I’ve had the same style hair for a decade—short bob that the kids didn’t grab or
bury in peanut butter. My clothing style was comfortable and hardy. And my home
décor has been decided by the previous owners of the furniture I inherited.
But I’ve been empty nesting for a few years now. Life has slowed down and my
husband and I are earning enough to have a little extra. And here’s the clinker.
My twenty-something daughters have emphasized that “Style” isn’t a dirty word.
Now if you’ve met me at a conference, you know I have some beautiful clothes.
Flowy fabric often with an Asian flare. Beautiful right? That’s style, right? Of
course it is. And it fit perfectly with my penname Jade Lee. Except I’m also
Kathy Lyons who is publishing more and more contemporary fun books. Laugh out
loud books, some with paranormal twists, but all with distinctive modern humor.
So…style update. Guess what I’ve changed. (Hint: can be more than one)
Long blonde locks. Yup, grew out the hair, bleached it until it’s
almost white, and then added some curls.
Red highlights. I’ve got dark hair so that shock of red…well, it’s
not so shocking. In fact, in some lights, you can’t see it at all. But I know
it’s there!
Short geometric patterns. Think 60s patterns with a fit and flare
style.
Business suits in pastel colors. I’m a modern businesswoman, right?
So that means black pumps, A-line skirt, and a flowy blouse covered by a fitted
jacket. My nod to creativity was that I got one in pink, one in powder blue, and
a cheeky one in lime green.
Stripper heels. Yup. I’m not exactly tall, so I’ve been practicing
with increasing heights on my shoes. My next conference, I’ll be strutting my
stuff in six-inch red sandals. Va, va, va, voom!
I tried all those changes, but it was too much work. So I just put
that money into expensive jewelry. That’s a style change right?
Answer: 2, 3, and a little bit of 6 – Actually, I added the red
highlights a couple years back and as I said, it’s not so shocking though my
husband thought so at first. Mostly, I’m covering the gray, but the less said
about that, the better. I have been growing my hair out. I can even wear a
ponytail now! Haven’t quite figured out how to manage all this stuff about my
face, but I’m playing. By November (the Readers and ‘Ritas conference) I hope to
have figured it out. And by the way, me as a blonde would look AWFUL!
I have found some fun dresses that I’m going to try out. Patterns and block
colors, but they’re fun. The key is that I never, ever wore dresses before. I
hated the idea of pantyhose, so pants were just easier. But bare is in now and
we’re heading for the warmer months. I used to have a pink business suit. It was
actually quite lovely, but I can’t imagine wearing that now. Too professional!
And as for stripper heels, they may look hot, but I walk a lot at conferences.
No way would my feet hold out in six-inch heels.
And as for #6 – well, I’ve gotten a couple lovely pieces lately because they
were beautiful. So I have to buy clothes that show them off, right?
I don’t have a lot of pictures because I haven’t really unveiled my new style.
Still putting together the pieces. You can see one of my new dresses in this
picture of me with Asa Maria Bradley, Paige Tyler and Genita Loh. See what I
mean about geometric patterns? And my hair is growing…
And now…last but not least is a new piece of art on my bathroom wall. Well, I
think it’s art. My husband thinks it’s just toilet paper on the wall. What do
you think? Leave your answer in the comments, and one lucky winner will get my
first four Bridal Favors books! PS. It can be both art and toilet paper on the
wall…right?
A USA Today Bestseller, Jade Lee has been scripting love
stories since she first picked up a set of paper dolls. Ball gowns and rakish
lords caught her attention early (thank you Georgette Heyer), and her
fascination with the Regency began. And as a Taurus, she lives to pit a
headstrong woman against a tortured hero just to watch them butt heads on the
way to true love. Flesh wounds are rare, but the healing and laughter are
real.
Now an author of more than 30 romance novels, she finally gets to
set these couples in the best girl-heaven of all: a Bridal Salon! This way she
gets to live out all her wedding fantasies, one by one. (Let's be honest, what
girl has only one idea for her dream wedding?)
And don't forget Jade's
other name, Kathy Lyons. That's Jade's lighter, contemporary side. She
writes for Harlequin Blaze merging hawt sex and funny relationships into really
great reads.
Brant Hallowsby grew up on the fringes of high society; he’s neither a
commoner nor a true nobleman. As a bastard son of nobility, he can talk the
talk, but ultimately has nothing to lose and that’s exactly what Bluebell
Ballenger needs.
Bluebell needs Brant’s help so that she can become a
perfect English rose, because, like him, she’s both a part of the ton and
excluded from it. Brant knows she’s hiding something from him, but as he starts
falling for her soft skin and sparkling eyes, it no longer seems to matter.
Until he discovers the one thing that could tear them apart.
Like the toilet paper holder. It is BOTH art and useful. My only gripe is that if left alone too long, it will attract dust. But that's just me. (Ela Raymundo 1:05am April 6, 2016)
LOL. art and toliet paper so much nicer than those crochet covers for the toliet paper. (Phyllis Lamken 11:14am April 6, 2016)
Art and toilet paper. If you saw just the picture I do not think you would know it was toilet paper. (Lynn Bruce 8:57pm April 6, 2016)
I think it's both, too! (Janie McGaugh 10:48pm April 6, 2016)
I believe the term is "functional art!" After all, it is geometric, right! (Marguerite Guinn 11:58am April 7, 2016)
I showed my hubby your "art installation". He wants one in his man cave bathroom!!! (Joanne Hicks 11:51pm April 7, 2016)
TP on a wall - but artfully put storage. (Beth Elder 9:35pm April 9, 2016)
I like the toilet paper art--functional and attractive both. (Marshelle Burkhead 1:27pm April 10, 2016)
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