Back to Fall boutique

A boutique full of wonderful gifts in celebration of fall.

Everything is under $15.

Saturday August 21^st

4:00 pm -8:00 pm

762 S Fontana

Mesa, Az 85204

Lindsay off of Pueblo

Between Southern and Broadway

Featuring

Simply Memzelle Headbands

Joany’s Aprons

Emily’s Bakery

Diane’s Jewelry

Vintage Finds

Norina’s bags

and more!

Cash only please

First one there wins a prize and drawings will be on the hour, every hour.

The house is a three bedroom two bath, one story home on a quarter acre lot.

We installed (ourselves) laminate hardwood floors in Everglade Mahogany by Quickstep. Phenomenal brand.  My sister-in-law was my teacher and we talked about going into business.

Wall color is super important to me. I think everyone of my family members have ended up with the wrong color then what they have intended on their walls, so I learned from their mistakes and bought sample colors to test. I painted a piece of wall and watched it in many different types of lighting. Walla, I ended up with exactly what I wanted. Well, after going through about a dozen sample colors.

For the main color, I wanted  pale green, but not sage. I found the Kaki green called Sand Fossil by Behr. It was perfect. For the two toned kitchen, I did the lighter version called Beveled Cream. I’m all about Behr paint. It covers well and is the best for the lowest price.

Baby girls room, I wanted pink, but with a lavender undertone. She is all girl. I went through about five pinks before I found Lighthearted Pink by Sherman Williams. With the white ceiling trim, it was perfect. I created the letters atop shelve and the butterflies top it all off. The room is as feminine as she is.  Far cry from the “I hate my mom” written all over the walls.

Dillon picked out his own green color; Organic by Behr. I wanted the two toned look so we accompanied it with Hickory by Martha Stewart. The chair rail was my husband’s idea and it really gives the room a finished look. His room has a world traveler theme.

Our bathrooms were the rooms that had the most work done. We stripped the room down to just the two-by-fours behind the drywall, then started from scratch. Chris did all the tiling by himself. I wanted a chic bathroom that did scream kids and wasn’t the typical ocean theme.  The color is Dolphin fin by Behr and the cupboards are Bittersweet also by Behr. The medieval painting is my little piece of my major I found a place for. (11c. German , Just FYI).

I am in love with art, but mostly with Van Gogh. I wanted neutral walls for my room so the art on the wall could really stand out. This is Wool Skein by Sherman Williams. In my room we have shelves that’s houses our favorite books; the scriptures and medieval Literature. My husband, Van Gogh, and heresy; this really is my favorite room, as well as the kids.

This pantry was one of the selling points of the house for me. Someday I shall fill it full of wonderful yummyness.

The kitchen is awaiting four missing drawers, but it gained all new appliances and lighting.

This dinning room set was my great-grandmother’s.  I love it dearly. I did recently reupholster the seats.

To say we did this all our selves would be a lie. We hired a plumber to do the tub and Express to do the carpet.  But beyond that we had many wonderful family members and friends by our sides through it all. My sister stayed a week with me, Chris’s dad worked his magic in about every room. Sister-in-laws and moms watched kids, brothers sacrificed evenings and Saturdays. One poured her soul into those dang wood floors, and my father finished them with finesse.  We borrowed tools from friends and strangers. Many others did countless hours and we cannot express enough love. Thank you.

You have one more week to enter so be quick! Here’s the link.  Good luck!

- Marilyn

top – short sleeves to accommodate this scorching weather

plum pencil skirt also sold in black, brown, and cobalt blue

silk scarf ( only $4.95 and way cuter than Emma’s)

nail polish *only $2.80!*

necklace -I added this to the outfit for good measure, besides, the neckline is screaming for one.  Plus, pearls go with anything and are so classy but I said enough about that here.

Now all she needs is a headband like this.

Enjoy!

-Marilyn

]]> http://www.simplymemzelle.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=477 0 http://www.simplymemzelle.com/blog/?p=458 http://www.simplymemzelle.com/blog/?p=458#comments Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:54:42 +0000 admin http://www.simplymemzelle.com/blog/?p=458 This blog post is dedicated to admiring 20 year old Emma Watson’s admirable sense of fashion and style.  Popular for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series since the age of 9,  she’s the new beauty Burberry,  a high fashion brand.  “Emma’s charm, intellect and brilliant sense of fun made the whole shoot feel like a picnic on the Thames,” Burberry’s creative director said of photographing the star.

Could anyone look as good as Emma in such a concoction as this imaginative ensemble?  Her attire compliments her figure to the fullest.  Number one envy: her tiny waist.  Such a petite girl.  Image from here.

Emma says, “I don’t want other people to decide who I am. I want to decide that for myself. I want to avoid becoming something too styled and too ‘done’ and too generic. You see people as they go through their career and they just become more and more like everyone else.”

For all of you Harry Potter fans the next film will be out soon.  More about Emma here and here and here.

- Marilyn

Vacation!  Heading up to Utah to visit my baby nephew and to run the Ragnar Wasach Back relay race.  This my first time running a race of this extent.  Although I may be lacking experience I here are a couple tips I’ve picked up on running gear.

1.  get good shoes.  not too old! old shoes are comfy but could damage your feet.  most running shoes last 300-500 miles or 6 months.

2.  get light-weight shirts that breathe.  cotton not preferable.  especially avoid grey cotton where every spot of body moisture is visible.

3.  shorts.  must be shorts unless running in frigid weather.  make them light weight.  like your top it must breathe.  mesh or polyester work quite well.

4.  must have a supportive sports bra! quality is essential.

5.  i am an advocate of underwear built in shorts.  if you don’t want/have a pair make sure your underwear is no too loose and not too tight to avoid excessive chafing or irritation.

6.  socks. not much to say here.  i wear normal ones.  just make sure you wear them to prevent foul odor.

Did I forget anything?  You may want to run with wrist bands to wipe perspiration off your face or a simple headband to keep hair away from face and to accessorize your look.  Yes, it is ok to be fashionable even when running!  Now I can’t wait to cross that finish line!

(source)

* * *

On a much different note I came upon this program on IN STYLE magazine’s website and had a fun time.  Basically you upload a photo of you with your hair tied back and pick a celeb hairdo( I choose Rihanna) and try it out.  The one below is my favorite.  Not because I want my hair like Rihanna but because it was the craziest.

Can’t believe I just posted this picture!  * embarrassing * Now it’s you’re turn!  Blog about it and Simply Memzelle will link your post to our website.  Ready, GO!

- Marilyn

“Everyone is like a butterfly, they start out ugly and awkward and then morph into beautiful, graceful butterflies that everyone loves.”

-Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore in Ever After

Does everyone remember thinking how gorgeous Drew Barrymore looked in the butterfly costume when Ever After first came out?  Her dress was such a vintage delight and her makeup was so pretty with the rhinestones forming a “V” on her forehead.  Every girl wanted to be a butterfly for Halloween that year.

I’m here to tell you that butterflies are back.  Or maybe they’ve never gone away.  Let’s see what buterflies you can shop for.

* * *

First is the butterfly top perfect for the warm summer weather we’re having.  It would be great to wear to the swimming pool.

butterfly top

butterfly necklace

This necklace is so delicate and vintage looking.  Below is a unique creation of a hair clip that consists of monarch butterflies.  The butterfly clip is so wistful and nostalgic.

butterfly clip

butterfly wings and tutu

The above product of butterfly wings and tutu would be a great costume for your little girl and boy.  Please do not dress your boy up in butterfly wings.  I have NEVER just up my son in girl clothes (he he).  At least not in front of my husband.

Butterflies will forever remind me of Drew Barrymore in Ever After and my sister, Nora, who wouldn’t me majoring in Earth Science if it weren’t for beautiful things from nature such as butterflies.

* * *

Don’t you think butterflies are so beautiful?  Leave a comment about what you think of butterflies or Ever  After.  While you’re at it check out this giveaway for a chance to win store credit to put towards vintage dresses or skirts from Flour Clothing Shop on Etsy.  You may even win a dress like the one I like below.

-Marilyn

If you’ve seen Alice in Wonderland you’d agree with me when I say it was a visually enriching movie.  Classic Tim Burton film complete with actor Johnny Depp and actress Helena Bonham Carter as all his other movies.   The above picture captures the feel of the movie perfectly and below is a picture with most of the cast.  I thought I’d post about something different and write a little about the costume designs of this film.  The actors and actresses in Alice in Wonderland all have such dramatic hair/make-up/clothing that they hardly look like the same people before and after make-up.

* * * * *

First is 20 year old Australian actress Mia Wasikowska performed convincingly in the role as Alice Kingsley.  Such a pretty girl, don’t you think?

Mia red carpet style

Alice Kingsley life in England

Alice in Wonderland

This last picture looks great.  The dress is so wistful and fantasy-like.  It was a good idea wrapping the dress from her large self to fit her small self.

Next is Helena Bohnam Carter as the Red Queen, or Queen of Hearts.

Helena Bonham Carter red carpet style

Helena Bonham Carter as Red Queen

Am I a minority in thinking Helena is naturally very pretty?  Her Red Queen look is not all that flattering but it’s not supposed to be.  Her over-large head symbolizes her selfish and vain nature.  Helena describes her character perfectly as “like a spoiled child.  She has no compassion for anybody else’s feelings.”  Her heart lips are especially superb.

Then there is Anne Hathaway as White Queen.  Her appearance in all white is quite shockingly altered from her normal self but it works.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway as White Queen

The way Anne moved her hands and portrayed the White Queen reminded me a little of Giselle in Enchanted.  Her dress is so elegant and the dark lipstick and nail polish balance out Anne’s dark eyebrows.

Last is Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.  He really has the “madness” to a T.  Is he even really acting?

Jonny Depp

Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter

During the 18th and 19th century hatters used Mercury compounds in the production of felt hats which caused hatters to go insane from the exposure of Mercury poisoning;  hense the saying “Mad as a hatter”.  With this costume it is difficult to know where to look first from the details in the hat to number of different fabrics he’s wearing that makes up the whole composition.  When I first saw the preview I thought the Mad Hatter was played by Elijah Wood.  Am I alone in thinking Johnny looks a little like Elijah in this film?

All in all I would recommend watching Alice in Wonderland.  I give it two thumbs up for costume and cast.  Alice in Wonderland is no longer in theaters but you may buy it  here and rent it here.  What do you think of the cast?  the costumes?  the film?  Share your thoughts whether severe or complimentary.

-Marilyn

]]> http://www.simplymemzelle.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=373 0 http://www.simplymemzelle.com/blog/?p=346 http://www.simplymemzelle.com/blog/?p=346#comments Sat, 05 Jun 2010 03:27:44 +0000 admin http://www.simplymemzelle.com/blog/?p=346

Kristy and I had our first fashion  photo shoot with a couple of our hair products!  No, we’re not really models but we felt like it after getting in the water for these pictures.

As I got in the water I remember telling myself not to think about how disgusting the water was.  It really was gross.  But then I kept looking down and seeing mossy swampy green stuff swimming around my ankles and squishing between my toes.  Ewe.  I hope I didn’t disappoint Jessica, the photographer, by not  going in further.  I think originally she wanted us to fully submerge our bodies. I’m sure those would have been some great dramatic photos but my pride and comfort was on the line.  Yours would be too.  Just take my word for it.  Kristy was even more scared then me and almost knocked me in grabbing me for comfort.  She has been known to do things like that.  Once she thought there was a bug on her shirt so in her frantic movement she tried to wipe it on me to find out that it was just a leaf.

So while I was getting deeper in the water Kristy was so kind to tell me that scorpions were probably in the water.  *swift head turn*  ”Seriously?”  I mean, fish – fine, they’re harmless.  Mosquitoes - whatever, it’s hard to escape them anyway.  But scorpions?  No way!  I have never been stung by a scorpion and don’t intend to.  Ever.  Not that anyone plans on it but still.  So as I was in the water trying to not think of the fact that I was actually in the water, I told myself to think of happy things.  Maria VonTrapp’s happy thoughts are raindrops on roses and whispers on kittens, Anna Leonowens  whistles a happy tune but I always think of the same thing:   “rainbows and babies”.  I have since I was like 6.  It’s either “rainbows and babies” or “I am a Child of God”  Well, the water didn’t last long and I wasn’t stung by a scorpion. *sigh*

Here are some of my favorite pictures.

I feel like I have a Barbie for a sister-in-law looking at this picture.

Check out those calves!

(Crimson rose headband on sale here.)

(Gold sequin bow on sale here.)

We call this “The Leg Picture” but I don’t really know why . . .

You think Kristy is photogenic?  Look at those weeds behind her!

* * *

Jessica gets 90% credit for the successfulness of these photos because Kristy and I would just look weird without Jessica’s  amazing camera and mad picture taking and editing skills.  Below are a couple pictures of her taken by Kristy.

I want those shoes!

So, as you can see, Jessica is talented on both ends of the camera.

See more of her work on her website

and Simply Memzelle’s fashion photo shoot on her blog.

Trust me when I tell you that her photos make people look better than in real life.

-Marilyn

]]> http://www.simplymemzelle.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=346 3 http://www.simplymemzelle.com/blog/?p=327 http://www.simplymemzelle.com/blog/?p=327#comments Sat, 29 May 2010 17:01:34 +0000 admin http://www.simplymemzelle.com/blog/?p=327 Do you know what I love about Memorial Day?  The family BBQ.  Is anyone else doing a family BBQ this weekend?  My family is great about throwing one last minute.  So far our family BBQ hasn’t been planned but I’m sure it’ll happen.  It always does.  Do you know what else is great about Memorial Day ?  The weekend sales like the one Shade Clothing is having.  20% off all clearance items.

Here is one of the shirts I like.

Shade Clothing also has some great modest swimsuits.  The swimsuits are not on clearance but if you spend $100 or more you get FREE SHIPPING.

I love the little frill at the top of this swim top.  It adds a touch of femininity.

It’s hard to tell in this picture but this swim top has adjustable ties on the sides so you can wear it high or low.

This top has a cute ruffle that follows the neckline all the way to the back.

The diagonal lines on this swim top is flattering to the figure as it creates a slimming affect.

I have had a Shade Clothing swimsuit and I love the support the tops have.  I also like their Slimmer Swim Bottoms because they go higher up the waist than most swimsuit bottoms which flatters my mommy tummy.  Take advantage of the Memorial Day weekend sales whether at Shade Clothing or somewhere else!

(disclaimer: Shade Clothing did not sponsor Simply Memzelle for this blog post.)

- Marilyn