Author Archives: thisdayrightnow

Weekly Favorite: Gold Jewelry

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I have three pieces of jewelry that I just adore. I’m sure you know what I mean- every time you reach into your jewelry box to slip on your favorites, you can’t help but smile. I try and make outfits work around them, instead of the other way around.

So here they are: my stand-outs!

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This long chain cross necklace makes me feel elegant, hip, and stylish. I love the aesthetic. I bought it in Austin at the Physical Fit in Westlake to wear over sweaters and plain black dresses. It isn’t in your face, and I think a long necklace works well for me since I have a long torso. I love the long chain necklace with circles for the same reason. It works well on my shape, and it’s easy to pull off since I’m a tall lady.

My hoop earrings are an absolute essential, and if you don’t own hoops, go get some! You can never go wrong. These are a light pair, and they feel very me. I have big eyes and a lot of hair, so hoops work well on me. They’re fun, nice, and go with anything. I’m even wearing these in my LinkedIn picture, so they can be professional!

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This Cladagh ring is the second one I’ve had in my lifetime. I actually wore out the gold on the first one! I bought this 10 years ago at James Avery in Austin. It is a symbol of Irish heritage, and it can be worn to remember someone. It means love, loyalty, and friendship. These can be engagement or wedding rings, and there is a certain way to wear this ring. If you wear the heart on your left hand, with the heart pointing down (pointing down like pictured), it means you’re married. If you wear it on your right hand with the heart up, that means your heart is open, and you’re ready to find love. Heart down on the right hand means you’re seeing someone.

What are your favorite jewelry pieces?

Jewelry is a great gift, and a good piece can last a lifetime. I am wearing my Cladagh ring right now!

Have a great week,

-Rose

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MAKE UP MONDAY: Brazilian Blow Out

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Here they are- the newest products that I am trying out!

I am always open for suggestions, from you guys, friends, and the lovely women who work in the shops that I frequent. These Brazilian Blow Out products are a personal favorite of the sales girl in the Beauty Shop in Austin. These two are also a big seller, and although they weren’t cheap, I already see why!

These products are for non-washing days. And although I hate when I have dirty hair, I have a few non-washing days a week.

The Instant Volume Body Booster (whew, what a name) has a bit of grit that really helps give body to my super straight hair. On days that I work out but don’t wash my hair, my locks can fall rather flat. And if dry shampoo isn’t cutting it for giving my hair a boost, this new powder is my friend. However, I’m not sure I’ll buy it again, since it was $20 and makes it so I have to wash my hair the night I use it, since it’s just way too much grit for me to sleep in.

I only need a little of the Volume Boost spray on the left, and this lifts my hair up while I blow dry. I recently learned that you are not supposed to touch your hair with a brush while you blow dry, especially if you blow dry hair wet from the shower. It can damage the cuticle. So I have to figure out how to get a nice lift without constant brushing and touching my fragile wet hair, and this shining & lifting product is great.

What hair products have you tried lately? Let me know!

Have a great day,

-Rose

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: For You!

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The last day of the gift guide is arguably the most important…

GIFTS FOR YOU!

I curated a list of gifts that I think are perfect to pick up for yourself while you’re shopping this holiday season.

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Armani Makeup: As you have probably noticed, I am a huge fan of Armani make up. It’s a good counter to visit- and these pink products look so fresh, healthy, and glowy. I love to apply new make up this time of year, for a real pick me up.

Necklaces & Rings: Lately I am crazy about necklaces, and am on a total fun jewelry kick. I found the one pictured in Bryant Park via a jeweler in Brooklyn. I wear it with sweaters or dresses. Rings are also fun and really important- accessorize, people!

Decorative Trays: I love this color, and it is great in my red themed kitchen. I put my spoon on it after stirring my hazelnut flavored coconut creamer into my coffee in the morning. It’s not too big, so it’s not hogging the kitchen counter. A happy gift!

Sunglasses: Italian brands are the way to go with sunglasses. I love sunglasses, and can’t have enough pairs. They’re fun, full of style, and can really elevate an outfit. You even need them in the winter!

Scented Lotion: I love this Chanel No. 5 scented lotion, and in the holidays, you can buy a smaller version, which isn’t too expensive. It smells so nice all day!

What gifts have you picked up for yourself while holiday shopping? Or are you a perfect angel and only buy for others?

Let me know!!

Take care of yourself,

-Rose

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: Friend Who Has Everything!

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There are certain people on your list this year that are just impossible to buy for. They buy themselves everything they want, or they’re picky, or they’re your boss! Any way you slice it, they’re hard to give a gift to.

So here are MY tips for the friend who has everything!

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For my hard to buy for friends, I scoured Austin and went to tons of different boutiques and shops. I found a great assortment of unique yet useful presents. I suggest you give…

Ornaments: Aren’t these macaron ornaments just the cutest? They’re fun, sweet, and traditional. Ornaments are great gifts because you’re giving a story. They’ll remember you every year when they pull out their ornament from you.

Truffles: If they don’t like truffles or sweets, have no fear! They are still a great gift since your friend can put them out for company. These make a great neighbor or host gifts if you go to a holiday party.

Cookie Cutter & Sugar Cookie Sugar: This fluer de lis cookie cutter is beautiful, unique, and great for a Saint’s fan! Your friend can make holiday cookies or just display it in their kitchen this holiday season. The red crunchy sugar is a great gift, too.DSC_0101

Paper Goods: I know that I would love to get this, so I’m happy to give it! This is a large paper menu set for your kitchen, and a gorgeous notepad of spoons, with a little teaspoon attached. You can put these in your house to write phone messages or display them, and it is usable, recyclable, thoughtful, and special.

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Wine & Wine Sweater: This is SO fun! What a great way to dress up the simple gift of a wine bottle, in a different direction than a paper wine bag. This is a great gift to give all around.

What do you buy for the friend who has everything?

How is holiday shopping going for you? Come back tomorrow for the best day of all. It’s a surprise!

-Rose

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: Men in Your Life

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We all know men are hard to buy for. Whether it’s your dad, boyfriend, brother, coworker, friend… Men are tough. So I have put together a list of great gifts for you to give the men in your life!

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Candy: I picked up these peppermint crunch candies for a friend of mine. Guys love food! plus, these peppermint ones are sort of Christmassy. Nice candy like this is a great gift, and it’s not too expensive.

Men’s Soap: A really great smelling soap is something most guys won’t splurge on. This is classy and easy.

Cologne: Giving the gift of cologne is great, although it’s easy to go wrong. If you know them, you should have some idea of scents they like, and what they might be wearing now. It’s a personal gift, and generous.

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Books: I love giving a guy sports books. A stack of books wrapped in a ribbon is a great gift, but just one book is good too. My father picked all of these out- so personally recommended by him!

Ties: These make a great gift, since most men will need a nice tie in the next year. They’ll think of you when they wear it, and they might not have spent the money on a fab tie otherwise.

Speakers: This year I’m giving out some wireless speakers that I found on Amazon. They aren’t too expensive, and everyone needs speakers! If this is your big gift to your guy, go for the Bose.

What’s your favorite gift to give a guy?

Let me know!

And come back tomorrow, for my ideas for the friend who has everything!

Happy holidays.

-Rose

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: Moms, Sisters, & Girlfriends

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This week is the first annual THIS DAY RIGHT NOW Holiday Gift Guide!

And with Christmas just a little over a week away, it’s present buying time. It’s okay if you procrastinate until Christmas Eve. Just give something nice, fun, and useful, and no one will ever have to know!

First up are the women in our lives!

Here are my ideas for great gifts for our moms, sisters, and girlfriends.

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Room Spray: This smells great, and we love that! It’s a little more expensive that your sister is likely to spend on herself, but it’s also useful, beautiful, and looks Christmassy. A nice bottle of room spray is a great gift.

Costume Jewelry: This nice pearl necklace (in a cute sheer white bag) is pretty and special. My advice to women shopping for other women- if you like it, usually the other women in your life will like it! I want this necklace myself, so I know whoever I give it to will be pleased!

Special perfume: Creed is the definition of elegant, and this classic white bottle would look great on any woman’s vanity. This LOVE IN WHITE scent was made especially for one of the First Ladies, and it is a timeless, luxurious gift.

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Journals: Aren’t these just the best gift? You’re giving someone blank pages, full of promise.

Earrings: Light, pretty earrings are a timeless gift that you can’t go wrong with. Be sure to pick a light pair that match everything, like these plain silver ones.

Luggage Tag: This is such a pretty gift, and luggage tags are something you can never have enough of. They help you recognize your bag, encourage you to travel more, and the leather strap is durable.

Soaps: Any soap is a great gift to me! You can never have too many. Pick one that looks gorgeous in its wrap, and smells great. It’s personal, and girly.

Happy shopping! Get the ladies in your life something great.

Be sure to add THIS DAY RIGHT NOW to your bookmarks, because we are coming back each day this week with another hard-to-buy-for group. Tomorrow find out what to buy the men in your life!

-Rose

Spiritual Friday: The Sidewalks of New York

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I am in New York City today — one of my favorite places in the world.  I lived here when I was in my twenties during the city’s “Desperately Seeking Susan” years.  My old neighborhood, the lower east side, was full of Ukranian food, Indian food, Italian food and some of the best dive bars I’ve ever had the pleasure of patronizing.  The years fall away for me.

As I walk these streets, visiting the familiar Christmas highlights – entire stores decorated in bows, the tree at Rockefeller Center, the enormous red Christmas ornaments floating in the fountain on 6th Avenue – I am still enchanted.

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And I feel the poignancy as I walk — heading north to THE park.

I can’t walk these streets without recalling the young woman I was…

Not quite as sure of things, not quite as peaceful.  I am overcome with memories of friends- some lost to cancer, others to the vagaries of time and the demands of adulthood.

The seas of humanity swirl as we navigate these streets- somehow together, somehow alone.  I see families holding hands to stay together as they steer through the crowds.  I see older people bent over but still carrying home their grocery bags.  I see the busy business people – determined, focused.

And I am humbled to be one among.  To be able to share in the energy and life and craziness that is this city.

What places stir the poignant memories for you?  What places bring you joy?

Share Please!

Have a joyful weekend,
Rose

MAKE UP MONDAY: Flat Iron

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Even though I have naturally straight hair, in fact, incredibly straight hair, I use a flat iron. I laugh about it a little since every hairdresser I have ever had remarks on the ‏incredible straightness of my hair. Unless there is virtually no humidity my hair will not hold a curl. Most days, I’m good for bending it at the bottom! So using a flat iron was a ‘if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em decision.’

‏I was a little nervous about the heat ruining my fragile tresses – so I looked around and researched and asked around and finally decided on the…

T3 Tourmaline.

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It’s turned out to be a really good decision. I am able to get another good look for my hair and it is easy and fast – and also has legs — by that I mean I get good second day style — with minimal touching up.

‏I always use my Argan Luxury Oil to protect from split ends and sometimes reapply a bit during the day to keep it looking healthy.

‏I feel a bit sheepish. It’s not as if I’ve discovered the power of the flat iron. But I am really happy with how well my hair looks when I style it straight and smooth.

‏Plus.. it’s great to have for traveling.

‏What are your flat iron secrets? Share Please!!

-Rose

Spiritual Friday: Saying Yes

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I’ve learned this year the importance of saying YES.  I’m not talking the no boundaries, people pleasing, yes, yes, yes of my past.  I am talking about the rich experiences, the things that might make you uncomfortable, the pushing your boundaries, the making the extra effort YES.

Italy, Writer’s Workshop, Selling Course, Toastmasters, Dinner Dates, a New Job, this Blog 

Each YES has opened a door for me.  Some unexpected; some looked “bad” at first and yet took me somewhere I would not otherwise have gone.

Saying YES requires trust.  And for me regaining trust in the world and in myself was a challenge.  I had been through a pretty bad patch.  My world had gotten small.  And I realized that I wanted an expansive world.

So I came out punching (a bit).  I accepted the invitations.  I spent the money and booked the flights and found I earned the money back right away. I took the courses.  I did the work.

I accepted the help. And have people in my life now I could not imagine not having in my life.

I found friendship in the most unlikely places.

Say YES to this rich life we have been given.  I promise you it will be alright.

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What are your YES Stories?  How did you regain your trust?

Share Please!

Have a great weekend.

-Rose

Weekly Favorite: Winter Boots

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These are my favorites. I call them my…

Go-To Black Winter Shoe Boots!

I first bought these way back in 2006, on a December afternoon in the beloved Nordstrom’s shoe department. In shoe years, seven years is a long time! They are a great basic. Not only are they comfortable, but they look great with jeans or tights and skirts.

I mostly wear them when I travel, since they are easy to slip on and off. They have a stacked heel, but the platform in front makes them wearable on long days. Plus, since they’re leather, they are much easier to care for than suede (although I love suede). I get them professionally cleaned every few years, to keep the leather nice, and I’m about to have them resoled for the second time.

Shoe care, ladies! It’s more essential than you think.DSC_0261

As I said, they were a Nordstrom’s find. I love Nordstrom’s for shoes and highly recommend you go there for your stylish winter boot needs. I like their selection, service, and price range. You can find shoes that are really affordable, and ones that are seriously high end. But I must say, if you’re looking for really fancy, top tier brand shoes, head over to Neiman Marcus or Sak’s instead (better selection).

I love my little Go To Black Winter Shoe Boots. What are your favorite pair to pull out once the weather gets cold? Luckily I live in Austin, so my winter boots are these cute ones, instead of real snow boots!

Happy shoe shopping!

-Rose