Minimalist Fashion

Hi readers,

I have to admit something..I have a shopping problem. Ok, I feel better. I have learned some weird ways to curb this shopping addiction: online shopping, filling up a cart, and then simply closing the web page. I'm sure a psychologist would say that isn't really solving the problem; I say screw you and let me self-medicate without emptying my wallet. I am trying to make the following resolutions this year: shop less, get up earlier, and shop more in my closet. I have A TON of clothing and I need to utilize my closet to show it off. I am naturally drawn to a minimalist approach to fashion lately and some could say it is a tres chic French way of dressing. Minimalist Fashion takes a lot more thought than someone just throwing on a ungodly amount of accessories to try and look pulled together. Here are a few of my favorite ways to try out minimalist dressing. Let me know what you think!

XOXO

JADATO

Make your leather clothing smell good again

Hi readers,

I am still gathering and editing a couple of my photos for upcoming blog posts so I apologize for not posting more sooner. I wanted to post something today that was tangible and something all of my readers have dealt with: leather that retains a smoke smell. I enjoy "dive bars" as much as the next person but what I don't enjoy is smelling like said bar for the next month.

My leather and pleather jackets maintain that smell and if I go to another bar it just stacks on that smell. Another place that leather/pleather seem to pick up and maintain a smell is coffee shops; I love my coffee but I don't like to smell like an espresso. I found the following article extremely informative and am excited to try it out on my jacket. At work today I had to quarantine said jacket from my work area because I was starting to feel like Joan Jett but in the like "I don't shower because I am badass." I am sure all my clothing underneath my jacket will appreciate smelling like clean laundry detergent rather than my grandpa's ashtray. Enjoy.

General Odors

1. 1
   Place your leather out to dry outside for 24 hours, weather permitting. Hang it on a clothesline or on a hanger from an eave. Moisture from sweat or the elements can easily soak into the leather pores and lining, causing mildew, which is very difficult to remove.
   • Check the weather report before placing the leather outside. Rain can permanently damage the leather; however, 8 hours in the sun's UV rays can help to remove odor-causing bacteria.
   • If you are trying to remove a smell from a leather couch, try opening the windows and placing a rotating fan near the object to air it out.
2. 2
   Brush the leather thoroughly to remove build up. Use a soft nylon brush on suede and sturdier leather. Use a soft cloth to wipe down more delicate items.
3. 3
   Wipe the leather with a soft cloth dipped in professionally formulated leather cleaner. Professionally made leather cleaners can be found online, in leather stores or in some supermarkets. They are preferable to other cleaners because they do not need to be rinsed, and they can help condition the leather.
   • Do not use saddle soap on your garment, because it needs to be rinsed. The addition of a water rinse can lead to dryness and cracking.
   • All leather cleaners are not the same. For example, suede and regular leather formulas are very different.
   • Wipe all excess leather cleaner off the surface. Follow the bottle's instructions regarding reapplication. Leather cleaner can remove smells, but should also be applied occasionally to condition and preserve leather.
4. 4
   Surround the leather in a layer of newspaper, after you clean it. It can help to soak up smells and moisture from the leather. Leave it wrapped in newspaper for 2 days.
   • Storing a leather garment with newspaper can help to remove some of the smell of newly tanned leather.
5. 5
   Mix a solution of 5 parts water and 1 part distilled white vinegar. Pour it into a spray bottle. Mist the surface of the leather gently, making it slightly moist, and air dry it outside.
   • Spot clean odiferous stains with a solution of 1 part vinegar to 1 part water. Dip a cloth in the solution and squeeze it to remove excess moisture. Rub the cloth in 1 direction, following the grain of the leather.
6. 6
   Place smaller leather items in a cardboard box and cover the surface generously with baking soda. Make sure the garment is dry before treating it with baking soda. Leave the baking soda on the surface of the item for 5 days, then take it outside and shake off excess soda.
   • Use a soft nylon brush to remove any baking soda build up.
   • Place leather sandals in a plastic bag and pour 1/2 to 1 cup (103 to 206 g) baking soda inside. Seal the bag and leave it for 2 days.
7. 7
   Condition the leather with linseed oil. Pour in a few drops of essential oil to improve the smell. Wipe the surface lightly with the oil, and remove excess oil with a clean, dry cloth.
   • Do not use linseed oil on suede, as it can damage the nap, or texture, of the fabric.

Article borrowed from: Get Bad Smells out of Leather

XOXO

JADATO

Hotel Savoy-Kansas City

Happy Friday!

I went to Hotel Savoy last night for my friend's Bachelorette Party. This was one of the many places I haven't visited in Kansas City and it was really amazing seeing something so historic. However, I have to admit the hotel was a little on the creepy side and I felt like the rooms were decorated by a 90 year old lady. I had a great time going around the hotel taking pictures during the night and wouldn't mind staying there sometime. The hotel is supposed to be "haunted" but I can happily report I saw no such evidence. While visiting I can tell you that it feels very nostalgic of a different era in Kansas City and is decorated in the style of that past time. I appreciate when hotels have different article or pictures of their historic building and explain the changes that have happened to the building over time.

I found out the following about a few famous people The Hotel Savoy have welcomed into their building:

Paul Newman's character in Mr. & Mrs. Bridge ate at the Savoy, as did Warren Harding, Harry Truman, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan (many of whom liked to sit at booth #4, a quiet, cozy one). Another cool fact is that Frank Anderson designed the Art Nouveau stained glass dome for the hotel lobby. I hope you decide to go a visit the hotel after seeing a few of these photographs. The staff there is really friendly and it is something to see for yourself.

XOXO

JADATO

(All photos except for Mr. & Mrs. Bridge are taken by me)

Carrie Bradshaw-Sex and the City

Hello readers,

We have almost made it to Friday and I have to tell you that it can't come fast enough. I am SO ready to have a long relaxing weekend, with the only thing I really have to attend is my friend Leah's wedding on Saturday. I was thinking about REALLY re-visiting my wardrobe to start trying to mix things up a lot more in there. I have seen every single episode of Sex and the City multiple times and every time I still find fresh inspiration in Carrie Bradshaw's wardrobe. Granted she doesn't get every outfit right but she has fun wearing every single one. I need to visit a thrift store again after bringing in some Carrie inspirational outfits and try to re-create her outfits from the show. Here is a fresh view of her memorable outfits from the show and a reminder how it really inspired strong women who weren't afraid to take risks.

XOXO

JADATO

Elie Saab-Halle Berry 2002 Oscars

Hello,

Today I was feeling nostalgic of Halle Berry's Oscar 2002 fashion. Do you remember this dress? It took my breathe away watching her wear it to the Oscars; I was a junior in high school at the time. What a bewitching dress that only Halle Berry could look better than the actual runway model who originally wore the dress. I watched the Elie Saab Fashion show live today and what I wouldn't give to attend one of these fashion shows in person. Here are some of my favorite dresses from the past Elie Saab Collections. Tomorrow I will post original photos of The Tintype Party I attended last weekend. It was amazing!

XOXO

JADATO

Funny Lady-Kristen Wiig

TGIF!

I don't know if you remember but I LOVE funny women. I will sometimes just turn off the tv and listen to old recordings of women comedians. I have a major girl crush on Kristen Wiig and I'm not afraid to admit it. On top of her having a great sense of humor she is so fashionable too. She is also dating one of my favorite band The Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti. Could she be any cooler? If I ever met Kristen  I would have a totally speechless moment; for those that know me it NEVER happens. :) Enjoy a few of my favorite fashion moments from Kristen over the years.

XOXO

JADATO

DIY Bronzer

Good morning readers,

I am SO sorry for skipping a few days of blogging. This weekend got away from me after my First Friday art even at my work and I totally got overwhelmed this weekend to write a post. My last post about DIY Coffee hair dye was my most read post to date so I wanted to issue another yummy one for readers. I found this from another blog and love the recipe. So easy to make so I can't wait to use it this Saturday for a friend's wedding I am attending. Again readers if you do anything off my blog send me some nice shots and I might feature you in a story. I have a lot more stories coming up to blog about this week so keep checking back for more content!

Beach Beauty

Recipe borrowed from: DIY Bronzer

Edible Face: DIY Bronzer
Recipe #1-Power Bronzer
Cocoa and ground cinnamon (yes, you will need both for sure!)
Baby powder
A makeup jar OR compact
Coconut oil (for a liquid bronzer)
One bowl and two little dessert cups
2 spoons

Step 1 - Add baby powder to little bowls. Doesn't matter how much you put in as this is going to be the base of the bronzer. (We choose to use separate bowls as we thought we'd make a bronzer with cinnamon and one of cocoa. It turns out that we used both cinnamon and cocoa to make one bronzer.)

Step 2 - Start adding your colors aka cinnamon and cocoa. Again, it doesn't matter how much you add, as you're going to continually check the color on your skin.

Step 3 - Continue adding both your cinnamon and cocoa until the mixture has reached your desired color level. Quick tip, ensure you are mixing everything well.

Step 4 - Test out your finished product. See how much darker it looks when it hasn't been rubbed in? Either way, for a bronzer, this color is absolutely perfect for me. The greatest thing about this little recipe is how cheap it is.....sure beats buying an expensive bronzing powder from a shop.

Recipe #2 - Liquid Bronzer

Step 1 - Add some coconut oil to a bowl. Again, doesn't matter how much THOUGH you'll want add a lot more than this scoop if you're wanting to use this on your body.

Step 2 - Add cocoa. This recipe, because it's liquidy, you do not want to use cinnamon. As we learned, cinnamon will stay gritty on your skin whereas the cocoa doesn't. Again, add as much cocoa as you like but ensure you keep testing it on your skin to get the exact color you want.

Step 3 - You're all done! Test out your finished product on your hand to ensure you have the shade you want. Then, you can spread your lovely bronzer anywhere you want! The great thing about this recipe is the coconut oil. It's a great moisturizer and does not contain the preservatives/additives that other creams do.

Finally-Let either one of these recipes dry completely before getting dressed!

XOXO

JADATO

DIY-Coffee Hair Dye

Hi readers,

I get asked A LOT what my natural hair color is and honestly I have no idea. I personally think that is kind of a boring question to ask someone because who has natural colored hair anymore? If I had to be totally honest and think back REALLY REALLY far I think my "natural" hair color is mousy blond. I have been every color in-between and luckily because of my pale skin I look alright in most hair colors. I have been in love with pretending to be more Russian than I actually am and enjoy sporting really dark brunette hair. My hairdresser would be made at me but I am a lover of dying my own hair. I've noticed that if you are going dark for hair color it's really hard to screw it up. I buy professional products from Sally Beauty Supply so I'm not just purchasing the over-the-counter Walgreens hair dye.

I came across an interesting article for DIY coffee hair dying and really wanted to try it out last night. I looked insane to my husband brewing fresh/really strong coffee at 10:00 pm at night and then proceeding to combine that with A TON of conditioner. Coffee has been used for centuries as a hair dye and, in some cultures, is still used more often than over-the-counter chemical hair colorants, as it's cheaper and not damaging to your hair. So, here is the mixture that I used to dye my hair with my DIY coffee hair dye recipe.

What You Need-DIY Coffee Dye
A large bottle of cheap conditioner
1 tablespoon of instant coffee granules
1/4 cup of instant or brewed hot coffee
a plastic bag
an old towel

How to Color Your Hair with Coffee -

1. Pour half a cup of conditioner into a cup and add a tablespoon of instant coffee granules. Mix together with a spoon until the coffee is completely mixed in.

2. Put either 1 tablespoon of instant coffee in a cup and add 1/4 cup of hot water to it, or make a pot of strong brewed coffee. Now pour the 1/4 cup of instant hot coffee or 1/4 cup of brewed coffee into the conditioner/coffee mix and stir around till everything is mixed. Let sit for five minutes.

3. Now it's time to head to the bathroom.

4. Drape an old towel around your shoulders to catch any coffee drips. Scoop up a little bit of the coffee mix and carefully apply it to your dry hair, being careful not to let it dribble too much down your face or arms or onto the floor.

5. Keep applying all the mixture until your entire head of hair is covered. Massage into your hair and scalp for two minutes.

6. Wrap the plastic bag around your head and tie up in a small knot.. The heat from the plastic bag and the trapped heat coming from your head makes the coffee 'develop' faster. Leave it on your hair for 15-30 minutes, then hop in the shower and rinse off. Shampoo it to get rid of the excess coffee, rinse again and rub dry with the old towel.

7. Blow dry as usual and, voila, coffee colored hair.

Here are a few pictures from my first try at coffee dye hair and my hair feels amazingly shiny too.

XOXO

JADATO

Beautégram: Gold Cupid’s Bows at Aganovitch

Good morning,

Sometimes I see something and think "Why the heck didn't I think of that?" I was reading my usual online website The Cut when I saw the following post by Christina Han and loved the makeup idea from it. (top photo is from her article) Such a simple way to define your lips and give such a powerful statement of "I am woman hear me roar." Seeing this cute way to define your lips lead me to research some other powerful pictures of all things gold. Do you have a feeling that you need to start wearing gold besides in the typical sense of jewelry? Diamonds may be a girl's best friend but gold comes a close second.

Tips to make lipstick last longer:

1. Exfoliate
2. Lip Balm
3. Lipliner
4. Lipstick
5. Concealer to clean up the edges.

XOXO

JADATO

Grab a beer, grab a friend, grab some snow

Hi everyone!

So we received a ton of snow and I took a vacation day from work since everyone else was able to make it into the office. It was totally worth it because I got to Skype with two of my dear friends. My friend Anneka Russel and Cassandra (Sanders) Nuss are both from different times in my life but equally as important. I have known Sanders since birth, through ALL of our schooling, and into our life now. Anneka I met on my plane ride back from London and we instantly connected and I almost cried leaving her at the airport. She is one of those people you call a “kindred Friend” and we made a vow to start talking Skype at least 2x’s a month from now on.

My husband was able to get the snow day off at work too because their electricity was going in and out; he couldn’t get his car shoveled out either. I ventured outside after a bit to enjoy the weather with Bronson, my Boston Terrier, and grabbed my camera. I am excited to be able to get into work tomorrow but I really enjoyed the winter wonderland of Kansas City. I love being trapped inside with Snow Day Beer, ingredients for White Russian Cocktails, and lots of home cooking. Enjoy your weather wherever that may be and stay safe!

 

 
 
 

 



 

 



 



XOXO

JADATO