A Pair of Aces

Here is our newest feature! "A Pair of Aces" allows team members to showcase a listing in their shop - maybe a new one or an old favorite - and pair it with another item on Etsy that coordinates! Watch over the next few weeks as we pair up some wonderful items that work well as holiday gift ideas! Ode to Leann Earrings

I made these lovely earrings in honor of Leann's win on Project Runway. I loved her color scheme - soft and feminine, and such a stand out!

Leann Capelet

If I were to wear these earrings, I would definitely match them up with this capelet from Happiknits! Again, the colors are soft and feminine. Becca from Happiknits has managed to create a totally unique piece, with angles and ruffles, soft and funky. Perfect for the bleakness of winter ahead!
Check out these items and others from the Fashion, Design and Lifestyle team on Etsy searching on the tag "fdlteam".

Beth
Third Floor

Second loan to Kiva!

We just made our second loan to a small business on Kiva!  Anees Fatima M. Shabir lives in Pakistan and buys clothing for her husband's business.  This loan will help her and others in her group to expand their businesses, creating stable sources of income for women.

Our group, the Fashion, Design and Lifestyle Team on Etsy, has decided to donate 10% of the sales price of select items in their individual shops and the team shop to helping other businesses throughout the world through Kiva.org.  If you want to help us out, please search Etsy.com for items tagged "fdlkiva".  Know that you are purchasing beautiful, quality handmade items ... and helping others trying to build their businesses around the world!

Yay team!!!  You are the best!

Beth

Link of the Week! VI

Hi there! Today I bring you a fabulous link: burdastyle. It's heaven for the ones that sew and also for the ones that dream to sew (me!!). The site works as a community, so you can find tones of patterns, forums to discuss all your questions and even a sewpedia!

I want to learn how to sew... I'm having urges to make my own clothes (or at least some of it!).

Enjoy the link and have a lovely week!

xx margarida

Ei! Kumpel

Putting Your Best Face Forward II By Happiknits

Ok, all, let's talk Fall 2008 looks! Makeup trends span from soft and etheral to full eighties color modernized. First up, I think most of you will start to realize that I am a huge fan of MAC. Especialy the eyeshadows. They stay on so well. I always apply them with a brush and the darker colors I use wet as liner (you can buy an awesome slant brush from MAC for ease in applying). MAC is showing a gorgeous full color eye in a smoky deep blue. This look is achieved by blending 2 shadows- carbon and freshwater with a kohl eye pencil (blooz). This is a definite evening look, and anyone can try this, just vary the blending. Remember, the secret to successful eyeshadow application is to blend, blend, and blend some more.

Speaking of blending....the smoldering eye is also big this fall. Shown with a "nude" lip. Try MAC myth lipstick covered with Nice Buzz lipglass, so pretty! The smolder effect is acheived with a brush and blending. You can also apply some kohl eyeliner to the eye and blend that with a brush until you have acheived the look you are shooting for. Have fun!!! Play around in front of the mirror~~~ Be GIRLY :) I love this shadowy lady compact that MAC has out in their new fall line.

Have I mentioned yet that the MAC lipgloss is awesome? It has a slight vanilla scent to it and it stays on for a long time. I find myself only wearing lipgloss now. My favorites are Viva Glam V and VI. A portion of the proceeds go to charity.

MAC is also showing a gold eye. Golden lemon pigment, Brun (this color is great wet as a liner and should be in every women's makeup collection) When used dry Brun gives a smoky look. This is a stunning look and perfect to take you through the fall and right into the holidays!!!

Classic glam, aka the 80's Morgan Fairchild look is making a come back. Smoky eyes, lined with deep color around the eye and dark red lips. Ooohhhlala- look out for this seductress!!

Another trend spotted is Red lips! A little tip for wearing red lipstick to prevent the dreaded "bleed" of color onto the upper lip. Use a lipliner in either a matching red or neutral and color in the whole lip, making sure to line the edges nicely, then apply lipstick, blot, apply a little more and then top off with gloss. Perfect!!

Also spotted are bigger brows- think Brooke Shields here! Tweeze less or for a real treat have your eyebrows threaded. This is an Indian technique that gives a great line.

Tune in next month when I will be reviewing some new products- Kiehl's creamy eye treatment with avocado, Philosophy's help me retinol night cream and Philosophy's Supernatural.

Until then, have fun!!!

Our First Kiva Business

Yay!!  We did it!  Through personal team donations, we were able to loan to our first business on Kiva!

We chose a woman in Peru named Melita.  She sells clothing to support herself and her children.  Here's just a little bit about her:  

"Melita belongs to the communal Bank "El Arenal".  She is 52 years old, separated from her husband, had 3 children but one died so now she has 2.  

Melita continues selling clothing which she buys in Lima.  Then she travels by river to sell her merchandise or she doesn't sell, she trades for other products.  She is very pleased with how her business is going.  

Everyday for Melita is a challenge.  Therefore she is very happy for the oppurtunity that Manuela Ramos provides her to receive a loan to invest in her business."

Sharing hearts and hands.  From our hands we give to Melita with our hearts!

Keep reading to see how you can help the FDL Team to continue to support other small businesses!

Check out our team on Kiva at: http://kiva.org/lender/fdlteam9642

xoxo

Beth

Putting Your Best Face Forward by Happiknits

Many years ago, long before knitting was my passion, and pharmacy was my profession, I went to cosmetology school. I had high hopes of doing stage makeup(that never happened). I did, however, land a job at the cosmetic counter in a department store. I sold cosmetics and did some freelance makeover work for large cosmetic companies. I also did makeup application for all of my friends (and their friends) proms, weddings, special events. I even did my own wedding makeup~bindhis included! So now, my job really involves more recommendations on the medicinal side, but I am still in love with the world of cosmetics.

When the fashion design and Lifestyle team put out a call for blog writers I volunteered a monthly post reviewing cosmetic/skin care products, and giving some basic application advice. Us fashionistas need to put our best face forward. This month I am going to start with foundation, because it is the base of all makeup application, the "blank canvas" so to say. I feel it is most important to start with a clean, dry face. Apply moisturizer (I will review skin care in the future) my favorite is Hope in a jar by Benefit. Let the moisturizer sit a couple minutes~

There are two choices for makeup application, the daytime or the nighttime face. I will start with the Daytime face:

1. for the daytime or the summer I love Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. It is a lovely, light way to "erase" any slight skin imperfections and give a move even toned, dewy, youthful look. It also has an SPF. I usually apply this with a makeup sponge and go, or you can use a little translucent powder over it to achieve a more matte look.

2. For the nighttime face the sky is the limit here. This is your chance to be playful! Enjoy your femininity. Here I use Mercier foundation primer first~ this helps to keep your foundation on longer.

-apply any spot concealer to blemishes or scars. I'm a big fan of MAC Select Coverup . This little tube lasts quite awhile and it's virtually invisible once applied.

-next I mix the Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with Mercier Oil Free Foundation in a 1 to 1 ratio. Dab on the foundation and blend, then blend again with a cosmetic sponge. The secret to a flawless, natural looking face is to blend!!!

- Here depending on the amount of "matte" look you wish to achieve you can apply translucent powder (again here I am a big fan of the Mercier line) or if you're really looking to get a matte finish MAC Studio Fix is a great product.

A word here about MAC Studio Fix. This is a great foundation that can be used alone (it is a powder foundation). It is an awesome product if you want a "fast" applying makeup. I use it on work mornings when I'm rushing to get out the door. It is not the best choice when you are having photos taken~ it makes you appear "washed out" and if you have drier skin it can be drying, especially in the winter.

-Remember to blend with a sponge. Don't forget important areas like the neckline, hairline and nostrils. You don't want to see a foundation line anywhere!

One last word here, remember the Golden Rule of being a girl~ No matter how late the evening, or how many cosmopolitans you've had, remove your makeup before going to bed, this is the easiest way to put your best face forward!