PANDORA: Petals & Pumps Party

Hello Beautiful,

PANDORA is one of my favorite jewelry brands. Its always one of my easiest gifts to give and most desired gifts to receive.

I’ve been collecting and purchasing PANDORA jewelry pieces since 2009, with my first piece being the Moments Sterling Silver Charm Bracelet with a Barrel Clasp. It was a gift from my best friend. Since then I’ve gotten a pink leather bracelet, a pearl ring, the PANDORA Charm Necklace and lots of charms for my bracelets.

I love to give PANDORA charms as gifts on special occasions, and they have something for every occasion! When I turned 21, I bought my mom the little girl charm and gifted it to her with a note saying, “21 years ago today, You had a little girl, and she was Me.” She has since bought a little boy charm as well, to signify my brother.

My PANDORA charms tell stories of one of my best friend’s and I obsession over cupcakes, stories of travel, a reminder that I am a Black Rose, and love, love, love!

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So when the PANDORA boutique located on Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas invited me to their Petal & Pumps themed mixer to celebrate the store turning 2 years in business,  and the release of the PANDORA Rose Iconic Set, I was there… no questions asked!

The event was everything PANDORA. It was stylish, classy and pink!

There were pink peonies, pink balloons, pink champagne flutes and get this… a PINK carpet! Not the red carpet honey… the PINK carpet!

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The crowd rocked to the sound of DJ Safire as she mixed Hip-Hop, Pop, and Soca’s recent hits.

I was excited to be there as I mixed with loyal Pandora customers, lovely Pandora staff and 4 of the Caribbean’s top Bloggers… all hailing from the Bahamas, and all looking as stylish as ever!

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The little boutique was packed, so after a few excuse Me, excuse Me, I’m sorry… excuse Me’s, I made it to one of the stores sweetest sales reps. It’s unfortunate that I didn’t get her name but she had a pleasant smile and was very helpful. She showed me thumb rings, earrings, necklaces and made sure I entered my name in the raffle drawing. I didn’t win the raffle but I already felt like a winner just being there.

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Although I was enjoying the party, I couldn’t pass up the chance to meet the lady behind the magic, owner of the Pandora Bay Street Boutique, Nirvana DeWeever. She told Me how the event was really a “welcome and thank you” to their customers ‘who’ve made them a success’ for the past 2 years.

I asked her about the theme of the party, why was it called “Petals & Pumps”? “We’re coming out with a new pump stiletto charm with the red bottom”, DeWeever explained, “coming out this Summer” she continued, “and also we’re celebrating the new Rose Gold Collection and the [Rose] Iconic Bracelet.”

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Lastly, I asked Nirvana to help me decide on which Pandora earrings to get. I have no Pandora earrings and I was undecided whether I should get some classic, everyday wear earrings or… get the Shimmering Rose Stud Earring, which I really love and I think represents my BlqRze (Black Rose) brand. Nirvana suggested I get the Rose Earring or some Rose Gold earrings. “I think you should do Rose” she said, “Rose [Gold] is big for the Summer and Roses are what’s trending.” My heart smiled… Rzes, we are trending!

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Nirvana told me not to move, because she had a gift for me, but in the interim I lost the sales representative who was assisting me. Mrs. DeWeever came back with a small PANDORA bag (the one that always excites me) and I thanked her for my gift, my invitation to the event and for answering my questions.

The party wasn’t over yet. I ate the delicious Hors d’oeuvres that were floating around by a server, munched on the best tasting Macaroons I’ve ever had, sipped some more bubbly and had a little girl chat with fellow Bahamian blogger, Aneka, of Cay to Style about our outfits and false eyelashes.

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By this time I had totally forgotten to get my Shimmering Rose earrings, but I guess some traditions aren’t meant to be broken. Most, if not all, of my Pandora pieces were gifts and I will simply add that to my wishlist. I bet you I’ll have them by June 1st *winks* and until then PANDORA Bay Street gave me the cutest encrusted stiletto charm to keep me satisfied.

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Overall, the event was a hit! It was definitely in line with PANDORA’s ‘DO’ global campaign, that celebrates strong, passionate women like Nirvana, the other Bloggers, You and I, and to empower us to do what we feel is our purpose with confidence and unique style.

I truly enjoyed myself, and I look forward to the PANDORA Bay Street location turning 3!

See more pics from the PANDORA “Petals & Pumps” party below:

 

 

HOW TO: Ball on a Budget at Dinner/Girls Night Out

Hello Beautiful!

First off, I want to thank you for all the “InstaLove” I’ve been getting from You! Picture number 20 (from the top) on Instagram surely got more likes than I expected but I am grateful. So if you’re not following me on Instagram, do so now at @242blqrze!

So this year I have a few goals I want to accomplish that requires me to be smart with my coins (money). However, everyone needs a good time now and again… especially when it’s to celebrate you and/or your loyal friends and family.

So I came up with 5 Tips to “secure the bag” but still have a good time:

1.Plan Ahead:

Let’s say you got invited out to eat, maybe in advance or at short notice, and you’re not sure you can afford it, but you don’t want to decline.

Ask your friend or family the name of the restaurant and quickly look it up on your smart device. Pull up the menu and scan over it for the options you COULD afford.

Once you’ve done that, you’ll already know what to order at the restaurant and won’t become sidetracked by other peoples’ options, pressuring you to order something over your budget.

2.Dress for Less

Have you ever got all dressed up, went out and NO ONE saw you? Or you didn’t take any pictures? Well thats the dress/outfit you want to wear again, but possibly switch up your shoes and/or accessories.

Wearing an old, or less popular item from your closet allows you to look brand new on your night out, without having to buy anything new!

This saves you from spontaneous shopping, buyer’s remorse and going over your budget for one night out!

3.Ask Youtube!

Girlfriend, if this is not your birthday, your party or your dinner, there is no need for you to spend money to get your hair, nails and makeup done.

Simply look up hairstyles, makeup tips, and nail art tricks on Youtube to help you get ready for your night on the town. Sure you may not be as advanced as the beauty gurus, but there are a lot of simple and quick ways you can enhance your beauty for one night.

Now if it is YOUR big night… I say go all out!

4. Carry Exact Cash + Some Change

The easiest way to spend your coins, is travelling with more than you need!

Once you’ve already decided what you’re ordering off the menu, add that plus gratuity and tax… then take about $20-$30 extra incase your calculations aren’t correct. So if your meal  and drink should cost about $50, then you take $70. And no more than that!

Leave your credit cards, and debit cards home! These are temptation to spend more than you want to and absolutely need to.

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Now, if you’re a just in case person and concern about an emergency… take your debit card, “just in case”. But try your hardest to be disciplined and stick to the plan you set up from Tip #1.

5. Drive Your Own Car

This may sound obvious right?… but hear me out!

Unless it is in your plan (and budget) to bar hop all night… you should drive your own car and leave when you plan to. A good time isn’t determined by how late you stay out. It only matters if you had fun.

When you carpool with friends you become obligated to go where they go. Another restaurant, a small bar, or 2 clubs…all in one night and all over your budget.

It’s okay to tell your friends you’re “good for the night” and leave, because more than likely you’ll want to go out again next week, and the week after that.

So beautiful those are my 5 quick tips to BALL on a BUDGET on a night out. Remember we’re “securing the bag” in 2017, and that way we can be Fierce & Fabulous all year long! Not just for one night.

Xx

Conesha