Testing Testing

Okay, I just received some helpful info on getting my links to look more professional, thanks Deb!

But before I try that, the main reason I'm blogging today is to maybe, just maybe, help one person to get motivated to move!

I know there are a thousand excuses, believe me, I've been there, and even now I sometimes will get into an excuse rut, but push myself out of it asap!

If you've read my "tweets" you will see that I love to stay active! I am a member of our great city rec center and they offer a wonderful variety of classes and have good selection of workout equipment for the days I'm not taking a class!

In 1995 I finally quit smoking! It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be! Once I finally decided I had to quit (what took me so long?!), I quit cold turkey!

Soon after that I decided I should actually try to get active since my lungs were starting to heal and I was feel so much better!

I started with little baby steps! I seriously could only do about 8 minutes at a time (not kidding!). It was a gradual process.

Then I got the nerve to actually go to our rec center! Another time when there are a thousand excuses not to go! But when you really think about it, most people at the gym are feeling just like you-or at least they started that way! Think of it that way and you'll be fine!

So here I am now, working out at least 6 days a week for at least an hour a day. I know another excuse is time, so even if you can just run in place for 20 minutes at a time, whatever!! Do it!

I feel better than ever! Not only do I feel better physically, I feel better mentally! When I get in a slump and have no energy, I find my boost from a workout!

I think I'll save this post and then try the link thing!

Good luck everyone!

Jen

Vintage

As you well now, I love antiques and vintage! I always have! When my daughter, Lindsey, suggested I join Etsy (she already had a jewelry shop there), it sounded perfect for me!

And it has been great! I'm having so much fun! Everything about having my shops is right up my alley!

I love the shopping (of course), the marketing and promoting, getting to know fellow vintage Etsy shop owners (great people and so helpful!), photography (that's been a big learning process, but it's become my favorite part of owning my shops!), oh, and I can't forget...wrapping the sold items! Okay-maybe that's my favorite part!

So where was I? Oh! I wanted to show you a couple of ideas on how to use vintage items. They don't have to be used for what they were originally intended for.

For example, the large Indiana Glass Co Milk Glass Teardrop Compote is perfect for pretty washcloths in your powder room! Of course, the brass dresser mirror is a good place to keep your favorite pearls! Also any pretty little vintage item like my cute little milk glass dish is perfect for storing cotton balls!

Oh-and that perfume-one of my favorites! It's Burberry-The Beat (I purchased it from Nordstroms)! It's not too overwhelming! For a lighter summer fragrance, you might also like Clean Warm Cotton (purchased at Sephora).

So hunt for some pretty vintage treasures and give them new life!

Happy 4th of July! Have fun and stay safe!

Jen

New post new post!

Since I just updated my other blog http://www.jensvintage.blogspot.com/ I thought I might as well pay some attention to my "beauty blog" too!

Okay, so it's summer (in case you didn't notice)! That means adding a little color to your pale skin! I've never gone to a tanning booth place (just seems creepy to lay in some hot lamp thing), and the only time I "lay out" in the sun is in August when we're in Cocoa Beach, Florida (yep-my husband loves Florida in August!). Even then I wear big hats (which embarrass my daughter) so I don't get that "barney rubble" look-anyone that's a bit older knows what I mean! You no longer get that pretty tanned face-just these big dark spots that look crazy! Haha just looked up "embarrass" to be sure I spelled it correctly, never noticed it actually ends with "ass", how appropriate!

See, you notice I don't focus well-I'm easily distracted. So what was I talking about? Oh-summer-and tans!

So, I try to remember to use sunscreen, especially when I know I will be out in the sun for a long period of time. What I use daily is Jergens Natural Glow. It's a great moisturizer and gives just a hint of color to your skin. Maybe once a week or so I will use L'Oreal's Sublime Bronze. That gives a pretty subtle color too!

So-there you have it! My summer beauty tips 101! More to come!!

Happy Summer!

Jen

I can't stand it!

Okay, I know I said I'd try some of my free Nordstrom products, but this PM "Tranquility" Go Smile "Luxury" Toothpaste tastes awful! I tried, I really did, but I cannot bear to use it any longer! It tastes like your brushing your teeth with perfume!

So that's it-if you think you would love to brush your teeth with perfume, go ahead and buy it!

Jen

I'm Getting Wiser, Right?

Please tell me I'm getting wiser! You know they say (who is they?) that we grow wiser as we grow older. I think "they" say that just to make us feel better about aging!

Keeping a sense of humor during these "growing wiser" years is so important! For example, last night at spin class (not yarn-the bike), before class actually started, I was up chatting with some of my fellow spinners, when my instructor, Brenda, said "Jenny, you're leaking". That was the perfect opportunity to tell her that this sort of thing happens as we get older, usually when we cough or jump. That got a good laugh, which is what I was hoping for. I knew she was actually talking about my cheap water bottle.

So I am not sure that I'm getting wiser, but I may be getting funnier! Or is it more funny? Oh geez, I'm definitely not getting wiser!

Okay, so where was I? Oh! I bought some perfume from Nordstrom. I bought one of my favorites, Philosophy Amazing Grace (if you don't like heavy perfume, you'll love this light clean fragrance) and "The Beat" by Burberry (I was in the Hue store-love that place, and the saleswoman was wearing this fragrance and I loved it).

Along with this came a cute blue makeup case full of fun free samples! My favorite is the "Very Hollywood" Michael Kors perfect-actually, it's the bottle that I think is so cute!

I received a ton of other stuff, the one I found most interesting was "Go Smile" Luxury Toothpaste! Really!? "Luxury Toothpaste"!!?

So, since I love to give my opinion I thought I'd start by picking two of the items I received and try them out and let you know what I think.

Of course I have to pick the "Luxury Toothpaste"...and let's see...what else should I try? Oh, this one sounds good... Bare Minerals "Flawless Definition" Mascara...I love flawless stuff!

So I will get back to you next week and let you know what I think of these two products and then I'll try a few more things from my new "bag of tricks"!

Keep Smiling!

Jen

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