Style

Wow! I didn't realize I hadn't updated my "beauty" blog since January! I sure hope you've been able survive without my beauty tips!

I've been meaning to write a blog about style for awhile now. What pushed me to finally do this is when I was at my hair salon today (Dante Lucci's in Rocky River, OH). I love going there just to see what everyone's wearing! I also have to give a lot of thought as to what I'm wearing too! Not to say this place is snooty and pretentious, even though it is an upscale salon, everyone is far from snooty and pretentious!

One of the girls at the front, Jen (no not me) has amazing style! She always looks glamorous! And she loves vintage! She can take a great vintage jacket, some inexpensive beads, and a vintage brooch, and turn it all into something so cute!

I just found out she's going to be featured in the Plain Dealer, next Wednesday, in the style section! I cannot wait to see it! She really deserves the recognition!

I'm lucky enough to have an entire room (we have a bedroom attached to our master bedroom, which was perfect as a nursery when the kids were babies) devoted to my clothes and shoes and accessories! I've always loved fashion! On one of my shelves I keep a picture (the one's shown here) of Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. They seem to give me that eye of approval which I need!

I think I'll make this a continued "style series" since as I am writing this, I keep thinking of more things to say about style!

I have several "InStyle" books that I love! Most of them are at least a few years old now, but that doesn't matter. Classic pieces never go out of style.

I also believe you don't have to spend a lot to have style. You have to know yourself first of all. You don't want to copy anyone's style. A great way to figure out your style is to go through magazines. Rip out pics of things you love, whether it's a picture of a movie star, a pair of shoes, whatever. Start a scrap book. You'll start to really get an idea of what you like and can go from there.

I believe you don't have to have a closet full of clothes (but I do) to have style! A great pair of jeans, classic pumps, pearls (gotta have pearls), a nice blazer, a white cotton tshirt...to name a few. From the basics you can add more fun stuff, like scarves, vintage jewelry (always unique), a cute hat..you get the idea! Add a few of the latest trends, but I would definitely not spend a lot on those.

I happen to love the classic style of Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy. But I also admire the women that aren't afraid to push it to the limit a bit! You have to admit, Lady Gaga might just be another singer if it weren't for her special style!

So there you have it! My 1st of an ongoing style series!

I'd love to hear who your style icons are!

Jen

I've Got 10 Minutes

Today I am using my timer method. I haven't done this in awhile, but I know I need to focus and this is the best method for me!

I put the timer on for 20 minutes, in that time I cannot go near the computer or anything related to either of my Etsy shops. You would be amazed at what you can get done in 20 minutes! I cleaned two bathrooms, put a load of wash on, folded towels, hung up coats that should have been hung up a few days ago, and more!

Timer goes off and I put it on for 10 minutes-a 10 minute break to do whatever I want! For this 10 minute break I decided I should update my "beauty blog"! I'm sure you've been waiting for my latest beauty tips...right!!?

Well here it is!

I kept seeing the commercial for the roll on makeup that was supposed to be like airbrush makeup! Eva Longoria is in the commercial, and I thought I'd give it a try and see if it would make me look like her! This is by L'Oreal and called "True Match Roller". I wasn't sure what color to get and decided on "neutral".

I also have shown the makeup I have used forever, Clinique "superbalanced makeup". I love this!

As far as the L'Oreal True Match Roller, I can't say I love it. I did not end up looking like Eva Longoria! Darn!! Also, the color I chose might be a bit dark for my skin and I didn't like the matte feel/look to this.

So I will stick with my tried-n-true Clinique makeup, which I can now buy at my favorite beauty store, Sephora! Sign up for one of their cards, it's free and you get cool stuff after you buy a certain amount!

So there you go-that used up my 10 minutes so it's back to work for me. I'm going to start thinking about what I'll do on my next 10 minute break!! This is fun!

Enjoy your weekend-use your time wisely!

Jen

Clothes

I've always loved fashion, makeup, and all that girly stuff! (even though when I was a kid you'd usually find me in the creek catching frogs and tadpoles and crayfish-or up in the tallest tree I could find!).

I love fashion so much I strongly encouraged my daughter to puruse a fashion design degree-and that she did!! http://www.linques.typepad.com/ this is my daughter, Lindsey's blog-I am positive she got her talent from my Mom (it totally skipped me!)...and I'm so proud of her!

Anyways--back to me!! I love fashion, but more than that-style! Everyone has there own style...some just need a little more help!

I'm older than 26 (since Lindsey's 26 that makes sense) Although I can fit into the smaller sizes, I know there are just things I should not wear at "my age". But that does not mean I'm going to give up on style and fashion--no way!

I can go to Express-and skip the way-above-the-knee fashions and still find cute things for me without looking like I'm trying to look 20! I'm still alive and will be (hopefully) for quite awhile and I'm not going to give up on looking my best!

So I went shopping today (a little retail therapy never hurt anyone). I couldn't believe that Victoria Secret had jeans in their store! I bought the cutest Pink (not the color pink) skinny jeans (and that doesn't me you have to be "skinny" to wear them). I then went on to Express (the best customer service!) and bought to cute cute sweater dresses (one too short to wear as a dress-better w/ skinny jeans for me), and some other cute things-likes sweater vests! I made a little stop at Banana Republic (haven't been as impressed with their selection lately) I did find some great longer vests (great for mixing and matching) and a cute flirty skirt and a black ruffly knit top to go with that (this skirt is short-but still acceptable since I'll wear it with tights).

Check out my pictures and ignore dust and stuff you see. I said I like fashion, I didn't say I liked cleaning.

For us girls over 40- you can take classic pieces, add a little flare of your own! My favorite handbag is one that I call my "popular purse"! It's a bold yellow Jessica Simpson handbag and everywhere I go-women comment on it! Whether I'm at a school function or out shopping, I get comments! So instead of going with a wild color skinny pant (please don't)...make your handbag the bold statement!

I also have my favorite popular boots-I can't remember who makes them-and I know I'll need to break down and get new ones-but wherever I go-these too--get comments! From not only women but men too! I have skinny legs so it's hard to find ones that fit me-and the best ones for me are the ones that slip on!

My fashion rambling must stop-but I could go on-maybe I'll take a breather and ramble more tomorrow--my pictures aren't too great-but you "get the picture" (that was bad).

Be your best-and as my Mom always said (now there was a woman with style)...chin up-chest out-shoulders back!!

Jen

Disturbed

First, I will start by saying, I like Rachael Ray. I am a foodie, so I am watching the food channel, well...obsessively! As far as her show, I only watch it occasionally. But I had seen a commercial for her next show, which was to be about slowing down the little signs of aging. I am all for improving yourself. So I taped it, and tonight, I finally watched the show.

That's where the disturbing part starts.

I workout-everyday except my day off on Thursday. I eat semi-healthy. I believe in moderation, and it's okay to eat some chips no and then! (That's part of the reason I workout!)

I have a 26 yr old daughter, a 17 yr old son, and a 16 yr old daughter. Do the math. Even if I had my 26 yr old daughter at 20, that would make me 46, but that's beside the point of this of this blog, so I won't go there!

This certain Rachael Ray show was disturbing to me. I've wondered, now and then, if maybe I should have a little botox or something, but this show was just crazy! First, there was a women that had some injection in her hands because her hands showed signs of aging! I think the plastic surgeon said it would cost something like $1500/hand and would last about a year. I'm not sure about you, but for me, $3000 to make my hands look more youthful...well, it just aint' gonna cut it! I could just imagine saying to my husband "honey I need $3000 to make my hands look youthful"!

Oh, you say you earlobes are as youthful as you would like them to be!? Don't worry, there's surgery for that also! PLEASE!! I never even thought about earlobe problems! Am I crazy!?

No!! I am not (okay, that is debatable).

Take care of yourself. Workout, eat reasonably...then be happy with who you are. Don't pick at every body part. How long can you keep that up? And at what cost?

That show actually helped me to be happier with where I am right now, what I look like, and forget about any flaws. We all have flaws! We all age! It happens!

Be your best-not someone else's best! YOUR best!

and forget about the rest!

Jen

Beauty Word of the Day!

Okay, I might not have a beauty word of the day everyday, but here's my beauty word for today:

Exfoliate! Whether you're 16 or 50+, exfoliate! Everyday, in the shower. Have your exfoliating wash in the shower so you won't forget to exfoliate!

For the face I recommend the two products shown: Philosophy's Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, check it out at http://www.philosphy.com/ - I also buy it at http://www.sephora.com/ and http://www.qvc.com/ -

Another great exfoliating product for your face (it's my 16 year old daughter's favorite): Dove's Gentle Exfoliating Foaming Facial Cleanser. This can be purchased at any of your local drug stores!

And yet one more product that can be used with any of your favorite cleansing creams: exfoliating facial cleansing sponges! Inexpensive, and can be found anywhere!

So that's my word for the day-get rid of those darn old skin cells-and renew your face! I swear it helps! Oh--please do not forget your neck and decolete (pronounced dek-lo-tay-it's your chest area that starts showing signs of aging!).

So get out there and exfoliate!

Jen

Coming Out of the Closet

Cleaning out the closet--jenscloset!! Check out just a fraction of the clothes I have! I'm finally going to purge and organize! I started doing this awhile ago. I sold some of my clothes, that still had tags on them, on Ebay. I am constantly donating bags and bags of nice items to the Purple Hearts and a few other organizations.

I've always loved fashion and even to go get the mail, I try to make sure I look my best! Yes...some call me obsessed...even I do! Even though I do not work in an office (since 4/08), I still love to dress up-I don't mean I'm wearing my high heels around the house or to the post office (I'm not that obsessed!). I'm so obsessed that I produced a daughter who would grow up to go to college and get a fashion design degree!

This is going to be a series of blogs, starting with the one where I confess, not only my obsession, but what a mess it is, and how out of control it has gotten!

I spent a couple of hours going through one section of my closet (I'm talking about an entire bedroom that my sweet husband, Bob, turned into an entire walk-in closet for me!). I tried everything on-if it didn't look fabulous, it went into a pile. I will then go through that pile and sell some on Ebay and donate the rest. (If you're a size 4 and you're interested in some of my clothes-just let me know!)

So that's my first step-I'll get back to you soon with how my progress is going. I urge everyone to try on your clothes-check them out-do they really make you feel good? make you feel confident? no?? well..then, what are you waiting for! Join me!

Good luck!

Jen

A Great Beauty Info Site

Sorry it's been awhile! Been busy with summer stuff, including our annual trip to Cocoa Beach, Florida! I used plenty of sunscreen and always wore a hat to get as little sun on my face as possible!

I thought I'd do a quick blog to tell you about a great website full of beauty information, for all ages! http://www.totalbeauty.com/ -I just received their must recent update about ways to prevent and/or slow down that darn aging process that happens to us all!

I jotted down a few notes, such as

1-drinking green tea is good (I think we all know that by now!).

2-Vitamin D3 oil

3-exfoliate (I do that everyday!)

4-less is more as far as makeup as we get a little older

5-RetinaA seems to be a must-so I need to check on that

and there's more! Check out their website, I think you'll find it very interesting and helpful!

Take care!

Jen