by | Oct 7, 2018 | Accessories, Fashion |
Hi Lovelies,
It feels like summer is still in the air; but the calendar says it’s fall.
I wanted to share one of my wedding anniversary gifts from my hubby.

The Hattie Drawstring bag
He blessed me with the Dooney & Bourke Florentine Large Hattie Drawstring Bag. I had watched PecanTannedBeauty, a fellow Youtuber and handbag aficionado, talk about the bag. I knew I wanted to get it, but it is a higher-priced bag. The bag retails for $428.00; but thankfully, my hubby was able to get it on sale from ILOVEDOONEY. No, it’s not a Birkin and it doesn’t need to be. This bag is just simply beautiful and shows great craftsmanship. My hubby was able to purchase the bag in Ginger. The color is warm and reminds me of a milk chocolate color. It is so different than the Florentine Toscana Front Pocket Satchel, which is also in Ginger. That one is more a caramel color.
The bag’s dimensions, found on Dooney.com — Height 13.5″ x W 6.5″ x Length 11.5″
One inside zip pocket. Two inside pockets. Cell phone pocket. Inside key hook. Strap drop length 17″. Top drawstring closure. Lined. Feet.

Dooney and Bourke Hattie Handbag
Designer and Founder, Peter Dooney, notes on the Hattie, from Dooney.com
Detail One
Italian Florentine leather that develops a rich patina over time.
The handbag gives off luxury and chicness. Work it when you walk into the room with this bag.
Detail Two
Braided Leather drawstring closure.
Detail Three
Signature double-sided Dooney logo lock.
Detail Four
Iconic green micro suede leather detailing.
Detail Five
Contrast red zipper tape.
Detail Six
Lined with durable butter-soft genuine leather.
The handbag is a luxurious bag, like fine luggage. It has become a favorite for me to wear this fall and winter. This bag will be wonderful to wear for all the four seasons.
Being able to purchase this bag on sale was a great find. We were able to save over one hundred dollars off of the retail price. Score!

by | Sep 17, 2018 | Fashion |
As you all know, I love handbags. I have a fine collection. One that I am always adding to, so if you are curious about the best designer handbags and how to find the perfect one for you, all you need to do is to read on.
Take a few minutes!
If you are working with a set budget, it is important not to buy on impulse. So, before you start looking at bags sit down and think carefully about what you need.
This will help you to narrow down your options. You do not want to put yourself in the way of temptation by looking at bags that are not suitable for you. If you do that, there is a good chance you will end up buying the wrong one. Ideally, you want to go shopping with a good idea of the type of bag you need already in your mind.

How to narrow down your options
Thinking about how and when you are going to use it will help you to buy a bag that is large enough to hold everything you need. When making this decision also think about how many internal compartments you need to keep you organized. At this point, it also makes sense to note down how much money you have to spend.
Decide which colors are right for you
You need to determine which colors would work best with the outfits you already own. If you are planning to update your wardrobe leave buying your new handbag until you have done so. That way you will not inadvertently end up buying a bag that only works with half of your outfits.
If you have the time, lay the outfits that you wear most often out on the bed before you go shopping. When you do this, it will quickly become obvious which color handbag you need to buy. If you are still unsure, after doing this, take a look at this article. It explains how to coordinate colors.
Now for the fun bit
Now you have the practical considerations out of the way, the real fun starts. You can now spend some time flipping through glossy magazines and looking at catwalk shots on the top fashion sites.
As you do so, bookmark or save the handbags that make your heart race a bit or lift your spirits. Later, come back to them and discard those ones that do not fit in with the criteria you put together earlier. This is really hard to do but is essential if you want to end up with a bag that is practical enough to use. There is no point in buying a stunning looking bag if you have to leave it at home most of the time.
Once you have done that, you should be left with a half dozen bags that are going to be perfect for you. All you need to do now is to choose one and hit the buy button.
by | Aug 8, 2018 | Fashion |
Hello Lovelies,
I hope you are having a wonderful day. Today was another hot and humid day; but I see signs of fall. Coming home from work today, my husband and I were driving down a street where normally people are weaving in and out of traffic and running stop signs on a regular basis. I pray God’s hedge of protection that people will drive more cordially. Would you know it, we come home and every few feet there are cement barriers that reduced the street to one lane in each direction. If these drivers try to weave around the other automobiles, they will have to dodge the barriers. I believe that people will be forced to drive differently.
Well, I tell you this story because sometimes you may want to get away from the hustle and bustle, but you can’t. So what do you do? A couple of months back, I purchased two pairs of the G.I.L.I Jetsetter Side Slit pants from QVC. One pair is in the Black Tropical (seen below) and one in Black Palm. The pants are so carefree and the look is high end. I am wearing the pant in the black tropical and they make me feel like I am going on a European vacation. I paired it with a wedge shoe from Skechers and lace top from Isaac Mizrahi. If wedges are not your favorite choice, a flat or heel would work and make the pants versatile.

The wide-leg pant makes a bold statement and are not for the shy at heart. Get ready for the compliments when wearing them. They have the look of a palazzo pants without being too wide. I chose a size small; but I could have gone down to an extra small; but that’s okay. I just want to let you know how the size is pretty generous. I thought that the wide leg would be overpowering; but the flow of the fabric is just right. The fabric is soft and feels good on the body. These pants are on my Summer Style Essentials list because they are effortless and can be coordinated with many tops and blouses already in your closet.
Description of the Pants from QVC
Wide leg wow! These breezy pants are built for effortless travel and everyday glamour. From G.I.L.I. got it love it®.
- Fabrication: Jetsetter knit
- Features: elastic waistband, functional front pockets, leg side slits
- Rise: at the waist
- Fit: semi-fitted; follows the lines of the body with added wearing ease
- Leg Shape: wide leg; widens fashionably from thigh to leg opening
- Inseam: missy/plus inseam 31″
- Content: 94% polyester/6% spandex
- Care: machine wash, tumble dry
- Imported

by | Aug 5, 2018 | Beauty, Fashion |
Hello Lovelies,
If you live in St. Louis, Missouri or plan to be in area on September 15th, the Beauty Buzz event is a must for you to attend. The charitable event, sponsored by the St. Louis Press Club, raises money for college scholarships for local journalism students. Neiman Marcus will host this year’s event in September at their St. Louis store in Plaza Frontenac. I am honored to be serving on the committee for the first time this year, on behalf of the organization that I work for. Event co-chairs are Sheri Sherman, Faith Berger, Miran Halen and Ellen Soule.
The Beauty Buzz is an opportunity to be a part of our beauty mix, to mingle and will feature a runway event. All to have a little “fun” and and raise some “funds” for media scholarships; and will feature cosmetic and skincare demonstrations and a chance to learn tricks of the trade from the Neiman Marcus experts.
Click HERE to learn more about sponsorship opportunities and chances to win prizes at the event.
And don’t forget, enjoy brunch bites from the Zodiac.
The money raised at the Beauty Buzz event supports many local journalism students with scholarships. What a great way for you to enjoy yourself and help inspire students to achieve their dreams at the same time.
At the meeting in June, the St. Louis Press Club kicked off the Beauty Buzz event.

JT on the right with fellow St. Louis Press Club committee member (She won the gift at the kick-off meeting)



by | Aug 2, 2018 | Beauty, Fashion |
While there is more to life than looks, everybody wants to feel good about the reflection staring back at them in the mirror. It’s a matter of self-confidence, at the end of the day, and that matters. It’s about improving your mental health. If you aren’t happy with your appearance then you need to do something about that. It’s important, whether you realize it or not. Here are some ideas for those of you out there who want to feel beautiful. We all deserve to feel that way, so it’s time to start valuing yourself.

Focus on your skin.
For many people, confidence issues stem from their skin. They say that acne and other problems go away after your teens, but that isn’t the case for everyone. Some of us experience skin blemishes in our twenties and beyond. Still, there’s a lot you can do to change the appearance of your skin simply by improving your lifestyle. Drinking more water, for example, can hydrate your skin to give it a healthier glow. You might even want to try an anti-ageing moisturizer.
Of course, for some people, the problem is their age. Even if you live a healthy lifestyle, time can be very cruel to the skin. Wrinkles start to form, and the face starts to sag. That doesn’t mean you’re any less beautiful, but it’s understandable that this might knock your self-esteem. However, there are options available to you. You might want to check out these plastic surgery videos if you’re unhappy with the appearance of your face. There are plenty of cosmetic routes you can take to improve the appearance of your skin. Of course, keeping yourself healthy is still important on top of that.
Start sleeping properly.
As mentioned in the previous point, staying healthy is the best way to improve your appearance. This is definitely the case when it comes to maintaining a proper sleeping pattern. Adequate sleep is essential to a healthy lifestyle. If you want to see results from exercising and eating healthy then you need to rest properly. It helps your muscles to repair after a workout, and it keeps your metabolism working properly. Rest really can have a massive impact on your appearance. They don’t call it “beauty sleep” for no reason.
Focus on your fashion options.
Take a look at your wardrobe. What are your fashion options? If you don’t feel happy with your appearance then the issue might be your clothes. For many self-conscious people, this is usually the case. If you lack self-esteem when it comes to your appearance then you might be prone to hiding yourself behind loose-fitting or unflattering clothing. You should be looking for outfits that accentuate your beauty rather than hiding. Well-fitted attire always looks best. Your body shape doesn’t matter – all that matters is making your clothes look tailor-made to your physique. Sometimes, a simple belt around a loose dress (hugging it a little more closely to your sides) can completely transform your appearance.
FTC Disclaimer:
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
by | Jul 26, 2018 | Fashion |
Hi Lovelies,
Hope you are having a wonderful sunny day!
I went to the mall just to see if anything was on sale. Would you believe the leaves are already falling; even though it been extremely hot. I noticed that all the mannequins were very thin and statuesque. It made me think that women are all shapes and sizes and I wonder when will retailers get that in their heads. The website simplybe.co.uk gets it in a huge way. For example, jeans can be hard to fit if you are fuller in the waist and in the hips. I want to let the women out to know that the term “plus size” is a beautiful woman and you never forget that. Whether you wear a single digit size like me or a double-digit size, we are all beautiful women and that we all should have beautiful clothes to accentuate our bodies.
Simple Be offer sizes 10 – 32 (UK).
On simply be. about page the words speak to all women. I include them below.
“WE ARE NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL. AND WE ARE NOT A FAD.
CURVE IS NOT A TREND OR A HOT TOPIC. IT’S NOT AN ADD-ON OR AN AFTERTHOUGHT. IT’S AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO. IT’S WHY WE EXIST.
WE’VE BEEN HERE SINCE DAY ONE.
AND WE’RE STILL LEADING THE WAY.
WE DEMAND STYLE. WE DEMAND FIT.
AND WE HATE COMPROMISE.
WE ARE SIMPLY BE.
WE ARE CURVES.”
One of my top three favorite jeans on the site is the Joss Corset Front Crop Wide Leg Jean (picture below). The jeans remind me of culottes and the shredding on the hem is so attractive with those heels the model is wearing. The shredding is a great way to update the classic look of the culottes. Even though the jean is corset laced in the front, there is a zipper in the back to get in and out of the jeans. The jeans are machine washable and are 78% Cotton, 13% Tencel, 7% Polyester, 2% Elastane. The price is £35.00 (about $45).

Joss Crop Wide Leg Jean With Corset Front
It’s summer and it has been extremely hot here. My second favorite is the Soft Tencel Denim Wide Leg Culotte. The fabric is super lightweight so you don’t have to worry about anything sticking to you because it will breath keeping you cool. When it is hot and sticky, that is last thing I want to think about is if my clothing with sticking I know you could work these cullottes to work or to a laid-back backyard barbecue party. The cullottes could be work with sandals, wedges, or heels. The culotte cost is £30.00 – (about $40)

Soft Tencel Denim Wide Leg Culotte
Oh La La
The fashion commandment we hear over and over is that a wide leg jean will make you look smaller. Well, the wide leg jean will make you look smaller only if you balance out the upper half of your body so you see dimension and shape. Take a look at the picture below of the Pixie Wide Leg Jeans. The fab T-shirt is tucked in to give definition that the model has a waist, a belt could even be added to this outfit as another look. And, do you also notice denim with denim which is so on trend now? The dark denim jean gives off a more formal look with the stonewashed denim jacket. The jeans are 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane. and fit relaxed through the hip and thigh. The cost is £28.00 (almost $28).

Pixie Wide Leg Jean
The Simple Be website offers a jean wardrobe that will never make you look like you wore the same jean twice. And the bonus is that the prices are affordable. You say, is that possible? Yes, it is. All women deserve the opportunity to wear cute attractive clothes no matter what size they may be at any point in time. Simply Be is based in the United Kingdom, but ship around the world, including to the United States.

This is a collaborative post and the opinions are honest from Bubblingwitheleganceandgrace.com.
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