jessica mcdougall

Teatro Zinzanni was excellent. A delightful and amazing display of talent. And the food was equally excellent.

I'm in deep think mode now, working on the final edits of Jeffrey's next book that will be released in October. This is my favorite part of the process, when the final product is created.

Here's a great quote from the book: "Thinking, like any other action, is a discipline. You decide your own outcome based on your desire and self-determination."

It's raining here in Seattle. Good think weather. And a reminder of why I am so happy to live in Charlotte now where the weather is almost always beautiful.

Happy 1st Birthday to my nephew Henry!

Here's the special little treat basket I created for the occasion.

Henry, your mama is beautiful. And so are you. I'm so happy I could celebrate with you on this special day.

Do whatever you can to make it to Las Vegas to see this show. I promise you it will be worth it.

A response to MM's comment:

Please tell me how you do your hair (products, the steps, etc). It is gorgeous!

Thanks MM! It's been a long time coming to where my hair is now. I believe that I envisioned it looking the way it does now about 9 years ago. I saw the most beautiful blonde hair on a woman and knew that is what I wanted. For several years I went to the same hair coloring guy in the Seattle area, and he could never get it as blond as I wanted it to be. (I think he was protecting my hair, which I respect.) But when I moved to Charlotte (where they LOVE hair), Lori at Modern Salon and Spa did it exactly how I wanted. Delightful! I've been going to her since then and even though my hair is very blond, it is also very healthy. I believe part of the reason is that the salon uses Aveda hair color. It's all natural and my hair loves it.

In regards to shampoo, styling, etc -- my sercret is to vary the products I use. I primarily use Aveda shampoo and conditioners, but often mix in Kerastase as well. All the Aveda shampoo/conditioner that I have tried are excellent. I carry their Blue Malva Shampoo (specically for blondes) with me everywhere I go and mix it with whatever shampoo I am using. Because I am in hotels more than 250 nights out of the year, this helps my blond stay blond regardless of the water quality in the hotels.

I use the Bespoke Labs Featherweight Dryer with a large barrel brush. It's pricey, but worth every penny for the reduced amount of drying time and the reduced damage to my hair. For more volume when hairdrying, I use Aveda Phomollient. Sometimes I add a shine serum and hair spray, but I am a bit OCD about hair products getting on my skin.

Shoes are the center of every outfit.

I prefer to start every outfit creation with a shoe choice. But if there's another piece that I pick first (like a top or dress) the shoes will always be the second piece. There's something so delightful about a basic outfit with funky shoes.

I visited Nordstrom in Charlotte this past week, where my shoe guy (from St. Petersburg, Russia) proceeded to tell me all the latest styles and how to wear them. Little did him know I am very "well read" in the shoe department. I enjoyed listening to his take on what the next big thing is (most of which centered around fishnet stockings), but he never once stopped to ask what I liked about what was up and coming.

Mistake on his part. I wanted to give him a few pointers on how he could double his sales, but decided to just take the pairs I liked and walk. (Jeffrey can do the honors next time we're there.)

In other exciting news, I am working on the final touches of Jeffrey's next book The Little Platinum Book of Cha-Ching! This book will be out in October and I have enjoyed every second of working on it.

I'm in Orlando this evening, leaving tomorrow for Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. (Totally random.) Orlando is a little too sticky for me. But I did get to the pool early this morning to do some water aerobics, something I wish I could do every day.

Who doesn't need a calculator watch? In orange! Delightful.

   
Found this adorable owl t-shirt at a boutique in Asheville, North Carolina. Paired with Theory clamdiggers and some cut-out Jil Sander shoes that I found on sale at Barneys.

What are you wearing today?

Hey, how did Barneys know I was working when I was also shopping online?

This is the totally cute message you will find on their order confirmation page after making a purchase on their site.

Brilliant.

I received this request from Jeannette:

I am an avid scrapbooker and attend crops quite frequently. Any suggestions for comfortable casual clothing that doesn't make me look dowdy? I want to be stylish but comfortable.

You're in luck. Let me do the shopping for you!

Crops are your opportunity to be creative, original, imaginative, experimental, and have FUN. My tendecy is always on the fancier side, but here are three outfit options that anyone could pull off. Scrapbookers can be fashionable too!

Outfit one combines a Splendid LIGHTBULB t-shirt with jeans and cute yellow Loeffler Randall flats. Jeans are my personal favorite for most indoor events. The t-shirt will help you spark all kind of bright ideas (and compliments) and the yellow flats are the perfect addition for comfortable flair. Bring along a nice Jcrew grey sweater in case the air condition is on high.

Outfit two (for warmer climates) combines these totally funky Tennies (made in Brazil) with a fun grey Abercrombie top, white bermuda shorts, and this adorable pearl and pink ring.
 
Outfit three starts with the perfect Elmer's t-shirt worn by Simon, combined with coordinating blue tennis shoes and True Religion jeans. Which would you pick?

Pictures overlooking Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago -- what is referred to as "The True Caribbean."

Located just off the tip of Venezuela, Trinidad, the larger and livelier of the islands, is an industrial giant boasting exciting nightlife, a robust energy sector and growing manufacturing industry.

Yet a short distance away from the glitter and bustle of Port-of-Spain - the islands’ modern capital - another world exists. A drive along the North Coast Road, shaded by the lush forested canopy of the Northern mountain range, will yield breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea; or head to Central Trinidad where the Caroni swamp - home to Scarlet Ibis and other exotic species - waits to share its secrets.

But if Trinidad is the energetic heart of these islands, Tobago is its serene soul. Just two hours away from Port-of-Spain by fast ferry, or 15 minutes by air travel, Tobago offers the weary traveler a change of pace. Blessed with warm azure blue seas that lap against pale pink sands of secluded beaches, Tobago is the perfect place to relax in the embrace of lingering, golden sunsets. For the nature lover, Tobago is home to the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere and, for those with an adventurous spirit, the waters surrounding the island hosts stunning coral reefs teeming with marine life.