Accessories for Aging Former Goth/Witchy Types

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Hey, that’s me! I want these things! Perhaps you do too. And anyway, I’m just having some fun with the title. Let’s look at some pretty things for all of us.

First off, #1 on this list is clearly gray hair. Let those sparklies grow in! I realize I missed the whole silver sisters grow-out culture that has been taking place by not photographing myself constantly but here I am, fully dye-free. (That hasn’t happened since I was 13!) I’ve had just about every color, and this one’s my favorite.

Nicole Balch Likes Ochre.

Next up, embrace those piercings! The 90s are back, and thankfully I put plenty of holes in my ears back then that are still able to be put to use. I have three lobe piercings in each ear, and one helix in my upper left. My thirties were my STATEMENT EARRINGS decade, but lately I’ve returned to an ear full of delicate studs and tiny hoops. Do I find myself wanting little earrings that look like eyeballs and lightning bolts and snakes and feeling it might be a little too gimmicky? Yes. Except for these Snake Huggies. They are beautiful and I still wish I had a pair.

These are the ones I’m wearing in the photo above:

Delicate Studs and Hoops Earrings in Gold and Faux Diamonds | Making it Lovely

Should I get another piercing? The faux conch is making me want a real one. I suppose I can just continue to wear it though.

Nail polish and rings? Oh yes. I’m hard on my hands, doing projects like scraping wallpaper or other things around the house, but my polish has been holding up. I have been enjoying all three colors that I recently bought from J. Hannah (Compost, which I told you about before, along with Fauna and Ghost Ranch). I also very badly want their onyx and mother of pearl Form Inlay Ring II in gold. It is perfect and I’ve not seen anything else quite like it. Also, I’ve been wearing this Double Groove Ring ring a lot lately, and I pair it with a few fun rings I have similar to this Gumball Pearl Ring and Atom Ring.

Nail Polish and Gold Rings | Making it Lovely
Blush Pink Lipstick

Pink lipstick. Suddenly I don’t have pale skin against dark hair! The complexion remains the same, but the gray has made my hair look so much lighter and the stark contrast (that I liked) is gone. I’ve been playing with makeup, and I look amazing in pink lipstick now. Cool pink though, brighter than the nudes and muddy roses that are so easily found. I’m wearing Blush Pink from Laura Mercier in the photo above, but I also love Givenchy’s Rose Boudoir.

Barrettes! I’m growing out bangs. This barrette looks like a baguette and that makes me smile. I’m very into all four colors of these Tortoiseshell Pearlized Barrettes and this swirly Jumbo Box Barrette. And then these Teardrop Barrettes look like cheap plastic blobs on their own, but like shiny precious stones in the hair. These all look like entirely too much when presented together like this, but I only ever wear one at a time, and I do wear one everyday.

Barrettes

There we go, some fashion frivolity on this first day of November.

I go through cycles in which I want very little and then I want everything new and all at once. I assume this is common? I would like some Mary Janes and a new pair of lace-up boots, cozy sweaters and midi dresses. And so many perfumes! (I will let myself have a little perfume. As a treat.)

© 2021, published by Making it Lovely as Accessories for Aging Former Goth/Witchy Types | No comments | This post may contains affiliate links; I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

The post Accessories for Aging Former Goth/Witchy Types appeared first on Making it Lovely.

from Home Improvement https://makingitlovely.com/2021/11/01/accessories-for-aging-former-goth-witchy-types/

Weekend Reading 10.30.21

Happy Halloween weekend! My teenagers are off with their friends running around town to various hangouts. Gone are the days when I get them dressed up and we go trick or treating together but that’s okay. Now we sit home and wait for the little ones in our neighborhood to come to our front door and I always look forward to seeing their cute costumes.

I ordered some new chairs and linens for my dining room and I’ll be setting them up this week. It’s been many years since I’ve hosted Thanksgiving so I’m getting an early start. The last few years we’ve been out of town with extended family so it’s my turn again to decorate and cook. I also have a few simple holiday projects I’m excited about that I’ll share with you in the coming weeks.

Favorite links from the week:

Beautifully renovated and decorated: this elegant home.

Classy Florida style on display in this modern Palm Beach getaway.

Woah, this is mosaic checkered tile floor.

From retro to classic: different styles of wood paneling to inspire.

Vintage photos of Paris.

Small towns across the USA to visit for a festive holiday.

Skin friendly foods that fight wrinkles.

Chris makes the coolest Halloween food: witch fingers and coffin dip.

This history of Halloween and why we celebrate it.

Spooky! Zillow has a virtual haunted house tour.

from Home Improvement https://centsationalstyle.com/2021/10/weekend-reading-10-30-21/

Leaf Luminaries & Choosing Simplicity

It hits me every year, the last week of October. I begin to feel the expectations building, the stress of content creation, the subtle nudge to please all the people around me, and the pressure to make it look effortless. So a few years ago I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t sacrifice my physical and emotional health during the holidays even if that meant saying “no” a lot more. I chose instead to simplify the season.

I stopped throwing a Christmas party and sending holiday cards. I make the living room festive and I hang garland on the stairs but I no longer decorate the entire house. I wait until December to buy a Christmas tree and decorate it with my kids. Once I took the pressure off myself the immediate result was I began to feel more joy during the holiday season.

I watch the stories of people I follow on Instagram and already there’s so much creativity happening. I love it, it’s beautiful, and I look forward to being inspired by more. I still like to make things and if they turn out well, I share them here on the blog.

But one thing I’ve realized as the years go by and in all the holiday seasons I’ve celebrated is that time is the only thing with real value and our energy is finite. We get to choose where we spend it.

So instead of stressing myself out during the holiday season, I opt for simplicity in decorating and entertaining. Right now that looks like leaves clipped from the backyard paired with luminaries made of leaves and wax paper.

 

To me, simplicity is a choice to not get caught up in what everyone else is (or seems to be) doing.

To you maybe that looks like decorating with swags of popcorn or construction paper garlands made by your kids or grandkids instead of store bought gilded versions.

Perhaps it’s the pie you buy from the bakery to bring to a party because you don’t have time to bake.

Maybe it’s prioritizing kicking your feet up and snuggling with your favorite people with just a string of twinkle lights for the mood, instead of hauling out bins of holiday decor and decking the halls for days only to have to put it away a few weeks later.

Whatever it looks like to you I guarantee, choosing simplicity means a less stressful and more joyful holiday season.

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If you’re interested in how to make these simple leaf luminaries with wax paper, I posted the supplies and instructions on Instagram Reels today. This fall craft is a return to basics – decoupage leaves as a simple centerpiece. (Just be sure to use flameless candles). I used the leftover skeleton leaves from these embellished pumpkins.

Today’s post is really just a word of encouragement and a reminder this holiday season there’s no need to stress out when decorating or entertaining. You can choose simplicity in all you do and still create seasonal beauty.

from Home Improvement https://centsationalstyle.com/2021/10/leaf-luminaries-choosing-simplicity/

Weekend Reading 10.24.21

Weekend greetings! I’m sitting in my little studio listening to the rain on the street, it’s been storming for a few days and of course we need the water but I find the sound is so comforting too.

Fall activities are filling our calendar, we had two homecoming dances this past week, there’s an upcoming Halloween soiree, and I volunteered to host Thanksgiving. We traveled last year so I’m looking forward to staying home and cooking in my own kitchen. I can’t believe November is next week. Here we go right into the holiday season!

Favorite links from the week:

The best trees to grow in pots on your patio.

What a gorgeous shade of jade green in the den in this family home.

Wow what a view! Also love the hood in this kitchen.

From dated to mid mod: this impressive kitchen remodel.

Ideas for filling empty corners of your home.

So cute: the new Lego Home Alone house.

The trick for keeping lemons fresh in the fridge for months.

These tested 700 songs are the ones that give people chills.

I’m already missing Italy reading this travel guide to all the regions.

from Home Improvement https://centsationalstyle.com/2021/10/weekend-reading-10-24-21/

Weekend Reading 10.24.21

Weekend greetings! I’m sitting in my little studio listening to the rain on the street, it’s been storming for a few days and of course we need the water but I find the sound is so comforting too.

Fall activities are filling our calendar, we had two homecoming dances this past week, there’s an upcoming Halloween soiree, and I volunteered to host Thanksgiving. We traveled last year so I’m looking forward to staying home and cooking in my own kitchen. I can’t believe November is next week. Here we go right into the holiday season!

Favorite links from the week:

The best trees to grow in pots on your patio.

What a gorgeous shade of jade green in the den in this family home.

Wow what a view! Also love the hood in this kitchen.

From dated to mid mod: this impressive kitchen remodel.

Ideas for filling empty corners of your home.

So cute: the new Lego Home Alone house.

The trick for keeping lemons fresh in the fridge for months.

These tested 700 songs are the ones that give people chills.

I’m already missing Italy reading this travel guide to all the regions.

from Home Improvement https://centsationalstyle.com/2021/10/weekend-reading-10-24-21/

Fall Flavored Apple Cinnamon Cocktail

Can you feel it, the holidays just around the corner? It always feels like a race through November to get ready for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, to decorate, buy gifts, and recreate traditions. But I’m still enjoying the feeling of fall for a few more weeks!

To kick off the weekend, how about a fall flavored cocktail? This adult beverage is made with just three liquid ingredients, and the cinnamon sugar rim gives it extra flavor. The preparation looks best in a coupe glass because of the sparkling prosecco but you could also use a lowball glass for the mixture.

The ingredients in this fall flavored apple cinnamon cocktail are prosecco, cinnamon whiskey, and unfiltered apple juice or cider, paired with rim sugar made with 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, 2 tbsp sugar, and honey. Apple slices make an optional garnish.

 

 

Recipe for two cocktails:

In a cocktail shaker, pour 4 oz cinnamon whiskey and 4 oz. unfiltered apple over ice and shake to chill.

 

To create rim sugar, make a circle of honey on one plate and a circle of the sugar and cinnamon combined on another. Dip the top of the coupe glass into the honey, then dip the honey rimmed glass into the cinnamon sugar mixture.

 

Strain the whiskey and apple juice mixture into the coupe glasses, then top with another 2 oz. of prosecco per glass. In total each cocktail is equal parts 2 oz. whiskey, 2 oz. unfiltered apple juice, and 2 oz. prosecco. If you like cocktails a little more sparkling add and extra ounce of prosecco.

 

The perfect fall flavor in a glass!

 

If you’re wondering about the coupe glasses, mine are a set of four eve coupe glasses from CB2.

The coupe is similar to the old fashioned champagne glasses used in the golden years of Hollywood before flutes became the norm. The coupe is a throwback shape and is available in so many cool shapes and colors for entertaining.

These are a few coupes that have a bit more flair beyond basic clear glass. Time to stock up for your holiday festivities!

 

smoke champagne saucer (three colors) / faceted crystal

tropical tiki / short smoke

 

curvy wolcott / waterfall coupe (three colors)

fiorella coupe / long stem camille

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from Home Improvement https://centsationalstyle.com/2021/10/fall-flavored-apple-cinnamon-cocktail/

Pasta e Fagioli

The day after I get home from an international trip I always take the day off. I’ve found the best way to recover from jet lag is to not jump right back to work but instead take a full day off to rest, do my laundry from the trip, and eat healthy food. I found out on my journey home from Italy that it would be raining for a week back home in Northern California so I made up my mind to recreate an Italian soup to help with my recovery.

‘Pasta e Fagioli’ means “pasta and beans” and it’s an Italian soup made of meat, beans, vegetables, and pasta. ‘Pasta e Fagioli’ is the Venetian dialect but in the US, it’s also referred to as ‘Pasta Fazool’ from the southern Italian dialect. Sometimes made with pancetta, I made mine with ground beef like the one I had in Venice.

It’s tasty, hearty, and a perfect winter soup that’s ready to eat in one hour. I made this last night for dinner for my family, delicious!

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 yellow onion (finely diced)

3 garlic cloves (finely diced)

1 lb. ground beef

1 32 oz. low sodium broth (vegetable or chicken)

1 15 oz can tomato sauce

1 15 oz. can kidney beans

10-12 diced baby carrots

1 cup small pasta shells

4-5 chopped fresh basil leaves (or 1 tbsp dried basil)

1 tbsp oregano

¾ tsp garlic powder

ground parmesan cheese (garnish)

To prepare: Dice the onion and garlic and soften for 2 minutes in a large soup pot on low heat in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Add the ground beef to the pot and stir until it’s cooked. Add the broth, tomato sauce, diced carrots, kidney beans, and pasta shells and bring mixture to a boil.

Boil on medium heat for 10 minutes until the pasta shells are cooked. Add the basil, oregano, and garlic powder and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve with garlic bread and a nice Italian or red wine!

Makes 4 servings.

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from Home Improvement https://centsationalstyle.com/2021/10/pasta-e-fagioli/

Weekend Reading 10.17.21

I’m leaving Italy tomorrow after a week of beautiful scenery and great weather and lucky me this was a great time to visit.

There was some additional paperwork and tests needed to get here and fly home but it went smoothly since I budgeted extra time for that. I came with two of my best travel mates and we had a great time. Of course I’ll share my experience on the blog soon!

Now it’s back to real life! I read it will rain this week so I’ll be catching up on work and making favorite homemade soups. 🙂

Favorite links from the week: 

I especially love the design of the built in bookcases in this home.

Bravo: this mural wallpaper is stunning.

Ideas for childproofing your home without sacrificing style.

100% agree: the best brand of paint for refinishing cabinets.

Loved reading the process of this glass artist.

So clever and fun, this geometric wainscoting.

Eww, I mean cool! How fun for Halloween: Jello blood worms.

Recommended plants for bedrooms.

Her underwater dances are impressive.

Martha is the queen of indoor Halloween.

Stanley Tucci reflects on how Julia Child changed his life.

Vacation rental of the week: this villa in Sicily.

from Home Improvement https://centsationalstyle.com/2021/10/weekend-reading-10-17-21/

8 Days in Italy: What I Packed

It’s been a few days I’ve been in Italy, visiting Venice, Florence, and Verona. In the past ten years I’ve visited a lot of European countries but I haven’t been back to Italy in almost two decades so I’m thrilled to return! If you follow my stories on Instagram, I’ve shared some images of what this week has been like so far.

I’m not a fashion blogger, I travel for the experience and to take a lot of pictures of the landscapes and scenery. I value comfort but I don’t want to look sloppy either so I will bring clothing that make me feel good while I walk around town. I travel light, wear layers, rewash and rotate my outfits. I stick with classic styles but I prefer to mix feminine and edgy.

Today take a peek at some of the separates I brought with me on my trip to Italy and the travel gear I bring with me too!

 

long sleeve swing dress / faux leather jacket

black camo leggings / red lace cami / black combat boots

mustard crewneck sweater / lace trim top / stretch ripped jegging 

satin leopard print skirt (similar here) / gold sneakers

marble leggings / black v neck sweater / black sneakers

tie dye sweatshirt  / red midi skirt (similar)

packable puffer jacket / lightweight moto jacket

black floral blouse (similar) / black jeggings/  black stretch rayon dress /

I brought clothing that can be mixed and reworn in different combinations. Comfy leggings or jeggings, a few dresses and skirts, patterned or colorful tops and super comfortable shoes!

 

samsonite spinner / this lightweight duffle (sale price here)

jewelry bag / black crossbody (night)

marble cosmetic bags / small backpack (day)

 

A few tips that I follow that help me pack super light:

1. Roll instead of fold your clothing, it’s amazing how much this saves space!

2. Stay in a vacation rental with a washing machine mid way through your trip so you can wash and rewear clothing. Keep in mind some places only have a washer not a dryer so budget 24 hours of time for clothes to dry.

3. Try every outfit on! I’ve skipped this step before and realized I’d gained or lost a little weight or I brought the wrong version of something and smacked my forehead not doing this. Especially since comfort is so key!

4. Stick to a basic color palette, mix in one or two patterned dresses and a few colorful tops/sweaters/skirts.

5. Shoes: comfortable is essential but cute is important too! I like leather sneakers plus a pair of boots in colder weather or sandals in warm weather. The one thing you don’t want is blisters so break in any shoes before you leave, but bring blistercare gel bandages just in case.

________

I’ll be in Italy a few more days! I’ll share the regular weekend post on Sunday and back to blogging when I get back to the States next week.

Ask any questions you have and I’ll get back to you in the comments. Ciao!

from Home Improvement https://centsationalstyle.com/2021/10/8-days-in-italy-what-i-packed/

Reupholstering My Floral Chair with Calico

Sponsored by Calico

I loved my loud floral armchair. It was a floor model, and there was a small rip in the linen fabric when I bought it. I experimented with ways to fix it, ultimately landing on a patch that blended pretty well! I was proud of my handiwork, and the chair was really cute in our last home and in this one.

Ten years on though, the fabric on the seat had started to look a bit threadbare. It went from noticeably “hmmm” to “oh no” pretty quickly and it was beyond my abilities to repair any further. But I still loved the chair! No need to replace and treat it as disposable — it was time to reupholster.

Ripped Linen Chair Fabric

I visited Calico in Hinsdale and worked with Linda (she was so helpful!) to pull fabric options. Calico’s design services are free, and you can make an appointment for your local store. There’s a whole before and after gallery to get you inspired, and you can request a reupholstery quote too. Calico reupholsters more than 10,000 furniture pieces every year!

At our appointment, Linda had pointed me toward a floral very similar in feel to what the chair had. It would have been sort of a floral 2.0 update, and it was definitely in the running, but we looked at options for changing it up too.

Fabric Swatches at Calico Corners

Calico lets you borrow their fabric samples so you can be sure they look right on the piece you want to reupholster, and so that you can make sure they work with the rest of your home. I rethought a couple of my top choices after seeing them with the rest of my furniture. I like the armchair being in our bedroom (a pretty neutral backdrop), but wanted to keep the option to use it downstairs if I feel like rearranging at some point.

Calico Corners Fabric Samples at Home | Making it Lovely

I felt like I was close to choosing, but on a follow-up visit, I noticed a print I hadn’t seen before. Like little granny squares? I had to borrow the sample to see. I did a Photoshop mockup for both too.

Calico Corners Fabric Options - Granny Squares Scalamandre and Bold Floral
French Fauteuil Crapaud Napolean Armchairs | Calico Corners, Making it Lovely

Floral 2.0 (Cassaro Luxe Collection Passion Fruit) or little granny squares (Scalamandré Kirov)? I went back and forth, but the little granny squares charmed me. I returned my fabric samples and placed my order with Linda. Calico handled everything from getting the fabric in, picking up the chair, having it reupholstered (including some freshening up of the foam padding), and then having it delivered again.

My chair! She’s so cute! It looks perfect.

Reupholstered Armchair from Calico Corners | Making it Lovely
Calico Corners Fabric Samples at Home | Making it Lovely
Armchair Calico Corners Kirov Scalamandre Fabric Reupholstered | Making it Lovely

Having a piece reupholstered is so fun. You get to fall in love with a piece all over again. It was cute and quirky for ten years, and now it can be cute and quirky in a different way for the next ten years! And in better shape, too.

Floral Armchair Before | Making it Lovely
Reupholstered Chair with Calico Corners | Making it Lovely

© 2021, published by Making it Lovely as Reupholstering My Floral Chair with Calico | No comments | This post may contains affiliate links; I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

The post Reupholstering My Floral Chair with Calico appeared first on Making it Lovely.

from Home Improvement https://makingitlovely.com/2021/10/12/reupholstering-my-floral-chair-with-calico/