Summer Travel

Summer Travel

I love summer!  Love the thought of Summer Travel too!   Whether you are doing day trips to the beach.... drivable or flyable weekend trips..... or week long vacations!  YOU need to be ready to go at a moment's notice!

Here are my TOP 10 Travel Tips!

1.  Keep all your cosmetics in a travel bag all the time!   Saves time when on the go!   

2.  Keep a travel size shampoo, conditioner, and razor in your travel bag (not good to forget that razor and sometimes hotel shampoo is not the best) 

3.  Don't forget that sweater or wrap for chilly nights!
4.  Work around a color scheme that you can wear the same shoes with.  Summer is easier than winter.... I love neutral sandals, wedges and heels!
5.  Pack a small drawstring bag for carrying water or necessities on walks and hikes or for throwing your bathing suit in for going to the spa!
6.  Jewelry storage a MUST!    Love my organizer from Pursen!  Lots of pockets... lots of options!

6.  Always keep a protein bar or two in your handbag for traveling to stave off hunger in a pinch to keep you from eating something unhealthy!

7.  Don't forget your exercise clothes!   You may not get to it but you want to have options! And... it's summer.... we want to look good by the pool!

8.  Since it's summer... don't forget that hat and sunscreen!   There are some GREAT packable sun hats or just use a cute ball cap!   

9.  Bring a small handbag!   I know you may need your large one for stuffing everything in the sun into... but I love bringing one small handbag for going to dinner and not feeling like I'm carrying a suitcase :)     There's lots of cute ones.. happen to LOVE my new Tory Burch  Robinson chain Wallet I got for Christmas! It can function like a wallet, something to put your phone into, it can become a clutch and a shoulder bag.   Pieces like this are functional... they can BE your wallet and your purse.. so tuck this baby in your large handbag and GO!

10.  That's it!   Felt like I needed to have a top 10 .... so here's 10!  Go plan some summer trips!

Surprise Party!

SWEET 16!

My daughter turned 16 last week... and we had already agreed not to have a "Sweet 16" party in the modern sense.... inviting 50 or more kids or something like that.   My daughter wanted something more intimate with some close friends.... but I definitely wanted it to feel special for her.

  

I find it funny how different boys and girls are too!  My son was totally peplexed by even THIS amount of work to make her 16th birthday special.... as he doesn't want a party at all.... but then again... he's almost 18!  :) 

Anyway... I was excited to pull of some fun surprises to make her 16th special.

First... a Surprise Sleepover with close friends..... The girls totally loved being part of the surprise!

Second... Disco lights, fun music with  a club-like theme in the basement complete with CANDY BAR and snacks!

Third... A "photo booth" type set up where the girls could take fun photos of themselves all night!

I was told that the HIT of the party was the Candy Bar!   In this sugar averse culture we live in... and trust me... we don't eat much sugar around here.... THIS was definitely a treat! And of course... it is called SWEET 16 for some reason, right?   Sweedish Fish seemed to be the big hit... just saying.

I pulled this surpise off in just a week..... so I went to Oriental Trading Comlpany and ordered the Photo Booth essentials..... mustashes and lips on sticks... "frames" and the little white board bubbles to write captions on.... the girls had fun!  I pulled out some accessories from my costume box such as boas and fun sunglasses and hats and they just took selfies all night!    One friend had a selfie stick.... I think that would have been a good gift for the Birthday Girl too but I didn't think of that one! ;)    I did take a few of the photos the "old fashioned" way with me taking the photo!

Anyway.... It was a fun filled evening.... Pretty simple to pull off and tons of fun!   I do believe it will be a birtday to remember and THAT is the best thing a Mom can do!   

Good luck with your party planning!   Post other fun ideas you've tried or wanted to!  I'd love to hear

what you have done!

Theda 

The Jewelry Box

This will be my 2nd Mother's day without my mom.... and I miss her terribly.   As a mom myself, there's such a joy in getting a thoughtful card, a thoughtful gift and simply being treated special on Mother's Day!

After all.... Mom's sacrifice quite a lot to have these babies... bodies that don't quite go back the way they were.... sleepless nights... doing things for their kids instead of themselves... It's truly a selfless job!   

If you have a few minutes, you may appreciate this video link below!

TOUGHEST JOB in the WORLD

Anyway... when my mother passed away, and we were sorting thru her things, ONE of the things that I really loved keeping was her jewelry.   I could not and didn't want to wear her clothes or her shoes....sometimes keeping large bulky things like furniture is a problem.. but wearing something like a ring or necklace that my mom wore is special.   It's something that fits just about everyone.

Keeping "the good stuff" was also in consideration... minus a few costume things that were memorable.    I have to say that these nicer pieces became valuable to me.... and they don't take up a lot of storage.    

Don't discount the quality jewelry gift to your mom.... or how it will come back to you one day.    There are many memories to be passed down that while will be in a jewelry box and worn occasionally or everyday... WONT be in a box in the attic to only be looked at every 5 years or less.  

I know you know I sell designer jewelry... but I had to tell you about my own personal experience... that I loved going thru my mom's jewelry box and keeping special treasures that she wore or I had given her or made her over the years.   What a gift!

www.esbedesigns.com/theda 

Spring Update!

Okay.. I need to start out by saying that these light fixtures are NOT in my home but I do like them!  I saw them at a bar in a hotel a month or so ago.   10 years ago, when I moved into my home, I had an eclectic style... fairly transitional!   I have a lot of family furniture pieces and I've updated them with some current fabrics  and to my husbands' dismay,   I think it's time for a redo on some.   

After many years of being married, and finally getting the house "finished" so it seems, its always time for a little update.    Just like a wardrobe... it's all in the accessories and some foundation pieces!

Foundation pieces can be your large upholstered pieces or window dressings.... accessories can be lamps and light fixtures!

We will be updating our kitchen this Spring and I'm looking for some barrel shade lamps to go over my island - KIND of like this one.  (not sure about the crystals)  but it's a great way to update a room without a total overhaul!

What room do you want to update?    

Salads taste better when someone else makes them!

Salads!

I'm not sure why salads taste better when someone else makes them... but they do.    In my never ending quest to eat healthy with variety..... I think this will be my NEW staple side dish!  So simple and delicious!  Wait for it..... Tomato Cucumber salad!

Yep... pretty simple and easy to keep these ingredients in the fridge all summer long!  Whether you get them from the store, farmstand or your own garden... this is simply delicious! If you are a salsa connoisseur you'll also love this fresh salad!  Add some cilantro and you pretty much have salsa or pico de gallo!

2 chopped Tomatoes

1 cucumber peeled and diced

Red onion to taste

1 TBS lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

I was looking for a non-mayo based salad that was healthy and yummy and stumbled upon this simple treasure!    It's only 31 calories a serving.  A serving is 1/4 of the recipe!    There's no carbs... no fat.... it's a winner!

The ONLY downside is if you don't like tomatos or cucumbers... but it's going to be my summer staple for sure!   Enjoy!

I SEE You! :)

Okay.. .this is not about eyes but EYEBROWS!   They are necessary!  I am kind of blonde..... so my eyebrows are pretty thin and light.... check out the photo above!   Which Eyebrow looks better and makes my eyes stand out more?

( waiting )

I'm not telling but you can guess below!    I used a product I got at Sephora that I love!  It's like a mascara brush for your eyebrows!   Not only does it enhance the natural color but it tames them with a gel!   It's like double duty for your eyebrows!   Have you ever tried a product like this or this one?  Tell me about it!  Let's share the best eybrow products you've tried!

Fashion Trends for Spring!

Fashion Trends for Spring

Some trends are worth trying to update your wardrobe without changing your wardrobe!

Personally... I love updating with accessories!  They are easy,  they always fit, and they give your existing wardrobe a lift!   Don't get me wrong, I love shopping for clothes too but I tend to be more "safe" in my fashion choices... while updating with accessories!  

Here's a few for Spring according to Glamour Magazine!  

1.  Round Glasses - Now personally... not sure they will look good on my face... so I may pass on this trend unless I happen to try some on I like.... 

2.  Open back flat Mules - Doable!   Fairly comforable... not particularly easy to walk in but cute!  I'll try this one!  

3.  Tassels!   I love this trend! You'll find it on hand bags, belts and jewelry!  (probably more too)   I've been wearing some tassels for the past year.  The jewelry designer I work with, Sara Blaine, from  esbe Designs Jewelry introduced tassels last year and we have added more!   She is truly a visionary when it comes to accessories!   

Here are a few of my favorites!   Add them to your wardrobe at ANY price point!  If you'd like to check them out... go to my Virtual Catalog and then shop my website or message me!  I'd love to help you shop trends for less!

www.esbejewelry.com

www.esbedesigns.com/theda