Breaking Down Old Fashion Standards: Wearing White After Labor Day

As a creative artist in all things life, there is not anything that I “can’t not touch.” Seriously, I have to fluff up even a can of tomato soup in some ingenious fashion before serving!

It’s all about presentation. Whether food, design or gifting, it’s what you’re serving – be on point. I literally take great pride in my gift bestowal! My favorite thing to do is to give someone an unexpected gift – and you know at this age that is hard to accomplish. So let this show a little personal effort and heartfelt touch. It truly means so much to the gift receiver. 

For the holidays, I go for two different styles, depending on the recipient of course. 

The Natural Moment

I always love working with natural flowers and branches, but in the winter season, you are limited. The Natural is so easy and always a crowd-pleaser! Use eucalyptus or a pine branch as a centerpiece base and add on some dried flowers. I always save roses from bouquets just for that reason. They lay flat easily on the package. Of course, the key is the wraphia, which comes in several shades. Try and keep a roll handy in the kitchen drawer to have for last-minute “surprise” gifting. Craft paper is also a good staple to keep on hand and to create a clean canvas to place any of your holiday design ideas.

Gold and Bold

To go for a more glam look, go Gold and Bold! Not only does this scream “holiday,” it’s bright and cheery while setting the mood. You can’t help but smile!

Any metallic works, I’m just into gold right now but silver is a perfect option too. Take any of your extra little shiny beads or ornaments that you have leftover from the holiday and attach to a vibrant colored large ribbon. I love to add a little keepsake medallion or anything to make it personal.

I hope this gets your creative juices flowing for some amazing gift wraps! Please send us your best DIY Holiday ideas! Happy Holidays!

You’re Welcome🧡

Dating back to 4000 B.C. cabbage is the oldest known vegetable. Used in early European and Indian cuisines, it became a staple luxury of fine dining within its vegetable relatives, including cauliflower, kale, chard and arugula. Globally, we are ingesting 69 million tons of this nutritious produce annually. 

This edible is considered  a “superfood” for the following: 

• Packed with vitamins C and K
• Cancer Preventative 
• Anti-inflammatory
• Contributes to bone strength and health
• Reduces blood pressure
• Great brain food
• Natural detox from toxins

There are so many ways to prepare cabbage or kale, whether you steam, eat raw, braise, pickle or sautee – you can’t go wrong!

I first discovered the “outdoor” cabbage while in NYC in the winter. I was so drawn to the purple and pinks in the garden boxes along the avenues. I’m now obsessed with the whites!

The botanical name is Brassica and it works so beautifully for your winter outdoor planters or borders. The colors truly enhance as the temperature drops. So much to like about the cabbage family. I like the simple ways to create health and beauty into our lives. 
You’re Welcome!🧡

The suit scene continues to be about the cross-over. From the firm adoption of the oversized “boyfriend” blazer to the vintage vibe of a three-piece suite to the street style version with a track pant and baseball cap. As our culture becomes more gender agnostic and work, play, evening and day styles merge, the blurred lines between masculine and feminine and a mash-up of business-like tailoring with sexy undergarments and street gear continues to evolve and has hit the suit scene hard in 2022, with autumn as no exception.

Let’s face it – the suit is not a new concept. Versions of suiting have been around since the 1800s and the term “suit” was derived from the French term Suivre which means “to follow”. So the jacket follows the pant or vice versa – a matching set in both color and fabric composition.

So what’s so hot in 2022?

The Waistcoat (aka Vest)

With the popularity of the American TV series Bridgerton, it was just a matter of time before suit styles adopted this posh addition to the already popular two-piece suit. This 4-5 button sleeveless layer with its waist-length notched hem, is in full flourish. This piece is sexy and badass at the same time. Wear it without a blouse to expose those still summer-tanned arms or leave the bottom buttons undone for a mid-riff revealing look that says “I may be #eithersideof50 but am still confident in my own skin”.

Keep the jewelry light and layered and understated to preserve that subtly sexy yet sophisticated vibe. The addition of a bow blouse and colorful accents are for those who aren’t afraid to stand out. Play with accessories like a brooch or tie, for a look that will have them calling you “boss”. A baggy or pleated matching trouser is the ideal complement to what could be your next, most versatile piece in your wardrobe.

It’s no surprise to me that the false lash business is well over 1 billion dollars. Women have depended on them for centuries. False lashes date back to Ancient Egypt and in 19th century Paris, they welcomed lash extensions with needs and implanting red hair. OUCH! The first lash patent was in 1911 and it wasn’t until the 1950s that the synthetic lash hit the market. 

It’s been a makeup artist’s trick for years to “open” the eye and create a sexier look. In today’s modern makeup world, real women are doing it for themselves. There are a lot of easy tricks you can use to help create a healthy, youthful appearance.

Firstly, try a lash lengthener that you simply apply with a brush. I recommend Lash Spell. Having a longer lash works better to apply falsies.

As I’ve gotten older I prefer a more natural enhanced look. Simply cut ⅓ of the lash and apply to the edge of the lash line outwards. I recommend using KISS – Looks So Natural False Eyelashes.

The game-changer for me was discovering the Duo Brush. This is so light you don’t even feel them and so easy to remove. 

If you’re not already wearing lashes – go for it! It will give you the confidence of looking sexy without really trying.

You’re welcome