunday: 12PM-5:00PM

Now, about that GIVEAWAY:

So in honor of the giving season and Fascino's grand opening I figured what better way to celebrate than with a giveaway? Though I have partnered with Fascino for the grand prize, I also have partnered up with Bijoux USA again as well!

What can you win?

Here's the deal: I will be giving away 7 different Bijoux USA jewelry items (pictured below) to 7 of my contestants and one lucky contestant will win all 7 jewelry pieces along with a $100 gift card to Fascino! So that is 8 prizes all together. (For my international readers, unfortunately you're not eligible for the grand prize because Fascino does not ship internationally yet, however don't fret because you can still win some super cute jewelry which I will be shipping internationally!!)

TEARDROP CRYSTAL DECORATED DOUBLET CUFF BRACELET

WIRE ROSE MOTIF DRAPED LAYERED NECKLACE SET

FEATHER DETAIL TEXTURED TWISTED WIRE OPEN CUFF BRACELET

FACETED DOUBLE SIDED GEMSTONE CHAIN TASSEL NECKLACE SET

CHEVRON CUT OUT METAL BAR CUFF BRACELET

ASYMMETRICAL CRYSTAL BALL TRIPLE LINE CUFF BRACELET

ROUND FILIGREE NECKLACE SET

GRAND PRIZE: $100 Fascino Gift Card + All Seven Bijoux USA Jewelry Pieces

Rules:

The entry rules are exactly the same as my last Bijoux USA giveaway and are as follows:

The first step of entry is commenting on my post with what item you would like to try and win along with your email so I can reach you if you win to discuss shipping matters and such. However, if you are uncomfortable posting your email here, you can email me directly at starkravingchic@gmail.com with the same requests.
Please only ONE email/comment per item entry, this means you are allowed to try and win multiple items in the giveaway, but please only one email per item/contestant. (EX: if you want to try for more than one prize, you would list them in one comment.) Unfortunately if you do not follow this request, you will be disqualified.

How will the winners be chosen?

The drawings will be at random, basically I'll just be pulling names/email addresses out of a hat for each given category, this means there will be 8 separate drawings for each item listed to win, to guarantee the authenticity of the contest. And of course as I stated above, once my winners are picked I will notify you via email to get your address for shipping purposes.

Dates The Contest Will Be Running:

So the contest starts today with this post (AKA Thursday, December 10, 2015)! And you will have a little over two weeks to enter (meaning the end date will be Friday, December 25, 2015) and the winners will be announced that following Saturday, December 26, 2015 bright and early at 9AM US Eastern Time.

Just so you have it straight:

Start Date: Thursday, December 10, 2015
End Date: Friday, December 25, 2015
Announcement of Winners Date: Saturday, December 26, 2015

Before I sign off just another reminder, and as stated earlier, all of these items will be shipped internationally except for the grand prize of the $100 Fascino gift card and 7 jewelry items which will unfortunately only be offered for my U.S. readers due to the fact Fascino does not ship internationally yet! So again to my international readers, I'm very sorry about that, but as stated above you can still enter for any (and for as many as you want!) of the 7 jewelry pieces which I will be shipping globally!

To all my readers, thank you so much for reading and participating. You are all seriously the best and I am so happy to be hosting this giveaway this holiday season, you all deserve it and I truly appreciate each and every one of you!

Best holiday wishes everyone, and good luck!! :)

Xx, Bree

Dior: The Backstage Makeup Show

November 05, 2015 by Bree Fesh in Events

Recently, thanks to Ms. Libby Wilson, I had the honor of being a guest to a Christian Dior backstage makeup show at the Ross Park Mall, and I have to say it was an absolutely amazing experience. At this event I got to mingle amongst Dior runway makeup artists, learn loads about the fashion house, as well as get a runway makeover! Let's talk:

Christian Dior: A Few Fun Facts

As I stated earlier while at the show I had the opportunity to chat with Cindy Randazzo, a Dior makeup counter manager and organizer of the event. Cindy has worked in the beauty and makeup industry for 40 years and she been with Dior since June of 2015. This being said, she was incrediblely knowledgeable about the fashion house and though she gave me tons of history I thought it'd be more fun to share the lesser known info she bestowed upon me.

Did you know?

All of Christian Dior's makeup has been a cruelty free line since the 1980s. And any product that was made prior and was tested on animals has not been included in the line ever since. I thought this was great because I am totally all about moving forward and finding a better way to test products without harming out furry friends big and small. [Edit: Since interviewing Cindy & Garrett and writing this article back in November, it has come to my attention that, unfortunately, Dior now sells their products in China, meaning they are not 100% cruelty free. And until China changes their mandatory animal testing laws, any cosmetic brand that sells their products in China is not considered cruelty-free.]
Dior makeup is paraben free, meaning they contain no alcohol or acids in them, unlike some other cosmetics. Though it is not 100% guarantee, Dior cosmetics are less likely to cause skin irritation due to this fact. And take it from me, I have very sensitive skin and rarely used foundations but since the show I have been using Dior's AirFlash foundation my skin has actually shown improvement. Talk about nifty right?
Doir's line is also gluten free as well. And I'm sure if you're anything like me you've probably never heard of such a thing other than in foods and beverages but apparently gluten free makeup can be just as good for your skin here's why: if you happen to have celiac disease, aka an allergy to gluten, these cosmetics will not irritate your allergy which I'm sure you've already guessed. However for those of us who don't have this allergy going gluten free in makeup is just another way to be more health focused.
Dior products are 80% botanical and Dior has 10 gardens world wide that each employ exclusively local farmers in these communities.
In the 1960s Dior invented and launched a new high grading facial cream, which today we just refer to as serum.
Dior cosmetics has won not one, but four Noble Prize awards in chemistry for their makeup technology.
The majority of Dior's scientists are made up of graduates from Harvard and Stanford universities.
Last but not least a little fact that Cindy shared with me about Dior himself that I just found to be really quirky and cool: Dior believed the flower lily of the valley to be incredibly lucky therefore on every garment he designed he had his seamstress embroider a small one on to the article of clothing and only he and seamstress knew where it was located on the garment.

Garrett Clabaut: Makeup Artist

As I mentioned earlier while I was at this event I got to spend time with and talk to a few makeup artists but the one who I got to spend the most time with (and gave me an awesome makeover) was Garrett Clabaut.

While doing my makeup up and chatting I learned that Garrett started his cosmetics career 12 years ago working at his friends Las Vegas boutique. And three of those years he has been working as a runway makeup artist for Christian Dior. How did he get this sweet gig you ask? Well Garrett entered and won Dior's yearly National Makeup Artists Contest. And the rest is history. Garrett now travels and works at Dior runway shows as well as backstage shows such as the one I attended. Garrett's favorite thing about being a make up artist?

"My favorite thing would have to be taking something so simple to make someone feel amazing." -Garrett Clabaut, Dior Show Artist

My Dior Makeover

My (new) Dior Products

DiorSkin AirFlash Foundation (200)
Dior Blush "My Rose" (943)
Dior Eyeshadow 5 color pallet "State of Gold" (886)

Have you ever had a Dior makeover or love their products? Dish about it in the comment section below or tweet me at @StarkRavingChic

Recent Charity Event: Cocktails for a Cure

October 17, 2015 by Bree Fesh in Events

Recently this past Tuesday I was invited to join a charity event called "Cocktails for a Cure" at a local (and one of my favorites) pub named The Sea Shell. Normally I don't do stories on things of this nature, but when I got to the quaint little place and seen the out poor of support I just thought that it is totally something worth writing about. Especially because there are so many women and families (mine included) fighting this disease every year.

Firstly what is "Cocktails for a Cure"?

Cocktails for a Cure is an annual fundraiser for breast cancer that has been running since October 2012. This charity event was started by Sara Wafa, the owner of the Element Day Spa, located in Moon Township. She was inspired to start this event because her aunt died of breast cancer a few years prior, and wanted to make a fundraiser that would raise money as well as awareness for those who are fighting or have a family member that is fighting this horrible disease. This even is every second Tuesday in October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

What Events Take Place Each Year at Cocktails for a Cure?

Each year at this event The Sea Shell offers $5.00 Mini Massages compliments of Element Day Spa, pink martinis (which are delicious by the way!), a 50/50 raffle which you can win gifts such as Pinktober tees, cure themed treats such as pink ribbon cookies, all topped off with a DJ!

How does the donation process work? And what can you do to donate?

That past two years, Sara has chosen a member in the community who is currently undergoing radiation to donate the money raised by the fundraiser to to help with medical expenses. But don't worry, if you missed Cocktails for a Cure you can still donate by stopping by the Shell and purchase a Pinktober tee for $20 dollars which these proceeds go to the Sara G. Komen Foundation.

In case you missed the event, here are a few fun snapshots I took of the nights events:

Masseuses, Sara Wafa and Stephanie Fiedler, of the Element Day Spa

Last but not least, the women who make this event happen each year:

From Left to Right: Ludetta Regan, Tiffiney Banks, Justine Bazzo, Syephanie Fielder, Sara Wafa, and Lea Guarina — From Left to Right: Ludetta Regan, Tiffiney Banks, Justine Bazzo, Syephanie Fielder, Sara Wafa, and Lea Guarina

Interested in other charity events coming up from these lovely ladies? All through the months of November and December Element Day Spa and The Sea Shell team up and collect donations for Animal Friends located on Camp Horne Road.