Wear Your Red Dress: Putting My Mink Stole (and Other Things I Enjoy) to Good Use

Tags

enjoying life, mentors, Mink stole, Rebekah J Murray photography, weddings

A few days before my guy proposed, a dear, dear friend and mentor passed away unexpectedly. As she was not yet fifty years old, the thought of losing her had never even crossed my mind. Just two days before her passing we’d shared late-night laughter among a small circle of friends over greasy diner food. Now suddenly she was gone.

Her widower’s first words when I called to tell him the news of my engagement were, “Rosemary would be ready to go shop for her dress this instant.” The thought made me smile.

When I asked David—or perhaps he asked me?—to handle the decorations for my big day, he came up with the theme of 1950’s Hollywood Glamour. Mind you, I had only given him the bridesmaids’ leopard print clutches to work with. And he knew they would wear black. I had no idea what I wanted, but the man is a decorating genius.

A few weeks before the wedding David told me he had a few extra touches to offer. He handed me a box. Inside lay a beautiful mink stole—one of Rosemary’s prized possessions. “It’s December. You’ll need something to stay warm.” Along with the mink, he included the very clutch she had carried in their own wedding.

With Rosemary’s passing so fresh in all our minds, having these treasures in my possession made me tremble. What if I damaged one of them? But I knew how important this was to David, as well as to me. And who wouldn’t want to look so classy on her wedding day?

In my eyes, my wedding was perfect—much more beautiful than I had ever imagined it could be. The mink stole was the crowning touch on all the satin, flowers, lights, candles, and music. I could hardly bear to take it off when we were indoors.

The last time I wore that stole was my wedding day, almost four years ago. When David told me to keep it, I couldn’t even think of what to say. Now I owned a mink stole. And yet I’ve never again worn it.

Then yesterday my friend Deb showed several of us two minks she had inherited. “I’ll wear this one to the grocery store,” she said as she spun around in a black calf-length coat.

My eyes almost popped out of my head. “The grocery store?”

Why not enjoy what you have? was her response.

Why not? I wondered.

I’d already had a similar discussion earlier in the week with Tricia about some of the fine laces she makes. I’m almost afraid to touch the one she gave me as a gift. But she gave it to me to enjoy.

The same is true of this pillow from Grace. Little Butt brings it to me when he’s building a pillow fort (he’s been well-instructed that it is Mommy’s special pillow), and I’m sure those fingers are grimy. But I enjoy seeing this beautiful work of art in my living room.

Why not do the same with my mink? When Deb saw a picture from my wedding, she assured me I could wear it with dress jeans.

Off to Pinterest I went. Try it. Search “mink stole” or, better yet, “mink stole with jeans.” Look at all the ways one can wear them. Yes, many of them are pictured with gowns, but check out the ones with jeans and even leggings and heels, or fun and flirty party dresses. I can do that!

It’ll take a little bit of courage, but this fall and winter I’m going to do my best to enjoy one of the last gifts Rosemary ever gave me. It’ll add glamour to my life and warm memories in my heart.

 

Wedding photography by http://www.rebekahjmurray.com/

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A Few of My Current Favorites

Tags

Colloidal Silver, Erin Condren, Exposed Skin Care, GAP Maternity

Exposed Skin Care

I began using Exposed back in June and fully plan to write a review on this product, but for now—Exposed beats Proactiv hands down. As an adult acne sufferer, this has been life changing. No dry skin, the clearest face I’ve had in years, and an easy program to follow.

 

 

 

Colloidal Silver

Please note, I am not a medical professional. Check with your doctor before trying any home remedies. That said, when it comes to morning sickness (such a dumb name—it should be all day sickness), taking Colloidal Silver has made this first trimester bearable. I take one teaspoon three times a day, on as empty a stomach as I can manage, and it keeps the nausea at a minimum. In fact, some days I almost forget I’m pregnant. That sounds heartless, but it’s difficult to function when continually feeling sick.

 

 

GAP Maternity Jeans

No judgment please, but I have a difficult time spending money on clothes. The most I’ve ever paid for jeans is probably $30. Yes, I know—it’s pathetic. But after reading tons of reviews, I decided to splurge and get a couple pairs at GAP Maternity. The price is totally worth it when you weigh in how much prettier I feel in them. And—wonder of wonders—they stay up!

Erin Condren iPhone Case

Call me crazy, but I never want to have the same phone case as anyone else. And now I don’t! Even if someone chooses the same design as me, mine has my name on it. And it’s withstood the abuse of my klutziness and my toddler’s grimy fingers, so I’m quite pleased. ***Note: You can use this code to receive $10 off your first purchase. If you use my discount code, you will receive $10 off your next order and so will I! You need to click on the link above and create your account through the link in order to receive the $10 discount. The discount code will be sent to your email within a few hours of signing up.***

I’d love to hear about some of your favorites, because I’m always up for things that make life better or happier.

Jamberry Nail Wrap Review

Tags

home manicure, Jamberry, manicure, nail wraps

Back in August I hosted a Jamberry nail party on Facebook. Since I hadn’t used Jamberry since 2012 (and then only once while getting ready to be in wedding while dealing with a 7-week old baby), I was curious to see how their design/formula had changed and to discover if they were really all that.

Applying the wraps does take a little bit of practice. My party netted me roughly six month worth of wraps, so I figure this will give me until Christmas to become a pro without investing much money.

Since I am not yet a pro, let me use pictures to tell you about my experience. And since there are many articles and videos addressing the application of the wraps, I’ll let you get those details from women more skilled than myself.

First of all, one thing I love about Jamberry is that I can stop mid-manicure to do whatever needs to be done. In my case during the first application, this meant changing a diaper after completing four nails.

I kept my wraps on for 12 days, and during that time I only wore gloves when washing a big pile of dishes. When it was just one or two items, or when I was scrubbing my kitchen counters, I did those chores bare handed. The only wear I noticed was at the tips of the nails–quite understandable in my opinion. I could have left the wraps on a few more days, but I was ready for a change.

To remove the wraps, I used warm coconut oil. After soaking one hand for a few minutes, I worked from the base of the nail toward the tip, rolling the wrap off. If a wrap stuck, I returned the finger to the oil for a few more moments. Not only was this a quick and easy removal method (especially in contrast to removing gel polish), but my nails looked amazing once they were fully naked.

One thing I don’t recommend doing is applying your wraps in a hurry. For some crazy reason, I thought 45 minutes before heading out the door for church gave me plenty of time for a manicure–and that was before doing my hair. In my haste, I didn’t do the best job, but they still held up for a week and a half. 

I also have found that Jamberry wraps are excellent for both hiding and holding in place a damaged nail. If you look closely in the photo to the left, you can see the diagonal ridge through my pointer finger. Wrap free, the nail looked like the photo below…until I took matters into my own hands and cut the top layer off. Obviously I took and captioned this photo before that fateful event.

If you’ve used Jamberry, I’d love to hear your experience. And if you have’t but would like to give the wraps a try, my friend Sarah is an excellent and most helpful rep. You can view her website here.

 

 

Things I’ve Learned about Motherhood from My Cute and Trendy Mom Friends

Tags

being a cute mom, fashion and motherhood, Mothering toddlers

When I was pregnant, I entertained visions of being that mom with the perfectly done hair and makeup, wearing fashionable (and clean) clothes, carrying a designer handbag. This picture somewhat resembled my pre-pregnancy self, and I wondered why in the world would I have to change?

Please note: I had no dreams of a clean and coiffed child in overpriced (clean) clothing by my side. Oh no. I have seven younger siblings, remember, and four of them are of the male variety. I know where reality ends and fantasy begins.

Or so I thought.

My friend Hope had her fourth son over two months before mine was born, and I discovered secret number one from her. Not loving any of the diaper bags I found, I promised myself to adopt it.

Secret #1: Carry a diaper and wipes in your purse.

And adopt it I did. Along with toting an over-full diaper bag. Now that I have a toddler, he can carry his own emergency “pack-pack” and I have ditched the diaper bag on most occasions, but one must make allowance for the difference between the new and the experienced mommy.

When I met my friends Kristin and Tara last fall, each the mother of two preschoolers, I stood in awe of their sense of style as well as their maternal calm. I still do hold them in high esteem, but they, like Hope, have taught me several more mommy secrets. And I must admit, I was appalled when I first discovered Kristin’s secret.

Secret #2: Don’t carry a purse; carry a tote bag (as in a shared diaper bag for all your kids) and throw in your wallet.

What?!?! These three women are some of the cutest moms I know, and yet here Kristin had sacrificed cute for functional. Yet I had to admit, she pulled it off well. Kristin never looks like a pack horse, as I know I have when attempting to tote purse, diaper bag, and some other random “essentials” on my journeys.

But she and Tara had even more secrets to share.

Secret #3: Make sure whatever bag is your carry-all is a cross-body bag. If possible, let it be a backpack.

Here my inner diva began to scream. Cross-body? As in, wrapped across your chest, squashing jewelry and wrinkling clothes?

Oh yes. Because then you have both hands free to grab children, dispense snacks and drinks, and the bag is attached to one’s body should one need to make a hasty exit when (not if) meltdowns should occur.

Note yet again: last week I ordered a cross-body bag from Tara, a 31 consultant. It cannot arrive soon enough.

Secret #4: The mother of a toddler does not wear heels when taking her child to the mall. Or when taking her child anywhere, for that matter.

No one in particular taught me this secret. Common sense told me it must be obeyed, and yet I rebelled. However, when one compares sweating in heels to being poised in ballet flats or—horrors!—tennis shoes, the flats have it.

Most likely those of you mothers out there know these secrets, but please do share them with your uninformed expectant or new moms. And remind them that being a professional mom beats winning Clinton and Stacy’s approval any day of the week. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

Color Theory: Your Fall Forecast

Tags

Fall 2014 colors, Pantone colors, Pantone fall 2014

Girlfriend, this fall is going to be beautiful! The colors aren’t your traditional fall hues, but include some brighter and lighter tones, including—wait for it—pink!

Our number one color is sticking in the Radiant Orchid family, so you’ll see lots of purple everywhere. While it’s too calming to be considered a power color, it does convey a message: purple speaks of creativity and a wiliness to be different. And, as we all know, it’s often associated with royalty, which adds a sense of luxury to the hue.

Next in line is grey, but don’t go assuming it’s just for your clothes. Use the other colors on our pallet as your backdrop, and add grey in as an accessory: a scarf, some fun jewelry, or your bag. Grey is a professional color and gives an impression of stability and calm.

A hot, hot, hot color for fall is burgundy. This is such a fun jewel tone to work into your wardrobe. Being a member of the red family, burgundy is a power color but with more refinement. While still energetic, it has more warmth and maturity behind the power. Whereas red calls, “Look at me!” burgundy calmly states: “I deserve to be noticed.” And you do.

Cobalt is still on our pallet, with hues in the royal blue family as well as navy. Like grey, blue is a calming color and also invokes the impression that you are quiet but still dependable. A deep blue will prove classy in any situation.

And finally, we come to that pink I promised you, but it’s actually blush tones. Pink is a highly romantic color. It gives one the idea that you are safe, caring, and warm. Blush is soft and inviting. If this tone doesn’t work well for you as a clothing option but you like the idea of blush, try pairing a blush scarf or necklace with a color more suitable for you.

I hope you enjoyed this update and that it helps as you prepare for my favorite season of the year. Have a colorful day!

Nail Polish Fun

Tags

manicure, nail polish, Sally Hansen Triple Shine

As I pack and prepare to attend my company’s annual convention, my brain is mostly mush. Between selecting outfits, thinking of all that’s on my to-do list, and anticipating the new jewelry, I somehow lack any ability to focus on anything.

So instead of some intelligent post, today I’m simply sharing with you some fun I’ve been having with my nail polish.

Last week while getting my hair done, I was brainstorming with my stylist Brittany about what color would work for all this week’s outfits. We settled on one of my favorites: a minty blue. She suggested trying a matte topcoat to make it more fun and edgy.

Here’s what a practice run with the matte topcoat looked like on last week’s manicure:

Either I purchased the wrong topcoat (it’s difficult shopping for something new with a cranky toddler, I tell ya) or I should have experimented on a fresh manicure. Probably both. Below are the various top coats I used. I’m new to Sally Hansen’s Triple Shine topcoat, but two people have recommended it in the past two weeks so I figured I should give it a try. Generally I’m skeptical of any nail products one can purchase at Walmart. I added the Seche Vite on top because I needed it to dry in a hurry. I have a toddler.

Here are my toes, completely rally ready.

 

I love how it’s acceptable these days for women in their 30s and beyond to do crazy colors and patterns. The base coat and different colors I used for my nails are:

Have a colorful week!

 

 

A Happy Forecast: Spring Colors

Tags

accessories, Color, Pantone, Spring 2014

As I sit here writing, the East Coast is in the midst of the most intense snowfall in four years. Outside my window the snow is nearing two feet, and we’ve still got 13 hours of predicted snowfall to follow. Everything I see is white or grey. While beautiful, it’s a little depressing, too.

With all this white, I can think of no better time to discuss the Pantone pallet for spring 2014. There are some seriously bright, happy colors headed our way, and not a moment too soon! Just look at these visual gems:

At first I had heard that Radiant Orchid was to be the top color, but it’s becoming apparent that the color of choice is indeed Dazzling Blue—and what a rich, warm blue it is! Here you can see it in a few of my favorite jewelry pieces:

Gemma, Ombre, Rock Steady, and Pacific

Which leads me to ask—how do you plan to incorporate these fun colors into your spring wardrobe? Clothes are definitely an option, but for me that’s not the wisest choice. My weight is all over the place, from pre-man to post-marriage to post-baby to pre-baby (I hope!), I’m not ready to invest in a new wardrobe that may not fit next spring or, if it does, may be the completely wrong color scheme.

My answer is always the same: accessorize! Now, while I am a jewelry diva, this includes everything—scarves, belts, handbags, glasses, shoes and, of course, jewelry. Just check out all the different ways you can incorporate these colors with the True Colors ensemble:

Now, if only I had taken a picture of my friend Kristin in her vibrant Celosia Orange scarf. When she walked into the room this week, it was instantly a brighter, happier place. Yay for color!

If you’d like to check further into the trends for spring, a great place to start is our Style Guide. You can view it on my website under the “browse the catalog” tab. The access code this month is BLING. And don’t worry—you don’t have to enter your name or email address to browse. That’s completely optional.

So go add some color to your day already! And if you’re a fellow East Coaster, stay safe and warm!

Keep it Casual

Tags

accessories, casual fashion personality, Clothes, earrings, Fashion, fashion personality, Favorite accessories, Jewelry, Premier Designs Jewelry

If you’ve survived your teens and early twenties and are still collecting t-shirts and sweatshirts, chances are this is your fashion personality. To you, comfort is of utmost importance. Bring on the sweats, tennis shoes and, by all means, can it be flip-flop season already?

Now, while I can’t say this has ever been my personality, let’s face it—we all love comfort, and that’s what the casual is all about. Please tell me that you classics, dramatics, and romantics each wear sweats at home!

Since the casual woman isn’t a slave to fashion, there isn’t a lot to define her beyond the word comfort. She wears what makes her feel relaxed and is ready for whatever the day throws her way. This woman doesn’t need to pack a change of clothes in case someone wants to play basketball or go hiking. She’s always prepared for everyday fun. But she must always, always, always beware: in extreme cases, casual borders on frumpy and no one deserves to look like that. Selecting your favorite styles but with an appropriate fit will almost always protect you from this danger.

Since t-shirts are a common choice for the casual woman, one way to amp up your look is by selecting fitted tees and vintage ones. (Victoria Beckam has great tips for this in her book, That Extra Half an Inch.) The casual woman, when she chooses to wear jewelry, will most often stick with simple earrings. The ones I’ve pictured here might be a bit of a stretch for her, due to the size of the stone. And speaking of stones…the casual tends to lean towards more natural stones, with turquoise being a common choice.

Anniversary earrings

That said, at a show this week I met a casual who fell in love with the Francesca necklace. This piece is bold, but it gives off a natural vibe due to the brushed metals and is a great t-shirt piece. My customer possessed perfect casual style—a mildly fitted black tee, dark jeans, and a hip-length brown leather jacket. I wish I could box her up and take her around as one of my models.

Premier Design’s Francesca necklace–one of my go-to pieces

While I doubt many casuals read my blog, perchance there are one or two, and to you I say bravo for embracing the essence of you.

Be casual, but still be the best, most beautiful casual you possible.

So Classic

Tags

classic, classic fashion personality, Fashion, traditional style

Classic: this is the personality where I feel most at home because, well, it’s me. Being classic is fabulous—the bulk of your wardrobe never goes out of style.

Being classic also stinks. You see, the bulk of your wardrobe never goes out of style. It kind of makes impulsive clothing shopping more difficult to defend.

Case in point: below is a picture of me and my dad in 2006. That outfit could have been from the 1970s or today. It’s kind of timeless. That could mean boring, or one could look at it as safe and frugal. Or all three.

This second picture was taken this October. In case it’s unclear (there are about forty pounds that I found between 2006 and 2013, half of which I plan to un-find this year), I’m the one on the right. That jacket? I bought it in 2004 and I’ve worn it every year since. The camisole is circa 2006. And I think I look pretty darn good in this picture.

Some qualities of the classic fashionista include:

Neutral colors: especially black, grey, and navy

Solid colors over prints: I buy prints when I see ones I like, and they get very little wear. I feel uncomfortable in them.

Traditional basics: v-neck or scoop neck shells, turtle necks, sweaters, pencil skirts, pants with clean lines—nothing that could be considered edgy.

Shoes aren’t flashy, but they’ll survive changes in fashion. Thank God for ballet flats and heels.

Did I mention timeless? Check out this coat I purchased in 2007. Other than the fact that it’s currently a little snug, it should last me many more years.

I guess, in a word, we can be described as safe. Thank goodness the rest of the world has chosen a much kinder word: classic.

Drama, Drama, Drama

Tags

accessories, arm candy, drama, dramatic, fashion personality

In every dramatic fashionista’s past or future lies artistic tendencies. Perhaps this inner artist is deeply hidden, but she comes out to play when the dramatic walks into her closet…or dressing room…or that floor of the house that contains all of her beautification paraphernalia.

Is it clear that I am closely related to one of these?

My all-time favorite dramatic…

For the dramatic, dressing herself—be it her face or her body—is an event. Of all the personalities, perhaps hers shines through the most visibly. Her whole aura shouts, “May I have your attention please?” And when you acquiesce, her heart smiles, for she loves attention.

Some characteristics of this fashionista’s wardrobe include:
*Drama (well??)
*Bold colors and/or prints
*Sparkles, glitter, gems, and jewels
*Bold accessories: jewelry, handbags, shoes, belts—anything you can think of, make it big and make it bold!

…and her shoes

A note to those of you who fall into this category: you can be kind of intimidating. Since you tend to be above average height (5’7” or more–before the six-inch heels) and have the personality to match your style, those of us who are more vanilla and less gutsy can feel lost in your presence. Just be real so we know you have flaws like the rest of us.

And for those of us who don’t, here’s a tip I began trying years ago. Since bracelets are the sign of an outgoing personality, stack ‘em up your arm. The louder (literally and visually), the better. It’s my jewelry version of fake it till you make it.

Arabesque, Stacksational, Accessorize, and Roaring Chic

*Due to the Christmas Holidays, this Scattered Fashionista will be taking a break. See you in 2014!