by | Oct 3, 2016 | Fashion, Travels |
Hello Beautiful People,
Fall is in the air and as the leaves are changing colors, I am thinking about fashion. Not only what I would like to wear, but also a new exhibition opening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York entitled, “Masterworks: Unpacking Fashion.”
“The Costume Institute’s Fall exhibition, Masterworks: Unpacking Fashion Exhibition Dates: on view in the Anna Winter Costume Center from
November 18, 2016 to February 5, 2017, will feature significant acquisitions of the past 10 years. The show, curated by Assistant Curator, Jessica Regan with support from Curator in Charge Andrew Bolton, will explore how the mass department has honed its collecting strategy to amass masterworks of the highest aesthetic and technical quality, including of iconic works by designers who have changed the course of fashion historians advanced fashion as an art form.”
“Our mission is to present fashion as a living art that interprets history, becomes part of the historical process, and inspires subsequent art,” said Mr. Bolton. “Over the seven decades since The Costume Institute because part of The Met in 1946, our collecting strategy has shifted from creating a collection of Western high fashion that is encyclopedic in breadth to one focused on acquiring a body of masterworks.”
This is definitely a different direction in fashion exhibitions and quite refreshing to show masterworks from key designers of each period that represent various changes.
“The exhibit will showcases sixty different masterworks from the 18th century to the present which The Costume Institute has acquired since its last acquisitions show in 2007.”
I wanted to share some exquisite highlights of objects that will be included in the exhibit.
This gown by Viktor rolf is part tutu, part ballroom gown. When you first look at the gown, I know you are saying, How did they do that? The gown looks like a sculpture but gives off a romantic appeal at the same time. A must see?
BallGownViktorRolf
Spring2010
The Robe Volant French 1700s brocade gown looks so regal. However, the gown looks very comfortable because it is unstructured in detail. The pleats on the back of the dress commands a standing ovation.
Robe Volant French
The Jean Philippe-Worh ball gown is structured and accentuates the neckline, shoulders, arms and waist. The dress is beautiful and looks like a fairy tale with the butterflies embroidered on the fabric as if they are flying effortlessly around the dress.
BallGown,Jean-PhilippeWorth,1898
The Raf Simons for the House of Dior ensemble commands and second head turn for attention. The embroidery along the cuffs and front of the jacket is jaw-dropping gorgeous. How many hours did it take to do the embroidery? This ensemble fit is tailored to perfection and very slimming.
Ensemble,RafSimonsforHouseofDior,Autumn2014
My last highlight is from John Giliano, the detail of the lapel and the pleating of the lower part of the jacket is always in style.
Ensemble John Galliano
I can’t wait to see this exhibit because the pieces are timeless and go beyond all boundaries.
I want you to be completely fresh when you go so I will only list some of the designers that will be featured in the exhibit. Some of the designers include Gilbert Adrian, Geoffrey Beene, Christian Dior, Tom Ford, and you will have to go to the exhibit to see the surprise designer objects.
*Exhibition information from Metropolitan Museum of Art Masterworks Unpacking Fashion press release.
by | Sep 27, 2016 | Fashion |
Let’s face it: most of us can’t afford to budge on our wedding budgets. Planning a ceremony when money is tight is easier said than done; however, savvy couples can easily cut costs granted they know where to look.
First and foremost, couples should consider the most important aspects of their ceremony and trim the fat accordingly. For example, compromises should be made concerning the following:
- The size of the ceremony and how many guests should be invited (an intimate affair versus a lavish party)
- Which of the major and minor details of the ceremony matter the most, from fabrics and arrangements to music and catering
- How much you’re willing to spend on the essentials, such as wedding rings, her dress and his tuxedo
Understanding what matters most can reduce a couple’s stress of planning the ceremony; meanwhile, it can also uncover opportunities for you to slash costs and stay within your budget. By harnessing the power of smart shopping and keeping the following tips in the back of your mind, you can save big without sacrificing your ceremony.
Research the Ring
It’s incredibly easy to overspend on your wedding rings if you don’t know what to look for. Diamond prices can vary wildly from dealer to dealer and are determined by a number of factors including:
- The diamond’s weight and amount of carats
- The cut of the stone
- The clarity and certification of the diamond
If such concepts seem foreign to you, make sure that you research the in’s and out’s of price prior to committing to a ring. In many cases, it makes more sense to shop around online versus buying blindly at a brick-and-mortar retailer.
Frugal with Flowers
Flowers can eat up a shocking seven to ten percent of your wedding budget, leaving many couples wondering how they can keep their ceremony classy yet also save on decorations. Thankfully, getting frugal with your flowers is relatively easy, depending on how much of your budget you are willing to spend. For example:
- You can rely on seasonal or local blooms which are guaranteed to be fresh and cost-effective
- Seek out year-round blooms such as roses and orchids which likely won’t have to be imported
- Consider artificial flowers or a mixture of real and artificial flowers: in many cases, guests won’t be able to tell the difference
Flowers on candle stand
Many couples aren’t willing to fore-go flowers; therefore, consider cost effective options before ruling them out entirely. Once you’ve made your decision, price out your flowers both locally and online to find the best deals.
Cutting Cake Costs
What’s a wedding without cake? Elegant wedding cakes are indeed fun to marvel at and eat; however, they can quickly add up in terms of price. To compromise, it’s common for couples to have a small centerpiece cake coupled with a large sheet cake. You can also get more mileage out of your cake by cutting it into smaller slices or choosing butter cream icing versus pricier fondant. A little bit of creativity can go a long way to keeping your wedding cake delicious yet affordable.
A small cake can save money when on a budget.
Wedding’s don’t have to be insanely expensive: it all comes down to how you allocate your budget. By shopping smart, doing your homework and looking for smart ways to save, you can have the wedding of your dreams without sacrificing the essentials.
*guest post*
by | Sep 26, 2016 | Fashion |
Hi Beautiful People,
Are you thinking about your steps? If not, you may want to start thinking about them. I thought that I had it all mapped out and I was getting my steps each day. I felt kinda proud about it. I would intentionally walk up and down three flights of steps at work about two or three times a day and I thought that was enough. I surprised that I had only achieved about 3,000 steps out of the 10,000 step goal. I started using a personal fitness tracker and it kicked my step level up a notch. However, with that tracker I had to always check my smart phone or its website to see how many steps I have achieved. This can be a disadvantage, especially when I want to see where I am at in a jiffy. I recently had the opportunity to try the FitBit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch, courtesy of Verizon Wireless, to see what the difference might be. The FitBit Blaze watch is available from Verizon for $199.99 and is available in Black, Blue or Plum.
JT hiking in the Canyonlands with her Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness watch
Specifications from Verizon website:
Fitbit Blaze™ Smart Fitness Watch
Get fit in style with the Fitbit Blaze™—a smart fitness watch designed to help you maximize every workout and every day. Use fitness features like PurePulse™ continuous heart rate, multi-sport tracking, Connected GPS and FitStar workout on your wrist. Automatically track your activity, exercise and sleep. Stay connected with call, text and calendar notifications. Customize Fitbit Blaze with a variety of watch faces or accessorize with bands and frames. It’s everything you need for fitness and style—all in one sleek time piece.
- Activity Tracking – whether you are running, biking or hiking; the sensors recognizes the type of activity that you are doing and records it for you.
- PurePulse™ Heart Rate and Simplified heart rate zones – This feature tracks your heart rate during the day and during a workout. It will let you know if your heart rate is in the rate zone when exercising, to burn the most calories.
- Connected GPS – If you want to know the route of your walk or run; the GPS feature will track it for you.
- FitStar Workouts – From your wrist, the Blaze will give you instructions with graphics for a simple and quick workout. A perfect option if want to have a workout on the go. You can workout anywhere at anytime with images and instructions on how to do the specific exercises.
- The workout summaries provide insights and track progress from day-to-day, and week-to-week.
- The design is sleek with a high resolution screen that is easy to read.
- The watch band is interchangeable in leather, stainless steel and sports band selections.
- With a flip of the wrist you can see the time and your current step total.
- The sensors are sensitive and can register you taking steps when you are actually checking the screen. On my wedding anniversary, my hubby and I took an all-day Jeep tour through Canyonlands and Arches National Park. When we were jeeping through the rocks and rough terrains the Fitbit blaze was measuring my movements as steps. That was not an accurate count for me that day. It was good that I was also hiking on the tour. There is a big difference between in the total number of steps taken with my other tracker and the FItBit Blaze. If i reached 10,000 steps on the FItBit Blaze, I would still have about 3000 to 3500 more steps to do with the other tracker. This was very interesting because trackers were worn on different arms at the same time.
- With the FitBit Blaze connected to my smart phone, you can receive Smart notifications from your calendar, email accounts, and text message on the watch. Everything is easy to see and clear.
- The smart phone app organizes your daily stats with the option to add water intake and caloric intake. The information from the FitBit Blaze synced with the smart phone app with out any issues or problems.
- On the Fitbit’s website, you and see more detailed information about your steps, weight, sleep and compare it with previous days statistics. This allows you to see if you are on track with your target number of steps, calories burned, or water intake. You can set goals and the app and website will do the tracking for you to see if you within reach of achieving that goal.
- Though the FitBit website, you can join groups of like-minded, fitness-minded people. You can challenge each other for monthly step totals, miles covered or active-minutes achieved.
- Once you sign up for the app and website, you will receive weekly updates of your progress; and provide you with tips for a healthy life. These tips include recipe for healthy food choices.
Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness watch
The FitBit Blaze watch is your all-in-one fitness tracker. It is the ideal tracker for anyone who wants to take control of their fitness level and goals. It is all within reach of your wrist or your laptop. With all the technology built into the FitBit Blaze; there is no need to worry if it will be hard to understand. FitBit has gone the extra mile to simplify everything so that it’s easy to set-up, easy to use and easy to understand. The time is now to know your fitness level and to know where you want it to go to. You can get there with the FitBit Blaze.
FTC Disclaimer:
Verizon Wireless provided me with the FITBIT Blaze to sample for six weeks, after which time I returned it back to Verizon. I received no monetary compensation to write this review. All opinions are my own.
by | Sep 5, 2016 | Fashion |
Hi Beautiful People,
Do you ever feel like you want your lashes to grow longer or brows to look fuller? Are you wearing faux eyelashes and would really like to get rid of them?
I hear you loud and clear. I have never worn faux lashes and don’t pluck my eyebrows, but I do know what it’s like to fill in brows to make them look fuller.
New York Biology UltraLASH
New York Biology has an UltraLASH Lash & Brow Serum that claims to make those brows look fuller and grow those lashes longer. I am always a little skeptical for such claims being made but I don’t mind giving the product a try. My brows and eyelashes are already full but I do add powder or a brow liner stick for fullness.
The UltraLASH brow and lash serum comes in a 3.5 mil box and when you take top off it has brush applicator on the top. After I wash my face I apply according to the directions the brush gently along my brows . You only need to apply the serum once so it will last a long time.
My brows look full, healthy, however, my brows are already thick so not seeing a lot of change right now. I will keep using the serum and see how it works overtime.
JTwisdom applying applicator to brows
When I apply the serum to the upper eyelashes I would apply the brush from the inner part of my lash line to the outer part. it was very easy to apply, and a little of the serum was all I needed. I have used this product a month and I can tell that areas were my lashes need to look thicker I am starting to see thickness.
JT applying brush to lash area
The ingredients and more information about the UltraLASH & Brow serum is listed below for your convenience.
Aqua (Water), Glycerine, Hydrolyed Starch Phosphate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Pentapeptide-17, Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark Extract, Malus Domestica (Apple) Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Mannitol, Panthenol (D), Glutamic Acid (L), Xanthan Gum, Lecithin 1, 2- Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Chloride Disodium Succinate, Tropolone, Phenoxyethanol, Phytic Acid.
Directions
Draw the applicator carefully along the skin at the base of the upper eyelashes going from the inner part of your lash line to the outer part. May also apply to eyebrow area. Use once daily. External use only.
- DERMATOLOGIST & CLINICALLY TESTED this irritation-free and allergy-free formula was tested to deliver results without causing discomfort. This eyelash serum has gone through rigorous testing at an independent lab under dermatologist supervision to insure you have peace of mind.
- LAB TEST IN CLINICAL TRIALS SHOWED that after use of Eyelash Enhancing Serum, users found that applying the solution daily, gave a 25% increase in the thickness and length of eyelashes after two weeks, and a 75% increase after six weeks of regular use. The results were studied over a panel of applicants and measured with SigmaScan software.
- THICKER, FULLER, & LONGER LASHES our Eyelash Growth Serum is made utilizing cutting edge technologies such as Pentapeptide-17, Swiss Apple Stem Cells and Botanical Complex Tricholasty®. These active high-end ingredients encourage hair to grow thicker, fuller, and longer while improving the overall appearance and condition of your lashes.
- CREATE THICKER, MORE DEFINED BROWS unlike other eyelash growth products the ingredients in this serum have been tested to work on brows just as effectively. Our clinically proven formula is designed to transform weak, uneven and sparse brows into healthy-looking, fuller brows.
- MADE IN THE USA our Eyelash Enhancer Serum is made using the Highest Quality Ingredients. Produced in our FDA Approved cGMP Facility does not contain alcohol, parabens or sulfates and is Cruelty Free.
by | Aug 4, 2016 | Fashion |
Hello Beautiful people,
Are you enjoying the summer? It is already August and I even saw a school bus today with kids on it already. I pray you having fun and that it is not hot and humid where you are. It has rained and a few cloudy days this week, but all of the sudden we had a break from the heat. Today, on the other hand, felt like a hot stove out there and quite humid. I can not complain because I have so much to be thankful for.
Tips on keeping cool in the summer
- Natural fibers are great in a warm climate because the fabric is breathable and not slippery. Breathable fabric wicks away moisture. Bold prints are fun to wear and elongates the body. You can see in the image below the print in the palazzo pants take center stage. I added my red Dooney and Bourke handbag for a color effect that accentuates the whole ensemble.
- Be Confident and bold. God made you special, you have to remember that.
Perfect Prints
If you have been hesitant in years past about wearing prints, be bold and take a chance. Bright and cheery pants could bring a small to your face and change your whole attitude.
by | Aug 3, 2016 | Accessories, Fashion |
Discover what you can do to help so your daughter can have the best prom possible.
Sherri Hill
Moms, if you are reading this right, we would like to let you know how important you are. Not just to life itself of course, but to your daughter’s prom night. Being one of the most important nights in her life to date, you will play an essential role in making sure she feels and looks her best.
Not only this but part of the whole experience which makes prom so much fun is how moms are always an essential part of the process. Whether it’s shopping from a trusted store like Peaches Boutique in Chicago, IL, choosing and planning make-up ideas or giving honest yet loving feedback on things, no girl can do without her mom for prom.
So now you are fully aware of just how important you are to your daughter’s prom, let’s look at some important things you can do along the way.
When it comes to the prom night, you may have to save the day (more than once) and here’s how…
- The hair goes wrong! Here’s how to fix a BHD (Bad hair day): If you have booked in with the hairdressers and things aren’t going as planned, breathe and relax. You can ask the stylist for some tips on how to create the desired style if time is short. Make sure you have some curlers, bobby pins, fancy clips and a straightener at home if you have to clean up the mess.
- Make sure the make-up is perfect: Make-up can either make or break the overall look of your daughter on prom. It’s good to emphasize from the start just is. This may cost more up-front but will cut down on costs when hiring beauticians. There are also plenty of cool YouTube tutorials from pros who can really help you create the look your daughter wants.
- Make sure you buy all the essentials: Essentials can include anything from hairspray to foot gels to make heels that little bit more comfortable. It’s the small things that count and can make your daughters prom night go smoothly.
- Think about the logistics: All girls get excited about their proms, so much so they may look past all-important elements such as how they are going to arrive to their prom. It might be a good idea then to help arrange the ride. Most chauffeur services will be in high demand around this time of year so ensure to get things booked well in advance. Also consider the numbers, the more people you and your daughter can get on board the cheaper the overall cost will be.
- Think about any after-party: Will your home host the after-party? Does your daughter have any plans for when the prom is over? Thinking post-prom is also an area which may slip everyone’s mind but be important to finishing the night with a bang!
As you can see, you’re an essential part to the process, mom! Doing these things can really help your daughter enjoy her prom and look the part.
This article was written by Katrina Fernandez
Follow!