Guest Blogger Thursday: Sami's Priti, non-toxic nails

I know I'm usually DIY Girl, but I bought a few nail polishes from Priti NYC, blogged about them for Poor & Pretty, and realized these polishes are deserving of a much larger audience: you!

Priti NYC's polishes are considered "3 free," meaning they do not contain toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DHB) or formaldehyde — all known carcinogenic ingredients found in many nail polishes. They also don't smell as strongly as most nail varnish, are fast drying, and pretty chip-resistant, too — they even lasted through washing dishes!

I love the color selection, so it was really hard to choose just a few, but in the end I bought (from left to right above) Blue Wedgewood, Silver Flare Peony, and Gatsby Dahlia, plus a 4oz bottle of Priti's Soy Polish Remover, which is equally incredible and smells amazing. (I never thought I'd say that about nail polish remover...)

You only need to use a tiny bit of the Soy Polish Remover to clean nails completely or do touch-ups. The image above shows how I only used one side of a cotton swab (dipped once!) to touch up my Silver Flare Peony nails. I used the same amount of polish remover for my Blue Wedgewood toes, too:

Not only are the polishes and the polish remover great, but the company — and it's founder, Kim D’Amato — has some fantastic morals, too. Priti NYC is certified Vegan and Cruelty Free by LeapingBunny.org, PETA, and Vegan.org, which makes me (and animals) 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.

Guest Blogger Thursday: Nutrition Coach Jane's Steps for Dealing with Sugar Addiction

Do you ever find yourself craving sugar in the middle of the afternoon or right after a meal? 

Do you experience an afternoon crash and are looking for energy?

These are signs of sugar addiction. Sugar is so prevalent in our culture and in processed foods. It's hard to even know where it lurks! But there are some easy ways to reduce sugar in your diet, lose weight along the way, and get rid of those cravings!

1. Reduce or eliminate caffeine. The ups and downs of caffeine include dehydration and blood sugar swings, causing sugar cravings to be more frequent. 

2. Drink water. Sometimes sweet cravings are a sign of dehydration. Before you go for the sugar, have a glass of water and then wait a few minutes to see what happens. Caution: soft drinks are now America’s number one source of added sugar. 

3. Eat sweet vegetables and fruit. They are sweet, healthy and delicious. The more you eat, the less you’ll crave sugar. 

4. Use gentle sweets. Avoid chemicalized, artificial sweeteners and foods with added sugar. Use gentle sweeteners like maple syrup, brown rice syrup, dried fruit, stevia, barley malt and agave nectar. 

5. Get physically active. Start with simple activities, like walking or yoga. Start with 10 minutes a day and gradually increase. It will help balance your blood sugar levels, boost your energy, and reduce tension without medicating yourself with sugar! 

6. Get more sleep, rest and relaxation. When you are tired or stressed, your body will crave energy—in the form of sugar. These cravings are often a result of being sleep-deprived, going to bed late or waking up early, sometimes for months and years on end. 

7. Evaluate the amount of animal food you eat. Eating too much can lead to cravings for sweets. So can eating too little! A good health counselor will help you sort this out. Experiment. Respect your body’s individuality. 

8. Eliminate fat-free or low-fat packaged snack-foods. These foods contain high quantities of sugar to compensate for lack of flavor and fat, which will send you on the roller-coaster ride of sugar highs and lows. 

9. Experiment with spices. Coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom will naturally sweeten your foods and reduce cravings. 

10. Slow down and find sweetness in non-food ways! You body does not biologically need sugar, but it does long for hugs, time with friends, outside time, workouts, massages, etc. When life becomes sweet enough itself, no additives are needed! 

Have a happy, healthy day!

www.WellnessWithJane.com

From Get the Sugar Out: 501 Simple Ways to Cut the Sugar Out of Any Diet by Ann Louise Gittleman. 

Island Living

When the clock strikes 4:00pm today, I will officially be on vacation!  Yeeeehaww!

Every summer my husband and I go to Block Island for one week on our annual summer getaway!  We are so excited to kick back and relax!  I'm really looking forward to lazy beach days (translate: catching up on my fashion/beauty magazines and drinking bud lime).  Mostly though, I can't wait to just disconnect from the real world for a bit.

In between our beach days, we'll go clamming, shopping, and head out to all our favorite restaurants for mudslides and delicious sea food meals.  I'm especially looking forward to Disco Night at Captain Nicks (yes, I will get my boogie on at least one night!) and Martini Night at the Spring House!

The jeep is packed and we're ready to go!  I can smell the salt water in the air already!   The National is waiting for us to stop in for a goombay smash.  I'll sleep good tonight!!

XO!

Feature Friday in BRIDES Connecticut Magazine

Right about one year ago we had the pleasure of being a part of Beth and Marco's midsummer, vineyard wedding.  It was such a delight to work with Beth who came to us because of her laid back and easy style. She knew we would accentuate her beauty and keep her looking like herself.  The look we created for Beth was very fresh and natural.  I used only a dab of tinted moisturizer, a rosy-peach blush, one swipe of champagne shadow and a pale peach lip gloss.  We are so honored to have this wedding featured in the latest issue of BRIDES Connecticut.  All of the dreamy photos are by the amazing Denise Cregier!  Go out and grab a copy!

Event Planning: Jubilee Events

Dress: The Plumed Serpent

Reception: Jonathan Edwards Winery

Catering: A Thyme to Cook

Flowers: Blush Floral and Hana Floral Design

Hair: Nedelyn Perry

Makeup: Jennie Fresa

Invites: Lucky Lux

Photography: Denise Cregier

XO!

Guest Blogger Thursday: Tracee Dolan & Feeling Good

Yesterday I was playing around on netflix and discovered that the movie "The Secret" is on instant download. That's right- now- fun- instant gratification movie viewing! 

I casually listened to it in the back ground while I worked and it was mighty inspiring! 

  

Have you ever seen "The Secret"?  have you read the book? Perhaps you have heard people's opinions on the film/book/subject & already discounted it as new age drivel? How about you go out there & decide for yourself :) 

I've seen this movie several times but was still inspired by it yesterday- a few years later! 

So, what else inspires you? gets you on track- revisit those books, films, walks, people, even pets. Surround yourself with beautiful things & marvel them. 

Remember that all you have to do right now in this moment is feel good. Worrying about the future or brooding over the past will do you no good. Take a breath in- let tension leave with the exhale- feel good in this moment, softly allow the muscles of your face to smile and enjoy today (if feeling good seems to much of a leap, start with feeling better, you'll be feeling great before you know it! :)

Tracee Dolan is the author of Parent Child Yoga, she also leads private & group yoga instruction for people of all ages. Please feel free to contact Tracee with any meditation or yoga  inquiries:traceeteachesyoga@gmail.com

What's Happening Wednesday: New Fall Trends

The Jennie Fresa Beauty Library is very excited about the upcoming year!  We are booking quickly for 2012 already and we are thrilled to be offering some new products to our clients.  

All clients who book from us starting now will have the option of using airbrush foundation on their special occassion.  We will be using Cosmetics Elementwo brand make-up which carries 16 different shades of foundation all featuring undertone adapting technology to blend with every skin tone.  The airbrush make up provides a flawless finish regardless of whether you have dry skin, oily skin or something in between.  The foundation is light weight, water resistant and long wearing.  Airbrush make up also provides the ability to decide on the coverage each indvidual wants, from sheer to full.  

We are also offering organic facials now using Dr. Alkitis Organic Skin Care line.  This is a line of skin care products that we carry here at the Jennie Fresa Beauty Library which uses only natural ingredients and an aloe vera gel base instead of water in all of its products. The motto of Dr. Alkitis is "if you can't eat it, you shouldn't put it on your skin".  These products are safe, gentle and are formulated for all skin types, especially those that are sensitive to chemicals or people who have dry skin.  Call us to book a facial and try out this great new line of products! 


COMING SOON!  On August 24th we will be launching the new fall line of Jennie's signature beauty products at the JFBL!  The new fall trends include several new shades of matte lipstick as well as earthy tone shadows to go with the cooler weather.  Stop in and check out all of our new products!

Feature Friday: Feathers and Glitter!

Hello lovlies and happy friday to ya'll!  Here's a little something to cool you down on this hot summer day!

We are super excited to finally share a collection of images from a fashion photo shoot we worked on last winter with Carrie Roseman.  The shoot took place at the Diane Birdsall Gallery in Old Lyme and was inspired by "The Winter Wonderland" backdrop designed by talented artist, Camomile Hixon.   Our shining star, Emily Denny, ROCKED the fantasy makeup for this shoot!  The feather corset and box-pleted skirt was designed by non-other, Josie, of Beneath the Gown.  And, of course a shout out to our always gorgeous model, Leah.  

XO

beauty tip tuesday: inspiring words

Reading New Beauty magazine over coffee this morning and came across this inspiring formula for how to stay youthful looking from one of my favorite makeup gurus.


"Keep a positive attitude and have a happy heart.  It works from the inside out."


~Karen Scott



XO