new year’s eve – Martinis and Mascara

#YouShimmer Your Way into 2016 with the Perfect New Year’s Eve Cocktail

Katie McBroom / December 31, 2015 / No Comments

Can you believe it’s almost 2016? It’s that time of year when I usually create a list of resolutions that include all sorts of soul-sucking activities like crash dieting. Not this year! My only resolution for 2016 is to celebrate life. Who’s with me?!

Seriously, life is short. Buy the shoes. Drink the cocktail. Order the dessert. LIVE. Be the shimmery celebration of life that you are! And speaking of shimmery celebrations of life, I have the perfect cocktail to toast to my 2016 attitude.

It’s super simple to put together, but looks and tastes amazing. The best part? The star ingredient is Viniq Ruby, one of my absolute fav new liqueurs. You may remember me gushing about Viniq recently, but let me fill you in if you don’t.

It’s a premium shimmery liqueur that’s a delicious fusion of premium vodka, Moscato, and natural fruit flavors. It contains edible shimmer, which gives it this incredible dazzling effect. Like a chic magic potion that looks as fab as it tastes.

Whip up one of these and expect many double taps on your Instagram posts in the New Year. Read on for the recipe below!

Ruby Celebration

Ingredients:

2 oz. Viniq Ruby
3 oz. Champagne
Splash of Ginger Ale
Squeeze of lime

Directions:

Combine ingredients and serve chilled in a Champagne flute. Garnish with a lemon twist. Swirl around, appreciate the shimmer, and enjoy.

Cheers to living our shimmeriest, sparkliest, most effervescent lives in 2016! *Clink*

[This post was sponsored by Viniq, but all opinions are my own.]

Ring in the New Year with $20.16 Dresses from Rent the Runway

Katie McBroom / December 28, 2015 / No Comments

Procrastinating on your NYE outfit? Never fear! There is still time to shop Rent the Runway in time for the big night! And now is the perfect time since RTR is featuring $20.16 pricing on dozens of styles right now! Once a year they discount select dresses to help make your New Year’s Eve look as dazzling as possible. From sparkly jackets and glittery gems to slinky dresses and tailored tops, you’ll find so many fun styles — all priced at $20.16!

Whether you’re attending a close-knit cocktail party with friends or a blow-out bash with hundreds of strangers, here are a few looks that will definitely ensure you stand out on New Year’s Eve like the fabulous fashionista you are:

Carmen Marc Valvo Botanical Berry Dress

Halston Heritage Little Black Jumpsuit

Rebecca Taylor Off Cobalt Dress

You still have time to shop these and more to reserve your New Year’s look. But you’ll definitely want to hurry. These styles sell out fast! And remember, new customers get 20% off their first rental when they use the code FIRSTRTR20P at checkout. Happy renting!

Sparkle Louder with Hpnotiq (and win a trip to NYC for New Year’s Eve!)

Katie McBroom / November 17, 2013 / No Comments

I am thrilled to partner with Hpnotiq, one of my favorite liqueurs, to promote their new SparkleLouder campaign! They have a fabulous contest (running now through Dec. 8) where you can win a trip to my fav place – New York City – for an epic New Year’s Eve adventure!

If your entry sparkles the loudest, you and three girlfriends will be whisked away to the city that never sleeps for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the ball drop in Times Square! Every entry also gives you a chance to win an Effy Ring. Sounds like a good deal to me!

Entering is super easy and fun. Hpnotiq challenges you to upload a pic showing how you plan to Sparkle Louder on New Year’s Eve – whether it’s a glam outfit, you with your girlfriends or a selfie. Then use Hpnotiq’s “SparkleLouder” app to make your photo shine! The app and contest entry can be found here: http://www.hpnotiq.com/SparkleLouderContest

Technically, I can’t enter the contest, but if I cooould, this is a pic I would sparkle up and submit for entry in the contest:

I had way too much fun with the sparkling tool! In the photo, I’m wearing what I would wear for a glam night on the town – sparkling blue mini dress, moto jacket, affordable bling from the Icing, a hot pink lip, and of course – a smile! All the sequins in the world could not match the sparkle in a genuine smile. Oh, and a glowing Hpnotiq cocktail in hand never hurts in the sparkle department either!

I just die thinking about how fun New Year’s Eve in NYC would be. By the way, I know I can’t win this contest, but I wonder if you could take me as a guest when you win? Just throwing that out there. 😉

So, how would you Sparkle Louder? I’d love to hear your ideas and see your photos if you enter the contest. Stay tuned for more on the Hpnotiq Sparkle Louder Contest (and some fierce blue cocktail recipes for your New Year’s Eve soiree, too)!

[Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Hpnotiq.]