Top Row: Found the cute pink and green canvas tote bag at Barnes & Noble. They had blue and white as well. Awesome ladder find at HomeGoods. Middle Row: Shopping at Staples for my office supplies just got better. I got this AWESOME coupon to use towards a purchase of the Martha Stewart office collection. I will be getting some stuff for my girl cave makeover. Salted caramel chocolate from Godiva. Yeah, it’s really good. Bottom Row: Found the perfect color of Red nail polish from Creative Nail Design. (it’s the shellace polish in Hollywood). This cute little bistro chair is only $15 at IKEA.  Helloooo good deal.

]]> http://www.thewhitelibrary.com/living-home/last-weeks-lovelies-finds-vol-5/feed/ 0 http://www.thewhitelibrary.com/confessions/confessions-my-wish-for-this-mothers-day/ http://www.thewhitelibrary.com/confessions/confessions-my-wish-for-this-mothers-day/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 13:45:00 +0000 admin http://www.thewhitelibrary.com/?p=11159 It’s Friday and according to my new editorial schedule today should be party related. But it’s my blog and I’ll do what I want to LOL So it’s been a while since my last Confessions: It’s time for another and …

It’s Friday and according to my new editorial schedule today should be party related. But it’s my blog and I’ll do what I want to LOL So it’s been a while since my last Confessions: It’s time for another and what better time than for Mother’s Day as I have been having this feeling for several months now. What feeling you may ask? The feeling of emptiness. Say what?

Let me clarify by saying my love tank is full (OK half full) but it’s not fully on E either and it’s chugging along.  BUT with my one and only off to college soon, I have been feeling quite empty and she hasn’t even left yet. Questioning whether or not I should have had an “only”. Do I want another baby? (no definitive answer there as starting over after 18 years would certainly justify my admittance into a mental institution some would say…including yours truly) Should we make the leap and get the puppy we have been talking about since we bought our home? The answers to these questions are still cloudy.

My daughter, a few days ago, asked me what I wanted for Mother’s Day. I didn’t know what to say. She has been working for a few years now and feels she can buy me what I want. What I have figured out that I do want from her is acknowledgement that I did a good job as a mom. We had a cry fest the other day as I dropped her off for school. We got on a touchy subject that had us both spilling our guts in a few minutes, like we have never done before. I listened. I cried. I asked for understanding of my mistakes as a mom. We hugged and that was it. As I drove away. I realized so much more what I wanted was to feel like I hadn’t made a mistake in my life by choosing to have an only. Knowing that all my eggs were in this one love basket for my daughter. Asking what am I going to do with my life now?

photo by: Growing Tree Photography

Some people would say travel, work on your business, spend time with the hubby. Yes Yes Yes to it all. But will all of that be fulfilling for ME? I don’t know.

So my dear readers/friends my wish for this Mother’s Day is for an answer. An answer to the questions “Will I be OK when she is all gone”. I guess time will tell.

If you have an only, do you regret not having another and do you have fears of what you will do when that only leaves the nest?

p.s. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all you lovelies who are moms. It’s one of the things I will forever be grateful to have been able to experience in my lifetime.

 

 

 

 

 

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I am so happy the week is almost done. Has your week been good so far? I was playing with some lace the other day and at the same time working on another project using walnut ink. I decided I would see how the lace would look with the walnut ink sprayed on it and to my expectations it was a lovely finish.

What you will need:

STEPS:

• Cut as much lace as you are going to need.
• In a small bowl place your lace and spritz with the walnut ink color of your choice (I used the terra cotta color)
• When you are done spritzing, rub the lace in your hands so that it gets rubbed deep into the lace (I use gloves so the ink doesn’t get all over my hands).
• Lay your lace on a piece paper towel to dry.

Finally:

Make a pretty project with your lace: I made a little photobook TO MAKE: Cut craft paper to your desired sizes and layer with embellishments and your newly died lace.

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Before getting into the events business, yours truly was a sought after makeup artist and certified Esthetician (skin care therapist). I worked with several celebrities, did New York Bridal week, got published in several magazines etc…yup, I was and still am the bomb he-he (yes I still love helping women look pretty on the side, it’s in my blood) Well from now on I will be sharing more of my beauty tips, tricks and secrets here on the blog. You won’t mind will you? Let’s get to it shall we. Two Snow White inspired movies are hitting theaters soon, so I thought it would be fun to share some of my top beauty picks inspired by the movie. These are really fab products that I have personally used and love that will help any of you women feel like a true Disney princess. (let’s just hope their isn’t a wicked witch around the corner waiting to start some trouble)

1 These lashes I have used on many clients. They are my go to both personally and to use on others. They are just enough to give you a bit of glam without putting you into drag queen mode. Snow White would approve! About $4.99 at CVS or Sally’s Beauty Supply| 2 Red is a tricky color to get right on everyone but this color from Chanel’s Rouge Coco collection in Gabrielle looks good on everyone. $39 | 3 Want brighter looking skin as clean as snow? I use this Benefit face polish 2 x’s a week to keep my skin look fresh and hydrated. It has a small amount of glycolic acid in it as well, so it really helps to unclog the pores. $22 | 4 I have this  blush and I LOVE it. The color is called pinch me and it really is the most loveliest shade of blush pink. I use it every time I wear makeup. $20 | 5 OPI launched the NYC Ballet Collection. Many of the colors are soft and pretty and aren’t to loud on your nails.  $8| 6 Benefit i s offering a new limited edition set to celebrate the release of Snow White and the Huntsman in theaters.  It has everything a girl might need to get the Snow White look. The bag alone is so gorgeous, you have to get it. $45

As for the blog update: It’s not a bad thing, just an organizing thing. I am often pulled in so many directions that I needed to get on more of a schedule with the blog. I sometimes have posts ready to go in drafts and other times I wake up and wonder “what do I want to blog about today”. Well setting myself up up on an editorial calendar will make things a lot better and organized for me. So moving forward, you will see the following content on the following days (sometimes a giveaway or news may be inserted instead on a particular day, but in general this is how content will be shared moving forward)

Mondays: Last Weeks Lovelies & Finds. {stuff that I loved or discovered that spoke to me or caught my attention}

Tuesday: Beautiful living. {from beauty, to style & fashion, to home décor and more}

Wednesday: Wedding Wednesdays. {all things lovely related to weddings}

Thursdays: DIY Thursday {DIY and craft projects via photos or my video series)

Fridays: Celebration Friday {party ideas from cocktails recipes, to food recipes to  party decorating inspiration hostess ideas etc}

Oh this is going to make my life so much easier

Top row: POPS:  rice krispie pops from Forbidden Sweets. LOVE the cocktail themed one for a bridal shower or girls night out. POLKA DOT PRETTIES: I stopped the car immediately after spying the polka dot lovelies in the J. Crew window. That dress was mine.

Bottom row: TIN CANISTER: The linen covered Paris canister was waiting for me to come by and pick it up. It’s just perfect. CUPCAKES: I saw these at Walmart and just had to try them. They cost under $4 a pack and they tasted good surprising. They also had chocolate and lemon flavored

Hope you have a wonderful week!

]]> http://www.thewhitelibrary.com/living-home/last-weeks-lovelies-and-finds-and-a-blog-update-vol-4/feed/ 0 http://www.thewhitelibrary.com/food-drink/cinco-de-mayo-and-a-pomegranate-margarita/ http://www.thewhitelibrary.com/food-drink/cinco-de-mayo-and-a-pomegranate-margarita/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 12:38:32 +0000 admin http://www.thewhitelibrary.com/?p=11090

Cinco de Mayo is this Saturday, May 5th and I can’t think of any other way to celebrate and get the party started than with a tasty margarita or two. I came across this seriously, no I mean seriously AMAZING …

Cinco de Mayo is this Saturday, May 5th and I can’t think of any other way to celebrate and get the party started than with a tasty margarita or two. I came across this seriously, no I mean seriously AMAZING pomegranate infused tequila called La Pinta. Now I am not really a margarita fan compared to other cocktails I enjoy, but this has certainly caught my taste bud’s attention. The pomegranate tequila, made from premium liqueur maker Clase Azule, really knocked my socks off. Yeah I mean really. Like OK, this stuff hit me so hard I had to go to bed. But it was gooood.

I never really enjoyed straight up tequilla before becasue I just didn’t enjoy the taste. But this stuff, you can toatllay drink straigh tup and on the rocks. But be warned. It’s a sipping kind of drink. Not a throw down. La Pinta is a fusion between the finest Tequila and the juices of an exotic variety of Pomegranate fruit. This combination of ingredients gives it a sweet flavor and a unique aroma and body (probaly why I like it so much) Really lovelies, this is something you will want to add to your liqueor cabinat ASAP.

I came up a with a simple margarita recipe using this tequilla. So here it is:

POMEGRANATE MARGARITA

1 oz La Pinta Pomegranate Margarita

1 oz triple sec (orange liqueur)

2 oz fresh lime juice

1 oz orange juice

Orange wedge and/or pomegranate seeds for garnishing

Ice

DIRECTIONS:

In a blender combine all the ingredients (except garnish of course) add ice, blend and enjoy.

Photo taken for me by Nick Caito

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Spring is in full swing. I finally have trees blooming in my neck of the woods. With that said, I am excited to have partnered up with TJ Maxx and Marshalls to bring you a fabulous giveaway. Now if you love shopping and decorating your home, then you know that TJ Maxx and Marshalls = Home Décor for LESS. You all know how much I love a good bargain which is why I have been shopping at these stores since I first had my own apartment and they are still my go to place for chic finds on a budget. I feel they have also improved their offerings and the way things are neatly laid out in the stores. I have a much better shopping experience.

Lovelies, did you know that both stores carry the same designer décor that is sold in department stores NOW for up to 60% less AND every store across the country gets 10,000 new items each week, so the options are always endless. I didn’t know that, but now I guess I know why every time I go there it’s like walking into a candy shop. So the giveaway is a roundup of goodies that I PERSONALLY choose for you on a recent shopping experience (an awesome one to say the least) I picked up things that said “Spring” and that you would find to be lovely and useful in your home. HOW TO ENTER IS BELOW THE PICTURES:

You will receive:

• A galvanized birdcage (with moss to make a little vignette inside) This cage is even more lovely in person.
• Bird covered carrying case (you can use it as a  lovely place for storing mail, beauty supplies, craft items etc.)
• Beautiful scented candle and notepad

BELOW are NOT ITEMS that are part of the giveaway, but just wanted to share some of the other lovely finds I saw while there. You better hurry.

HOW TO ENTER:

There are multiple ways to enter the giveaway. PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT FOR EACH WAY YOU ENTER.

1. Follow TJMaxx on Facebook. Follow Marshall on Facebook. Follow Sandra Downie on Facebook.

2. Leave a comment on what your favorite item is of the 4 other items I listed that I saw on my shopping trip.

3. Follow Me on Twitter

4. Tweet the following: Enter the @tjmaxx @marshalls home decor Spring giveaway hosted over @sandradownie  with lovely finds.

GIVEAWAY ENDS NEXT WEDNESDAY at 12 am. GOOD LUCK!

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With not one but two Snow White inspired movies on the horizon, I thought a mirror post was befitting. Is it odd that I love mirrors? You can tell me the truth, I promise I won’t hate you No …

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With not one but two Snow White inspired movies on the horizon, I thought a mirror post was befitting. Is it odd that I love mirrors? You can tell me the truth, I promise I won’t hate you No really, I stop all the time when I see a mirror with a pretty border when I am in a store or at someones home. Besides the fact that they let a room look brighter/bigger because they reflect light, in my opinion a beautifully detailed mirror adds a level of elegance to a space. I have a mirror in almost every room in my home because it’s simply pretty. I love them. Always have. Always will. p.s.  mirrors kissed with a French twist are my fav.

Use A Mirror To:

• reflect light from a window or chandelier throughout a room
• reflect an outdoor view
• visually expand a space (the reflection doubles the expanse/space)
•  to check hair & makeup before leaving the house
• to introduce a different shape or texture
• to reinforce a style with the frame shape
• to create a focal point in an otherwise featureless room

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The Journey Begins. Which one? Well it’s been years since I have “been doing what I do” and that has been tweaked over the last few months. My re-branding is almost complete with a newly styled website launching soon. I will still be doing what I do best: designing, styling and creating but will be adding another pretty aspect to what I do (if you follow me on Facebook, then you have already gotten a sneak of what that is). With the changes comes the thought I have been having for quite some time now…that I really need to rebrand my work space. It has served well in the past, but I want it to be revived, brightened and refreshed. I am so happy to share the journey with you here. In doing so, I hope you find inspiration to make your own space fabulously you and a place to call your own. (AKA a place to keep the hubby and kids at bay) I hope you all have a great weekend.

WHAT’S STAYING? With any room makeover, there are always some pieces that stay and some that go. I love and adore my HomeGoods finds (the mirrored table and the lucite based lamp) I can’t give up those lovelies. To pretty, don’t you agree. Will for sure be adding more HomeGoods finds in the makeover.

The organizing boxes for sure will be staying plus they will be getting some new friends. My poor Toshiba laptop. She has seen her days. I have used here lovingly for 4 years. She is still kicking so she will stay as a backup and for my interns to use once in a while.

WHAT’S COMING? I saw the fabric below on the left at Jo-Ann and I just HAD to get it. Look out for it to be used in a stylish and creative way. You are going to love it. The Parisian chair had me at hello the moment I saw it. I don’t care if it’s from Pottery Barn Teen. I still want it.

Yes, I have become an Applegirl. First the ipad, then the iphone, the MacBOOK Pro I assume will be just as life changing. I can’t wait to edit photos and blog on it. How can I make a pretty and organized office without the the new Martha Stewart office products. I already picked up a  few pieces, but trust me, there will be more  

Will have you lovelies weigh in on paint colors soon!