Archives for 2009

12 Days Tutorials Teaser

October 19, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 14 Comments

what I need to be doing is pricing items for the

tag sale (ie yard sale)

i’m having this saturday.

instead, i’ve been making stuff

all weekend.

with the most wonderful

fabrics and wools

you’ve ever seen

some from my very own closet

some from Goodwill

and some from talented designers

like amy butler

i can’t wait to show you

what we’re making

and you’re gonna love the guest posters

my little elea has knit

her little fingers

to the bone

on her red scarf

we’re so jazzed about the

12 Days of Handmade Christmas Tutorials

that our creative juices are more like spritzers

bubbling over

making us merry

and distracting us from

things like

laundry

and toilet scrubbing

and yard-sale pricing

So, Save the dates

November 1-12

with 11 days of guest posters

hosted by me here at

i’d be so thrilled if you’d help me

get the word out

oh yeah, and the proceeds

from the tag sale?

an embroidery/sewing machine!

next monday, we’ll have a special

blog button for the occasion that you

can share with your friends.

hugs and happy monday!

p.s. I loved your ‘uni’ stories! y’all are funny.

Visit Kim at Today’s Creative Blog for more crafty goodness!

So, what does your winter uniform look like?

October 17, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 164 Comments

As the cooler weather sets in and I am rummaging through my closet to find my boyfriend lounge pants, I am reminded of this post from last winter and thought I’d share it today. It’s another tribute to my love for make up. I am indeed a southern girl through and through. Visit my friend Denise’s blog and laugh and cry with her as she shares her trip to the MAC counter.

I have a good reason for posting these pictures. I’ll tell you momentarily.

First, let me say that one of the major roadblocks for me when I was deciding to homeschool was what I’d like to call the denim jumper road block. Or what I call the ‘buns and jumpers’ factor. I do not own a denim jumper and if I did, trust me, I would not wear it well. I envisioned that everyone who homeschools wears denim jumpers and tight librarian buns and grows their own wheat and takes vows against electronics and laughter and makeup; none of which I was willing to do. Imagine my surprise when , after reading a few ~~hundred~~ blogs, I realized that it takes all kinds.

As it turns out, ex-doctor/ADD/obsessed with all things fashion and decorating/ moms like me have our little niche in the homeschooling world. I found that there are in fact plenty of fun-loving, hip, classical- book loving women who have journeyed out into the homeschooling wilderness with nothing but our dry erase boards, laptops, lip gloss, a lot of good books.

So when my 16 year old daughter commented on my ‘uniform’, it gave me pause.

Who is she to criticize my ‘uni’? She often mistakes my closet for the dressing room of Target. She shops, she tries things on, she leaves things lying on the floor, and never brings the number back. So when she meandered in to ‘try on’ a few things and came out wearing part of my ‘uniform’, I was aghast. My uniform is not a denim jumper, but it is a pair of lounge pants from Victoria’s Secret; the boyfriend pants with the bedazzled ‘PINK’ on the rear. And a stretchy mock turtle neck and wooly warm sweater from Target. I often vary the color of the mock turtle. But the rest stays the same. I wash it, of course—maybe twice a week. But that is what I LIVE in people. Everyday, until I have to leave the house.

So when Caiti said to me, “You can’t wear these EVERYDAY!” I say,

“Ummmm…..Yes. Yes, I can. I can…… and I do. And this is the one thing in my closet that is off-limits. Take the Fry lace-up knee boots and the Rock ‘N Republic Jeans and the Micheal Stars t-shirt and what-have-you……but for the love of all things cozy and comfortable…….back away from the lounge pants.”

And when the girls and I go to ballet or to Hobby Lobby, I exchange the lounge pants for jeans but often leave the top ensemble in place. This present lounge wear addiction that I’m nurturing did not come about overnight. I didn’t purpose ahead in my mind that when I started homeschooling, I would forsake all cute clothes and resort to one pair of lounge pants as my official ‘uniform’. It just happened. I do make an effort to change out of the lounge pants for a short time in the evenings. So my poor husband can at least get glimpses of the fashion guru he once knew.

So I don’t judge anymore. I’ve lost every judging right there is. I wear a loose (fairly fun and fancy free) bun almost everyday and my own special ‘uniform’—–lounge pants with a limited variety of tops. My very own version of buns and jumpers.

So scroll back up to the top and see my bun and then take a gander at the top half of my uniform. There you have it. Maybe I’ve just given up. Or at least given in—-to comfort.

Please advise…… before I start selling all my clothes and boots on Ebay. Is this a phase? Am I just taking advantage of wearing lounge pants because I can. Will I grow weary of lookin’ like a lazy college student who doesn’t understand that PINK flannel PJ bottoms does not constitute proper outerwear? BTW, there is nothing more disappointing to any husband than to see a Victoria Secret bag that houses oversized lounge pants and a hoodie. Look on the bright side, it could be worse. It could be a matching track suit. I see a good new years resolution coming on here.

And if I seem a little over-dressed for church…..well, cut me a little slack. I’m making up for a weeks’ worth of lounge pants. If it’s any consolation, I’m still wearin’ plenty of makeup. And all manner of hair products. When that ceases, by all means, intervene.

What do ya get when you take two girls thriftin’ downtown?

October 16, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 17 Comments

A little bit of this……

‘Down down baby down by the roller coaster

sweet sweet baby I’ll never let you go

Shimmie shimmie cocoa puffs

shimmie shimmie wow…..

Grandma grandma sick in bed

call the doctor and the doctor said,

Let’s get the rhythm of the head (ding dong)

Let’s get the rhythm of the hands (clap clap)

Let’s get the rhythm of the feet (stomp stomp)

Let’s get the rhythm of the ~~~hotdog~~~~ (swirl up and down)’

And thank you Savannah!

and a little bit of that…..

and not much shopping for these……

okay, so maybe we found a couple of things…….

todays’ treasures total $28

hope your friday was full of treasures……

happy weekending!

check here, the flea market magazine, for other nifty/thrifty finds.

So you don’t start calling me Fatty McButter Pants…..

October 13, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 21 Comments

…….I’m trying to get back into my fitness routine. Summer stress and difficult goodbyes has put a bit of a damper on my running and bit of muffin top on my yoga pants. Nothing motivates me more than a fresh playlist on my iPod. Here’s what currently playing:

1. Long Way Home :: Nora Jones (if that seems like a slow running song, it is)
2. Blue Eyes :: Cary Brothers (if that seems like slow running song…..you get the idea)
3. Creepin’ In :: Nora Jones (yeah, it’s not that fast either)
4. Her Name Was December and Lives Entwined :: both on the new EP from Matthew Mayfield—he is definitely my favorite new artist of 2009
5. Fair ::Remy Zero (you know how sometimes the music—even more than the exact words—speak something to your soul—-that you can’t even fully explain—-like the song ‘gets you’ ?)
6. All of the fantastic programming from Issues Etc!
Now, you tell me, what’s playing on you iPod these days?
7. Brandi Carlile’s new CD is out, what I’ve listened to so far is fabulous!
And, lest I should forget to thank you for all your kind remarks and responses to the giveaway,

Thank You!
And thanks to Ms.Lisa for sponsoring a giveaway for us!

The winner of Lisa’s ‘my heart’ necklace, chosen by the random number generator, is

:::Mrs. Dunbar:::

from Lady Dunbar Living Life Intentionally. Visit her blog here and see her adorable boys!

Lisa Leonard Designs and a Giveaway

October 11, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 358 Comments

Since starting this blog in May 2008, checking my email has been much more fun.

Y’all leave me the sweetest messages and ask me the funniest questions. I love getting email from you and try my darn-well best to reply to each one—and then I get lost in the archives of your blogs to try to get to know you better. My inbox has become like a little treasure box where I never know what I’ll find. I’m working on a post where I share with you some of the jewels I’ve gotten from you. Speaking of jewels……..

I recently got an email from Lisa Leonard asking me to partner with her and to support her lovely jewelry. I pulled my psoas muscle doing a hitchkick and yelled through the house, “Lisa Leonard sent me an email. WHAT?!! Lisa Leonard–the Lisa Leonard-—wants me to wear her jewelry and then tell you how much I love it?! (SHhhhh….don’t tell her that I already wear her jewelry–LIKE EVERYDAY FOR THE LAST YEAR— and that I did a post a while back about how much I love her jewelry).

So, I was breezy. And said, “OH MY GOSH, I’M YOUR BIGGEST FAN AND I LOVE ALL YOUR JEWELRY—AND YOUR BLOG—–AND YOUR LUSCIOUS, GORGEOUS HAIR!)

Breezy, I tell you.

I get more compliments on my Lisa Leonard ‘dogtag’ necklace—the one with my kids’ names on it–than any other piece of jewelry I’ve ever worn. And this is the perfect time to order for Christmas, just before the holiday rush. The jewelry comes beautifully packaged, ready to be enjoyed by someone you love.

I love this necklace and had someone very special in mind when I ordered it. This goes perfect with our upcoming series on ‘handmade Christmas’. All of her pieces are sterling silver, hand-cut, hammered, hand-stamped and antiqued; each a beautiful work of art. Join me in supporting Lisa, who because of her jewelry business, was able to quit work and stay home with her children.

She has been so kind to offer one of you this ‘my heart’ necklace just by entering a comment on this post. You may enter until 10p tomorrow night and then we’ll pick a winner. You’re all winners in my book but we only have one necklace to give away, so get to it.

Must-Have Makeup Tips :: Oh To Be 25 Again!

October 9, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 55 Comments

Girls, you are in for a treat!!!! Savannah (political science graduate turned MAC make up artist) has graciously agreed to give us 30 and 40 somethings some tips. I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of that magical make-up brush of hers, and though there’s probably nothing on the market (short of a scalpel) to make me look 25 again, I am completely in awe of her knowledge base and skill level with a wide variety of ages, colors, face and eye shapes, etc.

I’ve asked her a zillion questions since she’s been here and now I am thrilled to pass the ‘must have’ tips on to you all! (Any male readers still with me at this point should probably see if there are any good football games on. There’s nothing for you here. You have entered the sacred life of women’s beauty and trust me, you don’t want to know what goes on here. Do me this favor though, tell your wife she looks beautiful today!)

Beware of this ghetto video and don’t scramble to write stuff down because I list everything you need below. This video is proof that I love you. Amen.

Steps to a flawless face and the Audrey Hepburn (or Marilyn Monroe) look:

1. Start with your normal foundation and preferably a tinted moisturizer. Then apply Mineralize Skin Finish liberally all over the face. (I just bought one and it is WONDERFUL stuff—-and not that expensive compared to other department store brands)

2. Eye primer—Use the tip of your finger to apply painterly (from a paint pot) all over the eye from lid to brow. This functions like double stick tape for your eye shadow and gives much more even coverage. (I’ve been using this product or one like it for 3-4 years and I love it.)

3. Apply brule’ eye color over the whole eye. Then use a light brown like wedge for the crease. To apply the crease color, use a blending brush (MAC brush number 217) and apply the color at the lateral edge of the crease and then do a windshield wiper motion just under the brow bone in the crease. It’s better to start with less color and then build it; you can’t easily remove the color. Of course, if you’re Tammy Faye like me, then more is better.

4. A good way to brighten the eyes is to add a light color like brule’ to the tear duct. You can apply it with your finger or with the same blending brush.

5. The Audrey Hepburn eye is heavy on the black eyeliner. And it’s not rocket science, but it’s not that easy to do either. To make it easier, Savannah used a small angled brush (MAC #266) to apply a brown eye shadow (Handwritten) in exactly the place where the black eye liner is to go. It serves as a template for where to place the liner. Start by lining the lower lash line as close to the base of the lash as possible. Then extend the line past the corner about 1/4th an inch following the natural line of the lower lid. It’s a common mistake to just free hand the top liner without paying attention to the actual shape of the eye. (This usually results in having it curved upwards in an unnatural way).

6. Then fill in the template with the black liner. The one from MAC is called Boot Black liquid liner and it is fantabulous. After Savannah did my left eye, I practiced on my right eye. Not too bad, huh? Then finish the look with the brow groomer. It is applied with a wand (like a mascara) and makes a huge difference in the overall look. I used to never leave the house without lip gloss and mascara. Now, I never leave without brow groomer heavily applied. It would be one of the ten items I’d take if I were stranded on a deserted island.

7. Apply blush (Dainty) with a good brush (MAC #168) on the apples of your cheeks. A peachy pink blush (or as close to the same color as you would naturally blush) works best. I love dainty. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE apply blush in a stripe on your cheekbone. (Savannah’s emphasis) You apply blush where you would naturally blush.

Go ahead and confess it, ’cause we both know good and well that you’ve been guilty of the striped cheek.

Quick tips: what you must have

1. Mineralize Skin Finish powder

2. Brow Groomer

3. Painterly paint pot (to use for eye primer)

4. Boot Black Liquid liner

5. Dainty blush

6. Hue lipstick (for me) but Savannah says the lip color is not limited with this eye look because it’s so basic and pared down.

Big round of applause for Savannah!!! Thank you for taking the time to teach us. Being around you makes me FEEL 25 again—-that counts for something!

Disclaimers:

This is NOT, unfortunately, a paid advertisement for MAC. I’ve been using their products for 7-8 years and love them. I’m doubly blessed that our wonderful Savannah works for them. This would have been way more fun if they would have sent me $200 in free products to sing their praises. But they didn’t.

I’ve written a much more important post on beauty that I highly recommend you read. A woman who is at rest— comfortable in her own skin—accepting of her own flawed body—is a beautiful woman to me. But, hey, we’ve got to take help where we can get it. And make-up, to a southern women, is serious business. I’m still working through Kubler-Ross Stage 2 over all the MAC lip gloss I had stolen last year. It is not safe to come between a woman and her beauty products.

Post Edit: I re-read this post this morning and I’m not sure I made it sufficiently clear about the power of the brow groomer.
I need you to be on the same ‘brow-groomer’ page as me. There’s power in the brow.
So, I snapped another little pic for you this morning.
Go to MAC. Go directly to MAC. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Get some brow groomer—which is officially called brow set. Mmmkay?