TIPS AND TRICKS: Cozy, chic dressing rooms

When you live and work on the road it is important to create lovely spaces for yourself - from your hotel room to your dressing station at the theater.  As a Taurus, I am ALL about beautiful, cozy surroundings.  No matter what size your dressing room is - you can ALWAYS find ways to make it your own.  Here are some tips to help create a serene, beautiful, functional space for yourself at work:

1.  LOVELY CONTAINERS - for make up brushes, bobby pins, jewelry, etc.
I have found that using unique and sturdy containers for all of your dressing station items not only eliminates clutter, but makes your station look homey and personal.


MAKE UP BRUSHES:  I found a wonderful Marmalade Jar from Anthropologie - it's the perfect size and shape to comfortably hold all my brushes. BONUS: the vintage lettering is gorgeous AND it's easy to wash.  If you can't find the Marmalade Jar pictured - Anthropologie has a wonderful selection - here is another one of my favorites

 BOBBY PINS:  The tin pictured was found in an amazing vintage store in Columbus.  It's an old Soap Tin that's the perfect shape and size for bobby pins.  So cute.  For some other great bobby pin tins click HERE    and HERE

JEWELRY CATCH-ALL:  I have a sweet little blue dish that I picked up in Soho to hold all my jewelry while I'm on stage.  I also added a Mermaid Paperweight that I found in a vintage store in East Haddam, CT.  She brings me luck and is the perfect thing to hold my rings!  For some other great options click HERE, HERE and HERE

2.  PERSONAL ITEMS: 
When I am performing I don't have a ton of down time - but for the nights I am off I like to have things at work that will keep me productive and busy!  I usually have my ipad, a couple of good books and of course, a nice cup of my favorite tea.  Rather than just having a typical mug, I like to have a proper teacup and saucer.  It just feels more decadent and special.  I found mine at Anthropologie but there are some great options HERE, HERE and HERE   

I like to decorate my space with personal photographs of my family and friends plus some cool postcards. This is a sweet reminder of home and your loved ones and looks great tacked up on your mirror!

There you have it!  My tips and tricks for creating a wonderful, calm, cozy space at the theater!

XOXO
RAR

OBSESSED: Ponytail Holders

As a woman with loooong hair, I am always carrying around ponytail holders.  I like to wear them on my wrist during rehearsals but they look super tacky.  Well NO MORE!  I have discovered an amazing product that allows me to be chic and practical.  Goody Double Wear Ponytailers are the greatest things EVER.  They are ponytail holders that have gold or silver hardware on them so they look like fabulous designer bracelets!  Best idea EVER.

XOXO

RAR

5 Key Pieces: WINTER WHITES

Winter is not my favorite season.  I'm not into getting my make up smeared across my face because of wet falling snow or getting splashed with mucky, slushy puddles every time a taxi cruises by.  HOWEVER, winter is the BEST season to break out one of my FAVORITE trends - WINTER WHITES!  Here are some of my obsessions:

1. Asos Strip Fur Coat - This is super Bond Girl snow bunny.  It's faux but incredibly soft and luxurious.  Plus it's off white so you don't have to worry about it getting crazy dirty.

2.  Waterfall Collar Cardigan -   This is super girly and feminine and looks great as a layering piece.  Plus you can dress it up or down depending on what goes on underneath!

3.  Obakki Eguenia Dress I adore this dress!  Flowy and sexy!  I love dresses that have a lot of movement as you walk - plus you can pair it with tights and a cardigan to keep warm during those blustery winter months

4.  Hudson Jeans “Beth” Baby Bootcut Jeans (white wash) - These are extremely sexy and flattering.  I know what you're thinking - white jeans?  Yikes!  But the cut and fabric of these make almost everyone's ass look delicious.  Plus they look amazing tucked into boots!

5.  Supreme Tricotine Trench – Juicy Couture - This coat.  Is.  Amazing.  I am obsessed with a crisp white trench!  You can throw it on over an evening dress or a ratty track suit and look pulled together the entire time.  Bonus: The high collar keeps your neck warm!

EXTRA CREDIT:

Modern Vintage Lace Up Platform Bootie

I love a sexy platform bootie.  These have a treaded sole to help you navigate the slippery sidewalks.  Love.

Gucci Aviators

Aviators make everyone look like "the cool girl" subtly sexy and crisp in sparkling white.  Plus you can wear these into spring and summer!

 H & M Shawl

Keeps your neck warm AND the price can't be beat!  

Gucci 1970 Medium Shoulder Bag

Ummmmm.  Is this not the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen???  The supple white leather!  GOLD hardware!  And it's the perfect shape to carry over your shoulder or hooked lady-like over your arm.  This bag is GOD!  

XOXO

RAR

CAST COUTURE: LOVER'S EDITION - FEATURING SUSAN AND ANDREW VARELA

Who:  Andrew and Susan Varela

Character:  Javert, lovely wifey

Beauty Product:

Andrew:  I don’t know – soap?

Susan:  We travel a gigantic bar of L’occitane verbena soap – it smells good

Item of Clothing:

S:  Boots

A: Jeans

Pre-Show Ritual:

A: Yoga

S: I go get food for him.  I skype with Oscar while he’s doing yoga

Place to Shop:

S: Anthropologie

A:  Best Buy

Shoes:

A:  Uggs.  My Uggs

S:  My boots.  Foreign concept

Jewelry:

A: Besides wedding ring?  Wedding ring and my Omega Seamaster watch given to me by Susan.  Favorite Christmas present ever

S: I have a diamond tulip necklace that Andrew got me - and my wedding ring.  Most days that’s my stand by

A: You mean your go to

S: Yeah my go to

Hair:

S: Chi flat iron

A: Bosley

Public Style:

A: Urban rough neck. 

S: Trophy wife

Private Style:

A: College student

S:  Expensive hooker

Food:

A: Thai.  Or Mexican

S:  Oooh yeah Mexican!

Film:

A:  Kung Fu Panda.  Twilight.

S:  Do not say Twilight!

S:  Whatever is closest to the Mexican restaurant when we are done eating.  When I’m done with my margarita.

Vice:

S:  Jameson whisky.

A:  No it’s something that you know you shouldn’t do

S:  Several Jameson whiskies?

A:  Apple products

A:  Susans is cats

S:  That’s not a vice!  I carry a can of fancy feast in my bag.  If I run into a stray cat I can feed it.  I can’t take them all home but I can sure give them a meal.

A:  You should see when she tries to cram the can into an evening clutch!

Hates:

A: Macy’s – department stores

S: He hates department stores

A:  You hate spiders.  Turtles.

S: Downtowns that roll up their sidewalks at 5

A: Busted downtowns!

Loves:

A: Susan

S: Umm.  Hmmm.  I’m sure I’ll think of something. (Laughs)  Andrew on and off stage.

Never Leaves Home Without:

A: Iphone

S: Iphone

Home Town:

S: Greendale, Wisconsin

A: Summit, New Jersey

Current City:

Raleigh, NC

Quote:

A: “Don’t shoot down”

S: “fake it til you make it”

SHOP THIS SHOOT:

On Andrew:

Jeans – Levis classics

Sweater- Gap

Leather Jacket – Calvin Klein

Sunglasses- Ray Ban Wayfarers

Boots – Ugg

T-shirt – Graphic

Watch –Omega Seamaster

Wedding ring – Flea market in San Antonio

On Susan:

Boots – Born Concept

Jeans – AG Jean 

Sweater – H & M

Jacket – 3J Workshop Margaret O’Leary NYC

Scarf – a gift

Necklace – also a gift

Bracelets – Alex and Ani

Wedding Rings – one band was my late Grandmother’s and Andrew bought me the diamond

XOXO

RAR