Coquette

Book Review: Happy Home by Jennifer Paganelli

Happy Home: Twenty-One Sewing and Craft Projects to Pretty Up Your Home
By Jennifer Paganelli

I often have friends tell me they have a sewing machine and that they want to learn how to sew. My answer to them always is that they need to find the right project and to just start working on it. The more sew, the more you hone your sewing skills. That's why I love this new sewing/craft book, Happy Home: Twenty-One Sewing and Craft Projects to Pretty Up Your Home by Sis Boom Fabrics founder and designer Jennifer Paganelli (published by Chronicle Books). The book features beautiful home and entertaining projects that each have step-by-step instructions. Patterns for the projects are also included in a special envelope in the front of the book.

My good friend Dolin O'Shea of Lulu Bliss contributed to this book with her technical expertise. She assisted Jennifer in the technical pattern writing portion of the book. Dolin is such an amazing crafter and spent over ten years as a pattern designer at the Gap. Trust me, she knows her stuff! (Check out her knitting and crochet patterns.)

What I love about the book is how inspiring the book can be. With Jennifer's colorful Sis Boom fabrics used in the projects, you also get a dose of inspiration on decor and entertaining. As a crafter myself, I really like the detailed the descriptive illustrations are that go along with each project. This is especially helpful for complicated projects like a quilt. I'm a very visual person and love making quilts but I always forget the steps on sewing on the binding. This book has been so helpful in showing the right way to sew around the corners and get that perfect binding fold.

If you are a beginning sewer, some of the projects I recommend are Project No. 1: Rachel's Ruffle Pillow. It's always easy to start with a pillow project because it's a good-sized project that a newbie can easily accomplish. I also love Project No. 8: Laundry Bag, and the Napkins from Project No. 13. These are good starter projects to get your sewing muscles going.

For you bag lovers, you won't want to miss this simple project called Millie's Market Tote. It's just perfect for sewing a little treat for yourself.

If you can't sew but love pretty things, there are quite a few projects where all you need is a hot glue gun. I love the Pretty Box project above and the Pom-Pom Party Poufs below.

Happy Home does a great job of mixing sewing and crafts with plenty of inspiration and color!

If you love the fabric prints of Sis Boom, pick up other great items like this Sis Boom Notecard Book or the Sis Boom Flexi Journal.

Father's Day Gifts - ClarinsMen Skincare & Shave

For the last three Father's Day, I usually buy my husband something new to try in the skincare and shave department. Men don't usually experiment with different brands so it's always a fun challenge to see what he will like. I find that men don't really have a dedicated skincare routine like women do. If they aren't provided the products by us, they probably wouldn't even think about it.

I'm getting my husband the ClarinsMen Smooth Shave ($17.50 at Clarins) because I've learned now he likes something that foams for shaving. This alcohol-free foaming gel helps soften stubble, ensuring razor optimum performance and also soothes skin from irritation. It features plant extracts such as: aloe, wintergreen, bison grass, pursiane, galanga, and grindella. In reading the reviews, I like that the product is a gel so a little amount can be used and that it's fragrance is minimal so my husband can still wear his cologne.

I also love the ClarinsMen Active Face Wash ($18.50) which is great for all skin types and perfect to use before shaving in the morning and also at night to clean skin of the day's pollutants.

For men who may need a bit of anti-aging help, there's a whole line at Clarins.

I like the ClarinsMen Revitalizing Gel ($37) for early lines and wrinkles and the ClarinsMen Anti-Fatique Eye Serum ($29.50) that will reduce dark circles, puffiness, and keep the eye area protected from future wrinkles.

You can make your own little Father's Day gift baskets with Clarins Men's products to best suit what you think your man needs.

Note: Products were provided by Clarins for review.

The Perfect Blush - Chanel Joues Contraste in Rose Petale

I've become addicted to Chanel's You Tube channel specifically the Chanel Makeup sub-channel with makeup artist Lisa Eldrige who shows you the latest in Chanel cosmetics and how to apply them.

This video above focuses on the Rouge Coco lipsticks but even as she's showcasing one item, I love how Lisa talks about other makeup touches to complete a look. What caught my eye was the soft pink glow of the Joues Contraste blush ($43 at Chanel.com) she applied towards the end of the video to give her a healthy glow. She also showcases this blush in her 2011 favorites video.

When I got to the Chanel counter and the makeup artist applied it on my cheek, it instantly made me look spring-ready and healthy looking. The pink tones of the blush are perfect for light to medium skin tones and work perfectly with rosy pink or nude lips. You can blush on more for a stronger look or go very light for a more natural look which is what I usally do.

Buy Chanel Joues Contraste blush in Rose Pétale.

I also recommend the Chanel Pinceau Blush Brush #4 ($54). There brushes are the best and I have found that they last the longest. I've gone back to MAC's brushes and had to come back to Chanel ones for blush as well as face powder because they are softer and collect the powder much better than the other ones I have used.

IFB's 30 Spectacular Style Bloggers Over 30

Merci to IFB (Independent Fashion Bloggers) for choosing me to be a part of their 30 over 30: 30 Spectacular Style Bloggers You Should Follow. I'm on the list with some amazing fashion people I admired over the years, so it's just such an honor to be included in this group. Thanks to you lovelies who visit me here for your constant support!

Kohl's Spring: Floral Love

This spring, anything with bold colors really seem to catch my eye. I love this Jennifer Lopez Mixed Media top at Kohl's that mixes a silky floral patterned front with a gray soft jersey fabric in the back so it feels like a t-shirt. The contrast of the two fabrics works so well to make this top a casual yet stylish piece. I can’t say how much I adore the Jennifer Lopez line at Kohl’s. She’s got a great eye on trends and she always adds her own special touch to it.

I paired the top with a pair of stretchy Simply Vera Vera Wang Straight-Leg Twill Crop Pants, a nice neutral base so that the colors of the top really stand out. The pants have the comfort of leggings with its rayon/spandex mix but what’s great is that it looks like a dress pant. I especially love the details in the pants and the seam down the front of the legs. These are the perfect pair of black pants and I can’t believe what a great deal they were.

I've been coveting a pair of platform heels but can’t justify spending tons of money on them because I don’t wear heels often. This is why I am so happy I found these LC Lauren Conrad Platform High Heels. They give me some great height with an extra 4 1/2 inches and really dress up the entire outfit. I was surprised at how affordable they were. The soft suede-like material and the classic black color make these pumps look top notch. I also found these heels to be really comfortable as the platform hides special cushioning in the shoe. Perfect look for a date night out! To give this look a day spin, just pair it with sandals or ballet flats.

If you’re looking for a spring refresh to your wardrobe take a visit to your nearest Kohl’s. I am constantly surprising all of my friends with my stylish outfits from Kohl’s with these posts. It’s fantastic that each outfit is so budget-friendly! You can easily pick up key trend pieces for spring and pair them with other basics in your wardrobe. It’s extra nice when a fun fashion pick me up is easy on the wallet!

Visit the Kohl’s Style File to learn more about the hottest trends for this Spring and Summer!

Disclosure: Bloggers received a gift card on behalf of Kohl’s via Glam Media to complete the trend look. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Kohl’s. All trademarks and service marks are owned or licensed by Kohl’s Illinois, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc.

Web Snob Weekly Roundup

Here is this week's Web Snob with the latest in fashion, beauty, celeb, and lifestyle:

• If you’re going for a bag from The Row, you’re already going for the most decadent kind of simplicity, so don’t just get any leather version, go all the way with an exotic. BagSnob brings you to Temptation Island with The Row Fall 2012 Exotics.
• Stiletto Jungle shows 12 hidden shopping gems of London that you can shop from your computer.
• Steal the Look: Deborah Ann Woll is a True Beauty at BeautySnob.
• The Jet Set Girls are lusting after Bric's Missoni carry on luggage.
• Need a good laugh? Check out Allie is Wired's 10 hilarious celebrity equations.
• Second City Style loves the challenge of mixing prints (It's like finding a new dress in your closet!) and shows you How To Mix Tribal Prints.
• Shopping and Info checks out how to dress like a fashion model in New York City which includes a Celine bag and Isabel Marant.
• The Beauty Stop takes a look at the brand new Deborah Lippmann Snow White Nail Lacquer Set.

So Pretty! Crochet Afternoon

I had an amazing crochet lunch today with my crafty friends: Lorraine and Guinevere from Chronicle Books, as well as our crochet expert Dolin "Crochet" O'Shea from Lulu Bliss. Our inspiration was this new book, So Pretty! Crochet by Amy Palanjian and the crochet ring necklace (pictured below). I had never crocheted with embroidery thread over rings before so this was a fun new technique to try. It was also fun to see newbie crocheters like Guinevere and Lorraine learn the stitches and get excited as they finished a crocheted circle.

Here are Instagram photos from us this afternoon. Just seeing them again makes me feel all cozy.

This project was by Victoria of Lavenderfield and you can see a closer view of the necklace above and more beautiful crochet jewelry by Victoria on Amy Palanjian's blog.

I like that I can stash these little plastic circles, embroidery thread, and crochet hook in my bag and crochet a little circle to add to a stash that will eventually turn into this necklace. it's a great gift to make for friends too.

Clarins UV Plus HP SPF 40 Day Screen - A Must for the Sun!

I've been using Clarins UV Plus HP SPF 40 Day Screen ($38) every day over my moisturizer for the last few weeks. I can't rave about this SPF because it protects the delicate skin on your face from sun damage and fights free radials and DNA damage using Clarins' new anti-oxidant from Provence. The fluid goes on silky and doesn't feel greasy at all. It also doesn't feel heavy like most sunscreens do so even when I wear it with my moisturizer, I just feel light on my face. It has not clogged my pores and I like knowing that it's just protecting me from all the elements. I use the normal day screen which is white and rubs in clear, but you can also get a the tinted version ($40) in two shades, medium and deep.

Starting today there's also a Clarins sale on Gilt featuring some great gift sets.

Note: Product was provided by Clarins for review.

Hermes Jige Clasp - DIY Paper Craft

Four years after their paper Kelly bag craft, Hermès brings us another cute DIY paper craft project again! Make this paper Hermès Jigé Clasp – a cute paper craft clutch that can hold important receipts, papers, special notes or just sit oh so beautifully on your shelf. I love the five colorful designs and there's a plain one you can decorate yourself. All of the instructions are included for each downloadable PDF.

To download, go the Hermes Jige Clasp page for more views of each clutch (front and back).

Here are all the PDFs:

Elephant
Colored Sticks
Bird and Leaves
Biker
Dia de los Muertos
White Jige

p.s. I'll be patiently waiting for their Birkin papercraft to come in another few years!

Related Coquette Posts:
DIY Paper Hermes Kelly Bag

Web Snob Weekly Roundup

Here is this week's Web Snob with the latest in fashion, beauty, celeb, and lifestyle:

• BagSnob just found my new not-so-basic black bag. The genius of the McQueen sensibility is the flawless mergence of the wild and wearable.
• Stiletto Jungle is exploring fresh takes on the pastel trend.
• Shopping and Info loves these bags and tops from Alexander McQueen for summer.
• Nothing, and BeautySnob means NOTHING, hides dark circles as smoothly, sans cakey-ness, as the Le Métier de Beauté Peau Vierge Correcteur Concealer.
• Would you torch a $100,000 Birkin? Francesca Eastwood did, and Allie is Wired has the details.
• The Jet Set Girls can't wait to get their hands on the gorgeous, new Banana Republic Trina Turk Collection! It hits stores on June 7th.
• Second City Style knows that head-to-toe prints are not for everyone and found options for this Spring 2012 Trend: Partial Prints For Those Who Can't Commit.
• The Beauty Stop picks 5 beauty steals, all under $10.