Wanted to do a quick Look of the Day post of a casual, but smart taupe and black look that I sported at a casual Oscar party last weekend, which was super fun! I am a huge fan of taupes these days in design, fashion, home decor and even make-up!
My complete look, from head to toe, was around $115 and consisted of some great buys, like my comfortable black pumps, which I found at It's A Wrap for only $10, a store that sells clothing and accessories used in film and on TV and worn by the stars and actors. Since things have been used before, but are still in great condition, you can find some designer things at a really great price!
Black Sunglasses Old Navy - $9.94 ______________________________________________________
TOTAL LOOK = $115.42
I took a few pictures from the Oscar party that I shared in my Wordless Wednesday last week, via my instagram pictures, but thought I'd share them in this post too!
She had the most amazing spread of hot and cold appetizers and snacks, and our friend Kimberly made this incredible Red Carpet Fizz cocktail, it was delish! We all filled out our Oscar ballots too, and then, switched around the room to see who got the most right as we watched the show, and we all had a great time! :)
Hope you all have a great start to the week, and enjoyed your weekend! I'm heading out of town, and am really excited about my trip, which I'll be sure to document on my instagram and then here on my blog once I return in a Wordless Wednesday!
That said, I will still have new a variety of posts here, as usual, while I'm gone! So, don't worry, keep checking back for more fun finds and goodies!
This is a bit of a different post for Saturday Sayings. It is about something that hits close to home for me personally, but is also inspiring, though bitter-sweet. So, since this day kind of lends itself as an open space on my blog, for things other than the norm you usually find during the week, I wanted to share it with all of you.
I am sure many of you may recall hearing about a 17 year old boy from Austin, TX who died on Christmas Day named Ben Breedlove. I first heard about it while watching the news a few days later, and then, learned more about it in detail after reading his story in People magazine.
If you don't know, he was born with a rather serious heart condition known as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), but lived his life to the fullest, with happiness, joy and smiles, never letting it stop him, or bring him or others down. Something anyone who knew him expresses most when reflecting on his life.
Ironically, he had made and posted a 2 part video on his TotalRandomness512 YouTube channel just days before his death, expressing his life story and condition. A condition that hasn't gotten much coverage or awareness until now, but that I am so glad is more widely understood because of him. His video wasn't discovered by anyone until the day after his death, making it all that more powerful, especially to his family and friends...I can only imagine.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy hits all too close to home for me, knowing someone in his 20's, who also happens to live in Austin, with the exact same condition, whom we almost lost during the summer of 2010. All doctors and EMT's said it is a miracle he is still here, and CPR was key in saving his life. His heart stopped completely, on more than one occasion, and he was shocked multiple times with "no heartbeat detected," but no one gave up on him!
The person I know was a big part of my life and someone I spoke of often on this blog, but who did not know he had the condition until that almost fateful day on June 11th. After which, his family and I were by his side, day in and day out for 2 weeks, while he was in the ICU in serious condition, as well as when he pulled through and got the same pacemaker and defibrillator implant Ben had.
Much of what we experienced during that traumatic time for us all is what Ben himself expresses he remembers from his incidents as well. However, not just once did he "cheat death," as he says, or have to experience everything, but on three separate occasions in his life, prior to the day, and 4th time, when it ultimately took his life. Unfortunately, some don't take the condition as seriously as I think it needs to be taken.
So, when I heard the news about Ben, I was unable to view the videos that he had posted about his story and heart condition, which had gone viral, because I knew I was not in a place, mentally or emotionally, where I could handle hearing it. Fearing having to almost relive the experience I went through, second hand, once more. Especially knowing how the mere mention of that heart condition causes anxiety to this day.
That said, on Wednesday evening, Leap Day, I sat down and watched Part 1 & 2, though not planned, after randomly coming across another video on YouTube linking to them. The videos filled me with emotions, on a personal level, that I can't fully explain to anyone. Emotions I know so many others around the world felt too while viewing it, but for different reasons.
So, today, I want to share both parts of Ben Breedlove's story with those of you who may not have seen them, as well as with those who have. All in hopes of offering a little reminder, something we all know, but often take for granted, when getting caught up in the routine of it all...
... and whether or not you believe in angels or God, as questioned at the end of part 2, you must never forget to tell someone that you love them, and always remember that even when life doesn't always seem so bright, you can still try your best to hold a positive outlook, live life to the fullest, be thankful and simply smile, just as Ben did until his very last day!
This was all somewhat therapeutic for me. So, thank you for taking the time to read this, if you did, and to watch the videos. I realize this was a lengthy post, having nothing to do with fashion or creative things, as I said above, but with a message, along with my personal thoughts and feelings, which I have been wanting to express for some time now.
You see, after the summer of 2010, I wanted to write about the condition to bring awareness, around the time I posted the importance of CPR on my blog, but was never sure how, or if it had a place, here on my fashion blog, for me to go into further detail.
So, in a way, Ben's tragic, but yet, bitter-sweet and inspiring, life story and positivity, is what inspired me to do just that. Get it out there, here for Saturday Sayings. With that I would also like to say, thank you to anyone whom it may have reached.
Sending smiles and hugs to you all! I hope you know how much all of your support means to me, in general on here, and just how much I appreciate each of you for taking time out of your day, every now and then, to even stop by my little blog! You are all wonderful! :)
I'm sure any of you who may have caught the Oscars this past weekend, you saw the new JC Penney commercials featuring Ellen DeGeneres, whom I happen to love, and I really think JC Penney is trying to "kick it up a notch," and it is working...they were really funny and entertaining ads!
In fact, designer Nicole Miller, another favorite of mine, is designing for the store in a line called N by Nicole Miller, including a fun, colorful and affordable shoe line! This makes the shoes something most anyone can afford, like the Sonya Sandal, featuring the color blocking trend, which comes in different color combinations for only $40!
(layout created and designed by Moi using some images from JC Penney)
Aside from the shoe line, she designs clothing, and they were kind enough to give me a sneak peak of some of the fashions from her line that will be in store later this month to kick off spring in style!
I pulled a few of the looks they shared, whichI thought were fun for the season and in a style I would sport myself! Get ready for a color and print explosions of spring goodness...
N by Nicole Miller is available online and in stores at JC Penney in March.
I had been in JC Penney stores prior, but never really to shop for myself, more because that was where my mother would get things for my dad growing up, and he always like the store. However, I think they are targeting a younger audience now with affordable prices, and having Ellen backing them, well, you just can't go wrong!
Enjoy your weekend, and check back tomorrow for an inspiring Saturday Sayings post with a simple reminder in life attached, a little different for me, but something wanted to share. Oh and for one random fact of the day, today would have been Dr. Seuss's 108th birthday!
I'm here with a Get Crafty, what I call DIY projects, post after being challenged by my younger sister, oh yes, indeedy!
She purchased a flat iron from TJ Maxx over the holidays, and thought the magnetic box it was packaged in could be turned into something chic and decorative by moi. So, I just had to make this happen, and hopefully she approves! ;)
It really is quite simple, and can be done for about $5, spent on supplies, which allows you to make more than one if you so choose without spending more. Here is how I did it, step by step...
I purchased mine at Michael's using their 40% off coupon making it about $2.50
2. Eiffel Tower Sticker or Image
I got mine at Michael's during their sticker sale made by Recollections for $1.50
3. Old Product Packaging or Box
I used the box my sister's Cortex mini flat iron was in from TJ Maxx making it free
4. Tissue Paper / Decorative Paper / Scissors
I used a sheet of cream tissue paper with script on it that a gift was wrapped in making it free, but use any light colored tissue paper / I used a sheet of Creative Imaginations scrapbooking paper called cream scroll (#17603) from Michael's for 50 cents / Any pair of scissors or a paper cutter
1. Get one sheet of the tissue paper laid out flat and ready.
2. Ater spaying a thin layer of the spray paint, lay one piece of tissue paper down on top.
3. Press the tissue paper down on top of the thin spray paint layer while still wet.
4. Rub your fingers back and forth across the surface to smooth and allow the color to blend with the tissue paper, then, cut off extra tissue paper off edges.
5. Spray another thicker layer of the spray paint on top of smoothed and attached tissue paper and let dry.
6. Spray a thick coat of the spray paint on the interior of your box, no need to add the tissue paper, and let dry.
♦ You can glue the inside liner down or leave it unattached to give you the option of switching it out with different prints/patterns should the mood strike.
♦ Feel free to use your own creativity when designing your box by using different colors or a different main image...the options are endless!
♦ This technique could be used on a canvas or piece of cardboard to create art to hang or display as well.
Have FUN if you give this a try, and please let me know if you do by sharing a link to it via the comments below so everyone can see your creations! Yay!
Thank you for all of the continued support, and let me know if you would like to see more projects like this in the future, or if you have an idea with which you need help! I have some other fun and useful ideas in the works! :)
I hope your weekend has kicked off nicely so far! Hollywood is a wee bit of a mess with all the Oscar preparations, but it is an exciting time around here for entertainment!
So, while they prep for the big show in LA LA Land, I'm here with a few thoughts and quotes of inspiration to carry you through! Enjoy!
Also, I want to thank everyone for the number of comments and messages I got about my Hanes post last week, you are all so supportive and sweet, and I think the overall consensus was that most, just as I, didn't realize they sold cute, comfy and affordable clothing as well, and we all learned something new! :)
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and check back on Monday for a fun Get Crafty project I recently created, and am rather enjoying, if you like DIY posts!
I have been enjoying Skinnygirl, a lower calorie, affordable cocktail brand, created by Bethenny Frankel, since first hearing about them while she was on The Real Housewives of New York, of which it is no secret I am fan, as are my sisters and mother!
Living in LA, you can go out and order one and they know exactly what you mean, since many ladies are watching their weight in and around Hollywood. I first realized this when a friend ordered a SkinnyGirl Margarita while out, which was the first cocktail in the SkinnyGirl line, and so, I ordered one as well, and it was delish, while being so much healthier!
So, when the Skinnygirl company contacted me about trying out their new White Cranberry Cosmo to see what I thought, I simply couldn't resist this stylish cocktail opportunity! Two days later, a FedEx package from NY arrived at my door with a full size bottle of this gem in it...talk about feeling like a lucky girl! What better time to try it out than in preparation for an Oscar Party with friends this weekend! :)
Time to meet the new girl, Skinnygirl that is...
(all layouts created and designed by Moi using some images from Skinnygirl)
The best part is that they comes ready to go, so, all you need to do is chill it, serve and enjoy!
I found the flavor to be light, crisp and clean, if that makes sense. Since it is a healthier version, it does have a less sweet taste than a normal Cosmo, but still holds a classic and appealing taste to the palette, which I enjoyed. This also means you can have more than one without adding the calories! ;)
My Skinnygirl White Cranberry Cosmo bottle of refreshing goodness.
Honestly, I think this would make for the perfect little Girl's Night In get together paired with some of their other Skinnygirl Cocktails or some creations of your own to provide some fun and oh so stylish options! I have also been told that they are in the works of releasing Skinnygirl Wines in April, which you know I'm excited about, since that is my drink of choice!
What are your thoughts on the Skinnygril line, and which are your favorite that you have tried?
...let me know in the comments below and fell free to share your girl's night in ideas as well! Have a Wonderful Weekend and enjoy the Oscars if you watch!
