Your Friday Bon Mot

MiniLuxe Spring Colors

I am sure you are well aware that I am a big fan of a local chain of salons in Massachusetts... good ol' MiniLuxe, which has seven locations for us Boston gals to get our nails did as well as get other various splendid services that they offer. The reason I am writing to you today? Well, it's to introduce the fabulous Spring colors that MiniLuxe offers at their salons... I am slightly enamored with these lovely little shades and I think you will be too, once you take a gander. I am passionate about polish, much to my husband's dismay but I just can't stay away!

Derek Cardigan at Coastal.com

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Coastal.com. All opinions are 100% mine.
It seems like lately I have been seeing everybody and their brother talking about eyeglasses online. I personally wear my contacts most times because it's a much more direct corrective prescription on my eye ball but there are some instances when I want to look quirky cute or plain and simple, my eyes need a break from the contact lenses. There are multiple sites where us visually challenged can find prescription eyewear at a deal, and with way more a selection that at our eye doctor's office (though my eye doctor does pretty well for themselves). One line I was just introduced to was the Derek Cardigan Eyeglasses at Coastal.com.  The line is affordable on Coastal.com buit more importantly to me, the styles are pretty interesting. They have a vintage flare and seem to look good on all different face shapes (see my fave Instagram shots below).  For every pair of glasses that are purchased, Coastal.com gives a pair to someone in need. I really dig that because glasses can be expensive and if you ask me, are sort of a necessity.

Brown Tortoiseshell 7010

These are my favorite frames by far. They are very "Catch me if you can" and "Old fashioned detective", which I think is fun. I am usually drawn to the tortoise shell but might branch out on my next pair of Designer Eyeglasses. What do you think of these frames? Do you think they will suit my face?

@Gingerkid7, @Tattoosbyanya, @tillytillytutu, @vutastic

Where do you purchase your eyeglasses? Are you strictly an eye doctor gal or do you order online?

DIY: Design Your Own Shoes on the Cheap

I have really wanted to break up the monotony of work and household chores (the list is ever growing) with some creative juices flowing... but with the aforementioned house costing good money to furnish and decorate, and the closets needing filling ;-) I wanted to find a cheap craft to do that had a fashion twist but I didn't have to spend a ton of moola on. I thought back to when my Mom would take us to Payless and get us a pair of canvas sneakers to decorate. She'd get us a pair for every day, then let us go to town on another pair, with markers, paint, glitter... basically anything we could get our hands on. Why not do my adult version?

Outfit Post: Rainy Day Style

This past Friday my cousin celebrated her 30th birthday! YAY 30's! We were getting all set to go to a nice dinner and then it started to rain. It was no surprise, really. It had been raining all week and the weekend was looking to be the same way... but I have never let a little rain stop me from trying to bring it with ma clothes. Plus, I have been wanting to take my new Nanette Lepore platforms for a spin ;-). Rainy day style, coming right up!

Week in Review

• The man built me a new deck set for me... Well, he assembled it!
• It was Henry's 6th birthday and we celebrated big time!
• Blog Better Boston threw a sweet #PumaStyle party at the Newbury Street location! Me and the man both have new kicks now.
• I whipped out the crimper this week, embracing the humidity by amping up the frizz.
• Started a new DIY with canvas sneaks, Sharpies and soon fabric paint.
• My cousin celebrated her 30th birthday this weekend and there were stiletto cupcakes... perfect!
• I rocked my new Nanette Lepore platforms, even though it was raining.
• The man and I hit the Crompton Collective and I fell in love with this sideboard but alas left without it.
• Picked up some old vinyl records for crafting... we'll see what I make.

What did you do this week?

Your Friday Bon Mot

RocksBox, a Jewelry Styling Service

I was recently gifted a 6 month subscription to RocksBox, a jewelry styling service. The premise is simple, much like any mail box service, you fill out a survey, a box is catered to your likes/dislikes and you are sent some goodies to try. I was really excited about this. It seemed like a fantastic way to try out jewelry or basically just borrow it for a temporary stay in your casa. They offer the option to purchase as well so if you absolutely fall in love with something not wanting to return it, you can just buy it! Voila!

I signed up for my subscription and while I am usually patient with this type of thing, it took over a month to be processed. They reported a spike in subscription requests and never thought they would have so much interest so fast. That is really good for them but it left me a little sour before I'd even received my first shipment. In RocksBox's defense, I was sent an email apology for the delay, a $10 credit was deposited in my account and was assured that once I started the service, there would not be any lag time. If I had paid for this service, it would have been a turn off... but I didn't soooo want to see what cam in my first box and what I thought of their jewelry? Read more after the jump.

Quiz Me Le Fancy Geek

So a couple weeks back, my blogging buddy tagged me in a question and answer post. I normally wouldn't engage in such frivolous and inefficient use of my time (yeah, right) but since Nina is my Geek Sistah (check out her so cute blog, Le Fancy Geek) and since her questions are super fun, I engaged. Premise is simple: I answer her questions and then I post my own questions, tagging 3 more bloggers. This is like those chain emails you used to fill out when the internets were still new ;-). Anyway, if I were taking a test, hopefully I passed! Also, if you haven't checked out Nina's blog, it's so delightful. I suggest you stop by.

Crocs™ Splash of Color Sweepstakes

This post brought to you by Crocs. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you guys entered the Crocs Instagram Sweepstakes? It ends soon so I would encourage you to take to your Instagram and start snapping shots of your favorite pops of color! I am entering because geesh, I am already using Instagram all the time, why not capture some splashes of color and be entered to win an awesome prize package. Pluuuuuus, Crocs has come a long way and Mama has her eyes on some of those sassy shoes!

This sweepstakes end on 5/20 and you guys have a chance to win a $3,000 shopping spree for entering. To enter participants must connect to their Instagram account through the Sweepstakes page and choose a photo from the stream that is tagged with #splashofcolor. They can upload 3 photos a day. Want to see what I uploaded?

Your Friday Bon Mot

I've Got Nothing to Hide + Vedette Shapewear Giveaway

So I am sure you all remember my last post from Vedette Shapewear, where I embraced my curves and showed you all my bod in shapewear! It was a challenge for sure but this one is a little more so... let's up the anty and you have this post's challenge. Vedette has a smashing line of sexy shapewear that can be styled for the private moments in your life but also, as I discovered, some more public moments... as in wearing it in public. I was tasked with choosing one of the Sensuale line of shapewear to style as I saw fit and then show you how fantastically I looked into it. Here is where I struggled. I put on the smashingly luxurious Josephine bodysuit and felt uncomfortable, not because of the product but because it was sexier than I usually let myself be. When the man saw me, he was like "Whoa girl, you look good." (I took poetic license on that one there) I took another look in the mirror and was able to see what he sees, someone who looks good, normally exudes the confidence and needed to rock this look. So here you have it.

I Dream in Shoes

All I want to do, is share my (current) dream shoes with you...

• Brandee Wedge Platform Heel, $220, 
• Seychelles Do What Ya Like Heel, $80.00,
• Nanette Lepore Highball Heel, $178.80,  
• J Renee Riley Pump, $59.95,  
• L.A.M.B. Jocelyn Pump, $220, 
• Rachel Zoe Leah Platform, $220  
• Honorable Mentions in my subconscious: Sam Edelman Sutton Wedge, $124.95, Michael Kors MK Open Toe, $140.00

Couture Design Complete

Last Thursday night was my last night of my Couture Design Class. We basically had three projects for the semester. The main project was constructing a corset, which was pretty much my life for the past few months. We also had a designer project, similar to a report on a biography you did back in high school. Lastly, we had a draping project, which was squeezed into a very tiny time frame, and made me want to pull my hair out... but it's done and I learned a lot... like how I am my own worst critic.

My final Project

Obsession Alert: Pura Vida Bracelets

I can't even remember where it was that I first saw Pura Vida Bracelets. Maybe it was someone's Facebook page or a mention on Twitter but while the love affair has been short, it has been glorious thus far. It started with their swift and fantastic support of Boston Strong with the sale of their Boston Strong bracelets. Pura Vida Bracelets strongly believes in giving back. They are donating 100% of sales to the One Fund... that's pretty amazing. PS. You should grab one! I bought one for myself, my Mom and my sisters. Feeling the pressure yet? ;-)

Your Friday Bon Mot

Nanette Lepore and Popsugar Event, Boston

 

It's no secret that I adore Lepore... Nanette Lepore. When I got the email from Popsugar that asked me to RSVP for an event to shop at the Nanette Lepore's Boston boutique, while Nanette Lepore was on site, well let's just say, I wasted no time. It was like the stars aligned for me on this night of nights. I didn't hit any traffic despite there being a Sox game, I found on street parking on Newbury Street and I was right on time. Perfect!

Spring has Sprung, Literally

Since one of my main "things" about having a house was to have some place to garden, you can imagine that the second that plants, seeds and the like started hitting the stores and markets, I was all over that. I actually might have gone a little overboard. I told the man I was going to Bed Bath and Beyond to exchange some curtain rods and I came back with everything I would need to start my seeds at the house...purchased at Target. Point of information: I also did exchange the curtain rods. In any event, I have started on my gardening adventure, in our home, so that I am ready to get this garden party started once these are ready to head outside.

Met Ball Beauty 2013

Hi guys, I know I tweeted last night that I didn't care about Met Ball fashion and that is still very, very true buuuuut I have to say that I was quite smitten with some of the beauty choices that the ladies made last night. From sassy hair to interesting makeup, I compiled some of my favorite looks and also some of my fave ways to achieve those looks, if I even know how! Guh, what do you think?

Congratulations Vedette Winners!

Congratulations to the three lovely ladies that won my Vedette Shapewear giveaway! I am so excited to be able to work with such an awesome company! If you didn't win, not to worry. Vedette and I are cooking up another great giveaway for all of you ladies in my blogging life!

Your Friday Bon Mot

Obsession Alert: Belle Etoile Jewelry

This past weekend, you may recall that I mentioned Lux Bond and Green being on site at the Blog Better Boston Style Summit. While they had a lovely set up with all sorts of sparkly jewelry, I was most drawn to the pieces from the Belle Etoile jewelry line that they had on site. The Perroquet sterling silver and hand painted enamel pendants, rings and bracelets are colorful, fun and just my speed. I immediately texted the man a picture of the pendant with a coral colored cord. I actually thought about it all day, which is not my norm when it comes to jewelry. I am more likely to daydream about shoes. Since the whole wedding thing happened, you sort of have to run these types of purchases by the significant other... so this is my appeal to a certain someone who lives in the same house with me, to support my purchase of one of the Belle Etoile pendant necklaces. I have to say my favorite three collections are the Perroquet (pictured below), Flamingo and Papyrus, though there are many other lovely lines as well. In any situation, I find Belle Etoile to be quite the crush worthy jewelry.

"Inspired by the vibrant beauty of the wild, the Perroquet Collection showcases a bejeweled parrot perched among a gorgeous array of tropical splendor. Rhodium-plated and nickel-free, Belle Étoile's designer sterling silver is adorned with finely cut stones and hand-painted enamel. Bring the tropics home with Perroquet."

What do you think of the Belle Etoile Line? 

You can search for a retailer near you here and if you live in the New England area, you can be sure to check out your closest Lux Bond and Green location.

Shoe Shopping Frustrating? For Once, it Was...

So my little baby sister is getting married in June. She is having me and my other sister (the green kangaroo) as her bridesmaids. We are very excited, for her shower, for her wedding and of course for celebrating her married life, yay! The bridesmaids dresses are kelly green; the kid loves green, what can I say? So we all agreed that a neutral dressy sandal of some sort would look good with this dress. My sister and I began the hunt for the perfect, understated nude sandal... which is easier said than done.

Le Silla, Jimmy Choo, DSquared, Dolce and Gabbana, Rupert Sanderson