Mingle magazine give away

Stampington & Company has generously sent me a copy of their new magazine

to give away here on my blog.

........ .........photos courtesy of Stampington & Company

The much-anticipated premiere issue of Mingle is finally here! Readers will delight in all the fun and unique ideas for gathering and celebrating we've put together. From a Thankful for Friends party thrown in the woods to extraordinary tips for hosting exceptional gatherings with a creative flair, we’re hoping to inspire you to find more reasons and ways to celebrate. This issue also explores two intimate artistic retreats – Pen & Paper: A Be Present Retreat and Do What You Love. There’s so much eye candy in this issue, you won’t want to miss it.

Since Stampington has gifted me with 2 issues

1 for me and 1 for you

I'm going to peruse my issue and give a short review

then give away both issues, including mine, slightly thumbed through.

2 winners will be announced

on Saturday October 22

So, if you would like to win this issue for yourself

leave a comment below

and maybe an entertaining idea too!

Congratulations to the winners,

to live inspired & rita

please email your mailing addresses !

"Time Tested Beauty Tips"

I received the purse as a gift,

for no apparent reason or occasion

( actually I believe it was one of those gifts that just keep on giving,

passed from one to another until it is finally appreciated by its owner )

It had been tucked away into the corner of a crammed shelf

in my cluttered studio far too long.

It was basic and black & I loved the shape and size

there was an elegant and classic quality about it's styling.

See through could be considered sexy

yet it needed a little embellishment to dress it up

so it could finally go out in public and be appreciated.

( okay, it may just be for a costume )

Either way there was something about it that reads Holly Golightly to me...

Remember the 1961 film adaption of the novella by Truman Capote starring Audrey Hepburn ?

( photos courtesy of Stampington & Co. )

I can visualize her beautiful, long slim black dress

fabulous huge black hat with a wide brim,

oversized sunglasses, pearls & long black evening gloves...

dressed to the nines for her weekly visit to Sally Tomato

who is locked away in Sing Sing for tax evasion.

Tucking in a slip of paper with the "weather report" from Sally Tomato

the mafia leader, she was given to take back to his lawyer Mr. O'Shaughnessy.

The handbag is embellished with a feminine touch of

black velvet rosettes with pearl centers

just enough to give it a touch of allure and elegance

perfect for going any where

even Breakfast at Tiffany's !

I love this poem and just wanted to share.

It was written by Sam Levenson for his granddaughter

and is one of Audrey Hepburn's favorites.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

70's inspired vintage top

I stopped by the Nordy's in Fashion Island to peruse & shop.

It's there I discovered this 70's inspired vintage looking blouse,

and as a seamstress was most impressed with all the details,

especially with the price being under $40.00 !

I loved all the tiny french tucks in the front and the beautifully

embellished lace on the 3/4 sleeves and hem.

I wondered why there was no detail at the collar.

Did the designer chose to leave it plain on purpose

or was it a conscious decision to meet a certain price point ?

Maybe I've been watching too much of the show

"All on the Line " on the Sundance channel.

Either way, in my world I felt it needed a little something more.

Upon arriving home with my treasured new purchase

I began foraging through my cluttered studio for that special something.

As it turned out an old tablecloth being discarded by a friend

who no longer found it beautiful or useful was the perfect piece.

Though the delicate linen fabric center had worn thin

and was torn, fortunately most of the wide lace edging was still intact.

I carefully removed it and then reattached it

along the collar line of my

new acquisition to give it that extra detail I had envisioned !

Someone many years ago

spent to a lot of time creating this beautiful lace edging.

I am thrilled to give it a whole new life!

photo credits Stampington & co.

featured in Belle Armoire summer 2011

Read more about the other top here

Brown-bagging it with style

.

This is taking " brown-bagging it " to a whole new level !

with Ralph Lauren's Cliffony sheer drapery fabric 
and Kravet trim samples

This is what you will need

lunch bag. .scrap fabric...misc. trims ..plastic lid.. glue . sewing supplies

and time on your hands!

( or you are put on hold for several hours while your DSL service tries to resolve ongoing issues

and you happen to have these samples and remnants from client's files cluttering your desk )

. . . five months later . . .

I am happy to share it in this treasure trove of fun and inspiration

Somerset Life Magazine

with some fellow creatives.

Thank you to all involved at Stampington and Company

for giving each of us the opportunity

to inspire, delight, teach, encourage and be a blessing !!!

.

Published in Altered Couture

.

read more about the top here

and a second article on page 135

fun embellishing of a little wool hat with vintage lace edging

with a removable magnetic flower pin

GRATEFUL TO BE INCLUDED !