Guest Blogger Thursday: Becky Hatch on Coco Chanel

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous" No, these words were not uttered by Carrie Bradshaw or any of her Sex and the City commrades.  Coco Chanel was the brains and beauty behind the simple mantra every woman should repeat to herself every day.  YOU are in fact both classy AND fabulous.  Although Ms Chanel ultimately became a brand and a style herself, her roots are much more humble than one would imagine.  It's difficult to write about Coco in such a short post; to try to explain every impact her iconic life had on make up, perfume and fashion would take pages upon pages.  But Coco's influence on me is more than just her designs. Yes, I will always remember my grandmother wearing Chanel No. 5.  I will also always remember Jackie Kennedy's pink Chanel suit that I have seen recreated and depicted everywhere as she holds her dying husband in the back of a convertible in Paris.  I drool over every Karl Lagerfield design that walks down the red carpet and winds up in People Magazine.  I own more than one little black dress and my favorite lipgloss is Chanel.  The sunglasses on my head and my favorite handbag...well they are knockoffs, but in my wildest daydreams I like to pretend they are real.  Chanel obviously changed the way we view fashion.  Clothes and make-up are not just materials on our bodies-they are a way of life.  It is, lovely ladies, how you carry yourself while wearing Chanel's designs (or anything for that matter) that make them classy and fabulous.  Chanel had an attitude about her that she was smart, talented and confident.  Chanel's designs were simple, clean and were more about the woman underneath.  Chanel was not born into a glamourous life.  The second child, but first legitimate child in her family, and the oldest of six, there is not a lot known about her early life - mostly because she lied about it a lot.  They were poor, but after her mother died when she was twelve and her father took off, poor was looking good.  She learned to sew, and at eighteen began her life outside the orphanage.  She worked as a cabaret dancer and as a seamstress and eventually found herself the mistress of enough wealthy men that she had started her own business - with her lovers' money.  She turned out to be a good business investment, but she never settled down into married life.  She has been linked to dukes, naval captains, business men and perhaps Igor Stravinksy, the famed composer.  Her clients were just as illustrious and thus the House of Chanel was built.  Coco was a brilliant woman who changed the way we view beauty and fashion, who changed the world when a woman was more of an accessory than someone capable of designing and selling them to make a fortune on her own.  Want to immitate Chanel's style?  A little black dress (whitehouseblackmarket.com is a good place to find one!), menswear (I likebananarepublic.com and jcrew.com) or anything made out of jersey (victoriassecret.com or target.com) are all styles and trends Chanel is responsible for!  Happy Shopping! xoxo Becky

what's happening wednesday: Lindsay's getting married!!!!

photo by Maggie Conley Photography

This Saturday July 30th 2011, Lindsay will tie the knot at the beach in Madison to her long time love, Paul.  We are so happy to share in their special day!  JFBL team members, Kelly and Emily are getting their makeup and styling kits ready to dazzle up Lindsay's 10 bridesmaids on Saturday morning.  Lindsay, from your family here at JFBL, we all wish you the very BEST wedding day and a lifetime filled with happiness!  We know you'll be one gorgeous bride and can't wait to see the pictures! Congratulations and much love always!

XO

beauty tip tuesday; heat proofing your makeup products

With this heat wave, our makeup products seem to be melting away before we even get the chance to apply them.  First rule, do not leave your products outside in your car or in an non-air conditioned place.  Try storing your your eye liner pencils and gels in the refrigerator during summer months.  this will help the liner from crumbling or smearing when you apply it!

XO!

must have monday: JASON beauty oils

I had a client recently who had a bad sun burn around her eyes ( and it happened only 4 days before her daughters wedding--yikes!)  Luckily, this extremely nourishing oil is gentle enough to use on the delicate skin around eyes and did the trick.  I was impressed with how quickly the oil renewed and healed the skin just in time for the BIG day!  Keep these JASON organic oils on your beauty emergency list!

XO!

Feature Friday by Emily & Megan

Meet Rachel & Joachim

Married on July 3rd, 2012

The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, NYC

Makeup by Emily Denny and Megan Chimento

Photos by Spencer Lum

XO!

Guest Blogger Thursday: Sami's Favorite DIY Scrubs

It's sandal season, which means dry skin on our poor feet is inevitable. Don't worry, I'm going to share a few of my favorite scrub tutorials to use on those feet!

1. Gimme Some Suga, Scrub! from Poor & Pretty — you may remember my sugar scrub diy from last November. This sugar scrub is very easy to make and only requires two ingredients: raw cane sugar and a carrier oil (I prefer jojoba or safflower oils). You can also add in Vitamin E oil for extra smoothness, but that's entirely optional. Read the full instructions here.

2. Strawberry Hand and Foot Exfoliant from Spa Index — this is another super simple one, and you can find all of the ingredients at your local grocery store if you don't already have them in your home. You just need strawberries, olive oil (or apricot oil, if you have it), and coarse salt (Kosher or sea salt). Read the full instructions here. Spa Index has tons of really great masks, scrubs, and other spa-at-home recipes. See all of them here.

3. DIY Salt Scrub from Everything Fabulous — coarse salt + oil + essential oils (optional, but definitely beneficial). Easy as pie! Sasha makes this recipe simple, but also gives you tons of ways to customize it. Love! Read the full instructions here.

4. Homemade Foot Scrub from Soap Deli News — Rebecca's blog always has great tutorials, ranging from categories like beauty, home improvement, organization... I could go on and on. This Homemade Foot Scrub recipe was shared by a guest blogger, and it contains four ingredients, all of which you can find at a grocery store. Read the full instructions here.

Now, go make your feet happy!


xoxo, Sami

~Sami Jensen is the writer of the culture blog, Poor & Pretty. She also makes cupcake soaps and bath bombs, which can be purchased online at the Poor & Pretty Bath Sweets Shoppe.

beauty tip tuesday: look slimmer

Everyone wants to have a toned body especially in the summer!  Not everyone likes to do squats and lunges! Sometimes faking a toned bod can be as easy as accentuating your legs and thighs with a touch of shimmer!  Many cosmetic companies make body shimmer powders (I love this set by Bobbi Brown!) that help skin look healthy and radiant.  Small reflecting minerals leave behind a subtle glow that makes you look thinner!  Give it a try!!

XO!

Must Have Monday: The Gospel According to Coco Chanel

Yesterday I was thumbing through the August issue of Haper's Bazar when I came across the article on page 156: The Secret Life of Coco Chanel.  I was immediately intrigued by the gorgeous illustrations by Karl Lagerfeld and couldn't wait to dive into the pages before me.  The article uncovers the truth about the self-made designer's childhood before she became the most influential style icon in the world.  I wanted more.  Her story is so compelling and inspiring.  Today I'm carrying on my fix by heading out to RJ. Julia book store and picking up The Gospel According to Coco Chanel: Life Lessons From The Worlds Most Elegant Woman by Karen Karbo.  I'm excited to sit on the beach and read more about Coco's great achievements and persistence! Has anyone read this book?  I would love to hear your thoughts!  I'll let you know what I think.....

XO!

Guest Blog Thursday: How to do a Hot Towel Scrub

Hello friends!

I've been using this technique for awhile now, and I am amazed at how great I feel! Hot Towel scrubbing is so simple, and the benefits are huge. Holistic living is the bomb - goo for body AND soul! Start now and begin your transformation to the beautiful bride you were meant to be.

Body scrubbing can be done before or after your bath or shower, or anytime during the day. All you need is a sink with hot water and a medium-sized cotton washcloth. 

For the maximum effect, scrub your body twice a day: once in the morning and once again in the evening. Scrub for two minutes to 20 minutes, depending on how much time you have. The process of the hot towel scrub has a deeper physical, mental and emotional effect when done at the sink as opposed to in the shower. 

Directions: 

• Turn on the hot water and fill the sink. 
• Hold the towel at both ends and place in the hot water. 
• Wring out the towel. 
• While the towel is still hot and steamy, begin to scrub the skin gently. 
• Do one section of the body at a time: for example, begin with the hands and fingers and work your way up the arms to the shoulders, neck and face, then down to the chest, upper back, abdomen, lower back, buttocks, legs, feet and toes. 
• Scrub until the skin becomes slightly pink or until each part becomes warm. 
• Reheat the towel often by dipping it in the sink of hot water after scrubbing each section, or as soon as the towel starts to cool. 

Benefits: 

• Reduces muscle tension. 
• Reenergizes in the morning and deeply relaxes at night. 
• Opens the pores to release stored toxins. 
• Softens deposits of hard fat below the skin and prepares them for discharge. 
• Allows excess fat, mucus, cellulite and toxins to actively discharge to the surface rather than to accumulate around deeper vital organs. 
• Relieves stress through meditative action of rubbing the skin. 
• Calms the mind. 
• Promotes circulation. 
• Activates the lymphatic system, especially when scrubbing underarms and groin. 
• Easy massage and deep self-care. 
• Can be a sacred moment in your day, especially if done with candlelight and a drop or two of essential oil, such as lavender. 
• Creates a profound and loving relationship with the body, especially parts not often shown care, and especially for a person with body image problems. 
• Spreads energy through the chakras. 

Happy Scrubbing!

Jane

Holistic Nutrition Coach

www.WellnessWithJane.com

© 2009 Integrative Nutrition 

What's Happening Wednesday: 25 % OFF our NEW Berry Whip Facial

Here at the Beauty Library, we are committed to sustainable beauty.  We are pleased to announce we now use and sell the Dr. Alkaitis Skin Care line.  These products are the best kept secret in fashion, they have been seen in Vogue, W, InStyle, Allure, Organic Spa magazine and many more!

We wanted to offer a special deal to all of our loyal readers!

To receive 25% of our very decadent Berry Whip Facial, please leave a comment here and mention this post when you call to book your appointment.

This treatment is perfect for after a day at the beach.  It's rich in antioxidants and healing enzymes.  Using three masks, the last being made of strawberries,  raw honey and organic goats milk yogurt.
The skin will through two steps of gentle exfoliation and then replenished with a massage using a very nourishing treatment oil.

60 minutes
regular price $95

SPECIAL OFFER: $71.25 plus tax


To schedule your appointment, please ring us at 860-664-3923.

Offer good until July 31st, 2011.

XO!

beauty tip tuesday: hair protection

Before you get ready to go for a swim in the pool or go ride some waves, make sure you protect your hair from chlorine and residue buildup.  A quick and easy wait to sheild your hair is to apply half tablespoon of conditioner to your strands, from roots to ends.  Use a wide tooth comb to make sure it's applied evenly.  This helps to safeguard hair from damaging UV rays too!  A light-weight conditioner wroks best--  I like Bio Silk, found at most drugstores!

XO

must have monday: FRESH perfume: citron de vigne

I am obsessed with the entire perfume collection from FRESH.  Summer is a time for light, fresh scents and this one is high on my list of favorites for this time of year!  I am so happy the company has launched it in a new roller ball applicator, making it even easier to carry in my bag for a quick pick me up after a day at the beach!  This eau de perfume is inspired by the "wines of France and sun-drenched days".  It's made if earthy bergamot, sandalwood, almond, musk, rose and topped with fresh, clean notes of citrus.

XO

Feature Friday: Playing Dress Up

Move over Dita Von Teese!  I'm loving my vintage-glam look here, complete with victory rolls and red lips, created by Emily Denny for my very own boudoir photo shoot!  Playing dress up is SO much fun!  Ladies, you have to try it!  Thanks so much to Josie from Beneath the Gown for styling me in this stunning black, satin corset!  Photographer Carrie Roseman captured my best angle and managed somehow to make me look like a real pin-up girl!  Hehe!

For more information on booking your own boudoir photo shoot with this amazing team, please contact us at 860-664-3923.

XO!

Guest Blogger Thursday: Tracee Dolan

Happy Summer Beauties,

I am pleased as punch to announce a new project I am working on. It is
almost complete & has become apparent to me that it is time to share &
spread the word about my latest yoga project. I purchased a 71 person
school bus a few months ago and most recently painted it purple & took
out all of the seats, re: gutted it to create (maybe you've guessed it
by now) a yoga studio on wheels. The Yoga School Bus is it's name and
it is my mission to bring yoga to underserved areas, bday parties,
corporate events, festivals, maybe even to a cul de sac where
neighbors can rally a weekly yoga night away from the kiddies. It will
be my pleasure to deliver my little yoga studio on wheels to anywhere
that it may park. The studio will be private (windows covered in rice
paper) safe & comfortable. All of the comforts of your favorite studio
or living room (if that's where you practice). I will be offering
active, vinyasa & restorative classes, as well as my parent child
class that is so popular. I am so excited for this project and plan to
launch it at the end of august. I am open to the bus servicing
anywhere between new haven ct & cambridge, ma. And look forward to
watching this project unfold. If you know of any schools, programs,
businesses, people, children, you name it- that may be interested in
setting up an appointment with the yoga school bus, by all means feel
free to get in touch.

Until the website launches we will be working from
yogabus.blogspot.com and yogaschoolbus@gmail.com. Oh yeah, and feel
free to friend the Yoga School Bus on facebook if the mood strikes you
:)



Tracee Dolan is available for private and group instruction. She is a
200 hour RYT. Feel free to contact her with any questions or
appointment concerns.



-- 
Tracee Dolan
617.448.5593

beauty tip tuesday: applying sunscreen

how many of you wait until you get to the beach before you apply your sunscreen lotion?  try applying before you leave the house.  better yet, lather it on before you even get into your bathing suit.  This ensures you get an even application and you don't miss any hard to reach places.  So often, we forget to apply lotion just inside of the seam of our suit and we get burned in those areas.  that's happened to you, right?!  I'm now in the habit of keeping all of my sun lotions and swim gear in the same draw in my dressing room, so getting ready for the beach is a real cinch.  Another little tip I picked up from a friend--apply your face sunscreen before bed the night before a beach day.  You certainly need to reapply it the morning but the extra layer doesn't hurt.

here's how to maximize your sun protection:

1.) apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before you leave the house
2.) ask for help to get those hard to reach places like your back
3.) don't forget about your ears and toes!
4.) remember to reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours
5.) just because it's cloudy doesn't mean you can't get burned.

XO!

Feature Friday: by Jennie Fresa

I thought it would be fun to change it up a little this week and share a few images from an impromptu fashion/beauty shoot I worked on a few weeks ago on with Adrien Broom!  I loved playing with bold colors and it was so much fun breaking out my new airbrush gun for this project!  Coincidentally, the pictures even feel a little patriotic!

Happy 4th of July!

XO!