I retired the Friday’s Fabulousness post a while ago but decided this makeup item was so fabulous, I had to bring it back just for this post. I already told you once before that bareMinerals READY™ Eyeshadow Are AH-Mazing so now I’m telling you again and that today is the day the new limited edition 8 color palette is available.

I received The Cocktail Hour Palette for review and it is chocked full of the perfect colors needed for a sexy smokey eye. It’s also the holiday season and this will be staying in my purse so I can take my makeup from day to night. The colors in this palette are  Black Tie Optional (black velvet) + Icebreaker (pink pearl) + Swanky (plum) + Spiked (copper blush) + Elixir (lilac)  + Invite Only (taupe slate) + Libation (sugared cinnamon) + Shaken Not Stirred (jeweled navy – my favorite). The combinations are endless and again, the coverage and wear on these shadows is simply amazing. Seriously.

The second palette is The Playlist and it contains Pumped (cocoa sparkle) + Chart Topper (pewter silk) + Max Volume (smoky jade) + Louder (burnished copper) + One Hit Wonder (butter chiffon) + Most Requested (burgundy sparkle) + Remix (burnished gold) + Speaker Box (shimmering gunmetal). The colors in this palette are so gorgeous I think I need to swing by a Bare Escentuals boutique this weekend to pick up the second palette. How can I resist a gorgeous shade of green in this formula?

Definitely Friday’s Fabulousness worthy indeed.

I’ve got Gift Guide plans this weekend plus a birthday celebration for my sister so I’ve got a weekend full of good things. I’ll work on what the new posting schedule will be for the blog for the new month or so and let you guys know. Have a fantastic weekend everybody!

Well happy Friday, all!

As the Art of Accessories is nearing her 3rd birthday (can you believe it?!), I’m looking at the site as a whole and things I want to continue with and want to change.

I’m kind of over Friday’s Fabulousness.

Why? Well, I like to think that the majority of what I post is fabulous and I don’t need to make a huge highlight just on Fridays. I still remember my first FF post about Lush’s Body Buffer bar. I was using it in the shower that morning before I posted and thought, “this is fabulous and I need to tell everyone I know about it!” And so Friday’s Fabulousness was born, but now I think it might be time for a new chapter in the Art of Accessories. I totally have a right to get bored with my own features, it happens.

So I’ll ask you today, what do you want to see? Links from other sites? A specific product category? A step by step in pictures? Videos (not really my favorite but I’m asking)? Tell me because really, this blog isn’t just shaped by what I love but by what you ask for too.

I’ve got plans this weekend to take some pictures and get to posting, so leave a comment so I can have more stuff to think about. Have a great weekend!

xoxo,
dwj

I’ve decided to take my holiday break from The Art of Accessories a bit earlier this year and I hope you’ll come back to read me in 2011.

I have to admit, 2010 was a stressful year for me. This time last year was the beginning of us finding out my Dad had pancreatic cancer, which was followed by pay cuts at work, his surgery and chemotherapy, and then my lay off from work. Who knew a year could bring so much that would test me?!

As this year comes to a close I realize I’ve almost come full circle. I saw some of my darkest days and was riddled with the fear of what might happen next only to now be at a much happier and stress free time in my life. I’m happy to be employed and actually be able to afford to buy my family and friends gifts for the holidays. I’m happy to be able to hug my Dad and to spend another holiday with all of my family. I’m thankful, I’m stronger and I’ve grown so much in 2010.

I’m also tired and happy to see 2010 come to a close.

I’m looking forward to new challenges, new opportunities, new people and places being brought into my life. I’m happy that I know that after the year I’ve had I can do anything. I can survive anything. I’m stronger than I thought I was and that’s a great feeling.

I used the Art of Accessories this year as a crutch, the thing to distract me when I was sad or even scared. I’d write and post and hope that someone would leave a comment or email and love what I’ve presented to you in my little piece of real estate in the blogosphere. I poured a lot of myself into the Gifts & Glamour Guide because I was unemployed and still wanted to feel that I had talent and skills and could do something even if it was just for myself. And the feedback I received was wonderful. It made it worth all the work.

Every single comment, email, tweet and link  that has come to me because of this blog has made my day. Each little bit of contact has brightened my world more than  you’ll ever know and I am so thankful that you choose to include me in your fashion lives, your accessories choices and in beauty decisions on a daily basis. I’m happy to call so many of you friends even though I’ve never met you in person. Thank you for giving me so much.

So after such a long year of highs and lows, I think I’m going to take 2 weeks to recharge my batteries. To be with my family and friends (I’ve got a new baby in my circle of friends to go visit and snuggle too) and soak in all the laughter and joy that I can. I hope to come back to the Art of Accessories on January 3, 2011 renewed and refreshed, ready to start my third year of blogging. I do hope that even though the last days of shopping are almost over you’ll still look at the Gifts & Glamour Guide or pass it on to a friend and tell me if you remixed your black dress or tried a new look because of something you saw! And definitely tell me what you hope to see more of in 2011 from me too, feedback is always welcome.

So to all of you, I wish a very happy holiday season. Be safe and fabulously accessorized and I’ll see you in the new year! And if you want to make sure that you get my posts as soon as I come back you can always subscribe to the RSS feed, subscribe to the daily email, catch me on Twitter and because it’s baking time you just might find a post or two on Crumbs and Creativity (I just can’t stay away from the internet!).

Happy Holidays and I’ll see you soon, my friends!

xoxo,
dwj

I am soooo in the holiday spirit right now. I love this time of year. Lots of giving, hugs and cookies. So yesterday while I was browsing the internet for my secret Santa gift I somehow stumbled on to the Yellow Owl Workshop Rainbow Necklace. Yesterday I talked about the Bare Escentuals Kaleidoscope eye color and this is like the perfect piece of jewelry for a color lover like myself.

I sent the link to my family and said, “if you’re my secret Santa I’d love this…” but I don’t think they’re going to bite. Perhaps after the holidays I will have to pick it up for myself. And speaking of picking up gifts for yourself…remember when I talked about the Shop Suey Boutique Rachel Satchel? Well, they’re running an AH-MAZING deal right now. Buy the Rachel Satchel and you’ll get a pair of their most popular silver aviators all for the bargain price of $35. You can’t beat that! I do love that bag and get tons of compliments when I carry it. I’m also quite smitten with that deep shade of purple it comes in too. And even if you don’t get the Rachel, remember you can get 20% off your purchase of any full price item with code ART20. What are you waiting for?!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend, I’m going to get my Christmas tree on Saturday. YAY! Stay warm!
xoxo,
dwj

I know the Gifts & Glamour Guide is out and although many people like to think it’s a window into my Christmas Wishlist (I’m looking at you Mom), it is not. I love all the items I feature (I own some of them too) but I thought today I’d share what I’m wishing Santa would bring me.

No. 1 New shoes. If there’s one thing I’ll always want, it’s shoes. Last year I realized I didn’t have the shoe wardrobe that I wanted and in some cases needed. I’ve been slowly building my collection back up but I’ve got a few shoes that I really want (and yes, I’m still dreaming about these boots). I’m  in love with these Miz Mooz Hope Platform boots. I’m a fan of Miz Mooz and I love clog details.

No. 2 This adorable tote. I’m kind of obsessed with the Together Bag, Blue by Thursday Friday. A large tote with an iconic bag on the front, how can I not resist it?

No. 3 A Rose Gold Watch. I’m a sucker for anything clear, I’m into rose gold watches and I also love bling. This Michael Kors watch is perfection.

No. 4 A handbag for my DSLR. I carry my camera pretty much everywhere but I’d love to get a handbag made just for DSLRs and my lenses. The Kelly Moore Posey bag in slate grey in beautiful and functional.

No. 5 A new iPad case for Pierre. I like the graphic black and white pattern, the envelope style and the pockets to hold my extras. Plus it’s by Built NY so I know it will be washable and durable.

I’m sure I could list a million things, but these are the tops things on my list. What’s on your list?

And if you’re a Banana Republic shopper, reader and friend Shunda sent me this link about a 25% off sale today! Happy shopping.

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,
dwj