Oh happy day…it’s National Nail Polish and DONUT day!

Don’t you just LOVE this edible art by Holly Fox who I discovered on Instagram and has a shop on Etsy! I must buy one of her awesome cookie creations. So many cookies to choose from so little time! Yum!!!

• What’s Trending in nail colors this summer … the Northeast Distributor for OPI Vinnie Le from of Victoria Nial Supply says “Blue hues are so in from Mint blue,Baby blues and Aqua Ocean blue.He also says nude,pink nude and rose gold metallics are hot.” I am over the moon for these new shades!
• How to make your nail polish last longer and strengthen them too? From Start to Finish by OPI is a 3 products in one new sensation. A base coat,a top coat and a nail strengthener too. So now you don’t have to apply a base coat,a top coat and a nail strengthener. ONE bottle and product for three steps. Genius! 
  
• Cuticle oil is a must. Apply it on your fingers and toes to keep the skin soft and looking good. Sandal season means less shoes and clothes. So,don’t forget to take care of your fingers d and toes.
• If your hands are showing age…or to prevent sun spots and wrinkles from forming so fast. Try using a sunscreen on them. I like a natural one that is the kind you roll/rub on from a deodorant like stick by Go Waxhead. It isn’t just about protecting your face from spots your hands and tops of feet need it too.
• Always keep your hands and body hydrated not only with cuticle oil but hand and body lotions and creams.
• Now all you need is to paint the town with your fave hues! Have a happy National Nail Polish Day!

And since it is also National DONUT day let me share my fave donut in Chicago…

Do-rite donuts! If you haven’t tasted them you don’t know what you are missing! And yes I am still in love with Krispy Kreme donuts BUT this company’s donuts  is really awesome too!

WORTH A TRIP to  Chicago! Was just there last month and can’t wait to go back and taste more!

TWO wonderful reasons to celebrate today!

Enjoy!

 

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Playing in the SUN!

Is so much fun!

This weekend we celebrate Memorial day weekend with barbeques,cocktails and  spending time outdoors in the SUNSHINE! While Florida is not going to get a piece of that sunny pie due to the subtropical storm that’s headed our way you may get your share of fun in the sun.

SAVE that pretty face!

Use a self tanner a few days or the night before you go out in the sun.You’ll get a dash of color and feel better too.

Sunscreen! MY ANTI-AGING DREAM CREAM! A shot glass applied to your skin at least every 4 hours will cover you!

Did you know there are many other ways you can protect your skin from the sun?  Powder up with Sun Powder. A light powder with sunscreen that protects and evens out your complexion a bit.

Wear a lip conditioner or a hydrating lipstick but stay away from glossy extra shiny lip gloss. They attract the sun to your face and may actually give you a sunburn.

Wear SUNNIES but buy non reflective shiny sunglasses While I love the way they look they too attract the suns rays and can give you a burn.

Wear a pretty or fun in the sun hat…any kind of hat. Did you know even your scalp and hair can get a sunburn?

If you do happen to get sunburned on your face this summer season …HELP is your refrigerator. Plain organic yogurt works wonders to calm the heat and your skin down.

Another trick is to bathe in real milk (This was Cleopatra’s beauty secret). OR pour some milk on wash cloth with cold milk. Applied to your skin it cools you down and helps with sunburn and peeling.

Nowadays…There is NO REASON why you have to get a sunburn.

You don’t want old leathery looking skin, sunspots,red splotches,wrinkles or worse yet skin cancer. Do you?

.

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!

Tart Me Up,Please!

Hello my Lovelies!

You know I love makeup and skin care BUT I also am a foodie and love to entertain guests or my darling husband with some unique and tasty delights…so, I simply had to share! Isn’t this just delightful? The blogger who made it and posted this recipe has an eye for food styling and this simply simple recipe is tongue and eye candy. Now, I just have to get out and buy the asparagus and I can make,taste and enjoy this tart.

This tart really reminds me of my travels to Europe! Tart Me Up!

 

Crispy golden puff pastry, creamy oozing French brie cheese, salty crisp prosciutto and fresh green asparagus topped with a free range egg – what’s not to love! These simple tarts are delicious for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner and take no time to make. Ingredients 2 sheets of puff pastry 1 bunch of asparagus, stems […]

via Eat: Asparagus, Prosciutto, Brie Cheese, Egg and Thyme Tarts —

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!

 

No Chemicals BEAUTY

The beauty of food! You can eat it and you can wear it for the sake of prettier looking skin too.

NO chemicals and no ingredients you can’t pronounce.

I LOVE Sundays not only because it is a spiritual kind of day but unless I am working out of town or traveling out of town I am off on Sundays and at home sweet home!

Sunday Funday… Time to recharge,relax and unwind.

It seems everyone’s skin is going through some kind of issue because of the weather. Despite the fact that they say Spring is in full swing!

IF your skin is dry,itchy and longing for some attention here is one of my recipes that I am doing on my face and neck toward my breasts today. Sometimes I switch things up and change an ingredient to add another instead. But this is my go to.

What you will need:

1 cup of oatmeal (not instant)

1/2 cup of local farmer honey

1/2 cup of cold-pressed olive oil

Place oatmeal in a mini grinder or food processor.

Grind the oatmeal into a powdery mix.

Add the honey  to the oatmeal and stir.

Lastly add the olive oil and mix with a spoon by hand in a bowl.

Smooth on a clean face. Leave on at least 10 minutes.

Rinse well with a lukewarm washcloth. Follow with your skin toner. I adore rosewater.  Next apply a dash of your moisturizer on your face and eye gel around your eye area.

You will love the way your makeup glides on smooth as silk and the way your skin feels and looks. Hydrated and happy!

I am almost done with my beauty book (Whenever I  think I am done writing it I want to add something else) and this is a peek inside  my beauty filled world.

Enjoy darlings!

 

 

 

Hello MY Peeps!

 

Happy Spring, a Beautiful Passover and Happy Easter!

Thought you’d like this awesome photo of  YUMMINESS  from one of my fave’ places in NYC…Black Tap Craft Burgers and Brew.You’ll find them on Instagram and in several locations in NYC. And now viva LAS VEGAS! I so love candy and food!

This is a color filled CANDY  blinged out wild cherry milk shake from NYC.  If you can go get one do it by April 1st as they are a limited holiday edition. But if you don’t live near or not able to travel there…have no fear they make awesome shakes like this all year long. Along with delicious burgers and beer!

You know I LOVE all things makeup but I love this crazy shake and PEEPS even more!

Thank You for reading and following my blog. I LOVE all my Peeps and look forward to getting to know and engage with all of you more.

DON’T YA WANNA…. Lick and sip the screen? What a beauty!

Easter Egg YUM and fun!

These were a huge hit for Easter last year. My daughter was my inspiration to make these. She brought some to Easter dinner a few years back. Aren’t they perfect for Easter! They are really simple to make, you color the hard boiled egg halves. Then proceed like you do with any deviled eggs. […]

via Easter Deviled Eggs — In Dianes Kitchen

AS SEEN ON TV

Today I shared on RIVER CITY LIVE TV in sunny Jacksonville Florida some beautiful products that I discovered in NYC and some fashionable delights too. I love spring in NYC even though it isn’t acting like it nor showing signs of all it’s splendor. It is hard to believe there is yet another NorEaster TODAY! Mother Nature up north does not quite know what to do let the flowers bloom or just freeze.

Color Your World,GORGEOUS with color filled hues this Spring in beauty,fashion accessories and lifestyle trends.

Hot hues are really on trend in makeup,fashion and even food.

It is going to be quite an amazing and pretty SPRING.

NYC was filled with color from home decor,makeup and all things fashion. I so love window shopping and actual shopping on the streets of the city that never sleeps!

• Makeup takes an even more color rich twist.SO MANY COLORS so little time!!!Even the finger nails. The new trend is wearing a different shade of nail polish on each finger. So fun!
• Skin Care takes on a whimsical packaging and ingredients that offer instant skin glam.
• Jewelry is stunning and color rich. Think rose gold,gemstones and pearls. Handbags are conversation pieces. Tassels take center stage in earrings,bracelets and necklaces.
• Food is filled with color and I devoured the new and yummy ice cream hues and rainbow trend in bagels. My fav’ The Bagel Store. They ship yummy to your door!
• So go ahead,get out of a rut and treat yourself to something new.Step outside your comfort zone and explore some new HUES. You might just discover a new and other side of  YOU!  COLOR outside the lines!

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!