Happy New Year!

Another fresh new year is here . . .

Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest . . .

To daily grow and try to be

My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity

Once more to right some wrongs,

To pray for peace, to plant a tree,

And sing more joyful songs!

-William Arthur Ward

Happy New Year

Happy New Year and May all your dreams come true!

antique bar tray from Pottery Barn

Be sure to meet back here on Monday for a fabulous giveaway from Pottery Barn.

You won't want to miss it, believe me!

2010 In Review ~ Best of Blogs of 2010

Top 10 of 2010 Blog Posts on Bright Bold and Beautiful

and more Best of 2010 posts... See you next year!

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Magic of Maaji swimwear will continue to mesmerise in 2011

Maaji swimwear is known by fashionistas across the globe for their stunning swimwear. The new 2011 swimwear collection is pretty and feminine. Each piece is made using a fusion of retro prints in soft to the touch swimwear, beachwear materials. Buttons, bows, frills and embellishments are used to make the swimwear quirky and unique. There is nothing else in the market remotely like this South American swimwear brand.


For those who don’t know Maaji – let us at Sandstorm Boutique provide a little information about them for you. We at Sandstorm Boutique love working with Maaji Swimwear and we provide their gorgeous collections to our customers based across the globe. The 2011 Collection is simply stunning and we are sure it will be a big hit with both our established customers and new customers in the coming year.


The Maaji swimwear look is subtle – it is not overtly sexy or in your face. This makes the swimwear suitable for; kids, teenagers and women who are in their 20, 30s or 40s ...... in fact it is great for any women who like to be ‘on trend’ on the beach - no matter what their age!

Read more about  Magic of Maaji swimwear will continue to mesmerise in 2011 @ Fibre2fashion

View more  Maaji swimwear  Images

A Personal Message and Inspiration for 2011

Have you ever felt like you belonged on the "island of misfit toys"? Well, I have... I was at dinner last night with two great friends, and they were telling me about the high-school reunion that I recently missed. The truth is, I actually went to one school from 1st-9th, another for 10th and 11th, and we moved to a different city for my Senior year, thus a third school. So, which school class reunion am I supposed to attend? If you have really read this far, I promise there is a point to my story.

For a brief moment at dinner last night, I did feel sorry for myself, feeling like I did not belong to one certain group. Then, I snapped out of it. Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for all of my friends and experiences I have encountered along the way. But, I am a firm believer of living in the present. I am 43 years old, and last year I would have told you that 2009 was the best year of my life. However, now that we have come to the end of 2010, I would say that this year has been even better.

So to all of you ~ If you are not doing what you love, change your ways.

If there is a hobby you want to try ~ try it!

Dream...

Imagine...

Believe in Yourself

Cherish your family and friends

Live, Laugh, and most certainly Love

Here is to being grateful for our past, and looking ahead to 2011!

I hope you will join me here each and every day on Bright Bold and Beautiful.

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Habitually Chic Make Up

I'm very lucky that Estee Lauder sends me products to review because I often fall in love with crazy colors that I would never have tried on my own. I've been getting compliments on their red lipstick so I thought I would share it and a few of my other favorites with you.  I think New Year's Eve is the perfect time to try something new!

• Estee Lauder Extravagant Berry Long Lasting Lipstick - Great matte color by itself but even better layer with a lip gloss.  Just found out that it's Limited Edition so get it while you can!
• Estee Lauder Extravagant Plum Pure Color Lip Gloss - Also fabulous by itself but I love it layered over the Extravagant Berry Lipstick.  You might want to blot some off before you kiss someone at midnight!
• Nars Mata Hari Blush - Looks a little scary bright pink in the compact but actually very natural once it's been applied with a fluffy brush.  Makes me look alive in the winter when I'm pale as a ghost!
• Clé de Peu Concealer - Worth every penny! Stays creamy and covers without looking like you're wearing concealer.  You'll need this for New Year's Day!
• La Mer The Treatment Fluid Foundation - Also worth every penny!  It gives light coverage with SPF 15 that looks natural and feels fabulous!
• Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof Custom Volumn Mascara - I love Lancôme mascara and always wear waterproof since it doesn't smudge.  If you wear the red lipstick, it's best to go lighter on the eyes but don't skimp on the mascara.
• Smythson Wash Bag - There is nothing I love more than pulling out this pretty plum colored make up bag from Smythson.  I don't think they make this exact bag any longer but they do have a fun magenta color still available. Happy New Year!

Watercolors by Laura Trevey 50% off Sale - 2 days left

Help me reach my goal of 1000 sales by the end of the year...

What's in it for you? Well, a lot!

You receive 50% off every item or items in my Etsy shop until December 31st. {Last sale until July 2011}. Below are some examples of original paintings and prints. These make wonderful Valentines Day, Birthday, and any time gifts... Everything from custom home paintings to sweet note cards for just $6.00! Click on each link to purchase.

Personalized Love Birds Original Watercolor Painting $19.00 {regular price $38.00}

Container Garden Watercolor Print $9.00 {regular price $18.00}

Custom Painting of your Home $72.50 {regular price $145.00}

Beautiful Day Original Watercolor Painting $27.50 {regular price $55.00}

Note Cards - Set of 12 - 3 different hydrangea paintings $6.00 {regular $12.00}

Happy New Year from Bright Bold and Beautiful!

Meet me here on Monday for the BEST GIVEAWAY to date...

I can't wait to share with you.

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UK students design new chapter for Speedo Swimsuits

Students at the London College of Fashion, University College Falmouth and the University of Huddersfield created their new designs from excess stocks of the revolutionary suit. The Speedo LZR Racer was rendered obsolete following a change in rules set out by the governing body of the sport of swimming FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation) which prevented the use of body suits in competitive swimming.

The creations include several examples drawing on the suit’s heritage in the pool, including a patchwork watershort using the LZR Racer and other Speedo watershorts sourced on auction websites by Man Kit Au Yeung from London College of Fashion, and an ‘Afterlife’ creation featuring a cape inspired by superheroes and aimed at the high-end fashion market by Eva Hiu Wa Lai also from London College of Fashion.
Other designs saw the Speedo LZR Racer reworked for other uses, with University College Falmouth student Owen Bennett creating a buoyancy aid life jacket, and Adriana Margarita Ruiz, a London College of Fashion student, creating a Speedo LZR Racer inspired technical jacket.

Read More about UK students design new chapter for Speedo Swimsuits @ Fibre2fashion

Chic and Cozy

I made it safely back to New York but the snow is still piled high on every street corner.  Makes me wish I had a fireplace and a fur blanket like in the home of Spanish designer Tony Espuch.  Looks like a great space to throw a New Year's Eve soiree as well!

Photos by Amador Toril for Habitania via The Wonderlust Journal