May Birchbox...

I wanted to get this post out today since tomorrow will be June 1st! Below is my review of my May Birchbox, which happens to be my first box. If you aren't familiar with Birchbox, briefly it's a box of 5-6 samples you get every month for $10. It gives you an opportunity to try out products before deciding to buy the larger size. To learn more about Birchbox, go here.

This month's Birchbox theme was based on the sitcom Gossip Girls. I have to admit, I have never seen an episode of Gossip Girls. I've read some reviews of other bloggers May Birchbox, and none of them got the box I received. Birchbox tries to customize your box based on your profile.

Gossip Girl theme.

Inside the box. Very lovely presentation.

This moisturizer is amazing! Exactly what I need, to firm and lift. However, for $94 for a full size, I'll pass on it.

Next up is shampoo and conditioner from Kerastase. Not for my hair. Did try the conditioner and it was rich, but I'll stick to my Shea Moisture products.

Sweet notecard in pink and green.  I will definitely use this. I do love to send a personal note.

Miss Dior perfume sample. My review:  If I can take the words from In Living Color Men on Film quote, "Hated It." This perfume smells like old ladies who lunch. Too powdery and floral for my taste.

Ahh, I've been wanting to try Diorshow Mascara. I really like this mascara! Receiving this was a pleasant surprise. But... after I use up my sample, I think I'm going to stick to my orange tube Cover Girl mascara. 

Twitter Nameplate...

I hope everyone had a terrific Memorial Day Holiday! I had a great holiday. My parents came in town for a visit, went shopping at the Outlets, had an awesome banana/peanut butter/greek yogurt smoothie, finished reading Catching Fire (Hunger Games Series 2), ordered Mockingjay (Hunger Games Series 3), ate some amazing homemade guacamole my daughter made, and truly enjoyed a family cookout with my husband on the grill. Lastly, after waiting 4 long weeks, I finally received my personalized Twitter nameplate necklace from Bauble Bar.  I love it! It's special. Sydney Austin are the middle names of my children and it's the name of my handmade jewelry business.

Source: sydneyaustindesigns.tumblr.com via Robyn on Pinterest

Smile...

My friend's photo challenge for today is: Something that makes you smile.  What made me smile today was my sexy shoes that arrived via Fed-Ex from Zara! Let's just call it an early Mother's Day gift from me to me.  I met the delivery guy at the door with my arms wide open and a huge grin on my face that said, "Come to Mama."

Something I Wore...

Day 3 of the 31 day Photo Challenge. Theme today is something I wore.  I wore a leopard print flower hair clip in my hair.  I got this hair clip from Claire's for under $2.  Wore my natural hair wild and curly today.

Breakfast...

Day 2 of the 31 day photograph challenge. The theme is breakfast. I usually have a really good healthy breakfast. As the day goes on, healthy eating tends to go downhill. Working on it. Today's breakfast was Multi grain English muffins with Smart Balance peanut butter and Greek yogurt. Taken with Instagram. 

Peace...

My friend, Frances, just announced a 31 day photograph challenge on her blog.  For the month of May, take a photograph that represents the theme that Frances has selected. Day 1 is Peace. Below is a Instagram pic of our peace lily. It was given to my husband when his grandfather passed away over 2 years ago.  This plant has been chewed on by Bella (our greedy dog), it has survived my black thumb, and now thrives once we moved it to the kitchen (had to get it out of Bella's sight).  I will be posting my 31 day challenge photos here.  If you want to participate in the challenge, go here.

Spring Break...

Museums, Monuments, Martin, Maryland. That about sums up my kids' spring break. We took a road trip to Maryland to visit my folks. One day we went on a day trip to Washington, DC. Saw my niece who attends Howard University and my college roommate and dear friend Teresa and her sons.  Below are a few pictures. Hope everyone is having a good week!




Martin Luther King Jr monument. Breathtaking.





I have been wanting to visit the Holocaust Museum for a long time. I enjoyed the exhibits that we did see, but was disappointed that we could not visit the permanent exhibit on the 4th floor. It's tourist season, so passes are given out for the 4th floor. We got there too late.



Children Art Tiles in the Holocaust Museum.



A closer view of the tiles.



Of course, I can't visit Maryland without getting a crab cake! Nobody does a Maryland crab cake like Maryland. If you are in a restaurant that is not in the state of Maryland and they have Maryland crab cakes on the menu, quickly pass. Most likely it has filler! Taken with Instagram.

Orange and Pink...

Orange and Pink. Gorgeous color combination. I have recently seen a lot of accessories and clothing items with this color combination. I even made a couple of pieces using orange and pink gemstones. Love orange and pink, try mixing it together this spring/summer.

Love the loose plaid shirt w/orange skinnies.

One of my designs. Pink Salmon Coral Rose Pendant w/orange jade gemstones. Get it here

Yummy scarf. The colors are so bright!

My design. Orange jade "bullet" pendant on a rosy copper chain necklace. Also available here.

An all around great date night or girls night out outfit.

Source: stylenotesbybelen.com via eat.sleep.wear. on Pinterest

New Jewels...

I'm preparing for a big vending event this coming Saturday in Bethesda, MD. I'm super excited to see my line sister and other Sorors from my undergrad chapter! I am bringing my daughter along to help me at my table. While making new designs I always come across a piece here and there that I simply want to keep for myself. Currently the following are my personal favorites. They are available to purchase here.



Copper Butterflies on recycled copper chain earrings. I just love butterflies. These are very lightweight. Bohemian/Hippie style. These would look great at an outdoor summer festival/concert with a long flowy maxi skirt or cutoff distressed jean shorts.



Bright and Bold. Faceted tangerine jade gemstones with brass leaf components. Love these for a daytime garden wedding, outdoor patio lunch date, or hanging out poolside. Very resort looking.



Beautiful green and caramel agate gemstones. My photos really do not do these beads justice. Chunky necklace. Amazing for graduation party, after work cocktails, or bridal shower luncheon. I made matching earrings (if you are into sets).

New Glass Beads...

In preparation for an upcoming fashion show that I am vending in, I have ordered lots of gorgeous and yummy beads. Last week I received a shipment of czech glass beads in beautiful color combinations. Raspberry and pistachio combo and chartreuse and purple combo. Below are 2 earrings I designed using brass components accented with czech glass beads.

For more information on the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc Luncheon Fashion Show I will be vending at go here.






Pretty czech glass beads.



Leaf Vine Earrings with raspberry and pistachio czech glass beads.



Goddess Wings with brillant blue czech glass beads.

When Ladies Only Wore Dresses...

Source: tumblr.com via Robyn on Pinterest

I love the above photo for several reasons.

1. It's a picture of my Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. sorors taken at Howard University (1946).

2. It's old and faded, but holds a lot of history.

3. The ladies all wore knee length dresses.

I love skirts and dresses. I don't wear them a lot, but it's so refreshing to see a lady in a skirt or dress. I remember my maternal and paternal grandmothers only wearing skirts or dresses. They never wore pants. There are so many awesome dresses and skirts on the market today for all shapes and sizes. I personally like maxi dresses, pencil skirts, wrap dresses, and shirt dresses. I think I will challenge myself this summer to wear only a dress or skirt when I go out.

Do you wear a lot of skirts and dresses? Or are you a pants and jeans type of girl?

Hiking...

Greensboro has quite a few hiking trails. My girlfriend Kim and I decided to check one out today. We went on a 4 mile hike on the Laurel Bluff trail. Laurel Bluff is a 3.5 mile trail (7 miles both ways). It was beautiful, but tough. It was hot this afternoon so we decided to turn around at the 2 mile marker.
We used her husband's golf clubs as our walking sticks. Thanks Ed! lol! Kim also had a can of mace. Luckily, we didn't run into any animals or weird people along the way. A few things I need to remember for our next hike:

1.Bring my water. I left it in the car.
2. Wear a hat. Oops.
3. Identify poison ivy. Kim fussed at me. Told me as a former girl scout, I should know what poison ivy looks like.

I take my camera just about everywhere. Thought I would share some pictures.



At the beginning.



There were a lot of cute and sturdy bridges such as this one along the trail.



Looking ahead.



Most of the trail was along the water.

Strands...

A few strands of beads I recently purchased. Tangerine Jade, Blue Agate, and African seed beads.





Made hoop earrings from the African seed beads.




A pair of brass hoops dripping with eye popping tangerine jade. The Pantone color for 2012 is Tangerine Tango.




Both are available for purchase here.

PICK 4...

Four random things that have recently made me smile.





1. Watching my son play his first baseball game! After asking him for years to give baseball a try, he is finally giving it a shot. His position is third base. I played softball for years, so I'm excited.




2. Edamame with my girlfriends this past Friday for our monthly Girls Night Out.



3. Handmade all natural soaps from Whole Foods.




4. My daughter's homemade chocolate peanut butter swirl cupcakes.

5. *BONUS* Getting a letter from Greensboro Imaging and Radiology stating "The results from your recent diagnostic screening mammogram were normal."

I Finally Found...

I finally found the perfect sports bra. I have very full breasts so it has always been tough to find a supportive sports bra. Jumping jacks are no longer an issue for me. I had to hold my boobs when I did them prior to my new sports bra. A week ago I attended "bra night" at a local running store, Off N' Running. They featured sports bra by Moving Comfort. The saleslady said they were one of the best brands on the market. She measured me and gave me several to try on. She also suggested I jump, run, and bounce while in the dressing room to test the fit and support. So I did just that. Jumping jacks, ran in place, and jumped up and down. I made my decision and got the Fiona. You can it get it here. I also want to try this Armour bra by Under Armour. The reviews on it have been quite impressive. Next time you go out for a run, remember to protect the girls!



My new Fiona sports bra by Moving Comfort.

Wardrobe Essentials...

Sunday has passed with my teenage daughter telling me the same thing she always tell me on Sunday, "Mom I have nothing to wear to church." And me replying the same thing I reply every Sunday, "Blake you have clothes, just put on something." She rambles about how she can't wear her skirts cause she doesn't want the "church ladies" to say something. Her skirts are short. So she grabs her khakis and a fitted jacket with *cringe* a wife beater on under the jacket. Blake take the wife beater off, you can't wear it to church. Well, Pastor said "Come as you are." Yeah, Blake that is for folks who do not have dress clothes, you have clothes.

I tell her she needs some essentials. Basic white, black and navy tees, blazer, dress pants, and a skirt that is not a mini skirt. My husband who is tired of this Sunday conversation says, to my surprise, "Yes, you need the Tim Gunn essentials." Too funny!

Tim Gunn's 12 Wardrobe Essentials for 2012 are:
Basic black dress
Day Dress
Classic White shirt
Classic Blazer
Dress Pants
Trench Coat
Jeans (not distressed)
Skirt
Cashmere Sweater
Sweatsuit Alternative

Below are some wardrobe essentials I put together on Polyvore that I think will be great for Blake. Basic white tee, pencil skirt, shirtdress, cardi, dress pants, nice jeans (all of Blake's jeans are super skinny), schoolboy blazer, and a trench.

What is your favorite wardrobe essential? Something you replenish every year. Mine is a crisp white shirt. My personal faves are Brooks Brothers.

Essentials by sydneyaustindesigns featuring draped pants

Pocket dress, £45
FTC Cashmere lilac top, €239
James Perse cotton shirt, $115
Burberry trench coat, $1,195
Topshop boyfriend jacket, $70
Draped pants, $165
J Crew cotton skirt, $90
Levi Strauss & Co medium rise jeans, £90

Spring Forward...

It is currently in the upper 80's here in the Carolinas. I honestly hope we do not have a hot Spring. My son will be miserable. It was hot to him 2 weeks ago when the temps was in the 60s and he started wearing shorts again to school. I am excited that it's starting to be sandal weather! Ya Hoo! I even took the stinky dog to the groomers this morning in flip flops! Now you will not catch me in shorts...in public. Nobody wants to see my 43 yr old untoned thighs! Below is an outfit I saw on Polyvore. (Someone gets the credit for putting this together, not me). Whoever put this together, we definitely have similar style. I'm sure she is a mom. This outfit screams stylish, hip mom!! Amazing boyfriend jeans (no skinny jeans, although I do like them), classic handbag, comfy leather flip flops, essential black tank, Risky Business shades (I know they are Ray Bans, but I'm a child of the 80's), statement watch, and the perfect cardi for chilly restaurants. Lunch date, PTA meeting, movies with the bff, or afternoon J.Crew, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Banana (you know all the cool places that hip moms shop) shopping... this is your outfit.

All Saints cotton shirt, $150
T by Alexander Wang racerback tank, $35
True Religion ripped skinny jeans, $312
Tory Burch flat sandals, $195
3 1 Phillip Lim leather tote bag, $750
Rolex gold jewelry
Ray-Ban wayfarer sunglasses

Currently Craving...

I'm currently craving the eclectic style of Solange Knowles. Her bold use color, the way she mixes different prints. She nails it.

Source: lovebrownsugar.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Tenneal on Pinterest

Source: alltheprettybirds.blogspot.com via Robyn on Pinterest

Source: beautyisdiverse.com via Brandy on Pinterest

Currently Craving...

Outfit I am currently craving for Spring. Perfect for a date with your honey or night out on the town with your girls. Jumpsuit, beaded clutch, blue platforms, chunky bangle, shades, and classic gold hoops. To me this outfit oozes with hotness. Especially these sick Giuseppe Zanotti sandals. How thrilled I am that bright bold colors are "in" this Spring/Summer. What are you currently craving?

Created by me on Polyvore. Polyvore... another site that is ridiculously addicting.

Reiss jumpsuits and romper
Beaded handbag, $68
J Crew animal jewelry, $98
ABS by Allen Schwartz yellow gold earrings, $65
H&m sunglasses, £4.99

Melted Crayon Art...

I have a crafty teenage daughter. She loves art. Just like her mother and Uncle Rodney whose daughter, my niece, Reigna, loves art too. She approached me this weekend with an idea she saw on YouTube about melting crayons onto a canvas board. I googled it and a saw lots of cool melted crayon projects. So I took her the craft store to get supplies. This project is so easy, perhaps your child would like to try it.
Step 1: Glue crayons onto a canvas board.
Step 2: With a blow dryer, melt crayons until the wax drips down the canvas. Start with high heat, then alternate between medium and cool. Some colors take longer to melt.
Step 3: Name your artwork (optional)

Blake didn't know why her crayons didn't drip like others she saw on YouTube. She thinks it is because she used generic crayons and not Crayola.



Before blow drying.



After blow drying. I think it's cool!

Have you done this project? If so, how did your crayons melt?