The other day, I was flipping through the new InStyle Fall 2014 magazine and came across this current trend for nails, called the French Nouveau manicure.  It’s basically a sheer natural fresh coat of polish with a swipe of metallic glitter across the tips.

A French Nouveau manicure is fun way to polish your nails.  It shows a little nod to a traditional french manicure, but with a hip-bump of irreverence.

While french manicures are known for their precision, the idea with the French Nouveau manicure is to bit of carefree attitude to the polished finish.

While I can’t say for sure that InStyle has been creepin’ on the LoveFeast Instagram for inspiration. *wink!* I can say that the I’ve have been sporting this trend for over a year now.

Here’s how to get this French Nouveau Manicure look:

1.  Polish nails in a sheer, nude or natural polish.  Or, go a bit more bold, with a darker matte or bright color.

2.  Brush nail tips loosely with gold or silver glittered polish.  One way to do it is to swipe the brush vertically at the tip of each nail. Or, swipe more loosely over the tips horizontally.  While french manicures are known for their precision, the idea with the French Nouveau look is for a bit of imperfection.

During the winter last year, I mixed it up and gold glitter tipped a brownish-mauve shade of polish.

If your feeling more festive, a brighter shade will work too.

Here’s another variation with an more opaque glittery polish a littler heavier over a sheer nude.

Just because you’re an adult does not mean you can’t pull off glitter!  Having a day where you just want to throw glitter in the air?  Splash a bit ALL over your nails.

The French Nouveau manicure might be that “Just One Thing” that you do to fancy up your fall style.

What do you think?  Would you try this trend?

Just One Thing is inspiration for making incremental changes in you, your style, your home and your kitchen.  Easy tips to make your life simpler, better, and more beautiful simply by adding #justonething

Do you remember your Dad or Grandfather using a soap and brush to shave?  We do.  Our NEW Men’s Shaving Set gift is classic, useful, high-quality and priced as a set ready to send as a gift.  We’re excited to be adding the Men’s Shaving Gift and other Gifts for Him at LoveFeast Shop.

SIGN UP for our LOVEFEAST NEWSLETTER and receive 15% off on your next purchase!!

Men’s Shaving Set ~ LoveFeast Shop

We think the New Men’s Shaving Set would be a great men’s great for any brother, uncle, grandfather, or graduate!!

And of course for Father’s Day!

 Find the Men’s Shaving Set & other Gifts for Men at LoveFeast Shop.

Having great neutral go-to pieces of jewelry, that can sparkle up any outfit, casual or chic, close at hand~is one of our style tricks!  Some of the pieces below are in our own jewelry boxes ~ and some of our friend’s as well.

(And here’s a little secret…shhh – one of these shiny pretties below is going to be in a giveaway this weekend ~ follow LoveFeast on Facebook and Instagram & Living Locurto  on Facebook and Instagram   – so you don’t miss a thing!)

   A great piece to REMEMBER your children with, the Mother’s Tree Of Life Necklace features gems for each child’s birth month.

Add some SPARKLE to your look.  This Clear Crystal Necklace is easy to use and adds a spark to any look.

* REMEMBER to add some SPARKLE & SHINE *

The Sparkle Rings come round or square, with choices of crystals.

Take a look in LoveFeast Shop to find a beautifully classic and hand made jewelry piece that will be a perfect gift to REMEMBER a special person in your life.

COME BACK CYBER MONDAY ~ SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER ~ DON’T MISS A THING!!

www.lovefeastshop.com

Urban Decay Naked 2 $52

This Naked 2 set has been the topic of conversation with us and a few of our girlfriends. It promises to bring sparkle to a neutral palette in all the right places. Rumor has it there is a Naked 3 Palette soon to be seen.

Jenna Frye Studded Boot $388

Anything made by Frye is alright in our book. This particular pair is made with vintage leather and with the studs, has that slightly rustic, chic finish that will add a little rock star to any look

Free People Banana Split Stripe Sweater $98

Free People is another brand we seem to be drawn to. And this sheer sweater, with folds in all the right places, would be something we’d wear any day of the week.

Anthropologie Sylvana Leather Moto Jacket $498

We’re both hunting high and low for a leather jacket this season. We know black is hot, but there is something incredibly yummy about this cinnamon colored jacket.

Cleobella Nita Bangle $159

Bangles in gold, stacked on our wrists…yup…their slight jingle adds happiness to any outfit. What are your current obsessions?

Every chargeable item in our home comes of course, with a charger.  But, with 6 members in our family the charger chaos is huge.  Someone anyone is apt to snatch someone’s charger accidentally.  My teenage daughter and her friends, dealing with the same problem at sleepovers and such, decided to take these matters into their own hands.  I came home one day last week to find that they were solving the problem by glitterizing their chargers.  This is a great and purposeful DIY craft project for kids, teens and anyone who want to personalize their charger.  (Step by step directions at the end of the post.)

We love Glitter.  Check out another Glitter DIY Craft Projects with STYLE ~

Painted Glitterized Bobby Pins

I think it was a cute touch to do both ends of the charger.

Choose your glitter color of choice.  The girls used fine glitter.

Bringing the 70’s crafts back – Mod Podge style.  A bottle of something you haven’t seen for awhile.

Carefully wrap the important ends with tape.

Sprinkle glitter over the plastic part of the charger you wish to decorate.

Let the excess shake off.

Let the chargers sit to dry.

Start on the phone end next.  After taping the metal part for protection, paint on the Mod Podge.

Sprinkle the glitter again.

They’re not going to be confused at the next sleep over over which charger is theirs.

They liked their project.

It turned out quite glam.

Glitterized Phone Charger DIY Project

Materials:  Mod Podge, Glitter, Paint Brush, Clear Finger Nail Polish

Step 1:  Tape the metal parts of the charger for protection.

Step 2:  Paint on glue with paintbrush.

Step 3:  Shake glitter over the glued areas.

Step 4:  Set to dry.

Step 5:  Repeat Step 2 and Step 3.

Step 6:  Set to dry

Step 6:  Seal with clear fingernail polish.

Step 7:  Set to dry.

 Do you have any tricks for keeping your chargers organized?

If you are looking for some color inspiration in your STYLE – look know further. The color to grab hold of this year is the color of year for 2013 is Pantone 17-5641 TCX , aka – Emerald.  Emerald is a great color.  It’s bold.  It’s sophisticated.  It’s happy.  You can do this color.  Here’s some inspiration below on how to add Emerald to your style.

Emerald is not going to be hard to add to your style story. You can add it in with a couple of signature pops and everyone will think you are in the moment. My suggestion is start with a thing or two.  Enough to have some fun with the color of the year without replacing anything major. A touch here, and accessory there.  Think of it as something to embrace, just now, for the year.  Unless of course your are really going to make the investment – in the real thing. In that case, go for it.  Emeralds are always, classic.

  Embrace the color Emerald to be on trend and in the know.  Emerald is sophisticated, happy and classic.

I’ve been loving Emerald on my nails since last year.  I felt like it was a festive happy color without making me look like I trying to be too young.  Jealous of your teenager daughters fun neon blue nails?  Embrace Emerald as your go-to fun nail color.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics ~ Sephora

I started out the new year with a Clarisonic Cleanser.  I’ve only had it for a couple of weeks.  Of any one thing I a have ever gotten for my skin, this is the thing.  Change your skin, change your year.  You will never be sorry you invested in you and got this.  I highly, highly recommend this.  And, now, you can get it in the signature color of the year.  Say, yes.

Clarisonic Mia2 Sonic Cleansing, Emerald Green ~ drugstore.com

I got the new iphone 5 for Christmas.  It is changing my world.  I can Facebook with you now.  And, tweet.  And, Instagram.  And look on Pinterest.  These of course are the tools of my trade.  And, look at this case.  How hip.

Pantone iPhone 5 Case [Emerald Green-Color of the Year 2013] ~ Case Scenario ~ A + R

I love a simple dress to throw on for any occasion where you have to look a little more pulled together, but don’t really have time to pull it together.  And, because it is a shift dress it still has a bit of comfort and an air of not trying to hard.  In the color of the year, a dress like this is perfect.

Ering Fetherston Pia Lace Shift Dress ~ Piperlime

I have always been a fan of any suede shoe.  What’s the new blue suede shoe? Hello, they’re Emerald.

Alice + Olivia Dina Suede Pumps ~ Shopbop.com

I’ve always shopped at Madewell when I’m in New York City.  I think we may have just gotten on here in Minneapolis.  But, I haven’t yet gone out to explore for it.  I do know that the quality and the price and the design of Madewell pieces are always reasonable and on trend.

The Lovelock Tote ~ Madewell

I admit to already telling my sweet heart that one of these days I would like something kinda like this.  Valentines Day is coming up.  They will not only be ultra on color target for this year.  They will be perfect for every year after that.  Because they’re real.  And real is good, especially when it comes to Emeralds.

14k Gold Earring, Round-Cut Emerald Leverback Drop Earrings (3/4 ct. t.w.) ~ Macy’s

If you purchase any one Emerald color item this year – what do you want it to be?

We don’t know about you, but shopping for HIM can sometimes be difficult. Aside from the traditional ties and power tools, what do you get the men in your life? Having 5 boys in my family, I’m always on the hunt for something unique. So, based on the tastes in my house, I created a Holiday Gift Guide for the boys.

For the Tech Guy:

I found these iPad cases at a local handmade market and loved the texture of the waxed canvas.

Waxed Canvas iPad Case from Fabric Horse $65

For the Musician:

The musician in your life will feel righteous with this guitar strap adding a bit of rockabilly to their swagger.

Guitar Strap “Steak Taco” by Jon Wye $98

For the Socially Responsible:

These handcrafted bamboo sunglasses give back. For every pair purchased, the PANDA-TOMA partnership will provide an eye or medical exam to a person in need. Stylish and socially responsible.

Handcrafted Panda Bamboo Sunglasses $120

The Well Groomed Beer Drinker:

These bars of soap are made with organic fair trade oils and lightly scented with a blend of essential oils. They come in delicious choices such as Pale Ale, Lager and Porter and would make a great stocking stuffer.

Porter Soap by Herban Lifestyle $8

For the Military Man:

I love that these grooming bags are made from unissued olive green military blankets then finished with an off white and green seersucker. It’s the perfect blend of strength and grace.

Men’s Grooming Bag by Fritz & Fraulein $38

For the Traveler:

Let me just say, these can be personalized without any extra cost! Each flask is wrapped in a distressed leather cover and initials or names can be added to make it your man’s own.

6 oz Leather “Train” Flask by in blue $22

For the Urban Hipster:

Each buckle made by Solidio is a work of art. This belt buckle was made from Pennsylvania Black Walnut and inlaid with Ivory from an old piano key. No two buckles are alike…unique, just like it’s hipster.

Black Walnut & Ivory Inlay Buckle w/ Leather Belt by Solidio $175

The Outlaw- Outdoorsman:

These hand knit sweaters are made in Iceland from pure Icelandic wool in the Outlaw pattern. This will keep your man warm no matter what terrain he is exploring.

Handknit Wool Sweater made by Diza in Iceland $220

The Gentleman Wanderer:

I know, I know, it doesn’t come out until January 22, 2013. But, if you were my husband, or one of my sons, you’d be doing a jig at finding a certificate in your stocking for Mumford & Sons, Gentleman of the Road Edition.

Mumford & Sons Gentlemen of the Road~Coming Jan. 22

The Aficionado: 

For the guy with acquired tastes, who loves to sample life’s finer things, consider a Cigar, Wine, Whiskey, Cheese or Beer of the Month Club. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.

Cigar of the Month Club $24.95/mo

I’d love to hear your gift ideas for the men in your life! With 5 of them to buy for, I’m always looking for new ideas.

A few of our friends got together to create different gift guides for this holiday season. We’re pretty sure there’s something for everyone!

The Blah Blah Blahger: Gifts for the Wine Lover
Nish Happens: Gifts for the Adventurous
O My Family: Gifts for the Preschool Boy
Sarah Bessey: Sarah’s Favourite Things
Kelly Sauer: Photography Gifts
Fried Okra: Stylish Gifts
Love Well: Gifts for Teens
Joy in this Journey: Healthy Gifts 

Wait for it…wait for it…next TUESDAY we will be part of a Gift Guide Roundup! Along with some of our fabulous friends, we will be sharing with you some creative gift ideas. We will be sharing our top Gift Ideas for HIM.

This year at a handmade market, Gifts for HIM seemed to dominate what we saw. That’s not usually the case. We know guys can be hard to shop for, so we wanted to share with you some of our finds. So, set aside some time next Tuesday…we will have our Gift Guide for Him ready and will have links for all of our friends up for you to peruse. Oh, and please, bring your gift ideas for Him to the table. We’d love to hear what you will be buying for the Men in your life this Christmas.

Back in the day when Kristin and I were raising our little people, I was know for whipping up craft projects for my kids.  I was a former middle school art teacher and I always had plenty of feathers, glitter, gem stones, glue and construction paper around.  There were afternoons Kristin would come over with her kids in tow, to find me and my kids at the kitchen table with a confetti burst of collage materials covering the floor all around us.  “How are you going to get this cleaned up!?” she’d gasp!  We have many a story about how when I create, projects and their parts just sort of explode around me and into other rooms.  She had been know to come by and help me reel it all in a time or two.  (Link to the “Christmas Giftwrapping Tips and Inspiration post HERE – better named, the “Wrapping Paper Incident Story”.)

Handmade Painted Bobby Pins would be sweet and thoughtful Christmas gifts, a great Teen Birthday Party activity or favor, and a fun DIY project for an afternoon Styleista!

I don’t pull out the glitter as much as I use to.  When I decided to do this Painted Bobby Pin DIY Project I had two things in mind.  First, I’ll be honest.  Farm out the post.  Kristin recently had her son Baker Boy do a post on Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies.  My daughter is Baker Boy’s age mate in our our steps of kids thus, she was my likely target for this project especially since it involved hair pretties and glitter.  Secondly, I had the opportunity to keep up my parenting tradition of laying out a great “glittery” hand made project.   She did this project with the help of her friend and composed this post in her own teen style! Farming out your kids to write your posts? – ahem, genius.

Step by step written directions on How To Create Handmade Painted Bobby Pins at the bottom of this post.

How To Create Handmade Painted Bobby Pins

1. Clip your bobby pins to an edge of firm paper or cardboard.
2. Paint the bobby pins with any fingernail polish.
3. Finish your bobby pins with a clear basecoat of fingernail polish.
4. Add fine glitter for sparkle.
5. Let dry.
6. Slide onto felt or burlap to create a pretty collection ready to gift.

Do you like to make handmade gifts?  What are your handmade gift ideas?

As some of you may know we are both mothers of many children.  Kristin has 5 children and Chris Ann has 4.  After many years, and all those children neither of us had a piece of jewelry to represented our families.  We knew there was something out there, but we hadn’t come across anything that we thought would last the years, live past the fads, remain classic, stylish and sophisticated.  Something that we would treasure forever.  We also knew that whatever Mother’s jewelry we would get, it had to be artistic.

We want to let you know about our necklace sooner than later, because as you know, Mother’s Day is right around the corner!  And we know we are going to be busy!

Last year our Mother’s Tree of Life necklace in silver was The Pioneer Woman’s Mother’s Day Gift Idea #1 last year.

Mother’s Tree of Life in Silver ~ $199

We couldn’t resist sending a gold Mother’s Necklace to our friend Laura ~ Hollywood Housewife, when she had her new baby.

Mother’s Tree Of Life Necklace in Gold ~ $230

We both have our own Mother’s Tree Of Life necklaces too.  We receive so many compliments every time we wear it!  It’s fun to look down and say thank you ~ these are my 4 or 5 kids!  And, its fun to be reminded that what you are wearing around your neck is really what is closest to your heart.

The Mother’s Tree Of Life Necklace is the perfect no fail, Mother’s Day gift!  The necklace will be a beautiful heirloom that will make you remember what you truly treasure!!

Check out the Mother’s Tree Of Life Necklace & other inspiring finds in our LoveFeast Shop!