Wednesday, March 24, 2010

"Green" Wedding Dresses ... For Real!



I adore wedding dresses and love browsing the internet and magazines seeking out my favorites to ooh and ahh over. The most perfect job for me in all the world would be to accompany brides on the hunt for THE perfect wedding gown that, not only suits the style of their wedding, but that best compliments their shape. How fun would that be!

I came across a designer who's dresses I really like and who is doing something a little different. So what so different? She is using recycled materials in her wedding gowns! How cool is that? Deborah's wedding gowns are eco friendly or "green". So, what does "green" mean? Green means the dresses were made through environmentally and conscious means.

Here's some info on Deborah you just might find interesting if you love wedding dresses.

Deborah Lindquist raised a few eyebrows when she launched a day-wear line made exclusively from recycled fabrics in 1983, long before the terms “eco” and “green” had been coined. Raised on a farm in Willmar, Minnesota, surrounded by gardens, orchards, and cornfields, Lindquist was 5 years old when her grandmother taught her to sew. “Life on the farm sparked my respect for the Earth, and I knew that if I was to make an impact in the fashion world, I would have to do so in a manner that remained true to my love for the environment,” says the 52-year-old.

Lindquist highlighted a 2005 fashion show with a wedding dress made of hemp that drew national interest – from brides who read about it in blogs to a USA Today article on help farming that featured it. So in 2007, Deborah launched a green wedding collection made entirely of recycled materials, hemp blends, and soy silks.

If the idea of wearing hemp conjures up thoughts of scratchy ill-fitted clothing, brides can rest assured that these luxurious, highly stylized gowns are more suitable for a walk down the red carpet than a stroll up Haight-Ashbury. Lindquist’s dresses have a romantic, feminine feel with a bit of an edge. Detailed lace, beadwork, and ribbons embellish her creations with an air of elegance, while flirtatious bustiers and corsets lend a cutting-edge aesthetic. In an era when greening your wedding is oh so stylish, her designs allow you to wear that environmental commitment – and look good every step of the way.
Deborah Lindquist, North Hollywood, CA, 818-762-7199, deborahlindquist.com, $935–$3,000

To find out more about Deborah and here line of wedding gowns and clothing check out her site at: www.deborahlindquest.com

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Photography Makeup Guide



I'm sure you will agree, we all look better wearing a little makeup. Makeup applied properly enhances a person's natural beauty. With wedding and portrait season upon us I thought I would share some practical makeup tips.

Photography Makeup Guide
Looking good on camera doesn't require a makeup artist, but professional makeup tips help. Even if you prefer a natural look, the camera tends to exaggerate flaws and create artificial ones. Who needs that? These camera-friendly makeup tips focus on makeup application that enhances rather than detracts from your looks.

Makeup tips for camera include an array of corrective and dramatic effects as well as simply enhancing one's natural appearance. The key is to consider that images are two dimensional, so shadows and highlighted areas may need to be emphasized, de-emphasized or even simulated, for the best overall effect.

1. Skin, The Canvas: Before you apply makeup, start with smooth, toned and moisturized skin. If necessary, give yourself a facial or scrub treatment.Chances are if you don't exfoliate daily or weekly, your skin is covered in dead skin cells that are mucking up the surface of your skin and causing your skin to not only look dull, but older as well. Without proper exfoliation, foundation won't smooth over your skin cleanly and moisturizer won't properly soak in.
Exfoliate with face scrubs, microderm abrasion, chemical peels, beta alpha hydroxy pads or any Vitamin A product like Retin-A.
This minimizes uneven or artificial looking makeup application and promotes a healthy, glowing look.

2. Minimize Shadows: As photos are two-dimensional, the camera ages subjects by enhancing dark, fine lines and wrinkles. To compensate, gently apply a lighter shade of concealer makeup to darker areas: around the eyes, crevices and expression lines. Using upward strokes, next apply a light layer of foundation makeup over the face including lips. Blend makeup at the edges. Except for corrective work, use foundation makeup colors closely matching the natural skin color.
3. Bronze or Blush: Various makeup effects can be achieved with blush. Bronzer makeup powder is widely successful and produces a natural or lightly sculpted look, depending on its application.

4. To apply powder blush: blow off excess from the brush and apply lightly to cheekbones and above the outer corners of eyes to the temple. For a makeup application guide, make a wide peace sign with a hand. Rotate 90 degrees towards your nose. Palms out, place the point of the "V" at your hairline and align with the corner of your eye and the bottom finger resting on the cheekbone. Focus color at or one finger below this area on the cheek, and at or above this area around the eyes. Apply a second thin layer on checks and blend lightly at edges as needed.

* **Additional makeup tip: Bronzer makeup can also be applied along the sides of the nose to minimize width. And, a darker shade of blush applied under the cheekbones produces more definition.

5. Eyes and Lines: Unless you like the look, or have the eyes for it, avoid harsh lines, or the raccoon look, it makes the eyes look smaller and deeper set. Try a smoky-colored eyeliner pencil, and smudge a bit if necessary. With liquid eyeliner, an option is to dot the eyeliner next to the eyelash base rather than create a solid line. For a different look, limit liquid eyeliner application to the top eyelid and/or the outer corners of the eyes. Smoky eye shadow applied above the eyelids and blended with the outer corners of the eyes also creates a desirable effect; a highlighted brow area enhances this effect.
* **Additional makeup tip: To soften lines, lightly swipe the lid and brow area once or twice with a powder makeup brush dipped in light pink blush.

6. Lips: Most lips benefit from definition, even when lipstick is not generally used. For a natural but polished look, try a shade or two darker than your lip color, apply lip pencil, smudge lips a bit and apply a little gloss, or lipstick.
* **Additional makeup tip: Apply a lighter lip color or gloss only to the center of lips to enhance a pouty look.


7. Powder: When Not to Shine: Apply a light dusting of translucent powder over your face to avoid shine and set makeup. Concentrate on the T-zone as necessary, and apply sparingly to lined or dry areas.
8. Eyebrows: Before applying makeup make sure that the eyebrows are properly shaped as they affect facial expression. For a guide, align a pencil vertically along the edge of nostril and inner corner of the eye. Do the same for the outer corner of the eye. This makes a good start and endpoint for the eyebrow. If the eyebrow arch needs help, align the pencil with the edge of the nostril and the outer edge of the iris to determine the highest point of the arch. Tweeze stray brows outside these areas and use an eyebrow pencil for even more definition. However, it is best to avoid significant tweezing just prior to applying makeup.
9. Red Eyes: To brighten the whites of the eyes and minimize redness line the inner lower eyelid with a light blue eye pencil.

Hope these tips help! Every Saturday during the month of March I will be doing complimentary skin analysis and makeovers. I'm an image consultant with BeautiControl Cosmetics and have been for 15 years. Their skincare products are the best!

To see more of our photography please visit our site at: www.autumnsongphotography.com



Even "mature" skin can have a youthful glow with proper skin care and makeup.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Knits for The Girls


Knitting for girls is so much fun, especially for little ones! There's just so much you can knit for them ... little pocket books, hats, totes, sweaters, sun dresses, etc...

I just finished a sweet little kimono and a beanie hat for Adalei and a darling little hat with a flower for Layla.

It's fun to take a basic hat pattern and add your own design. With Adalei's hat, I added a picot edging to match the edging on the kimono and then added a large flower.

With Layla's hat, I added a little lace look to the edging with the picot border. The purple and pink flower really made it pop! Layla was very specific with her request for a hat with a purple and pink flower.


We have another little blessing on the way in October and we're so excited! I can't wait to knit something special for our newest addition.

God is so good and we continue to thank Him for His many blessings in our lives.

Happy Knitting!

May every stitch you knit bring you a little closer

to that calm, clear space in the center of your soul.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Wedding Shoes ~ 2010 Top Picks

Every young lady has dreamed of the perfect wedding attire for her wedding day. From head to toe, she has imagined herself to be a work of exquisite beauty. Yes, beauty and dreams have to be within our budgets. You may want to be in a Vera Wang gown and Channel shoes but all may not be possible. But it is true, a wedding is a once in a lifetime event and should be as grand as possible.
Do you notice a bride's shoes? I do, they tell me a lot about the bride and her personal style. Finding THE perfect pair of shoes is just as important as finding THE perfect dress.

Here are some of my top picks for 2010 wedding shoes.

1. Pierre Dumas - Excelent $49


2. Badgley Mischka - Tai $200

3. Nina - Elijah $89


4. Badgley Mischka - Randall $200


5. Badgley Mischka - Randee $215

6.Nina - Paladin $89



7. Badgley Mischka - Randee (Pink) $215


8. Badgley Mischka - Randee (White) $215



9. Paris Hilton - Senorita $120


10. Paris Hilton - Destiny $120


11. Diane Hassall - Pompom De Paris $339.01


12. Diane Hassall - Cressida $321.97


13. Diane Hassall - Sweat Briar $323.68


14. Kate Spade - Lover $295




What style is your style?

• Feminine, elegant, ankle straps and dangling rhinestones taking you off to a Cinderella world


• Pink bridal shoes with exquisite pink stone work that refracts a beautiful color of rainbow every time that light reflects from


• Sleek, shiny, thin and tall heels - they are not for the weak-hearted


• Crystal trim, satin work, ivory color or pure white - the elegance of simplicity, the touch of design and exquisite craftsmanship


• Are you more into sandals and pumps - more traditional but with elegance and style without the heels that shows you don't have to wear stilettos to say you know fashion



To view these shoes and more visit www.rainbowclub.co.uk, www.piperline.com and www.myglassslipper.com







Friday, January 29, 2010

Have A Cozy Weekend!

Old Covered Bridge


So what are you up to this weekend? We're expecting to be snowed in with possibly 12 inches of snow! I'm ready for a cozy weekend with Rodney, accompanied by some books from my book list, movies, knitting AND some hearty recipes to cook.

Want to know some books on my reading list?
The Elegance of a Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life Ann Krouse Rosenthal
Tao of Photography by Philippe L. Gross and S. I. Shapiro
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Fearless by Max Lucado
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
The Art Of Racing In The Rain by Garth Stein

Recent books I've read and recommend are:
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers *****
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak *****
A Million Miles In A Thousand Years by Donald Miller *****
Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen ****
The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister ***
Her Fearful Symmetery by Audrey Niffenegger ***

In reading, a lonely quiet concert is given to our minds; all our mental faculties will be present in this symphonic exaltation.
~Stéphane Mallarmé


Rodney and I may venture out on Sunday for some snowy landscape photography. I will definitely pack a thermos of coffee to help warm us!

I hope your weekend is full of coziness and fairy tales.

Frozen Falls at Hanging Rock


"Once in awhile, Right in the middle of an ordinary life, Love gives us a fairy tale."
~Anonymous~

Photography by Rod Slate at www.autumnsongphotography.com

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A Cup Of Java Anyone?

Taking a break from too much time in front of the computer today and enjoying a cup of java. I found myself daydreaming and watching the birds outside my window. What a pleasant break in the day.

The "new" antique cup & saucer in the photograph was a gift from my son and his wife. Isn't it lovely? A very nice, and much loved, addition to my collection.

Just thought I would share the recipe for the afternoon java.

Fireside Coffee
2 cups coffee creamer
1 1/2 cups hot cocoa mix
1 1/2 cups instant coffee
1 1/2 cups sugar (I add less)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Mix 2-3 tablespoons with one cup of hot water and enjoy.

I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee.
~Carly Simon

Friday, December 11, 2009

Joy To The World!


Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

We welcomed sweet Adalei into the world on December 9th and of course, she is beautiful. It has been two weeks since her arrival and all is well. Adalei is so very cuddly and content ... Layla is adjusting well to the new addition and to being a big sister.


We are so very thankful for God's continued blessings in our lives.

I knitted a few things recently as gifts. Still have some projects in the works ... just didn't seem to have enough time to finish them. You know how that is ... never enough hours in a day!



Rodney looks quite dapper in his rustic sweater doesn't he?


There is something quite comforting in the making of homemade bread. It speaks of home and warmth and comfort … and in this case, the holidays. I make a sweet bread, which is more like a pastry, just before Christmas every year. It has become a tradition in my kitchen.The bread is given to friends, neighbors and family (and of course, we keep a few in the freezer for later on) The recipe was shared with me many years ago by my twin sister, Sharon. Just thought I'd share the recipe for any who might want to try it. It is delicious!


Cream Cheese Bread

1cup commercial sour cream

½ cup sugar

1 tsp. salt

½ cup melted butter

2 pkg. dry yeast

½ cup warm water (105-115 degrees)

2 eggs, beaten

4 cups all purpose flour

Heat sour cream over low heat; stir in sugar, salt, butter; cool to lukewarm.

Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a large mixing bowl, stirring until yeast dissolves. Add sour cream mixture, eggs and flour; mix well. Cover tightly, refrigerate overnight or at least 8 hours.

The next day, divide dough into 4 equal parts; roll out each part on a well-floured board into 12x18 rectangles.

Spread ¼ of cream cheese filling on each rectangle and roll up jellyroll fashion, beginning at long sides.

Pinch edges together and fold ends under slightly, place rolls seam side down on greased baking sheets.

Slit each roll at 2 inch intervals about 2/3 of the way through to resemble a braid. Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until doubled in bulk (about 1 hour). Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. Spread with glaze while warm. Yield: 4 loaves

Cream Cheese filling

2 (8oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

¾ cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

1/8 tsp vanilla extract

Combine cream cheese and sugar in a small mixing bowl. Add egg, salt and vanilla; mix well.

Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar

4 tbsp. milk

2 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine and mix well. Drizzle over warm loafs


Hope you all have a very, merry Christmas and remember to take time out in the midst of the hussle and bussle to celebrate the reason for the season. Do you know the greatest gift of all?