SAG Awards

As I sit and watch the SAG Awards I can't believe how many people wore red tones.  They all looked great but I don't get how the fashion industy all know what color will be on trend.  Do they call each other up and say Spring 2011 we all must use hues of red?  I really want to know how that part of the industry works.

So I didn't see all the of the Red Carpet Coverage but my two favorites so far are:

Mila Kunis in Alexander McQueen

www.people.com

Sometimes Alexander McQueens gowns are too much for me, so dramatic and theatrical that I only think they would work on the runway or Lady Gaga.  However this gown is stunning.  Just the material alone would look great in almost any shape dress.  Mila looks lovely, confident and comfortable in the gown, I love her loose waves and smokey eye make up too.

My other favorite was Mariska Hargitay but I cannot find any photos online of her or who designed her dress.  She wore a classic strapless gown from what I could see in a gorgeous royal blue with a beautiful pair of aqua stud earrings.  I hope there are some pictures tomorrow so I can see the full outift.  I have to say I am a little disappointed she didn't win Best Actress in a TV Drama, SVU is one of my favorite shows and she is amazing at potraying the character. 

Well its almost 10 pm and I need to watch the Kardashians in NYC they are my fav guilty pleasure :)

Starting to create....

So as my first week not working at my part time job comes to an end I thought I would go over the baby steps I’ve taken to create my new life and career.

The weekend ~ As I mentioned, I went to Charleston SC to get away for a couple of days and see a friend.  It was a great break and I was able to find some cute beads for my business.  I also had a bunch of ideas for a photo shoot for my summer collection by the water and downtown.

Monday ~ I spent the Morning with my Mum shopping for things for her store.  Then went to Blacksburg with Tricia (friends/business partner) to visit Beadsburg only to find out after 30 mins of the GPS taking us all over that the store was closed on Monday’s lol 

Then I got to see the beautiful baby Brianna.  Rachel and Matt definitely made one cute little love muffin!!  I fell in love immediately and cannot wait until she is around 1 or 2 yrs old and can talk and be animated J

 Isn't she the cutest!!!!

Although, I didn’t get to much business stuff done it was great to have a day off and see some of my favorite people.  My life needed this; I see some of my friends a lot and others never.  Working less will hopefully make it easier for me to make time for people who I care about.

Tuesday ~ I met up with Jenna a friend and photographer (she a new blogger at http://birdseyeviewoflife.blogspot.com/ go follow her) to talk about a photo shoot for my Spring Jewelry Collection.  We spent most of the time talking, like girls do,  but did come up with some great concepts.  Right now, I am leaning towards a very girly tea party think a little Alice in Wonderland.  Lots of tea cups and clocks with the model in a cute spring dress, or just a cute downtown photo shoot.  I want something bright and fun.  Another idea was to convince a local Cupcake store to let us shoot there for some of the pictures! I am indecisive so I need to think about this some more.  Let me know your opinions! I would love to hear them.

Wednesday ~ I got quite a bit of the Spring Collection started.   Not completed but started and there is a clear direction I am going in.  I want the collection to be girly and feminine with some pieces that have a little edge to them.   

Bad Blackberry pick but this is a piece I'm currently working on.

Thursday ~ Continued to work on my Spring Collection and placed some supply orders.

Friday ~ I plan to relax and not doing anything business or work related.  Just a good chill night maybe go see No Strings Attached.  Has anyone seen it?

Time to make a change!

For a long time I thought I knew exactly who I was, but lately I realized I am not the person I want to be and have been trying to “find” myself. There is so much I want to do with my life personally and professionally.  I want to be a better child, sister, friend, worker, creator and traveler. 

I want to do something I love for my career and have been revolving who “I am” around that.  When I saw this card something clicked.  I don’t need to find myself.  I know the person I can and want to be, I know I want to have a career I am passionate about.  It’s up to me to create the life and job I want.  I need to act as the person I am/want to be and make a conscious effort to make changes to things I dislike.

Before I even saw this card I took a step to “creating” myself and the life I want. I have always worked A LOT and never thought twice about working more than 40 hrs a week. Over the last few years I’ve had a part time job, it’s a fun most of the time and a break from the stress of my full time job and of course extra cash is always nice J.  Recently, I took a temporary elevated position, I found myself working up to 70 hrs a week for the last few months. This was a decision I made and do not regret.  I appreciate the experience of the new position, but three weeks ago my gut told me this isn’t right about my work situation. 

My full time job is really stressful and over the last year has just burnt me out, I like the company and the co-workers but I just don’t want/need the stress in my life.  My gut keeps telling me its time for a change but it’s my full time job I can’t just quit without a plan.

The Plan

To become an amazing jewelry designer and make millions.  Well that's the dream lol!  My more realistic plan is become successful with my jewelry line and be able to run my business full time.  I know this will take time and effort and right now I don't have the energy nor the time. 

So as I cannot leave my full time job, the first step to reach my goal was to cut back my hours at my “fun” job and hopefully some of the stress from my schedule.  If you know me well you will know this was somewhat a big decision for me as I always work, but I feel it is the right decision and hope it helps create the life I want.

I want to see what I can actually accomplish with my jewelry in my "free time" time.  Then when I become successful, I can focus my full time career into something I love and leave the stressful job behind. 

I will be blogging frequently about my progress in creating my new life.  I hope you guys enjoy reading about it.

Weekend Away

I love love to travel and if I could that's all I would do!  This past weekend I drove down to Charleston S.C. to see my friend Brianna.  It was great to get away and to see one of my favs. 

I am officially in love with Charleston.  The buildings are gorgeous, I would love love love to live in a house downtown and be able to walk to work everyday and do something I love.  Maybe a little jewelry boutique with other fab accessories.  King Street reminds me of shopping the high streets in England and I love it.  Sure the mall is nice when the weather is bad but I love being able to enjoy a day outside and shop at the time same time.  I love the chill/relaxed atmosphere of the town and that although it is a beach town, their downtown didn't have a cheesy beach feel.  I love the independent unique stores and the cute 7yrs old selling hot chocolate outside their house to raise money for "microasia".

How cute is this house?  It kind of reminds me of the house in Sabrina the Teenage Witch.  How relaxing would it be to sit on the porch in summer with a cool lemonade?

* www.plantware.com

Next time I go I hope to set up a little photo shoot for my jewelry and to take their Candle Light Ghost Tour.  Has anyone ever been and taken the tour?

The Motherland

I haven't been back to England since 2006.  I can't believe its been that long, working 9-5 in the corporate world kind of messed me up when it comes to gallivanting all over the country/world.  Not because I don't get time off but its a lot harder to take a few weeks together with my job now as it was when I was younger.   Anyway I digress, this summer I am going home for 3 weeks and I cannot wait!! I feel complete when I am home! I love living in America most of the time but there is just a sense of belonging when I go home that I don't have here.

A few reasons I am counting the days until I'm home:

1.  I get to see my childhood best friend get married!

2.  Catching up with long lost friends.

3.  Real Fish and Chips!

4.  I get to see my family!

5.  Going to a Pub, there is something about a Pub that no bar here has.

6.  Shopping in Manchester ~ I miss shopping there, the mall in Roanoke just doesn't cut it.

7.  Childhood memories ~ visiting places that I loved when I was little is always a good feeling.

8.  London ~ some friends from here are meeting up with me to visit London.  I can't wait to show them why I love my motherland :)  The museums, palaces, stores, restaurants, clubs.  I can't wait.

9.  English Chocolate and candy!

10.  Having my accent back for a few weeks lol.

 * 10 over the last 12 yrs my accent has almost disappeared. Unless I'm with my family, upset or maybe a little tipsy.   Some of this is on purpose, my job requires me to talk a lot and its really annoying when people say you talk to fast, I don't understand you or make fun of the way you say can't.  So I try to slow it down, use American words like soda instead of pop.  Unfortunately, I can't change the way I say CAN'T and many people think I'm saying "c*nt* lol 

            *yourlocalweb.co.uk

The manor above is Astley Hall, it is now a museum on the edge of my old Village.  I have visited the Hall probably hundred's of time.  When I was eight I had my Ballet pictures taken there, my mum used to hold events their and my friends I walked past it everyday walking to and from school.  This place is not the most exciting place in the world but I have great memories and it is full of history from hundreds of years ago.  They have a shoe that Oliver Cromwell left there when he was travelling and they filmed Moll Flanders their when I was in High School. 

My Golden Globe Top Picks

Like a million bloggers yesterday I wanted to do a Golden Globe Fashion Blog with my best picks of the night. 

Unfortunately,  I didn't have time to watch the show or write the blog yesterday.  Instead of doing a long blog showing the dresses you have all probably seen 20 times by now I figured I would just post a couple of my favs.

Amber Riley from Glee!

*photo instyle.com

As mentioned a million times I'm obsessed with anything that sparklesand love this dress.  For this curvy girl the full length beaded silver dress by Oliver Tolentino could have gone sooooo wrong but it didn't.  She looked amazing and the belt added some edge to the outfit and complimented her figure nicely.  You can tell she feels amazing too.   I also LOVE she made her own earrings how cute!!!!

Kelly Osbourne in Zac Posen

I know Kelly has lost a lot of weight and that's a great thing for her health but you can also tell its helped her confidence wise too.  She has gone from emo to glamor over the last couple of years.  I can't help but wonder, did she not like dressing up because she was unhappy with her body? Was her mood represented in her dark emo style?  At first when the Osbournes was on I thought it was just she liked that style, but now I'm not sure. 

I think Kelly looks like a modern day Hollywood starlet.  The dress compliments her body perfectly and the hair looks so classic and balances out the drama of the gown.   I am becoming a huge fan of Kelly's style and her new attitude to life and health.

*photo latimes.com

Hope everyone is having a great week! 

Brit vs Gaga

I want to preface this blog with the fact that I am a 90's child and huge fan of Britney!!!

I read today that Britney Spears is performing her new single at the Grammy's this year.  I can't say I love her new song but def. don't hate it.  I think its going to be one of those songs that grows on me like Womanizer. 

Anyway, I am kind of scared that Britney won't be back on her game, I saw her on her last tour which while amazing, you can tell she wasn't 100 % into it, and her hair, oh my god her hair! It is "unbeweavable"  how can someone with so much money not get good extensions? Hopefully she gets a makeover before the show.

*http://www.tmz.com/

Now I found Lady Gaga is performing at the Grammy's, how can Britney compete with that??  I mean, like I said I am a Britney fan, but I'm also a little monster too! (for those who don't know Lady Gaga names her fans little monsters) and seeing her live in concert is AMAZING and of course she sings live.

Remember Britney's come back on the MTV awards? It made me cringe and feel sorry for her.  You could see in her face she knew she sucked and just was counting the beats to get off stage. "5,6,7,8, 5,6,7 and im out of here".

I don't want that to happen again, even if shes on point with a great routine at the Grammy's she probably going to lip sync and against Gaga its going to make the performance look bad.  Ahh I am worried for her!

Do you guys think Britney can hold her performing in the same show as Gaga?



Peacocks

As I mentioned before MAC just released their Peacocky collection which I think is perfect ! The regal colors are so vibrant and will make anyones eyes really pop. 

So thinking about the Peacocky collection made me a remember a bracelet I fell in love with last summer.  I love love love this bracelet but had to put it to the back of my mind because I don't NEED it and it has a $185 price tag!

It is from the House of Harlow 1960 Collection by Nicole Richie.  I can't say I love all her pieces some are a little too retro for me, but this piece is gorgeous and of course has a little bit of sparkle which I always love.

* http://twitpic.com/yuhid

Without a doubt this would be the statement piece of an outfit, imagine a little black dress and nude lips with a smokey blue eye and this cuff!  Perfection!! 

I would definitely pair it with a simple stud earrings and no necklace as I think it could be easy to make this bracelet look gordy.

Nicole Richie is in Lucky Magazine this week and tweeted there is an offer code for an "AMAZING" discount.  Maybe I would give in a buy the piece.

What are your opinions on the bracelet?

Quotes !!

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain

I find the above quote so inspiring and as much as I want to to "throw off the bowlines" of my life I can't seem to let me self do it.  There is so much more I want to do with my life but work in the corporate world and go to a part time "fun" job.  How do you find the courage to do it?  When my gut tells me to just do it, my mind says what about bills, what about your family, what would other people think?? 

Recently,  I have been thinking a lot about changing my work life and because of the real world responsibilities I am not comfortable just doing it but if I don't do it will my life change for the better?  I don't see it changing anytime soon if I don't do something about it. 

My gut seems to be right a lot about lots of different situations, but yet I continue to follow my brain and always have regret.  I think I need to be more like Gibbs, his gut is always right :)

*photo courtesy of google

~ Isn't he one Silver Fox ? :) ~

Do you guys trust your gut instincts or do you over think and analyze everything?  What works for you in the long run?

Favourites!

A friend on facebook posted a note about her favourite beauty products and asked others to disclose theirs.  I have already thought about doing make up posts so this is the perfect start.

1. Fave Moisturizer (face)
I forget the name but its by Dr. Wexler @ Bath and Body works! The whole line is great!

2. Face Wash
Clean and Clear ~ makes me sound like a 16 yr old lol

3. Body Lotion
Good old Johnson and Johnson with Oat Extract

4. Perfume
Chanel Chance and Secret 55 by VS (discontinued)

5. Nail Polish
OPI and Chanel

6. Foundation
VS Liquid and MACS Studio Fix Powder

7. Blush
Victoria's Secret Sexy Litlle things love notes ~ discontinued and I'm almost out.  Guess I should start shopping for a new fav!

8. Mascara
MAC False Lashes ~ I just got it this weekend and its AMAZING, it really makes your lashes longer and not clumpy at all

9. Shadow
MAC Phloof ~ great base color and a good highlighter but any MAC eyeshadow is great!

10. Face Scrub
Dr Wexler again ~ not to abrasive

11. Lip Balm
Khiels

12. Shampoo+Conditioner
Frederick Fekkai volume collection ~ gives great volume and doesn’t dry out my hair

13. Styling Product
Frederick Fekkai Root Lifter ~ best applied on damp hair then blow dried

14. Body Wash/Soap
C. L. Bigelow Lemon and Pomegranate Wash ~ amazing scent, thanks for the recommendation Tricia.

What are your favourites?

*photo courtesy of MAC

P.S How gorgeous is the new Peacocky collection from MAC?  The colors are gorgeous and exotic!  I have to have the whole collection.

its confirmed I am a winner!

I wasn't sure I was actually a lotto winner but Sheets confirmed I was and handed me this lovely not so crisp $10 bill!

I am thankful for my $5 profit but can't help but feel like they jipped me little by not giving me a nice crispy new $10.  It would have made the experience a little more special!!

Oh well there I go being selfish again!!

Lottery

As most of America knows the Mega Millions lotto was up to $355 million yesterday, so just like anyone else I was determined I could beat the 1 in 175 million odds and win.

I even took the picture below and declared on facebook I had the winning ticket!  Again because I am trying out the whole positive thinking makes things happen thing!! I even made sure none of my numbers showed so one could copy haha! wow that makes me sound so selfish, but I would share if won!

*another bad blackberry picture ~ expect many of these :)

 Alas, I did not win the millions two lucky people beat the odds and get to split the money!! I think I might have won $10 though, not sure as this is the first time I've bought an actual ticket, usually I stick to the $1.00 scratch cards on road trips.

Playing the lotto obviously got me thinking about what I would do if I won all that money! Would I take the cash pay out or spread the winnings out?  Here are a few things I am certain I would do with the money:

1. Take care of my family ~ pay off mortgages, new cars and an amazing vacation.
2. Take a fabulous trip with all my friends!
3. Donate money to art education, children's charities and many more.
4. Buy Aston Martin.
5. Invest and start my own company.
6. Hire a good lawyer.  
7. Travel the world and experience other cultures.
8. Buy a Chanel purse ~ I've dreamt of owning one since I was little.

Seen as I didn't win I guess I should head back to work!  What would you do if you won?

P.S. does anyone else think they read the numbers super fast?

A do or a don't?

As mentioned in my first blog I am a 90's child who loved the Spice Girls and anything Pop really.  With my love of 90's Pop comes a love of glitter.  So much so that when I was 15 I would have done anything for a pair of Union Jack Glitter covered knee boots just because the Spice Girls had them.  Wow so glad I didn't waste my money on those lol.

Over the last year glitter has filled the catwalks and stores and I LOVE it.  I can't get enough sparkle its so fun.  I am seeing people everywhere with glitter nail polish and of course it always catches my eye.   I am almost 30 and hope I am still fun and trendy but I am not sure if it is a good look for someone my age.  My instinct is that it's a do but am to old to be rocking this look?  Is it something that only the teenagers should be doing?

What are your thoughts? A do or a don't?

* not a great picture from my blackberry or the best home manicure I've ever done!

Keep Calm and Carry on

I love the Keep Calm and Carry On posters from England during WW2, what a great rule to live by.  I have seen these posters all over recently in different colors and with different plays on words.  I want one, but don't really want to spend $40 price tag I've seen at local stores.  So after becoming a little addicted to craft blogs I was inspired to create one of my own. 

Simply enough right? Well no because I can't find a silloette of the right crown to use.  So I became inspired by blogs again to play with the words a little and came up with this one: Keep Calm and Shop On.  Cute huh? I think so, who doesn't love some retail therapy when they are stressed. 

Let me know what you guys think?  I love the almost Tiffany Blue color!

30 before 30

So I wrote my 30 before 30 quite sometime ago so now I have a blog I found it fitting to post it.  I thought it would be easy to find 30 things I want to do but I was wrong, creating a list of 30 things to do before I turn 30 was tough. 


I can’t believe how fast my 20’s have flown by, for the most part they were pretty amazing but I have realized that I left work control my life and that’s not how I ever pictured things to be. Starting today I will still work hard but I will play harder and enjoy everything. I have been given a great life with amazing people and that is more important that my work life ever will be.


I may change some of these in the next week but for now this is my list.


1. I want to start my blog! So done :) lol I’m not crossing this one off until I have been consistently updating the blog throughout the year.


2. Visit my friends all over England ~ Going in August for my childhood best friends wedding!


3. Visit my old friends.

4. Take a Photography class.


5. Update by blog with my photography fails and successes.


6. Take French again and remember it this time.

7. To fully Launch Stella Jewelry. They say find something you love and you will never feel like its work. I truly love making jewelry and hope this can be my career sooner than later.


8. To stick it out with college classes, college isn't for me but I now know its something I want to complete.


9. Actually read and enjoy a fiction novel. I am not a huge reader unless it’s some juicy celeb gossip online so I would love to actually make my way though a book and enjoy it.


10. I danced from the time I was 2-17 and then I moved to America and never danced again. I am not sure why I decided not to start again but it’s something I regret so before I am 30 I vow to at least take one dance class. Probably hip hop, those routines are always by favorite on SYTYCD. ~ thinking about taking Zumba now.

11. Take my Mum to a SYTYCD show, she’s obsessed with the show and I know to see them in person would bring her such joy ~ Took my mum for her birthday it was soo fun!


12. To send a celebrity my Jewelry :) hopefully they I will spot it on one of my gossip sites :)


13. To visit Salem, MA in the fall.


14. To actually rest and relax on a vacation.


15. Make cupcakes from scratch and learn to decorate them like a professional.


16. Send all my out of town friends a letter through snail mail. Who doesn’t love something in the mail that’s not a bill or junk mail :)


17. Clear out my closets and donate anything I do not need.


18. To organize all photographs and scrap books.


19. Go to a tech game.


20. Take a ghost/historic tour in Va.

21. To not eat fast food for a week, actually a month!


22. Run my mums shop for a week so her and my Dad can have a relaxing vacation together.


23. Take a trip where I don’t have to plan a thing. I am always the planner or in charge of things and it can become stressful when more than two people are involved. So I would love to just take a trip someone else has organized.


24. Take a silver smith class.


25. Stop procrastinating things.


26. This is getting tougher :) ok this one is simple enough wake up early on the weekends and take a stroll through the farmers market or downtown. Photograph this experience as I am not a morning person.


27. Workout more than once a week.

28. To find another store (other than my Mums amazing shop) to carry our jewelry.


29. To enjoy every minute of my last 10 months of my 20’s and not stress the 30s.


30. Have an amazing 30th birthday party :)
 
I hope my friends and family will enjoy this trip with me and be a part of my 30 before 30!
 

a spot of tea...

I am not sure how to start out my blog,  I have so many ideas of things I would love to write about, from fashion to travelling to memories. I have a feeling my blog is going to be quite random.  I will start of with a little about me.

First off you should know that I actually don't like tea at all but thought the name was cute for a blog.  I know weird, I'm British and don't like tea. 

So you already know I am British, what else?  Well I have lived in America since I was 17.  I am a 90's Pop Child who will always have love for the Spice Girls.  I am a fashionista wannabe, who can't bring herself to be daring with clothes!  I am an amateur make up artist, which means I buy lots of make up and sometimes practice on friends :).  I work in the corporate world and dream of my handmade jewelry making me millions, positive thinking works right? I am a part time traveller, wannabe jet setter.  A Bravo reality TV show junkie, candy lover, coca-cola addict.  I have champagne taste with a beer budget.  I am random thinker and self proclaimed detective.  I am possibly a social media addict, and cannot be without my phone, isn't that sad? I am shy and insecure at time and other outgoing and confident.  I know who I am or should say who I want to be and am ready to work on myself and my life to be the best friend, sister and daughter I can be.

YAY I've actually started my blog! 

Roxy xoxox