We’re looking for our August Fashion Correspondent — and you could be it!  Show us your beso, and enter for a chance to win this coveted prize and $500 cash!

HOW IT WORKS:
1. Upload a photo of yourself on Chictopia and tag it “Beso Inspired.”
2. Tell others how they can get your look by shopping for similar items on beso.com and sharing the links.  You must not forget this part!  Only beso.com links will count.
3. Tell us why you should be the next beso inspiration.
4. Become a beso facebook fan!

PRIZES:
• 1st place will be named our August Fashion Correspondent and win $500 cash
• 2 runners up win $250 and have their looks included in our August Lookbook
• 5 additional winners will have their looks included in our August Lookbook

So go ahead and show us how you can beso stylish!  You have from June 14 to July 14!

Congratulations Nancy Frazier - Winner of the Beso Bake Up Summer Sweets Contest!

When I read Nancy’s entry, I was not only intrigued by her French Coconut Pie, but also moved because of why it’s her favorite recipe.  Food is so often tied with such visceral memories, and I love that this pie makes her think of her late great-grandmother.  I made the pie on a warm afternoon and the flavors were, just like she said, “so dreamy.”  Like Nancy, I usually tend to pick chocolate desserts, but the best thing about her French Coconut Pie was that it took mere minutes to whip up, but tasted like I had spent the entire day slaving away in the kitchen.

Emily

French Coconut Pie

OVEN:
375° – 10 minutes
300° – 35 to 40 minutes

• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 6 tbsp. butter
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 3 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups angel flake coconut
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 unbaked pie shell

Cream sugar and butter.  Add buttermilk to the sugar and butter.  Beat eggs lightly and add to sugar and butter, stirring lightly.  Add coconut and vanilla.  Pour into the unbaked pie shell.  Cook 10 minutes at 375°.  Lower heat to 300° and cook until done, approximately 35 to 40 minutes.

Check out our next contest on Chictopia!

Emily Schuman, Beso's Style Director

Those who claim that fashion is an indulgent obsession have never tried on a pair of Hunter rain boots. Sure they’re an extravagant luxury, but they make a huge difference on a cold, rainy day.

I absolutely loved reading through all of the entries to win a pair of Hunters and had a very tough time picking the winners. Here are the ones that I found most deserving of a new pair of boots for their moving stories, clever anecdotes and creative outlook on color.

Pea Green – Melanie
I loved Melanie’s poem about her long love affair with the color pea green. In a world where people are very fickle about their favorite color on a day-to-day basis, Melanie will be sure to wear her boots for many years to come.

Lava - Jennifer
After struggling with a disability, Jennifer defied the odds and is now walking on her own. A pair of unapologetically bright boots will be sure to inspire her to continue living life to the fullest.

Black – Bre
Bre’s reasoning behind why a classic black boot is always chic and stylish makes me reconsider the pair that I already own!

Graphite – Vera
Though graphite is a rather subdued color, I’m happy to hear that Vera plans on puddle jumping her way through April showers.

Beige – Courtney
Courtney has a strong hold on what’s currently in fashion and I have no doubt that she’ll be able to incorporate her new beige boots with an entirely chic, neutral outfit.

Violet – Brittany
Brittany’s beautiful story brought me to tears and proved that colors can have a truly profound impact on our lives.

Thank you all for entering and I’m excited to reveal our next contest we have planned!  Enter now.

xEmily
Read more from Emily Schuman at cupcakes and cashmere

*The Contest Is Officially Closed as of May 31st* Check out the winner announcement post – here.

Share your favorite summer sweets recipe for a chance to win a KitchenAid Mixer! Emily Schuman, Beso’s Style Director, will select the winner and bake up the winning recipe.  The grand prize winner will be featured on the Beso Blog in June. If the baker in you needs the best mixer on the market, enter below and share your winning recipe with us!

How To Enter:
 

1) Share your favorite summer sweets recipe in our comment box below. You can copy and paste a favorite recipe OR link to a recipe site, but make sure to tell us why you love the recipe.

2) Follow us on Twitter if you haven’t already!

3) Tweet our contest and share it with your followers.

Simply copy/paste the below:
Enter the Bake Up Summer Sweets Contest @beso for a chance to win a KitchenAid Mixer! http://bit.ly/d4hXaN

Shop Kitchen Gadgets & Tools:

hand mixers | rolling pins | spatulas | ice cream makers | cake stands | measuring cups

*The Contest Is Officially Closed as of May 31st*