I'm loving these art pieces!

One of my favourite shops online is etsy.com, you can find some of the best one-of-a-kind items. Within the last month of October I have purchased two items from two different sellers; my avie design blog cards, and a baby onesie outfit with bib and blanket from GirlieBirdBoutique. So far these items have been some of my best purchases lately. One seller I've been eyeing lately is Leigh from jkldesign, she's a freelance artist who for the most part is self-taught. She is also a makeup artist! I absolutely adore her work. Thanks to MadeByGirl (check out her site for the cutest prints and holiday cards) for showcasing Leigh on her blog, because of her post I found Leigh's work. Here are a few of my favourites!




Just looking at these prints I get inspired for different makeup looks.

More info:

http://jkldesign.blogspot.com/
http://loveleigh8.blogspot.com/
jkldesign.etsy shop

(credits: jkldesign)

Return to Hollywood Glam

Every Wednedsay I post my favourite looks for that week on my right side-bar. However, I never actually blog post the "look of the week" on my main post page. This week is a different story because I absolutely love Christina Ricci's return to glam look. I love old Hollywood glam! However, Hollywood will never return to that era. No longer are actors referred to as "stars", now in Hollywood it seems like anyone can get their 15 minutes of fame (if not longer). There are far too many reality shows, bad actors, and those that I can't pin-point what they actually do but are famous. Anyhow, I will not rant any longer but admire Christina's Atelier Versace gown, makeup, and hair.

From the Versace site under Atelier here is the dress as modelled by Georgina Stojilkovic, and the lovely sketch.

(photo credits: Left photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images, Right photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage, Atelier Versace-Fall'08: photo & sketch from versace.com, http://www.fashionologie.com/1772448)

Time for new makeup brushes

With the Holidays fast approaching its the best time of year for.....buying makeup brush sets & makeup palettes. No not for your friends and family (unless you don't want them using your own) but its a great time of year to stock up on brushes and makeup for yourself. Not only do you get a better bang for your buck but mini size versions of some of your favourite items. Alright, don't forget to grab your favourites for gifts too! Any beauty junkie would love these! But don't wait too long because brushes and palettes sell out quick.

On the topic of makeup brushes, above is a sad pick of my stash and the MAC basic brush set which is a great starter kit(hint!hint!). However, brushes can get pricey and you can find equally good quality brushes at your local art/craft store. Check out the youtube.com video by member enKore I posted below for some great suggestions and advice.

(photocredit: maccosmetics.com)

Get your blog out there!

Are you tired of writing down you blog link on scraps of paper, napkins, and relying on word-of-mouth. I was and wanted to get cute blog cards printed but didn't know where to get them done. Back in October, I was reading one of my favourite blogs Decor8 and she did a feature on Avie Designs, she designs cute creative stationary items and inexpensive too! The timing couldn't have been more perfect as Avie had exactly what I was looking for. So, for $15 (including shipping) I ordered 80 cards (4 different styles, 20 of each). And the service was great, quick, and painless. The attention to detail is fantastic!

What are your thoughts on having blog/website cards? Does anyone else have them?

For more info:
http://www.aviedesigns.com/
http://aviedesigns.blogspot.com/

L'Oreal Fashion Week

"Well hello...I'm late to the party am I?" well some of us have to work & can't attend Toronto's Fashion Week, boo!hoo! And of course no invites for me, however, there are a few events open to the public. If you can't be there physically there's no better way to see a few collections via the Internet. Toronto's L'Oreal Fashion Week runs from October 20-25, showcasing some of Canada's finest fashion designers and there was a show from Spanish fashion-chain stores Mango, featuring Penelope Cruz's sister Monica Cruz's collection (I wouldn't go as far & say Monica Cruz is a designer but the Cruz sisters have influenced the latest seasons at Mango and have worked with their in-house design team).

One of the shows that I was excited to see (online of course) was Pink Tartan's Spring '09 collection, which had a 60's glam vibe. Loving the return to glam!

Check out a few images, enjoy!

P.S-Just want to add (by no means am I a professional stylist or claim to be but I do love fashion & hey that's why I have my blog) I'm not feeling the styling of these outfits. I love the pieces & grasp the 60's vibe but something is off...First, I love the look of these shoes BUT do think that there could've been a better choice. My choice would've been a rounded-toe, patent leather, nude platform heel. Lastly, either a skinny or wide belt would've looked great on any of these outfits. Of course anyone has their own interpretation of what eventually their desired look is.

(PinkTartan, Spring'09 images from CTV.ca)

And for a glimpse of Mango's show:

click here

Try eyebrow threading at home...I did

Back in August I wrote EyeSpy Eyebrows, about my first time getting my eyebrows professionally threaded. Well, since then I've been interested in trying to learn the technique. I came across a fabulous eyebrow threading tutorial on youtube a few weeks ago by the member Eily311. This tutorial is one of the best I've seen so far on the net and with practice you too can thread your own eyebrows. So, this technique took me about three attempts and trying different thickness' of thread. For me, the easiest method is to make the loop very small & use thin cotton thread (from your sewing kit). Also, practice makes perfect! Don't expect the same results as you would at a salon (atleast until you can master it), for me I still find it difficult to do the underside of my eyebrows. The top and sides of eyebrows were easier, as I find that because I can't hold my skin taut above my eyebrow arch I can't reach/grab the smaller hairs. I'm unsure if I'll continue to use this technique at home or if I'll just get it done by a pro. I usually just pluck but find that threading gives you a cleaner look and nicer shape. Let me know what you think of this tutorial? And if you actually try it?
Goodluck & patience:)

Hairdryer dilemma solved

So, a few weeks ago I blogged about my Hairdryer SOS. After, two returns I finally settled on an old-fashioned, no frills hairdryer that works like a charm. No ionic features, no ceramic unit, & no tourmaline either, just good old fashioned heat & speed. To add to all that works better than my old hairdryer & the two others I had purchased. Ok so this hairdryer is not exactly your run of the mill crap either, its a professional hairdryer called Avanti Ultra Professional Hair Dryer. I bought it on SALE for $90.oo CDN at Toronto Barber & Beauty Supply, & the sales associate recommended it to me. Also, if I wasn't satisfied I had 10 days for exchange. Those 10 days have come & gone and no worry because this one's a keeper!





While we're on the topic of hair, I recently purchased John Frieda Weather-Works Weather-Proofing Style Sealant Creme on SALE for under $10.00CDN & have found a winner!! It states that its a creme but I found that its in between a serum/creme consistantcy. I use this on towel-dried hair & then blow-dry my hair straight. This keeps hair straight, shiny, & sleek. No flyaways and smells great. I don't even need a finishing serum (which I usually do) with this product. I highly recommend it if you have hair like mine; dry, naturally wavy, thick hair.


(photo credit: fabaocanada.com & JohnFrieda.ca)

Cavalli and his Coca-Cola Light

As they say across the pond & down in South America, Coca-Cola Light. I actually like the word "light" as opposed to "diet" just has a better ring, don't you think? Diet...well sounds so..."I'm on a Diet everyone, I watch what I drink" but light sounds airy, no care in the world. OK, so I'm just writing about Coke but hey Coke-Cola marketing departments have had countless meetings & research in determining the right wording for their products & I'm sure there's findings in which determine in North America "diet" is the way to go. Aside from the wording lets move on to fashion designers. What does Coke & fashion have in common? Alot. Back in July I blogged about stylist Patricia Field designing limited edition Diet Coke bottles. The latest limited edition bottles are designed by Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli & only available in Italy. He has designed three different designs in his signature animal prints & are to reflect how a dress would look on a bottle. Next time your in Italy but only until December or until supplies last, don't forget to pick up your "Coca-Cola Light". Cheers!

(image credit: sybarites.org)

Positively Polite

Yesterday, I attended Carmindy's book signing at Sephora on Bloor St. in Toronto. The store was buzzing with women (and a few men like my boyfriend who I dragged to the event) needless to say Sephora looked like it did on opening day. Women hurriedly grabbing makeup & skincare items as if their were some sort of shortage. Regardless, how the economy might be at the moment you wouldn't know a deep recession was around the corner with the way women were spending. OK so I'm raising my hand slowing as I too couldn't resist & purchased Benefit's Boi-ing Concealer (review to follow). So now to the long book signing line-up, which wasn't that bad & having my boyfriend/photographer with me the line-up was a breeze. Carmindy took her time to talk to everyone individually, obviously time permitting, & was such a doll. She's really nice, friendly, and down-to-earth. Alot of ladies were asking for makeup advice & she graciously answered. As for the book, I stayed up late last night trying to read everything but got too sleepy. Therefore, haven't finished yet. She offers some great advice & there is a chapter with makeovers where she lists the products used, which I loved because there's nothing worse than seeing a look you like & not knowing what products were used. As for her lip colour at the signing she told me it was from her Sally Hansen line, which should be coming to Canada shortly. There are more dates for her book signing just check her site Carmindy for more info!

Samples I received at the book signing:

Kinerase Anti-Wrinkle Care

Cargo TexasLash Mascara

Benefit High Beam

Benefit BeneTint

LipFusionXL

Sephora Hair Bands

Nars Lip Gloss mini-set (Moon Fleet, Rose Birman, Foul Play)

Calvin Klein Euphoria perfume sample (not pictured)

"Get Positively Beautiful"

This Wednesday, October 8, I will be heading over to Sephora to check out Carmindy's (most know from TLC's What Not To Wear) new book Get Positively Beautiful. Not only will I be checking out the book, but Carmindy will be there too to launch her latest book & answering any beauty questions.

Carmindy states that her new book;

"is really my manifesto and I wrote it for all of us who struggle with negative feelings about our own beauty. According to a recent study, only 2% of women describe themselves as 'beautiful'. The media instructs women how to 'look ten years younger, 'cover up wrinkles', or 'get fuller, plumper lips'. The beauty industry and so-called beauty experts play off womens' insecurities, promising to conceal perceived flaws, contour noses, or make eyes look bigger. The underlying message? That there's something inherently wrong with the way women look and that they have to spend time, money, and energy keeping up with all the ways they should 'fix' themselves." (http://carmindy.com/newsletter/2008.10.html#article2)

In her new book she writes about changing the negative beauty perspective
that women have and using the "Carmindy Vision" in celebrating our
uniqueness.

If your in the Toronto area:

Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Book Launch & Signing in Canada
7-9pm Sephora
131 Bloor Street West
Toronto, OntarioCanada M5S 1R1
Cross Streets: Bloor Street West & Avenue
Road
416-513-1100

The Carrie Diaries

Ever wonder what Carrie Bradshaw was like before Sex in the City? Where and how exactly did her fashion style evolve from? Or how about her first boyfriend? The character Carrie Bradshaw from Sex in the City has become so iconic that followers of both the books and original series want to know more about this character and how she has evolved. Who has never dreamt of living in New York City and living the life of either Carrie or one of the other Sex in the City characters, I know I have. I don't identify myself with Carrie or insinuate I resemble her, but I do find varies traits in all four characters that I can identify with. And hasn't anyone of us lived vicariously through one of the four; Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, Miranda. The author of Sex in the City, Candace Bushnell, has also wondered about Carrie's earlier years. Candace has signed with HarperCollins to write two young-adult books titled The Carrie Diaries.

" I love the idea of going back to that time and going into the head of a teenage girl who-and I don't want this to come out the wrong way-who in a way becomes an icon, who in the future becomes that really independent character."(Elle (US ed), Oct'08 no.278, pg.412)

The first of the two Carrie Diaries will cover Carrie's senior year in Highschool and the second will cover her first year in New York City. Should be an interesting read, ok, so I'm not in my late teens or early twenties (cough...in my early thirties) but I'll be sure to check out the two books.

(photo credit: www.sexinthecitymovie.com)

Halloween's Approaching...are you ready?

Every year MAC Cosmetics releases Halloween looks & if you'd like to replicate these looks you can just print off the "looks" off their site. Of course if you follow step-by-step using the exact MAC makeup they've used you'll be out about $500 cdn. But aside from the cost most of these looks you can do without the MAC or use alternative makeup from your already growing stash. To be honest this year's looks are not my favourite. There are a couple I like, and of course these face charts can lead you in the right direction of designing something original.


Very, very, scary!

(photo credit: maccosmetics.com)

Think Pink

Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Click on the above to fund free mammograms and spread the message!

Here are some other sites to check out:

Breast Cancer Organization

National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc

Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

Feel Your Boobies

If there are more sites or stories you'd like to share feel free to post links in my comments section. I'll be posting throughout October about breast cancer awareness month.

Bijoux