Frugal Fashion Friday: Date Night in Denim and Lace

Here is my second installment of the High Low Fashion Lookbooks!  I show you a high quality designer look, with genuine materials at a high price point.  Then I show you a similar look in a brand name for a low price point.  You can choose the high quality designer look, or the brand name bargain look.  If you buy the brand name look on the lookbook above you save $11,128.29!  What a great savings!  It pays to have me shop for you!
White is such a strong trend this summer and I love both lace dresses!  I love this seasons strappy sandal looks, so delicate and feminine!Blue is a wonderful color for everyone and the denim jacket is a must have wardrobe piece!  The Hinge jean jacket on the bottom row is a great deal for under $50.00!  Find the jean jacket and all these looks here.  

Wish List Wednesday: A Great Suit for the any Mom!

What a great suit, perfect for any Mom and on my wish list for my over 40 figure!  A tankini with hip coverage.  I love this suit pictured above, by Gottex. The graphic print cover up by Becca!  I also love the two piece for using the bathroom at the pool or the beach!  I love the black for slimming my figure, and the princessline seams slim too!  The graphic print placement, on the cover up, gives me a waistline!
What's on your wishlist?  Need a lookbook for the perfect swimsuit or other Summer fashion item?  Request a lookbook any time at my Keaton Row site  https://keatonrow.com/claredempsey

Try it Tuesday: Get a Free Styling Session & Be Entered to Win

Today I am sharing a photo of me in some Keaton Row items.  The top and the purse were such fabulous deals that they are already out of stock!  But don't worry, if you like the blouse or the purse, just ask for your own FREE styling session and lookbook.  Go to my stylist link below and request a lookbook before the end of May and you are entered in a gift card drawing worth $25.00 with the Keaton Row retailer of your choice!

Gift Card Drawing Details
To celebrate my new job, and get my clients excited about having a personal stylist at Keaton Row, I am holding a drawing for a $25.00 gift card.  Anyone who signs up as a client in May, requests a Lookbook and replies to my Lookbook, will be entered into the drawing for the $25.00 gift card to use at a Keaton Row retailer.  You do NOT NEED to purchase an item!  I just want you to see how I can be your Keaton Row Stylist and how well my Lookbooks suit your requests.  You can reply to me about  your look book via my email address, post to my Facebook page, tweet me, or via the phone.  You can find my public Lookbooks at https://www.keatonrow.com/stylist/claredempsey at any time.

For more information about being a Keaton Row client, visit this link with Frequently Asked Questions: https://keatonrow.com/learn-more/client-faq

Want to know about becoming a Keaton Row Stylist too?  Visit this link and be sure to tell them I referred you please! http://blog.keatonrow.com/category/stylists/

My Must Haves Tops for Summer Fashion

Today I am talking about my must have tops for Summer Fashion.  On my list of must haves, is a graphic shirt.  I am a stay at home Mom most days, so I love a casual shirt.  I love the Michael Kors top in  black and white above and ordered my own.  It is the softest fabric ever and so comfy!  It is already out of stock!  I love to wear it with black pants and a blazer for work to tone it down a bit, or with my jeans for date night.

I also had to have this Lucky Brand blue and white graphic shirt and once again the fabric so soft and much lighter weight than I thought, so nice and cool for Summer.  I love how flattering this neckline is and wear a small pendant with a garnet to pull out the red in the band at the bottom.

Also on my must haves, is the statement necklace to go with the tops.  I chose this one byStephan & Co. because I already had a turquoise bracelet and earrings, but no necklace.  I wear this with the first top.   This was at a great price too, at $24.00!  

Frugal Fashion Friday

This week I am trying a new feature in my Keaton Row Lookbooks:  High Low Fashion Looks!  I show you a high quality designer look, with genuine materials at a high price point.  Then I show you a similar look in faux materials, by a brand name for a low price point.  You can choose the high quality designer look, or the brand name bargain look.  If you buy the brand name look on the lookbook above you save $2499.20!  Fabulous savings can be found here:  https://www.keatonrow.com/claredempsey 
And if this is not your look just use on of the links to request your own lookbook.  Let me know what you are looking for and your budget.  Also, try hovering over an item of clothing and you can see my comments, tips and any sale prices!  For example, in the lower price heel, you may want a black heel.  So my comments suggest you can paint the heel or color it with a sharpie!

Father's Day Card

Supply List
Art Glitter Sticky paper
Art Glitter Dries Clear Glue
Art Glitter 343 Chestnut Ultrafne Opaque Glitter
Cricut Wild Card Cartridge (Argyle)
Cricut Father's Day Cartridge
American Crafts Ribbon
Blue Card stock
Yellow Card stock
Brown Card Stock

Clare often struggles to make cards for the men in her life.  There just doesn't seem to be many paper crafting products geared for the men.  So, Clare took a look at what she had on hand to make this year's Father's Day card. 
She started with a masculine pattern:  the argyle, which she cut with the Cricut Wild Card Cartridge.  To get the yellow diamonds, she just cut a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" rectangle.  She then cut the larger diamond image from the Cricut Wild Card cartridge in the blue card stock, and the smaller, more detailed diamond image in the brown card stock.  She then cut the Super Dad shield in the Art Glitter Sticky paper using the Cricut Father's Day cartridge.  This is one of Clare's must have adhesives/card stock and she loves cutting it with her Cricut and her Silhouette!  Clare says be sure to place the red printed image of the sticky paper right side up on the mat when you are using a word, so it is not backwards! Ultrafine Opaque Glitter.

Here is another tip, glue the Art Glitter sticky paper onto your project first so that you won't disturb the glitter after you apply it!  She then applied the sticky paper shield to a blue cardstock mat.

Once the glue was dry on the back of the Super Dad shield, Clare peeled off the red protective layer on the Art Glitter sticky paper and applied the 343 Chestnut Ultrafine Glitter.
She assembled the argyle card base and using the Art Glitter Dries Clear glue, she added dots at the intersections to pull the whole project together.  She added an American Crafts ribbon and placed glue dots on the back of the shield image. 

FCCB Challenge 211: May Flowers

 Happy Monday and welcome to another Monday challenge!

Challenge #211 May Flowers

This Weeks Sponsor

$15.00 Gift Certificate

~This Weeks Challenge~

May Flowers
Create a project that uses flowers

To qualify for the prize, be sure to use at least 1 Cricut cut on your project and if it's not obvious, let us know what cartridge you used.

Here is my project a statement necklace made with paper rolled roses from Close to My Heart Cricut Artiste.  I love the statement necklace trend and this has been on my craft to do wish list for a while.  I love the Cricut for projects like this when you need lost of flowers.  Just fill the page and cut!  

Don't you love these rolled roses?  Just use a low temp glue gun to keep them in place after rolling!  I raided my button stash, my scrapbook embellishment stash and added some Stickles in the empty space.  The base of the necklace is red felt and my straps are just ribbon!  Now I have a statement necklace that I used my stash for and I love!

Supply List

Cricut Close to My Heart Artiste Collection

The Robin's Nest Sorbet Glitter Paper

The Robin's Nest Dew Drops

Buttons

Felt

Ribbon

Queen & Co flowers

Liquid Glass

Low Temp Glue Gun

Glue Stick

Red Stickles

Frugal Fashion Friday: Shop Accessories on Fridays Online

This Friday I am sharing tips about being frugal with your online shopping!  Here is how to get the best deals for your online clothing and accessory shopping:

Where:  We me at Keaton Row of course!  I can do the time consuming shopping for you and make recommendations based on what you need, and your budget!  I can shop multiple retailers for you and you can make one check out and payment, even if you buy from multiple retailers!  Shipping to US customers is FREE!  Return shipping is Free, except for Les Nouvelles returns.  Don't worry, if I recommend an item from Les Nouvelles I will let you know in the Lookbook that returns are $10.00.  I copy all of my clients on our Keaton Row retailers sales, so you never miss a bargain!
When:  Did you know that shopping on different days of the week can get you better deals?  According to Lifehacker the following days can yield better deals as follows:

• Monday-best day to buy women's dress pants (average discount is  48% off) and sunglasses (average discount is 55% off).  
• Wednesdays-shoes average 38% off.  
• Thursday-best day to buy handbags, with the average discount of 36%. 
• Friday-accessories such as jewelry, belts and scarves average 42% off.  
• Saturday-best price on intimate apparel with an average of 37% off and also jackets with an average of 51% off!  
• Sunday-is best for swimwear with an average discount of 52%.  

Got that?!  Again, it's so much easier to have me do your shopping and send you a lookbook with items on sale!  And this day of the week extra discount is NOT always the way sales run with the Keaton Row retailers, so let me show you the sale items and comb the racks for your bargains!  And be sure to check out quickly, on the sale items at Keaton Row go fast!
How:  Just visit my Keaton Row Profile, sign up as customer, fill in your size, color & style preferences.  You can find me here:  https://keatonrow.com/stylist/claredempsey
Why:  I can save you money, and time.  I can show you how to wear your clothing to get the best look.  You will love the design and quality and customer service at Keaton Row!
Consider the items on sale above, I love the ivory flower necklace for an everyday statement necklace and would pair it with white or ivory for the trendy white hot look of white, this Summer.  You can wear it with any color too!  Love the flower ring to wear with any floral accessories or clothing.  The zebra striped hat would look fabulous on the beach with a black, brown or grey swimsuit and so chic!  The multi color bracelet is so happy and works with neutrals or colors for  great date night piece.  And I love the locket for Mom, or Grandma for her next birthday, Christmas or Mother's Day!   Just fill it with photos of love one's!  To finish of this lookbook, there are three bracelets, the gold and silver junky piece will last for ever and is so timeless!  I love the blue suede with gold closure for an edgier look and the final bracelet for a feminine look.

This Online Job is Legit & I LOVE It!

Looking for a legitimate online job with no sign up fee or samples required?  Well I found one, and you can be an online fashion stylist at Keaton Row too!  I have been a stay at home Mom for 14 years now and have had a few chances to work as a free lance technical designer, flat sketch artist and insurance transcriber while I stay home.  But the free lance fashion work and the insurance transcription work have dried up and I have been unable to find a job that works for me and my family. 
In early April I found a job posting on LinkedIn for an online fashion stylist at Keaton Row.  I have been skeptical of online jobs, so I did some research and contacted three Keaton Row stylists to ask them questions.  I liked what I heard, so I decided to give it a try.  Here is what I love about Keaton Row:

1. I get to sell something I love:  Fashion!  If I was going into sales, it had to be something I was passionate about.  If you follow my blog, you know I love paper crafting, but all of the sales jobs are taken in my geographical area and many of my friends and family are already consulting.   That leads me to my second point on what I love...
2. I'm selling something every woman needs and it is consumable:  clothing and accessories!  If I sold paper crafting products, I limit my potential customers and they don't always need paper as the seasons change.  As an online fashion stylist, I sell clothing for misses, women's sizes, tall sizes, maternity sizes and accessories!  And my potential customer, will need new clothing as the season change and time goes on!
3. It's FREE!  There is NO sign up fee and I don't need samples to show my customers!  They shop from photos online.  Now, let me be honest here and say there are some minimal costs associated with this job and I will list them at the bottom of this post in detail, they include business cards, paper and stamps.  I can use Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter to promote and since I already use these tools at home on the wifi, there is NO extra cost for me.
4. It' a FREE service for my customers!  My commission is paid by the retailers, so no fee to my clients.  Their clothing is the SAME price as they would pay at the retailer!
5. Shipping in the continental U.S. is FREE for purchases.  Returns are FREE for three of the Keaton Row retailers.  Only one charges a return fee of $10.00, but I can warn my customers before they purchase, so there are no surprises.  And this is actually the highest price point retailer at Keaton Row, so I don't think it will dissuade the serious customer.
6. I can set my own hours and work from home!  There aren't many fashion jobs in Illinois, but I can still work in the industry I love!  I could work retail, but then I would have to work holidays and weekends.
7. I can earn a commission on my own purchases.
8. I can earn an incentive for signing up more Keaton Row Stylists!  And if you join, you can too!  If you decide to sign up after reading my post, please sign up under me, so I can get the commission.  You can find me here:  https://keatonrow.com/stylist/claredempsey
9. Customers have a one stop check out!  I might create a lookbook with 8 pieces and my customers could chose items from four different retailers, but they have one checkout and one payment.

What does a Keaton Row Stylist do?

1. Create Lookbooks for clients.  Lookbooks are photos of clothing and or accessories tailored to match and meet a clients wardrobe needs fashion trends, and budget.  I have posted a photo from a lookbook.  Keaton Row provides the Lookbook format, photos, links, etc.
2. Recruit Clients to shop with Keaton Row.  You will need to develop your own client list from family and friends to start and maintain your KR stylist business. Once you reach $350.00 in total sales at KR, you are listed in the KR Stylist Matching list on the website.  That means customers who look up Keaton Row and need a stylist will find you as a potential stylist.  I made over $350.00 in my first month and have already had two clients choose me in my first week in the matching pool!  
3. Contact clients to confirm more details on their needs and requests.  For example, will they where all fiber types?  Do they like hand wash dry clean?  Did they fill out their complete profile and if not, the details you need to make the best lookbook for them.
4. Follow up on requests for lookbooks, sales, and returns.  Now, the follow up on the sales and returns is not listed as a job requirement, but I believe this is part of my customer service portion of the job. 
5. Attend online training meetings and sales meetings.   

Here is a list of some of my expenses since I started with Keaton Row.

1. Business cards-you can actually find these cheap, or make your own with your home printer and some nice white card stock.  I always have white card stock on hand!
2. Paper for flyers and mailers.  This is only for my clients that don't have email or internet access.  I am using the email, Facebook, Twitter etc. for contacting others.
3. Envelopes for mailing flyers.  This is only for my clients that don't have email or internet access.
4. Thank you cards (optional).  I am writing thank you cards for my purchases, because I feel this is another marketing tool and well frankly I love to make cards.  I save money by buying my envelopes  and supplies at garage sales and with coupons.  Everyone who wanted to scrapbook and never got around to it, is selling their supplies at garage sales!
5. Gift card for $25.00 (optional promotion idea).  I decided that to build my clients I needed an incentive.   So, I am offering to enter any new client who signs up and reviews a lookbook into a drawing for a gift card at their favorite Keaton Row retailer.  I am holding this for my first two months at Keaton Row.
6. Some Keaton Row clothes for a photo shoot.  This is highly recommended for your stylist photo, but not required.  I got my professional photo taken by a friend whose kids I drive to school.  You can barter sometimes for the things you need!

I get paid once a month and just got my first pay check.  Please feel free to contact me with questions at the cjdempsey9 at msn dot com!   Or you can visit my Keaton Row profile here and sign up to be a stylist:  https://keatonrow.com/stylist/claredempsey

I would be happy to work with you to get started and share my how to's and experiences.  Want more info, check out my FB, and Twitter links on the right side of the blog.

Celebrate Mom with FCCB!

 Happy Monday and welcome to another Monday challenge!

Challenge #210 Celebrate Mom

This Weeks Sponsor

$50.00 Giftcard to SVG Cuts

~This Weeks Challenge~

Celebrate Mom

Create a project that celebrates mom.

To qualify for the prize, be sure to use at least 1 Cricut cut on your project and if it's not obvious, let us know what cartridge you used.

Here is my project:  A 3 Dimensional gift box from SVG Cuts and a card to match with my Cricut cartridges:  A Child's Year, George Basic Shapes, & CTMH Art Philosophy.

I know many of you are new Explore owners and wonder about SVG's.  I can highly recommend the SVG Cuts SVG's!  Their files are very accurate, and professional!  The provide pdf instructions and detailed instructional videos for projects like the teapot!  And they are worth watching.  I tried to glue the spout on upside down on my first teapot.  So, watch the videos! Here are close up views of the teapot and the card. Their files are created to scale and they have saved the special cuts to separate layers (for example the fold lines) so they cut properly!

Along with great products SVGCuts is one of the most generous companies in the industry!  I am always finding giveaways on their blog and FB page!  Thanks SVGCuts!

Inside the card, the sentiment says, "Mom your love warms my heart!"  Most of the paper is Basic Grey.  I am not sure about the stripe it has been in the stash forever!  I made this for my Mother-in-Law, who collects teapots.  

Fashion Friday: Cool, Cool Summer

Welcome to another Fashion Friday!  As usual, it has gone from cold here in Illinois to hot!  So this week I am sharing some looks to help you stay cool and look great!  I love the white boot cut jeans in the lookbook pictured above!  I know I can't find them at my local retailer!  The collar on the vest is fabulous and I love the gold and white striped top!  You can find the lookbook above at:  https://keatonrow.com/lookbook/536946c1e9ea7ea14a000e89/1

And if you want something even lighter, how about this stair step hem crocheted poncho over a white tank?  Love the whole look and find it here:  https://keatonrow.com/lookbook/536946c1e9ea7ea14a000e89/3

Here is how Keaton Row styling works:  
1)  Sign up as a Keaton Row client and request me as your stylist.  Here is my profile: https://www.keatonrow.com/stylist/claredempsey  Be sure to fill out information on how to reach you,  preferred time for contact, and size information.
2)  Request a Lookbook.  Just make a request for an item(s) or an outfit.  I will contact you to discuss your style and your preferences color, pattern, fabrics, and care instructions.
I create a collection of clothing and/or accessories to meet your needs in a photo collage format with links to details about each item.  I send you a link when your Lookbook is finished. The photo at the top of the post is an example of a Lookbook.
3)  Visit your Lookbook or any of my public Lookbooks. Once in the Lookbook you can click on an individual item. 
4)  Check out if you see something you like.  Purchase is not required for a chance to win, please below for drawing details!   Just add the item or items you like in the Lookbook to your shopping cart and checkout.  The client can purchase an item or items with one check out.  So, if you buy multiple pieces from multiple online retailers, you have only one check out.  I love this feature!

Shipping within continental US is free and if you need to make a return, most of our retailer have free return shipping.  Only one of our retailers has a return shipping fee of $10.00, Les Nouvelles.  Refunds are made with in 28-30 days depending on retailer.  

Gift Card Drawing Details
To celebrate my new job, and get my clients excited about having a personal stylist at Keaton Row, I am holding a drawing for a $25.00 gift card.  Anyone who signs up as a client, requests a Lookbook and replies to my Lookbook, will be entered into the drawing for the $25.00 gift card to use at a Keaton Row retailer.  You do NOT NEED to purchase an item!  I just want you to see how I can be your Keaton Row Stylist and how well my Lookbooks suit your requests.  You can reply to me about  your look book via my email address, post to my Facebook page, tweet me, or via the phone.  You can find my public Lookbooks athttps://www.keatonrow.com/stylist/claredempsey at any time.

For more information about being a Keaton Row client, visit this link with Frequently Asked Questions: https://keatonrow.com/learn-more/client-faq

Want to know about becoming a Keaton Row Stylist too?  Visit this link and be sure to tell them I referred you please! http://blog.keatonrow.com/category/stylists/

FCCB Challenge #209: Use Patterned Paper

 Happy Monday and welcome to another Monday challenge!

Challenge #209 Paper Fun

This Weeks Sponsor

Winner will receive the Hello Butterflies stamp set

~This Weeks Challenge~

Paper Fun

Create a project that uses Patterned Paper

For my project this week I used Forever Young and Martha Stewart Seasonal Cakes for more customer Thank You cards.  I printed the figures using my Cricut Imagine so that I could mass produce the thank you cards.  

Mother's Day Card with Art Glitter

Supply List
Art Glitter 86 Angle Dust Ultrafie Transparent Glitter
Art Glitter 114 Leaf Ultrafine Opaque Glitter
Art Glitter 343 Chestnut Ultrafie Opaque Glitter
Art Glitter Guava Art Hexi Tranparent
Art Glitter Sticky Paper
Art Glitter 4 Cacoa Elements
Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Glue
Art Glitter Ultra Fine Metal Tip
Art Glitter Sticky Tape
Aurora Wings Digital Stamp:  Peony
Heartfelt Creations Rainddrops on Roses Die
Copic Markers
Patterned paper
White Card Stock
Close To My Heart Stamps and ink
Pink card stock
Ribbon
Paper Scorer

One of the things Clare love to embellish with Art Glitter are digital stamps.  If you have never used a digital stamp, they are graphic images; that look like a stamped image, you can print out on your computer.  The printed image is then treated like a stamped image.  Digital stamps are Clare's favorite method for making last minute cards when she has no stamp in the stash to fit the occasion! Clare found these peonies at an Etsy store called Aurora Wings.  She loves the flowers, fairies and angels at this shop.  This digital stamp is called Peony.
Once Clare printed the image out, she colored it with Copic Markers, using the colors shown in the photo below.  She then added Crystal Art Glitter using the Ultra fine Metal tip to add dimension to the peonies. The white glitter really makes it more three dimensional!   Love it!

Clare also used Art Glitter Leaf glitter and the Ultra fine metal tip along the lines in the leaves on the digital image.  

For the lattice die behind the stamped image, Clare cut Art Glitter Stick paper and applied the Art Glitter Cacao Elements.  This is a very chunky product and does not fill in all of the white space, so Clare applied a second layer with Art Glitter Chestnut Ultrafine glitter.  So beautiful and the card smells wonderful!  She added a bit of ribbon and buttons and stamped Happy Mother's day using a Close to My Heart stamp.  

Using One of Mother Natures Neutrals: Blue

 I love the neutral trend with pops of color this Summer.  I often think of blue and green as neutrals as they are so common in nature and look good with everything!  Use the color opposite blue on the color wheel for a great pop of color!  Here I chose orange accessories and used a pretty blue heel.   There is something about blue and white that looks so clean and fresh!  Find this look at my Keaton Row site here:  https://keatonrow.com/lookbook/535e9d3fea1b0ac1330000c4/1

And here is another blue neutral look with pops of yellow.  The idea here is use a color that neighbors the opposite of blue on the color wheel:  yellow.  The key to using yellow for most of us is SMALL amounts!  Find this look here:  https://keatonrow.com/lookbook/536252836a4914d63400f256/1

And a third option, a bit more casual uses a more traditional neutrals with pops of blue!  I love these accessories and the collar on the jacket!  And the casual look can be found here:  https://keatonrow.com/lookbook/536252836a4914d63400f256/2

And don't forget, my gift card drawing remains open through the end of May.  Just sign up as a client and request a free lookbook.  Give me your feedback via rating me on Keaton  Row, email, or phone and you are entered!  NO purchase necessary.  Find me at Keaton Row here:  https://keatonrow.com/stylist/claredempsey