New Spring Trend - Colour Blocking

Today, I'd like to introduce my lovely and talented sister, Christine!!  Not only does she have terrific fashion sense but she also knows how to find a bargin.  Lucky for me, she's agreed to do a monthly guest post on EVERYTHING fashion...froms trends, shopping tips and recreating designer looks on a budget - I'm really looking forward to her posts, and I know that you will enjoy them too!  Take it away Christine....

Hello Everyone! I'm sure you've noticed that designers, retail stores and fashion blogs are busy talking about colour blocking, one of the many new fashion trends for spring.

J Crew has done a nice job of showing this new trend in a classy way.

However at this price point ($838 - yikes!) it might be bit difficult to achieve for the average gal.

So here are some easy ways to incorporate colour into your wardrobe with some fun original finds (thank goodness for ESTY) and major retailers.

1. Coloured Denim 

With various retailers on this season new colour blocking trend many are offering very reasonably priced denim of varying colours.
Gap has a great pair of fun green jeans for only $69. Pair with a purple tee and you are instantly on trend!

2. Clutch/Purse

My longtime favourite handbag designer out of Montreal, Matt and Nat, have definitely hit the mark with this season line of Vegan handbags. Plus you can search by colour in their online store at http://www.mattandnat.com/

Another great addition of colour to any outfit (maybe a date night or night out with the girls) is to add a funky colour clutch. I think for those that aren’t as comfortable with head to toe colour blocking - a stylish clutch is a must have! I found this store on ETSY made by k.slademade. Gorgeous.

Check out her shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kslademade

3.  Accessories

And last but not least another easy way to add colour is with accessories. And when I say accessories I mean BRACELETS! LOTS and LOTS of BRACELETS!

There is a wide range to choose from, bangles to friendship bracelets like this one from ESTY shop Zzaval check out the shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/zzaval

And a nice tool to keep handy when trying out this colour trend is to have the good old standard colour wheel.

So how it works is if you pick a colour from one side of the wheel make sure to have the compliment colour from the other side of the wheel. Or pick neighbouring colours like Red and Orange.


Ready to infuse your life with a little colour? Have fun!! 

Thanks so much Christine, I really love those GAP jeans....can't wait to read your post for next month!

Finding your Natural Blush!

Hey there, happy Monday!  I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend....I was lucky enough to have a date night with my husband - WHOOOHOOO!!  It had been far too long since we've spent a night out together.  And what better way to spend it than at an Alan Jackson concert!!!   My husband and I are HUGE country music fans....this was our second time seeing Alan Jackson perform and he did not disappoint - I love his voice and his laid-back, relaxed way performing - it was an awesome night!

As I was getting ready for my big date, I put on more make-up than I usually do, afterall, this was a special occasion:)   Even though my daily make-up routine isn't what it used to be, I LOVE makeup!  When I was off on Maternity Leave with my son, I took a makeup application course at a local college and learned so many tricks and techniques to applying makeup.  Today, I'd like to share a little tip to choosing a natural looking blush.

Applying a little colour to the apples of your cheeks can really make a difference - it can brighten your face, giving you a healthy glow - and who doesn't want to achieve that, right???   Stores carry all sorts of different types and colours of blush...but with all this selection, it's easy to not know which one would work for you.  Well, my little tip for choosing a complimenting blush shade is to choose a blush that matches your NATURAL lip colour - you will never go wrong with this tip in mind and it will always look nice on you!

Something to remember when purchasing blush....if you are using a powder foundation, use a powder blush.  If you were to use a liquid base blush (cream, gel or tint) you will rub off the foundation or coverup you just applied - not good! 

Later this week, I have scheduled a very special guest post for all of you:)  I hope that you will stop by again!!

Cilantro Chicken in the Crockpot

Hi again, I hope that you are all having a great week!!  Today I'm sharing one of my husband's FAVOURITE chicken dishes (it's one of mine too!)  I've mentioned before that I love using my crockpot to cook dinner....this recipe smells so good while it's cooking, it only requires four ingredients and tastes delicious!!

Here's what you need:

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 jar Peach and Mango salsa
1/2 tbsp Cilantro
Juice from one lime

Mix salsa, cilantro and lime juice in crockpot.  Add chicken and coat with the salsa mixture.  Heat on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5.  Serve with steamed veggies and rice.  Enjoy!

Quick and Easy Organizing Tips!

Hi there....hope that you all had a great weekend!!  My husband was away on business this past week and arrived home on Sunday - I can't tell you how nice it is to have my partner in crime home:)

A few weeks ago, a charity group contacted me to see if I would be interested in donating any clothes and household items - I ALWAYS arrange a pick up when one of these organizations calls me and they usually schedule a pick up time a few weeks later so even if I don't have anything to donate when they call, I can usually come up a bag or two by the pick up date.  So, today they are coming for my stuff.  It always feels good to clean out area of the house and I love that these items are going towards a great cause!

Being organized and clutter free does not come naturally to me (I'm a piler!!)....my house may look neat and tidy on the surface...but if you were to open a drawer - it's a MESS!!  My goal for 2012 is to purge, organize and purge somemore.  That's why I love these donation pick up days - it forces me to go through things and get rid of stuff I don't use anymore.  I've started keeping a spot in our bedroom and basement dedicated to "donations" and it seems to be working really well for me.

Here are some projects that I'd like to tackle for our house.  Sometimes, small changes can make a huge difference!

I think that using the inside of your cabinet doors is a terrific way of organizing and keep clutter off the counter!!  You can use corkboards or magnets and store coupons, spices, recipes, pictures and even utensils (as seen below) - genius!

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I wish that my linen closet would look like this.....it's one of my goals for 2012!  Fingers crossed:)

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This is another creative idea - what a great use of space and keeping everything visible and in it's own spot - there is a lot of stuff in that cabinet, but it doesn't look cluttered!

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And if the picture above isn't doable in your cabinet, this is a smart and simple alternative.

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I think that I should hang this in my house - perhaps inside my cabinet door (once I get my magnetic and corkboards up!)  Simple, easy rules for staying organized.

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Tell me, what are your organizing and purging tips and tricks - I can use all the help I can get!

Pinterest Monday!

I hope that you all had a lovely Easter weekend:)  We had a terrific weekend full of family, friends, great food and CHOCOLATE!!  Oh my goodness, I have eaten way too much of it this weekend;)

Today, I thought that it would be fun to share some of my favourite pins from Pinterest.  Like many of us, I LOVE Pinterest!! 

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I made this asparagus this weekend - the taragon sauce was delicious!!!

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I think that this is a great idea for Christmas (yes....I did just type Christmas!!) I plan on doing this for our kids this year!

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What a great command centre!!  I'd love to create something like this in our home.

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DIY SPRINKLER......ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!?!?!  I love this and will do this!

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This should be called the "Pinterest Code of Conduct".  Ha, this makes me smile;) 

Happy Monday everyone and if you'd like to follow me on Pinterest, click here.

Pottery Barn and The Lettered Cottage Inspired Light

Hey there, how are you???  I've been busy working on a few projects over the past couple of weeks and I can't wait to show them of over the next little while!  Today, I'd liked to share a quick little update I did to our dining room chandelier. 

I'm a big fan of Kevin and Layla's blog - The Lettered Cottage.  I love their ideas and have been admiring their house for months now.  One of the updates they did was make their own Pottery Barn inspired lamp shade.  Well, I LOVE anything Pottery Barn, so this immediately caught my attention.  We have a similar light fixture in our house and I thought that this would be an easy update to try.

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All you need for this project is jute, a glue gun and lamp shade.  It's pretty self explanatory, you glue gun the jute to the bottom of the shade - easy peasy and the results are terrific!  I really like this subtle enhancement to the shade...it adds some visual interest, without standing out too much....it was just perfect!!

So here is my creation, I couldn't find the braided jute, but found some jute ribbon from Michaels which worked perfectly. 

And because I just love my old but improved light, here's another shot of the final result in all it's glory!! 

I'll be linking up to these fun parties:

Freestyle Friday - Happy Hour Projects
Whimsy Wednesday - Home Happy Home
Taylor House Thursday - The Taylor House
Not Just a Housewife - Show Me What Ya' Got
Seven Alive - Link it Up Thursday

Serenity Now - Weekend Bloggy Reading
Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday
Ginger Snap Crafts - {wow me} wednesday
A Little Knick Knack - EBTKS Link
A bowl full of lemons - Tuesday Link Party
Simple Home Life - Features and Simply Creations Link Party
Bacon Time in Northern Cali - Anything Goes Linky
The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday
Delightful Order - Delightfully Inspiring Thursday
House of Hepworths - Hookin' up with HoH
Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up
I Heart Nap Time - Sundae Scoop Link Party
Classy Clutter - Saturday Spotlight

The 36th Avenue - Show me Extradordinary Link Party

Reasons to Skip the Housework Link Party

Here's Kadie from Seven Alive all Livin' in a Double Wide

Today, I'm so excited to have Kadie here with me today.  In addition to being a super creative and talented, she is absolutely lovely and I'm so happy to have met her!!  Last month, I did my first guest post on Kadie's blog, Seven Alive all Livin, in a Double Wide and today she is my very FIRST guest blogger!!  Take it away Kadie....

Hello, Hello.  My name is Kadie and I blog over at Seven Alive all Livin' in a Double Wide.  I am really excited to be here today.  Jenny is such a fun blogging buddy.  It has been a true joy to get to know over the last couple of months. I love the layered look.  I wear cardigans or double t-shirts often.  It is starting to warm up and in the south that means no more layering.  It is to hot to wear anything as thick as a cardigan.  I was thinking that if I had a cardigan that was as thin as a t-shirt I might still be able to wear it in the summer.  Enter the huge bag of clothing my MIL gave me forever ago.  It is the same bag that this sweater dress came from. 

I took a t-shirt that I like the color of and fit me okay.  It is a little shorter than I like for a t-shirt. I love working with knit fabrics for up-cycles.  They are great because they don't fray. Here is what I did if you would like to make one for yourself.

Cut the shirt up the middle with scissors.  Then try the shirt on and with pins mark how short you want the sleeves.  The material from the sleeves makes the ruffles so you want to chose a shirt that you want to shorten the sleeves. Next cut the sleeve material into 1 inch strips.  You can use the tutorial here for making straight cuts if you need it.  After you have your 1 inch strips you are going to ruffle them.  Ruffling strips is super easy.  On your sewing machine make your stitch length as long as it will go.  Then set your tension as tight as it will go.  Make sure you leave very long strings at both ends of the strip.  Place your needle right in the middle of the strip and go.  It will magically ruffle up behind the needle.

Ruffle all the strips you cut from the sleeve material.  Lovely piles of ruffles with VERY long strings.

Straighten out the ruffles to look the way you want them to.  Take care not to break any of the thread.  Pin the ruffles on the shirt about half an inch from the cut.  Sew down the center of the ruffles.

Cut off all the strings when you are done.  That's it.  Your done.

And just in case you are wondering yes, you do get funny looks when you hang a shirt in a tree and start taking photos of it.  Oh well, at least it was just my in-laws. They already know I'm crazy.

Thanks so much for having me today Jenny.  It was a blast.

Isn't that pretty!!!  I can think of a ton of shirts that I could update like that!  Be sure to visit Kadie's blog, say hello and check out some of her other great projects.