DESIGN: Elegant livingroom

Hey lovelies, its Monika here! I will never get enough of white + gold combo in interiors and this living room is another proof why! I love the clean lines and the attention to detail and most f all the art work on the main wall that adds a character to the whole space! I would love that in my living room!





-post by monika


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My e LUXE wishlist

We'll be going on a long-awaited honeymoon (vacation) next month - you see, we never took a real honeymoon after our wedding, so the time has finally arrived!   It's an all-expense paid trip, which makes it even better.  However, like most women, before I go on vacation, I like to plan what I'll be wearing.  Even though I'm still not done with all my wardrobe planning, I compiled some cute stuff from eLUXE.  It's just a wishlist at this time, but I thought it would also give you some inspiration if you're planning on a vacation this Summer.

If you haven't visited eLUXE - check them out. They're an online designer boutique, with an interesting twist. They also team up with popular bloggers & influencers to participate & help design items for their shop.  Have a great weekend!!







-post by jen ramos


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BEAUTY: Braids FOR SUMMER

It's Rachel from Life Unsweetened here at Made By Girl!  Today, the focus is on everyone's favorite summer hairstyle - braids. Whether you sport a long side-braid or prefer pinning back your bangs with a classic french braid, the style is an easy way to keep hair out of your way. When summer comes along, I find myself leaning toward braided hairstyles- especially updos- to help beat the heat while still looking cute. To get the perfect braid takes some practice and patience, but also a few helpful hair products, shown below.



 (1) Oscar BlandiPronto Texture & Volume Spray-
 Braids are easiest to work with when your hair is a bit dirty. If possible, use second-day hair, but don't worry if you've already shampooed in the morning. This texture and volume spray acts as a dry shampoo that roughens the texture of your hair and adds volume, making hair easier to work with. Summer braids have a sexy, undone look to them and this product does all that.

 (2) Sephora Collection Ombre Bobby Pin Ups- If you have layers in your hair like me, you'll probably need some cute bobby pins to help keep pieces from falling out of the braids. I usually opt for brunette ones to match my hair, but these colored ones are a cute option for summer.

 (3) Oscar Blandi Pronto Braid Paste- Much like the volume spray above, this product is made specifically for braided hairstyles.  This dry texture paste makes braids appear fuller, more defined & offers a strong grip to hold strands together- without the greasiness factor.  

(4) Vidal Sassoon No Crimp Braid Elastics- Tie your braids with these no-fuss, easy to use elastics. The best part? They're thin, easy to conceal with hair and won't leave those horrid crimps in your hair.


-post by rachel maleady


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FASHION: How To wear a Blue Blazer

Hi lovely ladies! It's Sandra from Blasfemmes here today to show you two different ways to wear a blue blazer. Blazers are a must-have item in my wardrobe all year round and I'm loving them in their sweetest color versions: powder blue, pastel pink, soft peach, mint. I chose this sky blue/pastel blue because the color is one of the trendiest right now (see this post) and also because I personally love how refreshing it looks and the calmness it induces. Are you fans of this shade? Have a great week everyone!





 -post by sandra lopes

 
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DESIGN: OUTDOOR LIVING

Hi guys, its Lisa of Gem Daily with an inspiring outdoor space that will really push you to enjoy the warmer weather! I stumbled upon the amazing home tour of Estee Stanley on Domaine a few months ago and it is now my image of perfection in terms of outdoor spaces; I will do just about anything and everything to achieve a space that looks similar to this one!
 
The lounge furniture is so divine in the black and white stripe, the moroccan-inspired tile brings in color in such a sophisticated way & the crisp white backdrop is perfect with the lush greenery. This space really capitalizes on making an outdoor space feel like an extension of the indoor living space and is just screaming for some sangria, a bikini & the latest stack of design magazines!



-post by lisa fisbeck


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By Malene Birger

Malene Birger is one of my favorite designers for this year - I have to admit I love almost everything in the collection.  The brand is all about stron graphics, but they still look sophisticated. Let's face it, some designers do a poor job of adding graphics into their collections, and all i can say is "tacky". But NOT with Malene Birger, the collection is always sharp & modern.  It's a bit of the past transported into the future when you see the clothing, at least that's what I think.  Check out the video on the site to see what I mean - gotta LOVE it.




-post by jen ramos



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FASHION: HOT TO wear a blazer

Hi MBG readers, Sandra from Blasfemmes here.   I really love blazers. They’re in fact a key component of my wardrobe for their versatility and elegance and I especially love how can they turn a casual outfit into a more polished one. This time my post is about two different ways of wearing a soft pink tone blazer. These are just two ways but the options are endless. Are there more blazer's fans out there? Have a great week everyone! Post MBG-How-to-wear-nude-blazer

First Look: 1. Ray-Ban Sunglasses // 2. Topshop Blazer// 3. M&S Scarf // 4. Topshop Playsuit // 5. Pour La Victoire Sandals Second Look: 1. Topshop Blazer // 2. Equipment Top // 3. Frame Denim Jeans // 4. Valentino Rockstud Bag // 5. Giuseppe Zanotti Shoes (similar here).



 -post by sandra lopes

 
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FASHION: GRAPHIC TREND

Hi everyone! Adri of Adri's World here.  With the warmer weather, you'll be seeing lots of new trends. What do you think of all the bold prints out there for this season? I do love a great print and these would go well with neutral or bold colors, don't you think?

Those espadrilles are a very comfortable yet stylish way to add a bold print to your outfit. Ready to make a statement, what about with those pants? I think they would look amazing day or night!
How about incorporating two trends at once with a floral and graphic tee? My favorite is that embellished crop top, it's not too short and it's perfect for pants or a skirt. And you can never go wrong with the right accessories. A wallet that can be worn as a mini clutch—perfect! Oh, but I love that gold cuff and those sandals!

Are you a fan of bold prints? What do you think of this trend? 






[1.rebecca minkoff flats, 2.zara pants, 3.topshop tee, 4.asos crop top, 5.sandals, 6.whistles cuff (similar here), 7.rebecca minkoff wallet]

 
- post by Adri Reynoso
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FOOD: PINEAPPLE + COCONUT CHIA FLURRY

With the current Pineapple craze - While on my Instagram, I came across a photo of a Pineapple drink I had to make. Of course, I enlisted the help of my husband & this is what we made.  It is truly the perfect Summer treat!


How to make:

Add 1/2 C agave or simple syrup to 2 C pineapple juice and whisk together. Pour the mix into a tupperware, cover and freeze (will take 2+ hours).

Add 1/3 cup white chia seeds to a 13 oz can of coconut milk and whisk together. Portion into serving glasses evenly (should make 4 3.5oz servings, so the glasses should be small tumblers or aperitif glasses). Chill for 1-2 hours.

When ready to serve, remove the frozen pineapple mix and scrape hard with a spoon to "snow" it, then spoon on top of one glass of the chia pudding. Serve with a wedge of pineapple.




&.......if you still can't get enough this Pineapple trend - check out my Pineapple Summer Trend post I wrote recently. Want more?  How about some of my original Pineapple paintings! Check them out here.


-images by jen ramos




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FOOD: White Chocolate and Strawberry Bread Pudding

Hi there, Amanda here from A Life Well Lived. Today I am going to share with you my secret white chocolate strawberry bread pudding recipe.  I first tasted this recipe a long time ago - I was eating at a restaurant and had a version of this dessert. I asked the waiter to see if the chef would share his recipe because I loved it. He went back to the kitchen and the chef said no. No!? Since wouldn't share,  I had to recreate it. It took me a couple tries to get it right but  I think it is even better than the original. Take that chef! 



Bread pudding is one of my favorite desserts, right behind soufflés. It doesn't get much better than custardy-sweet-decadent bread pudding. It is the all time best comfort food.  It is a great dessert to make when you are having company over for dinner (or even brunch)  because this bread pudding is best if you let it sit overnight (or at least 12 hours) and let the bread and the egg do their thing. The longer the bread sits in the egg mixture the tastier it becomes.




The magic ingredient in this dessert is the white chocolate. It is unexpected and totally delicious In my opinion, white chocolate doesn't get any recognition but it is pretty darn tasty. Especially when combined with strawberries.  Heavenly.



So unlike that chef many years before and in the spirit of sharing please make, eat and enjoy this delicious bread pudding. White Chocolate and Strawberry Bread Pudding:
  • 6 large eggs
  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons of orange zest
  • 1 ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 loaf of day old bread cut into 1 inch cubes (preferably a hearty bread like ciabatta or batard)
  • 2 cups of strawberries, diced
  • 8 oz. of white chocolate chunks
In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, orange zest and 1 cup of the sugar. Add the vanilla and the salt. Add the day old bread and mix well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 12 hours. Pre-heat the oven to 275°F and butter a 9 x 11 inch rectangle baking dish Remove the bread mixture from the refrigerator and fold in white chocolate and berries. Transfer to prepared baking dish and cover with aluminum foil (Spray the foil with non-stick spray before placing on top of bread pudding mixture so it doesn’t stick when baking) Bake for 1 ¾ hours. Remove the foil and sprinkle with remaining ¼ cups of sugar. Raise the oven temperature to 500°F and return the pudding to the over and bake for 15 minutes or until the top is golden and crispy. Serve warm and top with whipped cream.

-post by amanda fredrickson

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DESIGN: Wooden Accents

Hi lovelies, its Monika here from ohmydeco. All I can think about recently is going away somewhere warm and peaceful and I cannot get enough of looking at those holiday-like, simple and peaceful interiors. I love the all around white clean look and wooden accents, completed with rattan accessories. How great would it be to have a piece of holiday feeling every time you enter your home in the middle of the city?


Via Flickr


Via Avenue




1 cushion  :: 2 sofa  :: 3 basket :: 4 ottoman  :: 5 throw ::6  side table :: 7 cow hide rug :: 8 canopy bed




-post by monika boruch

 
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BEAUTY: Summer beauty

Hi ladies- it's Rachel from Life Unsweetened. Today I'm focusing on which products you should be adding to your collection for summer. Summer makeup is probably my personal favorite- the colors are bright and bold and the textures are easy to pull off. Which beauty products will you be stocking up on for summer's arrival?




First up, you'll want to invest in a creamy cheek and lip stain, like the Josie Maran Argan Infinity Lip And Cheek Creamy Oil. This two-in-one product comes in a variety of gorgeous colors that are perfect for summer. Apply just a little to cheeks and lips for a hint of color, or a few more layers to build up a bolder color. The creamy consistency is far from oily, and stains your skin for a long-lasting look even in the summer heat. Speaking on makeup sweating off, you'll want an easy-to-apply foundation for summer. Or, as I like to do, skip the cakey foundation and opt for a light tinted moisturizer or BB cream. The Dr. Jart+Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 is one of the best options out there. Not only does it provide coverage and even out your skin tone, it also boasts SPF 45 to protect your face from the sun.

Next up is a body beauty product- you heard that right! The Bliss FatGirlSixpack is a tummy-toning gel that firms skin with its ab-activating nubbed applicator. While the product won't give you abs like Candice's, it does help create a more toned look in addition to healthy eating and exercising. Think of it as makeup for your abs- without the mess or streaks.

The last product you'll need to get ready for summer is a sunless tanning product. Whether you prefer to use a spray, gel or lotion, the options are endless. I'm hoping to try the bareMinerals 'Faux Tan' Sunless Tanner for Body this year. The formula is said to last for 5-7 days and creates a natural-looking glow. It also includes aloe vera and vegetable-derived emollients to provide extra hydration for your skin as you apply.


-post by rachel


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Ben-Amun Bracelet Giveaway on instagram!!

I've got a super cool GIVEAWAY today for all of you who dare enter! 

The ONLY way to enter is on my instagram.  

Ok, so here we go!  I'd like to introduce you to, BEN-AMUN.  It's a jewelry line by Isaac Manevitz, the founder of this luxury line of gorgeous & unique pieces.  Because of his love for art (like me) his designs are made of  fine, unusual materials such as lucite, pewter, glass and crystal. If you haven't heard of him, pop over to his shop quick so you can see all the goodies.  I was lucky enough to have Isaac send me this Amazon Fan necklace - it's such a cool piece with a mix of gold+neon!!  I love that I can wear it fancy, or just casual with a t-shirt. 

Isaac is offering Made By Girl readers, one LUCKY winner a PRETTY chic prize - His staple piece: This Large 24K Gold plated link bracelet.  It's a heavy & chunky bracelet - that goes with almost anything.  It's been featured in some of my favorite magazines - like In Style & Harper's Bazaar. It's timeless design will be a great addition to your jewelry collection! Scroll down to see how-to- enter,  it's SOOOO easy!




THE PRIZE: 
(1) BEN-AMUN large 24k gold plated chain link bracelet worth - $183.00
(1) MADE BY GIRL 8"x10" LOVE in-vogue print- worth $22
   

HOW TO ENTER:
It's simple. Have an Instagram account? All you have to do is REGRAM the picture above & use hashtag:  #madebygirl #BenAmun  -  (to regram - save the pic from my instagram onto your phone - then just place into instagram as you would any other pic)


Be sure to follow: @MADEBYGIRL and @Ben_Amun on Instagram!!  Open to USA only.  If you do not follow MADEBYGIRL and Ben_Amun, we cannot contact you!!
 

GIVEAWAY ENDS ON: 
June 16th, Monday.  I'll post the WINNER'S name on my blog +instagram, so come back to see if that's YOU!!!




-bottom images by jen ramos


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BEAUTY: How-To have Smooth Legs All Summer

Hi MBG readers Allie here from ALLIE NYC. Summer is finally here and we all know what that means: hitting the beach. And of course we all want to look our best, right? Some of you may be blessed with naturally smooth legs, with a barely there down of unwanted hair, but for the rest of us, read on… I was blessed with a condition that my grandmother would lovingly refer to as “chicken skin”, the correct medical term for it is Keratosis Pilaris.

Keratosis Pilaris is described as a genetic follicular condition, lovely huh. The body produces too much of a protein called keratin which then builds up around the hair follicle and clogs it, resulting in the bumps that characterize “chicken skin”.

It is surprisingly common and effects 40-50% of the adult population and is even higher in teens and effects women more then men. I suffered with this for years until I finally found a solution that works.  If you suffer from Keratosis Pilaris or just want super smooth legs, this routine will give you touchable legs you will want to show off for sure. The first step is physical exfoliation, before you shower use a body scrub and make sure to keep up with this everyday. Look for one with a pumice like consistency—the lighter scrubs will not be effective.

This scrub from LUSH smells amazing and it does the job. If you are on a budget Trader Joe makes a great lavender body scrub for $6.00. The next step is shaving. Make sure you are shaving with a gel that is made for sensitive skin, or at least one with a more creamy texture like this one from Shave Works. Traditional shaving creams are too resistant and do not provide enough glide. If your skin is sensitive and has bumps this is important—the more glide a shaving gel has the less likely it will be to cause nicks from an uneven surface. Then once you are out of the shower you will hit Keratosis Pilaris with a double whammy of exfoliation and use a body lotion formulated with alpha hydroxy acids. The acids in the lotion help to break down the bumps and keep the excess keratin from accumulating.

 Look for a lotion that is thinner in consistency, the heavier greasier lotions do not work for this particular problem. I like this one from St Ives, but I have also used Suave’s smoothing lotion.   And now that your legs are primed they are ready for that self tanner you have probably been avoiding. Bare Minerals makes a wonderful self tanner which does not streak. And I just love the bronzy-gold packaging, so cool right?  And make sure to get your bronze on as well, finish off with a swipe of a bronzing shimmer lotion like Victoria’s Secret Instant Bronzing Shimmer Lotion, and your legs will be all sorts of sexy!


- Image from Beach Bunny, be sure to check out their site for more sexy swimwear. So are you ready for the beach? What is your routine? 


-ppost by alicia mackin

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BOOK REVIEW: ART & SOLE

Even though this book was published last year, I wanted to give to review it - so one of my contacts sent this copy my way. Art & Sole is probably one of the prettiest books I've reviewed. With it's bright red cover & gold edged pages, it's a must-have coffee table book. The book introduces us to Jane Weitzman, wife of shoe designer Stuart Weitzman.  This 208 page book features 150 fantasy art shoes made of interestingly unique materials she has discovered and commissioned by artists over the last years for the Stuart Weitzman display windows. Each shoe is featured with it's own caption and impeccable design. You are also able to find more in depth description as well as a bio of the artist that created the shoe. Pretty genius idea! The ideal book for shoe lovers

Here's an IDEA:  This is a great book for shoe lovers and makes a nice gift to a best friend, but also makes a great gift to brides maids at weddings!









pick up your copy of this gorgeous book here.



-images by jen ramos




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DESIGN: BEDSIDE STYLING

Hi MBG readers, its Lisa with Gem Daily, back again this Monday!  Whenever I am perusing my favorite blogs and pinterest, I am always sucked right into images of bedside styling; it is so interesting to see what others' necessities are and how they put it all together.

I've found that some common essentials include:

  • a detailed table lamp that gives off that perfect glow
  • candle
  • books, journals for a nighttime read/write
  • clock
  • fresh flowers
  • tabletop accessories
  • trays to contain all of the above
  • picture frames

Here are some unique bedside collections that inspired me to pull together my favorite bedside
essentials!






1/ nightstand
2/ tray
3/ journal
4/ candle
5/ nightstand
6/ acrylic tray
7/ lamp
8/ stone accessory
9/ alarm clock
10/ cowhide nightstand



Stay tuned for a cute post from Jen tomorrow!! 


-post by lisa fisbeck

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FASHION: embellished wardrobe

Hi there! It's Adri of Adri's World here with a collection of jeweled fashion! Have you seen all the embellishments out there?

To add this look to your wardrobe a great way to start is with an embellished top. It would look great with jeans and flats, and for night just add a blazer and heels and you're ready for a fun night out!
A way to make a statement is with a pair of embellished shorts, if you have the legs why not show them with a bit of fun, right? What about great shoes? Flats or heels will look great too!
If you just want a bit of shine, why not accessorize with a stylish bag, a cuff or a pair of ear cuff earrings? Stylish and fashionable!

Do you like a bit of jewels and embellishment in your wardrobe?





[1.kate moss for topshop top, 2.miu miu cuff, 3.ivy kirzhner flats, 4.rebecca minkoff bag, 5.baublebar ear cuffs, 6.ted baker shoes, 7.zara shorts]


- post by Adri Reynoso

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FASHION: DRESS SEASON

Hi everyone, this is Sandra from Blasfemmes. Dress Season is officially here and there are lots of gorgeous dresses to pick from, from pretty day styles to glamorous cocktail designs. A dress can be the perfect outfit for most occasions, it's just a matter of picking the appropriate style. From the below selection, I'm especially in love with Rachel Pally's maxi white dress for a casual situation and Shoshanna's nude lace dress for a special occasion. What about you? Have you spotted any you like? Have a great week everyone!





Maxi Dress: Shoshanna Pink Maxi Dress (top) Rachel Pally Maxi Dress (bottom) // Little White Dress: Dolce Vita Lace Dress (top) Diane von Furstenberg Lace Dress (bottom) // Casual: Current/Elliott Overall Dress (top) Soft Joie Dress (bottom) // Wedding Guest: Shoshanna Lace Dress (top) Alice + Olivia Dress (bottom) // Holiday Ready: d.RA Dress (top) Mara Hoffman Maxi Dress (bottom)



 -post by sandra lopes

 
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MANGO WISHLIST

Summer is SUPER close by  - and this DARN humidity is coming out of nowhere! Today, I walked out with jeans & was sorry I did. Wishing deep down that I had thrown on a dress instead...

Speaking of Summer - are you familiar with MANGO?  The have the cutest online fashion - with super affordable prices.  In a way - the clothing they sell remind me a lot of Zara. Sophisticated & trendy. I gathered a few of my faves below, what do you think? See any you like?


-post by jen ramos

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