What I Wore - Introducing: Señorita Subia Originals and {{Giveaway}}

    Dress: Forever 21

    Jacket: Kohl's

    Tights: Target 

    Shoes: Charlotte Russe

    Headband: Double Headband Rhinestone

Featuring Item: Double Headband Rhinestone

This headband is beautiful and so comfortable! 

I couldn't even tell it was on, it was so light.

You can wear any outfit with this headband and it will instantly make you sparkle. 

Meet Jennifer the creator of Señorita Subia Originals

About:

I am an entirely self-taught creativity enthusiast. At the moment, I am working on my wire-wrapping skills. 

My passion lies in the creative process of mixing colors, textures & patterns. I am never far from my next creation. I experience creative inspiration in almost everything I see; the vibrant, velvety soft petals of the flowers that I love to photograph, the shades of green in the leaves & the roughness of the bark on a tall, proud tree, the auburn, pale honey blonde shades in the fur of my Pomeranian-Bear, the deep red sheen of a silky flowing dress I may see at my favorite shop, the pinks & oranges of sherbet colors & blues in a sunrise or sunset in the California sky, a painting or sculpture depicting a passionate couple, the subtle shades & highlights of a friend's hair or skin, and on & on. I frequently see patterns & mixtures of colors dancing when I close my eyes. I have a notebook full of my "next design". Each piece is made with much care & thought. I love the process of going from just an idea to, then, being able to see it come alive. 

Here are a few of my favorite jewelry and headband pieces from Señorita Subia Originals:

Rose Shell Bracelet, Brazilian Agate Necklace, 

Chain Choker Gold Toned, Wire Donuts Dangle Earrings

Grecian Headband, Grecian Goddess Headband, 

Black/Silver Studded Headband, Bridal Double Headband 

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Valentine DIY Project; Lipstick Art

Valentine Lipstick Art

Materials:

a variety of pink and red lipsticks (dollar store)

drawing paper

8×10 frame

pencil

heart template (optional)

Instructions: 

First take your drawing paper and your heart template and and lightly draw a heart in the middle.

Then start at the left side of the heart and begin to “color” your heart by using bold strokes. Keep doing that with different shades of lipstick until you’re done.

The key to this technique is going outside of the pencil lines. Have fun!

Allow the print to dry for about 24 hours and then frame it.

    DIY project and photographs: iheartnaptime

Introducing: One-derings and {{Giveaway}}

Do you love the smell of Lavender?

I have the perfect Etsy store for you!

Meet the creators of One-derings: Kim, Theresa, and Amy

The owners are sisters who grow the lavender and herbs at there farm and craft the products at the Lavender Cottage on the premises.

One-derings offers a range of high quality dried lavender bundles plus wonderfully effective lavender personal care products. “In the Field” is our lavender product line. That’s because they have an aroma closest to the real thing. This fragrance uses blend of English and French lavender essential oils that provide an uplifting and healthy aromatherapy.

I had the pleasure of trying a few products from One-derings.

As soon as I opened the package I could smell the beautiful aroma of lavender!

Lavender Lotion- "In the Field" : I absolutely love this hand lotion. I am always looking for a great moistening lotion (especially for the -5 degree days we have in Pittsburgh). The smell is amazing-seriously so calming. This is the perfect gift and such a great travel size to take with you everywhere!

Lavender - Lemon Lip Balm- The combination of lemon and lavender is such a genius idea. Both the lemon and lavender are balanced perfectly that I can't stop using it. I've never seen the combination before!

Lavender-Shea Butter Cream: I am in love with this product! I've never been much of a butter cream "user" but I can't have enough of this. It feels so soft and as soon as it hits your skin its a moisturizer machine. Not only does it feel awesome but the smell puts you instantly relaxed. 

I am such a fan of One-derings beautiful products, that you can guess where I am going for Mother's Day this year! 

Check out One-derings: Etsy Store and Website

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Lavender Blackberry Scones

Lavender Blackberry Scones

Makes 10 to 12 scones

Ingredients: 

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon dried lavender

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

1 large egg, lightly beaten

3/4 cup cold buttermilk

1 cup fresh blackberries(you can used thawed and drained berries from the freezer although the scones will have a more purple color)

Directions:

1 beaten egg and granulated sugar for sprinkling on top before baking

Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, lavender, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Cut in butter (using your fingers or a pastry cutter) until mixture resembles a coarse meal.  Work the butter into the dry ingredients until some of the butter flakes are the size of peas and some are the size of oat flakes.    In another bowl, combine egg and buttermilk and beat lightly with a fork.  Add to flour mixture all at once, stirring enough to make a soft dough.  Fold in the blackberries.

Turn out onto a floured board and knead about 15 times.  Roll or pat out into a 1-inch thickness.  Cut into 2-inch rounds using a round cutter or cut into 2×2-inch squares.  Reshape and roll dough to create more scones with excess scraps.  Place on an ungreased baking sheet.  Brush lightly with beaten egg and sprinkle with granulated sugar.   Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown on top.  Serve warm.  Scones are best the day they’re made, and though they can be frozen and lightly reheated in the oven if you need a future treat.

    Recipe and Photographs are from: Joy the Baker

A Hint of Lavender for a Upcoming Post!

Art Classroom: Awesome Photography Store

I would love to introduce the Photojojo Store! 

Photojojo is a awesome photography/videography store for everyone.

Love taking photographs on your iPhone, check out all of the neat things Photojojo offers. 

If you haven't heard of Photojojo I would like to introduce you:

Canon Camera Lens Mugs

Muku Shutter Remote for iPhone and Android Phones

The Handleband Bike Mount

The Pocket Spotlight

Hope you guys love Photojojo as much as I do!

Introducing: Velvet Owl and {{Giveaway}}

Velvet Owl specializes in bridal veil couture and accessories.

Photographed by: Stratographic

How the Owner Tina Created Velvet Owl:

It all started when I was preparing for my own wedding in early 2008. I found that local bridal boutiques did not have what I was looking for. I didn't want something that was going to be so precious to me for years, to come from an assembly line of cheaply made mass produced designs.

Months later, I became frustrated and decided to try to make my own bridal headpiece. As a graduate of fine arts in graphic design, and minoring in photography and illustration. I felt I might have an upper hand when it came to designing something truly unique for a very special occasion. Then it happened, after pouring out our savings for our wedding plans my then fiance and I were both laid off within a matter of months from each other. This was devastating for us, as for many other people during that time and our wedding plans were put on hold. I felt this was the best possible time to get my creative juices flowing again and I started over.

After plenty of sleepless nights with trial and errors (at our lovely dining room table) and spending time learning from mastered European milliner J.Pfeiffer. I decided it was time to bite the bullet, and opened Velvet Owl Bridal Couture to the public. Now, I am very proud to say that this is my full time job (besides being a new mom ;))

Back in 2006 when I discovered Etsy I knew I loved everything about it but, I

had no idea it would lead to this.

Every piece here I personally create in my home studio. I pay very close attention to every detail as though it was going to be for myself. We hope you like what you see, and be so pleased that you just might pass along a nice word to others!

Above are my personal favorites from the Velvet Owl collection.

ISADORE, LOLAH, JOSEPHINE, LANNA, MIA, PERSEPHONE TRUE

Velvet Owl bridal will be featured in the ELLE UK magazine March bridal edition 

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Olympic Games Sochi 2014

I am so excited for the winter Olympics this year.

 I love how for the duration of the games the world puts aside their differences and comes together. 

Check out the photographs from the Olympic torch journey on its way to Sochi. 

11 Days To Go!

Grammy Awards 2014 Red Carpet Fashion

Grammy Awards 2014 Red Carpet 

My favorite top three red carpet fashion picks are:

 Ariana Grande, Miranda Lambert, Kelly Osbourne

Ariana Grande wearing Dolce & Gabbana

Miranda Lambert wearing Pamella Roland

Kelly Osbourne wearing Badgley Mischka

What are your favorite 2014 Grammy Awards red carpet looks?

Introducing: Davie and Chiyo and {{Giveaway}}

Meet Alisa and Fumi creators of Davie and Chiyo

The Team:

ALISA STEPHENSON | Event Coordinator, Sales, Marketing & Customer Service Specialist

This cross-Pacific kid grew up in Tokyo and Vancouver, with the linguistic skills to boot. She gets through her day on a strict diet of coffee, travel daydreams and plaid, and cannot survive without a calendar. Her most prized possessions, in order: 1) her little boy 2) her Mac 3) her plaid shirt collection.

FUMI BULL | Designer, Photographer, Website Manager, Customer Service Specialist (& everything else in between) 

Superhero multi-tasker with a passion for culinary experimentation (cooking) and fiction. When she's not split a million ways between answering emails, yoga, fabric shopping, Pinterest, reviving (other people's) dead plants and running errands, you can find her in deep intellectual conversation with her cat (so she claims). 

Bridal Fur Shawl, Personalized Bridesmaid Gift, Winter Bridal Fur Shawl, 

Rhinestone Sash, Bridal Hair Accessory

Then & Now:

Davie & Chiyo emerged in 2008 as a pet project for Vancouver sister duo, Fumi and Himi Bull. One a recent business school graduate and the other a stay‐at­‐home mom, they both had a passion for all things handmade. They started small with a giftshop on Etsy selling handmade pouches and purses, and before they knew it were specializing in custom, one-of-a-kind clutches for every member of the bridal party. “We had never really planned on working in the bridal market - it found us.”

Fast-forward five years and what was once a one sewing machine operation has grown into a multi-machine studio, with two more team members under its belt. Davie & Chiyo's ultra-­femme line boasts lush bows, decadent silks, airy chiffons, ruffles, lace, and workmanship so refined it sets your heart aflutter. Their passion for evening and bridal designs has expanded beyond luxury clutches to include a line of head-to-toe accessories with a worldwide following. When asked about what's next for the bridal label, "We dream big, so the sky's the limit."

 Blush and Ivory Wedding Clutch, Bow Clutch,  Bridal Lace Clutch, Dahlia Clutch

How amazing are these clutches? Even if your not planning a wedding they would be amazing for a night on the town! The Bow Clutch is one of my favorite bags I've ever seen!!

Davie and Chiyo has an amazing giveaway: Black & Gold Chevron Clutch

Davie and Chiyo Giveaway

Enter below to win a Black & Gold Chevron Clutch

Bold black and gold chevron stripes grace this evening-ready clutch with just a hint of metallic sparkle. Lined with gold fabric, the clutch is finished with a gold-tone clasp. A wristlet chain is included, which can be worn inside or out for two looks in one.

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What I Wore: Introducing Peta Couzens from FrouFrouNYC

    Dress: Forever 21

    Jacket: Vintage

    Shoes: Charlotte Russe

    Tights: Target 

    Headpiece: Festival Peach Floral Bridal Headpiece

Featuring Item: Festival Peach Floral Bridal Headpiece

I wanted to start this blog post out by saying 'how adorable is this headpiece?'!

When I received the package today I instantly knew wonderful things would be inside:

This headpiece is beautifully handmade with the prettiest satin bow attached in the back. I loved all how light weight the bridal headpiece was as well as all the amazing details crafted. 

I truly felt like a princess wearing it. 

Peta Couzens is the creator of the Etsy store: FrouFrouNYC 

This amazing bridal headpiece is just one of the incredible designs in the FrouFrouNYC collection.

Here are a few of my favorite creations by FrouFrouNYC

Crystal Chandelier, Garden Vintage, Festival Pink and Peace, Festival Blue Floral

About Peta Couzens: I have been a jewelry designer and avid collector of glamorous vintage items for over 10 years, I owned a shop in Sydney Australia with a large following of fans who enjoyed my unique jewelry ranges and one of a kind vintage finds. I have recently moved to NYC to further this love of fashion and to settle into a life here with my New Yorker Husband.

FrouFrouNYC is one of my favorite Etsy stores; unique jewelry, bridal accessories, and vintage items!