Alphabet Beauty: F is for Fragrance

F is for Fragrance

"Fragrance is liquid emotion." -Michael Edwards

I love finishing off an outfit for the day with a spritz of my favorite fragrance! Here are some tips to keep in mind...

New in the Etsy Shop...

I'm in the midst of revamping my Etsy Shop.  I've been playing around with new ideas and re-tinkering old ones.  Here are my latest additions...

Retro Father's Day Card - now *sqaured!*

Graduation Girl in Pink - she's a hit on Pingg, I thought I try her out on paper...

Travel Girls Paris 2.0!  An updated version on a SBN classic.

For more cards, visit www.stuffbynicole.com

Friday Links!

Archival Print by Emma Block

The weekend is here, hurrah, hurrah!  I can not wait to take full advantage of Memorial Day weekend - I'll be back on Tuesday but before I go, here's some fun links that I thought you would like.

• I'm in love with the illustrations of Emma Block (photo above) - check out her shop on Etsy!
• These DIY leather bracelets by Little Paper Dog are sweet!
• Speaking of DIY, how 'bout some Homemade Donut Crayons?
• I love the triangle pattern on this Eco Friendly Mini Journal...
• This commissioned illustration by Captain Chants made me go, "awww!"
• Best Father's Day Card Ever.
• ...aaaand just because...

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

New Cards on Etsy!

Vintage Bicycle Thank You Cards...

...and Donut Note Cards (pssst!  National Donut Day is June 1st!)

I'm in the process of revamping my Etsy shop and I'm excited to share with you two new additions:  Mini thank you & note cards!  To view more items in my shop (and to buy a TON of stuff on sale) visit www.stuffbynicole.com

IF - Sight

IF topic - "Sight" (click to enlarge)

This week's Illustration Friday topic is sight.  Right away my mind goes to love at first sight - for anything not just true love.  It can be for a pizza, shoes, a song, vacation spot, or for puppies.  Every time I lay eyes on a puppy, it's love at first sight - which is what I decided to draw.  Hope you enjoy.

Stuff I Like: Real Life Disney Characters!!!!!

This is the coolest things I've seen in a long time - REAL LIFE DISNEY CHARACTERS!  Ahh!!! (more after the jump...) 

BBQ Invites are Back on Pingg!

BARBECUE!

It's Picnic-Party Time!

They're back!  Barbecue and picnic online invites courtesy of Pingg.  What a perfect way to kick off the outdoor party season!

Friday Links!

Map of Berlin by Zara Picken

Hey everyone!  The weekend is finally and I'm off to enjoy some rays but before we part, I leave you with some interesting links...

• The Sketchbook Project 2013 - It's happening and this year I'm gonna do it! See here how you can get involved.
• These Typographic Paper Cups are so cool!  Check them out on Creature Comforts...
• Reece's pieces s'mores? Yes please! (spotted on A Subtle Reverly.)
• Beautiful hand-lettering and illustration by Joel Holland featured on Design Work Life...
• Allison Kerek re-illustrates The Retired Kid - incredible work!
• Zara Picken's work never fails to amaze me - check out her map of Berlin... (also pictured above!)
• I love these Neon Cameras from Urban Outfitters!
• This retro TWA Poster by David Klein is a personal favorite...

Have a great weekend!

Donna Summer

Beautiful Queen of Disco, Donna Summer.  Rest in peace, you will be missed.

Alphabet Beauty Tips: E is for Exfoliate

E is for Exfoliate!

There is nothing quite like radiant, glowing, clean, facial skin!  With summer around the corner, now is the perfect time for your skin to shine!  Daily exfoliation helps to lift away dead skin cells, excess oils, dirt, makeup, and everyday pollutants from the air; all of which lie on the skin’s surface and absorb into the pores over time.  Exfoliation has also been proven to make skin softer and supple, while decreasing pore size, wrinkles and uneven skin tone and textures. 

Below are two types of B3 Beauty Approved Facial Tools that have done wonders for me and my clients over the years.  Check them out to see which would suit you and your daily cleansing and beauty routine best! 

IF - Kernel

IF - Kernel Click to Enlarge

My interpretation of this week's Illustration Friday topic, "kernal." 

Stuff I Like: Vacations Unlimited by Shaw Nielsen

Illustration by Shaw Nielson

Very cute and clever illustration by Shaw Nielson illustrated for Vacations Unlimited.  The l'il lamb-ies make me happy! To view more of Shaw's work click here.

Graduation Cards!

The end of school season is quickly approaching and with that marks the return of my Graduation Cards! Available only on Etsy.  Online invites and ecards are also available on Pingg.

To all the Mama's out there...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!  

{Hope you all have a lovely weekend!}

Mother's Day eCards on Pingg!

"Spa Mani-Pedi"

"To the Greatest Woman..."

Here are two online eCards I created for Mother's Day!  Available on Pingg!

IF - Hitched

click to enlarge

This week's Illustration Friday topic is "Hitched."  Hitched reminds me of a wedding picture that I drew for my friend Pam and her husband Deekron.  They wanted to do something different than the traditional guest book so I made them a poster instead!  Hope you enjoy. :)

Happy Friday!

My Dream Bike - Note Card Available on Etsy

We finally made it to the weekend!  Not only will I be celebrating Cinco de Mayo but I will also be participating in the TD Bank 5 Boro Bike Tour! (So that will be one virgin margarita for me.)  


Riding a bicycle is awesome!  You already knew that...but seriously, it is.  Every time I get on my bike, I turn into a 12 year old.  I love it!  I sing songs, pop wheelies and get a ton of errands done.


Since May is National Bike Month, I decided to create a special note card of... a bike!  My dream bike!  It's currently available on Etsy.


Hope you all have a great weekend!!!

Alphabet Beauty: D is for Detox

D is for Detox

Let’s get in there and clean it up!  We’re talking about your gorgeous liver and how we can help you treat this hardworking organ with the respect it deserves.  Did you know your mighty liver allows nutrients from your food to enter your bloodstream while catching toxins like pesticides and mercury?  Thanks to your liver, it takes all that junk and moves it out to be eliminated from our bodies through waste.  Now THAT’S a job!  Here’s a quick recipe to help keep our liver happy and working at its full potential. 

Pineapple- Kale Juice

½ cup pineapple

4 cups chopped kale leaves (no stems)

2 large cucumbers

½ lemon

½ cup mint leaves

2 artichoke hearts (from can or jar)

Use a juicer to mix all ingredients together.  If you don’t have a juicer, use a blender on high.  Just add 1 ½ cups of water and remove the pulp with a strainer.  Pour and enjoy! 

Did you know?  Pineapple contains digestive enzymes.  Kale is rich in compounds that support enzymes in the liver. Artichoke can improve bile flow. 

When you’re clean on the inside, proper absorption of nutrients take place and you have bundles of energy to go ‘round on the outside!  Trust me when I say, your liver and loved ones will thank you! 

For a daily dose of PH balance, may I suggest pHresh greens, http://www.phreshproducts.com/ a company started with the intention of detoxifying, balancing, and energizing the body from the inside out.  pHresh greens is a 100% organic alkalizing superfood of powdered greens that you add to liquids.  There are 3-4 servings of raw vegetables in 1 teaspoon!   Visit them on facebook https://www.facebook.com/pHreshGreens to learn more.  There are delicious smoothie recipes and fun factoids that will have you thinking twice about the importance of your health and how to keep that balance every single day.  It doesn’t take more than a spoonful to help make that happen.  Bottoms up!  

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Niki Brennan of B3: Beauty by Brennan, is a professional makeup artist living in Philadelphia.  

You can learn more about her at www.nikibrennan.com. You can also find Niki on facebook, twitter and linkedin.

MARGARITAS!

Cinco de Mayo is this Saturday and to celebrate, I created a special margarita evite for Pingg!

Back from Chicago!

...And I had a blast!  Chicago, you are truly an amazing city and I can't wait to see you again.  Here are a couple of cute pics that I discovered on my trip...

Cute Little Chair at the Hotel Lincoln

My amazing macchiato at the Hotel Lincoln coffee shop

Ooh! Books on Chicago!  Good to know...

I'm a sucker for vintage signs

The Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier

Me and the Bean (We rented bikes!  The best way to see the city!)

Marilyn

Flowers at Millennium Park