Thursday, July 28, 2011

Inspiration From my Online Fairy God-Father

Although I've only read one of Paulo Coehlo's books, I am a huge fan of him, the man.  I think his blog is very grounding and reminds me to follow my personal legend and to remember to be happy.

Here is a list about normalcy that oftentimes lead to sadness, because in order to please others, you will feel like a fraud to yourself.

1] Anything that makes us forget our true identity and our dreams and makes us only work to produce and reproduce.
2] Making rules for a war (the Geneva Convention).
3] Spending years at university and then not being able to find a job.
4] Working from nine in the morning to five in the afternoon at something that does not give us the least pleasure, so that we can retire after 30 years.
5] Retiring only to discover that we have no more energy to enjoy life, and then dying of boredom after a few years.
6] Using Botox.
7] Trying to be financially successful instead of seeking happiness.
8] Ridiculing those who seek happiness instead of money by calling them “people with no ambition”.
9] Comparing objects like cars, houses and clothes, and defining life according to these comparisons instead of really trying to find out the true reason for being alive.
10] Not talking to strangers. Saying nasty things about our neighbors.
11] Thinking that parents are always right.
12] Getting married, having children and staying together even though the love has gone, claiming that it’s for the sake of the children (who do not seem to be listening to the constant arguments).
12ª] Criticizing everybody who tries to be different.
14] Waking up with a hysterical alarm-clock at the bedside.
15] Believing in everything that is printed.
16] Wearing a piece of colored cloth wrapped around the neck, known by the pompous name “necktie”.
17] Never asking direct questions, even though the other person understands what you want to know.
18] Keeping a smile on your face when you really want to cry. And feeling sorry for those who show their own feelings.
19] Thinking that art is worth a fortune, or that it is worth absolutely nothing.
20] Always despising what was easily gained, because the “necessary sacrifice” – and therefore also the required qualities – are missing.
21] Following fashion, even though it all looks ridiculous and uncomfortable.
22] Being convinced that all the famous people have tons of money.
23] Investing a lot in exterior beauty and paying little attention to interior beauty.
24] Using all possible means to show that even though you are a normal person, you are infinitely superior to other human beings.
25] In any kind of public transport, never looking straight into the eyes of the other passengers, as this may be taken for attempting to seduce them.
26] When in an elevator, looking straight at the door and pretending you are the only person inside, however crowded it may be.
27] Never laughing out loud in a restaurant, no matter how funny the story is.
28] In the Northern hemisphere, always wearing the clothes that match the season of the year: short sleeves in springtime (however cold it may be) and a woolen jacket in the fall (no matter how warm it is).
29] In the Southern hemisphere, decorating the Christmas tree with cotton wool, even though winter has nothing to do with the birth of Christ.
30] As you grow older, thinking you are the wisest man in the world, even though not always do you have enough life experience to know what is wrong.
31] Going to a charity event and thinking that it is enough to put an end to all the social inequalities in the world.
32] Eating three times a day, even when not hungry.
33] Believing that the others are always better at everything: they are better-looking, more resourceful, richer and more intelligent. Since it’s very risky to venture beyond your own limits, it’s better to do nothing.
34] Using the car as a way to feel powerful and in control of the world.
35] Using foul language in traffic.
36] Thinking that everything your child does wrong is the fault of the company he or she is keeping.
37] Marrying the first person who offers a position in society. Love can wait.
38] Always saying “I tried”, even though you haven’t tried at all.
39] Putting off doing the most interesting things in life until you no longer have the strength to do them.
40] Avoiding depression with massive daily doses of television programs.
41] Believing that it is possible to be sure of everything you have won.
42] Thinking that women don’t like football and that men don’t like interior decoration.
43] Blaming the government for everything bad that happens.
44] Being convinced that being a good, decent and respectful person means that the others will find you weak, vulnerable and easy to manipulate.
45] Being convinced that aggressiveness and discourtesy in treating others are signs of a powerful personality.
46] Being afraid of fibroscopy (men) and childbirth (women).
47] And finally, thinking that your religion is the sole proprietor of the absolute truth, the most important, the best, and that the other human beings in this immense planet who believe in any other manifestation of God are condemned to the fires of hell.
________________________
list compiled by Igor, the main character of “The Winner stands alone”

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

A Mid-Summer's Wardrobe Dream

It's a dream because I have no money to spend!  Since I live in the mid-Atlantic region, I still have a month and a half of hot weather to look forward to.

I always loved Yigal Azrouël's drapey dresses, and this one from the Outnet is on sale for $312!


I love a floral skirt that accentuates the waistline ALICE by Temperley, $96.


I hate my arms, so this dress will cover them perfectly and is super cute.  Missoni, $656.


This short-sleeved kimono-inspired Boudicca dress is perfect for hot days, but for $3,020, it will put a hurt on your wallet.


Asymmetric jersey by Zero + Mario Cornejo? love! This grey dress will ship in September for $575.


This gorgeous red Narciso Rodriguez dress is made out of jersey appears to be cut on the bias.  $1,295.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Back to Black

I was saddened to hear about Amy Winehouse's death today, so as a mini-tribute, here are my favorite black eyeliners (in black, of course).



My favorite pencil is Urban Decay's 24/7 Liner in Zero.  It is super black and has amazing staying power.  To achieve a major cat-eye like what Amy started rocked after releasing Back To Black, it may be wise to set the shape you made with your pencil liner with Make Up For Ever's Aqua Creamliner and Eye Seal.






Pre-beehive, Amy slightly winged out liner from her top lid.  This is more my style, and when I do this, I layer MAC's Liquidlast Liner in Point Black on top of Urban Decay Zero.  Liquidlast will ABSOLUTELY not budge no matter how much you sweat or rub your eyes (like I do!).  I like my bottom lid to be lined too, so I close my eye and swipe Guerlain's Terracotta Loose Kohl Liner on the top and bottom waterlines.




To remove all of this makeup, I recommend Nars' Eyemakeup Remover.


If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, remember that with a lot of help it can be treated. Mary J. Blige went through addictions, abusive relationships and depression but in the long run still managed to come out on top.

Amy had more grittiness, originality and talent in her beehive than the whole careers of most pop stars out now, so she will be missed.








photo credits: amazon.com, urbandecay.com, sephora.com, maccosmetics.com, and narscosmetics.com

Friday, July 22, 2011

Heatwave hair

Damn it's hot! So what are some good haircuts and hair styles?

Short:

Feel like looking like an icon? check out Janet Jackson


What about a super cool French TV presenter/host  like Alessandra Sublet




I love the red curls that Kelis used to rock:

Emma Watson has a super-cute cut


Top knot:


I've been rocking this lately.  I take wet hair and spray in some diluted setting lotion (Lottabody) , put some gel (Fantasia Polisher Gel) all around, make a ponytail with a bungee (Ricky's NYC), and twist the ponytail around itself and secure with a regular black hair elastic.

Ponytail:






gel, hairspray and  a fine-toothed comb are the best tools for this style.  If your hair is naturally curly/kinky, it won't be a good idea to flat-iron your hair straight because sweat and humidity will make your hair fuzz. 

photo credits: madame.lefigaro.fr, essence.com, beachtomato.com, blackfashion.tumblr.com, vogue.fr

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Vacation Photography

Just because you shot your friend in black-and-white looking off into the distance contemplating his future as a hipster doesn't mean you took a great photo. And just because you spent four figures on a camera doesn't mean your photos will look professional! 

Shooting on vacation gives you an opportunity to learn to use the environment to your advantage.  Up high? Notice if the clouds form a line you can bisect with something interesting.  I found that when I was up a cliff or tall hill, it is easier to see where the base of the cloud formation in the atmosphere. While shooting the white fluffy figures from the ground is fun and can add a sense of drama if the day is overcast, playing with lines is pleasing to the eye.

Taking a wide photograph of a beautiful place gives you a high probability of it automatically coming out beautifully.  But as we have seen from the beach-centric blogs, playing with foreground and background  or focusing on a local doing something interesting will also make a beautiful photo.

Here are some great resources to help with your photography skills:

"20 Things I Learned About Photography"


"National Geographic Compositions Tips" by Mark Thiessen



And his "Action Photo Tips":





A book that I recommend is The Photographer's Eye by Michael Freeman. This man knows how to take beautifully composed photographs.  He emphasizes that you use this tool to tell a story.  This is why framing, capturing reflections and actions, and creating lines for a sense of direction is important. Here is a page from online preview:

This is from the section "Delay" in the "Intent" chapter. The book is not overly technical, but it does require a lot of patience and understanding of color, opportunities and angles to improve your photos. 

I am by all means no expert photographer, but I have become a better one.  A tip that I would give is to take more than one photo of your subject.

So what is my wishlisted cameras?

Affordable: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W530.  I have an older Cybershot (the DSC-T50) and it still works, so from my experience Sony makes a reliable camera.

Expensive: Leica D-Lux 5. I love the photos that Joe of 00oo00 takes, and he uses a Leica.
Good luck and go somewhere interesting!

photo credits: amazon.com

Tips and Toes

 Going on vacation and wondering which colors to paint your nails and toes? I personally don't like matching my fingernail color to my toes, so here are some nice color combinations.  The top three go with the theme of this blog - shades of purple and blue.

I painted all of these on a white fake nail, with 2 coats and no top coat, except where noted. 

Dark purple creme and bright pastel blue creme: Ginger + Liz "Hold the Drama" and Zoya "Robyn"

Slightly dark purple creme and sparkly dark blue: Zoya "Lael" and on the right, one coat of OPI "Yoga-ta Get This Blue!" plus one coat butter London "Henley Regatta"



Bright pastel purple and teal-toned blue: Zoya "Perrie" and butter London "Artful Dodger"


Dark purple shimmer and raspberry-tinged red creme: Chanel "Vendetta" and  Rococo "Trash Creme"


Dark bright pink creme and primary blue creme: Milani "Punchiest Punch" and Mattése  "Neon 14 Lighting Blue" (I used three coats and this dries matte so I added a top coat)


Mousey grey with lavender undertones and soft hot pink: OPI for Sephora "Metro Chic" and Zoya "Tobey"


Creamsicle orange and bright hot pink: Zoya "Jancyn" and Zoya "Ali" (this dries matte so I added a top coat)

Sparkly tropical green and shimmery true orange: Zoya "Midori" and Sinful Colors "#33 Courtney Orange"

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Blog Love: Uncommon Caribbean!

Curious about Turks & Caicos, St. Kitts & Nevis, Guadaloupe or Curacao? Or what about Belize, Trinidad & Tobago, Bequia, Dominica or the Dominican Republic? Or perhaps the nightlife, rum, and beer that is produced in the Caribbean?  You can read about all I wrote about above and more at Uncommon Caribbean! This blog is brought to you by two brothers from the U.S. Virgin Islands who love their culture and the Caribbean way of life, although they are both currently residing in the U.S.

I love the Caribbean too, and having visited Trinidad & Tobago, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands (both U.S. and British) and Grenada, I can't wait to see more.  The brothers feature great photos, recipes, videos and rum reviews.

So which of their  Wallpaper Wednesdays has me longing for a plane ticket? Tough decision, but I will go for English Harbor, Antigua. Sailing around the island? Sounds great.  Dropping anchor in the bay? Even better.


Here are a few of the many destinations that they highlight:
Exuma, Bahamas:


St. Vincent and the Grenadines:

Bermuda:

Anguilla:


photo credits: uncommoncaribbean.com

Blog Love: Beach Tomato!

There are two beach-themed blogs that I want to shout out because they are fantastic.  The first one is British-based Beach Tomato (and note, there are nipples in some photos so part of the site is Not Safe For Work). I really love the Beach of the Week feature on Beach Tomato, as well as the sun-centric products that they recommend. 

For the more recent beaches of the week, they recommend a book from a local author - how awesome is that? If you will be traveling anywhere, it is best to get a feel of the local culture to enhance your outlook on the trip. 

You gotta look good on the beach, or at least feel good!  On each featured beach the editors suggest some beauty products such as mascara, bronzer, and sunscreen as well as cute swimsuits.  They also highlight some doctor-administered treatments for cellulite reduction and liposuction. 

Don't have a perfect body? That's perfectly OK and join the club!  They have a great reminder to all women out there from a love-life coach who is also easy on the eyes (is it ironic that I had to throw that shallow comment in there? lol):

You see: Thighs. Massive thighs. A lardy cacophony of pizza, sofa and regret.
He sees: A lovely, smooth, soft lady body.
It has been said before, but I can only say it again – men love a curve. We are, quite literally, biologically programmed to. So you're immediately on to a winner, as long as you're reasonably hair-free and have a bikini that fits. (When it's too tight it cuts into your flesh, creating fat where there isn't any and spoiling the whole silhouette. Equally, baggy isn't good either.).
So, if I could choose one of their beaches of the week, where would I go?  While I certainly wouldn't turn down any of them, the one that called my name the most was Baía dos Porcos, Fernando de Noronha, Brasil.  What is most attractive to me, other than the dreamy turqouise water, is the fact that the beach most likely won't be too dense.  Fantastic!   I hate crowded beaches.  



Put me on some sand ASAP!

They have a contest for a trip to Hawaii, but be forewarned that it requires you to fly out from London, which will be great for Europeans, but difficult for people in the US or Asia, for example.  

Other highlights:

Matira Beach, Bora Bora, French Polynesian islands

Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles


Ranhanagar Beach, Andaman Islands


photo credits: beachtomato.com

Friday, July 15, 2011

Starry Night nails

Jezebel linked this awesome tutorial for Van Gogh inspired nail art



Of course the one color I don't have in my 50+ polish collection is yellow, lol.  So I guess I won't be trying this one!

 Some other easy art inspirations:

Joan Miró:






Salvado Dalí:


the Mae West lips couch may make a cool half-moon mani

Claude Monet:

Jackson Pollock:

Pablo Picasso:




Henri Matisse:


photo credits: joanmiro.com, art.com, and bbc.co.uk