Lipstick and Jewels

Photo Vanessajackman.blogspot.com

Though I am moving away from all black and into a more colorful phase in my life, I still love the scene from Sabrina where Audrey Hepburn's character looking fantastically svelte in black cigarette pants and a simple black top, creates a meal for Bogart's character in his office. 

Though most of us, not looking like Hepburn, need a bit more than just simple pants and a top to look tres chic.  Key word being a bit more; lipstick and some jewels go far to snazzy up an outfit.  

I love the mix and match bright bellow bracelet with the turquoise ring in the picture above. Big bold pieces are so fun and perfect for spring time.  And you can find fun inexpensive pieces thrifting, Target (of course!), Banana Republic, J. Crew or even a kid's stores like Gymboree.  And as the pieces are often so trendy and not signature pieces you don't want to invest much in them anyway.  

I adore the lipstick used in this photo! I used it to try to match one in the grocery store yesterday with so-so results. I think I need to add a top gloss coat to get the desired results.  Maybe spring is about being dewy and less matte perhaps!

Back in the Game

Google and I had some issues. I posted a photo of a head of hair.  Google thought it might be linked sites that were not secure....alas, I think the issue is finally cleared up so I shall restart the blog!  Yahoo at least for me since when I put pen to paper then all these items that flood my mind during showers and in the middle of the night tend to abate.

Living on a dirt road which is often muddy road has its challenges in terms of what footwear to purchase. I love my Bogs.  I cannot say how durable they will be (probably not as great as LL Bean boots ).  But they are rubber lined with wool and have a slight bit a fashion edge.  They were fairly warm this winter when worn with wool socks and I am curious to try them out for short snow shoe outings.  I have worn them several times to feed the neighbor's cows and horse as the clean up on them is super easy.  I don't like driving in them since they are rubber the sole is slippery on the gas pedal.  So all in all I would say, thumbs up for the country living.  

Gardening also requires rubber shoes as the trek back to the house is often through wet grass or mud.  For years I have worn a pair of crocs. They are beyond gross at this point and my puppy has taken to eating small sections of them daily.  Today I just found a perfect replacement pair by Native Shoes.  They are super light and airy and look like plimsolls.  I love them!  I may even bring them to our upcoming Florida trip for the beach as I am not a flip-flip fan.

So though I love a leather sole, I do feel that rubber shoes have their space in my wardrobe.

Everything Comes Full Circle

As I near my birthday this year (you know the new twenty), I feel the need to tone up body, spirituality and my wardrobe.  Things I turned my back on in my twenties and thirties (yet wore in high school) like red lipstick, red nail polish and high heels I now cannot seem to get enough of.  Yet this time around, I am more careful with the purchase;  comfort and quality a must.  The red nail polish has to be just the right shade Essie Fish Net Stocking

Photo Essie website

 The high heels Chie Mihara found a pair on Amazon supposedly used. The only used part was they came without a box.  By far the most comfortable high heeled shoes I have ever put on my feet! Love them and I have bunions and heel spurs so that is saying a lot!

The lipstick L'Oreal Infallible Bold Bordeaux perhaps a bit more burgundy but on my lips it looks deep red. This is the best dime store lipstick bar none. But now as I get older I must also use a lip liner. Much better look for wearing a deep color lipstick. The look is crisp and clean and stays longer.

And viola I feel like a grown-up, a very sexy grown up.  I don't feel like I am playing dress up any longer.  I own the look in my soon to be 40's. I feel good.

Diamonds by Candlelight

One of my favorite precious stone cuts is the cushion cut.  Someone once told me it was created long ago pre-electricity and was designed to showcase a diamond by candlelight.  True or not, the story is full of romance and I feel ever so romantic when looking at a cushion cut stone.

Last week our electricity was out for 3 days and I be damned if my brilliant round cut stone and pave band did not look absolutely lovely by the light of a roaring fire and many candles.

The photo does no justice to the glimmering lights reflected off of the stones.  I felt a bit warmer that very cold night coloring with my daughter by candlelight, sipping wine and yes every so often looking down at my very sparkly stone.

Missrepresentation

Go to the website Miss Representation and check out the video trailer for yourself.  Looks like a worthy organization. You can even host a viewing of the full length feature in your community.  Good empowering information for our sons and daughters.

An Ode to Libraries

Yesterday I heard a guy mention to a group that bookstores and libraries are all going to become extinct just like music stores.  Hmmm. This comment gave me pause. I have worked at and frequented both bookstores and  libraries and  admittedly have a soft spot in my heart for both.  I think the man who made this comment has never looked to a librarian as a resource for information.

 Libraries and librarians are an amazing often overlooked source of information and/or direction on where to best find the information.  One key component to what I think will allow libraries to endure is that they are free.  Sophia and I have been frequenting the local library and are overwhelmed by the resources for free provided to us.  The librarians often put on interactive readings with craft projects for children.  There are touch screen computers with great children's learning games.  And then there are the incredible selections of books and movies that the children can check out.  It is so empowering for a little one to come up with books of movies they want to check out on their own.  I have always loved libraries but it is thrilling to share this love now with my daughter

Where to Shop in Jackson Hole

We did not shop much on our trip to Jackson, though the shopping is plentiful to say the least, especially the very cheesy t-shirt shops.    There were a couple of shops that caught my attention though:  Wyoming Outiftters and Vom Fass.

Wyoming Outfitters is a local shop right  in the town center and across from the famous antler arches.  The buyer is the owner and she knows her client base well, western with city flair and some great rugged lines like Ibex and Kuhl..  She has some great clothes for kids, parents and grand parents.  They have there own line of branded men's belts that were great:  think heavy leather with rich dyes and buckles that are replaceable. The website is not great but one thing I saw on-line that I did not see in the store is this darling kid's western outfit

Photo from Wyoming Outfitters website

The shop smells so good and the staff is very helpful.  Worth a visit if you are in Jackson.

The second shop I really like is not a local shop.  They are headquartered in Madison, WI.  Vom Fass has a handful of shops in the US.  There are so many reasons to like this shops from the free samples, to the amazing LED lighting, the helpful staff and well most importantly the product!  They sell  European oils, vinegars, wines & spirits.  Really fun shopping experience.  I sampled a Grappa while there and purchased a 50 ml bottle of  Armagnac. Pricey very experiential shopping experience and great gifts.