Style Guide: Fall 2013 Trends & Makeup tips

Photo Image: Vogue (Spain) 1: Wet & dry shadow // 2: Too Faced bronzer // 3: Tom Ford lip color // 4: Peplum blouse // 5: Chandelier earrings // 6: Cocktail ring

Browns, blues and greens are going to be the trend colors for Fall this year. I am ecstatic! I, myself, am a little coral-ed out. As much as I love coral, I feel I wear it every year. I need a change.

I loved this image from Vogue and how they stepped out of the traditional black smokey eye and went with a rich, chocolate smokey eye instead. The dark-eyed look is kept fresh by being paired with a crisp white blouse, and accented with accessories from this years Fall color trends.

Makeup tips:

Be sure to use a nude lipstick or other soft color. Either play up the eyes or play up the lips. Don't do both. Remember, less is more. You don't want to look like you're wearing too much makeup.

Get yourself a set of falsies. Really play up your smokey eye this year with lush false lashes.

For more makeup tips follow along with your favorite beauty bloggers. 

So much love from me to you today!!!
Steph

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Living room inspiration ... HELP!

House Beautiful

I've been doing a lot of pondering over how I to style my living room. It has sat untouched, mostly filled with the secondhand items I've looted over the past several months. Before moving, my grandparents gave me a vintage sofa set. Vintage and velvet, hells ya! I love it! I do not love that it is tan, though. I also do not love that they match. I want them coordinating, not matching.

I decided to start with the sofa first. And I immediately turned to my BFF, Candace. Of course she knows me well, and suggested I reupholster the sofa in bright turquoise or teal. I FELL IN LOVE WITH THAT IDEA! More so when I saw this image from Home Beautiful with the deep turquoise sofa accented with the silver table. I had already wanted to redo my coffee table silver. (My main theme throughout my home is "Mixed Metals" with splashes of color.) Nothing like having my thought process confirmed by designers. Thank you, designer, for testing the waters for me. Much appreciated!

Here en-lies my problem, and where I need your advice, dear readers. I live in a small town and have no vehicle, so I can't go gallivanting all over NC to find a fabric shop that sells turquoise velvet upholstery fabric. So I need to buy online. Did you know turquoise velvet upholstery fabric isn't quite as dime-a-dozen as, say, black, brown or gray? Yeah ... I do now. 

Joann Fabric 

The best I could find is this swatch from Joann's. Retail price .... $64.99/yd. WHAT THE BLEEP?!! Even with a 40% off coupon I'm still looking at over $585 to reupholster this. That is definitely not within my budget anytime soon. Single momma of three here!

House Beautiful

I thought maybe I could compromise and just do the cushion, leaving the rest tan. I know I can throw in more splashes of color with accent pillows. My fear is that it will lose that richness I'm going for. I found this image on Beautiful Home, too, where a designer did something similar to what I had in mind with patio furniture. But you can see a huge difference in style. This has more of a beachy feel, which is not what I am going for. And what about my silver table? It seems I would lose the mixed metal effect by having my sofa tan.

Here is what I'm asking:

Does anyone know of an online retailer that sells the fabric I'm looking for at a more affordable price?

What are your thoughts on my alternative idea? Do you agree with the difference in design styles? And losing the silver effect?

Any other alternative suggestions?

I am stumped. A little disheartened. But determined and anxious! You wouldn't happen to know any design genie's, would you?

Lots of love and Monday greetings!

Steph

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Lady Etiquette: Be a lady, not a gossip

Sure, you can have it. Scroll down ...

I know it's been a while since we first addressed the Lady Etiquette series. It is something I feel deserves a lot of thorough consideration, as our goal is to uplift others with it. Today's encouragement comes straight from God's mouth.

1 Thessalonians 4:11:

"Make it your ambition to live a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands."

I recite this verse like a mantra in my home. Every time one of my children tattles on the other, I simply respond with this verse. When they begin talking about what one of their friends/classmates did to get into trouble, I respond with this verse. It's one of my favorite verses. I honestly believe being a busy-body and a gossip is one of the most unattractive things a woman (or anyone) can do. It goes back to holding yourself to high level of respect. Not necessarily being self-righteous, but rather exercising a shred of meekness.

It seems I've been saying it a lot lately, more to adults, however, than to my children. I keep getting told everyone else's business in some way or another, which I don't care to hear (or read). In a day and age with Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc., it's so easy for our personal business to be aired all over the place. 

Keep your private life private. 

Don't over-share. 

Don't share others' private business. It's their business to share, not yours. 

If others are spreading rumors, saying nasty, hateful things, do not allow that poisonous talk to seep into your thinking. 

There is no need for you to concern yourself with other people. You only need to worry about yourself. 

Keep your eyes focused on your tasks and your goals. 

Inspire others by encouraging them to grow in character and abound in faith!

1 THESSALONIANS TYPOGRAPHY DOWNLOAD

Or you can use my chalkboard background and create your own graphic designs!

CHALKBOARD BACKGROUND DOWNLOAD

Oodles of love!

Steph

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