Hope you are having a wonderful holiday and soon to be 2014!
I have a student guest writer on Bubbling with Elegance and Grace this week. These are not necessarily the views or opinions of Bubbling with Elegance and Grace; but I wanted to give my guest writer an opportunity to have an open discussion for her class assignment.
Brooke is originally from New Jersey. Now she is a in her senior year at Boston University, this article was written for her online marketing class which is a requirement for her Communications degree. Upon graduation Brooke would love the opportunity to stay in Boston and work at one of the major PR firms that is located downtown.
When it comes to maintaining a youthful appearance, women try everything and anything to keep themselves looking young. For years, women have relied on creams, home remedies, and even cosmetic surgery to revitalize and maintain a fresh looking appearance. Following a daily routine that makes you feel good about yourself is healthy and can definitely help you maintain your youth, however, there are other avenues women can explore that will effortlessly and instantly turn back the hands of time. Incorporating certain jewelry styles into your existing collection is a fabulous way to rejuvenate your over-all look and make you feel like a spring chicken! There’s no need to spend your money on Botox, because all you need is a boost in the bling department.
Less is More!
This doesn’t mean middle aged women should run to their nearest tattoo and piercing shop and get the nose ring they dreamed of when they were 18, no! This does, however, mean that women who are more mature can still jazz up their style with classic and modern jewelry trends. One thing I’ve noticed about some older women is they sometimes wear bulky or gaudy jewelry, especially to formal events.
This is a big no-no! Adding too much jewelry to your ensemble will make you look like you’re trying way too hard. Instead of wearing huge chandelier earrings with a matching ring, necklace, and bracelet, keep things simple. Let’s get down to the facts, as we age our skin ages with us. After years of wearing large or heavy earrings, some women’s ears have lost elasticity and wearing heavy earrings only accentuates this.
Rather than wearing big earrings that look painful and unattractive, opt for lighter stud earrings or smaller hoop earrings. These earring styles look classy, chic, and take years off of you! If you want daytime earrings, opt for plain metal ones. If you’re dressing up for a special event, there are several fancy options out there that will still make you look timeless and elegant. I love these silver puffed hoop earrings from Kohls.com because they are classy, perfect for women of all ages and fit for any occasion. These are small enough to wear in the day, but when paired with a simple necklace, could add the perfect amount of sparkle to your evening look.
Bibs: Not Just for Babies
By Syuli noire (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Another fantastic accessory I think makes any woman look young and fabulous, are short statement necklaces. This style necklace rests higher up on the décolletage, bringing light to your face. If you prefer wearing high-collared shirts or blouses, this necklace sits at a perfect length and really adds some stylish flair to your look. A statement necklace that sits higher up on the neck is also a fantastic way to cover up ageing skin. If you have sun damage or sagging skin on and around your neck, you may not want to be overly exposed when you wear certain necklines. Adding a larger statement necklace will cover up any imperfections you don’t like, and make you look chic! If you’ve never tried wearing a bib necklace, I highly suggest trying this black teardrop bib necklace from forever21.com. This piece is perfect because it can easily match with many outfits, and it’s not too pricey. If you feel it’s not for you, you won’t regret spending a lot on it. I’ve seen women of all ages wearing statement necklaces and I think they all look age-appropriate and fashionable.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!
Now, you may not be in your 20’s any longer, but you may also not be in your 50’s so you still want to have a little fun here and there and try out some funky pieces of jewelry. Personally, I think any and all facial piercings should be out of the question once a woman is in her late 20’s. Unless you work in an environment where facial piercings are prevalent, this look may not be as professional as employers may like.
If you’re a daring diva who wants to mix up her style with a youthful piece of jewelry, I think toe rings are the perfect go-to! This accessory is perfect for warm weather months, especially since most of us are in sandals the majority of this time. I think too often, women forget that they can have fun and dress up their feet. Why not show off that pedicure a little more and add some cute foot jewelry to highlight your little piggies?! I love the cutetoe rings featured on emitations.com because they are fun, fashionable, and affordable. They offer simple ones that are great for everyone, as well as unique charm options for the playful fashionistas out there. Personally, I think of toe rings as being a young accessory that older women can add back into their jewelry collection. Celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston have been spotted around with fancy foot hardware, and I think it looks cute!
When it comes to fashion and style, it’s important for women to dress comfortably and choose items that are age appropriate. Getting older doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with jewelry and accessories. The trick to always looking your best is choosing the right items and topping it all off with confidence. There’s no need to spend a lot either to make you look younger. Dressing to your body type and pairing classy accessories will make you look young and fresh, no matter the occasion.
Do you have any tips that weren’t covered in this article? Please let me know down below in the comments section!
St. Louis had snow and ice; but that was not going to prevent fans from coming out to see the Queen herself.
Just on the cusp of the release of her new album on iTunes Thursday night, Beyoncé stopped in St. Louis on Saturday, December 14, 2013.
Going to the concert, my hubby and I had to walk with caution because of the ice.
Prior to the show, music was being played over the speakers, and some of the fans were getting their groove on.
One of the songs played was “Wobble Baby Wobble Baby”. A man sitting a few seats below us, who looked like he could be my grandfather, came out of the aisle and started shaking and putting his foot on the railing and causing a humongous stir with the audience. Then the crowd began looking above us and I could see a man is getting down, doing the splits. Mind you, the show had not started yet, but we got a pre- show of moves.
The opening act was Luke James, who actually danced in Beyonce’s video for “Who Runs The World Girls!” He sung his hits “I Want You” and “You Belong To Me”. He incorporated samples of Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up,” and Michael Jackson’s, ‘The Way You Make Me Feel” into his thirty-minute musical set. He has a good vocal range and was a hit with the ladies when he took off his shirt off.
JT enjoying the Beyonce concert
After James finished up and a quick set change, Beyoncé hit the stage accompanied with back-up singers and dancers. About 17,000 fans packed the Scottrade Arena and the first song was “Who Run The World (Girls)!” She and her dancers did her signature moves to the song of empowerment.
She said to the fans, “You all look really fly tonight.”
She asked the crowd to say,
“Hey Ms. Carter” and the fans obliged.
She followed with “End of Time” and “If I Were a Boy.”
“Get Me Bodied” is one of my favorites because I can work that song. My hubby and I attended the 2007 World Experience Tour in St. Louis and she used the same choreography as before. The difference was they she had the Les Twins performing with her throughout the show and they had a solo dance performance on Why Don’t You Love Me.” You got the feel that this was definitely a greatest hits tour.
There were several mini movie vignettes before and during the concert. The movies during the concert allowed Beyonce to go off stage and change in a new outfit for the next part of the show
Some highlights:
One video talked about Chime for Change, which is a charity that Beyoncé co-founded with Salma Hayek.
Another movie clip showed Beyoncé talking about how she wanted her new album to be visual and she wanted to put it out there when she wanted to.
I have been rehearsing for a Christmas Program at my church. I did not know that she had released a new album the day before so I was going in really fresh and clean. There was rumor of an album but didn’t know when it was going to drop. Surprise to me!
Her hubby JayZ released his last album, Holy Grail, in the same manner; releasing it to Samsung fans before it moved out to the masses. Good marketing tool. It was somewhat of a surprise; but this still was a tool to get the word out. It works well for iTunes too.
She asked for the audience to follow her moves for XO and this was an important week for her. The audience was getting first listen of the song live. That was the only song that she sung from her new album. I was thinking she might have sung a little bit more from her new material but oh well! You can only ask so much.
Fans call Beyoncé a Queen; however she really puts it out there that she wants to be known as one. Some snippets from the earlier released video, “Bow Down,” showed the crown on her head and standing before the thrown with her sepulcher. The royal court and jester were also in attendance with a little twerking going on.
The show also had Beyoncé on a mechanism that had her fly above the fans to the other side where the B stage was located. The Blue cat suit she had own was very pretty and vibrant. She sung Love On Top, Survivor and Irreplaceable. The fans were doing a real good job on Love On Top. The fans were seeing and Beyoncé came in on the chorus and said, “Oops I messed up y’all sounded beautiful. Sopranos in the house!” St. Louis sounded good.
After that she got on the mechanism and fly across the crowd to the main stage. She sang Crazy in Love, Single Ladies and did the choreographed dances moves with the other dancers from the video, new song XO and Halo. She sang one new song from the album. Oh well!
It was done. She thanked the band, dancers, her backup singers the Mamas that include St. Louis’s own Monica Cooper, and the Les Twins dancers. She thanked the crowd for coming out in the cold and snow.
The show in St. Louis was an hour and 45 minutes. When the FIN came on the screens it was done. She’s introducing the band? That’s it? No finale?
Beyoncé rolled through St. Louis and will be on her way to Ontario, Canada.
JT and her hubby on their way home after the concert.
I was recently given the opportunity to review a book for Faith Village called “Living the Psalms,” by Charles Swindoll.
The book is a devotional that gives encouragement for the daily grind.
I have dreams! I am not unworthy!
However, sometimes I feel I am overweight and look in the mirror and realize I am not twenty anymore.
JT working out.
I run to my Lord and Savior for strength and wisdom. This devotional takes you through a week of thought-provoking questions that need to be answered and involves self examination. Self examination helps keep me in check because I want to live with purpose and in order to live with purpose this is an important key.
The first week sets the stage with The Grind of Compromise: Psalms 1. I read Psalms 1 and was asked the question. What are my priorities in life? This entails soul searching and really makes me look at what I am putting first in my life.
My relationship with Christ has to be first. If He is not first; nothing else will go right in my life.
That means:
1. In order for my marriage to flourish, I have to put God first.
2. In order for me to treat my doggies and family well, I have to put God first in my life.
3. In order for me to be stellar in my career and as a professional blogger, I have to put God first in my life.
4. I have to put God first in every area of my of life.
Swindoll says.
“Compromise occurs when our behavior fails to reflect our priorities. In what ways have you compromised, and how can you get back on track?”
Wow, I get hit right between the eyes with that one. Soul searching time.
The things of life try to take my time away from my relationship with God and I have to rebuke that and cast those imaginations down.
Swindoll’s book makes you look at where you are in life and if you are putting more before God.
I am keeping a notebook because I want to record what I need to work on and any prayers or ideas that come to my mind.
Here’s an excerpt from Youtube on a brief snippet of the book.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to grow deeper in his or her relationship with God. The book stretches you to dive into the word of God.
For me to have an impact I have to walk the walk. Not perfect by no means but growing from day to day because I am a Child of the King.
Pray that everyone is having a joyful holiday season.
Mirimichi Golf Course
Visiting Memphis in November was a weekend to remember. My hubby and I had the opportunity to visit the Mirimichi world class golf experience. As a part of the JT Memphis weekend contest, I received two rounds of golf at Justin Timberlake’s Mirimichi Performance Learning Center and Golf Course.
The Mirimichi golf course was named 2013 best golf course in Tennessee on Golfweek magazine’s 2013 Best Courses You Can Play.
I must admit that I have not golfed since high school. I thought to myself, I don’t know how to play golf, however we were interested in taking a tour of the Center and the course.
Well, we were in for a great experience.
Mirimichi Golf Learning and Performance Center
What does Mirimichi mean? When I looked at the brochure, it read.
“What’s in a name? When making this decision, curse founder and world-renowned entertainer Justin Timberlake went back to his roots. “Some of my heritage is Native American. I thought it would be fitting with all the eco-friendly features of the course to find a name that reflects that heritage. Mirimichi means ‘place of happy retreat,’ and that is what the experience at our golf course is all about – a place to enjoy time with family and friends. Come share our Mirimichi.”
The golf course is about 25 minutes from the Peabody hotel where my hubby and I were staying. It was great to see more of what Memphis had to offer. When my hubby turned the corner to go into the golf course it looked so serene and beautiful. The sign that said that Mirimichi is the first Audubon certified gold course in the United States caught my eye because I am all about preserving nature and wildlife.
Also, added bonus Mirimichi is open to the public.
When we parked at the Performance and Learning Center and got out of the Jeep, we were welcomed by Deb Peterson, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Mirimichi. She was very gracious and introduced us to the staff. Justin’s mother had her hand in the decorating of the center and it was really well done.
We were given a brief overview of what each staff person does at Mirimichi and were handed off to Instructor/Assistant Golf professional Bobby Cochran.
He was very nice and really works with the experienced golfer as well as the novice.
JT and Resident Mirimichi golf pro Bobby Cochran
Mirimichi offers a comprehensive swing analysis system, sponsored by Callaway, that determines what kind of equipment you need to be effective on the golf course.
I had some misses but finally hit the ball on my last swing. My hubby hit the ball to register on the screen, so that was a lot of fun.
Bobby showed us how the Callaway system can be used to improve your swing technique.
JT and hubby with Justin Timberlake bag photo op
This game is not easy and your technique plays an important part of your success. The one pic below where Bobby is helping me, I really am not trying to hit him. Ha Ha!
Bobby has great form.
Bobby Cochran showing how to find your form with the proper equipment
Jennifer Jordan, the Lead Golf Instructor, showed us the practice facilities where you can fine tune your swing, all year long. She and the other instructors are on hand to teach anyone how to play golf, whether it is the beginner who never picked up a club before; to the person who wants to improve his or her game.
Practice range
After getting brief overviews of what the facility has to offer from Bobby and Jennifer, it was time to go out on the course. Dustin Green guide gave my hubby and I royal treatment and was so informative.
Tour of the Course
We boarded the cart and proceed to find out more about each of the eighteen holes.
Dustin Green showing me the different types of grass
The land is so beautiful. Dustin showed us the different types of grass and how it stays the different shades of green all year long.
Mirimichi Golf Course
Interesting notes I learned about Mirimichi
Each hole has a specific Indian name
All the plants at Mirimichi are native to Tennessee.
Native Plants
“Mirimichi has state of the art irrigation and drainage systems that recycle rain water and maximize water management efficiency.”
Mirimichi is not only a golf course but a place that practices eco-friendly, they even have its own plant food. It would be great to see this kind of natural plant food and weed/grass control in the stores. I personally do not like using products with harmful chemicals so it would be good to see more eco-friendly products.
Mirimichi is Golf Environment Organization (GEO) Certified. This certification is based on sustainability in protecting the land and wildlife.
The deck area overlooking the course was an idea of Justin’s mother, I can see it has a woman’s touch. This is a venue for golfers and non-golfers to enjoy whether it’s a band coming to play for an event or taking a break after a round of golf.
The deck area
Dustin really took time with us out on the course to give us background on each hole. I felt like I have known him for years because he was so personable and really knew his job well.
He really is passionate about his job.
Dustin with award
The Mirimichi Performance and Learning Center and Golf course is a beautiful place to see whether you are a golfer or a non-golfer. You will enjoy it. I know my hubby and I did. Dustin said that he oftens see wild turkeys and deer in the early morning.
One of the views of the lake from the Mirimichi Golf Course
I would like to thank I Love Memphis, Deb, Bobby, Jennifer and Dustin for a wonderful tour of the Mirimichi Center and golf course.
My hubby surprised me on our anniversary with a trip to Chicago. Yeah, Chi-town!
We went to see The Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Show Exhibition at the Chicago History Museum. The exhibition opened March 16, 2013 will close May 11, 2014 (UPDATED!).If you are in the area please go see it.
The designs are gorgeous.
Image Courtesy of the Chicago History Museum
Quote from Joy Bivins, Exhibition Curator
“We hope visitors will have the impression of attending an exclusive event that was put together just for them where they will be wowed by fantastic garments and a powerful American story,” said Bivins. “We want them to feel what it was like to attend this spectacular event, and learn about Chicago, American and fashion history in the process.”
I must admit I felt like I was going to a red Carpet event when I walked into the exhibit. The stanchions and carpet made me feel like a queen.
Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair
Excerpt from the Chicago History Museum website
“The Ebony Fashion Fair began in 1958, and over the next 50 years the traveling fashion show blossomed into an American institution that raised millions for charity and helped Johnson Publishing Company reach audiences.
Show organizers overcame racial prejudice to bring the pinnacle of Europe’s premier fashion to communities that were eager to see, in real time and space, a new vision of black America that was the hallmark of Ebony and Jet magazines. Eunice Johnson took over as producer and director in 1963, and under her direction, the traveling show took on new heights as she expanded her cachet and power within fashion circles.”
The exhibition has over 60 garments including designers such as St. Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Pierre Cardin, Pucci, Christian Lacroix and others. Fashion that is flamboyant and ahead of its time. The fashion show was founded by Eunice Johnson of Johnson Publishing company with her husband. It was neat to find out that Ms. Johnson would go into exclusive couture houses and pick garments for her fashion show and received the utmost respect.
The exhibit looks like it came right off of the runway; highlighting some of the most elaborate, intricately detailed couture garments. In the picture below is a Christian Lacroix ready to wear hooded ensemble, it appeared in Fashion in Love in the Fall/Winter 1998-1999. The garment is made of wool cashmere, synthetic blend thread and fox trim around the hood. I like everything about this outfit, except for me I would have faux fur around the trim of the hood.
Another favorite of mine is the dress in black and metallic by Jean Patou made me look twice. This dress is Haute Couture, fall/winter 1986-1987 in silk satin, synthetic tulle, silk velvet and feathers. It appeared in Fashion Scandal. The hat adds sophistication with flair.
Image Courtesy of the Chicago History Museum
I learned many things about Eunice Johnson and what it took to make this traveling fashion show a success. The models were women of color and it gave inspiration that they can wear those clothes and they can look like that too. Not only did she cross stereotypes; but she made the outfits appeal to women no matter what their size was at the time. Women over the size of 14 want to cute as well. Celebrate your individuality and personality because no one can do it for you. You have to stir up the gift inside of you.
Below is an image of one of my favorite designs. This dress is so avante garde that it works in every way, shape, and form. Over the top describes this dress to me, literally leaves your mouth open. The designer of this cocktail dress is Tilmann Grove, Haute couture, fall/winter 2003-2004. The dress is made of silk chiné-taffeta, horn, plastic and glass beads, horsehair tubing, and plastic boning. The dress appeared in Living It Up, 2004-2005. The model in the catalog has matching bracelets on each arm
I wonder how comfortable this would be at the dinner table? The dress would be a real conversation piece for sure.
Image courtesy of Chicago History Museum
The garments are beautiful and I learned a lot about Eunice Johnson and her husband. If you have a dream, you can achieve it and inspire others to go that extra mile to achieve their dreams.
I watched an interactive inside of the exhibit and I remember a lady saying that when she went to an Ebony Fashion show she realized that she could look like that the model walking down the runway or better.Women could actually get to visualize themselves wearing these clothes and feeling confident.
Sources:
Chicago History Museum Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair exhibition website
Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair by Chicago History Museum Catalog for the Exhibition
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Bubbling with Elegance and Grace started out as an outlet for my passion for fashion but has evolved into a place for me to teach, collaborate, and inspire. My hubby has since joined the team and we have been digital creators for 13 years. We are thankful for those who believed in us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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