Monday, July 29, 2013

Kissing Canaries Elliana


I started planning my wedding at the age of four (4). Full of details, I had planned to get married on the "Love Boat" cruise ship at the time (if you have been blessed with a life long enough to remember). Yet with all the details I collected over the years, there are still many things that I would have done differently. One, I would have been honest with myself and registered for less kitchen items, and two, I would have had a stunningly beautiful clutch that I could use again on special occasions and one my daughter might could use on her wedding day. Like this one - the Kissing Canaries Elliana by Kate Spade!

If you are a bride who is including soft pink/pastel pink in the color scheme of your wedding or even if you are a collector of "all things beautiful", then you MUST jump over to KateSpade.com and grab this gorgeous gal who is currently ON SALE for $209 (price includes an additional 25% off promo code: 25JULY)! Sweet, sweet Elliana had an original list price of $398 so you are in for some amazing savings...and style!

Friday, July 26, 2013

Shorts For Your Shape - Busty and/or Pear Frame

Calling all Pretty Pears! You know...you beautiful women who are curvier around the hips, bottom or thighs than you are up top...the ladies whose frames are like the gorgeous Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Kate Winslet. (Put me in the category with those gals any day!) With that, I'm also giving a shout-out to the Busty Beauties (no definition required) today. If you play for either of the aforementioned teams, I hope your team wardrobe includes some full and mid-length shorts. 

The particular piece shown above is great for you Busty frames out there because the easy fit balances out your shape to bring in proportion. They are also a nice fit for Pear frames as the shorts skim your curves (with "skim" being the KEY word). Though the shorts shown here offer a classic look, you will want to avoid this piece (and/or those similar) if you have a shorter torso - the mid-rise and loose cut will cut you in half and shorten your torso...not cool!

Find similar here, here and here.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

1st Annual E.Leigh's Tent Sale

With Arkansas summer temps lasting well into October, you have got to be sure to check out the biggest sale in E.Leigh's history. A beautiful abundance of spring/summer clothing will be up to 90% OFF starting at 8am Friday, July 26th. This sale will be located at their Little Rock location ONLY!

Here's the run-down and rules: 



Where:3001 Kavanaugh Blvd.
Little Rock, AR 72205
501.265.0448


When:
Friday, July 26 8am-7pm
Saturday, July 27 8am-7pm


Rules:
No large bags will be allowed in the tent area. (It will be a tight squeeze, but well worth it!)

No strollers are allowed in the store or in the tent area. 


No food or drink will be allowed inside the store or in the tent area. Water will be provided.

E. Leigh's suggests wearing a camisole so that some items can be easily thrown on keeping in mind that there will only be three (3) fitting rooms.

Finally, ALL SALE ITEMS ARE FINAL! Be sure to check items prior to purchasing as some items have been discounted due to imperfections. (However, always be sure to weigh the alteration/correction cost with the sale cost of the item. It is often worth purchasing an item deeply discounted when a seamstress can correct the defect for a low cost.)

Calling all Curvy Girls! You know who you are...the ones with the sexy hourglass figure where your waist "curves" in at the middle, often with a fuller bust and bottom to contrast with the smaller waist. Is that you? If so, add a pair of mid-length and cuffed shorts to your wardrobe - these shorts have a simple cut that is streamlining to your hips. Let me mention, however, it is in the best interest of your body frame to politely decline and walk away from these threads if you have a bigger tush or thighs as solid white, cuffs and back flap pockets will widen you.

Find similar here, here and here.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Shorts For Your Shape - Rectangle

  
It's one of the most important things to know if you want to have a versatile wardrobe that actually makes you feel beautiful. I hear you asking in great anticipation, "What is that wardrobe saving information? I must know!" Answer: KNOW YOUR BODY SHAPE! 

When shopping, you must be aware of the style/shape of trends and apparel in general. Just because a store sells it, doesn't mean that it was meant specifically for you. It's one thing to admire a trend and it's another to purchase pieces of the trend that do not flatter your body. I know you won't believe this, but I have been guilty of it myself (insert gasp). 

With the abundance of shorts available this summer, it's only appropriate that you know which short is best for your shape. If you are a sister of the Rectangle Sorority, the pleated short above is perfect for you as they will add curves to your waist and hips...something many of us strive for. (Psst...and currently on sale at J.Crew...something else we strive for...Eeekkkk!) I'm a rectangle. Wanna know if you are? Rectangle ladies are fairly straight up and down, yet don't always have the boyish chest to match - whether God-given or Doc-given. 

P.S. If you are not a fellow Rectangle Sister or for some reason are self-conscience about your hips, you may want to stay away from pleated shorts, pants and skirts since the pleats will add fullness to your curves.

Find similar here, here and here.




Tuesday, July 23, 2013

DIY Jewelry Cleaner

Once a year, I take my fine jewelry to our personal jeweler to make sure that my prongs and clasps are properly tightened and I love the way my jewelry sparkles when I pick it up. I literally feel as if each piece of jewelry is brand new since no one can clean your jewelry like a professional jeweler. But how do you clean your fine accessories in the meantime? It's simple! 
  1. Mix half 409 and half water in a measuring cup or bowl (though it depends on the amount of jewelry I am cleaning, I usually mix 1/4 cup of each)
  2. Drop in your jewels (EXCEPT for pearls)
  3. Leave overnight while you head to Dream Land
  4. Remove in the morning and Sparkle!
Since 409 All Purpose Cleaner is a degreaser, it easily removes the stubborn oils from your skin that tend to cloud your jewelry with no brushing/scrubbing required. It's that simple...and it's that easy!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Wearable Inspiration

Returning back to Little Rock from San Diego is always hard. I'm not saying that God got any less creative when he made Arkansas (because there sure are some things/people in Arkansas that definitely took a lot of "creativity" to produce), but it sure would have been nice (aka wonderful, amazing, terrific, joyful) if Arkansas were a lot more like Cali. Realizing that it's the furthest thing from, my hair has quickly returned to its daily "too hot and humid to exist" bun/ponytail and I'm back to swearing at the heat. 

On a better note, while preparing for an upcoming style challenge, I came across this too-cute-not-to-share muscle tank!! Best part...it's wearable inspiration for just $12! What?!

Monday, July 1, 2013

Cakes Have Style (and Good Taste) Too!

Confession: Fashion styling is my first love, yet I have to come clean, I have had a crazy love affair with event styling for the past 12 years. Lucky for me, I often have the opportunity to indulge in that affair by planning parties and events for family, friends and local businesses...not to mention corporate hors d'oeuvres parties that cost upwards of $20,000 for a mere two (2) hours. And when it comes to party planning, I have to admit that my most favorite and uber-important part is choosing the cake/dessert. Yummy! Who doesn't love to see an amazing cake in the middle of the room?! Other than the Guest of Honor, the cake has a stage of its own!

Whether you're planning a wedding or birthday party, I want to introduce you to the most amazing cakes I have EVER seen AND tasted in my life! Seriously. Not kidding. Ah-may-zing. No words. Obsessed. (And I can say this with confidence being the one who is so picky about cakes that I have had them brought in from over 200 miles away.) 

While planning a recent Forty & Fabulous party for a dear friend, I came across Natalie Madison's Artisan Cakes. Not only did her cake creation fall perfectly in line with the style of the party, it quickly became the obsession of every guest. Check it out!

Image courtesy of Natalie Madison's Artisan Cakes
Oh! And don't let me fail to mention that I am often reluctant to order fondant cakes. Though they tend to look better, the taste and texture of the fondant can often ruin the individual's enjoyment while eating it. Not the case with Natalie's cakes! You literally COULD NOT tell that the icing was fondant and the taste was, without a doubt, the most incredible thing I have ever put in my mouth! Natalie Madison's Artisan Cakes is in the Top 5 of my most favorite finds in 2013! 

P.S. Did I mention that Natalie is just as sweet, if not sweeter, than her cakes?!