Archives for April 2018

FIRST IN MY INTERVIEW SERIES “SPOTLIGHT” JKW BEAUTY’S FOUNDER JORDAN LEWIS

April 30, 2018

Happy Monday & Happy Spring! Finally!

This post is my first in a new series of “Interviews” I will be doing. Talking with brands, people I love admire and want to share who they are and what they do with you all. This first Interview is with the lovely Jordan Lewis of. JKW BEAUTYI met Jordan several years ago at a few local events here in historic Frederick, MD. Some non-profit, some fashion shows and Girls Night Out parties. She is a wonderful makeup artist so we hit it off right out of the gate. She and her team did my hair for the Goodwill fashion show a few years back and make up for the sadly now closed Silk and burlap in-house trunk shows. I recently went and got my first spray tan in years at her intimate makeup studio on Market St. We chit chatted and caught up for a little bit. We did an email interview because she is under the wire now as Jordan and her husband are expecting their first child in just a few short weeks. (end of May – I think)

Below is her bio & the cute fun little Q & A we did. I hope you like this and please check out her site. Her skills are REAL ladies & gents! I can’t wait to get another spray tan and talk eyelashes – I think a YouTube vlog will be in order after the baby arrives.

JORDAN LEWIS

“I’m a dreamer- like big, change the world kind of dreams. And, I love to help people. I am a #GIRLBOSS #WIFEY to Q, the sweetest husband that ever existed. Daughter. Oldest Sister to two kid brothers. BFF to a crew of amazing girlfriends. Dog mama to Zeus, a boxer. Obsessed with traveling, learning, and understanding more about the way people think. Super faithful. Can’t live without candles, long lashes, spray tans, and comfy white t-shirts. Fitness and music are my main squeeze to stay balanced.

I received my artistry license from Von Lee International School of Aesthetics. Began my career with ULTA. moving onto training with MAC Cosmetics, and continued my education in the beauty industry receiving training fromTemptuPro,MAC, KISS, NARS, ( NARS on my resume too) Calvin Klein,YSL and South Seas Skincare cosmetics. Recruited and mentored by accomplished makeup artist, Danessa Myricks, I had the opportunity to work in the International Cosmoprof expo in Italy at age 20. Three years after my make-up artistry journey began in the retail cosmetics world, Jordan K Winn & Co was born. Approaching their 6th year in beauty business, JK BEAUTY has emerged and has evolved into one of the most sought after bridal make-up and hair teams in the area. My passion for perfecting my craft has kept myself & the artist team striving to further our education, ensuring we stay in trend with the current styles and beauty technology of today’s ever-changing, fast paced beauty industry”.

Lori Tauraos – Blank Slate: How long have you had your own business JKW Beauty?

Jordan: JKW beauty is 8 Years Old in June!

LT: Wow that’s fantastic! Have you always been interested in beauty? Were you a girly girl?

JL: I’ve been interested in beauty since the day I went to training at Avon Lee for makeup artistry, prior to that – I wanted to own a business. My mom has owned franchises of sylvan alongside my family for years, and I always walked into velvet lounge when I was younger saying I wanna do this (now I get to collaborate with April! Goals!!!!). I wasn’t a girly girl. I flat ironed my hair for the first time in 9th grade, prior to that I was a sneaker wearing, tree climbing, Barbie hating little tomboy. When I meant one of my very best friends Melissa Perez, who works with JKW beauty as a senior stylist, she helped me out in the girly girl department – aka I just copied her style.

LT: What are your 3 MUST HAVE products?

Texture HairSpray (current favorite is Paul Mitchell – Undone)
Beauty Counter Nude lipgloss in Buff
Bronzer – all time favorite is Kevyn Aucoin (

LT: I love his makeup line – definetely missed in the beauty industry – he was doing contour before contour was cool!

LT: What is your “Signature Look”

JL: Hair – Undone waves with lots of texture

Makeup – adore glowy skin (all the creamy highlight) aka Armani luminous silk foundation, lots of dark gorgeous lashes (hypnosis drama all time gotta have mascara), a pop of peachy cheek, and bronze glow

LT: How do you feel about Social Media – selfies? Food pics? Duck Lips? (LOL)

JL: I love the connection social media has for creatives. It has been a major way to stay and get inspired. I also think it has created unrealistic standards for beauty – I want people to use it to get inspired and then get off and live – there is only one you – you don’t need to look like the latest nstagram fad unless it’s your swag or style.

LT: What is your favorite food or meal?

JL: Good sushi – lazy fish frederick – haaaayyyyy ya’ll ! http://www.lazyfishsushi.com

LT: You look fantastic – What has been your health routine while pregnant?

JL: Take time for me first. Everything else second. Barre has been everything to me during pregnancy. Staying active is been my sanity. I do accuppuncture monthly – swear by it. But most of all, taking time to be grateful for my health and this journey by meditating and doing yoga. The mind is powerful tool to look and feel the energy you have inside. A good moisturizer doesn’t hurt – current favorite (since my skin has been the dryest of all time – thanks baby!) is Welda Skin Food.

LT: How do you feel about aging, plastic surgery? (Fillers, botox etc.)

JL: P R E V E N T A T I V E! take time to research what’s out there, find a trusted doctor and go for a consultation. Listen to the experts, tell them what bothers you and take their advice. And good doctors take time to get into and aren’t cheap – don’t get $2 Botox at your girlfriends basement unless she’s a doctor herself.

My feelings are this – if you don’t like something and it literally blows your life away in a way that hurts your self confidence – change it! But learn to love your one of a kind self in the process – no filler or plastic surgery cures the inside “uglies”. With that being said, I’m down for all the fun new stuff in moderation. And flaunt it – don’t you wish all the celebs would be real about all the treatments, fillers and work they get done so we could all know what it really takes to achieve this “beauty”. I do!

I’m particularly excited about fillers, new laser treatments, etc because they are temporary and non invasive – most can be removed and dissolved if you don’t like and need to be maintained so you can change up your look. The new lasers coming out that are in Europe (where all great skin things are born) are unbelievable and are going to make us ladies look ageless.

At the end of the day, my final words are everything is beautiful in moderation. Don’t get crazy!

LT: What is your dream makeup job?

JL: My job – I love dealing with regular girls on the best day of their life. I’ve never been one for the celebrity circuit or fashion runaways. I like collaborating with my favorite #GIRLBOSSES in the city I grew up in. If I could have a job in the industry – it would be creating names for makeup or nail collection – like for real how fun would that be!

LT: Mine too or Paint colors…… I keep telling Benjamin Moore that “Brussels sprout Green” is the perfect Spring Green – “Call Me Ben”.

LT: Your biggest life lesson so far?

JL: When I lost my baby brother 9/9/2016, I realized I was living too far into the future His passing made me come to terms with the fact we live in a world past the present moment chasing the next big trends or thing, which makes us feel like we’ve never arrived at success. His physical abssence reminds me that life is short, and the key to believing you have everything is believing that you do. Sometimes the brightest stars align and guide you in the darkest moment of life, for that I am grateful………

LT: Awe Im so sorry for your loss – I had no idea. What a great way to remember him daily by living in the now……I’m sure he watches over you and is very proud.

This was just a small interview I hope you liked it and again please pop over to Jordans site http://www.jkwbeauty.com make an appointment for makeup lesson, spray tan, or get the perfect updo. Below some pictures from her bespoke salon and my tanning experience. I am going again this week – the tan has still lasted – even with exercise, nightly detox baths and the sauna. I really did heed her directions by staying VERY moisturized!

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Jordan and a soon to be bride wedding this July doing a run through. Look at that cute little belly….. she joked how it keeps getting in the way. Small price to pay for sure.

Right after the spray tan no makeup but boy you can see a difference – I couldn’t stop laughing at how tan my face was……. reminder of FRIENDS tanning episode.

Before and after – excuse the “monster leg” hard to do a selfie from the top down in a spray tanning booth without showing more than you want. A few hours later and I look sleek and dark people – I’m loving it! This is gonna be a bi-weekly thing for sure! interview, lori ann Tauraso, blank slate, urablankslate, blank slate, you are a blank slate, frederick md, cheers, tanning , summer, jkw beauty

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My face was glowing and the tan really coming through again no makeup and loving it. There was no weird chemical scent either. Downside no hot bath tonight, hair up to prevent any staining, wrap myself in old sheets not to stain bed just in case. Keep it on for 8 hours – you will be very dark than shower off for your true color results. Here is my Instagram video I did the morning after @loriannmd for Morning After Tanning on INSTA

I hope you all have a great week – take care of your self first and the rest will follow. Chat with you soon – the front porch can finally be done this week. Thank you mother nature so check back.

SPRING FRONT PORCH

April 13, 2018

Good Morning,

Looks like Spring is finally here in Maryland (snow flurries this past Monday) but now it seems safe to begin the “front porch” project I mentioned on Insta a few weeks back. I took everything off my porch – cleaning it – and got a new mat at the door that is it! Pretty bare looking. I need to do some touch-up paint and I may paint the front door. We have been in the house for a little over 4 years and feeling the nesting instinct again. I am partnering with Creme de la Creme – Frederick to create a front porch vignette. I may try and do two different versions – my stoop is not very big – I do have a balcony so we may do a combo. Here is what I am starting with. I wanna lean towards French / Italian rustic and Creme de la Creme is Perfect for this.

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Below is an idea of what I think I want to use and to give you the “vibe” I am going for. Stay tuned -also check on my Instagram and Facebook to see how the 2nd Lutronic Inifini at Frederick Dermatology went

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERY ONE! SHARE WITH ME YOUR THOUGHTS AND PLANS AND HOW YOU “REFRESH” FOR SPRING.

SUNDAY FUNDAY #OOTD & MY FIRST CHANEL

April 8, 2018

Today was a day that I had waited for but did not think it was going to happen for a while yet.

Still, a chilly Sunday here in the DMV so Mike and I decided to head to Tysons Galleria to check out the new Isabella’s Eatery – Chef Mike Isabella’s grand project. Very upscale food court. We are were looking at some new spring cosmetics skincare lines, new workout gear maybe and popping into CHANEL! Whaaaaat! A very sweet sales associate and I had been talking for months and I had given her an idea of a bag (I don’t have one in my collection – well didn’t) I wanted something classic but with an edge – not the same black bag everyone else has you know what I mean….. I’m not one who wants exactly what everyone else has. I sent her this picture 6 mths ago as an idea (RUNWAY PEOPLE) So she knew I wanted something classic but edgy. Like a said I was not to be rushed in this purchase nor was I gonna rush, Mike……… Wink Wink!

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She texted and had gotten in some new pieces that are limited edition so I said “Oh Mike lets just go look” I mean one day I will get one and I like to window shop anyway. Well, let me tell you he really surprised me because today was the day! I could not believe it. I squealed like a little girl and gave him the biggest hug. I even did a little jump! A few people laughed and one lady said – now that bag that is an iconic runway piece. I’m still in awe. I did not get the above-pictured bag even though Michelle had it there for me. In person, it was too small a mini and I just donated a mini Gucci to Clutch for a Cause part of W2Women mentoring. Which I was honored to do so I knew a mini bag was not for me anymore.

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This is just something I’ve wanted. I consider it to be a little piece of wearable art. I adore all my beautiful bags, shoes, clothing I have collected over the years. I know I am VERY fortunate and those who know me know I am not braggy I just was like YES BABY! (Stay tuned for Instagram/ instastores etc.) Without knowing what was going to be happening I decided to wear my usual high-end casual type of outfit and I was asked several times about it today (#OOTD) by a few of you so I created this board. I hope you like it and it should make getting the info easier. I am still in the process of learning the layouts on the site but it is exact to what I wore today. The perfume is my long time signature. Also, I have to say the Paige denim jeans on the second grouping (I have 3 pairs) fit like a glove – my newest favorite by far – if you haven’t tried them on yet – trust me you will be in love. That perfect amount of stretch while retaining the form. Also, always love my American eagle jeans forever a standard. Hudson flap back pockets rule they give you an instant butt lift! Honest! These SJP shoes are so great – many thought they were Manolo’s but that is to be expected right? She did collaborate with him. Who doesn’t miss Sex and The City? Anyway was so excited I was able to buy them at MGM National Harbor Flagship SJP Store!

I have some of these jeans below and whats great high-end or low they last and look and feel so good. I adore pairing my jeans, t-shirts or casual top with high-end accessories. That is really my everyday style ( well except for my yoga pant days…… which I’m trying to do only on days I workout – Ha Ha who’s with me?

I mean I have some “fancy dresses” but let’s be honest that is not my life and I’m glad. I need to be comfy and try and look good doing it. I may even get my nails done this week. If you’ve been following along you know I have taken this year to really “edit” my closet and “things” I have quality over quantity. I’m getting there still a work in progress and this week I’ll be tackling my office – AGAIN. As far as CHANEL………………… darlings you will have to check back for the Unboxing- I’ve been doing little videos for myself and the restaurants so I think I’ll make one. So it will be up this week. If you go to Chanel in Tysons Corner, VA ask for Michelle Kennedy she is the best! Her manager Brianna was lovely as well. Not an everyday thing for me a very special piece. I’m happy, grateful and will cherish it forever!

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Again, happy Sunday everyone! I know it was a surprisingly happy one for me and I wish the same for all of you as always.

Still working on the DIY home cleaners and the video will be up soon.

SIDE NOTE WEIRD THINGS WITH INSTAGRAM & WORDPRESS FIXING SOON – MY SLIDESHOW AND LINK WILL BE UP ASAP! THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO ASKED AND LET ME KNOW IT WAS NOT THERE.

SPRING SPRING WHERE ARE YOU

April 2, 2018

HAPPY MONDAY,

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday – ours was nice and quiet here in the DMV – still gloomy outside so I thought I’d create a spring fashion board on my Polyvore site. Lately, technology has been betraying me and tons of time resetting things etc. so frustrating! Bear with me. Here is LINK FOR POLYVORE! and all my goodies I’m looking into.

Enjoy your week and do something nice for yourself. Happy surfing………

BTW – I am excited over 2 new posts that are in the works – one is a front porch decor/collaboration with Creme de la Creme 207 N. Market St. Frederick, MD

The other is “The Organically Clean Home” I’ve been making all my cleaning products – so much healthier (recently found I have asthma) and saves loads of money! I am excited for you to come along. I have to find all the jars etc…. so it will be coming up just in time for Spring cleaning!