Welcome Back

Our "growing" family Christmas 2010

Its been a little over three years since the last time I uploaded a mere thought onto this newly non-defunct blogsite. And I upload these, my first thoughts back on the blog scene, with great excitement!!! Much has changed since 2008. God finally answered my prayers and welcomed a new muse into my life, a baby girl Victoria! Needless to say, she's been living up to her name...she's definitely the queen of our little castle! She's made our home more complete and happy, and me especially resourceful and inspired. Inspired to impart some of the great things that I've learned over the past year with the addition of a new baby to our family. Its no secret, that adding a new baby means adding a small boatload of new expenses. And like everyone else, living in this current economic state, it hasn't always been easy to stay true to what I really like stylewise, while making responsible financial decisions for my family. But with a good plan and the right resources...I learned being fabulous and having a big family is not an impossible task for the average woman. You can still lead a cultured, stylish, life...enjoy good food & great experiences with and without your family, all without breaking the bank. Here you will find cheap and chic beauty secrets, recipes that streeeeetchhhhhh for your family, and style advice from myself and other stylists on inexpensive wardrobe pieces and the best places to thrift for your body, home and beyond...These are just a few gems I'd like to share here with you...Look for these and others in posts to follow

What's coming soon....

Up next.... In time for Christmas, an easy beautiful ornament that will add sophisticated shine to your Christmas tree-and costs just cents to make. Get the kids to help!!!!!

Next week's post-The best roasted chicken dinner with potatoes and carrots that feeds a family of 5 people and costs just $10.00 for EVERYTHING!!!!

Don't forget to check the archives, there's alot of interesting old fodder lol and don't forget to follow us...you don't want to miss what we have coming soon! LOVE

Return of an Icon

Jennifer Lopez on the cover of the October issue of Elle

When you're perusing the newsstands for something to read on your trip into work or during your boobies' afternoon naps, join me in purchasing a copy of one of my favorite fashion magazines, Elle. This October, Jennifer Lopez graces the cover and dishes on a lot of issues especially....what else...fashion! When it comes to fashion icons, JLo is one of the greats in my eyes. In her prime she ruled the red carpet alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julia Roberts, Halle Berry, Penelope Cruz, Cate Blanchett and Renee Zellweger, and she along with these women recalled the days of classic beauty and "Old Hollywood" glam. Think back for a moment to that sheer gunmetal Chanel gown, those blinding chandeliers, and those mink eyelashes....Ahhhhh.... the carpet hasn't been the same since the 2001 Oscars. Here, she poses in confections by nine designers: Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Diane von Furstenberg, Marchesa, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Versace, Brian Atwood and Sweetface, and in true JLO form she rocks it out. Debuting her post-partum figure in her first spread since having twins she looks phenomenal in the amazing clothes and accessories. The photos are beautiful and really capture a stylish, glamorous JLo. She talks babies, marriage, getting back in the swing of things and her undeniable style. Definitely check it out if you love this fashionista! Its also the Personal Style issue so I'm sure there's lots of other articles worth checking out.....LOVE

Getting the Most from your Pre-existing Wardrobe

Myself in a creme de menthe silk cocktail dress and Black Suede T-Straps

Getting ready for your next event doesn't always mean running to the store and splurging on a new outfit everytime. Revamp pieces you already own by pairing them with new things or things you normally wouldn't for a fresh look. Suede sandals are probably the most versatile piece season to season. Peep toes, slingbacks, and maryjanes in this fabric add warmth to summer dresses for an evening look and are a staple for fall. I wore my favorite black and gold pair from last fall with a floral dress on a recent date for a luxe feminine look...and I loved it!

Don't just rely on your shoes to carry you over....Clothes make a good transition from season to season. This season especially lends itself to florals and sheer fabrics so take advantage of this opportunity, and don't pack these things away just yet. Carry your sheer blouses over from summer and give them an autumn flair by lairing them under suits and pairing them with pants and skirts. Winterize floral frocks with opaque tights, blazers, sweaters, and belts in heavier fabrics and darker hues. While you should stick to muted tones in the colder weather, a pop of color still works. Think a hot pink bag or shoe; stay away from things that look overtly out-of-season. Playing with different colors, patterns and textures make for very interesting outfits. Try not to be too matchy-matchy when it comes to building an outfit. A little element of surprise makes an outfit look haute. ALWAYS be cohesive and pull out a common thread. You should never look like you just threw different things together, the elements should work well with one another. Summer jewels in corals & turquoise etc. look very exotic when paired with simple evening gowns. Jeans and sweaters always transfer season to season. Your favorite boxy winter sweater looks great closed with a brooch over a feminine dress on a spring evening. Jeans work well season to season, day to evening. Try wearing a pair you usually use to relaxe in on a date instead and vice versa. The possibilites are endless...

After a couple of pre-event shopping binges of past, you should have a closet with an excellent structure for building different outfits. Build upon it when you can and when you need a little retail therapy, but always utilize what you have...You'd be surprised at what you can come up with!!! LOVE

Celebrating Your Assets & Embracing your Flaws

Lisa showing off her gorgeous legs in black shorts

When you're drowned in a world of seemingly perfect beauties, e.g. those Kardashians, Lauren Londons, and Angelina Jolies, the feeling of comfort in your own skin can be a very flighting one. But once you realize that NOONE is perfect, that perfection is just an illusion and that some illude better than others, accepting yourself and LOVING yourself will come naturally. Alongside that will come a new confidence that will enhance your beauty. EVERY woman is beautiful in her own way, and EVERY woman also has flaws and faults. Get in touch with things about yourself you feel you could work on, and in the interim acknowledge your best qualities and play them up. My bestie Lisa definitely embraces the killer legs she inherited, and guess what? Everyone else takes notice of them too. (She literally ALWAYS gets complimented on her gams when we're out.) She plays them up and draws attention to them by displaying them in shorts, short skirts and thigh grazing dresses. She's shown me that the universal display of beauty and sexy is cool confidence...Check out these tips to help give you a boost

• Don't be your own worst enemy. Instead of downing yourself and dwelling in your flaws, pick yourself up by basking in your good qualities whatever they may be. Choose one or as many things about yourself that you love and play them up.
  
• Step outside of the Superficial Realm of what qualifies your beauty. There was once such a thing as a beautiful mind, beauty in a woman's stride, and in the sound of her voice. Dig deeper than the "skin-deep surface." Also, embrace the qualities about yourself that make you unique. My girl Lisa also has some of the most unique eyebrows I've ever seen, and she's never waxed them to change their shape. They add so much beauty and character to her face, and once again they always get noticed! Physicality and classic cookie cutter beauty are just fractions of the beauty pie; explore outside of them.
  
• Don't buy the hype of print and media. No one looks the way they do on the cover of a mag. Remember that you're a REAL person so try not to be so hard on yourself. Give yourself some credit by not comparing yourself to other women especially celebrities.
  
• Stay beautiful inside. Don't hate on another woman because of her attributes. Ugliness ALWAYS shines through from within. If you're happy, confident and secure within yourself that will peek through the surface, and that's always beautiful. Wishful thinking for ourselves is a healthy, natural human emotion...envy is not. No matter how much MAC concealer you paste on your face...green is a very hard color to camouflage ;). There is absolutely NOTHING beautiful about hate and jealousy...they are weak emotions that only MAGNIFY your flaws.

Like anything else, feeling good about yourself if you don't already will take some time. You've got to build up your confidence level and let go of all those negative feelings you once had about yourself. Accept the things about yourself that are unchangeable. Some things you may not be happy with but are out of your control. Don't beat yourself up about them, focus your attention on bettering your other qualities. Put on a pair of "rose-colored" spectacles when you're self evaluating. If you take a picture EXPECT a beautiful one when you review it. Pessimistic expectations can cloud your self image. Be positive, be confident and be YOU and your beauty will be blinding...LOVE

Look for my upcoming blog about Celebrating Your Assets & Embracing Your Flaws- Post Baby

Amp Up the Glam for Fall

Of the 4 seasons, fall is definitely my favorite as far as fashion goes. I love the layered pieces, the warmth of the heavier fabrics, the richer darker colors, the more structured silhouettes and lines and of course....the jackets!!! I also love how structured and polished fall hair and makeup becomes, and how the glam factor really goes through the roof post September. The closer the approach to holiday season the more baubles and bejewled pieces are uncovered...This fall rocks because its ALL about the return of Opulent Glam...

• Dark colors in fabrics like velvet and tweed


• Suits return in ultra feminine silhouettes...with super cinched waists and dramatic curves...belts are still a major accessory


• Gorgeous wow-factor evening gowns ;)


• Over-embellished accessories, and necklaces that have impact


• Long & lean silhouttes with low lying hems and sexy menswear


• Feminine jewel tone dresses and skirts and a shoe that POPS...
• Florals (in subdued winter hues), feathers (as embellishments on evening gowns), and even fur

...are just some of the trends that are hitting the fashion scene this fall. I'm definitely looking forward to them...this season's collections are full of beautiful clothes great for all those social functions that fill up everyone's Fall and Winter calendars. With all those holiay parties looming ahead, it won't be too difficult to find a couple stunners this season. Check out this link to Vogue's Guide for more fall looks http://www.style.com/vogue/guide/

Don't forget to pair one of fall's extravagant looks with these two Fall Make-up musthaves

1. Victoria's Secret High Definition Mascara in blackest black: The results are amazing...this masacara is lightweight, doesn't clump and doesn't rub off...but it washes off easily and is a steal at $12 for the results!!!


2. Mac Lipstick in Underworld: Don't throw out your C-thru's, Chais, and 1N's yet, just make a space next to them for this fall staple; a deep burgundy matte lipstick that polishes off that opulent fall look. $14

Love all these designer fall fashions but can't stomach the price...Don't worry, achieving these aristocratic looks doesn't have to break your pockets...check for my upcoming blog on Recession Fashion where I'll show you inexpensively chic pieces that will help you achieve this opulent look for less.....LOVE