Beauty Favorites

November 20, 2013



This weeks four favorites is about beauty.  You know how the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  Well that's true, but sometimes a little help can go a long way.  I started noticing my eyes didn't seem to have the same brightness as they did when I was younger.  Not to mention the wrinkles starting to show!  I have tried several eye creams with promises of firming, dark circle lightened, and  wrinkles lessened.  Honestly, I never noticed a significant difference until I tried this Chanel  Eye Cream.  I absolutely love it! It is definitely an investment to your beauty regime, but the results are worth it. 

Pretty fingers and toes are a must.  I have been stuck on french manicures for quite some time, but never let my toes go by without a fresh pedicure.  These Essie  Polish colors are great for the holidays.  A little platinum for the toes please!! 

Another must for healthy skin is a good Microdermabrasion .  This is great for really getting a deep cleanse and a smooth completion and glow.   I have used Mary Kay skin products since I was 18, (lets not do the math on that shall we?) and even met Mary Kay Ash on a trip to Dallas.  Her skin was flawless even at her age and that was a good incentive to try her products.

A perfect Fragrance and my favorite Jo Malone.  I am always adding a new scent from her line to layer and create my own signature.  Nothing feels better than someone leaning in to tell you how wonderful you smell and ask what your wearing only for you to tell them its custom Jo Malone.  I love that your scent is unique to you.  

Four Favorites link up today sharing with the girls!  Don't forget to link up with us!


 
Also linking up here!
 

Getting Organized

November 19, 2013
It's no surprise I have a lot of bracelets.  I have gotten to the point of leaving them out  and I don't like the messy look it creates on my dresser.  I have spent many years in the jewelry industry and knew it was time I display them better so I could find what I was looking for when getting dressed without to much digging around.  This is the messy embarrassing before shots of all the many ways my bracelets end up after a week of outfits!   A mess right?  
  





Drawers, upon drawers, upon trays and dressers!  Ugh! I'm not complaining, I love my bracelets, but something needed to be done! Now you might be asking about now why in the world are all those pieces of jewelry in baggies?  Well, sterling oxidizes when its left in the air, and I don't feel like polishing each piece every time I want to wear it!  So, I bag every piece, and then I sort them in trays by style. Hello OCD!
And this is the after!!
 

 I ordered a three bar bracelet display from Amazon.  I knew a three bar would make a dent, but I think I may need to add another at least two bar as well.  



Nice, neat, and organized!  I organized the drawer to hold some of the bracelets that would not hang as well, and sorted the trays.  Now choosing my bracelets is no longer a task!


   
Since I was on an organizing kick, I also knew my scarves were out of control.  I ordered this tie and belt hook from Amazon as well and I am so glad I did. 

The messy before.  I moved them out of the closet to take this picture to get better lighting, but trust me they were this messy in the closet too!


And the after! 
 

I am so glad I took just as few minutes to research and order they two little gadgets to help get organized.  It really is the little things sometimes that go a long way!  I would love to hear any of your organizing tips and tricks you use around your home!
 
 
 

AEM Designs

November 15, 2013
Art
You know by now I love when I find a great artist or designer that has mad talent!  Meet Alexandra of AEM Designs.  When I first spotted her Etsy shop, I instantly knew I wanted to share it with you.  Unique pieces of art to add to your home. She sent me the state of Oklahoma for my home, but I really had an idea to share it with my son who is a major Oklahoma Sooner's fan! I took a sooner hat to the framers to pick the correct color of crimson.  Nothing like framing the picture in the wrong red.  And trust me, there is a wrong red when it comes to your school colors! It is a fabric mat and I just love it.  We framed it with a wide mat so he can add memorabilia to the mat.  I started it for him with a few OU dog tags I found local.  When your deep in Jayhawk country, Sooner stuff is hard to find!





  I know he doesn't read my blog, so I am safe to show you his gift! But if my daughter in law sees this, she better keep the secret!!   Her watercolors are soft and feminine and I love them too. Such a talent to work with watercolors.  I dabble in painting, and can be pretty crafty, but watercolor painting has always eluded me.   She offers many state drawings, and I think they make a great piece for your home.  



I asked her to share a few things with you and hope you like her as much as I do! Take it away Alexandra! 



1. Where do you draw inspiration from for your art? 

I draw inspiration from so many things. Most of my inspiration comes from observing. Whether it be looking through magazines, blogs, or walking down the street I find it every day. Last week I was sitting in sitting in Starbucks before work and I saw this woman wearing the cutest pink stripped dress. Just seeing that woman inspired me for this new fashion watercolor https://www.etsy.com/listing/169066395/fashion-watercolor?ref=shop_home_active. I am in love with art and creativity so a cup of tea and some good music is sometimes all I really need to get ideas moving.

2. What made you take the plunge and start your own business? 

I have always created art as long as I can remember. I’ve had everything from acrylic paintings, watercolors, charcoal pieces and pen illustrations saved up from years and years ago. It has been something that I had done as a hobby for so long and finally decided in May of this year (2013) to create AEM Designs. That saying kept running through my head “if not now, then when”, so I took the plunge and just went for it. My business started through social media, and eventually I created other online platforms like my Etsy shop and website.
I was surprised and felt so blessed at the positive response I got from people and how fast my little business grew. One thing I love about owning and running AEM Designs all on my own is that it is a learning process and every day is different. There are hard days, busy days, and wonderful days but it is so much fun and I without a doubt love every minute of it. Interacting with customers and putting together a unique piece that they can hang in their home or give to a loved one is such a wonderful and rewarding feeling.

3. Share a little bit about your own personal style and what we might find in your closet.

I am a jeans a t shirt kind of girl. I have always been fairly casual and love simple and laid back pieces. My style somewhat depends on what I am doing, what mood I am in, or where I am going. Don’t get me wrong I love dressing up for an occasion or just to go out for the weekend but simple, comfy, and cute describes my personal style. Here is a link to my fashion Pinterest board where you can see some pieces that I love: http://www.pinterest.com/aematthews/style/


4. If you had to choose, which piece is your favorite?

This is a hard one. Lately a piece I really love is my black and white fashion watercolor https://www.etsy.com/listing/156355557/fashion-watercolor?ref=shop_home_active

There is a photo of this when piece when I was featured in the Dallas Morning News (http://www.dallasnews.com/lifestyles/headlines/20130713-illustrator-alexandra-matthews-is-drawing-the-country-state-by-state.ece)    in the summer and whenever I look at the watercolor, it reminds me of that exciting time of my life. I also think simplicity is so beautiful, and I am drawn to how simple and modern this illustration is.

5. What are some of your favorite trends right now? 

I don’t know if it’s just me but I have been seeing a lot of green around; everything from emerald to army. I happen to love this color and think that it is gorgeous for fall. To me fall is the time for scarves, big sweaters, and boots which are a few of my favorite things to wear.



Thanks Alexandra! Make sure to follow her on all her social media too!



Instagram- aematthews4
Twitter - aematthews4

Alexandra has so graciously offered to my readers a 10% for the next week on anything in her shop!  Just enter the code PUMPKIN at checkout!  Start thinking of everyone on your Christmas list!  You know I did, but don't tell him!

Leopard & Leather

November 14, 2013
It should be no surprise I would style my Karen Kane LBD with leopard!  I mentioned this fave little cardigan in my four favorites here, and let me tell you it is on major rotation!  The sweater and the LBD!!  I styled this dress a little dressier here in black and white, and I am already thinking of a few other ways to change this sweet little number up again! Think tights and boots!!  






Dress Karen Kane c/o ~ Sweater Joie ~ Bracelets Rustic Cuff c/o ~ Bag LV ~ Shoes nine West (old) ~ Sunnies Chanel

Happy Thursday!  Today is my Friday, so TGIF!

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