Go Outside & Play

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Bored?

Know that you want to be outside doing things because the weather is fabulous, but just don’t know what to do?

Here is a list of 25 awesome things you can do outside, by yourself, or with your friends and family. Get out there and have some fun!

(Obviously, some of these will depend on where you live and what you have access to, but you get the idea…)

  1. Play Frisbee / catch.Go-Outside-And-Play-Button-(0047)
  2. Create a vegetable garden.
  3. Go for a boat ride.
  4. Organize a Softball game.
  5. Take a long walk alone or with someone you love.
  6. Go to the beach.
  7. Play volleyball with friends.
  8. Go for a bike ride.
  9. Volunteer to help clean up a local park / garden.
  10. Go fishing!
  11. Do some outdoor yoga / stretching.
  12. Go swimming, either in the pool or at the beach.
  13. Explore some local wooded trails.
  14. Go hiking in the mountains.
  15. Grab your camera and do a nature photo shoot.
  16. Participate in a 5k or 10k. If you’re really motivated, run a marathon.
  17. Go to a local park and just play!
  18. Have a picnic date with your spouse or significant other.
  19. Read a book outside by the pool, or on the lawn.
  20. Buy a hammock, and take a relaxing outdoor nap.
  21. Landscape your front and back yards.
  22. Teach your child to ride a bicycle (or reteach yourself!)
  23. Throw a warm weather party and grill out!
  24. Have a yard sale.
  25. Take your pet for a long walk / play fetch.

Pocketbook Pretty

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Isn’t it amazing how dirty and ragged your wallet can get after a year? And it always seems to be something that we never enjoy spending money on, even though we use it virtually everyday.

I think part of the drawback is that we feel like it goes inside our handbags, so what does it matter? Well…it does. It matters because you own it and you should love it!

So, take a moment to get organized and get reacquainted with your wallet and the gajillion coupons, credit cards and who knows what else is adding bulk to your wallet / pocketbook. Start fresh and start clean.

Binge! Purge!

And reward yourself with one of these beauties!

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Carlisle Street Stacy
Kate Spade
$128

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Prisoners Isobel
Marc Jacobs
$1,195

Get the ‘LOW’ down

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Sometimes our feet (and calves) just need a break from the added height of a solid 3+ inch pump. Right? Or, if you are like a few friends of mine, maybe you never embrace anything over a petite kitten heel (wimps).

Regardless, there is room in our closets for heels of all shapes and sizes. Don’t discriminate, ladies. You can still ‘rock it’ with a more demur heel. Think of it as part of the ‘ladylike’ trend that is everywhere these days.

The New York Times even did a feature story about the come-back of the low-heeled shoe. click the story to read more about how spring runways for Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu all pioneered the revival of this “low could be the new high” trend.

Inspired (and really just more curious than anything), I decided to do some low-heel-hunting myself.

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BDG Suede Kitten Heel
Urban Outfitters
$49.99

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Quinty
Nine West
$85.00

Warm Weather Comfort

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Dandelion IndoorOutdoor Pillow
Bertie Woodhouse – Etsy

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Decorative Outdoor Pillow in Mango
Artistic Cotton – Etsy

So…who is ready to kick up their feet, soak up some rays, and enjoy a summery drink? If you weren’t ready before looking at these awesome outdoor pillow options, I bet you are now!

If you haven’t already, I am sure you are starting to think about beautifying your outdoor living spaces. Just like indoors, nothing adds new life to your space like some fresh throw pillows! They instantly add some pep, color, pattern and texture to an average space. (Plus, they come in handy when that afternoon summer nap sneaks up on you…)

Spring Nail Color Favs 2013

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I am back with another nail color fav fest! I already shared with you my favorite nail color for the warmer weather months (click HERE to read all about it), but I wanted to touch base with a few friends to see what hues they are rocking now that the sun is out and the cold seems to be behind us!

Are you already loving one of these awesome colors? If not, maybe you will be inspired to try out a new polish and freshen up that manicure — or pedicure! ‘Tis the season to pay extra close attention to those toes!

FIRST TIMER by Essie
Amanda’s pickEssie-Resort-2013-6544
My current favorite spring nail color is “First Timer” from Essie. I’ve been trying to branch out from my usual dark color and this seems to be the perfect hue for me. It’s a really pretty mint with just a hint of seafoam that works with both the fun spring fashion trends and my darker winter clothes that I’m fazing out as the weather (painstakingly slowly) warms up! BONUS: I can usually wear it for a couple days before it starts chip, which for me is a VERY long time.

mugginsMUGGINS - by Butter London
Andrea’s pick
I’m really feeling the purples this season, and I especially love this lilac color from Butter London. I was given a couple shades of Button London as a gift last year, and I’ve loved how well it goes on (and stays on!). The light lilac color looks great with any outfit and is a welcome change from the darker colors I’ve been wearing all winter.

MINT CANDY APPLE by Essie
Cassie’s pick
Essie-Mint-Candy-AppleOne of the best perks of Spring, besides the better weather, has to be the return of colors. By spring I just want dark colors to take a back seat, and its easier changing a dark and dreary nail color than rotating a closet. I like that I can change it whenever I want, and it’s cheaper than a new shirt. Personally, I’m a pink/coral toe girl, but I tend to want something different on my fingers. I check new colors every time I run into a place that carries polish, and Essie’s Mint Candy Apple caught my eye. Its a flat, milky mint, with the perfect tint of green and just the right amount of blue. It’s far from a rich heavy color, and will pop with a tan once summer comes. More importantly, it covers super opaque in two coats, and within 10 minutes. I know it’s hard to set a whole lot of time aside for just my nails, so number of coats and length of dry time are important to me. I like that the polish formula is high quality and doesn’t chip easily. I have a feeling, slowly but surely, I’ll migrate my other “most used colors” to the Essie brand, but this will be my spring time favorite.

13 - 1VANILLA PETALS by Tea Beauty
Katie’s pick
Sun, sand, and summer are the only things on my mind lately! And my favorite nail polish color is following this “good weather” trend. I have been craving sandy colored nail polishes for this season. It is a color that comes in a shade for everyone — it’s simple, and it can adapt from day to night and dressy to casual! As a college student, I am a big fan of the Vanilla Petals from the brand Tea Beauty found at my local drug store. It is bargain price ($4.99!) and comes in a really cute bottle. Sandy colors are a perfect classic look for the summer!

Celebrate Mothers

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happy-mothers-day

My Mother
My Mother, my friend so dear
Throughout my life you’re always near.
A tender smile to guide my way
You’re the sunshine to light my day.
~Author Unknown

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Happy Mother’s Day to my mom
and to all mothers / mother-like figures out there!

Citrus Me

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Have you noticed the lemon & lime trend spring trend?

These springy brights are sure to instantly wake up that wardrobe and will help you mentally emerge from a long winter of color hibernation.

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Lemon Spot Sleeveless Shirt
Dorothy Perkins
$45

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Neon Snake Crossbody
Tory Burch
$295

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Imagine Sandal
Kate Spade
$358

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Perfect Khaki Shorts
Old Navy
sale $15.99

Add some ‘zest’ to your life and some ‘spring’ in your step with lemon & lime colors this season!

Tips from a Master Stylist: Anika Domanico (Vol 2)

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It’s time for another guest blog post from my truly awesome hair stylist, Anika Domanico.  (Read more about Anika HERE in my first post and her salon – Salon Domani!)

TIPS ON HAIR CUTTING TECHNIQUES FROM
MASTER STYLIST, ANIKA DOMANICO:
When getting your hair cut, there is no right or wrong approach, as multiple techniques may be used to achieve similar results. Each approach will vary by hair texture and your desired final product, but there are some basic principles that you should know before committing to a cut.

RAZOR CUTTING
Purpose:Cutting Technique Blog pg. 5
Razor Cutting is a process in which sharp, knife-like razors are use to excise, slice and texturize hair. Using a razor helps to enable more swing and movement in hair styles; a modern, jagged , disheveled line; the ability to redefine the texture of the hair; thinning out thicker textures; shore, messy, and undone hair styles; and beautiful soft-shaped layers. It is a technique used to relieve some of the weight on thick hair. It adds bounciness to curls and movement throughout the hair. Razor cutting will add softness to your facial features.

Recommended:
Any cutting is good for your hair’s health, but using a razor does thin your ends out. So, when heat styling or chemical treatments start to get to it, your already thin ends will split faster than they would had they been blunt cut. Razor cutting isn’t damaging. It can make styling so much easier depending on what type of cut you actually have. It can make your hair hold curl better, and blow drying easier / faster.

Cutting Technique Blog pg. 4

POINT CUTTING
Purpose:
Point cutting is mostly used to soften the bluntness of a haircut. It is a great way to create lots of movement as well. It removes bulk from the ends of the hair so that layers and gradation blend better, creating great movement in the hair. It also prevents hair from falling in heavy, solid lines.

Recommendation:
This cut is appropriate for all types of hair, from fine to thick. Point cutting can be used on men and women and is a wonderful tool if your cut isn’t sitting quite right.

BLUNT CUTTING
Purpose:Cutting Technique Blog pg. 3
The blunt cutting technique is useful for any style that requires the hair to be cut to one length. The result of this technique is an accurate ‘blunt’ line, hence the name (not cutting with blunt scissors!)

Recommendation:
The blunt cutting technique is suitable for all hair types and textures. For example, a blunt bob can make fine, limp locks look lush and full.

Fav Find: Cursive Arts on Etsy (GIVEAWAY!)

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In previous posts, I have mentioned my love of stationary and prints. While hunting for fun, new items on Etsy, I discovered a sweet little shop called Cursive Arts.

Shop owner, Jessica, specializes handprinted notecards, framable prints and one-of-a-kind illustrations. I fell in love with the simplicity of her designs and knew that I had to share this fav find with you!

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That was just a sampling of a few of my favorite prints. Check out Cursive Arts on Etsy to view all of Jessica’s awesome designs.

One lucky reader will win one of Jessica’s prints! Read / click below to enter!

Information about the Cursive Arts giveaway:

1. Click HERE to enter.
2. Contest ends: 5/8/13 at midnight
3. FIVE awesome ways to enter

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A Note from Jessica
I started Cursive Arts back in 2008 or 2009 as a way to sell my illustration, then quickly realized most people cannot afford original art.  In an attempt to discover a way to mass produce art to make it affordable, I discovered block printing. My mother and grandmother in law always told me my art would make gorgeous greeting cards, so somehow that’s what I ended up printing. Though you might notice my illustration has never made it to the front of any greeting cards, I did find a new art form I love and my shop quickly filled with notecards and some block prints. I am trying to get back more toward illustration these days, so keep an eye out for affordable little drawings in my shop, but the lovely, bold notecards and prints will remain.

DISCOUNT FOR ‘AWESOME’ READERS:
Make a purchase from Cursive Arts and receive a 20% discount by using coupon code
INSISTON20PERCENT at checkout.