Carole Jackson’s Book is on Amazon!

Since the dawn of time women have thought, “This color brings out my eyes!” or “That color suits you!” and there is a very good reason why… Color Me Beautiful was a concept in the 1980′s created by Carole Jackson, that gave women four seasonal color pallets based on their natural look. I can even remember my mother taking me to a Carole Jackson consultation where she had her colors done and was given a swap of fabric to match. Surprisingly Carole was onto something. She made it simple for women to choose colors best for their skin, hair and eye color. It is a fact not everyone looks good in peach. Some women look great in ivory while others can look sickly. By following Color Me Beautiful a woman can choose the colors that bring out her eyes and make her skin look healthier.

The Four Color Pallets are Based on the Four Seasons

Winter: fair skin for cool colors

Winter: A cool color pallet. This is for the women with fair skin. dark hair often blue eyes. I like to think Elizabeth Taylor or Snow White.

Think lips as red as roses. These women look best in jewel tones. Teal Blue, Ruby Red, Emerald Green. Deep rich cool colors like Raspberry Tourmaline, Yellow Citrine, Diamond White, and Amethyst Purple.

Spring: sun kissed skin for warm colors

Spring: A warm color pallet.

This color pallet is for women with golden skin, warm eyes and warm hair. The hair color can range from golden blonde to chestnut brown. I like to think Jennifer Aniston is a perfect example of Spring coloring. Think hot pink, kelly green, coral, daffodil yellow, turquoise blue and  tomato red.

For inspiration think a field of Snap Dragons!

Summer: Cool colors for fair skin and light hair.

Summer Color Pallet: A cool color pallet for fair skin and light blonde hair. I like to think of Gwyneth Paltrow or Scarlett Johanson. Fair skin, light blue eyes and light blonde hair. These women look best in cool pastel colors. Cool yellows pinks and blue. They have a very dreamy coloring therefore soft colors bring out their features in a subtle way.

Soft Colors and Pastels Keep the Cooler Tones

Autumn: Warm skin tones with reds accenting your hair color.

Autumn Color Pallet: Warm colors for bronze skin or auburn hair. For this I like to think of Sophia Loren, Sandra Bullock and Holly Berry. When choosing colors think of fall leaves. maroon, hunter green, rust orange, golds, bronze, browns and sun flower yellows.

Warm skin tones and hints of red.

There are even  more examples of Carole Jackson’s Color Me Beautiful online or you could just buy her book on Amazon. Either way she was onto something. I often see stars wearing colors that wash them out or do not look good on them period. Not everyone should wear mint green! Have fun using these concepts to inspire your wardrobe and your spontaneous purchases. This is a simple way to style yourself to look your best at any age! Use these simple tricks and let us know how it worked for you. As always may creativity be with you!

I own and love this Mod Cloth Dress…

Sewing can be easier than you think. You can learn to sew by trial and error or you can even watch You Tube videos! I had a sewing machine and did not know how to sew very well. I took it upon myself to download a free dress pattern from this video by Angela Kane “Making a Dress From Start to Finish Part One.

You can also visit her site and download a bunch of classic patterns that are really timeless. This is so cool, because you literally can become your own fashion designer!

I love this site as well to get inspired. http://www.newdressaday.com/ Marissa Lynch is a mad woman when it comes to diy sewing projects. You can even use her on Pintrest to generate ideas before going shopping at an Opp Shop. You can read more about this Recession Diva on CBS.

Don’t be afraid to take some great tips from these two pro’s and give it a try!

My first skirt project was Mod Cloth inspired!

As always may creativity be with you!

Give this shoe some love!

I love buying shoes at the thrift stores because they are already broken in and sometimes you can find the cutest vintage shoes!

I saw these same shoes selling on ModCloth for $60.00. I bought them from the Opp Shop for $5.50. They are very cute, genuine leather, retro and comfortable. I like to add a new sole to an old shoe. It takes only a few minutes to create a clean and comfy foot pad!

Trace around and cut it out…

Once your foot is in you cannot see the sole… but your foot will be able to tell the difference!

Glue the new sole in with super glue!

This quick little project will allow you to grab your shoes and start walking. You will rock a vintage look on the cheap, and your feet will feel great at the same time. Give this one a try and tell us how you do! As always, may creativity be with you!

Dedication Counts!

I know it is a little past 30 days. I must say this program works beyond a shadow of a doubt, but it is hard to follow. It is EXTREME especially at first… so ladies take the fit test to make sure you are physically fit enough to begin the program… otherwise it might kill you hahaha! I did it for 40 days and then paused. My man started getting a six pack I know I need to get us both on the wagon again cause he was looking pretty good hahahaha. Apparently, that Ab Ripper X goes a long way.

I am not really following the diet cause I love to cook and eat! I might consider doing Weight Watchers like Jessica Simpson lol.

Those pullups really help! Who knew?!

The Kempo is so much fun, and I do feel more confident that my man and I could fight off an attacker like the movie “Date Night.”

I would say go for it! Hit pause a bunch and do the best you can with the diet. If you also incorporate Denise Austin “Hit the Spot Pilates” and eat less calories you will prob look smokin hot at age!

She Made Soft Pillows To Add Color To Her Bed!

This is great, and another reason why I love our Recession Diva Cristy. She found fabric at an Opp Shop for $.50 cents. She kept looking and found a beautiful thick pink fabric for $1.00. She mixed the two and let the creativity flow. As a result she ended up with a complete room make over for $1.50…. for this we say, “Atta Girl!”

Reupholster an old stool… cute!

Made cushions for a rocking chair… Comfy!

I love the soft color pallet this Opp Shop find created. The room looks so dreamy, like the perfect place to relax, feel warm and read a novel.

Cover and Old Lamp as a Final Touch!

This project can be done in an afternoon. I imagine you could use these same decorating tricks for any room in the house.

You could even use these tricks to create seasonal decor! With this simple makeover you will never get bored; give it a try and leave a comment! As always, may creativity be with you!

Who says poker is just for guys? Throwing an all girls poker night is a unique way to bond with the females in your life or keep it coed. Whatever you do… keep it fun. Get some beer and throw some frozen piazza in the oven. It’s okay to lose ten to twenty dollars for entertainment purposes only. This would be no more than going to dinner and the movies.  I prefer Texas Hold ‘em, the rules are simple and you can learn how to deal off you tube. So go ahead and let luck be a lady tonight!

1.) Have a $5.00 to $25.00 buy in then deal chips.

2.) Provide food but let it be a BYOB so everyone can share their favorite drinks.

3.) Keep it small 5 people is a perfect amount.

4.) Read Up on the Rules and print the Winning Hands prior to Poker Night. It’s nice to have a reference.

5.) Create a playlist of cool music. I like the Pulp Fiction soundtrack lol.

6.) Let the winner take home the cash!

7.) Keep it simple and laugh a lot!

Try hosting your own poker night and then leave a comment for how well it worked and add some insight! And may the odds be ever in your favor!

Affordable DIY Sign for a Business!

Try making your own sign! This is a great found art project. I have made 4 signs so far, and it only cost $25.00! Our home business called Hitek Systems had people confused as to where our house was and whether or not it is a business. We needed a sign.Well one day the Universe gave me one.. when an old fence cover fell in my lap. I  made both of these signs with stuff I had laying around the house and craft store letters and you can too!

This same technique made a faux headboard!

You could easily modify this same technique for virtually anything! A child’s room could have their name, and then you could glue on some toys. Simply, spray paint it their favorite color. This would be the perfect project for a three year old to learn to spell their name with, and is literally so fast and easy even a three year old could do it…with the help of an adult of course.

These $2.00 tools could be great for a workshop sign!

You could also use this same idea for a seasonal sign… You could create one and use your family’s last name… A teacher could use her name and attach it to her desk.

How about dinosaurs for a little boy or Science Teacher!

The point is pick a theme and go with it. We had all of this stuff lying around the house. I chose bright green letters because it matches our logo. The letters are the most expensive part of this art project so do your research and find them on the cheap!

For IT and Engineering I got a bunch of cables, a broken iPhone screen and some mother boards… just random parts really. I even put a broken play station laser on there…

What You Will Need:

1.) Actual Sign Back can be an old shelf or an old fence

2.) Buy Spray Paint of an appropriate color

3.) Buy Letters look at dollar stores and online even to save costs

4.) Found Items that match your theme…( ie spaceships, astronauts sun and planets for a boys room) or (roses, ribbons and pearls for a shabby chic)

5.) Hot glue gun and glue sticks (you can get this from the dollar store)!

Some objects are left unpainted for a little color…but I spray painted most of the cables and IT equipment silver…

Steps:

1.) Get the stuff

2.) Spray paint the sign back

3.) Paint the letters

4.) Glue on the themed items

5.) Glue on Letters

6.) Hang it Up!

So Customers Know!

Before Sign… BORING!

Now That’s a Business!

Try this sign project and tell us how it worked for you or your business as always May Creativity Be With You!

Recession Diva Cristy and her jewels…. As you can see the rings and necklaces are loving the fresh air… it’s like they just wanna say Ahhhhhhh!!!

It’s time to get out the jewelry box and give your collection some love. For most of you, Summer is ending and your accessories have been through sand, sun and SPF 25. Now is also a great time to put your Summer jewelry away and get ready for Fall, or for those of us in New Zealand it’s time to break out some Spring color! Here are some easy ways to give your accessories the TLC they deserve

Homemade Jewelry Cleaner… These necklaces are about to sparkle after their ten minute soak in this bath!

A Simple Cleaner to Keep Your Jewels Sparkling

1/2 cup of water microwaved for one minute

Line caserole dish with tin foil

1/2 tsp of salt

1/2 tsp of baking soda

1/2 tsp of dish soap

Lay jewels on the tin foil then pour the solution over the top… Let your ring or necklace soak for ten minutes. To make the jewelry really sparkle you can brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and voila your favorite necklace or ring looks like it just came from the store!

The Sky is the Limit with this Art Project!

Make A Wall Mounted Jewelry Box Out of Recycled Products!

I am not going to give instructions on how to make this cool art. You are the artist and there is a million ways you could create a wall mounted jewelry box with random stuff you have lying around your home! Use your creativity and don’t limit yourself!

You could even make the outer decor seasonal and change it to represent Fall or Spring. Have fun with it and let us know what you think.

With these simple projects you will be able to use old jewelry you forgot you even had!

Silver Spray Paint Looks Clean!

Take an old pot and revive it with a little spray paint. I chose silver, but any color could do. I literally used this single can of silver spray paint for multiple art projects and there is still some left. There are so many great things about spray paint. It is easy to apply, affordable, it dries quick and a little bit goes a long way!

Look at how far I took these pots.

It was a free pot and even came with some fake dirty sun flowers YAY!

Here is the other pot. Which had a very nice Arizona South Western feel!

It’s time to give this pot a little TLC!

Some Quick Pointers:

Simply make sure the weather is warm and sunny so your paint will dry quickly.

Make sure all of the dirt has been removed from your pot before you spray paint.

Check the direction of the wind before you spray.

Move your hand back and forth as you spray the paint in smooth layers.

Lay down some cardboard to keep the spray paint off any unwanted areas.

Front Door Before….

If you follow these easy pointers your curb can be made over in no time and for practically nothing! I call that AWESOME! Try this art project and let us know how it works out for you!

Front Door After!

As you can see this door way make over really helped spruce things up! It took less than twenty minutes and costs practically nothing! Let us know if you have any other great ideas for a fast affordable front door makeover!

Fashion Statement

Another drab to fab art project. I got these shoes at an “Opp Shop” for three dollars lol! They were super vintage and oh so comfortable… but something was missing. They were still a little drab!

I already had the peacock feathers, but you can get them at a craft store. I simply cut and shaped to the side of my shoe. I thought glue could get ugly with the feather so I used a couple of green staples to secure it and voila… a beautiful fashion statement lol! You can’t really see the staples once it is on your foot

$3.00 Vintage Shoe Haute Couture….

Try to revamp an old shoe with this simple 30 second art project and leave a comment and as always may creativity be with you!