Holiday Party Style

I made the time yesterday to do some extra bleaching and dying to get my blonde strip of hair looking decently white for my company holiday party. I don't bother trying to keep it white any more as I've been trying to spend less time on my hair. It's one extra step of maintenance and I'm just too busy.

I was inspired to touch up after I overhead a co-worker saying that all of the people he had seen attempt to do white hair got it wrong. I'm not sure how many people other than me that he knows who have ever attempted white hair. It was a pretty rude statement. I'm a fan of the golden + whitish blonde thing I've got going on these days. Hair style is a personal choice and expression. I actually recently dyed the brown portion "darkest brown" and it's just about black. The cel phone photos I took don't do the colours perfect justice. Anyway I felt super hot last night at my company holiday party. I feel like I've finally "found" a great hairstyle for me.

My husband warned me that "the world isn't ready for me" while I was doing my makeup. I've always wanted to do a black makeup mask though and got nothing but compliments for it.

Here's how my hair looked the day I got it cut a couple weeks ago. I've bleached out the bottom purple bit for the most part by now:

Inspired - American Apparel and Me

Here I am heading out to birthday dinner in March:And here I am trying out a $399 fascinator at Myer:So what I wanted to post about: American Apparel may file for bankruptcy!!! I really hope the company can figure their shit out and pull though. I know there is a lot of gossip about the way the company treats/hires it's employees and about Dov Charney, but I do think it is a very unique and special company. I hope AA can come out clean and stronger than ever. I've made up a "fantasy shopping list" of things I want to buy from AA. Sounds silly eh? But if they are going away, I must stock up on tight pants and leggings!! LOVE!

CEO Dov Charney says the situation his company is in is making him feel inspired, which I totally understand. I use my personal fears to motivate myself often. It may sound strange... But I have some big goals and I want to reach them, badly. Crazily! Chasing after my goals is why I have not posted on this blog in a looong time. I am just too busy. If I get a little depressed or doubtful, I just think about that final goal and I am invigorated.

I had a birthday recently and got some birthday money from my dahling mum/stepdad/sister. I spent the majority of it on AA clothing. I received a coupon from AA for %25 off my order since it was my b-day. I got a long skirt and some acid wash leggings. The skirt since, on my birthday outing day I tried on a gorgeous high waisted floor length red skirt by Acne and was a little disappointed to realise it was $435. So AA's black floor length skirt fills that void, even though it's not red. And I got the acid wash leggings since I have a pair but they have been loved a bit much - they have a couple tiny holes in them and some of the seams and stretching.

Hot Summer... and a move...

It's been awhile. Summer is racing by, hot n' muggy... I failed at my New Year's resolution months ago to have a monthly budget but now I'm trying to not acquire any new clothes... Since in a few months I'll have to have all the clothes I want shipped to Australia! I'm moving!! In a few months I'll have to report some fashionable happenings down under...

Sexy Summer Sandals

Pour la Victoire Women's Raquel Flat Sandal - they make me think of Uma Thurman kicking butt in Kill Bill.
These ones are little intense - ZiGiny Women's Starter Sandals. I'm sure they would turn heads:
These espadrilles remind me of jika tabi. They have the split toe thing going on. They are by Dolce Vita.
Less fierce, more gorgeous, I love these t-strap sandals by Badgley Mischka!

Found these sexy sandals by Georgina Goodman on shoeblog.com I was struck by the great combination of bright colours and shine, though my favorite part is the overall shapes. The three "O" 's wrap around your feet to cause design gorgeousness. I discovered the second image when I hit the link to endless.com and saw the champagne pink and black combo - a favorite of mine. They even look comfy to walk in, wedge heels and ankle strap and all.

Like these Marc by Marc Jacobs Platforms as well:

Maybelline EyeStudio Photos

I've been experimenting with the Maybelline EyeStudio kit. It came with a lot of palettes, all very sparkly. I did a lot of blending and soft looks for work and glammed it up when I went out at night. Unfortunately, none of the looks I created photographed well... Well, I think my makeup looks nice but it's hard to see real gradient... Here are a few of the better shots:



I gave a pile of palettes to my sister Karen. Her pic is nice, you can see some golden brown eyeshadow.
I intend to to write a review specifically about the 4 mascaras included in the kit. I'm honestly still experimenting with all the products.

Maybelline EyeStudio kit

I received a Maybelline EyeStudio kit - it's the entire collection! Mascara, eye shadow palettes and cream eye liner liner. I've been trying out the collection and taking photos since I got it. I've been creating a lot of softer 'for the office' looks and the occasional glammed up babe look for when I'm out at a fun event.

More pictures to come...

American Apparel

Urban Outfitters... I'm leaving you for American Apparel. I'll visit every so often and see if you skirts are still just barely able to cover my butt cheeks and whether or not you're still making ill-shaped cut out style tops... Ok, I'm being harsh. I still love Urban Outfitters. For the most part though, I am interested in getting away from details and strong preppy/hobo trendiness influences. I am in love with huge baggy tops over tight bottoms and tight tops over big flowy pants. And I love rompers/one-pieces/jumpers/onesies whatever you decide to call them. Harem pants I love. High-waisted bottoms, basic pieces cut extra long or short, loose vs. tight and layering are doing it for me. Plus - I'm just dyyyying for summer to come... Yesterday I was beckoning summer by putting on my new sleeveless chambray jumper, flat stringy sandals and floppy straw hat and doing a ritualistic dance in my living room. (Actually I just got my husband to take some photos of said outfit.) I picked up this jumper yesterday and I adore it! It's so cute! Comfy! Flattering! Fun! Summery! I got it in 'black' (white with overload of black flecks) and I think it looks nicer on me than it does on the model in the photos on the American Apparel site. Sometimes it's a little frustrating when you want to see a garment and every photo they shoot had the model raising her arms or yanking on the fabric... At least for longer garments they post a length measurement and a good description. Reviews are also often bountiful and helpful.

My goal for the year to not spend more than $53 a month was going quite well. I was feeling so frugal that I stopped counting every cent and dollar I was spending. This year, I've only bought 2 takeout coffees. I have seen a couple movies at the theater and did a small bit of clothes shopping in January. I've been pretty good! But now I've made another purchase from American Apparel, including my new jumper. There are books and movies I want and they are actually 'good for my career' type stuff so I don't see these as 'guilty purchases'. But a purchase is a purchase and if you don't need something it technically is a guilty. (Not so much guilty as not necessary.) So will probably just continue to make my own coffee (with my adored moka pot) and walk to work and try to be frugal but reasonable with my purchases. Maybe I'll add it up and see how much I've spent. But not today.

Through American Apparel I also discovered Viva Radio which I am really digging. They are very specific about what gets played when during air time. I've enjoyed some slow punky techno rock stuff and also listed to some soul and now it's some twangy, slow love song stuff. I love music but I don't have much of it coming into my ears on a regular basis. I am excited that I've found this way to listen to music I enjoy and so far I've only recognised one song and then one artist. It's all new for me which is brilliant. I like to listen to 'No Coincidence', a techy dance song by BeatBurrito which I love to listen to when Viva Radio isn't making me happy.

Pictures! These are me sporting a crazy pair of sunglasses I found on e-bay that I've been waiting for summer to wear, my chambray suit/floppy hat summer combo and a jumpsuit I got in January form UO paired with a vintage beaded belt. I had to order it online and I got it a size too big. I didn't want to deal with returning it and I don't mind the oversized nature, but I have to tape the front opening to my boobs to keep the top on. Also the photos are completely unedited, I could not be bothered.

What I wore Jan 2 - print and print

Kinda late with posting these but this is what I wore when I went to see Imaginarium on Saturday. A few of my favorite pieces here, half of my newspaper suit and my zebra printed jeans.

New Blog Title Design! and I saw The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

I saw The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus directed by Terry Gilliam this afternoon and enjoyed looking upon all the gorgeous costumes, people and special effects in the film. It was very entertaining, albeit a little confusing. It was a fantasy vacation for the mind. I'm not totally sure what to think of it... The ending was a little extra happy for my liking. Overall a very nice film. Great acting.

Here's Lily Cole as Valentina

2010: The Year to Make it Work

what I wore today

I have (what seems) to be an intense New Year's Resolution this year. I came up with it yesterday after some boxing week shopping. (There was this gorgeous crocheted full length sweater I wanted from Fashion Crimes...) I had a rather splurgy 2009. My husband and me both. (Got married - [just realised I never posted any wedding photos!? Only honeymoon photos...], went to Disneyworld for our honeymoon, lots of clothes, shoes and makeup were added to my wardrobe, Steve and I got splurgy Halloween costumes and I got an outfit for the Gaga concert, expensive Christmas gifts bought, everyday gifts (camera), concert tickets, new TV, couch, furniture.......) I think I have become accustomed to spending a lot more than I used to. I used to be very frugal and I got my student loan payed off as quickly as I could after graduating. I need some more frugal time. I'm sick of feeling guilty and anxious about spending. So this year I've decided that there will be a small budget for myself to use frivolously each month. It sounds like a small amount to me right now, especially with shopping trip totals in recent memory, but I do think it's totally manageable for me to still do pretty much whatever my friends are up to each month and maybe get something small for myself every now and then, be it my favorite foundation, an espresso or some new fabric. The magic number is 53. I have $53 to spend each month on ME. I figured out my living expenses and the leftover I am going to save or invest. If I don't spend the total $53 allowance one month, it will carry over to the next month. I will have to decide what costs fall under 'necessity' and what fall under 'splurge'. There is one clothing item I really would love to add to my wardrobe right now, I really want a onesie with a harem pant style, something like this. And then I spied these back zip up cigarette jeans... And I want a grey lipstick... Maybe some lovely perfume... Well 2010 will be the year to...

MAKE IT WORK!

With my $53 budget I can choose to go see a movie with friends or buy some zippers to stick into the back of jeans I already own... I will have to love my wardrobe for what it is now and if I really want something new or different that is out of the budget, I will just have to make it. This army has a sewing machine and a box of fabric and patterns!!! Also, there is this necklace I've been wanting to make for ages, but I am not ready to make it just yet. I am collecting lot of items to make it with. It will be very chunky and random. Though since I am collecting all the pieces over time, each item on the necklace will have a history personal to me. I've also been keeping a mountain of old jeans with the dream of making a ballgown out of them. I may not have enough jeans, I certainly haven't had the time to tackle that project yet. I also want to silkscreen some t-shirts and stockings! So many things I want to make! Maybe this year I will find the time for a couple projects... I got a keyboard for Christmas from Stephen and I am sooo excited for that! I want to have at least one song well practised to play for next Christmas. And I've got my classical animation demo reel to finish... So many projects... $53 a month... I wish I could buy more hours for each day...

my new keyboard!!! (Now it has a home in my living room on a stand instead of my parents living room floor)

the perfect breakfast which was actually my dinner today: fruit, granola with nuts/seeds/dried fruit, low fat vanilla yogurt, a drizzle of maple syrup, dashes of cinnamon, cloves, cayenne pepper... no preservatives, aspartame, sucralose or anything I can't pronouce!!! The fruit and syrup were leftover from the New Years Day brunch I had at my place. Made cappucinios and waffles with a mountain of fresh cut fruit for all my friends to nosh on.

BLOG REVAMP COMING SOON

I won a PDF copy of Danielle Meder's Paperdoll Book! For entering her paperdoll cut up contest. My entry was a little silly but still something I would wear... I only found out about the contest a few hours before the deadline unfortunately... but it was fun to cut up the pieces and try them out in different ways...

Today I went to MAC to get a fresh studio tech foundation for myself. I've been using a crappy drugstore powder foundation for too long. When I asked the price of the Studio Tech I remembered while I had temp switched to the crappy brand. Last foundation shopping trip at MAC I made I picked up Studio Fix Fluid. I tried it on my face in the store and it looked good - but when I got home I found the shade to be ever so slightly darker than my own face... Kind of annoying... I lean towards the paler look... So I got a lighter shade this time, my usual NC15. (I know you can return the product even after giving it a test at home but the shade was so close to my own I couldn't be bothered. Though next time I think I will bother.) I can barely remember what it feels/looks like to wear the Studio Tech at this point, it's been so long. Now I can give it a (re) try and compare it to the Studio Fix. Reading the most recent post at gloss spot makes me think I should really try a new brand altogether sometime...

When I asked a makeup artist as MAC to help me figure out if I was getting the right shade of foundation she said "Oh I know, I like a lighter foundation too because you can always go darker but with a darker foundation you can't go lighter." What???

I'm very excited for some black sequin leggings I picked up on the weekend. They are tiiiiight! I also purchased a vintage top from The Public Butter a couple weeks ago and just got it back from the drycleaners yesterday. Lots of fun things to wear for the holidays!

My Paperdoll Contest Entry for Final Fashion

Some kind of Canadiana

Here is final fashion

What I ended up wearing to see Gaga

I bought batteries and brought my camera along to see Lady Gaga, all ready to take lots of snaps! Then discovered that I left my memory card at home. So I could only take a couple pictures but they're saved onto the harddrive of my camera and I can't find the cable to bring them to my computer! When Steve and I got home, he took some pics of me in my outfit.

It's a nude bodysuit, shiny *tight* high waisted black leggings, (thank you American Apparel), my go to black patent peep toe heels (Aldo), red lace gloves, white double breasted single button jacket (silence and noise for Urban Outfitters), my deadstock flip up glasses, nude colored multi-way bra (Victoria's Secret) and makeup/nail polish.

The concert was awesome, I am so glad that there were giant screens of Gaga since our seats were at a slightly unfortunate angle... I was most excited when she started to sing Speechless, when she was at the piano it was the best... She talked a lot which was awesome and the costumes were very cool... Want to see her again...

High Heels for Men

Stumbled across a fierce blog. It's High Heels for Men. The blog protests for men's right to wear high heels and stockings (and not be considered a crossdresser for doing so.)

I've got Gaga tickets!!!

Seeing Gaga in Toronto on November 28!! It's the second stop on her world tour. Crazily/Impressively she's touring at least into April of 2010. So I've begun to think of what I might like to wear to her concert. Right now I am thinking.....

white and gold Venetian style mask
netting over too-big hair, (crimped, curled, pinned and pinned)
black lipstick
black nail polish
black makeup around eyes
black latex fingerless gloves
nude bra worn under:
black fishnet bodystocking
black 5 ¾ inch platform peeptoe patent heels
multi-layered pearl necklace
black frilly skirt
ivory double breasted jacket

ooohhhhhh, but we'll see... I have so many Gaga inspired and Gaga appropriate items in my closet.... And I couldn't find my black skirt... I remembered some silver stockings and a fringed leather jacket while I was looking around for the items I'm already thinking of... Love Gaga...

Halloween Makeup - Eyebrow Covering

Halloween (the best day of the year) is this Saturday!!! There are parties to hit up and looks to rock. So I've just cleaned the test run off my face... Putting on my makeup and costume takes over an hour! (Feels like my wedding day again, though that was a little more work...) I've been watching youtube video tutorials to learn how to cover up my brows so I could redraw them up higher and more arched on my face. It's not easy. A couple of my favorite videos; the gluestick method by Blanche Babcock (so cute), the gluestick vs. the spirit gum and browwax method by petrilude and the soap method by Glosspot in her how-to Columbia video for Halloween.

These weren't even all the products I used to get my Jessica look... (above)

What's there is:

1) MAC studio fix fluid (foundation) (love this product)

2) MAC lip conditioner (use often)

3) Quo brush cleaner

4) MAC select cover up (concealor)

5) Sally Hanson eyelash curler (I didn't actually use this today to preserve my faux lashes for parties this week)

6) Annabelle Studio - Karma pigment

7) Rimmel blush - 34 Sienna

8) Maybelline Dream Matte Powder

9) Covergirl blush - cheekers

10) Quo brush kit

11) Quo lip brush

12) Lancome Palette - I didn't end up using this actually!

13) MAC lipstick - Ruby Woo (one of my fave shades)

14) Covergirl loose powder

15) MAC prime and prep lip (a luxury for lips)

16) Maybelline mascara

17) Annabelle lip liner (for brows too!)

18) Bonnebelle - noir eyeliner

19) MAC brow gel -ha I so didn't need this, after glueing my brows down!! (another luxury - nice to have)

20) MAC liquid last liner - point black (a brush is a must to get this one right)

21) L'Oreal HIP duo pigment - flamboyant (an affordable decent quality product)

What's missing is:

G & T gluestick

style 110 eyelashes and lash adhesive by Sephora (so fun)

Quo cosmetic wedges (sponges)

black eyeliner

Covergirl neutralizer (concealor - to cover brows)

A bunch of these products I use fairly often or are part of my arsenal already. Some I picked up just for Halloween, such as, extra purple shadow and the lashes and glue... MAC is my hands-down favorite maker of products. Some of the other brands are great too, but tend to be a little pricier. Then I pick up a lot of products that aren't as good of quality, but are a little more affordable. I've had to start using a medium size handbag to keep all my makeup in.

So here it is! (below) I'm hoping to get some better photos on Halloween. I needed to practise the makeup and I wanted to take a photo of the whole thing as I cannot wear this dress to work. It's a little too slutty... I am planning on wearing the shoes/gloves/makeup/stockings/hair with a more conservative outfit... My new highwaisted skirt and a red top.

Here I am mid brow covering: (below)