Blush + Bashful

I’m notorious for having chipped nail polish due to peeling, ragged fingernails. It’s so embarrassing! It’s really not the greatest look for someone who is a constant wedding guest. Three weeks ago I discovered the most wonderful product. It is by Essie–of course! I’ve always loved Essie’s neutral polish colors like Ballet Slipper, Poundcake, and (the all-time greatest color) Mademoiselle. Their polishes are perfect for brides and other classy ladies who want to look finished, but not over-done.

Anyway, Millionails is the name of Essie’s amazing nail strengthening superstar. You apply one coat every other day to your nails and watch the magic happen. It even helped my nail polish stay in place. The idea is that you start with Millionails, then after 90 days you go to Billionails, and graduate to Trillionails.

Good Luck!
Meghann

Did you know that the Discovery Center in Chicago offers a Wedding Dance class?

The lifelong learning center is located at 2940 N Lincoln Avenue here in Chicago. Their six week course costs only $79 each and promises to help you select the perfect song, choreograph your first dance, and “Wow” your guests with the Rhumba. They’ll also teach you to embellish your dance with dips, the kiss, and the grand finale. Awww! Your parents will be so proud.

Taking a dance class is a great way to laugh and play and reconnect before the big day. Here are some of my tips for successful dance lessons:

#1-Don’t expect your partner to be perfect.
#2-Try to encourage one another, rather than making fun of one another!
#3-Practice at home!
#4-Don’t take yourselves so seriously. Have fun with it!

Actually, many of these tips may come in handy in other areas of your life, as well!

Get more information about this class, and others, at the Discovery Center’s website: http ://www.discoverycenter.cc/classes/il1778.htm 

Happy feet!
Meghann

Ok, I admit it. I’m obsessed with makeovers! I could spend hours watching “What Not to Wear” and “Style Her Famous” reruns. I’m a sucker for any magazine with a makeover issue. I love it when Oprah does a “Look Ten Pounds Lighter, Instantly!” episode. I see people on the street and think about ways to finesse their looks…

As you can see, it was just a matter of time before Blush & Bashful fell victim to my makeover madness. Everyone loves our current image, so I knew that a major change could be risky unless it was perfectly done. To assist on the project, I called in an expert who is just as obsessed with makeovers as I am. Lynda Junge of Greenstar Creative www.greenstarcreati ve.com was up to the task. She is a graphic designer, a custom stationery queen, and an all-around amazingly talented diva. She was so much fun to work with! I talked with her about my vision of Blush & Bashful Events, described the direction we’re headed, and let her run with it. Lynda created the perfect design for us. I couldn’t be happier.

Now our pink and pink days are numbered! Not that I won’t always hold a soft spot in my heart for all things pink, we’re just updating our look. I can’t wait to share it with you.

Stay tuned for the unveiling of…Blush & Bashful Event Boutique!

Cheers!
Meghann

Today I was talking to my creative and fashionable friend, Jaime. She mentioned that she added some of her new handmade jewelry pieces to her etsy.com store. Knowing that she makes fabulous jewelry, I asked her to send me the link so I could see her latest work. I was immediately excited when I saw it. She uses the store name “Magnolia Street” to house her collections online. I think our connection was meant to be, as blush + bashful got its name from “Steel Magnolias” and uses a magnolia in its logo. See what I mean?!

I asked Jaime to give me a quote about how she got started making jewelry and why she loves it. Here’s what she had to say,

“The first time I realized I could make my own jewelry was when a friend of mine came into work wearing a simple leather cord bracelet with recycled glass beads spaced intermittently and tied to it. I admired it and asked where she had bought it, and she told me, ‘I made it!’ She said she had gone to Caravan Beads on Lincoln and Roscoe and had received help there to make her own bracelet.

“I decided to give it a go and went to the store myself. I was quickly hooked. The walls are filled with gorgeous, shimmering beads, shells, strands, findings…everything you could want to make beautiful pieces all your own.

“Later, I got a basic tool set as a gift and began to make my own creations in earnest. Today, I’ve designed pieces for a friend’s wedding, as a birthday gift for another friend’s mother, and have several commissions for pieces rolling in. I even designed an entire line of pieces for another friend who handed me $200 in a bead shop and told me to ‘go crazy.’ I also make pieces and leave them in random places for friends to find for their birthdays and special events. It tickles me to no end to to hear a high-pitched squeal and an ‘On my goodness!’, and know that they’ve foudn a pretty necklace or bracelet or earrings that I’ve secretly left for them in a little stashed spot.

“My desire is to create unique, clean designs that don’t belong to any one time or place, but that make the wearer feel classic and beautiful. My pieces stand the test of time…and the test of a girlfriend’s eye, who will look at what you’re wearing and immediately want one for herself!”

If you’re interested in contacting Jaime about designing custom bridesmaid jewelry using your wedding colors or a unique and impressive gift for your future mother-in-law, email me meg@blushandbash fulevents.com and I’ll put you in contact with her. She’s great!

Enjoy!
Meg

My friend, Kristie, recently started a company called “A Stork Told Me.” It is a sign rental company that places personalized birth announcements in the yards of families with new babies. I talked to Kristie about how she got started and why she loves this business so much. Here is what she had to say,

“I’ve always wanted to own my own business, but I was never sure what type of business it would be. When I worked at the Yellow Pages a few years ago, I talked with a lady who owned a stork sign rental business. She had so many good things to say about it, so I kept the idea in the back of my head. When I moved to the suburbs, my neighbor had a baby and got a stork sign to announce the birth. I felt like it was a sign that I should bring this idea to the surface again! I invested in the materials and minor advertising and the business took off from there. I love that I get to help new parents give recognition to their little miracle. It’s very rewarding to make a baby’s arrival extra-special. Plus, it’s a great stay-at-home Mom job!”

Check out Kristie’s website www.astorktoldme.com to see the designs and read more about her business. I happen to think that “A Star is Born” is the cutest! This would be a great gift to surprise a friend with her own little miracle.

Cheers!
Meg