Tuesday, September 25, 2012

WIWW aka What I Wore Wednesday.

I've been meaning to join in on this for a while, and apologize to those who participate weekly. I've been delayed. I'm still getting into the swing of things since my original blog imploded. I know it's not fair to gawk at all of your fabulousness and not ante up myself. Here goes...

But keep those expectations low...

If you aren't familiar with WIWW, it stands for "What I Wore Wednesday". It all started with Lindsay over at The Pleated Poppy. I'll quote her intro for the week...

"welcome to “what i wore wednesday“!

as a stay-at-home mom, getting in a fashion rut is so easy. actually, staying in my jammies is even easier. but… i feel so much better when i get dressed each day, when i like what i’m wearing, when i feel “cute”. and getting an extra head turn from my husband is pretty nice, too!

i’m a real mom, i need to wear realistic clothes. i’m down on the floor with the kids, chasing runaways, and getting sticky hands wiped on my thighs – i need clothes that work for my life. my clothes aren’t fancy. i don’t shop high end. but its so fun trying to make it work (i’ve got project runway playing in the background right now!)."



WIW to church.

Knit "Favorite T" from the Gap. Always available, though not enough colors...
Floral Skirt from the Gap, years ago.
Nude pumps-No idea on the brand and they're upstairs. 2-3 years old anyway.
Necklace-Medina Bib Stella & Dot


WIW on a typical day.

Above and below, same outfit in general.

Gap 1969 trouser jeans
Gap Favorite T
Jewelry (with brown T) Gitane Necklace, Aura Necklace, Secret Garden Cuff 
All Jewelry Stella & Dot

Clothing same as above.  
Jewelry (with Navy T) Rio Triple Strand necklace (Currently on Clearance.)  Stella & Dot.



WIW to Small Group with friends/Play Date
Button down shirt-Old Navy 
Jeans (Diva Fit) Old Navy
Scarf Target years ago
Belt Talbots clearance last year
Jewelry Stella & Dot Folie Necklace, Serenity Stone earrings, and Foundation bracelet.


Linking up at The Pleated Poppy

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Stella & Dot Foundation

See some of the great work that our Stella & Dot foundation is doing! If you're interested in supporting this great cause by purchasing a piece for yourself, or as a gift for someone special, use the following link to jump to my open trunk show within my Stella & Dot website.

Thanks for watching!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xErkGKT4mA&feature=share&list=UL0xErkGKT4mA

Friday, August 31, 2012

Look what I found.

I have a smattering of knock-out rose bushes right off my deck. They start at the bottom of the deck stairs. Guess what likes to hang out on my roses, right at waist level, at the bottom of my stairs?



Creepy, but beautiful at the same time. And that's really saying something. I'm VERY afraid of spiders. I have to admit, however, that this one is full of such vibrant color and detail. Even I can appriciate it's appearance.

As long as it doesn't touch me.

Ever.

At all.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Your local library.

Have you been to your local library lately? It's something to think about. Consider the following...

It's free.

It's a clean, bright, happy place to take your kids.

There are all sorts of programs, story hours, and events geared toward youngsters. We enjoyed the "Touch a Truck" and "Reptile Wrangler" events at our local spot this summer. What little kid wouldn't want to sit in a fire truck or see animals up close?

Or maybe you need to escape from your kiddos. Maybe you're pulling your hair out, wishing for a bit of quiet time. Why not load up your thermos with your home brewed coffee and head to the library rather than paying out the wazoo to read at the local coffee shop? (Not that I'm against coffee shops. I worked at such a place in college. The smell, and the music, and the PASTRY. Delightful. However, it is a bit nuts if you're on a strict budget or unemployed/underemployed.)

Free internet.

TONS of magazines. You probably subscribe to your favorites, but why not peruse something new? Why buy the magazine on a whim in the checkout line, when in reality you will only have interest in reading one or two articles? Take a gander at the average cost of a magazine at the grocery. You may assume it's only a dollar or two, but most are between 4 and 6 bucks. Some are even more! Is finding out Brad and Angelina's latest baby acquisition or reading about the latest beauty gimmick worth all that? For example, I love InStyle magazine. In contrast, many fashion mags are quite pricey and are 75% ads. I'd rather subscribe to InStyle (subscriptions are cheap!) and check out the competitors at the library.

There are DVDs and audiobooks galore. You can even check out ebooks for your ipad or reading device. Your local library is likely much more modern than you think.

Folks there are so darn happy to see you. Before the economy took a dive, libraries were pretty lonely places. With the current economy, it seems that we are all rediscovering what has been there all along. No one is happier about that than your local librarian.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Italian Bronze ~ Secret Garden Collection.

One of my favorite collections from the new fall line is the Secret Garden collection. I love all of the Italian bronze pieces. If you're new to the metal in jewelry making, let me fill you in. Bronze is a keepsake metal, and shares many of the same properties as sterling silver. Like sterling, it can develop a patina over time, and can be easily polished back to it's original color and luster with a clean polishing cloth. No chemicals needed. Learn more about the individual pieces in the video below, featuring Blythe Harris, our Cheif Creative Officer with Stella & Dot.

Friday, August 17, 2012

If you're a Casper...

I'm really pale. When I'm all made up, I don't look quite as blue pale, but I am. I have two drugstore staples that I love. Both by Revlon. First is Revlon Bellini gloss. Part of the Color Burst collection.

It's not showy, but it warms up the purpley tone to my lips. I don't usually wear a lot of color on my lips, much to my best friend's annoyance. This gloss feels good, is very natural, and doesn't smell.

I like to wear a stronger eye look, and it lasts so much longer than anything on your lips. I don't care what the branding says, the longer a lip product lasts on your lips, the weirder it tends to feel. I'm a Carmex fan. A Lip Smacker fan. However, I look much better if I can tone down that cool color on my lips. This gloss does it.

That's not to say that I never wear lipstick. I certainly do. But it's more of a Sunday for church kinda thing.

The second product, recently shared on my FB page, is Sheer Petal nail polish. Makes your nails look perfect. Lightens any staining or yellow tinge to your nails, but isn't opaque or odd looking on pale skin. Pictures below.

(Please excuse my hair, I've been cleaning house and taking care of someone with a tummy ache.) Also, sorry about the floating head look in these phone pics. Not sure what's going on there...

Rigatoni Cake

Earlier this week, my Mom kept the boys while I headed south for a photo shoot. I had the pleasure of coming home to Rigatoni cake. It's a Martha recipe, see link below. Tip from Mom, go heavy on the sauce...

http://www.marthastewart.com/356443/baked-rigatoni-cake

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Some thoughts on the Olympics.

Some random thoughts on the Olympics...

The Olympic rings becoming fireworks in the opening ceremonies was AWESOME!

The teenage romance montage...um...wasn't.

Wish the opener had been more visual, less literary. Is it just me? Folks fake working? All of those kiddos jumping on beds, and jumping, and jumping. Thought that was never going to end.

Michael Phelps. I feel so bad for him. So much pressure, and expectation. You're doing a great job, but you set the bar SO HIGH last time. Might have been better to go out on top?

The ladies swim suits. The racers have suits that go down to their knees. The synchronized swimmers have over half of their hineys hanging out. What's going on here? And how about some COLOR?

Why must all of the gymnasts have a bazillion little barrettes in their hair? It's not necessary, no matter how many layers you have, so they must think it looks good? Really? Really? Is the glitter hair gel not enough?

Speaking of gymnasts, I want gymnast legs. In my dreams. Don't you? WOW. Or diver's legs. Claude have mercy. So tone. And no veins. Cellulite? What's that? They have no idea.

Okay, on with the show. Back to swimming...

Saturday, July 28, 2012

'Loving florals...' by ThatRedHeadedSC

The zinnias are blooming, the summer is in full swing, and I'm obsessed with florals. Here are a few etsy items that caught my eye. It's never too early to make a Christmas wish list, is it?


Flower Belt Buckle Brown Lea...
$42.00

Pink Green floral Apron, Pin...
$29.95

floral tea towels (set of 3)
$30.00

5 Ruffled Burgundy Zinnia Pa...
$2.25

Floral Bag- RED Flower- REUS...
$18.00

Small Quilled Purple Potted ...
$12.00

Felt Brooch White Narcissus
$33.00

Floral Magnet "Seeds Yo...
$8.00

Quilled Yellow Flower Hair S...
$5.00

Red zinnia
$5.00

Just a Note with Glittering ...
$10.00

Morning Glory...Embroidered ...
$4.00

morning glories embroidered ...
$12.00

Felt brooch Blue Flower
$39.00

Orange and pink floral, hand...
$23.00

Felt flower brooch turquoise...
$34.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Tribute for a cure!

Proceeds from the sale of the Tribute Bracelet, throughout the weekend, will benefit research for the cure of Ovarian Cancer. What a stylish way to support a great cause!

This bracelet looks great on its own, or layered with other pieces to create an "arm party" layered wrist. I wear mine with our beautiful new rose gold lace cuff. The faceted hematite beads have a perfect amount of sparkle to be dressed up or down. Adjustable to fit S-L wrists.

Shop my Stella & Dot site at www.stelladot.com/redheadedstepchildand select Fall Open House at checkout.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Mr Clean is awesome.

See what a magic eraser can do for a dirty stained sink? If you're a coffee person, you should really try this. You have no idea how stained your sink is... The picture says it all...

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Recent Photography









Countdown to the Fall Collection!

Countdown to the new Fall Collection from Stella & Dot!  So excited to see all of the new styles, loving the sneak peaks that I've seen so far!  Check out this teaser video.  This will have to hold you over until the line launches on Saturday morning.  Enjoy!  ~Red