Tukula

I am so excited Friday is finally here.  I have been having to keep this post under wraps for a few weeks now, but it is sooo worth the wait.  So, without further ado here is the big secret I've had to keep lol.

I have teamed up with an AMAZING accessories company named Tukula which means "We Grow" to help raise awareness about  their beautiful mission and for a...... A GIVEAWAY!!!!  Yes! Tukula has been kind enough to sponsor a giveaway. So thank you so much Tukula!! Before we get to their beautiful products, let me tell you why I feel like Tukula is such an inspirational company.

Tukula is based in Jinja, Uganda which if you didn't know, is the second largest town in Uganda, Africa. Times in Uganda are far from simple and leisure.  There is a lot of devastating poverty and secure, reliable jobs are hard to come by.  Tukula is amazing because they offer stable and consistent seamstress jobs for women in Jinja.  These women are given health benefits, a safe and encouraging work environment, they are introduced to savings programs, and they are paid fare wages.  Can you imagine how relieving these benefits are to these women in a poverty stricken town??

Another reason Tukula is amazing is because they see how important education is for the women in Uganda. Like I said before times are hard so an education can get you far.  Tukula offers paid internships for girls & women who are considering dropping out of sewing school due to lack of funds, health, or other issues.  The internships allow the women to finish their education and have a guaranteed job after their graduation. Did I mention that the interns also receive the same benefits as the full time employees, so they are able to focus on their education worry free?

I love that Tukula's mission is trying to help Women in Uganda have a better life with benefits and education. These women all have hopes, and dreams.  Many of them have families and small children.  Because of Tukula they are able to achieve their dreams and, give their families more opportunities and set examples for their children.

Tukula has really been a blessing to so many women in Jinja, Uganda. Please head on over to Tukula's website and get to know the amazing artisans.  Their stories are spectacular, and they all are so beautiful and so humble, and loving.  Their smiles are contagious and you can see how genuine they are.  Their stories really put into perspective how much Tukula has helped them, and given them hope.

I think this is super cool, the cloth the items are made from is not always available in the same print, so you my friends will be either be winning a one of a kind beautiful, beaded, handmade clutch, or a gorgeous, bright red, handmade beaded bracelet.  I couldn't decide which one to give away to the winner.  So, I thought it would be fun to let the winner pick the item they'd like.
Just to let you know these items are from their Spring/Summer 2014 line.  Their new website launched this morning so please show your support and go check it out.  Below are some photos of the gorgeous products you have a chance to win!!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!!!!!  Thank you to all who entered!

***How to enter***

This is a NATIONAL giveaway only!!!

1. Like Tukula's Facebook Page (Here)

2. Follow me on Instagram (jaimeytripp)

3. Follow my blog (Here)

4. Leave a comment telling me you did all of the above and let me which item you would like to win.

Contest will end Thursday March 20th at 10:00PM (MST)where the winner will be randomly picked.  This will allow me to announce who the winner is on Friday's post.

Good Luck to you all!!!

PLEASE READ ME

***UPDATE***
Everything is working in tip top shape now.  Love when issues like these arise.  (Lot's of sarcasm here lol)  If you have a blogger account and are having issues with their new "Pages"  format shoot me an email and I'll try to help you out.


Hey everyone,
So blogger has updated their formats again.  They've changed the tab buttons so they don't take you directly to the post.  If you want to look at previous posts in My Creations, Inspiration, or DIY projects you'll have to scroll down on the post and under "Labels" click on the high-lighted link (My creations, inspiration, or Diy projects) this will then take you to all of the posts under that Label.

Sorry for the inconvenience and annoyance this may cause.  I'm trying to figure out if there is a way to fix this.  I'll inform you when it's back up and working.

Thanks for stopping by and reading this info.  If you are a blogger and have figured out how to fix this issue PLEASE HELP ME lol!!!!

Jaimey

Nail Festivities

Hey you guys!  I thought I would do a little DIY nail post.  St. Patty's Day is coming up and for those of you who don't like to look like a walking green person this might be the post for you.  Sometimes it's fun to do something you wouldn't normally do.  For instance, I am 100% positive I have NEVER worn green nail polish EVER.  But there is a first for everything and honestly, the green kind of worked for me.  Triston's favorite color is green, so I scored "Cool Mom" points there lol.

I just want to clarify that I AM NOT a professional nail person. (Obviously)  But to my kids I am :)  I just wanted to do something different so I hope you find a little inspiration from my nail art and you all are brave enough to try it as well.  Happy Nail Day.  Hugs XxXxXx
                                                                                       Jaimey

First off, find/buy some green and gold nail polish.  I bought some paint

as well because I feel like it is easier to work with, as opposed to actual

 nail polish.  You'll also need a fine tipped paint brush, toothpicks, paper towel,

 paper plate, and top coat (not pictured...sorry) and whatever else

your imaginations think of.

Paint your nails however you want them painted.  Let dry

Squirt a small amount of paint on the plate and let your inner 

Picasso loose (Here's a little advice.  If you're drawing lines, try not to

 let the brush bristles flare, this will make your lines fatter and 

look smudged.   Use the tooth picks for polk-a-dots.  I used both 

paintbrush and toothpick and the dots with the toothpick 

were cleaner and nicer looking.

Here are my finished nails.  What do you think?  Sorry, 

I wanted to get a picture of me actually doing my nails, but alas..

I only have two hands and Tyler wasn't home.

The paint colors are Antique Gold and Lime Green

both from Walmart ($1.97ish)

Sally Hansen Insta Dry "Jade Jump" $4 Walmart

Pure ICE "Studette"  $1.97 Walmart

Pure ICE "Free Spirit" &1.97 Walmart

Blushing in my Boyfriend Jeans

Hey friends!  I hope you all had a fun weekend.  Anything fun happen? It was so warm and sunny here in Utah.  I can't wait for the "real" Spring to come. Tyler and I went on a date and one of the things we did was we went and saw The Dead Sea Scrolls.   If you live in Utah and you haven't seen them yet, you should go.  I love seeing ancient/historical things.  It's so interesting reading about how people lived in ancient times.

So onto Fashion...:)  Like I said above it's been getting warmer everyday here in Utah.  So I decided to wear my boyfriend jeans with a blush colored chiffon blouse.  I love this chiffon blouse.  I think it is so classy with the little bow you tie at the neck.  I think it adds dimension and character to the blouse.  It was still a little cold so I felt like it was justifiable to wear a wool fedora.  I thought the maroon and the blush compliment each other so well.  I added the rest of my accessories: tan belt, tan shoes, brown clutch, and some jewels and called it good.  I kind of wanted my lips to match the maroon band on the fedora so I added a few lipsticks together. I'll post them down below.  I hope you like the look.  Big Hugs  XXX

                                                                                                        Jaimey

Wool Fedora: Kohls

Blouse: Elle

Boyfriend Jeans: Sexymodest Boutique

Belt: Target

Shoes: Mossimo

Clutch: Target

Brown Band: Charlotte Russe

Bangles: Forever21

Spiked Bangle: H&M

Sunnies: Daisey Fuentes 

Lipstick: Rimmel London Bordeaux (124) & Revelon Sky line pink (025)

Fashion + Giving Back = Sword & Plough

Happy Friday friends.
I'm really enjoying doing my inspirational Friday posts.  I hope you guys are able to find some inspiration from them.  Inspiring people was one of the biggest reasons why I started blogging.  It's been fun finding quotes and books and fashion companies I think will inspire you.

I came across this company who I find has a very inspiring mission.  The company is Sword & Plough.  Are you wondering what their name means?  Here you go.  Sword & Plough is an ancient saying that means "To turn swords into plough shares."  Translation... "To take military technologies and materials and apply them to peaceful civilian applications."  So basically they take military supplies and turn them into items civilians can use.  In this case their items are handbags, and accessories!!!

Their mission: Empower Veteran employment, Reduce waste and Strengthen shared civil-military understanding.  What their company does is first they recycle over 1000 pounds of military surplus materials (tents, sleeping bags, parachutes) that would've been trashed.  Then they combine durable fabrics with Eco-friendly leather accents into stylish designs.  These leather accents, and other durable textiles are manufactured in America.  From there the materials are sent to Veteran owned, and staffed manufactures.  This is where the construction of the bags take place.  One of the manufacturers is Green Vets LA.  Sword & Plough also works with many other American manufacturing companies as well as non-profit organizations. These beautiful bags are then sold and with each sale 10% of the profit goes back to the initial users of the products.

How cool is that?  Their mission is both amazing & beautiful.  Are you guys ready to see their products? Well I think you all will be very surprised.  Theses bags are not only beautiful, but because they are military products, they are all extremely durable and water resistant.

 I will be the first to admit that I forget that there are men and women overseas fighting for our country which allows me to raise my children in a safe country.  I am so grateful for all the selfless men and women who sacrifice their lives and time away from their families.  So thank you so much to all of you who have ties to the military.  We appreciate your service so much!  My challenge for you friends, is the next time you see a vet or a military personal smile at them and thank them for their service.  Or if you have an opportunity to do help them out, please do so and don't forget that they've helped you too.  Pay it forward!!
Don't forget to check out Sword & Plough's website.

I hope you found a little inspiration in today's post.  Big Hugs XxX
                                                                                                   Jaimey

Colorblocking

***Hey guys before we get into the post I was hoping you could help me out.  Will you please leave a comment telling me which historical woman you find inspiring?  I'm working on a possible project and hearing your opinions really help me out.  Thanks loves!!***

Ahhhh!  If there is one thing I love about Utah, it's the crazy weather.  She's always teasing us and giving us days in late February early March of beautiful Spring-like weather.  But then the next day is cold and gloomy again.  So on one of these beautiful "Spring" days I decided to bust out some bright colors.

In the words of Giuliana Rancic, "Color blocking is soo six months ago."  But, you know what?  I don't care.  I think it's fun to have multiple bold colors in an outfit, and honestly I don't think it will go out of style.  So if you don't know by now, my post is on color blocking.

I adore this purse by Dana Buchman.  It is pink on the outside, and the strap and the inside wallet part are red.  Can you say automatic color block?  So I took it a step further and paired it with a purple flowy blouse. I tied it all together with my pink and light purple flower statement necklace, oh and of course a bright pink lip.  How do you guys feel about color blocking?  Do you like it or do you agree with Giuliana Rancic and think it's over?  Hope you like the outfit.  Big Hugs XXX

                                                                                                  Jaimey

Shirt: Old Navy

Purse: Dana Buchman

Jeans: Forever21

Statement Necklace: Apt 9

Booties: Justfab

Sunnies: Target or Old Navy

Gold Bangles: Forever21/H&M

Monochromatic in Harem

So...It's Monday!  Did you guys have a good weekend?  Anything fun or exciting happen?  It was rainy all weekend so we didn't do much.

I have been loving my Harem pants, MC Hammer pants, Princess Jasmine pants... What ever you want to call them. They are super comfy and so versatile.  But these pants are not intended to show off your booty. In fact they kind of make you have a diaper booty lol.  So, if you're wanting to show off that booty of yours, well I warned you these won't do it ;)

 I wanted to show you how versatile hare s can be so I did the same look three different times but just changed the shoes.  I think shoes are a major part of an outfit because, they help tie in the whole theme of an outfit.  I have been wanting to do a monochromatic look for awhile now.  I don't think this look will ever go out of style.  It is so chic, and trendy.  I paired my black pants with a white, boxy crop top.  Boxy crop tops were a huge fashion trend during NYFW, so expect to be seeing these lovelies around.  For accessories I added my monochrome handbag, monochrome jewels, and added a hot pink lipstick for a pop of Spring color.... ( I told you this was a monochromatic look :))

So, for the first look I paired my harems with b&w stripped ballet flats.  I wanted this to be more of a sophisticated look, but not too dressy.  The ballet flats really downplay the too dressy part.

The second look I wanted to go for a more sporty/ laid back look.  I paired my harems with my black wedged-heeled sneakers.  I think this is my favorite look. I just love these sneakers.. I want them in every color!

The third look I added peep-toe high heels.  I think a pointed stiletto would've looked great too.  But I wanted to do the trendy peep-toe.  The high heels really make help dress up the harem pants so they don't come across as too laid back.
 I hope you like the looks. Which look do you like the best? Hugs XxX
                                                                                                          Jaimey
P.S. My legs haven't seen the light of day since Summer... Keep that in mind lol!

Boxy crop top: Forever21

Harem capri pants: Windsor

Black & White stripped ballet flats: Target

Wedge Heeled sneakers: Sketchers

Peep-toe high heels: Forever young shoes

Monochrome clutch: Target

Feather necklace: Forever21

Black & White bangles: Forever21

Black Sunnies: Old but I think Target??