Jennie Fresa Beauty Library

We Moved! Check Out The New Blog

2011-11-18T16:04:00.000-05:00

Faithful fans, we have to http://www.jenniefresa.com/blog/
Come check out the new beautiful blog and follow us there.

xoxo
Jennie

Feature Friday {Shelter Harbor Golf Club Wedding By Snap Photography}

2011-11-11T09:41:00.001-05:00

Today we want to share our beautiful bride Kyra who was married at the Shelter Harbor Golf Club in Charlestown, Rhode Island. The wonderful Snap Girls over at Snap Photography captured these beautiful shots of Kyra. Kyra is an envionmentalist and wanted to have locally grown bouquets which were provided by the lovely Hana Floral Design. Sara of True Event perfectly executed the day and all i'ts nautral elements. To continue with the theme our makeup artist Lindsay, gave Kyra a super fresh and natural look. Congratulations to Kyra and her husband Nikhil!

What's Happening Wednesday {Tara Hogan of Ink + Wit}

2011-11-09T12:01:00.000-05:00

Today we want to give a huge shout out to Tara Hogan, owner and creator of Ink + Wit. Tara has been diligently working away on our new logo and brand for our soon to launch new website and blog. Tara started Ink + Wit because "of a desire and passion to create conceptual, organic, elegant and simple designs with an illustrative impression. With over ten years of experience and inspired by her yoga practice, Tara has made positive creative communication her main focus." Tara is the perfect fit for Jennie Fresa and our mission to serve women with products and makeup thats good for them. Tara embodied our new tranquil setting and clean color palette to produce a design that we cannot wait to share! We promise the reveal is just around the corner, stay tuned............

TRENDING NOW.....{Bright, dip-dyed hair}

2011-11-08T11:10:00.001-05:00

For a few seasons now, designers havebeen sending models down the runway with this bold trend in hair color. Want to give it a try but without thecommitment, try Color.Bug (www.kevinmurphy.com.au)-- a product designed to wash outafter your next shampoo!

LOVE. WANT. NEED {TSI~LA Misaki Organic Eau De Parfum}

2011-11-07T10:54:00.000-05:00

TSI~LA (pronounced chee-la) GREENLUXURY presents the first perfume approved by the Natural ProductsAssociation. All perfumes in thiscollection are made from the worlds finest essential oils and active extractsfor inner balance and outer beauty.

Misaki = Tranquility
Notes: lavender, moss, bergamot andvanilla
Properties: 6 antioxidant-activeextracts and living flower essential oils.
50ml, $95 (available NOW at JennieFresa!)

Saybrook Point Inn Wedding Feature Friday

2011-11-04T13:09:00.002-04:00

We know the summer has left us. In fact it seems as though we have skipped fall here in the East Coast. Well here is a look back at summer for Christina and Doug's gorgouse summer wedding on the 4th of July weekend at the Saybrook Point Inn. I had a wonderful time with Christine and her party on this beautiful summer day. We also had the wonderful Ms. Diana of Jubilee Events present to coordinate this wondeful summer affair. Thank you to Derek Fowles for the wonderful images!

Images By Derek Fowles

Tracee Teaches Yoga Guest Blogger Thursday

2011-11-03T11:51:00.000-04:00

A few posts ago I wrote about the question: "what would you do if you weren't afraid?" I'd like to touch upon this again- but in a different vein.

Lately, I've been thinking about nervousness & new experience. Nervousness is commonly defined as highly excitable or apprehensive. What makes us nervous? Is it even real- or just a learned reaction paired with improper breathing. What does it really mean when you are nervous? Is it possible that it can be good to feel a little nervous? Is it a decision to be nervous?

I think that nervousness may mean that you are on the right path. It's humbling. It's exciting to take risks. If you aren't a little afraid or nervous of your dreams- well, then maybe they aren't really big enough. I know from experience that playing it safe- certainly does remove nervous tendencies from your life- but are you really LIVING? Are you actually going for it?

Next time you feel nervous about something, take breath. Slow down your thinking and re-evaluate. Are you nervous because you care? Are you nervous because maybe you're on the cusp of some major & exciting change?

Maybe we need to re-name nervousness & it's negative connotation-there's plenty of possibility behind that blip of nervousness- It's certainly more fun than feeling numb!

Tracee Dolan is a RYT, she is available for private & group instruction. She is also the author of Parent Child Yoga- an instruction & coloring book for kids. Please feel free to contact Tracee with any questions at traceeteachesyoga@gmail.com

Welcome Maureen Sullivan!

2011-11-02T17:20:00.000-04:00

We are happy to introduce another fabulous addition to our team today!

Maureen Sullivan has many years of makeup under her belt. She has worked in NYC doing makeup for Fashion Week, photo shoots, and for leading cosmetic brands such as Trish McEvoy and Laura Mercier. Her true love however, is working with brides! Lucky for us!

Maureen has a keen sense of style and really listens to her clients, making sure she understand their beauty vision. She does traditional makeup as well as airbrush makeup and her skills range from glamour makeup to a "no makeup" look.

We are so so so excited to welcome Maureen to our family and can't wait to show off her amazing talents!

Beauty Tip Tuesday: Pistachios

2011-11-01T11:52:00.000-04:00

Go nuts with a hand full of pistachios!

Thats right health professionals have found that this cholesterol-free snack which is also high in fiber and protein can help the waistline and much more. These small green nuts that grow on trees are said to have almost as much potassium as a small banana in a one-ounce serving. Which means when your hungry have some pistachios, they will quickly fill you up.

So while your staying full and not over eating, keeping your cholesterol down, pistachios will also boost your antioxidant levels. A great snack for weight management, helping lower the risk of cardiovasuclar diease by keeping your cholesterol down, and guess what, they taste great!

Must Have Mondays: Rembrandt Deeply White

2011-10-31T10:59:00.000-04:00

WHAT: Rembrandt Deeply White

WHY: Everyone should have a shining smile! This unique formula is made with enamel-safeingredients that whiten “below” the surface. I like to switch from my regular toothpaste to a whitening formula everyfew months. My dentist recommended thisone! Check out this behind the scenesinterview with Dr. Rembrandt: http://www.rembrandt.com/teeth-whitening/behind-scenes

WHERE: drugstore.com

Feature Friday - Meet Stephanie and Matt!

2011-10-28T11:17:00.003-04:00

Happy Friday, JFBL Beauties!

I'd like to introduce you to our bride, Stephanie, who married her beloved Matt this past September.

Photography by Stacey Ilyse Photography

Kelly and I had the pleasure of providing hair and makeup for this stunning bride and her wedding party at the Omni Hotel in New Haven, CT. Stephanie wanted a glamourous, luminous look which I had such fun creating for her. I brought out her piercing blue eyes with shimmery bronze shadow, champagne highlights at her brow bone, and soft espresso liner for the perfect touch of definition.

Action shot!
Photography by Stacey Ilyse Photography

Check out those amazing blue eyes! I had such fun with this glam look!
Kelly Sharkey created her sleek updo.
Photography by Stacey Ilyse Photography

Stephanie's wedding was filled with tender moments, and she was surrounded by such love - it was an honor to be present for such a happy day!

Stephanie surrounded by her beautiful bridesmaids!
Photography by Stephanie Ilyse Photography

Stephanie -- Kelly and I wish you and Matt nothing but the best! Here's to your happily ever after!

That's love!
Photography by Stacey Ilyse Photography

Have a great weekend, beauties!

Until next time --

XO
Lindsay

Vendor list:
Location - Omni Hotel, New Haven, CT
Photography - Stacey Ilyse Photography

Guest Blogger Thursday: Sami's Sweet & Spicy Strawberry Mask

2011-10-27T17:39:00.003-04:00

I know, this mask doesn’t look all that appetizing, but that’s why it’s for your face and not your tummy! :) It’s very easy to make and full of nutrients, exfoliants, and acne-zapping ingredients that your skin will love.

Ingredients:

4 strawberries (fresh or frozen)

1 tbs oats/plain oatmeal

1tsp honey

1 green tea bag

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Supplies:

a small, airtight plastic or glass container

fork or spoon

scissors

Directions:

Grind up the strawberries in either a blender or food chopper (be sure to remove the green leafy stems if you’re using fresh strawberries). Put the pureed strawberries into the container.
Cut open the green tea bag, pour the tea leaves into the container with the strawberries.
Combine the rest of the ingredients together in your container.
Wash your face with your favorite face wash.
Apply the mask in gentle, circular, upward movements. This mask also functions as an exfoliating scrub, so I recommend massaging the mask onto your face for about two minutes.
Let the mask sit for 15-20 minutes, then rise off with cool water.

This mask can be stored for three days in a refrigerator.

About the ingredients:

_Strawberries exfoliate, brighten the complexion, and contain salicylic acid, which combats acne by shedding dead skin cells, opening your pores, and preventing them from being clogged. Read more about the health benefits of strawberries here.

_Oats/oatmeal gently exfoliate and buff the skin.

_Honey has healing, soothing, and antibacterial properties.

_Green tea is high in antioxidants and works as a great skin toner in liquid form or exfoliant in leaf/powder form. Read more about the health benefits of green tea here.

_Cinnamon functions as a great exfoliant in this mask, but also increases blood flow to any blemishes and provides antibacterial phytochemicals to treat inflammation of the skin.

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.

Secrets to a FAB blowout

2011-10-25T09:52:00.000-04:00

1.) Start by applying an anti-frizz lotion from roots totips. (If you don’t wash your haireveryday, then try not to apply too much product near the roots or on yourscalp or else your hair will look dirty in a few days).

2.) Have a professional blow-dryer. M baby-bliss PRO was the best investment Iever made. Trust me, you’ll dry hair upto 60% faster.

3.) A thermal brushand a boar bristle brush are both essential in creating that smoothtexture. You want both of these brushesto be round.The size will depend on thelength of your hair and how much volume you want. (i.e a large brush is great for creatingmaximum volume for long hair.)

5.) Part hair into 2 inch sections and use the nozzleattachment that comes with your drier.

6.) Voila, now you have the perfect blow out.

Must Have Monday: Hair Heat Protection Spray

2011-10-24T08:49:00.000-04:00

WHAT: TReSemme Thermal Heat Protection Spray

WHY: I tend to abuse myflat iron at this time of year which really runs havoc on my hair. You can’t beat the $5 price tag on thisproduct! I recommend always sheildingyour strands before your use any heating products. This one leaves hair soft and shiny.

WHERE: drugstore.com

We want to know: Do youhave a favorite flat iron?

Featured On Style Me Pretty!

2011-10-21T09:29:00.000-04:00

For our feature Friday today, we would love for you to head over and check out our bride Laura and her gorgouse New England wedding featured on Style Me Pretty! Click here to go see all the loveliness.

A big thank you to all the vendors who are always so wonderful to work with.

Wedding Photography: Justin & Mary / Venue: Wee Burn Beach Club / Wedding Dress + Accessories: The White Dress by the Shore / Wedding Planner: Five Grain Events / Hair + Make-up: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library / Flowers: Stew Leonard’s / Cupcakes: CakeSuite / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew

Meet Naja!

2011-10-19T14:17:00.001-04:00

We are so happy to announce our new line up of talent for the 2012 wedding season!

Today, we would like to start by welcoming Naja Muller to our team! Naja comes to us with a unique background and over 10 years experience in the beauty industry. Her career in makeup began at a very young age while she was pursuing her first love, theatre. For many years she studied professional dance where she honed in on her craft as an artist by doing makeup for herself and her peers before performances. Before long, she realized she had a new love in addition to being a performer.... and a makeup artist was born. Naja has worked for cosmetic companies such as Paula Dorf and Chanel. Most recently she was a Trainer and National Artist for Sue Devitt Beauty. She can create looks that range from the most natural, glowing faces to more glam looks that work for photo shoots and stage performance. We are so excited to have Naja on board with us, she is an absolute doll! We can't wait for you to meet her!

XO!

Nails are the new lipstick!

2011-10-18T06:36:00.001-04:00

SO I hear that the best way to accessorize this fall is withyour nail color! Well, that’s great newsfor me since I love trying a different color each week! If you need a statement piece, forget thosepython stilletos and try Magnetic Polish by Nails Inc. London manicurist Lisa Logan created thissmashing colors to grab attention! Findher collection, coming out this month, at Sephora! Warning: it’s not for wall-flowers!

Must Have Monday: Dior Velvet Eyes

2011-10-17T08:53:00.000-04:00

WHAT: DIOR VELVET EYES

WHY: Ok, I admit I haven’tactually tried these suckers but I still think the idea of a stick-on eyelinerpatch is the coolest idea! Created byDior artists, these fun and easy to use patches are perfect for a night out!

WHERE: Sephora

Would you give them a try?!

Saltwater Farm Vineyard Bride By Justin & Mary

2011-10-14T11:30:00.000-04:00

It's Feature Friday today and we are very excited to share the bridal look of our beautiful bride Julia. She was married to her lovely beau Tom at Saltwater Farm Vineyard under a beautiful white Sperry Tent with the decadent catering from A Thyme to Cook , Events by Amy for the fabulous setup and The White Dress by the Shore for the beautiful dress. I was on hand for beauty, Julia was a sweet and wonderful bride. Thank you to Justin & Mary for the amazing pictures and thank you Julia for letting us share your bridal beauty look.

Guest Blogger Thursday with Nutrition Coach Jane: Sweet Vegetables for Fall!

2011-10-13T09:29:00.000-04:00

Roasted Root Veggies

Hi friends!

As fall as upon us, I wanted to share some thoughts about how to deal with sugar cravings, and in doing so, add in some amazing fall veggies to your diet!

Almost everyone craves sweets. Rather than depending on processed sugar to satisfy cravings, add naturally sweet foods to your daily diet to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Sweet vegetables soothe the internal organs of the body and energize the mind. And because many of these vegetables are root vegetables, they are energetically grounding, which helps to balance out the spaciness people often feel after eating other kinds of sweet foods. Adding in sweet vegetables helps to crowd out less healthy foods in the diet.

A simple way to cook these vegetables is to follow the recipe below. It has few ingredients and preparation time is minimal.

Sweet Veggie Recipe

Use one, two, three, four or five of the sweet vegetables mentioned below.
Chop the hardest ones, like carrots and beets, into smaller pieces.
Softer vegetables, like onions and cabbage, can be cut into larger chunks.
Use a medium-sized pot and add enough water to barely cover the vegetables. You may want to check the water level while cooking and add more water if needed. Remember, vegetables on the bottom will get cooked more than the ones on the top. Cook until desired softness. The softer the vegetables get, the sweeter they become.
You may also add any of the following ingredients: spices, salt, seaweed. You can add tofu or a can of beans for extra protein.
When the vegetable cooked to your satisfaction, empty the ingredients into a large bowl, flavor as desired and eat. The leftover cooking water makes a delicious, sweet sauce, and is a healing, soothing tonic to drink by itself.

List of sweet veggies: corn, carrots, onions, beets, winter squashes, sweet potatoes and yams

List of semi-sweet veggies: turnips, parsnips and rutabagas, brussel sprouts

Other veggies: red radishes, daikon, green cabbage and burdock

Other cooking methods include steaming, roasting, stir-frying. They can also be simmered and pureed to create a soup, or you can simply eat them raw, grated in a salad. Be creative!

Hope you enjoy it!

Best,

Jane

www.WellnessWithJane.com

www.JaneAshleydesigns.carbonmade.com


		© 2010 Integrative Nutrition

JFBL Is Getting A Make Over!

2011-10-12T10:50:00.000-04:00

This month marks 5 years since I first launched mybusiness. We have so much tocelebrate! Over the years, we havesuccessfully grown our business from an on-line presence only to opening ourboutique in Clinton, CT to now serving over 100 brides per season. I have met so many wonderful people along theway. Clients and industry professionalsalike, I consider so many good friends now. It's one of the best parts of my job.

It hasn't always been easy. I have had my fair share of growing pains like any other thrivingbusiness. There have been many toughdecisions to make and difficult circumstances to deal with, all of which mademe stronger so I am grateful for even those challenges. I have learned the importance of findingbalance in work and life and how to focus on positive energy. To do this, I had to take a cold hard look atwhat was working and what wasn't working.Yes, face the mirror and make some changes with myself first.

Now that we have "trimmed the fat", we are ready tomove forward. For the last severalmonths we have been working diligently on a plan that will take our business tothe next level of success. With ourestablished bridal beauty business running like a well-oiled machine, I felt itwas time for women to know about our other areas of specialized service. As a facialist and makeup artist, it has always been my intention to create aplace dedicated to helping women put their best "face" forward. For us, it's more than just makeup--we treatskin, style brows and design custom makeup looks--using healthy, qualityproducts!

You may have noticed our website is temporarily down while weget our make over. In a few weeks, ourboutique will also close down while we give our new extended space a beautyoverhaul and get it ready with our selection of fine beauty products just foryou! Stay tuned for our grand re-openingthis November! In the mean time, keepfollowing us on our blog, face book fanpage and twitter!

We are super excited for what's to come!

XO!

Jennie

Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing

2011-10-11T10:47:00.001-04:00

Dry skin brushing has been around forquite a long time. It’s an excellentmethod for excreting toxins from our bodies. This type of stimulation of theskin also sets in motion a natural healing within our bodies. Here are some benefits of this practice youcan do right at home:

1.) Dry skin brushing helps to sheddead skin cells, which can help improve skin texture and cell renewal.

2.) Dry skin brushing increasescirculation to skin, encouraging your body’s discharge of metabolic wastes,which greatly aids the lymphatic drainage of the entire body. When the bodyrids itself of toxins, it is able to run more efficiently in all areas.

3.) Dry skin brushing also helps totighten the skin because it increases the flow of blood. Increasing thecirculation to the skin can also help lessen the appearance of cellulite.

4.) Dry skin brushing stimulates thelymph canals to drain toxic mucoid matter into the colon, thereby purifying theentire system. This enables the lymph to perform its house-cleaning duties bykeeping the blood and other vital tissues detoxified.

5.) Dry skin brushing also rejuvenatesthe nervous system by stimulating nerve endings in the skin.

6.) Dry skin brushing helps your skinto absorb nutrients by eliminating clogged pores. Healthy, breathing skincontributes to overall body health.

Must Have Monday's ~ Loreal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara

2011-10-10T11:00:00.000-04:00

WHAT: Loreal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara

WHY: I tried this mascaraa few weeks ago when a bridesmaid in a wedding party I was making up demanded Iuse her own mascara. With one coat, herlashes looked like she was wearing false lashes. This isn’t for everyone but if you like dark,full, thick-looking lashes, I would give this a try!

WHERE: Walgreens

Looking for lash enhancement treatments that really WORK! If you have a favorite product that has showngreat results, we would love to hear from you!

Feature Friday: Amarante's Sea Cliff Bride

2011-10-07T13:52:00.000-04:00

It's Feature Friday and we want to thank our bride Melissa's sister Stacie for sending us pictures of Melissa's bridal beauty. The wedding was held at the beautiful Amarante's Sea Cliff in New Haven and makeup was done by Jennie. Thank you Melissa for letting the Jennie Fresa Beauty Library be part of your day!

guest blogger thursday: Tracee Dolan of tracee teaches yoga

2011-10-06T03:54:00.006-04:00

Happy Fall Everyone!

Well, I know- that I have plenty of stories & tidbits that I could share this week-but I've been on an Abraham Hicks Video & meditation tear, so I thought I'd share. Perhaps you check this out at work today or maybe you take a listen tonight. I love, love, love! these videos, cds & books & highly recommend all of them. The best part? You can check (hearty) snipits of them on youtube at any time. Enjoy the sun & fall air today and remember that all you have to do is find something in your life to feel good about right now (and if feeling good feels like a stretch...start with feeling 'better'). take care!

Tracee Dolan is available for group and private lessons. She is the author of Parent Child Yoga a Yoga Instruction & Coloring Book & leads a yearly yoga retreat to Panama at Pacific Bay Resort. Please do not hesitate to contact her with any yoga questions or concerns: traceeteachesyoga@gmail.com

Ocean House Wedding Featured On SNE Weddings Destination Edition

2011-10-05T10:31:00.000-04:00

So very excited to share today that our bride Kelly and her now hubby Tommy made the cover of Southern New England Weddings Destination Edition Magazine! This gorgouse wedding took place on 6.18.11 at the stunning Ocean House in Rhode Island. Kelly's bridal beauty was done by our very own Emily. Kelly and Tommy also had the following faboulous vendors to put this incredible wedding together for them, True Event, Miles Witt Boyer Photography, Stoneblossom Florist, and Papermoss Invites. Pick up a copy and check out the feature on pages 52-55.

How To Do A Home Breast Exam

2011-10-04T10:44:00.001-04:00

Today we are continuing with our mission to spread the word for breast cancer awareness for the month of October. We want to remind all women how important it is to do a self breast exam.

Allwomen age 20+ should be doing regular monthly self-breast exams, along withregular doctor visits. Here’s how to doa proper self-breast exam:

Beginby looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and yourarms on your hips. Here's what youshould look for. If you see any of thefollowing changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:

Breaststhat are an usual size, shape, or color

Visibledistortion or swelling

Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin

A nipple that has changed position or an invertednipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)

Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling

Now look with your arms raised above your head.

Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your righthand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your rightbreast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand,keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size ofa quarter.

Coverthe entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone tothe top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.

Ifyou feel an abnormal lumps or bumps, bring it to your doctors attention rightaway.

Must Have Mondays: Casewell-Massey Floral Rose Water

2011-10-03T11:18:00.000-04:00

WHAT:

Casewell-Massey Floral Rose Water

WHY: I can remember my grand mother always had rose water tuckedaway in her medicine cabinet. It has been used for centuries. Rose water is gentle, non-drying and reduces damage to the skin’selastic fibers. It’s alsoanti-inflammatory making it an excellent choice for sensitive skin.

Where: Casewell-Massey

Do you have a favorite toner? We would love to hear from you!

Feature Friday's Eoila Mansion Wedding By Jennie Fresa & Nedelyn Perry

2011-09-30T15:09:00.000-04:00

We are so excited to announce our new Feature Friday's where we will be sharing the looks of our very own past brides. First up is our very sweet bride Lauren who had makeup done by Jennie and hair by Nedelyn. Her beautiful half up and half down hair do perfectly complimented Lauren's classic and elegant look. Lauren was married to her now husband Colin at the gorgeous Eoila Mansion. Thank you to Lauren and her photographer Amanda from Orchard Cove Photography for letting us share this wonderful Eoila Mansion wedding.

Photography By Amanda Herzberger

Save The Ta-tas Ladies ~ It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2011-09-28T11:06:00.001-04:00

Here at the Jennie Fresa Beauty Library we are all loving fall. October happens to be a very favorite month around here and we are celebrating breast cancer awareness by giving back. Join us in supporting such an important cause by rocking your pink's for the month of October. To complete your look come in and get the beautiful Jennie Fresa pink Kiss lipstick. 10% of every Kiss lipstick sold will be going to the Susan G. Komen for the cure foundation. Come and help us fight for finding a cure.

Trend Tuesdays

2011-09-27T10:45:00.001-04:00

It's trend Tuesday! and we have some lovely beauty tips for you to rock out in style this fall.

What: Winged Black Liner

When: Music venue or concert

Who wears it best: Hip,edgy types.

What: Full, Defined Brows

When: Always! Brows arethe most important feature on your face.

Who: If you have thin brows, NOW is the time to grow them in!

What: Bold Red Lips

When: Night out in the city

Who: Strong and confidentladies

What: Glossy Lids

When: Date night!

Who: Sexy gals who don’t mind shining!

Must Have Mondays: Beauty Products & Accessories

2011-09-26T10:57:00.001-04:00

~ Here are beauty products and accessories we are simply obsessed with! ~

What: Burts Bee’s Facial Cleansing wipes

Why: No Parabens or animaltesting

Quick and easy-anaturally clean face for only $6

Green teaextract soothes and tones

Where: Walgreens

What: Emily Elizabeth Gold Fan bobby Pins

Why: Super stylish-- Asseen in Allure and Brides

Where: Emily Elizabeth Jewelry

What: Quadrus 43 Brush

Why: Square barrel allowsfor straightening and curling with one brush

Tourmaline andnanosilver bristles give incredible shine

Where: US Salon Supply

What’s Essie’s Fall Nail Color Collection

Why: Rich, classic andstriking colors to match your fall wardrobe! Can’t get enough of “Carry On”- a deep, romantic burgundy!

Where: Essie

Guest Blogger Thursday: Easy DIY Facial Scrub

2011-09-22T09:21:00.000-04:00

I've heard and read plenty of times that I should be exfoliating at least once a week, but I almost never remember (or have the time!) to whip myself up an exfoliating facial mask. I need something more low-maintenance. I came up with a super simple scrub, where all of the ingredients are in your kitchen!

Easy Face Wash Scrub:

Supplies:
-Dry ingredients: choose from 1-3: almond meal, cornmeal, fine salt, fine sugar, ground coffee, ground rice, oats, or semolina.
-Your favorite face wash (mine is Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Cream Cleanser).

Directions:
Use only a pinch of the dry ingredients you choose and mix them with your favorite face wash. Add as much water as you normally would when you wash your face and apply your scrub in gentle, circular, upward movements. Try not to pull your skin downward or rub in the same area for too long. It's best that you massage your face for two minutes. And, of course, avoid your eye area!

Tip: I keep a mixture of oats and cornmeal in a small container in my bathroom, so I can easily grab it and add it to my face wash, rather than having to pull my ingredients out of their cabinets every time.

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.

Speed up your weight loss by adding beans! with Nutrition Coach Jane Ashley

2011-09-15T11:19:00.000-04:00

We are heading into the time of year when our body will start to crave seasonal, fall foods. As summer ends, we move away from the cooling foods like cucumbers, tomatoes, leafy greens and melons, and begin to integrate more beans, fall veggies, and warming foods including more protein sources. I LOVE to add beans to many of my meals (and my kids love them!) Beans are a wonderful way to add high-quality, plant-based protein to your diet. They are high in iron, B vitamins and fiber, and are versatile enough that you may never tire of them. They are a really wonderful way to speed up your weight loss, too!

A really great way to get more beans in is by adding hummus. I love it on sandwiches, with eggs, and used as a base for salad dressings. It is so easy to make at home and in doing so, you will not be ingesting all of the fat and chemicals that are in the store-bought versions. You can use any kind of beans that you like, not just chick peas! I use my Vitamix blender and make a big batch on sundays so that I have it for the week. Here is a simple and healthy recipe WITHOUT the added oil:

Hummus

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Cooking Time: 0 minutes

Yield: 3 cups

Ingredients:

2 cups canned chickpeas, or 1 cup of dried chickpeas that have been soaked, then cooked in pressure cooker

1-3 cloves garlic

3 tablespoons tahini

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup spring water (can use chickpea water)

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a blender or food mill and purée until creamy. It is easier to do it in several smaller batches.

2. Add more garlic, tahini or lemon juice to taste.

3. Serve with pita bread, crackers or crudités.

Notes:

Use 2 cups canned beans to save time.

Variations:

Use as a spread for healthy sandwiches and add sprouts, lettuce, tomato or any other fresh vegetables.

Add fresh parsley to the blender for a lighter flavor.

Also, you can view a video cooking demo where I make a fresh batch of hummus here.

Enjoy fall and your tasty hummus!

Peace & Veggies,

Jane

Jane Ashley, MA, CHHC, AAPD

Certified Nutrition Coach

The New Mom's Health & Lifestyle Coach

www.WellnessWithJane.com

A Fall Meditation by Tracee Dolan

2011-09-08T08:54:00.006-04:00

A meditation on fall. Allow it to happen. Notice it happening.

You hear it already: "Summer's over! What happened to summer? It's freezing"

Honestly, I just don't get it. Most of us at the JFBL live in New England which has a guaranteed 4 seasons a year.The seasons are not random surprises ;) And they all have such beautiful and nostalgia inducing components to them. I marvel over how lucky we really are. I mean for one (if you'll allow me to me completely materialistic)- fall clothes! It's pretty exciting to get a new boost of colors, fabric and textures to layer on ourselves when we are at work and play. The air gets crisp, the leaves start to change- and your daily routine gets a little more cinematic. Allow yourself to observe all of this :)

We still have until the 23rd for summer to officially come to a close & I suggest really enjoying that summer carefree mindset until the very last drop. And if you've decided that you are over it- completely- then take a breath and observe this amazing wind- down that the earth is doing. Things are slowing things down a bit- time to slow things down for YOU. The kids are back in school, the farmers market offerings have shifted, the air quality is perfect & you're about to get a great excuse to drink more and more hot tea.

I ask my middle school students (who find connection with one another-more often-than-sometimes in complaining or not liking things)

"What would you say if you couldn't complain?"

There are times where/when the only answer is silence- and there are times when that is the most perfect answer for it all.

Tracee Dolan is a 200 hour RYT, she is available for group and private instruction. She happily leads a retreat to Panama once a year & has published a Parent Child Yoga Book based on her wildly popular Parent Child Yoga class.

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

2011-08-25T08:23:00.000-04:00

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

2011-08-18T10:27:00.000-04:00

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

2011-08-13T08:55:00.000-04:00

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

2011-08-12T10:04:00.001-04:00

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

2011-08-11T11:37:00.002-04:00

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

2011-08-10T16:18:00.000-04:00

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!

2011-08-05T18:32:00.000-04:00

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.

beauty tip tuesday: inspiring words

2011-08-02T12:06:00.001-04:00

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

Guest Blogger Thursday: Becky Hatch on Coco Chanel

2011-07-28T10:04:00.001-04:00

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous"

No, these words were not uttered by Carrie Bradshaw or any of her Sex and the City commrades. Coco Chanel was the brains and beauty behind the simple mantra every woman should repeat to herself every day. YOU are in fact both classy AND fabulous. Although Ms Chanel ultimately became a brand and a style herself, her roots are much more humble than one would imagine. It's difficult to write about Coco in such a short post; to try to explain every impact her iconic life had on make up, perfume and fashion would take pages upon pages. But Coco's influence on me is more than just her designs. Yes, I will always remember my grandmother wearing Chanel No. 5. I will also always remember Jackie Kennedy's pink Chanel suit that I have seen recreated and depicted everywhere as she holds her dying husband in the back of a convertible in Paris. I drool over every Karl Lagerfield design that walks down the red carpet and winds up in People Magazine. I own more than one little black dress and my favorite lipgloss is Chanel. The sunglasses on my head and my favorite handbag...well they are knockoffs, but in my wildest daydreams I like to pretend they are real. Chanel obviously changed the way we view fashion. Clothes and make-up are not just materials on our bodies-they are a way of life. It is, lovely ladies, how you carry yourself while wearing Chanel's designs (or anything for that matter) that make them classy and fabulous. Chanel had an attitude about her that she was smart, talented and confident. Chanel's designs were simple, clean and were more about the woman underneath.

Chanel was not born into a glamourous life. The second child, but first legitimate child in her family, and the oldest of six, there is not a lot known about her early life - mostly because she lied about it a lot. They were poor, but after her mother died when she was twelve and her father took off, poor was looking good. She learned to sew, and at eighteen began her life outside the orphanage. She worked as a cabaret dancer and as a seamstress and eventually found herself the mistress of enough wealthy men that she had started her own business - with her lovers' money. She turned out to be a good business investment, but she never settled down into married life. She has been linked to dukes, naval captains, business men and perhaps Igor Stravinksy, the famed composer. Her clients were just as illustrious and thus the House of Chanel was built. Coco was a brilliant woman who changed the way we view beauty and fashion, who changed the world when a woman was more of an accessory than someone capable of designing and selling them to make a fortune on her own.

Want to immitate Chanel's style? A little black dress (whitehouseblackmarket.com is a good place to find one!), menswear (I likebananarepublic.com and jcrew.com) or anything made out of jersey (victoriassecret.com or target.com) are all styles and trends Chanel is responsible for! Happy Shopping!

xoxo Becky

what's happening wednesday: Lindsay's getting married!!!!

2011-07-27T10:28:00.006-04:00

photo by Maggie Conley Photography

This Saturday July 30th 2011, Lindsay will tie the knot at the beach in Madison to her long time love, Paul. We are so happy to share in their special day! JFBL team members, Kelly and Emily are getting their makeup and styling kits ready to dazzle up Lindsay's 10 bridesmaids on Saturday morning. Lindsay, from your family here at JFBL, we all wish you the very BEST wedding day and a lifetime filled with happiness! We know you'll be one gorgeous bride and can't wait to see the pictures! Congratulations and much love always!

beauty tip tuesday; heat proofing your makeup products

2011-07-26T15:25:00.000-04:00

With this heat wave, our makeup products seem to be melting away before we even get the chance to apply them. First rule, do not leave your products outside in your car or in an non-air conditioned place. Try storing your your eye liner pencils and gels in the refrigerator during summer months. this will help the liner from crumbling or smearing when you apply it!

XO!

must have monday: JASON beauty oils

2011-07-25T09:02:00.000-04:00

I had a client recently who had a bad sun burn around her eyes ( and it happened only 4 days before her daughters wedding--yikes!) Luckily, this extremely nourishing oil is gentle enough to use on the delicate skin around eyes and did the trick. I was impressed with how quickly the oil renewed and healed the skin just in time for the BIG day! Keep these JASON organic oils on your beauty emergency list!

XO!

Feature Friday by Emily & Megan

2011-07-22T14:04:00.000-04:00

Meet Rachel & Joachim

Married on July 3rd, 2012

The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, NYC

Makeup by Emily Denny and Megan Chimento

Photos by Spencer Lum

XO!

Guest Blogger Thursday: Sami's Favorite DIY Scrubs

2011-07-21T10:03:00.001-04:00

It's sandal season, which means dry skin on our poor feet is inevitable. Don't worry, I'm going to share a few of my favorite scrub tutorials to use on those feet!

1. Gimme Some Suga, Scrub! from Poor & Pretty — you may remember my sugar scrub diy from last November. This sugar scrub is very easy to make and only requires two ingredients: raw cane sugar and a carrier oil (I prefer jojoba or safflower oils). You can also add in Vitamin E oil for extra smoothness, but that's entirely optional. Read the full instructions here.

2. Strawberry Hand and Foot Exfoliant from Spa Index — this is another super simple one, and you can find all of the ingredients at your local grocery store if you don't already have them in your home. You just need strawberries, olive oil (or apricot oil, if you have it), and coarse salt (Kosher or sea salt). Read the full instructions here. Spa Index has tons of really great masks, scrubs, and other spa-at-home recipes. See all of them here.

3. DIY Salt Scrub from Everything Fabulous — coarse salt + oil + essential oils (optional, but definitely beneficial). Easy as pie! Sasha makes this recipe simple, but also gives you tons of ways to customize it. Love! Read the full instructions here.

4. Homemade Foot Scrub from Soap Deli News — Rebecca's blog always has great tutorials, ranging from categories like beauty, home improvement, organization... I could go on and on. This Homemade Foot Scrub recipe was shared by a guest blogger, and it contains four ingredients, all of which you can find at a grocery store. Read the full instructions here.

Now, go make your feet 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.

beauty tip tuesday: look slimmer

2011-07-19T14:46:00.000-04:00

Everyone wants to have a toned body especially in the summer! Not everyone likes to do squats and lunges! Sometimes faking a toned bod can be as easy as accentuating your legs and thighs with a touch of shimmer! Many cosmetic companies make body shimmer powders (I love this set by Bobbi Brown!) that help skin look healthy and radiant. Small reflecting minerals leave behind a subtle glow that makes you look thinner! Give it a try!!

XO!

Must Have Monday: The Gospel According to Coco Chanel

2011-07-18T10:17:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I was thumbing through the August issue of Haper's Bazar when I came across the article on page 156: The Secret Life of Coco Chanel. I was immediately intrigued by the gorgeous illustrations by Karl Lagerfeld and couldn't wait to dive into the pages before me. The article uncovers the truth about the self-made designer's childhood before she became the most influential style icon in the world. I wanted more. Her story is so compelling and inspiring. Today I'm carrying on my fix by heading out to RJ. Julia book store and picking up The Gospel According to Coco Chanel: Life Lessons From The Worlds Most Elegant Woman by Karen Karbo. I'm excited to sit on the beach and read more about Coco's great achievements and persistence! Has anyone read this book? I would love to hear your thoughts! I'll let you know what I think.....

XO!

Guest Blog Thursday: How to do a Hot Towel Scrub

2011-07-15T01:04:00.001-04:00

Hello friends!

I've been using this technique for awhile now, and I am amazed at how great I feel! Hot Towel scrubbing is so simple, and the benefits are huge. Holistic living is the bomb - goo for body AND soul! Start now and begin your transformation to the beautiful bride you were meant to be.

Body scrubbing can be done before or after your bath or shower, or anytime during the day. All you need is a sink with hot water and a medium-sized cotton washcloth.

For the maximum effect, scrub your body twice a day: once in the morning and once again in the evening. Scrub for two minutes to 20 minutes, depending on how much time you have. The process of the hot towel scrub has a deeper physical, mental and emotional effect when done at the sink as opposed to in the shower.

Directions:

Turn on the hot water and fill the sink.
Hold the towel at both ends and place in the hot water.
Wring out the towel.
While the towel is still hot and steamy, begin to scrub the skin gently.
Do one section of the body at a time: for example, begin with the hands and fingers and work your way up the arms to the shoulders, neck and face, then down to the chest, upper back, abdomen, lower back, buttocks, legs, feet and toes.
Scrub until the skin becomes slightly pink or until each part becomes warm.
Reheat the towel often by dipping it in the sink of hot water after scrubbing each section, or as soon as the towel starts to cool.

Benefits:

Reduces muscle tension.
Reenergizes in the morning and deeply relaxes at night.
Opens the pores to release stored toxins.
Softens deposits of hard fat below the skin and prepares them for discharge.
Allows excess fat, mucus, cellulite and toxins to actively discharge to the surface rather than to accumulate around deeper vital organs.
Relieves stress through meditative action of rubbing the skin.
Calms the mind.
Promotes circulation.
Activates the lymphatic system, especially when scrubbing underarms and groin.
Easy massage and deep self-care.
Can be a sacred moment in your day, especially if done with candlelight and a drop or two of essential oil, such as lavender.
Creates a profound and loving relationship with the body, especially parts not often shown care, and especially for a person with body image problems.
Spreads energy through the chakras.

Happy Scrubbing!

Jane

Holistic Nutrition Coach

www.WellnessWithJane.com

What's Happening Wednesday: 25 % OFF our NEW Berry Whip Facial

2011-07-13T13:11:00.001-04:00

Here at the Beauty Library, we are committed to sustainable beauty. We are pleased to announce we now use and sell the Dr. Alkaitis Skin Care line. These products are the best kept secret in fashion, they have been seen in Vogue, W, InStyle, Allure, Organic Spa magazine and many more!

We wanted to offer a special deal to all of our loyal readers!

To receive 25% of our very decadent Berry Whip Facial, please leave a comment here and mention this post when you call to book your appointment.

This treatment is perfect for after a day at the beach. It's rich in antioxidants and healing enzymes. Using three masks, the last being made of strawberries, raw honey and organic goats milk yogurt.
The skin will through two steps of gentle exfoliation and then replenished with a massage using a very nourishing treatment oil.

60 minutes
regular price $95

SPECIAL OFFER: $71.25 plus tax

To schedule your appointment, please ring us at 860-664-3923.

Offer good until July 31st, 2011.

XO!

beauty tip tuesday: hair protection

2011-07-12T18:30:00.001-04:00

Before you get ready to go for a swim in the pool or go ride some waves, make sure you protect your hair from chlorine and residue buildup. A quick and easy wait to sheild your hair is to apply half tablespoon of conditioner to your strands, from roots to ends. Use a wide tooth comb to make sure it's applied evenly. This helps to safeguard hair from damaging UV rays too! A light-weight conditioner wroks best-- I like Bio Silk, found at most drugstores!

XO

must have monday: FRESH perfume: citron de vigne

2011-07-11T10:53:00.001-04:00

I am obsessed with the entire perfume collection from FRESH. Summer is a time for light, fresh scents and this one is high on my list of favorites for this time of year! I am so happy the company has launched it in a new roller ball applicator, making it even easier to carry in my bag for a quick pick me up after a day at the beach! This eau de perfume is inspired by the "wines of France and sun-drenched days". It's made if earthy bergamot, sandalwood, almond, musk, rose and topped with fresh, clean notes of citrus.

XO

Feature Friday: Playing Dress Up

2011-07-08T13:08:00.000-04:00

Move over Dita Von Teese! I'm loving my vintage-glam look here, complete with victory rolls and red lips, created by Emily Denny for my very own boudoir photo shoot! Playing dress up is SO much fun! Ladies, you have to try it! Thanks so much to Josie from Beneath the Gown for styling me in this stunning black, satin corset! Photographer Carrie Roseman captured my best angle and managed somehow to make me look like a real pin-up girl! Hehe!

For more information on booking your own boudoir photo shoot with this amazing team, please contact us at 860-664-3923.

XO!

Guest Blogger Thursday: Tracee Dolan

2011-07-07T09:57:00.002-04:00


Happy Summer Beauties,

I am pleased as punch to announce a new project I am working on. It is
almost complete & has become apparent to me that it is time to share &
spread the word about my latest yoga project. I purchased a 71 person
school bus a few months ago and most recently painted it purple & took
out all of the seats, re: gutted it to create (maybe you've guessed it
by now) a yoga studio on wheels. The Yoga School Bus is it's name and
it is my mission to bring yoga to underserved areas, bday parties,
corporate events, festivals, maybe even to a cul de sac where
neighbors can rally a weekly yoga night away from the kiddies. It will
be my pleasure to deliver my little yoga studio on wheels to anywhere
that it may park. The studio will be private (windows covered in rice
paper) safe & comfortable. All of the comforts of your favorite studio
or living room (if that's where you practice). I will be offering
active, vinyasa & restorative classes, as well as my parent child
class that is so popular. I am so excited for this project and plan to
launch it at the end of august. I am open to the bus servicing
anywhere between new haven ct & cambridge, ma. And look forward to
watching this project unfold. If you know of any schools, programs,
businesses, people, children, you name it- that may be interested in
setting up an appointment with the yoga school bus, by all means feel
free to get in touch.

Until the website launches we will be working from
yogabus.blogspot.com and yogaschoolbus@gmail.com. Oh yeah, and feel
free to friend the Yoga School Bus on facebook if the mood strikes you
:)



Tracee Dolan is available for private and group instruction. She is a
200 hour RYT. Feel free to contact her with any questions or
appointment concerns.



-- 
Tracee Dolan
617.448.5593

beauty tip tuesday: applying sunscreen

2011-07-05T09:35:00.000-04:00

how many of you wait until you get to the beach before you apply your sunscreen lotion? try applying before you leave the house. better yet, lather it on before you even get into your bathing suit. This ensures you get an even application and you don't miss any hard to reach places. So often, we forget to apply lotion just inside of the seam of our suit and we get burned in those areas. that's happened to you, right?! I'm now in the habit of keeping all of my sun lotions and swim gear in the same draw in my dressing room, so getting ready for the beach is a real cinch. Another little tip I picked up from a friend--apply your face sunscreen before bed the night before a beach day. You certainly need to reapply it the morning but the extra layer doesn't hurt.

here's how to maximize your sun protection:

1.) apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before you leave the house
2.) ask for help to get those hard to reach places like your back
3.) don't forget about your ears and toes!
4.) remember to reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours
5.) just because it's cloudy doesn't mean you can't get burned.

XO!

Feature Friday: by Jennie Fresa

2011-07-01T09:32:00.002-04:00

I thought it would be fun to change it up a little this week and share a few images from an impromptu fashion/beauty shoot I worked on a few weeks ago on with Adrien Broom! I loved playing with bold colors and it was so much fun breaking out my new airbrush gun for this project! Coincidentally, the pictures even feel a little patriotic!

Happy 4th of July!

XO!

Guest Blogger Thursday: Colonial Influences by Becky Hatch

2011-06-30T12:21:00.000-04:00

Growing up, I was flat out obsessed with all things to do with weddings. Mainly, at 5, I loved the gowns. In the late '80s and early '90s, the big poofy Princess Diana sleeves and gowns were all the rage, meaning wedding dresses (as glitzy, glammy and beaded as can be) looked a lot like the big southern belle style dresses worn in "the olden days", as I liked to call them. When I realized that I had a lot of living left to do before I could get married (finish second grade for instance), I moved on from Princess Di and my aunts' wedding videos to reading Gone With the Wind. And so my Scarlet O'Hara influenced craze began.

Although I would no longer call myself obsessed (it would be inappropriate to wear a prom dress to work every day), I am still incredibly passionate about all things to do with Colonial and early Victorian fashion.The more that I learned about these time periods in high school and college, the more I realized reality was a lot less romantic than the image I had in my head. For instance, I had no idea how heavy a lot of these dresses were. For most women, gowns were made out of wool and the undergarments made out of linen. Women wore at least three to four layers, even in the summer - with no air conditioning mind you. Hoop skirts, petticoats and crenolin gave them the ballgown-like skirts, which were often held up by suspenders. They also wore corsets (or stays), made from hard materials such as whale bone. In the practical sense, these corsets helped with posture and acted as a sort of back brace when carrying heavy items such as children or buckets. For the wealthy, these corsets also helped to give them the desired sillouhette of a cinched waist line. For Ms. O'Hara, she would probably have at least three outfit changes a day, including a morning dress, an evening dress and a walking outfit. Her dresses were also made from silk, brocade, velvet, damask, chiffon, etc. Most women, however, only owned three or four dresses in total, meaning they barely got to change once a day. Bathing-also not very popular. I guess I'll take my 21st century existence over life on a plantation after all.

Lucky for us, corsets are no longer a health hazard (fainting), and have become a special treat! We now have more modern shape-wear that helps give us the figure we want and we can save corsets for feeling sexy and beautiful-while still being able to breathe. For those of you who are getting married (or just want to treat yourself to something special underneath your t-shirt and jeans), check out Beneath the Gown. This store is located right near the Jennie Fresa Beauty Library in Clinton, CT and features fine European lingerie. Contact Josie or pop in to have her help you find exactly what you're looking for!

XO!

beauty tip tuesday: 5 tips to consider before a bikini wax

2011-06-28T21:04:00.002-04:00

NO ONE looks forward to a bikini wax and for good reason, it hurts! Well, if done correctly by a professional aesthetician, it doesn't have to be so bad. Here are a few tips to ease the pain.

1.) Schedule your appointment about a week AFTER your period, your threshold for pain is higher.

2.) Make sure the salon/spa uses "hard wax". It actually is more gentle than soft wax.

3.) Exfoliate the night before. Removing any traces of dead skin helps the wax remove hair more easily.

4.) Take Advil or some kind of pain reliever about an hour before your appointment.

5.) Remember to breathe and try to relax! I used to hold my breath and it only made me focus more on the pain.

XO!

must have monday: coco butter

2011-06-27T08:28:00.000-04:00

Coco butter is rich in Vitamin E making it hydrating, nourishing, toning and very healing! It's the ultimate after-sun lotion. I stock up on a new tub every summer ( it's only $5 at your local drugstore)! It's great for smoothing out stretch marks and scars too. And, it smells divine! I can go on and on or you can try it for yourself.....

GO. GET. IT. NOW!

XO

Feature Friday: by Jennie Fresa

2011-06-24T09:38:00.002-04:00

Lauren and Colin's Wedding

May 28th, 2011

Eolia Mansion at Harkness Park

Photo's by Orchard Cove Photography

Beauty: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library

Makeup: Jennie Fresa

Hair: Nedelyn Perry

Flowers: Hana Floral Design

Dress: Judd Waddell from The White Dress by The Shore

To view a full gallery of stunning images, please check out the Orchard Cove Photography blog!

The morning started at Lauren's parents house in Old Lyme where Ned and I set up beauty stations in the kitchen and got fast to work! Lauren's makeup look is classic and fresh. She really wanted to keep her skin luminous and draw attention to her beaming brown eyes. I used neutral shades of brown and plum on her eyes and a soft pale pink on her lips. What a beauty! Much love to the happy couple! We can't wait to hear about the honeymoon in Italy!

XO!

Guest Blogger Thursday: Sami's Green Tea Skin Remedies

2011-06-23T08:24:00.001-04:00

I love tea — I love drinking it and I love that it has beneficial health effects when added to cosmetics. Today, I'm going to share a few tips on how to — and why you should — work green tea into your beauty routines.

Green tea is high in antioxidants, so it helps protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun by protecting skin cells from the inside, thus preventing your skin from further tissue damage. I like to think of antioxidants as shields, but they do wear off, so it's important to replenish your skin's supply of antioxidants.

According to Herbs: The Healing Nature, green tea also boosts your body's immune system and aids in the prevention of the flu, hypertension, infections, and reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Green tea has shown to have positive effects on the liver, womb, breasts, peptic system, lungs, and teeth.

Julie Gabriel, founder of Petite Marie Organics, writes in Green Beauty Recipes, "Green tea [is] a great all-purpose skin toner, face mask and scrub filler, eye soother, and baby skin rinse if your little one suffers from eczema."

So, start drinking green tea! And here are a few very simple ways you can use green tea to improve your skin's health:

Green Tea Toner
This one's pretty easy. Make yourself a cup of green tea, let it cool down, then pour it into a sanitized glass or plastic container. Apply to your face with cotton balls, and let your skin absorb the tea (i.e., don't rinse it off).

Green Tea Eye Mask
Those tea bags you used for your tea? Don't throw them away! After they cool down (I recommend sticking them in the fridge for a bit), place them on your eyes for 10-15 minutes to reduce puffiness.

Green Tea as an Addition to Facials
You can also work green tea into your face masks or cleansers. Cut open a bag of green tea and add the leaves into your daily face cleanser, exfoliating scrub, or facial mask. If you're looking for a mask to make yourself, check out the Avocado Mask post I wrote a few months ago. Green tea would make a great addition to this!

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.

what's happening wednesday: CHANGE

2011-06-22T19:09:00.001-04:00

"you have brains in your head. You have feet in our shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go......"

Dr. Seuss

XO!

beauty tip tuesday: keep the bugs away!

2011-06-21T09:29:00.000-04:00

there's nothing more unattractive than skin full of little red bug bites! don't forget to protect your skin before heading out on summer nights! I recently found this organic bug spray, ECOSMART, that doesn't have any hash chemicals in it so it's safe to use, even for children! or you can make you own by mixing a dew drops of rosemary, lemongrass and cinnamon oil with water. keep in a misting bottle and shake well before using.

XO

Must Have Monday: whimsical turquoise brush roll!

2011-06-20T08:47:00.000-04:00

How adorable is this turquoise brush roll from EcoHip on Etsy!? It's made from a 100% cotton so it's easy to wash! I love the whimsical pattern and pretty, grosgrain ribbon! Makes a lovely bridesmaid gift!

XO!

Guest Blogger Thursday: JFBL Nutrition Coach Jane Ashley

2011-06-16T08:57:00.000-04:00

Food Focus: Fruit

A healthy lifestyle is the key to longevity, optimum weight, abundant energy and balance. By using fruit to satisfy our taste for sweetness, we can leave behind the use of chemical, processed and refined sweeteners. Fruits are easy to digest, are cleansing and cooling and are great for those who are overstressed and overheated from excessive mental strain or hot climates. Fruits are filled with fiber and liver stimulants, which act as natural, gentle laxatives. Whenever possible, buy fresh, locally grown fruit as opposed to imported fruits shipped from far-off places. This keeps you eating in season, and more in harmony with your environment and climate.

Eating raw fruit in summer months is highly cooling, while baking it in the winter months neutralizes the cooling effect. Fruit in the form of juice is a great choice for cleansing the body, but be aware that juice rapidly raises blood sugar levels, leading to an energy crash soon after. Frozen, whole, puréed or juiced fruit can make great summertime cool-down treats. Try frozen grapes, banana-coconut smoothie popsicles or lime juice ice-cubes in iced tea!

Whether you are having fresh fruit for a light early morning breakfast, a midday snack or evening treat, enjoy nature’s sweetness and whenever possible buy organic. Here are a few summer fruits and their health benefits:

Apricots: Great for lung conditions and asthma; used to help treat anemia due to their high copper and cobalt content.
Bananas: Help to lubricate the intestines, treat ulcers, detoxify the body and manage sugar cravings; are rich in potassium (which helps hypertension).
Cherries: Slightly warming in nature; increase overall body energy, remedy arthritis and rheumatism and are rich in iron, which improves the blood.
Grapefruits: Treat poor digestion, increase appetite during pregnancy, alleviate intestinal gas and reduce mucus conditions of the lungs.
Papayas: Tone the stomach, act as digestive aid, moisten the lungs and alleviate coughing; contain carpaine, an anti-tumor compound.
Raspberries: Benefit the liver and kidneys, cleanse blood of toxins, regulate menstrual cycles, treat anemia and can promote labor at childbirth.

Recipe of the Month: Fruit Nut Smoothie

Prep time: 5 minutes

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:

1 banana

1 cup soy or rice milk

1 cup berries

1 cup diced melon

1/2 cup almonds

2-4 ice cubes

Directions:

Mixin blender for 1-2 minutes and serve.

Note: Youcan add other ingredients for added nutrition such as a spoonful of bee pollen,coconut oil, flax seed oil, spirulina powder or a scoop of protein powder.

Peace & Veggies,
Jane

Jane Ashley, founder of Beautiful Body—Beautiful Bride: Nutrition Coaching for brides-to-be, and “The New Mom’s Rescue Nutrition Program” is an expert in nutrition and holistic weight loss. In addition to her one-on-one coaching practice, group events and corporate workshops, Jane is a regular contributor to the Jennie Fresa Beauty Library blog, The Eat Right America™ Blog, and is a sought-after speaker in the community.

To learn more about Jane or to schedule a complimentary Nutrition Breakthrough Session (by mentioning this blog), please visit: www.WellnessWithJane.com

...and pay us a visit on Facebook
and Twitter!

What's Happening Wednesday: Welcome our new Studio Coordinator, Jess McCann Nana!

2011-06-15T08:49:00.002-04:00

We are so happy to announce that we have just hired a new Studio Coordinator here at Jennie Fresa Beauty Library! Please welcome our newest team member, Jess McCann Nana!

Jess graduated from Sacred Heart University with a BA in Media Studies. She also graduated this past May from Quinnipiac University with an MS in Interactive Communications. Her love for everything social media, blogging and her tech savviness has brought her here to JFBL to work on all things media-related.

Jess’s experience in the wedding industry began in 2009 while planning her own 2010 destination wedding in Mexico. The experience inspired her to launch her own destination wedding blog, Destination Inspirations (make sure to check it out!!). She fell head over heels for all things wedding related and that passion is what led Jess to us. As of June 1st, she will be overseeing our social media, SEO and all bridal inquires. You can reach her at j e s s @j e n n i e f r e s a .c o m

In addition to our new studio coordinator, we are also hiring on our traveling beauty team! Here is what we are looking for:

Shoreline Makeup and Skin Care Boutique ( that's us- Jennie Fresa Beauty Library!) is looking for professional, enthusiastic and reliable individuals to join our traveling, bridal makeup team. Candidates must posses a passion for makeup, fashion and the bridal industry. Additional skills (i.e brow shaping, facials, waxing, styling) are a BIG plus. Must have 2 years minimum experience in either a makeup retail setting or working as a freelance artist. Weekend availability and a valid driving license are required.

We are looking for serious candidates only. If you are interested in this position or know anyone that might be, please have them send their resume and portfolio to: jennie@jenniefresa.com We are holding interviews throughout the summer.

XO!

beauty tip tuesday: fuzz-fighting

2011-06-14T09:11:00.000-04:00

Here are a few tricks of the trade for achieving stubble-free skin at home this summer!

To avoid razor burn and ingrown hairs, try using a blade designed for men. I like the Gilette Fusion Pro Glide Razor. The 5 blades make all of the difference! You'll get a super close shave in less passes, without irritation.

Remember to shave at the END of your shower! The warm water causes blood vessels to dilate, causing the skin follicle to open easily. The warm water also helps to soften hairs, making them less likely to break and cause in-growns.

Using a hydrating shave cream (look for formulas with shea butter) helps too!

XO!

Must Have Monday: Non-Chemical SPF

2011-06-13T09:26:00.000-04:00

Have you looked at the ingredients on your sun products? Most are loaded up with all kinds of chemicals that are more harmful for your skin than the sun itself! I discovered a new product from Aveeno--Natural Protection Mineral Block-- that is made from 100% natural sun protecting agents ( zinc oxide ). The formula was designed for sensitive skin types or anyone looking for a healthy alternative. The lotion is oil-free, fragrance-free, waterproof and non-whiting ( the selling point for me since most zinc oxide lotions are thick and super chalky on the skin!).

You can find it at more drugstores!

XO!

Guest Blogger Thursday: Synchronicity by Tracee Dolan

2011-06-09T08:43:00.002-04:00






One of the most difficult practices for me, as a yoga teacher is to  
'go with the flow of  life'. I find myself, at times clinging to a set  
of expectations of how I think things should/would play out- and at  
times, possibly hindering what great options could possibly be ( that  
I haven't even considered). In yoga we call this attachment, and it is  
everywhere! We attach to expected outcomes, I even attach to where I  
place my yoga mat down when I practice!

A fun exercise for your brain would be to detach from expectation,  
practice going with the flow & observe where any signs of  
synchronicity may occur.

Synchronicity is the experience of two or more events, that are  
apparently causally unrelated or unlikely to occur together by chance,  
that are observed to occur together in a meaningful manner.

It's those little things that add up- and you think: is this a  
coincidence?

Carl Jung was one of the first people to coin the concept of  
synchronicity. It is something that I am absolutely in love with!  
Synchronicity is what I like to think of as little hints or ever  
better- a little nudge from the universe that let's you know you're on  
the right track. When you detach to expectation and open your eyes to  
the presence of synchronicity in your everyday- you need not dwell or  
brood over seemingly unanswerable questions. You need only to consult  
with yourself and the cues all around you to ascertain that you are  
doing what is right for your: everyday, love, career & family life.

Enjoy these early summer days! The universe wants you to!

tracee teaches yoga is available for private & group instruction.  
Please contact traceeteachesyoga@gmail. com with any questions or  
scheduling information.

Beauty Tip Tuesday: Maintain your hair color

2011-06-07T09:00:00.000-04:00

The summer sun and salt water can cause some serious damage to your hair. Try a these at home remedies to add some shine and maintain your color a little longer:

1.) After you shampoo your hair, rinse with a capful of apple cider vinegar mixed with 3 cups of water. This DIY treatment is a great tonic for cleansing your scalp and also sealing in your hair color.

2.) If your strands are looking a little fried and dull. Try this hydrating mask to bring back some shine. Mix 2 raw eggs, a table spoon of olive oil and a capful of vinegar. Apply to hair and leave it on for 20-30 minutes. Rinse and shampoo as normal.

XO

Guest Blogger Thursday: Who Inspires you? By Beck Hatch

2011-06-02T08:34:00.000-04:00

Who Inspires You?

These days, fashion magazines, the internet, celebrities and models flood our culture and our vision every single day. Images of our culture's ideal standards are virtually impossible to escape. But what did people do before photography, the internet and TV? Before we had beautiful actresses and models strutting the runway, who inspired fashion and modeled the ideal beauty standard? The answer, especially in Elizabethian times, was royalty, or at the very least, the artistocrats. For those in Elizabethian England, the beautiful, fair haired and pale skinned Queen Elizabeth was the ultimate standard of sophistication. Her naturally red hair, pale skin and bright eyes were painstakingly sought after. Light hair and pale skin are common beauty standards (today many still consider blonde hair to be the ultimate beauty), but the Queen was the face of the age. A high hairline was also very popular, and women would pluck the hair on their hairline back as much as an inch (sometimes more) to have a higher forehead. Pale skin was popular throughout Europe for centuries. People who worked out in the fields had tan skin, which is why the paler your skin, the wealthier you were thought to be (also, the more plump you were, the wealthier you were). To get the fair hair, women would sit in the sun for hours, wearing visors to keep their skin from getting tan. If a woman (or man!) wanted the proper hair without all the effort, wigs were used (and very, very common). Elsewhere in Europe, the Renaissance was in full swing and the standards of beauty were very similar. Women would adorn their hair with jewels or ribbons, especially if they didn't want to lighten it. What did people do before Sephora? They got their desired skin tone (practically white, no bronzer needed) by using powders that often contained lead, and lip and cheek stains made from berries and mercury.

So how can Queen Elizabeth inspire you? While I don't recommend trying all of the beauty tips I learned from reading about the women of this time (i.e. the lead and mercury, or urine to bleach hair which was used because it contains amonia), I think we could learn something from our pale friends in the past. This summer, kick the SPF up a notch and save yourself the sunburn, the potential cancer, and tell everyone you are channeling your inner queen. Also, if you want to adorn your hair with something fun and you don't have a lot of precious jewels lying around, find a headband with flowers or fake jewels, feather or ribbons, which you can find practically anywhere. A good place to check is http://www.shopstyle.com/browse?fts=headband#24_25 because you can search tons of stores at once and find exactly what you're looking for. If you need a good sunscreen, check out Aveeno's sunscreen line. It is highly recommended by doctors, easily available and it even smells great! http://www.target.com/ is a good place to start.

xoxo, Becky

What's Happening Wednesday: NEW Skincare Line at The Beauty Library

2011-06-01T13:23:00.002-04:00

Dr. Alkaitis Organic Skin Care products are made with edible living ingredients--certified organic/biodynamic and wild crafted herbs, fruits, sea vegetable and virgin cold-pressed vegetable oils. These are sourced solely from vetted individual farmers and wild-crafters worldwide. All of the products and herbal extracts are made in-house without the use of chemicals. The outcome is a dynamic and healthy 'living' skin care line that produces instant visible results.

Dr. Saul Alkaitis, PH.D., Founder, is a world renowned physical chemist, research scientist and molecular biologist. His scientific expertise and extensive research in the healing of properties of living plants has resulted in the creation of one of the most dynamic holistic personal skin care products ever made.

We are proud to use Dr. Alkaitis products in our facial treatments and sell his products here at our boutique. Please visit The Beauty Library for a FREE sample. (while supplies last!)

www.alkaitis.com for full press reviews, blogs, interviews and more...

XO

Beauty Tip Tuesday: Sun Protection 101

2011-05-31T16:50:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone had a fun memorial day weekend! With the official start to summer underway, I wanted to share a few tips for sun protection:

We are all trained to look at the SPF ( sun protection factor) on our sun protection products! This rating protects you from UVB's ( burning rays) which causes sunburn and sometimes skin cancer. Did you know, the UVB protection you apply in the morning is signficanly less effective by lunch time?!

TIP: DO reapply your SPF lotion or carry a mineral powder foundation with SPF for touch ups throughout the day. {Myth: The higher the number the better the protection. SPF 15 offers about 94 % percent protection while SPF 30 offers 96 %}.

Don't forget to look for UVA protection. UVA rays are the ones that cut through clouds and glass windows in your car. They can penetrate deeper into your skin and cause the most damage.

TIP: READ the label! Look for avobenzone ( a chemical sunscreen that absorbs UVA) or a mineral-based block like zinc oxide, which repels UVA rays off your skin.

* If you're in doubt, just look for the Skin Cancer Foundation's new seal of approval. This label is verification that the product meets the standards for proper UVB and UVA protection.

XO