Go Bold this Spring ~ Beautiful Blogging

So are you all just as ready for Spring and Summer as I am?  I really, really need to see the sunshine and feel the warmth in the air. I am soooooo done with Winter.  Mother Nature it's time to move on!

One of the first things I do for Spring is to check out the new makeup trends.  I know, you all thought I was going to say something like check my gardens or clean up the yard, ha!  Well a girl has to have her priorities, right?  I think you all know by now that I absolutely adore makeup.  It's fun, it hides flaws, and enhances our beauty.  So I ask you, what's not to love!

The colors of Spring and Summer still seem to be fuchsia and coral.  But, the theme is BOLD!  Are you ready for that?  Oh I so am!  According to Fashion Magazine the lips are coated in a bright fuchsia or orange.

Dior at Sephora

Lorac @ Sephora

Fashion Magazine also notes that a bright, bold eye is all the rave this Spring.  Just remember though that you don't do both at the same time.  Choose one and downplay the other.  I tend to prefer to highlight my eyes, mainly because I love to play with eyeshadow. 

Are you bold enough for blue?  I love to use this shade as an eyeliner.  For me, it really enhances my brown eyes!

How about green?  All hues of green too!  If you're bold go with the lime green.  If you're not so bold go with the moss green.  Check out Stylelist for more on green.  Oh and scroll down to the end of the page because there's a great tutorial on the smoky eye!  I sure do love me some smoky eyes!

A pretty pallet from Stila

Real Beauty advises "For a fun, nighttime look, start by applying lighter lilac shades on the inner corners of the eye and darker lavender and plum hues as you move outwards on"

Super pretty, yes?  I think you can modify this look to work for daytime too!  Don't be afraid to use some bright purple on those eyelids.  What fun and oh so chic! 

Have you tried the SmokyShadow Blast from Covergirl?  They have some awesome color combinations and there's no guess work!  Super pretty.



 

Don't be afraid to shine this season.  And, there's plenty to choose from so you can shop in your price range.

Covergirl, Mabelline, and Revlon all have great colors to choose from as do Estee Lauder and Elizabeth Arden. 

Now, get out there and be bold this Spring!

Hugs,

Jacalyn

New for Spring!

Hello blogging friends!  I apologize for being absent from the blogging world lately but I have been a bit overwhelmed moving my private practice to a new location.  I am really, really excited about this new venture but I have to learn to do all of the billing and scheduling by myself.  I have been spoiled for a long time now and it takes some adjusting.  I think I am getting it together more and more as the weeks pass.  We shall see, ha!

I am also trying to get some goodies in my boutique for Spring.  Here's a sneak peak at some of the items I have added or will be adding.

Some awesome Spring Scents in our Soaps!

Aww... and who doesn't like a cute little bunny for Easter??!!

I am in love with this tin sign!  Just look how cute those ducks are, ha!

I don't know about you but I can't wait to get out and garden this Spring!  And, you can be sure this will be gracing my gardens.  I have a thing for birds lately, but more on that at another time!

A lovely laundry wood sign!

Another cloche because can you really have too many?????

I promise that I will be back soon.  It's off to work now.  Have a great week!

Hugs,

Jacalyn



My Love Story

I am linking up with Karen at My Desert Cottage for a "Share Your Love Story" link party!  The purpose is to share your own personal love story. Be sure and visit Karen to read every one's love story that is participating!

My own story is not about love at first sight or over-the-top romance.  It's more a story about endurance.  My hubby and I have been married for more than 22 years and we have endured a lot throughout that time - both wonderful and not so wonderful.  I guess that's what they call life.

We met when we were both in our early 20's on a psychiatric unit.  Don't jump to conclusions ~ we worked there, ha!  What attracted me to him was his sense-of-humor which still continues to this day.  Our humor has gotten us through so many difficult times.  We had a lot in common and really still do.  Our values and goals have always been very similar.

Whenever I have a dream or a goal, no matter what he thinks about it, he supports it.  He took care of our toddler triplets A LOT so I could finish graduate school while he still  worked at least 50 hours a week.  When I said I wanted to start a business, he said okay and jumped right in to help.  Imagine a 6'2" man selling soap!  Yep, he never complained and frankly he was better at it than me!  When I wanted to open my private practice he jumped on board even though money would be a little tight while it was building.  Yes, once again he never complained and just worked more.  He continues to work in a job he doesn't love anymore and can retire from.  But, he's working like a dog to help put our triplets through college.



I could go on and on about the sacrifices he's made over the years.  He is the most wonderful man I have ever met and has allowed me to understand that there are good men out there, despite my past experiences.  So David, while I certainly don't tell you enough and there's no doubt I take you for granted, I do love you and thank you for everything you've done and will undoubtedly do, for me and the children.  Happy Valentine's Day!

And, wishing all of you a very Happy Valentine's Day - filled with love and gratitude!

OXOXOXOX,

Jacalyn

Happy Valentine's Pink Saturday!

Who doesn't love Pink Saturday?  Better yet, who doesn't love a Valentine's Pink Saturday!!!!! 

I recently participated in a Chocolate Swap with my friends at Etsy Cottage Style and I thought this would be the perfect post to share it.  My wonderful partner was Judy who runs this little Etsy shop here.  She sent  me the most wonderful box of chocolates from a sweet little shop near her home.

Don't you just love the anticipation of opening the box....

 Nothing better than unwrapping a pretty pink box!

 ...even better, opening a pretty pink box filled with chocolate!

Is your mouth watering yet, ha!!!!  This chocolate is to die for!  I especially like the chocolate and nuts, Yum!  As you can see from the picture above I couldn't wait to take a little taste!

So naturally I forgot to take pictures of the goodies I sent Judy but she was so sweet to send me some so I could share.

Based upon what Judy told me she liked, I sent her some yummy white chocolate hearts, raspberry creams, sponge candy (which is a Western New York exclusive), and some milk chocolate hearts.  Plus, I threw in a few little extra goodies! 

It was so much fun and I really have to thank Judy for being such a great swap partner!

Please remember to visit our hostess Beverly to see all of the PS Valentine Posts!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day!  Much love and hugs to everyone!

Jacalyn

Who needs Pottery Barn?!

WARNING:  This post contains images that some may find disturbing!

I would strongly suggest that if you are an English Teacher or Librarian you just skip this post.  Continue reading at your own discretion.

Please don't hate me...

I just couldn't help myself.  It seemed like such a good idea and it, well, is just so darn pretty!

Please don't judge me...

By now many of you have seen this:

Pottery Barn book stacks - so very pretty indeed.  But $39.95?  A little steep for my budget (someone please tell my hubby to stop laughing....).  I am also sure you have seen the many knockoffs on others' blogs.  Well, what's a girl to do when she so longs for a vintage book stack and loves to craft?  Oh what to do... what to do...

Are you hating me yet?

It seems that I had these books sitting around, lonely and unread or read and discarded.  So I thought I would give them new (old) life.  And, it was super duper easy!

Disclaimer:  I. Am. Not. A. Book. Hater.  I love books.  I love to read.  And, there actually was some hesitation in, er, ripping the covers off of these books.  Like many of you, it has been drilled into my head that books should be respected and cherished.  And I sure do.  Which is why I can't bring myself to buy an e-reader.  I love the feel, the smell, the ambiance of a good book.  But I digress.

Want to make your own vintage stack of books?  Gather up some lonely books or buy some cheapies at your local thrift shop.  For my stack I used 4 books that I had around the house that I had read and no-one else wanted.  I *gasp* ripped the covers off and used distressing ink around the edges to make them appear old.  Next, I printed off a key graphic from the lovely and generous Graphics Fairy and used mod podge to adhere it to the top book.  I had some vintage lace and seem binding which I used to tie the books together.  I finished it off with some vintage keys and paper roses that I had. 

It was so easy and I love the results.  It now resides on the bottom of my end table.

Please don't hate me.  I just couldn't help myself!  And I ask you, who needs Pottery Barn?

Hugs,

Jacalyn

Baby it's Cold Outside!

Brrrrr..... It has been bone-chilling cold outside - Sunday night our low here was -11.  Yes, -11!  The high was about 5 and those numbers do not include the wind chill factor.  Today was actually mild, I think the high was in the low 30's but the cold is heading back, ugh.  I know I am not the only one struggling as it's been colder than usual in many parts of the US (and for our Canadian friends too).  But, as the old saying goes, if you can't be 'em, join 'em!

So on a recent sunny, albeit cold, day I headed outside to shovel yet again.  But the sun was truly glorious.  With some encouragement, hubby agreed it would be nice to take the dogs for a walk though not as long as we usually go.  I actually enjoyed it - it felt good to be out, especially with the sun shining down.

 Maybe you can't tell, but the sky was gorgeous!

Here's our gas grill - do you see it under all that snow?!

My salt and snow covered car!

Okay, so I took a little break to take pictures while hubby was shoveling, ha!

Can you tell how beautiful the trees look, snow covered?

Our pretty snow covered neighborhood.

The dogs were so excited to be out and about that they were, er, a little uncooperative!

A view of the Niagara River is in the background.

Here's Abbey - I couldn't get her to stay still to get a good photo.  The dog loves the snow.  Hmmm.... I wonder if she'll like the beach as much when we move to the beach in a couple of years.

Molly loves the snow as you can tell by her snow-covered face~

Another gorgeous shot of the Niagara River.  It's hard to see but it is filled with ice and snow.

One more picture of the ice and snow in the river.

On the way home with cold dogs and an even colder hubby!

By now, I know you all understand how much I dislike the Winter.  I have lived here all of my life and quite frankly, enough is enough!  As soon as my children get out of college, our plan is to head south.  But, in the mean time I figure I have to embrace the snow and not let it make me miserable, right?  Oh but I have my dreams....

Stay warm....

OXOXOX,
Jacalyn



Pink Saturday - I've missed you!!!!!

Yay!  I am back to Pink Saturday, oh how I've missed you!  It seems that the Saturdays just get away from me and before you know it January is almost over, wow!  I took a break around the holidays simply because I was so busy but I sure didn't mean to be gone this long! 

This week I will share my latest pink creations with you.

I was inspired by a post I read last year to make these Sweetheart sticks.  I used vintage lace, a vintage sweetheart pin, vintage music sheet and a paper rose.  It looks lovely in one of my vases for a little addition to my Valentine decor.

 I made my very first Tussie Mussie!  Again, I used some vintage lace and a vintage sweetheart pin.

 I've altered this bottle using vintage wall paper and a hand-crafted rosette.

Ah, an altered vintage bingo card.

I created some special addition Strawberries & Champagne bubble bath for my shop.  I wrapped it up so it's an easy, pretty gift.

Finally, here's some pretty pink tags I created using graphics from the Graphics Fairy, vintage lace and other embellishments.

Have a wonderful and warm weekend.  The high here in Western New York is in the single digits.  Baby it's coooooooooold  outside, ha!  Oh and be sure to visit our hostess, Beverly, at http://www.howsweetthesound.typepad.com/.

Hugs,

Jacalyn