f e m m e d e l u x e

Behold, some pictures I didn't get around to posting. They're not in chronological order, by the way. Does anyone else on Blogger have issues with the fact that when you upload pictures in order, they post in reverse order? What's up with that? I'm too lazy right now to rearrange.

Loving the bold eye makeup from VMagazine.com's "Couture When It's Haute!" spread. Makeup was done by Charlotte Tilbury. View the rest here.

I'm on the stud-hype bandwagon. Thanks Balmain. Anytime I look at shoes, clothes, accessories, whatever, I'm always keeping my eye out for things that are studded, highly embellished or strong in appearance. The things I do look at that appeal to me are usually the things that are way too expensive and costly. Who has money to spare for $1000+ studded Balmain shoes or bags?

Thanks to some inspirational bloggers who are amazing at putting together designer looks for less and DIY's, I embarked on a little project of my own to chime in on the stud frenzy that I love so much. I ordered some packs of studs from here with the intent of studding the crap out of everything. I received them in the mail earlier today which worked perfectly because not only did I have some free time to start studding things, I had the perfect pair of zip sandals I bought earlier in the week waiting to be embellished. I started awhile ago and it took me about an hour just to stud 5 rows. No joke, this is an intensely time consuming project! I was on a roll working quickly and applying the studs evenly but ended up stopping because I got tired and started getting careless. I'll work on it gradually throughout the week and will post pictures of its' progress. Don't they look sick already?

If you'd like to try this yourself, here's what you will need:

- Studs in desired color, shape and size. At least 100+, depending on the size of the item you are studding
- A pair of inexpensive shoes, bag, whatever that has a nice surface space
- Cardboard to use as a backing, Exacto knife for cutting holes/lines, and pliers to bend hinges
- Stud away!

I'll post the shoe's work in progress and finished look when that time comes.

Sorry for the lack of postings but I have been extremely unmotivated, lazy, sleepy, tired, working lots, and creatively uninspired. You know how that goes but no longer am I any of those dreadful reasons... for now at least!

I had an awesome day off today and I was able to just really relax and spend some good quality time not only with myself, but with my sister and her boo Justin. Despite the rainy weather, we had a great time during the afternoon driving around to different spots, singing Jeremih's "Birthday Sex" to Yeah Yeah Yeah's "Heads Will Roll" and displaying road rage along the way.

We got some Korean for lunch in Palisades Park on Broad Street, walked around and checked out some stores along the way, headed over to Super H Market where we picked up some bomb ass red bean donuts, I found a nail supply store in the mini mall that had dirt cheap prices on my OPI joints, and lastly, we walked up and down Bergenline Avenue around the 60's and peeped out some cheap shoes and clothes spots. I highly recommend you visit the area if you get the chance. Not only can you can get like 12 outfits for like $50, you can have bangin' ass latin food, your income tax done, and practice jiu jitsu all in a 2 block radius!

I wish I had my camera to better document our adventures for the day but I managed to take pictures of what resulted from today!


Score #1: $35 sequinned Converse low's I found at a store called Trensetter on Broad Street in Palisades Park. I haven't worn Converse sneakers in years and I normally wouldn't buy them otherwise but they were cheap as hell and I needed a pair of just plain and simple looking sneakers. The store had a weird mix of random designer brands in there (Miss Sixty, La ROK, Johnson, True Religion, Mike & Chris, plus more..) and the prices were considerably low. I think they sell closeouts. Good place to pop into once in awhile to see what they get a hold of.



Score #2: Super H Market on Broad Street has this bakery in the back of that sells these bomb ass red bean donuts. 6 for $4, holler! Yes, I know there are only 5 pictured, I ate one while driving.



Score #3: I damn near had an internal combustion when the saleswoman at the nail supply store inside the mini mall connected to Super H Market told me the prices on the OPI, Essie, and Orly nail polishes. Can you guess? Well, they were approximately half retail - OPI's $4, Essie $3 and Orly $3! WTF right?! And, NO, they aren't bootlegs! I was close to overdosing on buying but I settled for "just" 5 today. If you are interested in hitting up the place, it's called Nail Mart, 321 Broad Ave. Unit 124, Ridgefield, NJ. Phone: 201-941-5777.

Left to right: OPI "In My Back Pocket" (Paige Premium Denim line), OPI "You Don't Know Jacques!" (replenishing a staple color of mine), Orly "Charged Up", OPI "No Room for the Blues" (Paige Premium Denim line), OPI "Don't Know... Beets Me!"





Score #4: I copped these babies on Bergenline Avenue at Easy Pickins, a cheapy clothing store that sells mad plastic shoes that stink but look dope nonetheless! I love wedges and I particularly love the weave detailing. Best of all, they were only $19.99! If you're interested in copping a pair, check www.sodashoes.com or www.easypickins.com.

While strolling through the shoe aisles at Marshall's in Secaucus two weeks ago, I came across these insanely hot and intriguing looking shoes and thought, what the f are these!? I picked them up and fell in love instantly. I tried them on and they fit perfect and make me look super tall. These were a keeper! I did a Google search when I got in afterward and found out they were from the Spring 2007 collection. It's all good that they're from seasons ago, they look fresh as hell and most of all, they're in my favorite colors - black and gold!

Last Wednesday, I did a freelance gig and provided my makeup artistry skills for songwriter, Mary Brown and her artist, Natalia in SoHo, New York for their promotional pictures. I only got to do one makeup look for both due to time restraints, but the end result was beautiful thanks to their faces, the makeup, and the photographer! I've yet to see and receive the finished pictures and will post them when they become available.

Candid shots I took during the shoot...

Aldo's been working hard knocking off designer shoes but I am so not hating because I simply love these! I can see all the outfit opportunities now! One thing though, I can't stomach spending $140, but I just might, just might, end up shelling out the money to slip my feet into these dope ass shoes!

Peep them here!

I got my hair done did the other day by none other than the one and only, master colorist of the universe, or this side of Jersey City, Justin Santoro! My hair was growing and I needed it retouched and we opted to go a shade darker since I didn't like how yellowy my hair was fading out to. I know it is hard to tell in this picture but for those that see me on a daily, you know what's up! He did an amazing job, as always!

You ladies need to know about him - not only does he know his siht when it comes to hair coloring, he is sweet, extremely bright, intelligent, and the chillest person ever! Ask about him! He can be found at Balance Salon located on Erie Street in Downtown Jersey City on Saturdays and by appointment!

Month recap in pictures and one blurry video! I've been a bit behind and these pictures have been sitting in my camera for a minute, so here they finally are for your viewing pleasure!

I thought I took this bangin' ass video clip during the party where it went INSANE for a few minutes, fog, air blasting, strobe lights and all, but I realized that I f'ed up and ended up only recording the aftermath of that awesome moment. Boo! The party was nuts and the place was packed. It was in the basement, it was hot and sweaty and just ridic. We were totally not prepared for it because we both wore heels (big mistake) and totally should've worn our war gear because we got shoved around and jabbed in the ribs on many occasions and we were about to get nasty on some people. We ended up bouncing after only being there for two hours and decided to headed back to Jersey to get our IHOP on! I recommend the Stuffed French Toast - oh where the f have I been? So bangin'!


M.A.C. MJC's Hello Kitty Event February 21st
My beautiful co-workers at our Hello Kitty Event...

M.A.C. at Henri Bendel's is having their Hello Kitty Event this and the following weekend and I will be there this Friday to support the event so ladies if you're around the way, stop in to peep the collection and to say hi to moi!

If you're interesting in booking for their event, holler at them!

Henri Bendel
712 Fifth Avenue
1.800.HBendel

Reflekt - Need to Feel Loved (Adam K & Soha Remix)

Yea, I'm crazy late, I know. I held off on getting these until I saw these on someone (you know who you are you fiend you) and was reminded of how sick they are and how I should just suck it up and buy them. And so I did. And on ebay, for cheap!

You should go, seriously. Buy your tickets here.

New sh*t! Our Hello Kitty collection will be dropping second week of February and there has been lots of great buzz about it already and it is only January! As always in M.A.C. fashion, my location is having an event for it. You so need to come! Peep the flyer below and book your appointment to come in and get decked out by me or any one of my talented fellow artists



pictures via temptalia.com

I suck at blogging, but what else is new? So it has only been two weeks into the year and things have seemingly been good and bad thus far. So let me break it down:

THE GOOD:

• New car. So can I just express how much driving has changed my life? I am super late on this but hey, the money situation was never right until now and being able to buy a car and driving has not only made my life so much better but it has allowed me do all sorts of shit I wasn't able to do before. No more buses, waiting, calling for cabs, or getting harassed on the streets. I come and go as I please. I love it.
• New hair. As a result of driving, I've been able to hit up Mitsuwa (twice now, watch out!) and have been able to get my Japanese magazine fix on! RUSSH and Luire are my favorites and Karen comes through coppin' the super kitschy Japanese ones. If you know what's up, the light brown almost orangey hair color is thee color of choice and it looks pretty damn good. Soo, I went and got it done! Thanks to Justin and Carla's (Balance Salon) expertise and 6 painstaking hours of stripping, bleaching and formulating, my hair was transformed from half dark brown, half blue black to a warm light golden brown - with no brassiness! They are amazing and I suggest you visit them if you want your hair done right. I <3>

• I'm going to L.A. in March and maybe Miami sometime in May...? I'm eager to travel to warmer, sunnier, beach areas and I want to lay out and get ridiculously brown.
• Things aren't finalized just yet, but I may be starting school next week. So excited to potentially be back in school!
• If I play my cards right, I might be moving out sometime this year with...?
• I've been maintaining friendships better and have been seeing my peoples on the regular. Hanalei knows whats up with our late night drives to no where!
• Job opportunities have come my way. Yes to $$$.
• Don't laugh, but I give credit to Facebook for allowing me to keep in touch with people better.
• O.P.I. "Cajun Shrimp" is my new shit!
  
  
  

• To date, I've gotten 2 parking tickets and 1 boot. I "suppose" it was my fault, but come on, give me a break. Fuck you parking authority.
• I scratched my car, kinda bad but not that bad depending on who's judging.
• I've been sick the past few days.