Get Set for New Years with BUTTER LONDON

It's that time of year again, when everyone begins to plan their New Year's outfits!  If your like me, it is one of my most favorite nights of the year!  I think it is one of my favorites, not just because of the good times, and great memories, but I just LOVE getting dressed up!

While considering which outfit or dress your going to choose, don't forget about choosing the right nail polish to complete the look!  I highly recommend butter LONDON as the nail laquer of choice!  

butter LONDON nail laquers are free from formaldehyde, DBP (Dibutyl phthalate), and Toluene.  This is so important because breathing in formaldehyde can affect your lungs, eyes, nose, and throat.  DBP is a developmental and reproductive toxin, and Toluene could potentially cause damage to your nervous system. AND, butter LONDON was the FIRST polish sold in the United States without containing these harmful ingredients! 

Follow the three step process for great looking nails this New Years!

Step 1: Apply Nail Foundation. A stain resistant and non-toxic base coat for your nails, that works similar to a foundation.  Can be worn alone for a polished matte look as well.

Step 2:  Apply nail color.  butter LONDON has so many fabulous shades to choose from.  One of our top choices is Fairy Lights (shown above, left) with a coat of Dark Night (above right) for extra shimmer and shine!

Step 3:  Apply Hardware P.D. Quick Topcoat.  This is a MUST if you want the manicure to last longer.  Your nails will have a super-shiney finish, and have a fresh look even once they have dried.

About butter LONDON

We Believe in Rock and Roll. Great Britain. And Fashion.

By transforming catwalk trends to custom nail colour palettes, butter LONDON has developed a passionate following. butter LONDON is the cult phenomenon of the nail industry and is fast becoming famous for our high fashion, 3 Free (non-toxic) nail lacquers and revolutionary waterless nail services. 

butter LONDON Authenticity and why fashion designers love our lacquer

Nonie Creme, Founding Creative Director of butter LONDON, has been a backstage fixture at Fashion Week her entire career. She has longstanding relationships with designers who love butter LONDON for the authenticity of the experience. Nonie and the designers sit together, discuss the designer’s muse, look at the collection, and arrive at a bespoke colour just for them. Nails are a fashion accessory and can have a huge impact on an outfit, so getting them right is crucial. It’s a unique process, and ensures that the designers have creative input and control over their catwalk beauty look, which is incredibly important.

butter LONDON's fashionable friends include Victoria Beckham, Betsey Johnson, and Calvin Klein, just to name a few.  butter LONDON is honored to be part of their world, and they ensure that butter LONDON customer's receive genuine, high fashion colors.

Company History

butter LONDON, founded in 2005 by British entrepreneur, Sasha Muir, who saw a gap in the marketplace for luxurious yet affordable nail services and high quality products. To help her realize this vision, Sasha asked industry veteran Nonie Creme, London’s premier fashion manicurist, to partner with her as butter LONDON’s Founding Creative Director. With years of experience, Creme’s colour expertise was quickly put to use in the development of a unique, cutting edge and high fashion collection of lacquers and products. 

Availability 

butter LONDON’s full product range is available at the butter LONDON flagship store located in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Concourse C), www.butterLONDON.com, and online at Nordstrom.com.

Keurig Review & GIVEAWAY {Now thru 12/24}

Happy Holidays everyone!  I have a last minute giveaway for you!  As you may know, my mornings just aren't complete without a fresh cup of coffee!  That's why I am SO excited to be able to offer a Keurig MINI Plus Brewing System, complete with a 12-pack sampler for you to get started with.  Awesome right?


I have always used the larger Keurig Brewing System, and it is great except for the fact that we only have one coffee drinker in our house.  It is a bit lager than the Keurig MINI, and takes up more counter space.  Now with the Keurig MINI, I can quickly brew a cup of coffee or tea and be on my way.


Did I mention how much the littles will love brewing their own cup of hot cocoa?  Perfect addition to a wintery day!


* Three cup sizes, 6 oz, 8 oz, and 10 oz
* Can use filtered, bottled, or tap water
* Energy efficient, system shuts off after 90 seconds


Fill the water reservoir to the amount you prefer, 6 oz, 8 oz, or 10 oz.  Wait no more than 2 minutes for the water to heat up, add the k-cup of your choice, and let the brewing begin!  5 minutes tops!


If you are in a rush, you can grab your lunch, gather your bags or anything else that needs to be done while your coffee is brewing and you are all set!


Hope your holidays are merry and good luck to all who enter!

{ GIVEAWAY DETAILS }

1.  Comment below stating your name, and email address (You must be a follower of One Stylish Momma in order to be eligible). 

For additional chances to win:

2. Follow @stylishmomma on Twitter

3. Follow @keurig on Twitter

4. Make sure you "like" Keurig on Facebook

5. Tweet about this giveaway and include @stylishmomma

5. Tweet about this giveaway and include @keurig

The winner will be chosen on December 24th  @ 8:00 p.m. EST via random.org.

Crochet Owl Hat Pattern

Crochet hats are all the rage this year.  Whether they are being used for a photo shoot or to keep a little's head warm your sure to find them everywhere!  They are a must have . . . from a simple solid color crochet hat, one with flowers adorning it, and even animal inspired hats there are so many to choose from.

One of my fave styles is the owl hat, so I decided to give it a try at writing my own pattern.  The pattern below was first shown on Chic Style Modern, a close friend of mine.  If you haven't visited her site, be sure to stop by and share some love!

The hat shown in the photo's was worked with Lion Brand Wool-Ease.  Any medium weight yarn would work nicely, however I suggest using wool so that the hat is warmer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Crochet Owl Hat Instructions:

MATERIALS:

Size J Hook

3 - 4 different colors of medium weight yarn

SIZING:  (Approx. Head Circumference)

Newborn fits up to 13 inches

3-6 Mos fits 14-15 inches

6-12 Mos fits 16-17 inches

12-24 Mos fits 18-19 inches

2T-4T Fits 19-20 inches

5T Fits 20-21 inches

NOTES:

SL ST - Slip Stitch

ST - Stitch

YO - Yarn Over

Dc2tog - (YO, Insert hook into next ST and draw up a loop. YO and draw through 2 loops) 2 times, YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook

Dc3tog - (YO, Insert hook into next ST and draw up a loop. YO and draw through 2 loops) 3 times, YO and draw through all 4 loops on hook

PATTERN:

1. CH 3 (3,3,3,4,4), SL ST in first CH to form ring
2. CH 3 (counts as first DC now and throughout). DC 10 (11,12,13,14,15) in ring. SL ST in third CH.
3. CH 3. DC in same ST as CH 3. DC twice in each DC around. SL ST in third CH.  22(24,26,28,30,32) DC formed.
4. CH 3. DC twice in next DC. **DC, 2DC** in each DC around, until 1 DC remains. 1 DC in last DC. SL ST in third CH. 33(36,39,42,45,48) DC formed.
5. CH 3. **DC twice in next DC, DC in next 2 DC.** in each DC around, until 2 DC remain. 2 DC in next DC, one DC in last DC. SL ST in third CH. 44(48,52,56,60,64) DC formed.
6. CH 3. DC in each DC around. SL ST in third CH.
7. Change color here to create center stripe if desired. 
8. Repeat last round 0(0, 1, 1, 2, 3) times.  Note: change color back to color A if creating center stripe.
9. DC in each DC around. SL ST in 3rd DC. 
10. Repeat prior step 2 more times.
11. SL ST in next 6(7, 7, 8, 8, 9) ST, then begin Ear Flap.

EAR FLAP:

1. CH 3. DC in next 8(9, 9, 10, 10, 11) DC. Turn and begin to work back.
2. CH 3. Dc2tog. DC next 3(4,4,5,5,6) DC. Dc2tog. DC in last ST (ch 3 ST). Turn.
3. CH 3. Dc2tog, DC next 1(2,2,3,3,4) DC, Dc2tog, DC in last ST. Turn.

Work next row based on size below:

Newborn -  CH 3. Dc3tog. DC in last st. Cut yarn and pull through.

3-6/6-12 Mos - CH 3. Dc2tog twice. DC in last ST. Cut yarn and pull through last ST.

12-24 Mos/2T-4T - CH 3. Dc2tog, DC, dc2tog. DC in last ST. Turn. CH 3. Dc3tog. DC in last st. Cut yarn and pull through last ST.

5T - CH 3. Dc2tog, DC in next 2 ST. Dc2tog in next 2 ST. DC in last ST. Turn. CH 3. Dc2tog twice (next 4 ST). DC in last ST. Cut yarn and pull through last ST.

All sizes, continue as follows:

1. Fold hat in half and SL ST in DC directly across from last DC formed on first earflap. Follow directions above for size needed.
2. SL ST in center back of hat. SC around entire hat, including the earflaps. SL ST in first SC. Cut yarn and pull through ST.

BRAIDS:

Cut a total of 18 pieces of yarn 4 feet/144 inches long. (Use less strands for less weight). Fold yarn in half, and join through the bottom of earflap until all 18 strands are connected.  Create a knot at the top of the strands, just below the earflap.  Separate strands into three bunches and braid. Continue all the way to end of yarn, and tie a knot at the bottom to secure braid. Trim ends to make even. 

Repeat on other side.

EYES:

1. CH 4, join with SL ST.
2. CH 1, SC 8 times in ring.  SL ST into CH 1.
3. CH 1, ** 2 SC in next SC** repeat to end.  SL ST into first SC. (16 SC)
4. CH 1, ** 1 SC into next SC** repeat to end.  SL ST into first SC.
5. CH 1, ** 2 SC into next SC** repeat to end.  SL ST into first SC. (32 SC)
6. CH 1, ** 1 SC into next SC** repeat to end. SL ST into first SC.
7. Fasten off.

BEAK:

1. CH 5. Turn.
2. SC in 2nd CH from hook.  SC in next CH, repeat to end. Turn.
3. SC in 2nd CH from hook. SC in next CH, repeat once. Turn
4. DC2tog. Cut yarn, and pull through loop.

Add tassels to the top for quick and easy ears!

My weekend in photos

Do you still believe in Santa? We sure do, and we had a wonderful time celebrating all things holiday this past weekend!  We dropped by to watch the annual holiday parade, stopped in for a visit with Santa, and topped the afternoon off with a fun time at Chuck E. Cheese.

I just love the glimmer in his eyes, as he watched Santa arrive . . .

And where would we be without a little brotherly love this holiday season?  Yes, this was a rare moment.  One of those you have to capture because they don't happen that often.

Precious Moments

The Annual Holiday Parade

Hope your weekend was as wonderful as ours!

Dansko Shoes Review & GIVEAWAY Now through 12/16

Are your feet tired and achy from all the holiday shopping?  Wouldn't you just LOVE to win a pair of STYLISH and COMFORTABLE shoes? 

I am personally not a big fan of wearing sneakers, unless I am hitting the soccer fields, running around with the littles, or working out. I much prefer looking fashionable, but often sacrifice comfort for style.   In an effort to find a shoe that looks and feels great, I tried out Dansko shoes.

When we hear the word Dansko, many of us think of the clog style shoe worn by healthcare professionals.  Well, not only do they have the well-known clog, but the footwear line also includes heels, boots, sandals, and flats.  Did you know . . . Dansko also has shoes, clogs, and boots for men and children!  

Every shoe, regardless of style, includes special materials that are designed to promote healthy feet, legs and back.

One of our fave's is the Rylan boot, featured in both pictures.  The Rylan boot is a western inspired boot, with contrast stitching around the calf and a dropped heel. The boot looks great when paired with a skirt or pair of jeans.  

. . . GIVEAWAY DETAILS . . . 

If you would like to enter for a chance to win a pair of Dansko shoes:

1.  Check out dansko.com and select the shoes that you would most love to see under the tree this holiday season.  Once you have chosen your must-have shoe, leave a comment below stating your name, email address, and style you choose.  (You must be a follower of One Stylish Momma in order to be eligible). 

For additional chances to win:

2. Follow @stylishmomma on Twitter

3. Follow @dansko_shoes on Twitter

4. Make sure you "like" Dansko on Facebook

5. Tweet about this giveaway and include @stylishmomma

5. Tweet about this giveaway and include @dansko_shoes

The winner will be chosen on the date listed above by random.org on Friday, December 16th @ 8:00 p.m. EST.

Good luck!  

Just in time for the holidays: A cell phone and iPad case proven to reduce cellular radiation

If your children are anything like mine, they are all about the latest electronics this holiday season.  From cell phones, to iPads, and beyond, most children either use or own a device of their own.  These electronics are great for keeping track of the kids, playing games while traveling, and even assisting with studies; however we often forget about the troubles they can cause to our children's health.

If you are thinking about getting your child a cell phone or iPad, or they already have one, I highly recommend checking into Pong Research for a protective case.  

Developed by scientists out of MIT, Princeton, UCLA and Harvard, Pong cases have been scientifically proven in independent, FCC-certified labs to reduce cellular radiation by up to 95% below the FCC target.  They’re also great looking and come in a bunch of fun colors!

 Here’s why putting a child’s device in a Pong case is so important:

-   An article published last month in the scientific journal, Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, reported that children absorb twice as much radiation from cell phones as adults do and more than FCC guidelines permit.

-  Most vulnerable are a child’s brain, eyes and bone marrow, which can absorb as much as 10 times the amount of radiation an adult’s body does.

-   These findings come just 4 months after the World Health Organization classified cell phone radiation as a potential carcinogen based on a large, global research study.

Placing a child’s device in a Pong case is an easy (they snap on and off), affordable ($49.99-$99.99 at www.pongresearch.com) and important (proven effective) step to take when giving a child a cell phone or iPad. 

Pong cases can be purchased at www.pongresearch.com.

Pong Research can also be found on Facebook. Be sure to "like" their page at http://www.facebook.com/pongresearch.  This will ensure you get the latest updates of special promotions, new product introductions and more.