Winter Flower Arrangements

Fresh flowers always set you back a fair bit especially in the Winter Months when Fresh Flowers have to be flown   in from warmer climates. So to save some green and to be a little more "green" try to using plants instead of flowers around the house.
Moss works the best, it is easy to handle and perfect accented with shells or candles.
place Moss on a large round dish , pack the entire surface with moss , place tea lights on the moss and enjoy!

Another easy and chic idea is to take long plant leaves and wedge them into a class vase...make sure you overlap the leafs. Fill Vase 3/4 with water. Place fern or other bushy plant leaf in water. Easy right?

If you have no DIY skills and still want to make a center piece the easiest thing to do is go to your local florist and pick up chrysanthemums balls. Should run about 10 dollars for two balls. They last up to two weeks and can be arranged in a million different ways to give anywhere a sophisticated vibe.

Goof proof your Makeup

Flipping through trashy magazines at the gym I saw a picture of Eva Longoria , her normally beautiful face was masked behind a ton of not blended concealer. Who can forget Nicole Kidman walking the red carpet with a face full of powder? Got me thinking that celebrities really are just like us!!! Makeup that is not blended properly, or the wrong tone or just to darn much of it can be a gaffe.Being told you have lipstick on the teeth ring a bell?

I asked my dear Friend Lisa who is a Hollywood makeup artist what are some easy fixes for common makeup mistakes, here are a few suggestions and also a list of my fav products that really help in a pinch.

Mistake 1) The "Eva" wrong shade of concealer. This is one of the most common makeup boo boos and yet it has such an easy fix.  Buy a different concealer...no seriously! Buy a concealer palette. What a palette offers is multiple colors in your same skin tone so you can create your perfect shade. The Palette I use is Bobbi Brown (former makeup artist..current makeup goddess) in honey new $34.99.

Mistake 2) The" Nicole" Visible powder. Weather you use pressed or loose powder if you can see it ,you are using it wrong. The problem with most  powders is they sit on skin instead of blending into it.If you are using powder to cut down on shine you should try using an Anti -Shine. An Anti-Shine is a colorless oil absorber you can wear it with or without foundation. I use Smash box compact anti-shine $28.00. 

If you use powder to cover imperfections try using a foundation/powder combo like MAC Studio Fix plus foundation 26.00. Studio fix is great because it has a touch of liquid concealer so it goes on smooth.

Mistake 3 the "Every women" lipstick on the teeth. Easiest fix of them all after you put on your lipstick/ lip gloss on open your mouth put index finger in your mouth and pull out, this will remove any lipstick from the inside of your lips and keep it from getting on your teeth. 

Feel free to Smile at everyone

10 minute wall art

I finally getting around to putting my life back together after the holidays and a big part of that is organizing my closet, making room for new clothes by getting rid of old ones. I realized I had quit a t-shirt collection going on.  I usually Good Will most old clothes but I decided to make a project out of the old t-shirts instead. 

First I went to Aaron Brothers Art Mart and got some picture frames ranging in size and shapes.

Next placed the  T-shirt in center of frames and cut the excess material.

Lastly I hung them.

It took me longer to find a parking spot at the Frame store then to finish my project!!!! 

DIY Ombre

Every where I  look the past few seasons Ombre keeps popping up from linen napkins ,to bedding to Rachel Bilsons hair..... Some of you may be thinking what the hell is Ombre...well the simple answer is Ombre is a fashionista term for shading. Ombre is the sophisticated big sister of tie dyed which means anyone can do it at home. That is exactly what I did. Drawing inspiration from a back issue of West Elm I was flipping through at the Mani Pedi place I decided to ombre dye my new white shower curtains. Here are the easy instruction,.Ombre is also a great way to re-purpose lightly stained items.
.For a 1/2 Pound of Fabric

1 1/2 cups noniodized salt
1 1/2 gallons warm water
1 1/2 teaspoons dye
1/6 cup (2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons) soda ash fixer

For 1 Pound of Fabric
3 cups noniodized salt
3 gallons warm water
1 tablespoon dye
1/3 cup soda ash fixer

3. Cover work surface and floor with drop cloths. Saturate fabric with water; wring it until no longer dripping. Smooth fabric. Decide how far dye will extend, and mark limit with straight pins on right and left sides of fabric. Divide area to be dyed into 5 even segments, and mark intervals with pins. (For specific folding and pinning instructions, see Project Variations, below.)

4. Position bin for dye solution near basin or tub. Dissolve salt in warm water in bin, according to formula. (Note: You'll want the liquid to reach a minimum depth of 4 inches.) Wearing gloves and mask (some dyes can be toxic), measure dye, and place it in a bowl. Add 1 or 2 teaspoons warm water, stirring with a nonreactive utensil to make a paste. Slowly add 1 cup warm water, and stir until dye dissolves completely and mixture forms a slurry. Add the slurry to bin, stirring until mixed. Measure soda ash fixer, and place it in second bowl; add about 2 cups hot water slowly, stirring until dissolved. (Avoid splashing, as fixer is caustic.)

5. Add the soda ash fixer mixture to the dye solution, mixing well for about 30 seconds. The solution will remain potent for about 1 hour and cannot be reused.

6. Place prepared fabric in dye solution, immersing it to the topmost pins; hold in place for 30 seconds. (The damp fabric will draw dye up, creating blurred gradations.) Raise fabric until solution's surface aligns with second set of pins; hold for 1 minute. Raise fabric to third set of pins; hold for 5 minutes. Repeat at remaining 2 pinned levels, holding for 5 minutes each.

7. Carefully transfer dyed fabric to basin or tub. Fill with cold running water, swishing gently to rinse. Drain. Repeat until liquid remains clear.

8. Machine-wash fabric in hot water with professional textile detergent. Machine- or air-dry.

New Year, New Beauty Rules

It is a New Year which means out with the old and in with the new ....Beauty rules that is!!!! Seemingly we live in an age where anything goes beauty wise ( Lady Gaga raw meat outfit ring a bell?) If your not that adventurous and most of us aren't. I compiled a list of old beauty rules that need to be broken immediately!
1) Mixing Brown and Black clothes is a no no....
Not only is this rule outdated but wearing Brown and Black together is a chic staple. Think Black Leggings and tall Brown boots or LBD with a Brown woven belt.


2) Colored eyeliner/eyeshadow is dated.
Colored Eyeliner/Eyeshadow got a bad wrap sometime in the 80's early 90's when Blue Eyeshadow became synonymous with trailer park living! The new colors for your eyes are rich in pigment and really make eyes pop. Try Plum for an alternative to a black smoky eye. and green for a daytime Glam look.



3) Acrylic nails!!!!! Enough said. They are not attractive and ruin your own nails so you become addicted to them, instead try a silk wrap , gel or minx nails.

Last Minute Gifts

Yesterday I had to venture to the mall to exchange a gift...It was frightful.There were so many people there, no parking, long lines and it got me thinking about a couple of things 1) Am I glad to have all my shopping done so I don't have to come back here 2) what would I do if I forgot a present for someone?
I put together a couple of ideas for easy DIY that you don't have to step foot in the mall to do.
First for a holiday dinner Easy Chic Chicken Liver Pate

From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
4 bacon slices, chopped
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
12 oz chicken livers, trimmed
1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, cut into 1/4- to 1/3-inch cubes (about 1 1/3 cups)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh marjoram*
2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled, quartered
2 tablespoons dry Sherry, bourbon, or Cognac
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
Fresh parsley sprig
Rye bread slices, toasted or crackers, for serving

Directions

1. Melt 1/4 cup butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes.
2. Add onion and sauté until pale golden, about 5 minutes.
3. Add garlic and stir 1 minute.
4. Add chicken livers, apple, and marjoram; sauté until livers are no longer pink inside and apple is soft, about 8 minutes.
5. Transfer warm liver mixture to processor. Add hard-boiled eggs, Sherry, and salt; puree until almost smooth.
6. Transfer mixture to fine to medium sieve set over large bowl. Using sturdy rubber spatula, press mixture through sieve into bowl.
7. Mix in remaining 1/2 cup butter. Season pâté to taste with freshly ground pepper. Transfer to small serving bowl. Garnish pâté with parsley and serve with toasted rye bread or crackers.

Makes about 2 cups.

Make ahead: Can be made 4 days ahead. Cover and chill. Place in empty Mason Jar and decorate.

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For those of us who are afraid of the kitchen you can place a mixture of chocolate covered berries in a Mason jar and decorate or you can layer Cocoa powder and Marshmallows for a hot Chocolate mix in a jar.Personalized presents are a cheap and easy way to show someone you care!

Glamour From The Inside Out

I have been crazy busy this week, Tomorrow night I am hosting a shopping party at the amazing boutique Lotta here in Los Angeles lottanyc.com The proceeds from the shopping party will benefit the Down Town Union  Mission in Los Angeles .The Mission helps the homeless by providing food and services.
The party itself should be very glamorous.There will be press there , H 'orderves and Champagne I will be wearing a 1920's inspired floor length tie dyed dress! It should be a truly amazing Holiday Party. All that being said hands down the best part is that I will be helping people less fortunate then myself, by doing something that I love.
Helping others makes you feel better then the best haircut or most amazing boots. When you feel good about yourself it will shine through!