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

A LoveFeast Style is one that has layers of exquisite detail and texture but it may be just slightly wrinkled and paired with faded, denim jeans.

The key is to make sure one of your pieces of clothing, like this shirt above, is detailed, delicious, embellished and finished. That way when you pair it with a tattered pair of jeans, the juxtaposition of the outfit is balanced and beautiful.

We are also big fans of adding a bit of organic to the mix, something with a little earth tone to warm up the outfit. This over-sized bag is perfect for taking an outfit into fall.

Don’t forget the perfect shade heel to add a little sophistication to a pair of rolled jeans. They will dress up any denim. We are in love with this idea, maybe it’s because tables, tablescaping and any vintage linen is a part of our daily vocabulary…

This vintage tablecloth turned tunic is on our wish list for this fall! How about you? What are your tips for mixing lace and denim?

*Lead photo found on Pinterest.

The first time I came across the Aesop brand, was wandering the skinny streets of Southwark near the Borough Market in London, England.  It was a rainy, bone chilling day, in February, and I saw an interesting sign over a door and sought it out as a shelter.  As I opened the door, I was greeted with softly scented warmth and a cup of tea.  Moments later, after a hand wash at a sink and a warm towel, the shop girl begin to introduce me to the lovely creams and lotions.

It wasn’t long before I landed on what insists on being a favorite treat for my hands lately.

Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm by Aesop

We are lucky to have a lovely counter full of lovely Aesop products at Martin Patrick in the North Loop, Minneapolis.

Follow this link to purchase the perfect hand balm, Resurrection Hand Balm by Aesop. It’s #justonething you need to make your daily ritual special.

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

A couple of months ago I accompanied my husband on a business trip to London.  While he was in meetings I wandered the cobblestone streets around Covent Garden.  The coffee shops, street fashion (lots of plumb, textured black tights and fur) and boutiques brightened my creative spirit even though the weather was similar to our Minnesota chill.  A little down the street after stopping in the flagship Barbour store, which I absolutely had to do since, Kristin’s sister-n-law designs their women and children lines I wandered into the Spanish boutique, Hoss Intropia.

At first glance I wasn’t sure if it was my vibe.  But, the sales women were so inviting and I thought I might just peek at their sales rack.  A lot of the things were in a lovely muted palette which I saw a lot of in London as well.  Pale peaches, nudes, creams, plums.  Many of the materials were filmy and delicate, not things that I tend to wear in my every day.  However, every once in a while I think it is great to buy a special piece that stands out to you.  And, buying a special piece with out the pressure is my kind of shopping.  I was going to pick out something to “dress for the day” for a day that hadn’t quite happened yet!

Look for an “event” dress with no clear “event” to wear it to.  Look for an outfit that speaks to you, makes you feel pretty and that fits your style, not just your event.

After a couple of tries I found something that I love.  A lovely muted plum frock with flecks of gold.  It can be worn as a shift or belted at the waist.  I think it goes with boots, or heels.  I’m looking forward to sporting it in every season.  That’s my kind of dress.

A couple of weeks ago I wore it to a birthday celebration in New York City.  It was there in my closet ready to be worn for just the day I wanted to celebrate!

Do you have any great tips for being prepared for a special event?

(Linked at the Pleated Poppy – What I Wore Wednesday and Dear Abby Leigh – Dress For The Day)

Sometimes my outfit inspires my day. But, sometimes my day inspires my outfit. I could be at a museum or a boutique and see a painting or a chair whose colors or pattern stays with me, marinates in my mind and later inspire pieces from my wardrobe to be combined in a new way. My outfit becomes a color story. For example this chair,

a peacock feather…

a pair of hand knit earrings…

a splash of color,

even a cell phone cover, can inspire an outfit and

tell a color story.

And may just inspire the day you want to have.

I’m linking up over at Dear Abby Leigh.

and over at Pleated Poppy

We want to welcome our guest and makeup artist, Brielle Brenner today. Brielle will be stopping by monthly to share beauty tips with us. This month is Lipstick Month! Welcome Brielle…

As I unpack the insane amount of Christmas gifts I received this year , I come across my favorite: a little black tube of beautiful, whimsical color. My pride and joy contained in 3 grams of delicious pigment. I’m talking about a lipstick.

Thinking about the crisp untouched slant of a new tube of lipstick that would soon be formed to my lip shape from daily wear (some crazy makeup articles have done a “what does your lipstick SHAPE say about you”  like that of a handwriting analysis, but about your lipstick!) gets me all too excited to wear such a fun color to my next special occasion.

But then again, why do I have to WAIT to wear a funky shade of lipstick?  Aren’t I special enough!?  Is that color going to shock my daily acquaintances into thinking I’m some sort of out of touch female who wears purple lipstick midday!?

I come out, covered in color, shouting like a crazed fiend,

“I LOVE CRAZY LIPSTICK COLORS!!! I LOVE PURPLE LIPSTICK!”

While you may share the same fear, I will be the first to tell you, no one will think you are crazy.  You will most likely even receive compliments.  Time waits for no one, and a 9 am purple/red/orange lipped wake up call is as good as any other nude lipstick choice that makes you feel super comfortable in your skin.

It’s the way you wear it, ladies.

 

         My Mac Lipstick in “Up the Amp”

(such a fitting name) $15

 

If you are ready to fulfill your desire to don a fierce lipstick shade, here are a few tips on how pick the best one for you!

1. Find your skin’s undertone . Are you Cool, Neutral, Or Warm skinned?

Try this:  Put on a white t-shirt, and hold up a piece of white paper to your clean face in front of a mirror . Do you come across pinkish/red (cool), or yellow/tan (warm) ?
Do you feel most comfortable in : Jewel tones  (cool toned) or Rich Oranges, bright yellows, Gold (warm toned).

2. Wear ANY shade of lipstick as long as it is the same undertone as your skin

Try this : Hold a lipstick against a white surface in the store, does it appear blue (cool) or yellow/orange (warm) around the edges ?

3. Wear makeup of the same undertone.

Try this: If wearing a cool lipstick, make sure to keep your blush and eyeshadow the same tone (and vice versa for warm tones)

While these rules CAN be broken, breaking them takes practice.  So as we are venturing outside of our closet space of makeup comfort, we will take it easy and start here. But please feel free to send questions my way [email protected]

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Brielle is a licensed Makeup Artist and Esthetician in Atlanta, GA . She is currently working in high fashion print and editorial. Her “go to” makeup look is glowing skin paired with thick, winged liner and red lips. Brielle has been helping women overcome their makeup fears since 2010. www.bluebirdartistry.com

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?

Today we’re featuring a Thanksgiving style post by our friend and practical fashionista Megan Cobb of FriedOkra.

Thanksgiving evokes such a feeling of cozy togetherness, doesn’t it? It’s also the holiday that just seems to demand a nod to our rustic history. To capture both rustic and cozy, with a touch of celebratory elegance, I’ve created a look here that combines a bold but warm and comfy pieced Fair Isle sweater (Anthropologie) with a simple, classic camel wool pencil skirt (J. Crew) and added touches of color and texture with leather boots (H & M) and a gorgeous red bag (Banana Republic).

Whatever you’re planning to wear to your Thanksgiving gathering this year, the LoveFeast ladies and I wish you a wonderful, memorable day full of love and laughter.

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Megan Cobb’s forty-something take on style as a stubbornly still-hot wife and mom of two littles? Wear what makes you feel gorgeous, and always rock your laugh lines harder than anything else you’ve got on. Megan is also a fashion contributor at Simple Design and Together in 10 and a co-host of the increasingly popular weekly synchroblog for all things parenting, The Parent ‘Hood.

We have a good friend, Nish. She blogs over at Nish Happens. Nish is a down to earth, white water rafting, storytelling kinda girl. She’s the one you want around your campfire at night. Recently she wrote a post, Four Beauty Tips for Women Who Don’t Give a Crap. I love Nish and her ability to cut to the point and get down to business.

I had spent time with Nish on a girls weekend retreat last month and I have to be honest, had hair envy. She had long, shiny, chestnut hair with just the right amount of laid back curl. I’ve had short hair that has gone through many changes in the last few years. I like to change it up when it comes to hair. I was the girl in the 90’s who rocked punked out, spiked hair and threatened to get a mohawk. I get brave when it comes to hair. It’s just hair after all, it can grow out or be re-dyed. I went vibrant red for a couple of years. I didn’t want my two gingers to feel left out.

Recently I went back to my normal color,  grey blonde and have decided to grow it out a bit. But, a hairdresser told me not too long ago that my hair was “going matte“. “Matte! What does that mean?” I countered back. “Oh, it’s no big deal. It happens with age. It’s just losing it’s shine.”

So, now I’m on the hunt for great products as well as styles to try and give life to this matte hair.

Nish posted, “Learn the Art of No Heat Curl”. Perfect!

I washed my hair and borrowed my daughter’s headband.

I followed the instructions, put the headband around my hair and began to gather sections of hair, tucking them in and around the headband. My husband thought I was harnessing my inner Greek goddess. I wore it that way throughout the day, until it was dry. Just before we were getting ready to go out for a dinner date, I let my tendrils loose. (For full directions, click HERE.)

I now use this method at least once a week! I love that I don’t have to fry my matte hair more with a blow dryer. I love that it’s easy to do and honestly, I love the way it looks.

Thanks Nish for helping this middle aged mama to stay current and add life to her matte hair.

Do you have hair tips? I’d love to hear~my hair would love to hear.

We can multitask several children fed, dressed, lunches made, hair combed and out the door in less than 45 minutes. Have you ever wondered why it takes so much effort to get ourselves ready to go out the door?  Because, it just plain takes some effort.  Lately I have been trying to put a little bit of extra effort into getting “Dress For The Day“.  Funny thing is I had already started this effort, when one of my friends, blogger, started this weekly link up of inspiration to encourage us all to put in that extra effort.  I have found when I feel more pulled together I actually tend to have more energy and get more done.  I hope it inspires you to make that extra effort on you – because if you feel good about your reflection – you might just feel better about the day – because you’re worth it! (Also linked over at What I Wore Wednesday ~ The Pleated Poppy.)

I got my hair done this week.  I am super guilty of overusing the messy bun and ponytail look for too many days in a row.  Effort for me is to blow it straight – and ta-da I did and also added peek-a-boo highlights under my hair – subtle but still a fun change.

One of my go-to type outfits is what I’ll call the “Beautiful Lady”.  It is dressy enough for school conference, to have a business meeting, yet causal enough to be comfortable at home or while hauling kids in my minivan.

It’s one of my great “go-to” outfits with just 4 basic elements ~ a great boot, a comfy sweater, a great skirt and a scarf.

I have had these black suede boots for years.  I love them.  They always make me feel good.  Good boots are an investment that will pay you back in years and in time spent looking for the right shoe.

I’m a big believer in a scarf.  It’s fun and practical.  And, I think it brings together the outfit to a nice finish.

Taking a little extra effort won’t make them love you more – but it might make you feel a little bit more energized to take on the day.

Want some help to get shopping for a look like this now?  I had a fun time finding the same elements and pulling it together for an easy to shop for look.  Check it out ~ Beautiful Lady!