Colors in motion: LANA GOMEZ

  Lana Gomez is one of  my FAVORITE artists!  I have a deep love for Abstract work.  I love the ability it has to make me feel happy, sad, relaxed, nostalgic and how it somehow always boosts my own creativity.  All of these emotions are pulled out of me simply by the colors, lines and shapes of the piece.  Without a definite object my mind has the freedom to explore.  This makes every piece personal.  It's the story behind the story.  I believe Abstract art can help uncover deep rooted thoughts and emotions that one didn't even know were brewing just underneath the surface.  It's a magical feeling to get swept away by a cerulean blue or magenta with splashes of burnt orange and teal.  The mix and directional strokes of these colors may calm your nerves and make the world seem like a more rounded place or you may simply be reminded that every little thing is gonna be alright! :)  Either way art is a powerful thing!  Which brings me back to Miss Lana Gomez.  Lana is an artist who studied art at the University of Tennessee and then moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career.   I love the intensity of her pieces.  I put together some of my favorites for you to enjoy!  To see more of her stunning work please visit www.lanagomez.com

LANA GOMEZ

I believe everyone possesses a creative flow that allows them to communicate in their own unique way; painting is how I express this notion. When I paint, I allow spontaneity to drive my creative process. My work reflects the lens through which I see the world – whether in color, shape or form. Each of my paintings pays homage to a remarkable nostalgic moment in my own life. It is my intention that when others experience my work, they will reflect on these types of moments in their lives while connecting to and feeling inspired by my own. -Lana Gomez

Bubble Bobble watercolor

Deer Hill  Acrylic, mixed media

Passion  watercolor

Are Unicorns Real?  Acrylic, mixed media

Hopefully you take some time and let yourselves get lost inside these beautiful works of art.  You never know what you might discover.

XO~ SJ

La Vie en Rose

 

The new Miss Dior film by Christian Dior is breathtakingly beautiful and romantic.  Miss Dior is played by the glowing Natalie Portman and the short film is directed by the ever so talented Sofia Coppola.   Let yourself fall in love this Spring!  Miss Dior fragrance was launched in 1947 and still today it's known for being a pure, elegant and precious perfume.  It's a gorgeous blend of Italian Mandarin Essence, Egyptian Jasmine Absolute and Indonesian Patchouli Essence. 

 

Enjoy my darlings!

 

  

 

XO~ SJ

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top 5 Sexiest Perfumes

                         1. Coco Mademoiselle by CHANEL

This is my favorite scent of all time!  It's an acquired scent, kinda spicy but still sweet with floral notes.  It's a beautiful blend of mandarin, bergamot, Italian jasmine, ylang ylang, bourban vanilla and mimosa. I've been told the most seductive thing about this fragrance is how it lingers, even after I'm gone. 

2. Pure Poison by Christian Dior

This perfume is heaven in a bottle!  The scent is delicious, intoxicating and full of passion!  Perfect for an intimate date night!  It's a seductive blend of orange blossom, jasmine, gardenia, amber and sandalwood. Yummy...

3.  Jimmy Choo by Jimmy Choo (self-titled fragrance)

This is a seriously sexy woodsy scent.  I loved it right away, it almost has a masculine vibe.  It reminded me of an expensive cigar, it's mysterious and intriguing.   Definitely not light and airy but perfect when paired with a little black dress and spiked stiletto heels.  I find the boldness empowering.  The blend consists of pear, tiger orchid, toffee caramel and patchouli.

4. Orange Blossom by JO MALONE

Pure and simple.  This fragrance is so soft, feminine and dreamy. Perfect first date scent!  "The scent of clementine leaves in the morning dew sparkles above a heart of orange blossom and water lily, transporting the wearer to a garden oasis." - JoMalone.com

5.  Euphoria by Calvin Klein

I used to be completely obsessed with this provocative, creamy and woodsy scent.  There are new variations of this fragrance available but I say stick to the original!  Once again this is a unique scent that is extremely sexy and alluring.  The gorgeous blend consists of exotic fruits, sensual florals, liquid amber and mahogany wood. Simply divine.

When picking your favorite fragrances try to remember what the elegant, opinionated and glamorous Coco Chanel once said:

"A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future." Coco Chanel

XO~ SJ

Latest Color Obsession... TURQUOISE & RED

Can't stop finding ways to add more of this color combination in my life.  From my clothes, my paintings and the decor in my home, I'm totally obsessed.  I love mixing the bright rustic airy blue turquoise with all shades of red.  My favorite is a pomegranate shade of red with creams, peaches, powder blue and then finished with a POP of turquoise.  This bold combo makes me feel so alive and happy! I put some images together in hopes that you swoon and fall equally in love with these colors as I am!

 ENJOY!

 Hope your weekend has been amazing!!

XO~ SJ

DIY Rose Potpourri

 

ARE YOU TICKLED PINK OVER THOSE ROSES FROM YOUR VALENTINE? ♥   Why not enjoy them forever and make yourself a little Rose Potpourri!!   I love drying my flowers, they're perfect for romantic décor around the home or wonderful gifts as potpourri or wreaths.  Any flower combination works, no need to stick to just roses.   I'm big on creating different textures in my potpourri so I prefer to use both petals and whole rose heads.  Don't forget the baby's breath or any of the other fillers that came with your roses!  Here is my extremely simple recipe for homemade potpourri:

1.   DRY flowers  To preserve whole rose heads hang entire flower with stem upside down with fishing line until dry. The petals can be picked and dried on newspaper or paper towel.  If you have any fresh herbs  to add to the bunch dry them as well.  They add the perfect amount of green!  Just be sure to turn over every two days.  I always add a handful of dried lavender as well, just my personal preference.  Once flowers are completely dry it's on to step 2.
2.  ADD ESSENTIAL OIL.  I like to use a combination of oils.  My favorites are rose mixed with lavender or jasmine. Put roses together in a plastic bag and add 10 to 12 drops of essential oils. Gently shake! Keep sealed for 24 hours. 
3. DISPLAY in bowls, birdcages or sachets!  It will be a beautiful and constant reminder of your loves affection!  I like to refresh the petals every month with sprinkles of the same essential oils.

Have fun picking the oils to scent your potpourri!  Don't under estimate the seductive powers of fragrances.  Here's a list of some of my favorite oils and their aromatherapy effects.  Make your own romantic blend and keep by your bed! 

• Lavender - Floral, fresh and sweet scent.  Calms stress and anxiety and promotes sleep.  Said to be preferred by men, especially when mixed with other floral notes.
• Jasmine blossom -  Most exquisite floral scent.   Considered an aphrodisiac by men and woman.  Jasmine is uplifting and is said to combat depression.
• Cinnamon - Is a spicy, sweet and woodsy scent.  Is said to battle exhaustion and stress.
• Vanilla - Rich, warm and sweet scent. Is both comforting and inviting.  Extremely soothing when mixed with lavender.
• Rose -  Strong floral scent.  Helpful in stressful times.  Is intoxicatingly beautiful.  Also has aphrodisiac effects.
• Orange blossom - Intensely floral, citrusy, sweet and exotic.  It's uplifting and alluring. One of my most favorite scents! I wouldn't mix this with anything.  It's too perfect as is.

 

XO~ SJ

Dirty Little Secrets...

I love lace, ruffles and all things feminine but beautiful lingerie has the ability to make even me blush.  There is something so luxurious, mysterious and seductive about the intricate and delicate details that stay hidden under our clothes like a juicy little secret.  Lingerie isn't solely for the men in our lives.  Try doing it for yourself under a party dress or even underneath a casual outfit.  It's truly empowering and a bit tongue in cheek if you ask me!  Of course still do it up for your lucky man!  He'll feel like he's unwrapping a Birthday present every time and who doesn't love their Birthday!? The price of wearing drop dead sexy undergarments does not come cheap though.  I'm totally a sucker for LUXE Lingerie but 4K for a kimono is a little much.  This is similar to my love of Champagne on a box wine budget! I dream about slipping into lace and satin designed by La Perla and Agent Provocateur but for right now that's all it is, a dream.   I'll settle for my Victoria's Secret but NEVER will I give up my Champagne for boxed wine.  EVER.  I put together three dream pieces of lingerie by Agent Provocateur  that leave me feeling breathless.

 

                                                                                Mercy Corset $690

                                                                                 Caisey Basque $590

                                                                           Cordeliyah Kimono $3,900

NOW BACK TO REALITY!!  Here are three more affordable pieces from Victoria's Secret that are still uber feminine and in my opinion totally sexy!  My favorite is the Lace Merrywidow!  SO HOT!!

                                                             Lace Ruffle Babydoll $38

 

     Lace Garter Slip $88

 

 

Lace Merrywidow $78-$88

 

Just a little something to think about with Valentines Day quickly approaching! Whatever you do on the 14th just remember one thing... Don't forget the lace!!

 

XO~SJ

 

Kissable Ruby Red Lips

 

 As promised, today I'm going to help you find the perfect shade of red lipstick!  Think you can't pull it off...THINK AGAIN!  Nothing is more timeless and classic than a beautiful ruby red lip. Most people shy away from this color with excuses like "I don't look good in lipstick" or "I'll look like a clown".  These reasons may actually be true, but only because you need to find the right shade of red that perfectly compliments your skin tone!  So, let's get down to bizz'ness!

 DETERMINE YOUR SKIN TONE.  Examine your complexion, look into your skin to see the under-tones. Beige, gold or olive indicate a WARM skin tone.  While pale, pink or fair skin with naturally rosy cheeks indicate a COOL skin tone. Pretty simple right? Think, if you tan easily or rarely burn you're more than likely a warm toned gal.  If you burn easily, you're cool toned all the way baby!

COOL skin tones look best in Berry or Brick Reds.  This is because of the pink undertones.  The Berry hues and True reds will brighten up your complexion without looking too Ronald McDonald red.  I suggest trying:

SNOW WHITE by NYX

 AFGHAN RED by NARS

  
 WARM skin tones glow in Orangey and Tomato Reds! The yellowy undertones in warmer skin allow for more range in the world of red.  True reds will still look amazing but lipsticks with warmer tones will create more of a luminescing glow! I suggest trying:

ELECTRA by NYX

 

 LADY BUG by MAC

After you've figured out which red works best on you the rest is quite simple.  LINE LIPS with a classic red liner and BLEND inwards toward center of lip. Next using a lip brush (not straight from the tube) evenly apply lipstick starting at outer corners. Blot. Apply another light layer and retouch lip liner.  Carefully swipe outside of lip line with Q-tip or concealer brush, important to make sure lipstick isn't bleeding outside your lip line.  That never looks pretty!  Be sure to check your teeth for any lipstick!! The rest of your face can be left fresh and nearly bare. Keep your lips the main focus by concealing any imperfections, dust with soft mineral powder, a light dusting of blush on apples of cheeks and a few sweeps of mascara!  Anyone can rock a bold red lip!  I encourage you to try it, always leaves me feeling confidant, sexy and even a little mysterious!

 

 

 

XO~ SJ

 

Will you be my Valentine?

Calling all hopeless romantics!!  The most famous Hallmark holiday is right around the corner!  I'm ALL for the celebration of L.O.V.E. but this ridiculous "holiday" has the power to send even the most confidant woman head first into a tub of Ben & Jerry's.  Gross.  Instead of waiting around for chocolates and roses this year I'm going to become my own Valentine for the month of February!  After reading some of your messages asking "How can I get a date by Valentines?" or " How can I hint to my boyfriend to not forget the flowers?".  It's all a bunch of silly crap if you ask me. So,  I'm dedicating this months posts to Self Love and Self Indulgent goodies.  Ladies, stop putting so much pressure on one day.  Flowers and being courted by a man should happen organically and not just in Mid-February.  Reclaim the power and start romancing yourself!  I don't see anything wrong with patting myself on the back for being so totally awesome!  Aaah yes, I think I'm going to really really enjoy this.  Some things to look forward to this month ~

• Homemade Hot Chocolate Face Masks and Body Scrubs! yummm
• How to pick the perfect shade of RED lipstick for your skin tone
• My top 10 favorite movies with a strong female lead (no mushy shit)
• Recipe for my infamous chocolate martinis 
• Lingerie to die for
• How to make homemade Rose & Lavender potpourri
•  How to pick and arrange the perfect bouquet of flowers
• Little ways to add more self love and appreciation into your life! :)
• Homemade strawberries & champagne face polish
• How to create the Seductive Bedroom Eye look
• How to splurge on yourself while on a budget
• Sexy aphrodisiac bath oils and candles
• GODIVA (need I say more)
• Reviews of my favorite female authors, artists and entrepreneurs 
• Sexiest perfumes 

Here are some of my favorite women who've taken a  firm stand behind their declarations of Self Love:

I am so beautiful, sometimes people weep when they see me. And it has nothing to do with what I look like really, it is just that I gave myself the power to say that I am beautiful, and if I could do that, maybe there is hope for them too. And the great divide between the beautiful and the ugly will cease to be. Because we are all what we choose.
 Margaret Cho

                                              " I don't like myself, I'm crazy about myself."
                                                                                             Mae West

    People often say that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," and I say that the most liberating  thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty in  places where others have not dared to look, including inside ourselves.
                                                                                     Salma Hayek

Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.
Lucille Ball

Let's be clear on one thing though, I'm not bitter or bashing men all over the world.  I love the concept of an unselfish passionate love and I adore a drool worthy man.  I just REALLY want to stress the importance of knowing your own self worth.  So what if you're single or your boyfriend forgot to get you roses!!  It's really not the end of the world.  Celebrating and appreciating your inner beauty should start right there... INSIDE OF YOU.  So instead of hating, dreading or despising Feb 14th  I'm just suggesting we embrace it with open arms.  Stop looking for approval and love outside of ourselves.  You're fabulous and undeniably beautiful! 

XO~ SJ

  

Birthday Celebration Essentials

I love any occasion to *PoP* open a bottle of bubbly or two but it's something about my Birthday that makes that sound just a tad bit sweeter!!  I'm most definitely one of those annoying girls who LOVES their Bday!  I think it's so much fun to get together with all your favorite girlfriends and celebrate, dance, be silly and probably sip a little too much pink champagne!  With that being said my BiRtHdAy PaRtY is tomorrow and I've put together my " BIRTHDAY ESSENTIALS" for the evening.  What I'll be wearing, and how I'm going to pretty myself up for the shin dig! Here we gooooo......

My light, sweet and festive fragrance choice! Poppy Flowers by COACH  This scent always makes me feel so feminine!

 

Sexy Lace top that perfectly displays my womanly charms! (If you catch my drift)

 

 

Dark denim and heels! Flattering yet comfy! Perfect for dancing!!

 

 

I'm going to ROCK BIG HAIR! Texas style!  Brings me a few inches closer to God ladies! LOL

 

 

 

At this point I'm going to need to take a Champagne break to regain my strength.  That hair is gonna be lots of work!

 

 

False lashes are a party MUST!  I'm going to go for a dramatic smoky eye to blend with my sheer lacey top!

 

 

Finish with a soft pink lip.  Trying to recreate the look I have below...  Imagine this with my larger than life hair!!!  OOOOOOH GUUURL I'm so excited!

 

 

Seriously I LOVE being a girls girl!  It's PARTY TIME!!

 

 

XO~ SJ