Saturday Show And Tell

Do you ever find something and you just have to share with your friends? Me Too!! 

That’s why today I am going to share with you a few things I have either just now realized, or found. One of my finds I am REALLY, REALLY excited about, keep reading!!!

First let’s start at the top!!

Hair

Did you know that you could put conditioner on your hair, leave it in over night, and wash it out the next day and Voila, you will have shiny, silky hair?

Me either!!

 

My hairdresser told me to do it, and boy am I glad she did, it is a great way to give your hair a silky boost. Plus, it is much cheaper than using Moroccan oil.

Just make sure you are using a good replenishing conditioner. I use Bain de Terre, and it smells heavenly.

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Let's FACE IT!! 

FACE

I have a couple of things I have to share with you here. I found a night cream that I am seeing, and feeling wonderful results with my skin….

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My skin is hydrated, and so much smoother, this will definitely be a repeat purchase. It is on sale right now and if you use this link….

 http://goo.gl/n9lQM7. 

    

You will get $10 off your purchase if you are a new customer. Be sure, and read my other post on skincare products I love, you might see something else you might want!! HERE

Something else new to me that I am loving, is a new Brow defining cream. I was a bit reluctant because to be honest I was not unhappy with my Bare minerals brow powder.

I kept reading about brow defining creams and gels were the newest look for brows and much more natural looking. 

Since I was out of my powder I thought I would give it a try.Well, let me tell you, I am a new convert. 

It fills in my brows much better than the powder did with a much more natural look, and a very easy application. This is definitely a Go-to product for me now.

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I use the lighter shade for my brows. I wish they had one color instead of the two, since I can’t use the darker for my brows, but I could use it as a liner.

Anyhow check it out, I think you will love. You can use the same link above for your $10 off.

Next and the one I am most excited about!!

I FINALLY FOUND A GOOD

MASCARA!!

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Omgosh, I have been looking, and looking, and trying, and trying to find a mascara that did NOT clump, and that actually made my eyelashes look longer, and more voluminous. 

I don’t know about all of you, but  since I became a woman of a certain age, my lashes are thinner, and they even look shorter, but when I put this mascara on, it was like, “Oh there you are, where have you been oh lashes of mine?!”

They also offer a To-Go size for $10, great for your purse or if you just want to try it first. You can get it HERE!

Shall we get to the bottom of things?

  PANTS

Since it is Spring I have been on the hunt for a pair of yellow pants. I ordered two different pairs that did not work out as far as the color of yellow that actually arrived.

It is so hard to judge from one monitor to another. So if you know of any cute bright yellow pants around let me know.

However, I did find a couple pair of pants, one in a soft pink and the other in a cobalt blue. Both of which will go nicely in my wardrobe.

Talbots is having a sale on their regular priced pants, 20% off!!

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Let me tell you, I have the hardest time finding pants to fit me. I have short legs, sturdy thighs and calves.

Let’s just say I won’t fall over if a big wind hits me.

Anyhow these fit, and stretch, and are extremely comfortable. 

I already have a pair of Kelly Green pants just like these so I am set. Now if I could just find my yellow pants!!

 Something To Think About!

  FASHION BLOG

One last thing, I love fashion, but to be honest have not found any blogs featuring women of a certain age that has a style sense close to my own.

Have you noticed they stop at the age of 50, when they do fashion, make-up or hair articles? 

What the heck, we are not in the ground yet! Sheeesh!!!

When I look at the over 50, or a woman of a certain age blogs, I find they are either dressing too trendy, trying to look young, or they dress like a Nana, and to be honest a bit frumpy.

 Oh then let’s not forget the character dressing, that is out there too. None of which is for me.

Frumpy is something I try very, very hard not to be. I know the clothing industry does not market to our demographic, but there are ways of putting classic pieces together with a touch of a trend now and again.

I have a blog for you!!! written by the beautiful Beth Djalali….

"Style At A Certain Age!"

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She dresses classic with some trendy pieces now and again. 

She always carries fabulous purses and wears equally as fashionable shoes and belts. 

Her clothing proportions are spot on for her stature.(I think proportions are so over looked on most fashion blogs, and they are so important.)

I spent a great deal of time perusing her entire blog and I pinned away. You can see what I pinned here.

Be sure and check her blog out, and tell her Kathysue sent you!!! Leave a comment, fashion blogging takes a lot of time, give her a minute of yours. ;)

Now, go out and enjoy your beautiful first weekend of Spring. I plan on doing a lot of this….

 

 

 

Decorating A Colorful Eclectic Room Can Be Tricky

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This is a post I have wanted to write for some time now.

To be honest I did not begin to write it because it felt as if it would get too complicated, and involved to write, and I was fearful I would not be able to articulate what I wanted to convey to you my dear readers.

Please bare with me as I try to uncomplicate the subject of:

DECORATING AN ECLETIC,

COLORFUL ROOM!!

As 2015 is moving onward, and forward, the design trends are becoming more, and more evident.

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The rooms are becoming more of a mixed bag of goodies, not only in the style of the pieces, but  also the patterns, with lots of color against white backdrops, or at times even a darker vibrant colored walls and sofas.

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I am definitely NOT an expert on this look that seems to lean more towards a bit of a Bohemian look, but I  can enjoy any style if it is done well.

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Let me mention here that design will always be subjective, and you and I might not have the same sense of style, or opinions, but hear me out if you will?

With Spring arriving we all want to add a fresh look, and maybe a little bit more color to our lives.

Personally I have always loved color, and have lived with medium value colors easily. Mixing patterns has not been difficult for me either. 

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However this look I am talking about goes beyond colorful rooms, and coordinating patterns.

It is a mixed bag of goodies that JUST WORKS for no apparent reason at first glance. However, upon further studying a well done room in this style, you will notice that there is a formula of sorts.

Most people can not achieve this effortless  look without a great deal of effort. I am one of those people. 

I lean towards a more classic, and preppy design aesthetic by nature.  

An eclectic, Bohemian style, as appealing as it can be, does not fit my natural inclinations, therefore making it a difficult look for me to achieve.

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Throughout blogland I have seen more, and more of this style emerge, some very well done, and some not well done at all.

WARNING,WARNING, WARNING!

One of the mistakes I am noticing over, and over again is the homeowner is trying to incorporate this look with everything, and I do mean everything, they already have in there room already. They keep adding more and more of what is new to them, with what they already have. Big mistake.

What makes one room look great, and another look like a hot mess?

Today I am going to try, and figure that very question out with you, my dear readers! I will be learning right along side of you.

We are going to look at a couple rooms, and dissect them, and we will come up with some points that hopefully will help all of us achieve this look so it is cohesive, and visually pleasing to the eye, and not a hot mess!

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I chose this first picture because of it’s mix of patterns. You will notice that not one single patterned pillow on the sofa is the same or for that matter, not one pattern is repeated in the entire room. So why does this work?

Same colors are being used.

You will notice there are different blues, pinks, and corals in the  sofa pillows, rug, throw, and pouf.

Fabrics are a good jumping off point when trying to pull together a color scheme in a room.

Try to stand back from your fabric, and look at what colors are dominant, and pull from that. 

Often times it can be a big mistake to pull one small area of a color out of a fabric pattern, and introduce that in the room as the new kid on the block.

When using all different patterns make sure they have something in common in the form of the design,  and/or have the same feel.

In the above room all the patterns have the same tribal feel, and it works. If a floral, or Chinoiserie style fabric were thrown in, it would all of the sudden not been as pleasing to the eye.

In the above

Solid backdrop is used in sofa fabric

Keeping the backdrop solid is another good idea when using so many different patterns. Crisp white walls, soft gray sofa are both wonderful backdrops for all the color and patterns in the above room.

Artwork that ties the colors,feeling, or patterns together.

In this room they chose to keep it simple by using black and white artwork that falls in line with the tribal feeling. Black and white is also the color combination they chose to add to their coffee table vignette.

They tied it together further by framing the artwork in the  tone of the wood on the coffee table. That was a very smart choice.

NEXT!

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In this room we have another mixed bag of goodies. Colorful, mix of patterns and styles, and it all works.

Pull together your rooms color scheme with one of your fabric choices.

In this room the floral pillow fabric is the combiner fabric.

This is what I like to call a fabric that pulls together the colors of the room. 

The pink of the pillow, the black and white of the rug, and the green of the sofa are all combined in that one pillow. 

It sure gives a lot of power to that one fabric, doesn’t it? Keep this in mind when choosing patterns for your room. Make one fabric your star, or your combiner fabric.

Your star, or combiner fabric should set the style or feeling of the room.

I want you to notice the two patterns in the room, the floral, and the rug. 

Can you see the different scale of the patterns? One is large, and one is medium. It is good to vary your scales when mixing patterns.

When mixing patterns a good guideline is to have a large, medium and small scale, or solid in the room.

Look at the different styles of furniture used in this room, the sofa has  more clean contemporary lines, and so does the coffee table. 

Then to the left of the sofa sits a little tufted settee with the Queen Ann legs, very traditional. Next to the sofa appears to be an antique side table. This is definitely a mixed bag of goodies, and yet it works.

Tie together different styles and era’s of furniture by painting them the same color.

They took the white top of the coffee table, and chose to paint the legs of the settee, and the end table in white, this is what makes this combination of different styles work.

The artwork in this room pulls out some of the fun colors in the room, but they used simple black frames on the wall to bring out the black, and white rug.

The sofa legs remain black as well which helps ground the sofa. White legs would have looked very matchy, and contrived.

Make the eye flow gently around the room by using like colors throughout the room.

Try to not make everything match, or look contrived. However, be careful to sprinkle colors around the room in order to make the eye flow easily around the room.

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So if you want to achieve this fun, colorful, carefree look in your home, keep in mind all of the above points I have highlighted in BLUE for you.

It is not an easy look to achieve, but it can be done. Planning is key, have fun and use some restraint in not adding too many patterns, colors and elements. Use what you truly love and you will be happy with the outcome.

If you would like to see more examples of this style of room take a look at my pinboards by clicking on the titles below…..

Eclectic Colorful Rooms

Color Inspiration

 

 

 

What Is A Spring Fling?

Do you need to freshen
 up your look?

Do you need something to make you look refreshed and full of life?

Then you need a..........

You might be wondering what in the heck is a Spring Fling?

When Spring is about to show all of it’s wondrous new life it is time to take a look in the mirror, and at your wardrobe to see what you need to do to spruce things up a bit.

What Will You Need To Have A Successful Spring Fling?

You will need to take along your very special friend that is always honest with you because she wants the best for you, and you want the best for her above all else!!

Of course my special friend also has impeccable taste so that is a plus!!!

Why do you need this special friend with you?

Because she is not only fun to hang out with, but she will become your true mirror.

This is why it is so important that the friend you take with you is open, honest, and has a good sense of style overall.

Next be sure to go to a reputable place that has knowledgeable people. You will pay no more for the same  products at Nordstrom's as you will at other places, and I have always found their service, and knowledgeable consultants very helpful.

Now that you have all that you need for your day let the fun begin!!!

No rushing, or schedules should be followed on this day so make sure it is a FREE day for both of you.

Be brave and open to new ideas, try things you would have never tried just for fun. 

Experiment!! Remember you are trying to spruce things up, time to get out of your rut!!

Before I go on my special Spring Fling day I make a list of products I would like to try, or clothing pieces I am looking for.

I have a pinboard with products I would like to try, and also a drug store product I would like to try, Here and Here!!

Spring is the perfect time of year to spruce things up not just in our homes, but for our own personal style as well.

I love being a girl, and it is so fun to try on make-up and perfumes.

Most of our time was spent at the Bobbi Brown counter. This has been a favorite of mine for over 20 some odd years. I have always had great luck with her make-up products.

Since I tend to like a natural more subtle look when it comes to make-up I have found her colors to always work for me.

When trying on different products I was open and honest with my friend and she was with me.

Here are some of the products that she, and I both would recommend for you all to try….

First let's start at the top, this is not by Bobbi Brown, and it is new to me...

MAC False lashes mascara!

I have been on the hunt for a new mascara for months now. I had purchased a Chanel mascara that had great reviews, but to be honest it was not the best for me so I took it back. 

In my order there was the cutest little sample of MAC mascara, and as soon as I put it on I knew this is the ONE!!!

Let me share something I learned from the Chanel consultant. It is all about the BRUSH!!! 

We all have different needs when it comes to mascara, but if we don’t have the proper brush the mascara will not do what we need it to do. 

I also have very sensitive eyes, and many products will make my left eye weep, not sure why it is just my left eye, but it is. This mascara does not make my eyes weep. 

I am SOLD!! Plus it adds the look of more volume and length to my lashes without any clumps, and you can build on it with more than one coat! 

It’s all about the Lips!!

Bobbi Brown’s High Shimmer Lip Gloss-Electric Violet

Next you just have to try Bobbi Brown’s high shimmer lip gloss in electric violet. 

I know, I know, I thought no way too, but this stuff is amazing, and so beautiful. It is a bit different on each person, but equally as beautiful. A MUST-TRY!!

Since we are both women of a certain age, we read we should be using a cream blush so after a lot of reading, and investigation we decided to try Bobbi’s cream blush that can also be used on your lips…

Pale pink was the winner for the day. It gave just a bit of a flushed look. You know, like you just got a bit over heated and your cheeks blushed. (think hot-flash, lol!)

This next product was a total surprise, just like the electric violet lip gloss. 

Neither one of us would have even tried it on just by looking at it, but it was our Spring Fling so why not?! Remember be adventurous.

Bobbi Brown’s Brightening Brick in Pale Pink

Since we are women of a certain age, we have noticed we don’t have that youthful glow, and luminosity that our skin once had, and we both were feeling a bit sallow. 

This product went against all of my knowledge, and experience. No shimmer for older skin, and the pinks were, well, just too pink!!

Boy was I wrong!!

This was a good reminder

 to always stay open, and try new things. 

Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t.

Let me say right here and now, Bobbi Brown’s  product did not add shimmer by adding a bunch of glitter, that is for the young, but there is a quality in this finish that just added a glow, almost like a light that is coming from within. 

You will have to try it to see what I am talking about! Anyhow it was a slam dunk purchase!!!

I know it seems like a whole lot of pink is going on, but you have to understand two things. 

We were both looking for products to add some color, and glow to our faces, and after all it is Spring, and  PINK it is perfect for Spring.

Don’t be afraid of the pinks in the Bobbi Brown line, she has perfected her colors to fit most complexions.

Be open to new things, and try them. They don’t look pink in the true sense of the word on your skin, just glowy and flushed.

I will will leave you with one last product. Now, I have used a dot of pink eye shadow in the center of my eye lid for as long as I can remember. The pinks have changed over the years, but mostly due to they get discontinued.

My last favorite pink eye shadow was discontinued so like the mascara I was on the hunt. I find  that the pop of the right pink on just about anyone in the center point of the eye lid, and blended nicely just brightens the eye. Especially if you have green eyes like me.

However my friend has beautiful brown eyes, and she found it brought out the gold in her eyes.

We found a winner for both of us……

Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Wash eye shadow, Pink Chiffon

This is the closest I have found in years to my all time favorite pink, so you can imagine how delighted I was to find it. Don't let the word shimmer scare you. I don't know what Bobbi Brown uses to add the luminous glow to her products, but it is NOT glittery.

This is how I apply it!…….

………..I literally tap my ring finger from one hand on the shadow lightly, and then I bring the other ring finger from my other hand, and rub them together,  then just tap it in the center of my eye, blending inward towards my nose. Try it, you will like it. It will totally make your eye pop with brightness. 

Let’s face it we all need a little brightening from time to time!!

Strolling, visiting, having lunch, strolling, trying on lipsticks, lip glosses, OH MY!! Strolling, visiting, having ice tea, strolling, trying on blushes, and eye shadows, visiting. What a wonderful day we had on our annual …….

Always remember this, beauty products aside…….