(The Everly Necklace by 31 Bits.)
For my birthday, my sister gave me a gorgeous necklace and earring set from Altar’d State. The necklace was fairly heavy and ornate for my taste, so I exchanged it for the Everly Necklace by 31 Bits. This was my first visit to Altar’d State, and it’s a really lovely store filled with many fair trade and ethically-made items. (They were also a sponsor of Texas Style Council.) I found my new necklace on a mannequin in the middle of a display, and when I couldn’t locate another necklace in the same style, the salesperson let me have the display piece.
The Everly Necklace is made in Uganda with recycled paper beads, and is attached to a piece of leather by a beaded chain. It’s lightweight and perfect for summer; plus, it goes well with all my fair trade dresses!
(A closeup of the piece.)
I really love the color and style of the necklace, and it’s an eye-catching statement piece, too. I’m thrilled that I found it, and it was clearly meant to be.
There are several perks to attending a blogging conference, and swag is high on the list. A couple of weeks before Texas Style Council, all attendees received a gift card and cosmetic bag from Macy’s, along with a note encouraging us to stock up on beauty essentials before the conference. Never one to shy away from beauty buys, I chose a Shiseido lip gloss for fall (which I’ll share with you later), a basic pink eye shadow, and some nail polish, both by Laura Mercier.
Since I don’t do manicures often, I usually purchase nail polish from the drug or grocery store to use on pedicures. But this was a treat, so I splurged on the Bare Rose Nail Lacquer after seeing it online (it now seems to be sold out at Macy’s). I was drawn to the creamy pink color, and though nudes aren’t my favorite shades in makeup or nail polish, the iridescent sheen intrigued me.
(Laura Mercier Nail Lacquer in Bare Rose.)
My order arrived the day the conference started, so I didn’t have time to use it that weekend. But I did try the lacquer soon after and was really impressed by its easy application and lack of streaks. I’m not the most talented manicurist in the world, and I prefer polishes that offer sheer color that can be built up. The Bare Rose color covers the nail easily and one coat leaves a nice pink flush, while two is a bit thicker and pinker. It also lasted for five or six days, which is great for busy moms like me. (I read somewhere that the worst way to ruin a manicure quickly is by folding laundry hot from the dryer.)
(Mommy hands, with nude nails and gold rings.)
At one of the sessions, which was sponsored by Ruche, the presenter passed around a little bowl filled with tiny rings, and we each got to choose one. I’ve never worn a knuckle ring before (I don’t really like that term, either), but this ring is so sweet and unassuming that I’ve been wearing it ever since. I might have been inspired to try another mini ring, as I like to call it, and I’ll show that to you soon, too.
Just by signing up to attend a local conference, I tried two new fashion trends, both on my hands. Looking at these pictures, I realized that I most definitely have a case of the Mommy Hands, and I should spend more time caring for them. I never thought to dress them up before, but now I’m doing just that.
(A not-so-straight path in downtown Austin.)
These past few weeks have been something of a whirlwind for me. I announced my writing and editing services, and then felt a bit silly since I didn’t have any jobs on the horizon. But then, over the course of a couple of days, I booked my first actual client, took on a volunteer assignment that will give me more experience, and found a regular writing gig, too. I went from having nothing to do to too much, and that is a wonderful problem to have.
I’ll share more of my experiences with you as I’m able, and I’m so excited to begin this part of my blog’s journey. Like I wrote last week, I’m still learning to juggle motherhood and marriage with writing, while finding quiet time in the evenings to simply relax, give myself a pedicure or do pilates, and catch a show on Netflix every now and then.
My very first client was Kory Woodard, my blog designer, and I’m so grateful that she took a chance and asked me to edit her new eBook. Kory herself is such an inspiration, and the fact that she’s still in college really shows her dedication to her work. That girl is going places, and she’s making it happen by working hard and following her passion. Her eBook is awesome, and you can learn more about it here.
I’m excited to see how fall unfolds for me, and I promise to keep you posted, too. I’m so grateful for these experiences, and I’m having the time of my life.
