Friday, April 30, 2010

Complexion Perfection!

I have found the most amazing concealer!  It is nothing short of a miracle!  I use it every morning and it seriously erases the dark (and I do mean dark!) circles under my eyes!  It is called Amazing Concealer and it was invented by two best friends who struggled to find a concealer that would really do the trick.  They have developed their business in to a complete line of cosmetics but I am really stuck on their original product, the Amazing Concealer.  I first tried it about two years ago, after my son was born and I was getting very little sleep, and it was showing on my face.  I read that Debra Messing's makeup artist used it on her so I thought I would give it a shot.  It is $42 for a little tube but it was well worth it and I was shocked at how long it lasts! The tiny tube has literally lasted me for a year!  You will not regret the purchase, I promise!  Each application requires just three little pin dot size dots that you blend in.  That is why it seems like the bottomless tube!  What a miracle!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Spring Bash this weekend!

Even though I am not that crafty myself, I love shopping for handmade items.  In this crazy world of mass produced items available everywhere, I find the idea of purchasing something one of a kind or hand made even more special!  I am really excited about the Spring Bash coming to the South Side on Lamar this weekend!  It is on Saturday May 1st from 11AM to 5PM.  There will be over 50 handmade artists, crafters and designers to shop from!  The admission is free and the first 50 people will get a fantastic goody bag!  I always pays to be the early bird!  There are also fantastic free do-it-yourself make and take crafts!  Most of the designers featured at the Spring Bash sell their treasures on Etsy.com but this is a wonderful opportunity to see the items up close and get the know the people who made them! See you there!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

So Classy!

I am crazy about Derek Blasberg.   Oh....and his book is great too!  He is so charming and his wisdom and wit are spot on.  His new book, Classy: Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady, is charming, funny, and useful too!  It is such a hit that he has now found himself on the New York Times Bestseller list!  Of course, he pointed out that Lauren Conrad is on there too but I still think it is a huge huge deal!  Gilt.com, one of my favorite sites for fashion finds, hosted a book signing for Derek last night at The Mansion on Turtle Creek.  What a blast!  Gilt.com is a fantastic website that puts high end fashion on sale for short periods of time and rock bottom prices.  Genius!  If you don't have an account with them already, sign up today!

Monday, April 26, 2010

The Kentucky Derby is Racing up on us!

The first Saturday in May always brings in The Kentucky Derby. The derby is a blast to watch whether you are a devotee of horse racing or not! If you are not headed to Churchill Downs this weekend, it is a great opportunity to have a few people over and have a little party.  Here are a few simple things that will make your party derby-licious!
-Send out a horse themed invitation using Paperless Post.  One invitation company suggested that you print "Ride on over and talk Derby to me" but I will let you decide if that is appropriate for your guests!  I do love the idea of using racing terms to give the details: the post time (time), track (place) and silks (attire.)

-You must serve the official drink of the Kentucky Derby for nearly a century at your party.  The Mint Julep is a refreshing drink make from whisky, mint, sugar, water and mint and it is served in a silver cup.  The official recipe is here!  Each year over 120,000 are served in the two days that make up the Derby!
-Simple red roses in silver mint julep cups are the perfect decoration for any derby party!  In 1904 the red rose became the official flower of the Kentucky Derby and the event is often now referred to as the "run for the roses."

Friday, April 23, 2010

48 Nights for a Good Cause!

We are always looking for new and fun restaurants to try so when we heard about 48 Nights, we were so excited!  The problem is, it won't be open for very long!  48 Nights is tucked into a tiny building in Dallas that is scheduled for demolition.  It will be replaced by a retail and residential development after it is torn down this summer.  But for now, it is open every Monday and Tuesday night!  Three clever restaurateurs are putting the space to good use and for a good cause too!  For the next six months, Dallas' Top Chefs will prepare a fixed menu for two seatings at the restaurant (6:30 and 9:00).  For $75 you will dine on a unique menu created by amazing chefs like Janice Provost of Parigi, Stephan Pyles, Kent Rathburn and Abraham Salum just to name a few!  The most delicious part is that the proceeds are going to the Mass Care Task Force, a non-profit agency that provides aid for The Red Cross, The Salvation Army, The North Texas Food Bank and the Volunteer Center of North Texas.  Yum!  For information on reservations click here.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

If you love games and parties then this is for you:


HOST A HASBRO GAME NIGHT HOUSE PARTY

If you're selected to host, here's how you'll get a jumpstart on summer fun:
  • Pick a date on either June 17th, 18th or 19th and have your party-going pals over for a thrilling evening guaranteed to make every one of them feel like a big winner!
  • In your FREE party pack you'll get the newest, hottest Trivial Pursuit game — weeks before it appears in any store!
  • You'll also receive more FREE goodies, coupons, deliciously crunchy Pieces candies to share, and two other action-packed, crowd-pleasing Hasbro games!
Don't miss this exclusive night of fun, friends and great gaming.
Spaces are limited.
But there will be no limit on fun!

  APPLY NOW!  

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

You can customize anything now!

I am really picky so I love anything that I can customize!  About a month ago I told you about how I customized my Villy Customs Crusier and I love it.  It is one of a kind and suits me!  Now I am going to customize energy bars! At element bars you can pick out exactly what you want in your energy bar from the flavors to the textures!  The other great benefit is that they leave out the preservatives that so many energy bars are crammed full.  You get to pick what is inside but you also get to name it!  They give you clues to let you know how your ingredients will help you.  They have ingredients for Brain Health and Memory, Heart, GI Health, Antioxidents and Muscle Strength! I love that as you build and add to your bar, the Nutrition Facts are displayed on the right side of the website.  This is so great!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Administrative Assistants Day is Tomorrow!

Don't forget to do something special for the person who is always doing helpful things for you!  Tomorrow is Administrative Assistants Day!  Although a beautiful bouquet is really nice, adding a gift is a really nice touch.  Here are a few of my gift suggestions:
-A membership to a fun club that will suit your assistant's personality.  You could do a Blockbuster By Mail membership, The New York Times Crossword Puzzle Society, or a Membership to a local institution such as the Dallas Arboretum or the Nasher Sculpture Center.
-I love anything Lavender because it is so relaxing!  If your assistant spends a lot of time at the computer then this Lavender scented Computer Keyboard Pillow is the perfect gift.  


-If your assistant likes to laugh then check out the fantastic products made by Knock Knock!  Their notepads, file folders and paperclips look serious but when you read the fine print, you are sure to laugh! I adore the file folders with phrases like "Useless Documents to Provide Appearance of Importance in Meeting" and "Stuff to hide from Boss, Spouse, or Otherwise Nosy Individual."  

Monday, April 19, 2010

Great Shopping for a Great Cause!

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Groupon: Collective Buying Power

Have you used Groupon yet?  It is so interesting!  There are nearly 50 cities worldwide that have this fantastic collective buying power website available.  Here is the deal (and it is a deal!):
1. Go to Groupon.comhttp://www.groupon.com/welcome_to_groupon and enter your email address and your city.
2. You will receive "one ridiculously huge coupon each day, on the best things to eat, see, do and buy in your city!
3.  If you like the deal, you buy it online and get a printable coupon.  Each Groupon is available for 24 hours and you can watch to see how many others buy in!
Most of the deals are credits.  For example, you can purchase $25 worth of business services for $10.  Many are for food, beauty services, or fitness for every once in a while there is a true surprise such as a hotel stay, a sky diving lesson or a painting class!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Trends in Outdoor Living

Now is the time to invest in your homes out door spaces! Spending quality time out side enjoying a great book or visiting with friends is like nothing else. It is truly an investment in yourself and, of course, will increase the value of your home. This year I have seen a few new trends in outdoor living spaces and I wanted to share some of the ideas with you!
-Lighting....I am so excited to get home from our trip because Justin has arranged to have a vintage chandelier that he found at a sale installed from a tree branch that
crosses over the center of our outdoor table. This simple and inexpensive trick will give our table even more charm and make it feel like a room of it's own. Here is a photo! You could look for fixtures at locals sales or shops like Smith and Hawken or even IKEA.
-Upscale Kitchens....Go the extra step to build in your grill. You won't believe how easy and affordable it is to build a countertop and surround for your grill and convert it to an upscale outdoor kitchen. You could install it yourself or ask a contractor. Check out the one that Justin put into our back yard using Tejas Textured Stone.















-Drapery....If you have a covered area or cabana your should warm up the space by adding some outdoor drapery. I like the simple and affordable ones offered by Ballard Designs. They will truly frame off the room and also add a coziness factor! It really gives your outdoor room that polished look.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Mome Yoga

I am feeling a lot out of shape right now.  Part of my problem is that I don't want to miss out on precious time with my son to go and work out.  Now I can combine the two with Stefani McMurrey Watters Mome Yoga.  It incorporates babies in to the workout by using them as weights.  The moms enjoy the workout while the little ones enjoy the play time and nursery rhymes used through out the yoga poses.  Babies aged 2 months to 2 years are welcome.  It is FREE at Bookmarks at NorthPark Mall in Dallas on Friday's from 10:30 to 11:30 am but there are other classes on Mondays from 11:00 to noon at Cooper Fitness Center at Craig Ranch in McKinney.  She has some cool demonstrations in the press section of her website so check it out if want to know what you are getting into before you go!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Chalkboard China!


Your next party will not be complete with out a few pieces of Chalkboard China.  This stuff is so cute!  I love the tray pictured here. It is perfect for serving anything that needs a bit of an explanation.  I would serve veggie burgers on one side and hamburgers on the other at my next grilling get-together.  A Chalkboard China vase would be great for a "game-watching" party! Each time someone scores you could write the score on the vase OR you could flank your centerpiece with two vases, one for each team!  As people go for food they can sign the vase that belongs to the team they are rooting for.  I am sure that you can come up with great ideas too!  Let me know what you are going to use your Chalkboard China for.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Feather Your Nest May Event is now open for Registration!

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Party Packs!

If you want to make entertaining as easy as 1, 2, 3 then you must shop MeriMeri!  Their Party Packs are amazing!  Their "It's A Party" kits have everything you need for your child's party from the plates and napkins to the centerpiece.  The themes are adorable too!  They have Animal Parade, Princess, Pirate and many many more!  You can purchase the party packs for around $75 or purchase each element seperately.  I adore the cupcake kits!  They are perfect for a mom like me who really wants the cupcakes to look great but doesn't have the time, energy or skill to create a fancy one.  The kits have 24 cupcake wrappers and 24 toppers on a toothpick. They are precious!  The cupcake kits come in a theme suitable for any party.  They have Bridal, Dog Party, Baby Shower and Groovy theme packs.  Precious!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Spring Tablescapes

I can't get enough of Tablescaping!  I typically like to do something for Easter but this year my sister and my father tackled the project while my mother was cooking because I got stuck with another project...babysitting!
My friend (and co-founder of Feather Your Nest) Ashlee Kleinert, sent me this link to a fantastic Easter Tablescape.  I love it because it can be anytime in spring and it only requires plain white china!  Plain white china can sometimes be a bit boring but I love the way it was used here.  Enjoy and please send me photographs of your spring tables!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Donate the Sweet Way!


Give to the American Heart Association  in a Sweet Way!
 
April 5 - 9, Sprinkles Cupcakes will donate 100% of proceeds from all "Red Heart" Red Velevet cupcakes sold to the American Heart Association!
 
The Original Cupcake Bakery has partnered with the 3rd Annual Neiman Marcus Stiletto Strut to create awareness and support for the organization that works to builder healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Join the fight for good health today, because when the deal is this sweet, we all win! And don't forget to treat yourself, your friends and the whole office!
 
Order today:
Sprinkles Cupcakes - The Plaza at Preston Center
4020 Villanova Drive, Dallas, Texas 75225
214.369.0004  www.sprinkles.com
Sprinkles Red Heart      Facebook    Facebook

Haute Hostess Aprons!

I just adore Haute Hostess Aprons but I also adore the designer, Elizabeth Scokin!  She will be visiting Texas from Nashville today for an in store appearance at Stanley Korshak Gifts & Home. Stop by and meet her from 11 to 2 today!  She is just as pretty as her aprons which, I must add, look just as good over jeans as they do over an evening gown!  They are fancy and frilly and perfect for any hostess.  She makes them in a huge selection of fabrics and even custom made some Dallas Cowboys aprons for me!  They are always a huge hit when I give them as gifts.  Personally, I like to order takeout, put the food on my own trays and platters, don the apron, and Voila!, no one knows that I wasn't slaving in the kitchen all day!  Stop by and grab yours today or call them at 214-871-3650.  Don't forget to check out her fantastic Southern Recipes on her website as well!

Keep Your Cup!

One of the tricky things about having your friends at your house is the amount of glassware they can go thru!  I certainly don't want my friends drinking out of anyone else's glass but I also hate seeing them set down their drink and forget about it only to pour another one a few minutes later.   cb2 has solved my dilemma with these fantastic little party people glass markers!  They are made of silicone and have a little suction cup grip.  They are bright and tiny so it is really easy to tell which glass belongs to each guest.  They are a great way to keep your washing load to a minimum for only $6.95.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Time to store your winter clothing!

Yeah! After a few false alarms, I think it is now officially time to store our winter clothing! I have heard from a bunch of friends that they started to put their cold weather clothing away only to be surprised by our recent snow storm! If you think it is finally time to stick it away for next winter, here are a few tips for storing your off season clothing:
-Make sure your clothing is clean before you put it away. Clean clothing is less likely to attract insects. Also, if you put dirty clothing away, the dirt is likely going to set into your clothing and make a stain that might be impossible to remove!
-Line your boxes with Acid Free tissue paper to keep your clothing from turning colors or getting damaged.
-Avoid plastic containers that do not breathe potentially causing mildew and mold. The best storage is a clean suitcase that you are not using!
-Avoid mothballs (they are poisonous and stinky too!) and use cedar chips instead.
-Never hang your clothing to store it as it can get pulled out of shape. Always fold it!

 

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