Eyemakeup Test

So, Vicki (our makeup-ista) and I got on the topic of eye makeup the other morning... It is so interesting to learn what techniques everyone uses, so I thought we would share a look that we both have been doing for years and have never grown tired of... It literally takes me 5 minutes, and now we have a video of it!!! Here's how to get the look:

I'll start out with a nude eye (I do apply an eye shadow primer - I know you already know this). Then I'll sweep a nice pink eye shadow with a luster finish on the lid. You can literally use any pink that works for you. Right now Katie is using MAC's shadow in Gleam, and sometimes I use their pink in Honesty. Then, in the outer corner of the eye, I'll use a great deep brown that I can blend just underneath the corner of my eye so that it looks like smudged liner. (I don't use any eyeliner underneath my eye typically... I save that for cocktails!)

For a finishing touch, I'll either apply a dark eye shadow for a liner (MAC's Embark is quite lovely - it is actually a very deep rich brown with plum undertones that works beautifully as an alternative to the typical black or brown eye liner) or I'll use their Fluidline in Blacktrack. This is an awesome liner!!! I love that it lasts all day long and is a breeze to apply. (It can't be too hard or intimidating, mind you... I just don't have the time and would much rather be with the boys in the morning!)

Apply two coats of mascara (I love and cannot live without Maybelline's Great Lash - hands down the best mascara I have ever used)... and you're done! Truly, I still get compliments on this look - and you can always tweak it a bit by changing up the shades, etc. But trust me... you will not go wrong!!!

p.s. Love the gems featured in the video??
(It's okay... We couldn't help ourselves either!!)

New catalog, new video, new blog look... yippee!

Well, you may not have received it yet, but it is out there... the new TRACY PORTER catalog! I gave you some bits and pieces last time around, and thought I would share some more! We did a cool behind the scenes video of our shoot... check it out... you can see many of the photos in the making. The lovely chaos that happens... it's all quite magical... a bit of theater... and really quite a lot of fun. We wanted you to be there, so this is what we came up with!! We will continue to share our videos with you as we shoot... and we will be video pod casting soon... Little by little, you'll feel like you are designing everything with us! Also... we are adding a few new goods to the blog... Some of it a re-organize, if you will... some of it totally new... We'd love you to hang out with us and wander about... Please share us with your friends! And of course, let us know what you think!!! You know I am in here with you... I try to answer as soon as I can, sometimes I am traveling and it takes me longer. Our team will jump in now and again as you have seen... they too are a vocal bunch! I will always be honest, and direct... I hope you are inspired... and you must know... I LOVE all the chitter chatter we have going on... really, what a treat! You are so good to spend the time with us!

Okay... I know you will ask, and a few of you have already... so I will give you my favorite notes about the new catalog...

* The BEDDING... because we have always wanted to design our own that can be found nowhere else... TRACY PORTER BEDDING!!!! It's good to have a vision!!! I love each of the patterns for very different reasons... I am so curious, which one do you like? (I will give you my thoughts in the coming weeks...)

* Great FASHIONitems... I am all for collecting as you go... in my closet and my home (you have heard this from me a million times). It's just easier this way! And these new coats, shoes, shirts... all fit that bill! They are timeless and unique... easy to wear... easy to mix in. I just gave my sister (yes, the gorgeous brunette in our catalog) the PARIS STREET leopard shoes for her birthday... she loves them! Maybe she'll jump in here and blog with us... Robyn, are you there??

* Our FURNITURE... what an extraordinary journey it has been to design these pieces! To create rooms around them... to show them in environments to inspire you... Check out our room scenes, these are all shot in our house... I find it's the best way to give you who we really are. This furniture was designed to fit into many kinds of rooms... it is classic with many wonderful details and interesting layers... I love antiques, and find that these pieces work well in our home.

* New DINNERWARE... scrumptious patterns! Again, these cannot be found anywhere else but on tracyporter.com and in our catalog. In the next few weeks I will get into some of those patterns more, so you can learn how and where we are inspired...

* JEWELRY... it seems to me that you like very unique goodies (this is why we get along so very well)! So I have been on the prowl... literally finding the most amazing pieces for you... They are spectacular when layered, as you can see... I adore things that mix well... I love necklaces on top of necklaces... jewelry that feels like you won't find it everywhere... pieces that give you the sense like you've owned them forever... that have a soul.

* mouth-watering CHANDELIERS and sconces.... lamps... oh, just lots of golden, aged beauties. You know it's another obsession of mine... ever trying to squeeze another one into our home...

What do you love??? Let me know... I am SOOOO curious!!!

xoxo,
Tracy

MOVIE

Butterfly Test

Okay, if you have kids in your life in some way... I hope nature plays a role in your time together. At our home in the Wisconsin countryside the weekends and evenings are very nature driven. Lately with autumn creeping up on us, the kids have their butterfly nets out nearly nonstop. Every lantern in our home is now a mini butterfly conservatory... I recently bought an awesome book for the boys called The Family Butterfly Book... wonderful projects related to butterflies. I also found two really cool websites that I frequent and definitely use as gift spots for my 4 little men. I’ve no doubt you’ll find these to be really inspiring, so cool to search around... let me know what you think!

http://www.acornnaturalists.com/ and http://www.educationalscience.com/

TEST2

Cocktails, Anyone?

I think entertaining can be a great creative outlet. (I can just hear you... does this woman need more creative outlets??) Well, I view it this way so that when I'm planning it doesn't become this arduous thing. My husband John (at left) is known in our family as Uncle Margarita... really, he can make a mean drink! He also makes a killer Mojito... If you have never tried one, be warned... First, they are strong little numbers, just to be clear. (I’ve never met a strong drink I didn’t like.) Second, you never seem to make enough... So get out the BIG pitcher and some pretty glasses... always cool to use a range of glassware... different colors and sizes... Festive indeed. John will love your comments if you do try these!

John’s Mojito

Black Strap Rum
1 can of Limeade
A good handful of mint leaves (not stems)
Sugar
Club Soda
Limes
Water
Ice

Place mint leaves, Limeade, 3 cups of water, and 1/2 cup sugar in blender; blend thoroughly (until leaves are just little green specs). Let soak for a few minutes - the longer the better to imbue the sweet-sour limeade flavor with the mint flavor. Pour mix through a fine mesh strainer - to remove all bits of mint. (They tend to end up on your teeth in the middle of the most compelling stories, which will of course ruin the story and give your friends ammo with which to ridicule you!) Pour into a beautiful pitcher (hint!). Fill a tall glass with ice; add 1-1/2 oz. of Black Strap Rum (or dark rum); fill 1/2 to 2/3 way up with your mint/Limeade mix (depending on how well you like the mix). Fill rest with club soda; squeeze in one wedge of lime; stir; drink; laugh at how hard everyone thought you worked and how easy it really was!