Archive for January, 2010
Giveaway! Pink Pearl and Rose Quartz Necklace by Frasapeas on Etsy
Sunday, January 31st, 2010
I really love the Frasapeas jewelry shop on Etsy because it is as organized as I wish I were in my life. Everything is laid out easily to navigate, and it’s a very buyer-friendly site – offering alterations/adjustments, custom designs, bridal party ideas, and free gift wrapping/custom name tags (which come in handy for birthday’s/Christmas/etc). Everything about the online jewelry shop, from the green garnet and ruby earrings to the shop’s business card is beautiful and designed with great art and care. And you KNOW I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t mean it. There’s no reason to bring up a business card, after all, unless it is a truly wonderful little piece of art. And the Frasapeas one is!
The owner of the shop, Sarah Dematos, is incredibly friendly and approachable. So, if you allow me to get cheesy for a second (and I will, I’m the editor!) I believe that these pieces of jewelry are infused with her kind spirit. On her profile page she writes, “I hold this collection in dedication to my grandmother Rochelle, who is the essence of class, beauty, and the meaning of a true artist, who has inspired and cul ... Read More
A Valentine’s Day Staple: The Red Dress
Saturday, January 30th, 2010
Rose Print Tube Dress Tips: This dress totally wins in the ‘looks much more expensive than it is’ category. It’s under $40 but can easily pass as looking over $60!
Gabriella Rocha Beaujolais Tips: It’s a beautiful dress. Justify the almost under $100 price tag by thinking of all the different combination’s you can use to utilize this dress in your wardrobe. The ruffle details are light and not bulky, so really they’d help streamline your figure. This dress is also available in navy and black. I think the black is your worst bet, because you lose the detailing there. The navy and red are both great. Not sure if the belt is detachable, but if it is you can substitute different belts.
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What Would Damon Give Elena for Valentine’s Day?
Friday, January 29th, 2010
Are you a fan of The Vampire Diaries? I have been from the start, and while many people love the relationship between Elena and Stefan, I’ve always preferred Elena/Damon. As episodes go by, we see more and more reasons to like them together. Which is exciting, because you gotta know it’s gonna happen SOMETIME. Anyway, I came across a gorgeous video on YouTube by KillerPandaJr, set to the Florence and the Machine song “Cosmic Love” (video below). This got me to thinking of what Damon might give to Elena for Valentine’s Day. Which got me shopping. And that’s always fun for me.
The restrictions I set for myself:
- Nothing too cheesy. - No necklaces, since Elena already has one she always wears. - I have to see a way for the writer’s to make it happen that Damon would give this to Elena, even as their relationship is now. - Steer clear of things he would only give anonymously.
So, I hope you like how I did! Let me know – but be gentle! I included some things that have an antique feel so that Damon could put them in a box and perhaps say they were Katherine’s and she should have them since she’s Elena’s great-great-great-great-great grandmother. The sleep mask is something I can see him passive aggressively giving her with a comment about how if she’s going to hang out with Stefan all night she’ll have t ... Read More
The Relaxed Refinement of a Shawl
Thursday, January 28th, 2010
I’m sitting here wearing my Grandmother’s shawl. I’m sure you’re gearing up for some weepy story – I don’t have one. But you at least expect me to tell you the many tales of some ancient shawl and what it means to me. And I don’t have anything like that to share. Not really. See, this particular shawl is still new-ish. It’s light blue, and the quality isn’t amazing – I’m sure it was around $30.00. So it’s not a sentimental item. But the idea of the shawl is what appeals to me. I love that my Grandmother probably bought this as her version of a snuggie, shortly before she passed away in October 09.
I love that I always wanted to grow up to be a girl that could wear a shawl. ( I guess in my mind I sort of wanted to be a gypsy, actually – but I digress!) And wearing it reminds me of one of my favorite places (a place I used as ‘my favorite plate’ for my 4th grade book writing project) – my Grandparent’s house in Illinois. It was like some magical cottage. There was this garden – and a grandfather clock, and ornate mirrors hung over marbled floors. And the kitchen had baskets hung from the ceiling. It was the most satisfying place to visit, and also remember. So I wear this shawl, and I remember. And the more I think about shawls in general, the more I think that everyone should invest in one. They’re the perfect thing to wear, they make you feel happy and comforted – like a hug. And really, who doesn ... Read More
Anyanka’s Amulet (Green is the New Thing!)
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
The Anyanka Amulet from BigBadToyStore.com.
For fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, they know all about Anya’s amulet. (Or Anyanka, as was her full name when she was a vengeance demon!) But you don’t need to be a fan of Buffy or Anya or know anything about that to appreciate the beauty of a gorgeous green pendant necklace. And if you ARE a fan, and had considered buying the replica – I think you’ll find it’s more meaningful to have something that’s unique and a little less, erm… generic’. Plus, the finds I have put in this post are much less expensive than the replicas you can find online.
Perfect Drop, sterling silver and Labradorite necklace
From BlackDaisyDesigns on Etsy
... Read MoreMarilyn Monroe’s Dress – Affordable for YOU
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
In the movie Gentleman Prefer Blondes Marilyn Monroe wears an iconic gold, pleated halter dress by Travilla. Of course, you know that Monroe was in another movie called The Seven Year Itch wear she wore a white halter dress that she had trouble keeping down around her legs. What do I do with all of my nonsense information about dresses like this? I put them to good use, like when I spotted a pleated metallic cocktail dress on Amazon that was ON SALE for $34.99 which I could see any glamazon like Monroe wearing. It looks like a mesh of her two most iconic dresses. In this way, you can copy Marilyn’s dress without looking like you’re wearing a Halloween costume.
Pleated Metallic Stretch Holiday Pa ... Read More
‘Bright Star’ DVD Giveaway!
Monday, January 25th, 2010
“Let this sparkling gem of romance illuminate your heart.”
Have you seen the movie Bright Star? I’ve already put it on my Netflix Que because of friend recommendations. If you like romance, great literature, and beautiful things then I believe you’ll find this a treasure of a movie. And one lucky reader of ShesSmart.com will be winning the Bright Star DVD to add to their DVD collection. Bright Star was released on DVD on January 26th, so buy a copy if you aren’t a winner!
BRIGHT STAR SYNOPSIS: From Academy Award® winning writer/director Jane Campion (Best Original Screenplay, The Piano, 1993) comes an extraordinary film based on the true story of undying love between renowned poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw, The International) and his spirited muse Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish, Stop-Loss). In the wilds of 19th century England, a forbidden passion draws the two lovers ever closer—even as fate conspires to tear them apart. Bright Star takes you to a world where, though life may be fleeting, great art – and great love – last forever. Let this sparkling gem of romanc ... Read More
Reasons to Like Winter
Sunday, January 24th, 2010
"The Quiet Time" by Kim Zarney
Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. ~Edith Sitwell
I suspect I’m not alone in having trouble enduring the winter months with a constant smile. These months of January, February, and March can seem truly bleak at times. We forget how often our surroundings affect us. The first snow we get seems magical, it’s clean and new. But then it mixes with dirt and turns to hopeless gray slush, leaving car windows and new winter boots spattered with salt and ice.
We really need a way to appreciate winter. Some sort of…mantra, to remind ourselves when we’re cleaning off cars in below 30 temperatures. Artist Kim Zarney seems beauty in these months. He told the Cleveland Botanical Garden that, “For me, the most interesting time of year is the quiet time —late fall, the dead of winter, and the very early days of spring. The time when the trees are bare, the underbrush is tangled, and the landscape finally opens up to reveal shapes and patterns hidden all summer.”
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Which Pic Makes You Wanna Buy Demi Moore’s Perfume?
Sunday, January 24th, 2010
So, this ad came out with Demi Moore for the perfume “Wanted”. And I guess there’s a before picture that was tweeted by Ashton Kutcher and people are quick to compare. I think there’s a problem with trying to compare these photos since the poses are different, and the ad of course uses photoshop effects, not to mention that we do expect a bit of photoshopping. The effect for the ad was to be radiant, etc. I understand that. But at what point do they start making a person look unreal? Is Moore even very recognizable in the first picture? They pay big bucks to get her, and then they alter everything about her! The only difference I see? A Kabballah bracelet was removed for the ad.
NY Mag noted these differences (also where the picture is from)
• Her cleavage appears sculpted and inflated. • Her armpit is missing a prominent wrinkle. • Her sternum has disappeared. • Her hair is smoother and more voluminous. • Her neck ... Read More
Shea Terra Organics Review & Giveaway!
Saturday, January 23rd, 2010
Your skin can feel like a baby again, without resorting to those Heidi Pratt tactics of plastic surgery and other weird stuff! Picture: paulandaline on Flickr.
I am typing this after soaking in a bath, and luxuriously pampering myself with Shea Terra Organics products as though I were in a spa. I have a fluffy robe, and ambient music – I can fake the spa feeling! Especially when I have such amazing products at my hands. (Hands which are already feeling softer – but more on that later!)
We’ve mentioned the Shea Terra Organics line before, because it’s a brand we’ve used and absolutely trust and believe in. Also, almost more than makeup, at ShesSmart.com we care about healing and nourishing our skin (we would like to avoid all botox injections). We want to treat our skin from H-T (head to toe) as Tyra Banks would say when she tells her models to go about modeling. The best way to go about treating your skin is with natural products, or eco-friendly products as they say. Whatever you want to call it, if it feels good and works, and you can ... Read More
