She is INVINCIBLE!

I found a few summer book reads you need to know about. Growing up and working in Manhattan I discovered the fabulous world of fashion. My two favorite fashion designers in New York were Norma Kamali and Diane Von Furstenberg. I saved $ and saved $ to buy their clothing and accessories!

Norma Kamali recently came out with a book that is a combination of women empowerment,words of wisdom, healthy living tips and beauty and skin care advice. I am still reading it but have learned a lot. As a designer I love this style tip she says “Dress the way YOU FEEL daily”. She’s especially sending a message to baby boomers and seniors. But her fashions and this book are for the younger crowd too.

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

One of the beauty recipes she shares is her favorite of mine too! She suggests you consider DRINKING your salad. Especially if you are on the run and in the midst of a hectic work day.

Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com

TRY making or buying this! A green drink of yumminess!

Photo by Polina Kovaleva on Pexels.com

She also likes to do DIY recipes and use fresh beet juice with coconut oil to stain her lips 👄 with a tint of color. I love to do that too and have making this lip concoction for years.

Beet juice as a lip 👄stain. Yes, please!

Her book is pretty awesome especially for women and coming out of this pandemic. We need to recenter ourselves, focus on what matters and let go of what’s no longer important in our lives anymore.

Be YOU!

Love yourself at any age!

Be invincible!

Did I mention Norma Kamali is 75 years young?

If you love ❤️ all kinds of books! You’ll love this one!

OMFG, You Can Stay in a Lisa Frank Hotel Room and Finally Live Out Your ’90s Rainbow Dreams — StyleCaster

Have you heard the news?

OK, ladies and germs, the best part of the ’90s has officially returned to us: Lisa freakin’ Frank. For those of you who grew up in the ’90s and early aughts, you’ll know just how important Lisa Frank was to anyone’s (or at least anyone who had taste!!) childhood. And now, thanks to the new Hotels.com…

via OMFG, You Can Stay in a Lisa Frank Hotel Room and Finally Live Out Your ’90s Rainbow Dreams — StyleCaster

I so love 💕this!

I used to work for the designer Diane Von Furstenberg in NYC. One thing that stood out with me is her love for 👗 dresses!

After all she created the first wrap dress! I owned so many of them! And felt like a million in them!

Now as time goes by I am on a passionate all things lips 👄 high with another awesome designer with a huge creative and playful touch of whimsy!

Designer Betsey Johnson!

Do you love her too like I do???

Isn’t this dress a adorable?

 

21 Random Questions with Iris Apfel — StyleCaster

I so love this interview with Iris. She is on my bucket list to interview too. Her answers are so Iris!

Iris Apfel is 96 years old. She has almost a million followers on Instagram. She’s a businesswoman, interior designer, and a fashion icon. But when I sat down with her during [Pre]Coterie Women’s June Market Week in New York, I learned some things I didn’t already know about her—21 glorious, unconventional, inspiring, and admirable things. This…

via 21 Random Questions with Iris Apfel — StyleCaster

KATE! …Kate Spade

Yes, Depressed or Suicidal People Like Kate Spade Can Look Like They ‘Have It All’ — StyleCaster

There is no official way to look depressed or suicidal. It’s not as if you get your diagnosis from a psychiatrist and are immediately issued a pair of stained sweatpants and a worn-out bathrobe and instructed to skip showering and never stop crying. For a lot of people living with mental illness—myself included—it can look…

via Yes, Depressed or Suicidal People Like Kate Spade Can Look Like They ‘Have It All’ — StyleCaster

Since I live on the sunny side of life 99% of the time. I am sad by Kate Spade‘s sudden passing. I was going to post about how much I enjoyed her book. And even more so intrigued by my clients who owned her handbags.

One by one as the years go by I watch how they arrive for their beauty appointments with me or to shop in my makeup cottage…and they would make certain that their handbags with KATE SPADE’s name faced towards me. They truly wanted and above all NEEDED me to see they owned Kate Spade’s fashionable accessories. I’m not sure why but it made them so happy to do so.

Her brand was worth 200 million dollars according to the news. And still she was not happy? So sad in so many ways. 

This post says it all so much better than I could and more. I so hate to see a fellow woman business owner gone and in such a devastating way! I pray for her 13 year old daughter,husband and family.

 

And then she woke up …a Duchess!

Just like that!

I admit it… I slept in NOT my choice my body had other ideas (Friday night we did a POP-Up shop for my business and it was a long exhausting day) so I did not watch the wedding of the year while it was happening! However, I did watch and still am devouring every crumb I can get of it on TV and online.

Since I am in the business of beauty I couldn’t let this wedding pass without sharing my  thoughts on this bride!

I loved her look,style and wedding day choices. I thought her makeup was effortless and not trying too much nor over the top glam.

This is the kind of bridal makeup I do on my clients. Softly defined and naturally gorgeous!

Luminous skin,a nude pink lipstick,chocolate brown eye shadow,peachy pink  soft cheeks and a defined brow all worked to make her look simply beautiful! The icing on her pretty face? Pretty freckles peeking through.

Her face was prepped months ahead to a few facials and contouring facials a technique by the famous esthetician  Nichola Joss who works across the pond in London and in NYC. She recommends a bride prepare her skin for the big day months ahead and so do I.

In case you didn’t know it the Duchess likes to shop a variety of places as well as  Whole Foods and is an avid foodie and very health conscious. She’s even got the Prince doing green drinks with her!

Rumor had it she would do her own makeup. Well, she did not. She had a little help by a makeup artist Daniel Martin.

Her hair was styled by Serge Normant ala NYC.Stylist to SJP and Julia Roberts to name a few of his VIP and celebrity clientele. I’ve always wanted to get my haircut or styled by him back home!

Royals have been gifted Essie nail lacquer and have worn that brand in the past. Not sure if Essie’s Ballet Slippers was on her well manicured nails.

Stylists predicted that Meghan would choose a sparkly heavy beaded wedding gown by certain designers ala a Disney Princess. They were wrong!  She chose the beauty of Givenchy by a designer from England. I thought her gown was…simple and elegant.

This very modern bride and ceremony was amazing. Down to those adorable boys and flower girls!

I am so happy for Prince Harry! Aren’t you?

 

The American girl who became a Duchess… 22 YEARS after she posed pretty with a friend in front of Buckingham Palace sitting on the fence. A fairy tale indeed!

What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear from you!

Here Comes the Bride!

TODAY on my beauty and lifestyle segment on TV on River City Live I’ll share a few pre-wedding beauty and gift idea tips.

If you are lucky enough to live in Jacksonville OR GETTING MARRIED in the city or not you’ll love these tips TOO. If you want to sparkle like Meghan Markle here are a few beauty secrets,ideas and recommendations for you.

 

• Prep your skin…Get a facial and prep at least three months leading to your wedding if possible. Cleaner pores,hydrated skin and kiss tired dead skin cells Goodbye!
  
• The skin on your BODY needs some some attention too. Exfoliating treatments work wonders and make detox your body and skin.
• Get those lips ready for KISSING. Do lip scrubs once a week for a three weeks and the day before the wedding.
  
• The groom needs to groom up too (skin,brows,beard oil,brows shaped and use a lip conditioner too.
• Wanna gorgeous celebrity like glow to your face and skin? Try this! a a sexy angel glow in a powder brush.http://www.noreenyoung.com All you do is brush on this beauty.Another one comes in a tube.Gleam by Melanie Mills of Hollywood. A model and celebrity fav’…www.melaniemillshollywood.com
• Experiment with a new signature scent for your special day with the latest trend Hair Mist  NO.1 by entrpeneur and designer Sandra Alford. Treat yourself to this clean,romantic and sensual scent. (That’s my best description) She also has other scentsational gift ideas to give the mother of the bride,groom or bridesmaids. http://www.sandraalford.com
• Personalized Wine bottle  by www.windsorvineyards.com for your bridal party or your guests. This is also a fun idea for Anniversary’s,Birthdays and Graduation celebrations.

ATTENTION: Windsor Vineywards is offering a special for my TV and blog followers and visitors. 20% off any WINE order for your wedding or next special event!

Promo Code: rivercitylive 

The best part this offer lasts until December 31st 2018! YAY! What do ya say..order your customized wine TODAY!

• If you’re getting married in Jacksonville FLorida here are a few stylist to consult. John Brent for Chocolate Blonde Salon or if you prefer a female stylist Hair By Terri Moore at Salon at St. John. If you are getting married in St. Augustine you’ve gotta call Angela Byrd of Spoiled Beauties.
• Looking for a photographer in Jacksonville and the area for this special time OR ANYTIME. Meet with a professional photographer and share your vision of the wedding photos OR a photo of you before you get married.Capture the times in your life with photos! Anetta Wilkerson of www.artnillusion.com by the way, my blog photos are done by her.What’s even more amazing is she is a triple threat…a photographer,a hair stylist and does makeup too.
• Looking for a cake or glittering fresh chocolate dipped strawberries you must call Glamour Gourmet. These are some gorgeous looking delights.
• Looking for a venue for your next event,shower or wedding?  The Treasury on the Plaza in St. Augustine,Florida. They put on a hell of a party and event. The team there lives for your wedding or next fun affair. http://www.thetreasuryontheplaza.com

 

• ALL of the above recommendations are my personal recommendation. I have  worked with all of these professionals. I think you’ll find them fit for a royal…YOU!

 

Gift Ideas with a Florida Twist!

As a business owner…you never are off REALLY. Last week was a whirlwind getting my makeup studio retail ready for the holidays!

So, I am sorry I have been kinda M.I.A.

Since it is the time for gift giving I thought you might like this blog post.

I am really more like a NYC girl and as I write this and the holidays are near I am starting to get homesick already. When I first moved to Jacksonville I felt like actress Eva Gabor in the sitcom Green Acres. I would often dance around the house and tease my husband and sing “Darling I love you but give me Park Avenue”. But having HIM in my life and opened up my business in Florida I eventually fell in love with palm trees,not driving in ice and snow,yummy Southern food and the slower paced lifestyle.

So, with that said I have compiled a list of gift ideas that are made in Florida or that are made in…Jacksonville Florida. You don’t have to live in Florida to buy these.

My blog is called Beauty Candy cause I am crazy about beauty and candy!  Now I have to share with you about my fav’ LOCAL candy delight. 

Topsy Toffee is a locally owned toffee company that is to die for! No kidding. You just can’t eat a few pieces. The creator uses his mom’s recipe and soared with it. Chocolate and toffee anyone? They just introduced a Perky peppermint to the mixjust in time for the holidays…so excited!

http://www.topsytoffee.com

Gottahaveit is a store in the historic Avondale section of town. Iva the owner carries an amazing array of gifts and personalized gifts too. You gotta see this place! Give yourself time to browse and shop. You might even find something  you  love and have to treat yourself too!

http://www.gottahaveit.com

Speaking of beauty there is a beauty of a salon in a sweet yellow house called Chocolate Blonde Salon. I am mad about a product they have named after one of their top stylists! It is called John’s Elixir. This magic mix is not only great for conditioning the hair before you blow dry,you can shave your legs ,face (guys) with it,you can remove makeup with it. I have smoothed out dead ends and brows that have gone wild too. A little goes a long way. And it smells sublime!

Looking for a NEW scent to add to your fragrance wardrobe? TRY No.1 by a local designer Sandra Alford. It is a really sexy but soft  scent. They are offering FREE shipping with any order over $100.00 and up.

http://www.sandraalford.com

Don’t ya just love Chocolate dipped strawberries???

How can you resist? The absolute best the city has to offer comes from Glamour Gourmet.

The creator and owner Natasha makes the most DAZZLING glittered,sugared,chocolate decadence you will ever taste. Find her and shop her Instagram account…that’s how I find her!!! Warning you will soon be drooling at the edibles on the screen. She also makes chocolate dipped shimmering other things. Trust me on this your guests will be WOWED if you serve her glam YUMMY treats or given as a gift they will thing you are the bomb!

If  you’re looking for a hostess gift or something to stuff in a holiday basket you’re making…a trip to Community Loaves is all you need. They have some awesome fresh bread you will love and so will the people you give a loaf to. BREAD HEAVEN awaits you in Murray Hill.

If you are looking for locally made candles there are a few companies I can recommend…

Five Points Candle Company is your go to brand. You may buy them online or at Gottahaveit.

http://www.fivepointscandlecompany.com

Fitz Pulins has some aromatic and beautifully packaged candles. http://www.inventoryroom.com

Jacksonville in a BOX shipped to your or someone who used to live here’s door. A variety of things made in Florida and wrapped and shipped by people who have developmental disabilities. A combination of food plus Florida souvenir fun!

http://www.jacksonvilleinabox.com

If you’re looking for a cheap stocking stuffer and think Jax IS RAD! Go visit this site.

 

http://www.jaxisrad.com

Gotta foodie in your life that loves pie? Going to grandmas house or the in laws for dinner? Bring a pie from the YUM YUM TREE. This infamous place is an icon in Jacksonville.

These are just a few of my fav’ things I simply had to share and tell you about!

I know the season is really all about the reason. But since gifts are a part of it. I thought you’d enjoy my gift or stocking stuffer ideas.

Until next time…enjoy the beauty of this wonderful time of year!

 

What’s in my handbag you ask?

Business got in the way yesterday so I am posting this today. Many of you are curious what is in my handbag? So since this week we celebrated National Handbag Day… I decided it was the perfect time to share away.

First of all, I am not necessarily attracted to designer handbags. I purchase handbags like I do bling.I buy what calls out to me on the store shelf. I especially love buying things in my travels so I have a great memory attached to that bag. I used to buy souvenirs like coffee  mugs and tea towels but I stopped that long ago.

So as you can see by the photo in my blog I HAD to own this unique handbag. Isn’t it darling? No, I did not pay a fortune but would have and it does not hold a lot of things but I do love,love, love THIS shoulder strap bag. Don’t you?

Here is what is my handbag:

A mini hairbrush by WET BRUSH…my hair tangles fast and I love this brush.

A mini packet of NeoCell BEAUTY supplements they vary from time to time but this week it is Derma Matrix. I add it to a bottle of water or sprinkle on my food for pretty healthier hydrated skin.

Six assorted shade lipsticks. Cause I never know what mood I am in during a day.

BLACK gel eyeliner pencil. (Never want to be without it )

A pack of Asian powder papers to blot oil and powder my nose at one time.

My wallet with red lips by Betsy Johnson.

My change purse with lips all over it.

A Sharpie Marker in black and in red.

A mini legal pad.

A picture of my TWIN brother and my husband.

A mini pill box filled with aspirin,vitamins C and more.

A package of spearmint gum.

A tiny tin container of Altoids. ( Gotta be KISSABLE)

A business card holder filled with my cards.

To Do List…which changes and gets updated daily

A mini bottle of water if it will fit.

Fun Fact:

I clean out my purse at least once a week. I hate a MESSY inside handbag.

What’s in your bag?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passion for Fashion and more!

Recently I had the honor of being on a panel for  The Fashion Group International.

I love working with them and being on a panel too.

This organization was started by some iconic women. Founded in 1930 as the non-profit,fashion organization established for women,the The Fashion Group International today offers membership to men and women alike.Among the founding members were Eleanor Roosevelt,Elizabeth Arden,Lily Dache, Edna Woolman Chase,Edith Head,Claire McCardell,Virginia Pope and Carmel Snow. Legendary figures who left an incredible print on the American landscape. Names and people I admire and worth Googling to learn more about these women.

FGI’S mission is to be the preeminent authority on the business of fashion and design,and to help its members become more effective in their professional lives.

FGI is a global non-profit organization of dynamic professionals in all areas of design,apparel,accessories,home and of course my passion….beauty!

You too can be considered as a member if you are in any of the above fields. Each region has a yearly event calendar. Join us~

EXPLORE the world beyond your door.

http://www.fgi.org