I'm always on the hunt to find beautiful, stylish art. The kind of work that will complement both my bold spirit and space and will guarantee a wide smile every time I glance at it.
Luckily, I recently stumbled upon an image (Mon Petit Chou!) that was everything I was looking for -- equal parts whimsy and stylish -- this piece was stunningly done and I needed to find the artist behind this lovely painting.

The artist who created that painting was Catherine Stenhjem, an incredible artist from Arizona who beautifully illustrates awe-inspiring images both imagined and present. Much like the fashionable painting that initially sparked my interest in her work, her collections of paintings each vividly portray striking imagery that leave you wondering more about their backstory. Bold, regal animals like big wild cats (panthers, lions, tigers) and strong horses and more, along with fantastical folklore-inspired styles are common motifs in her work. Having spent some time living abroad in Iran, the warm and classic elegance of old Persia can also be seen in her paintings. Whether creating fancy fantasy worlds or striking portraits, Catherine's style of art is certainly captivating.



As a personal fan of majestic wild cats, I was struck by her style of incorporating these beautiful creatures in her flawless portrait work. Vividly illustrating both, Catherine's unique skill of meticulously perfecting every detail is what sets her work apart from most artists. The results are extraordinarily lively images that are sure to enchant every viewer. Her impressive attention to fine-tuning the details of every piece, while creating an almost multi-dimensional layering of color, Catherine's intense passion for art and storytelling with her paintbrush is wildly evident in every one of her pieces. When I received my very own Catherine Stenhjem painting, I soon learned that this luxurious style of painting was even more magnificent in person.




With impressive versatility, Catherine's artistic talents extend beyond the finest of papers. She also paints her exquisite signature designs on leather accessories with the same vibrancy and expert technique seen in her paintings. Additionally, Catherine's special collection of  original paintings can be purchased as cards. Using high quality paper materials, Catherine has taken classic greeting cards to the next level. A gift itself, her beautiful art cards feature an original hand-painted piece of art along with a blank insert to detail your personal messages -- all of which are presented with a chic ribbon closer and beautiful envelope. While these fancy art cards are beautiful on their own, these smaller works can also be framed.

It's rare to see an artist exhibit their unique works in such a varied fashion -- Catherine expertly does it without sacrificing quality or authenticity.




While admiring her work from a far (aka stalking her consistently impressive instagram), I received a message from Catherine herself. She generously offered to paint my portrait and I was just incredibly honored to become one of Catherine Stenhjem's Enchanting Girls. Already a major fan of her style and just blown away by her creative interpretations of all her previous portrait models, I knew my very own portrait wouldn't disappoint.

I've only had my portrait done once before by an amature student in my college drawing class and was pretty horrified by the results. Every feature I've always been teased about or troubled by was highlighted in a very unfortunate fashion. To now have a chance to have my portrait redone by a professional, I was hopeful that those feelings would not be revisited.

The final result was something I'd never imagined. Coupled with her signature regal black panther, Catherine not only painted my face with exceptional accuracy and depth, but created a sharp richness with every stroke that was beyond stunning. It was bold, it was intense and simply mesmerizing. Both interpretations illustrated a beautiful story: a royal pairing of a strong beauty with her equally fierce cat companion. To say I was blown away would be an understatement. I believe that's what Catherine's work expertly does. It immediately captures your attention and speaks volumes. Each stroke of her brush paints an emotion that frames each piece's unique story. For me, Catherine made me royalty, and I couldn't be more appreciative.




The kindness she extended to me through this unique experience and gifting me a lovely pair of portraits will be remembered for a lifetime. These paintings (along with a collection of her other work)  will be enjoyed and cherished. These vibrant works have lit up my home in so many ways. Her love for painting enchanting faces and capturing their essence is a she's mastered through her many years as an art professional. It also highlights how she truly connects with her subjects in such positivity  and light.

As a city commuter, I love my flats just as much I love heels. Sadly, with all those steps to and from the subway, to those tricky subway grates and pretty cobblestone streets, long ventures in sky high heels is incredibly tough in Manhattan. However, the recent uptick in super stylish block-heeled shoes has made it easy for us New Yorkers to stroll around the city with an extra boost in height. Also, while these heels may seem a bit bulky, most styles are pretty lightweight which is greatly appreciated when the event or day requires lots of walking.

With nor'easter number 4 (4!) hitting us on the first day of spring, this aggressive winter season is hanging on like a bad cold. With such deary weather conditions, many of my sweet friends are craving some sunshine as well as that stunning sun-kissed glow we all enjoy in the warmer months. It's been a long season of ridiculously cool temps, harsh wind and messy snow stormy conditions and we've had just about enough. It's safe to say we're all itching to shelf those heavy winter skincare products and slip on something lighter.

Before I jump to my absolute favorites, I should mention that I'm not against powder bronzes and still an avid user and fan (Nars Laguna, forever!). Whether matte or luminous, bronzing powders have been helping us faux the summer glow during the cooler months but it still feels, well, faux. It sits on your skin or atop your favorite foundation and never really feels natural.

Thankfully, these stellar liquid products warm up the skin in a different fashion. From innovative formulations to  multi-dimensional uses, these products capture the best of summer sunshine into a bottle without any of the sun damage



Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops 
As simple as adding a drop or two to your daily moisturizer, oil or serum, Tan-Luxe Facial Tan Drops warms up your complexion in more even fashion.Unlike powder bronzer, these light and customizable drops work with your own unique skin tone and create a warm shade that looks natural rather than a mask of flat color. In an effort to diminish those unsightly streaky, strong and harsh blocks of bronze along the face, these potent drops create a more even complexion while providing an added boost of radiance. Mimicking that subtly lustrous veil of color you achieve after a relaxing day at the beach, Tan-Luxe helps you go a shade or two darker than your current skin tone, ultimately creating a personal experience that fits your needs.
*Do remember that ever 2 drops equals one shade darker than you current skin/foundation tone. 


Chantecaille Radiance Anti-Aging Gel Bronzer
Whether it's the stunning formula or effortless application, it's evident why this superstar liquid bronzer is a best-seller for Chantecaille. A cross between a creamy serum and a gel, this easily blended and ultra-light liquid bronzer beautifully sits with the skin and offers a flush of seamless color. While giving flawless warmth, its anti-aging properties (raspberry stem cells) might be this product's most winning quality. We all know laying out and soaking up the rays does quite the number on our skin (burn, damage, thinning, wrinkles), but this spectacular gel gives all the benefits of a day by the pool without the damage. Additionally, while halting signs of aging, this versatile skin-benefiting gel both protects and repairs the skin.
*Due to its weightless texture/application, it doesn't disrupt your sunscreen or foundation.


Nars Laguna Liquid Bronzer 
I've been a major fan of iconic powder Laguna for many years and was thrilled when I found out NARS was recreating this flattering bronze tone in a liquid. I've been using this fluid version for a bit now and it works beautifully both with and without foundation. Its sheer application leaves a beautiful light finish, and often use it for contouring (for a soft multi-dimensional complexion) or blended right into my foundation for an overall glow. It does have slightly luminous finish which amplifies the overall look of the skin, making it appear more youthful and radiant. I love wearing it with highlighter on low-maintenance beauty days where I want to skip the full-coverage foundation and want a more fresh-faced look.
*I sometimes blend it onto my eyelids and pop an iridescent gold shade on the center for an easy, subtle smoked eye look