#OOTD: Bohemian Rhapsody (Feat. SheIn + Rocksbox)

I'm not going to lie, I've fantasized about raiding the Olsen twin's closet on more than one occasion--especially during their "bag lady" style days. I mean floppy hats, comfy sweaters, flowing printed skirts, and ankle boots are all things that I love. With that being said, while going through my past posts, I couldn't believe I've only ever styled one boho-chic outfit on here! So I've decided this fall I'm going to try and rock the bohemian look a little more frequently. Especially while I'm out perusing the city, because admittedly I've gotten some major street style inspiration from NYFW this year. So I figured why not start today while I was down in South Side hanging out at my favorite coffee joint, Big Dog Coffee. 

Sips & Style

For my Pittsburgh readers who are also caffeine lovers, if you haven't tried Big Dog Coffee yet I urge you to immediately. This hidden gem, on 2717 Sarah St., in South Side seriously serves the best brews  in the Burgh (coffee & tea, no booze). The atmosphere is also light and laid back, so it's the perfect place to go whether you are just grabbing a cup of joe with friends, working on your blog, or if you're studying for that big exam. So due to Big Dog's chill vibe, I couldn't help but think it was the perfect place to show off my new bohemian garb, and of course grab a cup of  their new white peach tea.

The one fashion trend that I've been anxiously awaiting to style this fall is none other than the cold shoulder sweater. The reason why I love the cold shoulder trend so much is because it's chic, fun, and versatile! For instance if you wanted to go for a glam look just pair one of these babies with some black moto pants and some velvet heels for a night out. And though I decided to pair this comfy cotton sweater with a high-low skirt for a boho babe vibe, I could totally see myself styling it with my  favorite pair of cropped skinnies and ankle booties in the very near future. 

Next up, is this pretty SLATE necklace, compliments of my other sponsor Rocksbox. The reason I decided to pair it with this look was simply just to add some extra shimmer to my outfit. I just love the geometric pattern and thought it added a touch of elegance to my otherwise laid back look. Also note, if you like this piece, you can snag it and many others from Rocksbox for a whole month free. How? Just use my promo code "starkravingchicxoxo" when you sign up! Want more info? Click here.

Lastly I want to talk about how darling this high-low skirt is, which I paired with my very comfy ankle booties. As soon as I saw this skirt on SheIn I just knew I had to have it in my wardrobe. I  adore the airy, dreamy vibe it gives as well as the pretty geometric/floral print. It also goes great with my ankle boots, which I normally pair with cropped skinnies but figured I'd switch it up for my day downtown! I also love the fact that like the sweater, I can make several outfits using this piece. I mean, I'm already planning what cute cropped cami and mules I'll pair with it when I head down to Florida on the 7th to visit my beau. (Come to think of it, this skirt paired with a bikini top, sandals, and a sun hat would be perfect for strolling around Delray Beach!) 

One Last Look

What are some styles that you'll be rocking more of this fall? Let's chat about it in the comments below or tweet me at @StarkRavingChic! Later dolls. 

Xx, Bree

PART II: The Glam Look (10/02/16)

As per request, I styled this sweater with a touch of glam while I was out in the city today working on my latest collaboration with Brian, from FWDT! More on that project coming soon, but for now check it:

Love the jewels? Rocksbox FREE promo code: starkravingchicxoxo

One Last Look

Follow up question: what fun ways do you style your versatile pieces? Dish about it in the comments below! See you soon babes.

Xx, Bree

Fashion Week Downtown: My Night in "Stories"

Throughout my college years, one Pittsburgh event I always looked forward too was Fashion Week. So back in April when I first read how the annual Pittsburgh Fashion Week was cancelled this year, after six consecutive years, I was a bit crushed. However, my hope was restored in June when I began hearing buzz on social media about a new fashion event that was coming to downtown this fall: Fashion Week Downtown. 

About The Event

The event itself was held at the Union Trust Building on Grant Street and was organized by the Pittsburgh Downtown Community Development Corporation (PDCDC) who partnered with Social Butterfly Magazine. The main man behind the idea though was John Valentine, the corporation's executive director. Mr. Valentine, much like the rest of the Pittsburgh fashion community, was sad to hear about Pittsburgh Fashion Week's hiatus. Due to the fact the fashion industry is an important part of the Pittsburgh art and business community, he couldn't just let a year go buy without a proper fashion event. So Mr. Valentine, the PDCDC and Social Butterfly Magazine came up with Fashion Week Downtown to keep the fashion culture here alive this year. And that's exactly what it did.

VIPs mingle before Fashion Week Downtown in the lounge of the Union Trust Building. 

Resident artist at The Space Upstairs mid opening performance.

The event, which the PDCDC team only had a few months to plan, had an amazing turn out of roughly 500 guests, and the tickets for the event completely sold out 6 weeks prior to the event. The event also featured exclusive appetizers catered by Union Standard as well as a complimentary signature cocktail for the VIPs, as well as a cash bar for the general admissions. The runway show itself featured a special performance by Pearlann Porter & the Resident Artists at The Space Upstairs. The performance title "Jazz Couture" consisted of 3 (very different but simultaneous) contemporary dance performances set to improvisational jazz on the runway. Next Elena LaQuatra (the Reigning Miss Pennsylvania USA) announced the brands and their designers, which there were 13 of, along with 50 beautiful outfits and models! Awesome right?

Runway model, Joanna Wentling, modeling gown by designer Brian David (Instagram, Facebook).

Fun Fact: Brian and I have been in contact since the show and we are in the process of planning a collaboration! More details coming soon.

My How I ended up in the VIPs

My seat at the runway compliments of Social Butterfly Magazine. 

So, now that I've got you caught up on all the details, you're probably wondering how I got to attend due to the tickets selling out so quickly. Well lucky for me, a friend of mine from college, Jeanette Shustack, works as a graphic designer and staff photographer for the local publication Social Butterfly Magazine. The magazine was covering the event as well as working with the PDCDC. So when Jeanette heard that they needed some staff volunteers to help with the set up the runway and possibly double as press for the show, she reached out to me and a few others via Facebook. Obviously, I eagerly accepted due to my love of Pittsburgh and the fashion industry in general, but I would be crazy to not jump at the chance to be a VIP at a fashion show!

My First Fashion Show Experience + All of the Snaps

So after running around and feeling like Andrea Sachs all day, (But with a much kinder boss than Miranda Priestly of course!) 6 o'clock came and I got to take behind the scenes photos of the event, eat some delicious food, and chit-chat with some fabulous members of the Pittsburgh fashion community. And of course, this was all uploaded to my Story on Instagram, which has changed since the show. However, due to the nature of the event I decided it would be fun to do something new and leave you a slide show of some of my snaps from the evening. Featuring a few of the awesome shots I got sitting two feet from the runway (Thanks again Jeanette & Social Butterfly Magazine!) as well as some of my just for fun behind the scenes shots. Enjoy! 

Wanna check out all of the designers from the show? Take a look: Alana Yoffee, TK Fashion Design, Hollywood Glam!, Ruby Dawn Designs, Suz Pisano, Leesa Kassler, ProBantuStyle, S.Moye' Fashions, Sofiya Mozley Fashion, Bradford Mumpower, Brian David, Faith-n-Khaos, and James Houk Design.

In closing, I just have to say I had an absolute blast and am still so grateful I was invited to this awesome event! A special thanks to Jeanette & the rest of Social Butterfly Magazine, as well as Renee, Kari, and John from the PDCDC! I hope to see you all at Fashion Week Downtown next year.

So, what do you think of Pittsburgh's new Fashion Week Downtown? Any favorite outfits from the runway? Let's chat about it in the comments below!

Xx, Bree

Beautycounter: Nourishing Cream Cleanser + Nourishing Night Face Cream

Hi everyone and happy Friday! As the week is winding down I'm happy to announce that amongst my most recent press events with ModCloth and Social Butterfly Magazine, I also had the chance to collaborate with a start-up company by the name of Beautycounter.

When I first received notice that Beautycounter was interested in collaborating with me, I was emailed by one of their consultants, Carley.  Though I had heard of the company before I wasn't incredibly familiar with their brand so I took to Google to investigate. After reading loads of reviews, their mission statement, as well as how they select their ingredients, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them!

*Image supplied by Beautycounter.

I'm sure my US readers who are makeup and beauty junkies have came across this California-based company, who stepped into the industry in 2013. But for my readers who are a bit unfamiliar, here's what Beautycounter is all about:

Safer Beauty

As explained in their mission statement, one of Beautycounter's main concerns when making their products is to be sure the beauty products they deliver are safe. Unfortunately in today's market there are over 80,000 chemicals and many of them do not have any safety information. Which in my opinion, leaves the FDA to blame due to the fact the only thing they regulate in cosmetics are the color additives. Meaning they are still allowing companies to use chemicals in their products that are known to be extremely harmful. And to make matters worse think about this: in the past two decades the European Union has banned more than 1,300 chemicals in the use of beauty products where the United States has partially banned 11. (That's right, I'm not sure if I'm more bothered by the "partially" or the fact that only 11 have been [partially] banned.)

*Image supplied by Beautycounter.

Knowing this information, Beautycounter's founder Gregg Renfrew decided it was definitely time for a change. So back in 2013 she started the company, which has been devoted to progress ever since. To further make Beautycounter stand out, they actually have a "Never List" which lists ingredients you will never find in their products. If you want to learn more about the ingredient selection process, click here. And if you want more background information as to why Beautycounter is so unique and why they are so devoted to their process, you should check out this video.

My Beautycounter Experience 

Of course after chatting with Carley and learning all these wonderful things about Beautycounter I wanted to try it for myself! So Carley was kind enough to send me two complimentary full size products to try and to review. As the title of my article would lead you to believe, those two products are the Nourishing Cream Cleanser as well as the Nourishing Night Face Cream.

At first, I was a bit leery to try a new facial cleanser due to the fact I have sensitive skin and my Clarisonic cleanser has worked for me for two years now, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The Nourishing Cream Cleanser lathered nicely and is very light, it also easily washed off and didn't leave my face feeling as though there was any excess cleanser left behind. It also left my face feeling fresh and was much less harsh on my skin than my Clarisonic cleanser, even when used with my Mia 2 cleansing brush.

*Image supplied by Beautycounter.

I also feel that this cleanser has actually worked wonders for my skin. In the week I have been using it my skin has felt softer, appeared more vibrant, and has had significantly less redness even with the change in the weather. (Normally around this time of year when the 'Burgh starts to get cold, I tend to get a very windburned face from bustling around the city.) Bottom line? I can guarantee you that I will be switching to this cleanser and ditching my Gentle Hydro. 

*Image supplied by Beautycounter.

The next product I tried from Beautycounter was the Nourishing Night Face Cream.  As I'm sure you've assumed this is a night time moisturizer. When first trying this I was expecting it to be very heavy and oily like the overnight moisturizers I've tried in the past. However, much to my surprise this moisturizer is just as light and airy as the cleanser. I was very happy with the results too, this moisturizer made my skin feel so lush and smooth, and is definitely another product I will be adding to my beauty routine.

Final Thoughts

In closing I would like to say I would definitely recommend Beautycounter's products for anyone looking for a great skin care line or makeup that only uses 100% safe chemicals in their products. And as for me? You can bet I will continuing to use (and reorder!) these products as a part of my everyday beauty routine, and will be checking out the rest of Beautycounter's Face Collection. 

*Image supplied by Beautycounter.

Have you ever tried Beautycounter? What are some of your favorite products? Tell me about them in the comments below or tweet me them at @StarkRavingChic! 

Xx, Bree