Nail Polishes - From Ittybit's Body Care

My nails and toe nails are something that I like to keep manicured as much as I can.  Unfortunately I can't pamper myself at a nail salon as much as I like so what's the next best thing?   Do them myself for free.  I go through my line up of colors and pick the one I would like to have done for my toes for the next week.  It could be pink one week, green the next week and blue the following week. I like using the brighter colors on my toes so they stand out a bit more.  I usually put lighter colors on my finger nails. I also like to use the Sally Hansen sheer beige gloss polish as a top coat so it protects the bottom coat and I can usually go a little longer before having to redo them.  Now I'm ready to go.  I noticed a product that Sally Hansen carries.  It's called the Nail Art Pen. I haven't purchased it myself yet but plan to.  It has a fine tip so it's easy to use and control, mistake proof so if you do make a mistake you can use a wet cotton swab to correct the mistake without messing up the polish work, water based and they have 8 fabulous colors.  It costs $7.99. So if you like putting little flower designs on your finger or toe nails after polishing them, like I do, this might be the way to go.

Lip Glosses - From Ittybit's Body Care

I'm sure there are a lot of ladies out there that like to keep their lips moisturized as well as looking pretty.  Who wouldn't?   I'm a huge fan of lip glosses.   I occasionally like wearing lip sticks but I would have to admit I favor lip gloss a lot more.  I like the Bonnie Bell line.  There's three shades that I really like: Dream Cafe, Latte Love and Vanilla Bean.  They also have a clear gloss that has tiny little sparkles in it called "sugar kiss."   I also recently discovered another company called e.l.f. which stands for eyes, lips and face has a shade called "fairy" which falls under the brown tone family which I really like.   One day while browsing the make up isle in the 99cent store I was pleasantly surprised to find the Bonnie Bell brush-on shimmer shear line with some of the shades that I use.  What a bargain!   So I grabbed a few.  Bath and Body Works and Victoria Secret also carry great lines of lip glosses as well.  

Beauty BFF Tips - From Ittybit's Body Care

I came upon some great tips through Beauty BFF for hair, hair products, make-up, nails and much more.  Click here. 

Lavender Winter Giveaway Winner!

We have a winner!

First of all I want to say thank you to all that participated in this giveaway.  The turnout was tremendous!  I wish you could have all been winners, but stay tuned as I am planning my Valentine’s giveaway at the end of December.  So without further ado the winner of the lavender winter giveaway is…

LESLEY!    Congrats!

Featured Artist - Everybody Else

While browsing through some of the Etsy posts I came across an artist named Melody DuVal of Everybody Else.  Her specialty is bright, whimsical illustrations that are available as prints, cards and ACEO's (art, editions and originals.)  Her artwork will surely put a smile on anyone's face.  

Samples from Melody's shop: 

1. Night Light

2. December  

3. Midwest Day Dreams

4. Winter Friends

5. Chocolate Chip Delight

6. Knitting Addiction

Here's a little insight into the owner of Everybody Else:

 

1. Tell us a little about yourself. 

My name is Melody DuVal, I live in rural-ish Indiana where you're lucky if you live within 20 minutes of a Target and you pass Amish buggies at least once a week. I love coffee, great books, good friends and expensive ice-cream. If I'm not at home drawing I can usually be found haunting a bookstore or grabbing a zebra-mocha with a friend. So frequently, in fact, that one of the shops I frequent has my drink ready for me by the time I reach the counter.

2.  How did you become interested in creating?   

My mom is an artist, so she always encouraged us kids to be creative. I don't remember a time when I wasn't drawing and, in fact, my family has photo evidence of a young me drawing on, literally, everything in sight. Skin, furniture, library books. My mom had to buy the books from the library and we grew up reading a copy of "Apple Tree, Apple Tree" with thick permanent marker splotches across it. It was one of our favorites, so I kind of don't regret that.

I've just always drawn, all the time and in the long run it made sense to make that a career. My day job is design and illustration and I love it so much that most evenings I come home and create some more.

3.  What is your inspiration?   

Stories. It can be a story from my day, a great novel, a tv show or just a random half baked story in my head, but stories inspire everything I draw. They're just little story snap-shops but they have "scope for the imagination"* I hope.
*"Anne of Green Gables", L.M. Montgomery

4. What is your favorite piece you’ve made and why? 

I don't know if I can pick a favorite, I love them all. But right now my favorite is my latest, "Night Light". I have a gorgeous framed print of it hanging for sale in a local coffee shop and if it sells it'll be a nice check, but a part of me hopes it doesn't so I can bring it home at the end of the month.

To see all of Melody's great artwork, check out Everybody else.

Shoe Shopping On A Budget - From Ittybit's Fashion Passion

I wanted to share another great find that I purchased from a local thrift store.   I was pretty excited about finding these beauties.  I rarely buy shoes since I'm a bit of a skeptic on where they've been.  But I couldn't pass these up since the price tag was only $7.00 dollars and they still had the original tag attached to them.   So once I got them home I used some rubbing alcohol on them to disinfect and they were ready to go.

Sweet Spiced Caramel Apple Recipe - From Ittybit's Kitchen

                                                         Photo via Taste of Home 

I absolutely love caramel apples.  And not just during the holiday season either.  So when this one caught me eye I knew I would have to try it out. It looks absolutely delicious!    Please click here for the Taste of Home recipe.