Fabulous Fall Festivities

There is no doubt that it's fall--and how fabulous fall is! I lived in Southern California for the last five years, so the fact that I now live in a place where there actually are seasons, (and fall is one of the seasons that truly blossoms) I am amazed at how beautifully charming a season it is.

I was invited to a dinner party a few weeks ago, and the couple that invited my husband and I were true "New Englanders" and promptly told us that we had to experience fall in the traditional New England style. We had no idea what that meant, but were instructed to meet them at 2pm at an unidentified address. We showed up to discover that we were meeting them at an apple orchard (Scott's Yankee Farmer)! We had never been to one, but boy what an experience we were in for (plus it was a perfect 74 degrees and a gorgeous clear blue sky)!

We met up with the kind couple that shared with us that we were to help pick apples (for the apple crisp that would be our dessert). Now I don't know about you, but I have never had an apple freshly picked, and when I say it was the crunchiest, sweetest, most beautifully colored apple I have ever had--I am not exaggerating! Empire apples were my favorite--but there were about 6 other kinds of apples that were dripping from every branch of every tree for as far as the eye could see. The insanely sweet smell in the air filled your nostrals and was like a light perfume that kept luring you back to the tree for more! I don't have to tell you that our basket was full of apples in a matter of minutes--they were all so gorgeous that you didn't want to pass any up!

After we finished, we were instructed to stay along for the tractor ride, the cornfield maze and a trip to the pumpkin patch to pick a fresh pumpkin. Now I am a city girl, and our pumpkins have always come from the grocery store or farmer's market--so actually seeing a pumpkin patch like in Cinderella was so amusing that I felt like a little girl again!

Here are some of the pictures from our day...

One other fall highlight that I have enjoyed this year is the Roger Williams Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular in Warwick, Rhode Island. I'm talking pumpkins carved like you have never seen--somewhere around 5,000 to be exact! This event attracts over 80,000 visitors annually over the course of the month of October, and we had the privelige of witnessing it first hand! Check out our favorites--yes all of these are carved, 100% REAL pumpkins!

and for the full effect watch the video...

Be sure to look into whats happening in your neck of the woods and discover some of the festivals and celebrations that make this season something that we are all so thankful for...hurry--before the season is over!!

Also stay tuned for my favorite ways to wear a scarf for Fashion Fridays!!

Love,
Rose

Beauty: Make-Up Kandee/Halloween Special

Happy almost Halloween!

Since one of the most festive holidays is around the corner, and people are making final decisions about the possible looks they will be creating, I thought this would be a fun blog. Make-up allows costumes to come to life, and I am going to share my favorite online tutorials by my personal favorite make up artist Kandee Johnson.

I never claimed to be a make-up guru because the truth is--I have no idea what I am doing! BUT a long time ago I discovered (and stuck with) an extremely talented professional. She goes by "Kandee the Makeup Girl"! You may have heard/discovered her.

Kandee does every kind of look you can imagine, and in a time where there are millions of "make up tutorials" by thousands of different people--this woman by far is the BEST!! Anytime I need a "look", I You Tube what I am looking for + "Kandee" and I find it. Her steps are easy to follow, she names all products that she uses, and the videos are to the point (she edits out all the down time). She even has her own blog (I posted a link at the end).

Check out some of my hand picked Halloween "looks" and 2 bonus Non-Halloween looks.

Enjoy!

Snow White: (to skip her singing go to 2:08)



Tinkerbell:



Cleopatra:



Princess Jasmine:



Mad Hatter:



Avatar Neytiri:




She has a great Pin-up Series (here is one):



Smoky Eye (one of my favs!):



Check Kandee Johnson out on her blog --> HERE

Let me know how it goes!

Love,

Rose

Fashion Fridays: Fall Essentials--5 Pieces To Add to Your Wardrobe Now

Fall is around the corner gals...so I will make this short and sweet--here are my personal top 5 staples for your closet for the season:



If you are classic...

1. Fitted blazer


2. Sheath dress - channel Michelle O


3. Pearls - nothing says feminine and classic like a good pair of pearls (you can modernize them with a modern take on pearls--pearls in a different color, or with a different drape/multiple strings of pearls)

4. Over sized leather bag

5. Your favorite jeans --the kind that make you feel like a million bucks!






If you are trendy...

1. Anything jewel toned – think ruby, emerald, sapphire, or amethyst - here is a cute ruby frock from Tulle - click here to see more

2. Infinity scarf or over sized scarf - these are two of my favs!

3. Military/utility jacket - I LOVE mine and you can throw it over anything--a cute dress or your favorite skinnys.

4. A flirty party dress - try bolder colors--fall is not all about neutrals anymore--show of your personality with a fun print and some tights.

5. Flat Rider Boot. This boot screams sexy and chic. Check some out!

Abstract silk ruffle dress $32.80 Forever21.com

The utility style jacket is shown above $44.99 The Gap

Chunky Oversized scarf $35.00 Tulle

Kailia Riding Boot $117.50 Endless.com

Cutout Bowback Dress $58.00 Tulle

See more ways to put these items together by clicking the "Fashion Finds & Looks" tab at the top. Ladies, start your layering!

Love,
Rose

Fashion Fridays: For Darlings and Divas, Fall Essential: The Rain Boot

A recent spotlight on the new up and coming Tween blog DREW, (imbee’s information hub for the latest in music, film & TV, gadgets, gaming, sports, style and even politics)--caused me to think about how I would style myself if I was a tween (age 9 to 12).

If it was dreary outside or the forecast called for rain, I would definately add my own personal style to my school uniform or my weekend get up by adding a fun rain boot! And now that I think about it, why not add a fun rain boot as an adult (I do!)?

The rain boot is a continued trend from 2008 and 2009 and I am starting to see more variety pop up at stores everywhere! There are basic black for those who like to keep it simple (yet practical), but now there are also plaids, polka dots, psychedelics, and stripes--you name it and I have seen it! Pair them with skinny jeans, a printed scarf and an oversized bag for the perfect look (we know fall is the new spring anyway!)

If you have children, what a fun way to wear a trend together! Picture a little girl with pink boots, or a little boy with yellow and a mom with the Burberry print--how cute!

Rain boots are a fun way to stay young and to keep the whimsy in fashion. Like they say so often on the hit show Project Runway--"lighten up--it's just fashion!"

Have fun this weekend guys--I'm supposed to go to a Hot Air Balloon Festival--I'm excited!

Oh--by the way, all boots pictured are available at TJMaxx RIGHT NOW for $16.99 to $29.99

Splash it up!

Love,

Rose

Fashion Fridays: Color Me Bad- Nail Colors for Fall

These days it is more and more common to see people showing off their natural, shorter nails in brighter and non traditional colors! How fun, right? But how do you know which colors would best suit you? You will have your answer soon...

*side note* I have never really been into acrylic both for the damage to your nails and the price. The cool thing about natural nails is that it doesn't have to be expensive and you can express your personality or mood through color far more frequently!

*Back to the point * Oftentimes colors are recommend based on skin tone (light, medium, dark), but I believe that is the wrong way. I think you should pick nail colors and consider your undertones-- the same way that you pick your makeup. For example, some people have yellow undertones, some have red, and some have blue.

My favorite brand of nail polish is OPI (in my opinion the best quality, best color range and the most original names guaranteed to make you smile).

OPI just debuted their "Swiss Collection" for fall....*side note* Every so often OPI comes out with new collections with an overall theme (like India or South Beach) but these themes really don't mean anything--just inspiration for naming the colors. I am convinced that the colors are not new, just old colors repackaged with new names!

I don't want to limit your interest in any of these colors so just scroll through and pick your favorites without any guidelines. Here are the 12 new colors for fall (note the "Swiss" names underneath):

Diva of Geneva . Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous . Glitzerland



I’m Suzi & I’m a Chocoholic . From A to Z-urich . Color So Hot it Berns



Just a Little Rösti at This . William Tell Me About OPI . Ski Teal We Drop



Yodel Me on My Cell . The Color to Watch . Cucoo for This Color

OPI retails for between $6 to $8 dollars a bottle at Sephora, Ulta or sometimes even the grocery store. If this is a little pricey (or you don't have access to these stores) you can go with some of the polishes at your local drug store. I have had great experiences with Sally Hansen's HD nail color, and Complete Salon Manicure (Fairy Teal shown at the very top)--they have a variety of great, long lasting colors and retail for between $3-$6.

I have recently taken to Milani's "Liquid Metal" collection shown below. "Ms Milani" (far left) is a beautiful pewter color that will work great for fall and retails for about $3-$5 at CVS. They also have a dope "neon line" that I hear lasts long too.

I'm sure you may be expecting some more guidelines on how to choose the color for you like "cool undertones stick to cool colors" and vice versa, but honestly now that I think about it--I don't think there should be any rules! Like I said consider your undertones, but don't limit yourself. Try out what colors you are drawn to or curious about and if it scares you after 48 hours--change it. If all 10 fingers being painted scare you--just paint a couple nails in each of the colors you are considering and wear them around for the day to see how you feel.

If any, there should be some guidelines on HOW to wear the colors. Colors can really enhance a look--and you have to decide if you want a bright pop, a metallic edge, or a classic look. What you want may change daily--and that's totally fine!

*quick example* If you are going out--try something edgy or funky--something you normally wouldn't--and if you hate it in the morning--change it! Or if you are going for a vintage look--try a bold traditional color like a deep red to set off your polka dots and pin curls.

*personal story* I was always scared of reds--but I tried a modern spin on red to go with a festive frock (OPI's "Cajun Shrimp" --similar to "Color So Hot it Berns") and after the initial shock--I loved it. So be adventurous!

Consider what look you are going for and take it there (including hair & make up). The important thing is that you love it--who cares about everyone else ;)


Happy painting!

Love,
Rose

P.S. Share you favorites in the comments