Made-Up Eye Makeup Removers

While taking a leisurely trip to mecca Sephora yesterday, I picked up a some key sundries I had recently run out of this week:

Make Up For Ever HD Foundation #117

Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Concealer #325

 

Sephora Collection Express Nail Polish Remover

Sephora Collection Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover

My hubby was quick to remind me of how many times over our 14-years together that I have come up with a made-up alternative to eye makeup remover in moments of desperation ... let's just say we had quite the laugh over this list:

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1

 Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

Johnson's Baby Oil

Wesson Canola Oil ... nope, I'm not ashamed. 

Alright, it looked hysterical on the bathroom counter next to the cotton balls!

Mineral Oil ... I admit after applying it I thought, "I just applied a laxative to my eyes. Wow."

 Up until yesterday's trip to Sephora, I resorted to using 100% natural, all-Vegan Rahua Shampoo.

I hope you're shaking your head and cracking up like Jimmo & I were, because I would be lying if I said it isn't typical for me to MacGyver something at a moment's notice.

Hmmmm ... do I see a new series of blog posts? 

xx JN

Working It With Class

Work From Home by thejennnewman

No matter where your work finds you, embracing your personal style transforms that power suit from “corporate uniform” to “fashionable chic” in seconds. With the world today offering opportunities to work from home, the office, or on location, wearing pieces that inspire your openness and creativity are a must.

People often equate working from home with working in their pj’s, but just because your desk is within your own four walls doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the latest trends! During the work hours you’ve set for yourself, why not trade-in the flannel pants, sweatshirt and fuzzy slippers for a dark washed skinny jean, cashmere cardi and a delightful pair of ballet flats? You can maintain the comfort necessary to be sitting with your laptop and latte, but it’s that extra something that takes your confidence (and therefore, your work) to the next level.

When you have that outdoors-to-indoors commute deal with, invest in some quintessential layers. The transition from Mother Nature to recycled air can be fraught with temperature fluxes and everything in between, so don’t feel like you can’t go sleeveless in summer outside - just layer on the perfect black blazer once you get inside.

Playing Fair with Added Flair

If you’ve ever worn a uniform, sang in a choir, or played on a team, you know the feeling of wanting to express yourself within the confines of the said (or unspoken) dress code! Although your work environment may dictate many factors (sometimes down to the color of polish you’re allowed to don), I do believe there are two great assets to sparkle and shine in the sea of black pencil skirts and pinstripes: makeup & accessories.

What about that special scarf when you need an extra pop to your outfit, or (appropriate) patterned tights instead of basic black? Paint your pout with a bright coral instead of your everyday neutral. Switch out the pearls with a bold, chunky necklace. You’ll find ways to express your individuality while respectfully adhering to the list of “do’s and don’ts.”

Role Models

There’s always that someone in our midst who has perfected their personal style ... and their routine walk down the hall is your version of a runway show during Fashion Week. Embrace it! There is always something to gain from observing someone else’s creativity and sense of self. Take what you can as pure inspiration, and find ways to incorporate their know-how into your wardrobe. Although imitation is the greatest form of flattery, keep in mind that although your muse may rock the black shift dress better than Audrey herself, maybe you knock a pair of perfectly tailored trousers out of the park. The key is: wear what fits you best ... with a gusto!

Fail Me, Fail Me Not

We have all been there. Some of us (myself, specifically) more than others. I went through a phase where I embraced double knit v-necks, cropped cargo pants and platform flip-flops ... on my hourglass figure it accentuated everything in a negative light and was one big epic fail. After you’re done burning the evidence and pretending “that never happened,” the sooner you’ll realize that when you dress for the success of your figure and personality, failure will no longer be an option!


xx JN

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

On Saturday, we took ourselves over to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to experience the joy of such a gorgeous Spring day ... and did it ever exceed our expectations! We only covered a portion of the Garden's immense landscape, but were fortunate to see several highlights.

We started off on our way through the Osborne Garden:

To the Lilac Collection:

Off to the Cherry Esplanade:

Then to the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden:

From there, we stopped by the Shakespeare Garden and then to the Fragrance Garden:

Then to the Magnolia Plaza:

And couldn't help but stop and photograph the incredible tulips!

Truly a magnificent afternoon - one I highly recommend! Make sure not to miss this weekend's annual 2012 Sakura Matsuri: a weekend celebrating traditional and contemporary Japanese culture.

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is open Tuesday-Friday, 8AM-6PM, Saturday & Sunday from 10AM-6PM. Admission is Free for Members, $10 for Adults, $5 for Seniors and Students, and Free for Children under 12. For more information, please visit the Garden's official website.

xx JN

What is Your Soul's Ideal?

As we head into the weekend, my lovelies, I had to share with you an excerpt from the book I'm currently reading, Wishes Fulfilled, by Dr. Wayne Dyer. The following excerpt has officially been starred with red marker as I continue to reflect on and refer to these powerful words:

"The ideal of your soul, the thing that it yearns for, is not more knowledge. It is not interested in comparison, nor winning, nor light, nor ownership, nor even happiness. The ideal of your soul is space, expansion, and immensity, and the one thing it needs more than anything else is to be free to expand, to reach out and embrace the infinite. Why? Because your soul is infinity itself. It has no restrictions or limitations - it resists being fenced in - and when you attempt to contain it with rules and obligations, it is miserable. Your invisible self is extraordinary because it is a fragment of the universal soul, which is infinite. The part of you that knows you have greatness, and is stirred by the idea of you expanding and removing any and all limitations ... this is your new self-concept, one that is inspired by your soul." 

Amazing, right? What is your soul's ideal? What does that mean to you? I would love to hear your thoughts on this ...

Wishing you a beautiful weekend!

xx JN

Four Seasons by Claudia Pearson

Aren't these Four Seasons Dish Towels just flawless? Handmade in the USA and illustrated by the ever-talented Claudia Pearson, these are sure to make a great gift. May have to splurge on them for myself, too!

{ image via Uncommon Goods }

 

You're also going to want to check out Claudia's Etsy shop ... because it is chock full of treasures! How much do I love that this amazing illustrator lives right here in ...

{ image via Etsy }

xx JN