Saturday, January 28, 2012

One Hutch, Three Uses

Hutches come in various shapes, sizes and styles.  This one is most similar to my own.  While they might be meant to be used in dining rooms most of the time, I have seen lots of creative, stylish uses for them throughout houses, providing great decor and organization all in one.  For each use, I would pick a complimentary color for the room I would be using it in, and paint the hutch to coordinate.  Here are some that got me thinking.  Happy Styling!

1. A Cleaning Hutch
Depending on where you have the room for this, using a hutch to store all of your cleaning supplies seemed like a great idea to me.  In my house it might fit in a corner of my kitchen, out of the main kitchen area.  Currently my cleaning products are jammed underneath my kitchen sink for the most part.  In my hutch, I might designate the top shelves for cleaning products, organized into small, cute baskets.  Sponges, polishes, cleaning sprays and the like would all have a home and be neatly tucked behind the closed doors.  Inside the drawers I might have dusters and cleaning rags and towels folded up neatly.  I could install hooks along the side that could hold dustpans and small brooms.  Also tucked in the bottom I would place cleaning buckets and rolls of paper towels.

2. Craft Hutch
I am not the craftiest person but I still have fun trying.  Since I do attempt to "craft" things once in a while, I do have random craft items around the house.  A craft hutch would certainly help me keep them all together in an eye appealing way, and also remind me of what I have so I don't buy duplicate items.  Baskets on the very top to hold larger items, jars and small containers on the shelves to hold the smallest of pieces like beads, buttons, pencils and scissors. Drawers could be used  for books and magazines for crafting.  This would also be a great place for decorative fabrics and craft papers.  In the bottom you could store larger items like printers, cameras, canvas boards and/or paints.

3. Bathroom Hutch
Neatly folded, fluffy towels and wash cloths on the tops shelves make a nice display for your bathroom.   Inside the drawers you could store smallish items such as hair dryers, and curling irons.  The larger bottom space would be for extra toilet paper rolls, tissues and spare bottles of products like shampoos and toothpastes.  I think a pretty basket of guest products would be a nice idea for the bottom shelf.  Items such as pretty soaps and lotions could be displayed here.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Stress Free is Style Rich

We are all searching for ways to decompress, to relax, to feel "better".  I don't care how attractive or stylish someone is, if that person is visibly carrying around a boat load of stress, it isn't pretty.  I am here to give you my top ways to help you lessen the stress and magnify the beautiful YOU!  Happy styling!

1. A Scalp Massager
I found this little gem while Christmas shopping this past year.  Sure, I had heard of those weird looking head things that were supposed to feel so great, but never gave trying or buying one a second thought...well, let me tell you...IT IS FABULOUS!  I purchased one online for a few bucks because I was looking for some unique items for my husband's stocking and this popped up in front of me so I gave it a whirl.  It is magical.  When I have a headache, it helps.  Just trying to relax before bed, it helps.  Had a bad day, it helps.  I think everyone should have one of these in every room and in every purse.  Run out and get one!

2. A Relaxing Face Mask
Once a week I treat myself to one of these and while it's softening and deep cleaning my skin, I take the 10-15 minutes to put my feet up and enjoy the cooling feeling soaking into my face.  I had been regularly using a fruit based peel off mask until I recently got a sample of the Borghese facial mask in my Birchbox a few months ago.   (Birchbox is a monthly beauty sample subscription service).  In the winter months I have fairly dry, sensitive skin that can look irritated when I use stronger products.  This mask instantly smoothed and calmed my skin.  It's a cream style that easily washes away with a warm washcloth.  For an added fun factor, it goes on blue!

3. Hot/Cold Eye Pack
I bought this little item looking for relief from sinus pressure and pain that especially flares for me in the cold winter months.  There is a removable pack inside that can either be chilled in the fridge or heated in the microwave  (just don't heat more than 30 seconds at a time, as it does get very hot very quickly).  I found that it not only relieves sinus pain, but also feels very relaxing to use during your face mask time and also helps decrease any puffiness under and around the eye that we all get...right?!?!  That's not just me, right?

4. Foot Bath
Now you don't need  and actual foot bath to get the same results, but they are kind of great.  They seem to be everywhere during holiday time like this is the gift you resort to when all other ideas have failed.  Well, I did just that one year for my husband (poor guy).  I try to stay warm and cozy inside during the winter months, but it is especially wonderful after being out playing in the cold snow.  Soak away, then slather on some good foot moisturizer (I like Ahava Mineral Foot Cream) and some fuzzy socks and your feet will be brand new!
















5. Bath
I just love a good bath.  Honestly, I have rarely had a bad bath.  Of course what I use in my bath as far as bubbles, oils, salts etc., makes a big difference.  I am always experimenting.  I always use some kind of oil during the last 5-10 minutes of my bath (sometimes for the whole bath...I tend to soak for 20-30 minutes).  Lately, I have been really liking Avon's Skin So Soft oil.  It really does help my dry skin.  Sometimes I use baby oil instead.  The most fun discovery I have recently become obsessed with, however, are bath bombs.  They are so cool!  There are a multitude of great scents out there and bombs that release various luxurious treasure in your water as they dissolve.  I have had a few that released oils and another that released flower petal pieces!  Some are even fun shapes like ice cream scoops or cupcakes.  How cute!  

Sunday, January 22, 2012

A Closer Look At: Jennifer Aniston


I have admired Jennifer Aniston for a long while now. From the time she was making news on “Friends” for her ever changing hairstyles to her simple, classic style of today, she has always seemed down to earth and realistic with her style sense. Most recently I have been loving her new hairstyle and color. I think she looks great with her blonder blond highlights. While I was looking around for inspiration for myself to take to my hairdresser with me, I started to pick up on just how doable Jen's casual clothing styles are for the average girl. To sum up most of her everyday looks I would say you need a pair of aviator or over sized sunglasses, a long scarf, a fitted tee, a pair of skinny jeans with a belt, and a pair of leather boots. For those of us in a colder climate, a bulky cardigan sweater will keep in Aniston's style while adding some warmth. Anyway, the point of this post is to take a closer look at an outfit Jen was seen in that I found to be very flattering, and again, very doable for the average woman. Jen is seen here in her typical aviator glasses but switches up her clothing. Notice her signature scarf is draped over her over sized bag. Seems she doesn't leave home without her scarf! I think this is a great look and started to immediately look for similar pieces to help me recreate it, and without breaking the bank. Here is what I found. Happy styling!