MZ Wallace NY : A Designer Handbag Without the Scary Price Tag

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2012, about MZ wallace, accessories, accessories for all occasions, Affordable fashion, affordable luxury, bio, birthday gifts, boutiques, budget friendly, christmas gift ideas, clearance handbags, clutch with strap, couture accessories, Designer Handbags, fashion, fashion designers, Fashionista, Flagship store, Gifts for your wife, grey leather clutch, handbag with pockets, Handbags under $500, I need a good purse, Italian Leather, leather, many color options, MZ wallace, New York, NYC, On sale, Peacock Bedford Kate, places to shop in NYC, practical fashion, practical handbag, Price is Right, retail store, shop online, shop till you drop, slouch bag, snake print tote, SOHO, Summer must have, Teal purse, tokyo japan, Upper west side, utilitarian fashion, west village, what women want

Grey Nubuck Leather Camille Clutch $325 (sold here)

The airport is the best “People Watching” spot that exists (if that’s your kind of thing!) As a makeup artist and fashion junkie, I can carry 4 bags, dig through my vintage clutch to find my ID (amidst the million lip glosses and receipts,) check in, go through security, find my gate and grab a coffee, all the while sub-consciously absorbing the beautiful, hilarious, and enamoring clothing and accessories worn around me

Going through security is a pain, but that’s when you see all the goods. Shoes! Handbags! Everyone needs to remove their shoes and empty their purses to get to the other side.

While exiting the “body scanner”, a lady behind me apologized for her mass amount of stuff that was causing a traffic jam on the security belt. No need to apologize, lady!! Her handbag was a jaw dropping, mouth-watering spectacle of all things DONE RIGHT! (below)

THE BAG “Peacock Bedford Kate” $395 (sold here)

I couldn’t put my finger on what designer it was, so after a quick exchange of questions: where she was headed (LA) and what she did for a living (built movie sets), I couldn’t help but compliment her on the teal “slouch” double strapped , creamy leather bag she was carrying.

Trying out my (usually spot on) “Price is Right” guessing ability, I asked what designer it was. “MZ Wallace” she answered. Hmmm, never heard of that, which usually means (for this budget fashionista) that it was too expensive for me to even KNOW about. I took a wild guess at the price. “Probably runs about $11, $1,200 (waving my hand back and forth, in a “give or take” motion to make it a safe guess.) I failed. Her response was wide-eyed and smiley and frankly made me happy, as she stated that her husband bought it for her in NY and it was around $450.

Snake Print Ava Tote $225 (on SALE Here)

That’s when I pulled up MZ Wallace on my trusty Iphone just to swoon over the bags while waiting for take off! Not sure (as a native New Yorker) how I managed to miss such an eye catching, quality built, and budget friendly accessory!

MZ Wallace was created in 2000 by two born and bred NYC friends Monica and Lucy. The duo , both artists and hyper-successful self-made business women, collaborated their creativity and fashion knowledge that took their concept of a “luxurious and utilitarian” handbags to a worldwide “carry-on” cult . (Read their whole story here)

Flagship Store in Soho (more locations here)

What a wonderful MZ has done! They are constantly growing as a company with two flagship stores, SOHO NYC (and two other stores in NY), and one in Tokyo, Japan. Best Rof all, they have catered to the point, click, and ship shoppers by offering online purchasing as well as placements in 4,000 exclusive boutiques around the globe!

Warning: Looking too closely at this website will cause money to fall out of your bank account (because you will buy 3 bags, and not just 1). Proceed with caution!

Related Article : Swimsuits by Fashion Fern 

Fashion Through a Kaleidoscope: The Musings of a Girl With Ever Evolving Style

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2012, adventure, always be yourself, atlanta, banana republic, BBC, be yourself, beautiful, bohemian, boho, Boho Chic, boots with skirts, British style, British television, budget shopping, Cassie Skins, chapters of life, clothing combinations, clothing labels, color inspiration, colorful clothes, creative outfits, deal hunting, dress for yourself, Dresses, ethereal, every day is dress up, fashion, fashion advice, fashion evolution, Forever 21, free, free spirit, GA state college, gap, gloatl, growing up, Guest post, H&M, hannah Murray, hippie chic, How to wear anything, I hate my clothes, If I ruled the world, inspiration, journalism, Kaleidoscope, life in technicolor, neutral accessories, neutrals, normal girl, personality, psychedelic, quality, Spring 2012, style evolution, The Goat Farm, thrifting, tomboy, tried and true, wardrobe staple

Abby (bottom right) Hoola Hooping with Friends

A few weeks ago I attended an “open movement” dance class with about 50 others part of our local art community at The Goat Farm here in Atlanta. One of those people was a wonderful girl named Abby Carney. My dear friend, Erin, brought her to the GloATL class to dance the afternoon away, flailing ourselves around in the “deep-sea of our emotions!” I loved it, and at first sight I loved Abby. She was wearing a hair piece, a skirt, and winter lace up boots. My kinda girl.

I struck up conversation with her when she asked what else she could wear with those boots, and how to transist them into a Spring staple. Erin and I started offering up opinions and came to a conclusion: dresses, cropped pants were the necessary articles to wear with the infamous boots.

As I talked to Abby about what she did for school and for a living, we immediately connected heart to heart. As she is finishing up school for Journalism in a few weeks (yay), I figured I would extend a fun opportunity to offer some fashion advice to my readers. She is truly a visionary and creative. Her outfits say ” I never hold back, I wear what I want!”

I received incredible inspiration from her following article!

When I was a kid, I was very much a tomboy. For quite a while, I favored overalls, bandanas,
cargo pants, and sneakers . Thankfully I outgrew that phase and
the “trying to fit in” mentality most people go through in high school. Really, I think
life is just made up of a million little unique chapters we go through, and the point
is to just thoroughly enjoy whichever one you’re in.

In high school I always felt
“bohemian” urges and wore many scarves and headbands, but I was too nervous to
fully embrace my true self aesthetically and otherwise. College and urban living
allowed me to blossom into the bohemian hipster baby I admit to being much of the
time now. I’m not afraid to try something new or different. If it makes me happy,
I put it on and wear it proudly. I no longer look at labels or sizes. I simply wear
what feels good and what makes me smile.

Paradoxical to my general boho look, I
also gravitate towards neutrals. I can’t get enough of black, white, navy, and gray.
My closet is filled with white blouses and beige accessories. I shopped at thriftstores before it was cool, and that’s the solid truth. I attended an exclusive private
school, so my mother taught me to be nonchalant about my scavenged treasures.
She certainly trained me in “advanced deal hunting” at an early age. At the same time, I also believe in
quality . It is rare to find me perusing the H&M’s or Forever 21’s of the world.
They make cute things, but they are disposable at best. If I am going to veer from
my usual thrifting stops, it probably means I’m shelling out a little cash at Banana
Republic or Gap to purchase a tried and true wardrobe staple.

It would be impossible to pinpoint my inspiration. I am endlessly fascinated by
everything, and I feel that my outward aesthetic is a way of expressing that. I adorn
myself with objects that captivate me: Like an urchin drawn to shiny baubles, I
am mesmerized by colors. The more the better. If I ruled the world, we would see
everything in Technicolor. Life would float by like a psychedelic swirling twirling
undersea octopus’ garden in the shade. Did I get carried away? That’s what I
seek to express. I think you can grasp that just by looking at me sometimes.

  

Cassie from "Skins" BBC

 Your clothing really acts as an outer mood ring. Moods can be as varied as a rainbow, so never pigeonhole yourself. As far as a muse in human form, my fashion inspiration is Hannah Murray, who portrays the character Cassie on the British television series Skins (above). Something about her style and personality enraptures me and I feel kindred to her spirit and fashion. That’s about it. There are no hard and fast rules in my world but this old cliché—don’t ever dare be anyone who is not totally and earnestly you. Comparisons are futile. I roll out of bed each day and think to myself, “What adventures we’ll have today.” Dress yourself for the day’s adventure.

Abby is a freelance scribe in ATL, freshly graduated from Georgia State and actively exploring every nook & cranny of her hometown before taking on the world. Find her on her purple bicycle, running these city streets, in coffee shops, with her nose in a book, or perched up high in a tree.

Follow Abby on Twitter and Tumblr

The Beauty of Hindsight

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2012, beautiful, bloggers, Do what you love, emotions, future, Gathered Thoughts Box, Hindsight, I hate work, inspiration, kids, LBD, Lifestyle blog, Link up, love, Love Feast Table, makeup, memories, past, personal, present, Quotes, sharing thoughts, story, support, Wisdom Words to live by, Women, Work

Not often do I share my direct opinion or personal life on my blog, because frankly, It is a fashion blog! Today is a special day where I get to share with you (my readers) a quick insight into my brain, and heart.

A few weeks ago, I had been invited to be an “Official Hostess” of The Gathered Thoughts Link Party. The opportunity was extended to me by my best friend and incredibly succesful blogger, fashionista, and best of all, a fabulous mother of five. Kristin along with her creative/business partner  Chris Ann (read a little bit about them), have cultivated not just a website but a culture. The Love Feast Table  goal for today is to have women from all backgrounds grab quote cards from a unique conversation starter box called the “Gathered Thoughts Box.” and write about whatever they were feeling while reading the quote (check out the link to read and meet the other fabulous women bloggers as well as the Gathered Thoughts Box for purchase at a discount.)

Each Hostess was given 9 cards, one for ourselves and 8 for a few of our favourite bloggers and creatives. I chose the one (above) for myself, because I seemed to have gravitated toward it the most (yet still second guessed myself, hence the question mark in upper right hand corner!)

“Enjoy the Little Things. For one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”  - Robert Brault 

Just like in fashion, in the present you have no idea what will move from a “trend” into a “staple.” Who knew at the beginning of the fashion emergence that things like  sunglasses, hats, shoes, the LBD, and many other fashion trends would later become the “norm?” Designers would eventually be making tons of LBD, unique lines of shoes and accessories. Clothing evolved from the “need” to cover up nakedness to a full blown obsession. Now Fashion rules the world.

On a personal note , this “prompt card” drove me to think long and hard about what was little to me then that has become an integral part of my life now.

Although I am in my mid twenties and have so much more life to live, learn, and enjoy, I do posses a bit of hindsight that I hope to impart to those that use me as a listening ear, and most of all, to my children (when I have some!)

Above is a notorious picture  of my sister  and me. We were around 3 and 4. That’s a travel “Conair” blow dryer in my hand styling my hair while Brittany basked in the fun of blowdrying her own hair, in a diaper, with a pacifier in her mouth. We were doing what we always loved to do:  Act like Fashionistas. I always said that one day, if i ever became “famous”, that would be the picture they show on the big screen when I achieve a goal or eventually pass away. It is a clear depiction of what we loved to do (my sister is now an amazing hairstylist, go figure!)

Oh the days of the Toys ‘R Us shopping sprees! My parents were so generous, and even in their state of financial need, they recognized that girls especially, need to exercise their creative passions. As soon as we entered those automatic doors, we would go straight for the Barbie aisle. I would choose a Disney Princess Barbie , or the Barbie you could put makeup on or cut the hair. Brittany did the same, while throwing in an animal activist Barbie such as the “Vet” Barbie with the little dog and stethoscope (#crunchygranola.)

After the Barbie aisle, we went straight for the kits of makeup marketed for young girls. It was the early 90′s so we were putting palettes of bright pink blush and intense blue eyeshadow on the register belt. We couldn’t help but to rip open the package the second we got  in the car while simultaneously painting each others faces. I was always slightly disturbed that the stupid “lipstick” didnt have enough pigment. By the time we reached home, I would have already broken into hives from the toy store makeup. My parents didn’t mind. They took me inside, washed my face, and moisturized it (maybe gave me a Benadryl.) They knew how much I enjoyed the toxic makeup, and only once (that I can remember) tried to “request” that I should not use it. Of course I did not listen and kept having them purchase me palettes. Eventually my loving mother would let me “shop” in the free “gift with purchase” bags of clinique (ewww…) and Estee Lauder lipsticks, mini blushes, and eyeshadow. I did much better with these.

My famous line as a child, in order to make my sister and friends let me paint their face, cut their bangs, and dress them was “Don’t worry, I’m a professional! I was not, till many years later.

As I grew into a teen, I seemed to have my older friends come and ask me what shoes went with what, shopping trips where they literally let me pick out their whole wardrobe. They had trust in me. Why? Im not sure , I guess because I had a passion for fashion and a good eye. I still look back on pictures and go “Why in the world would I ever wear that, ever?” But fashion and style changes with time, whether in your own life or on the Runway.

There are the “staples” that will be there forever. I’m still buying makeup palettes, this time from MAC and Sephora, (not the Toy store) and taking my friends and clients for personal shopping trips for makeup and clothing.

In hindsight, the biggest thought that comes to my mind is, when you feel a passion for something, go for it. You never know if it will be your biggest success in life. Your fulfillment is worth quitting that 9-5 (if it is not for you) and relying on your creative skill to get you through life, financially blessed and happy. HAPPY!! I am happy doing what I love.

Search your heart. Look back when you were a child, and asses what may have been the “small things” then and whether or not what you are doing now is the “staple” you want to exist for the rest of your life.

In my own words: “Go find that perfect Little Black Dress” It’s NEVER too late.

In PASSION AND FASHION,

Brielle

Adele for Vogue 2012: Makeup Tutorial

Tags

2012, Adele, Benefit Cosmetics, celebutard, cheek contour, comments, Douce France, drugstore, Eyeshadow Blending, Eyeshadow Trio, false lashes, Foundation, full coverage, grammy winner, High Fashion, How To, Kat Von D, L'Oreal Voluminous, Lipstick, liquid liner, magazines, makeup ads photoshop, Makeup Artist, Makeup Tips, Mascara, Nars, Nordstrom, Nude Peach, oil free, online shopping, Photoshop, pinterest, Product Recommendations, questions, quote, Rose color eyeshadow, Runway, Sephora, Smashbox, Vogue Cover, vogue guide, Wing Liner

As I checked out at the grocery store a few weeks ago, I glanced to the left to see Archie Comics, Readers Digest , and then my eyes settled on what they always settle on, beauty. Adele burned my eyes, as I admired her beauty (and makeup) on the cover of Vogue. She is the talk of the town, and not just because she won all 6 Grammy’s ; She is a Powerhouse and talented woman!

As a makeup artist, I love to recreate looks that I see on magazines, Pinterest, runways, and Vogue guides. I get my inspiration from those who have gone before me and tweak looks according to what I may prefer and what will make that look “my own.”

I know some of you may hate the photoshoping and contouring that has been done. But from doing shoots, I know that proper makeup application makes the shoot easier for the Photographer and Editor. Editors adjust face shape, nose size, and erase fine lines and pigmentation, but very rarely alter shadow, lashes, or lip colour. It is the job of the Makeup Artist to create perfection.

We are going to Breakdown Adele’s Makeup look so that you can accomplish it in a quick few steps AND know what products to buy.

Foundation:

“Hello Flawless” Foundation by Benefit $34. This is a fabulous NEW foundation by Benefit that is oil-free and has a beautiful, full coverage finish. It creates a glowing look, just like Adele (without, adding a highlighter on the center of face) Apply with foundation brush or fingers.

Cheeks : Smashbox “Step by Step” Contour Kit $45 . This is incredibly easy, all she is wearing is a “contour” to “create” cheekbones. You can use this wonderful kit to apply a highlighter (if you desire) and use the Taupe Colour below your cheekbones. To bring down the price ,  you can also just use whatever Taupe eyeshadow you desire.

If you have already defined cheekbones, just apply a bronzer to the apple of cheeks extending it toward ear.

Eyes:

Nars Eyeshadow Trio in “Douce France” $45 – This is the PERFECT trio for Adele’s Look. Three Easy Steps!

Use foundation on eyelids, and apply lightest shade in trio heavily on inner tear duct area and all over bottom part of lid (below crease).

Use 2nd shade toward outside area of eye (not extending past eyelid) in a v-shape coming up toward crease. Blend heavily inward, halfway across eyelid.

Use 3rd shade for the crease with a blending brush that has a slightly pointed tip. Apply darkest colour and , BLEND BLEND BLEND by using “wind shield wiper” movements, back and forth. We want NO hard lines , it should look like airbrushed eyeshadow.

Easy Peasy!!

Simple Liner : you can use any liquid liner brush or felt tip pen to create this “wing” look. Use liner from outside (where you create point) going inward, just about to tear duct. Apply as close to lash line as possible. The pointy wing end should point toward end of eyebrow (as high as you want!) If you need to adjust wing end, use a damp q-tip and “cut” whatever extra liner you don’t want.

Lashes:

This is where you can use some fabulous falsies or accentuate your beautiful lashes with a great mascara.

Believe it or not, the cheap (real not faux) strip lashes are the best and cost-effective ($4). Use Ardell or Revlon brand, and choose your “fullness.” They can be bought at any drugstore or grocery store.

My favorite : Ardell #33 “Wispies” (if they are too long , trim the end with cuticle scissors)

Great Mascara would honestly be from the drugstore as well, and many of you probably already have it. L’oreal “Luminous” in Carbon Black ($7-$9).

Apply normally while adding a little extra to your ends to accentuate the “wing out” effect.

And Finally Lips: 

Kat Von D “Painted Love” Lipstick in “Celebutard” $19 is probably one of my favorites as it glides on nicely, is not sticky or too dry feeling. This Nude Peach is all that Adele is wearing. No need for a lipliner , unless you need one, get one that is very light nude.

And that is all! Make sure to write a list to take into Sephora and Nordstrom and pick up your products! You can also order online if you do not have either store near you. All the links are connected to the “bold” titles. Just click and shop!

“I’m not afraid of anyone, the only personI’m ever afraid of is myself” – Adele

Please comment with your favorite products or questions!

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 2012 : Runway Religion

Tags

2012, Backstage, care, change, Controversial, Custo Barcelona, dressing for fashion week, encouragement, fashion, Fashion and Religion, fashion industry, fashion week, Humanitarian, interesting, love, Mara Hoffman, MBFW, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, models, non profit organization, prayer, religion haters, Runway, thought provoking, Volunteers, Youth WIth a Mission

Backstage at Custo Barcelona MBFW 2012

I tend to live vicariously through those who attend Fashion Week all around the world. As I do my research around NY Fashion Week (to blog about the many beautiful up and coming designers,) I come across some pretty interesting things.

Considering myself a Humanitarian, as I have traveled the world to love on street children in India and the destitute in the Philippines as well as other parts of asia, I naturally gravitate toward anything that combines religion and philanthropy with High Fashion. It’s controversial and thought-provoking.

Most of the time people have the sneaking suspicion or hardcore belief that religious groups HATE fashion, think it is shallow and narcissistic, but I have come across quite an interesting story and have gotten a firsthand interview with Angela Nennie, PR for Designer Custo Barcelona . She is also the Fashion Liason for YWAM NYC.

YWAM is a Non Profit Organization, Non Denominational, Christian Based Humanitarian Organization, and the NYC chapter is loving on, and highly involved with the High Fashion industry.They are in no way trying to force religion on anyone but to simply give encouragement to the designers and models.

Angela Nennie for Custo Barcelona 2012

This MBFW, Angela and a few volunteers (makeup artists, fashion students, and YWAM students) all helped backstage to make Custo Barcelona’s Runway show  run like glass!

Here is a snippet from Angela and her experience with the models, designers, and what she thinks needs to change in the fashion industry.

‘Every Fashion Week, teams from Christian missions organization ,Youth With A Mission (YWAM), descend on New York from various regions of the country and the globe. They are young and beautiful, fashion savvy and fancy-free and yet against all odds, they are compelled by a force much greater than themselves.

Each season, the YWAM teams become interns for various fashion labels. This gives
them access to work backstage in varying capacities. Operating check-in services for
press and guests, dressing models, ushering and running errands are just some of the
ways that they become involved.

While serving in these positions, they are presented
with opportunities to share the message of hope with fashion professionals. They also take time to pray with industry people and encourage them. On many occasions, they’ve been granted direct access to the designers.

Organizing Runway Show for Custo Barcelona

One volunteer shared the following experience from the recent MBFW.

“I will never forget talking to designer, Mara Hoffman. The Lord told me to tell her that
He delights in her designs and that He watches her create these beautiful expressions
of art and loves every second of it! He wanted me to remind her that He opened these
doors into the fashion industry for her, so that his glory might be brought out in her
designs.”
She was so pleased and shocked by the words that I spoke to her. These designers get
swarmed by people after the shows are finished, but I could tell that no one had ever
come up to her and said anything like what I had just spoken. As quickly as our
exchange of words happened, her assistant insisted that Mara need follow her away
from all of the backstage madness.”

Custo Barcelona 2012 Runway

If I was asked to use five words to describe the atmosphere at Fashion Week, I would
have to say Competition, Pride, Excess, Insecurity and Selfishness. That’s why it’s so important for Christians to be involved. With God’s presence comes Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,Gentleness and Self Control. I speak from experience when I say that those are cravings of people working in such a competitive environment. My prayer is that by seeing such a contrast, fashion professionals will be jealous to be reconciled to God who delights in their creativity and designs.

Whether you believe in religion or not, these volunteers have hearts to encourage, not to push a product. I think this is pretty wonderful. Fashion is about creativity and a passion for the art.

Angela Nennie’s Information is below if you would like to contact her with any questions about MBFW. Please do not send any hateful comments her way, as she is a fashion activist and loves the industry.

Angela Nennie

Australia Born, NYC Residing Fashionista. PR Consultant for Custo Barcelona and Fashion Liason for YWAM NYC, who loves to have fun, don the latest fashion trends, and share her love for people.

Email: ange@ywamnyc.org

                            Website: www.ywamnyc.org

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week : Makeup and Hair Trends

Tags

2012, Airy Updo, Asymmetrical Bangs, Band of Outsiders, bronze look, Bryant Park, bumble and bumble, Diane Von Furstenberg, Jason Wu, long hair, Makeup and Hair Trends, Makeup Artists, makeup looks for spring, Marc Jacobs, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Naeem Kahn, natural makeup, NY Fashion week, Runway, statement lip, surf spray

Behind the Scenes : NY Fashion Week 2012

We all know that not only are the clothing trends set once hit the NYFW Runway, but we also get all of our information on whats “in” for makeup and hair.

Over the last week and on many runways, we have seen an array of different makeup looks emerging. Artists have been focusing on a very natural look with pale skin , light lips, and little shadow on the eyes. But we are also seeing the opposite: A solid dark lid, or a statement lip.

Nars Rodarte 2012

A Natural Look on the Runway 2012

As for hair, it is pretty simple. Long locks (how I wish I had the discipline to grow them!) If you have beautiful long hair, DO NOT cut it off. Grab some Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray ($24) and let ‘em loose.

Band of Outsiders : Flowing Locks 2012

I am loving that “backstage” is bringing variety to the main stage. We have a lot to choose from this spring!

Here are some more of my favorite looks.

                                               Jason Wu: Statement Lip 2012

                                Naeem Kahn : Balancing Eye and Lip color 2012

Von Furstenberg "Airy Updo" 2012

Marc Jacobs: Asymmetrical Bangs 2012

What were you’re favorite looks from NY Fashion Week 2012?

Red Redemption : The Re-Emergence of the Red Lip

Tags

Black Red Lipstick, Budget makeup, Cherry Lip Pencil, Dark Rouge Lip, dark skin tone, Engine Red, Fair Skin, Guerlain lipgloss, Hollywood Cover, hourglass, How to wear Red Lipstick, Kevyn Aucoin, lip primer, Lipgloss, Lipliner, Lipstick, lipstick bleeding, MAC cosmetics, Olive Tone, Origins, passion, Raven Lipstick, Red Lipstick for all skin tones, Revlon lipstick, Rooney Mara, Sue Devitt, Tango, Terracotta, Valentines Day Makeup, Vanity Fair March 2012

Afraid to wear red lipstick? I am going to help you get over that. Everyone can wear a shade of red, and with Valentine’s Day coming up, you want to impress your Beau with a beautiful sultry lip.We are going to take red for Valentine’s Day from passe to stylish. The celebs are wearing it. Why can’t we ?

Men seem to gravitate toward the color red; It has also been proven to be the colour that evokes passion (and sometimes anger!), but passion is what we are going for. A perfect shade of Red can be painted on your bedroom walls to encourage more passionate intimacy. It is a strong colour, for a strong woman.

The lips and eyes are the focal point of the face, and with the re-emergence of the 1940s and 1950s, red has become the colour to wear.

The key to wearing red lipstick is finding the shade that compliments your skin tone.

“The secret to choosing the right red lip color is in the undertones. Pink-skinned girls should opt for cherry red. Those with olive skin can wear fire-engine red. Dark skin looks great with deep reds.” -about.com

Many people complain “my red lipstick seems to bleed beyond my lip line.” There is an easy way to fix that! Lip Primer and a fabulous lip liner will help to keep the colour in the “lines” and preserve the depth of the Lipstick.

A great lip primer , which can be applied with your finger or with a concealer brush , ( make sure to get the inner part of lip) is Origins “Underwear for Lips” ($15). Great price for a product you can use under ANY lipstick.

Follow with a lipliner as close to the shade of the lipstick chosen. Line the outside of the lip and fill in the whole surface area with the pencil. This will help to preserve the pigment of the lipstick from fading and will help it last all night long!

My favorite Red Lipliners are:

Sue Devitt “Long Lasting Lip Liner” in Nadi a Terracotta shade, perfect for skin with a dark tone ($20 – love that Macy’s carries her brand. She is wonderful for liners for eyes and lips.) It has a brush end for precision application.

Pair with Guerlain Terracotta Gloss in “Tango” ($31)

Kevyn Aucoin (RIP) has a great set of lipliners. They are beautiful. The “Flesh Tone” set has a great bright engine “Red” liner, perfect for most red lipsticks and for olive tone skin ($24.) Do not be afraid to spend that much on a lipliner. His are highly pigmented and do not need to be sharpened often, making the most of your $24!

Pair with Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Crème Lipstick in “Raven” ($30)

MAC Lip Pencil in “Cherry” ($14) is the perfect shade for Fair skin. For the price , you can’t beat it! Soft and easily applied.

Pair with Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in “Cherry Ice” ($9 YAY! – don’t hate on Revlon, they make great lipsticks)

For the fashionista : Let’s try something NEW . A dark rouge lip!

Rooney Mara has sported this look on many red carpet events and in the new issue of Vanity Fair’s Hollywood Cover for March 2012. This look will grab people’s attention in a good way, an envious way. “Wow she looks so great in that lipstick, I could never wear that!”

 

Guerlain Rouge Automatique Holiday in Nuit d’Amour ($36 – Limited Edition for Valentine’s Day. GET IT NOW!!)  Complimentary to All Skin Tones but best on Fair and Dark Skin.

Please comment and let me know what your favorite red lipstick is!

Crime of Fashion : Melanie Pullen and High Fashion Crime Scenes

Tags

art, beautiful, Carson Daily, Controversial, Crime, Crime Scene Couture, disturbing, fashion, High Fashion Crime Scene, LA photographer, Melanie Pullen, NBC, Photography, reanactments, unique, video, Vintage Crime Scene Photos

I don’t know about you, but the intrigue of crime has been an interest of mine, when i stopped being afraid of the reality of it “happening to me.” I find myself glued to my couch as I watch Dateline, 48 hours, and others with real life footage. I usually do not like reenactments, as you cannot see the true story. But Melanie Pullen, a self-taught LA based photographer, who found her niche in her teens while shooting the earliest shots of The Black Keys and other now famous bands has created a reenactment that I actually think is quite beautiful. She is widely published and well-known as an “envelope pusher” with her controversial work.

I really don’t enjoy Carson Daly, but as i was decompressing from my day at 1:30 am, I was excited to see her segment and automatically decided her work needed to be written about, even more! (Check out Link)

Melanie Pullen on Carson Daly

“I’m a selfish person when I create art, I’m creating it for myself…then I have to give it away.” – Melanie Pullen

Her most recent work is a collaboration of vintage crime scene photos , collected from the LA County Coroner’s office, and reenacted into haute couture scenes of women in their time of death. Somehow, in a disturbing and real way, she makes it utterly beautiful. I will spare you the most gruesome shots, but you can always view them in her recently published 128 page book called “High Fashion Crime Scenes.”

My Favorite

Pullen’s goal, in this particular project, was to combine art, passion, and couture into an amazing spread of telling pictures. And she has done it well: Artistically and esthetically.

“Prior to the 1950s the nature of criminal photographs was fundamentally different from their present clinical form. Given the complexity of cameras earlier in the century, most crime scene photographers had both artistic and professional experience with an eye for composition, lighting, and drama. – From Melanie Pullen’s Bio

That is what she has emulated and successfully done.

Crime is either the outward expression of those who have “a few screws loose” or, crime is that of a passionate response to a need to fulfill, complete, or create a picture that plagues the brain.

I believe crime footage is so telling of the people who commit the deed. A door that opens to reveal why.

Fashion comes in all different shapes and forms and we should not , and WILL NOT box it in. Everything in the artistic mind is open for interpretation. Something may be beautiful to me and ugly or scary to you. That is what makes artists so unique: the difference in the definition of what is pleasing and beautiful.

Look out for her upcoming project called “Haunted” ,The exploration of the moment before death.

Tattoos: Cultural Beauty

Tags

Anil Gupta, atlanta, Atlanta Tattoo Artists, Body Art, Body Modification, Cultural Beauty, decatur ga, Flower Tattoos, Ink and Dagger Tattoo, Inkline Studios, Knuckle Tattoos, Kurt Fagerland, malia reynolds, Memorial Tattoo, Mentawai Tribe, Negative Connotation, NYC Tattoo Artists, Tapping Method, Tattoo History, Tattooed Mummies, Tattoos, Teeth Sharpening, The Illustrated Lady, Tribal Tattoos, Vegetable Sleeve, video, Women and Tattoos, youtube

I think Tattoos are (sometimes) the most amazing pieces of art, not in a museum but on a person’s body.

We are not talking about those who go to “the shop down the street” and pick from the flippy demonstrations of sailors , although if done right, they can look quite interesting. I don’t know if I should talk, I have a recently inked gun on my hand and a cupcake on my foot. Really?

Tattooed Woman 1907

But just like my goofy tattoos, most people get tattooed for the sentimental value of what they are placing on their bodies, the experience, or simply the painful rush. Mine , along with my 3 beautiful other pieces (that mean a lot to me) have been done with best friends as a bonding experience. Will I regret it when I am 70? Probably not, “Tomorrow is not promised to anyone!”

"The Illustrated Lady"

Living in Atlanta, I see ugly, but mostly incredibly beautiful works of art just by walking down the street. It’s sad that ATL doesn’t rate (AT ALL) on the “Most Inked Cities” List. We are rivaling with places like :

Austin, Tex.: It seems that their “Free Tattoo With Every Pulled Pork Sandwich” campaign has finally paid off.

Tattoos will never be a dying art as it has existed for centuries , dating from the fourth to fifth millennium BC.

Tattoo found on the Arm of an Ancient Mummy

The negative tattoo connotation should not even exist, as it exists as a form of cultural “branding” and beauty. This video is about the Mentawai Tribe who performs the traditional Tribal “Tap Method” of Inking and body modification such as teeth sharpening. This shows the painful process of a hammer and needle taking a girl into womanhood. Most importantly , you should always look for a tattoo artist who smokes a joint while performing his art.

One of my favorite tattoo artists would be a NYC Indian man , Anil Gupta with his personally run Inkline Studios. He has not a single tattoo on his body, but he has tattooed many (with a huge wait list). His art surpasses any I have seen before, and his specialty is reproducing classic works of fine art and portraits onto people’s’ bodies.. Who else can produce a highly detailed – full colour quarter size thumbnail of The Mona Lisa. Only he. He is known for his miniatures.

Another two artists, who actually reside here in ATL (that blow my mind) are Kurt Fagerland, who transferred from Ink and Dagger Tattoo in Decatur, to Memorial Tattoo in Cabbagetown and Malia Reynolds, a LA native, relocated to Atlanta and is presently working at Memorial Tattoo on Moreland Ave. Both of these artists are amazing with colour and creating a design from simply a few descriptive words.

My favorite piece by Kurt would be his (in process) and amazing “Vegetable Sleeve.” It is breathtaking and not just because I’m a Veggie.

Malia is well-known for her detailed flowers, but lets not peg her there. She is an amazing artist, and I have had the honor of being tattooed by her. She gave me the most beautiful Ranunculus from wrist to elbow (as a reminder of how much i love my sister; she had them in her wedding bouquet.)

I’m not pushing body art on anyone, I just love the culture and what these amazing artists bring to our generation. Tattoos are truly a representation of Cultural Beauty.

Please feel free to post pictures of your tattoos and favorite artists as i always love to learn more about our growing culture.

Crop Top Devotion : The Resurgence of the Two Piece Get Up

Tags

ACNE Stufdios, ASOS, Betsey Johnson, Body Types, classy, confidence, Crop Top, Crop Top Resugence, Cropped top, European Culture Skirt, Feminine Chic, great body, Heart shaped crop top, How to wear a crop top, Jersey Pencil Skirt, Lace Cardigan, Maternity Pencil Skirt, modcloth.com, Nina Ricci, Off shoulder cropped sweater, On sale, Pencil Sklrt, Runway, Spring 2012, Terracotta, Turtleneck, Wide Leg Pants

Nina Ricci Spring 2012

“There is one thing that Britney Spears, circa-1980s Madonna, Gwen Stefani, ‘I Dream of Jeannie,’ the Spice Girls, ‘Clueless’ and Matt Dillon in ‘Over the Edge’ have in common: a devotion to the crop top.” NY Times

We have abandoned the crop top, until now. Spring 2012 is drawing the 90s out onto the runway, and personally, I love it.

It is a brave step to wear a cropped top, but they’re also many ways to wear one that will flatter most body types. For those self-conscious about their mid section, (which i am!) can wear a crop top that extends to their high waist skirt, or wear a tank top underneath, while still keeping the essence of the cropped look.

Betsey Johnson 2012

Wearing a crop top is easy in a beach town or in a large city, but in the rural areas of the country, YOU WILL GET LOOKED AT FUNNY!

All that aside, fashion is about you. It takes confidence to wear something that bears your mid torso. Like wearing a hat, it takes time to find the right one, the right fit, and the determination to FEEL comfortable in your embrace of a new style.

ACNE Spring 2012

Classy Gal

For a larger lower abdomen  and a larger bust, go for something like the Nina Ricci (just take a look at her website- IT’S BREATHTAKING) outfit (above) : A fitted , high-waist Pencil skirt paired with a heart-shaped or V neck crop top.

This top, because of the neckline would look great on someone with a larger bust. Pair it with a cardigan for a more comfortable coverage. Because of the high waist Pencil skirt, we are not looking at too much of the mid-section. This is fun for a beach vacation or nighttime rooftop event!

Mina Little Lace Cover Up ($33)- To add over your cropped top or even just with a tank top and high waist skirt for more coverage.

Motel Ochre Doke Top ($40) Great back detail to wear alone without cardigan or with one (example above). It is a heart neckline in front and long enough to pair with a high waist skirt and cover up some belly!! Dont be afraid to mix the lace cover up with the back detail of this awesome top – We will pair it with a simple black pencil skirt (below) to balance the outfit out.

Asos Jersey Pencil Skirt ($35) Also Available in Maternity ladies!!!

Feminine Chic

For those of you who favor a girly look and have a defined collar-bone, I would lean toward the Betsey Johnson look (above.)A flattering off the shoulder crop top ( cotton sweater or jersey) and again, a high waist skirt, in this case , with a few girly ruffles, or even better some pockets.

Splendid Off Shoulder Sweater ($68)

European Culture 3/4 Length Skirt ($108) – Great color to go with the grey top (above)

Bad Ass Bod

And for the killer ab ladies (you are out there!!) go for the ACNE Studios look. Super Cropped top, high neck, and flowy skirt-like bottom. A long cardigan looks amazing as it will elongate the body and make it appropriate by not looking like JLo in “If you had my Love!”

Asos Long Sleeve Crop ($36)

MinkPink Marrakech Flare Wide Leg Pants in Terracotta (ON SALE $62!!)

cla

Don’t be afraid, just try it out. You will be surprised to see how many cropped tops find their way into a store near you, so keep an eye out and purchase. Use your existing wardrobe to beef up the wonderful top you just purchased!!!

Let me know what you think about the Crop Top Resurgence.