Spark-tacular!

I've never been a nail savvy girl. I tend to keep it simple only really polishing my nails for special occasions, dates, etc. However, I do have an obsession with filing my nails. I will stand (hiding really) in corners of the store for minutes at a time and file my nails. I keep the Diamancel nail file in my brush bag and it beats any other file I've used. The most current animation in the store is all about nails: nail glitters, nail art pens, nails stickers, really cute stuff. I had to force myself to polish my nails the other day and I ended up using one of Sephora by OPI newest Top Coat Spark-tacular. 

I LOVELOVELOVE this polish, it's chunky and medium sized multi-colored glitter and it's amazing! It's very similar to the high end Deborah Lipmann nail polish Happy Birthday but ours is $9.50 and Deborah's is $16. The only downside is that I tend to be rough on my nails and I did three coats of Spark-tacular along with a regular top coat and just in daily activities it's started to chip at the tips of my nails. I would definitely suggest using it mostly as a top coat to prolong the wear of the glitter.

At least it looked good for a few days!

Penelope Cruz on V Magazine/Life Update

I love the styling and the makeup in this spread with Penelope Cruz. Androgyny along with the glamorous aspect is just gorgeous. 

I've been really out of it the past few weeks due to my car accident, my Honda is no more but I'm alive and well. Yesterday was the first day I was able to walk without limping or needing a knee brace and I'm very grateful for that. My knee is still really stiff and when I try to stretch it out it hurts like a bitch but I'm making progress. I feel lucky that I live in South End because I've been able to get around without any problems, besides taking the wrong bus. 

light rail sceneries.

I feel like when I move back to New York next summer  I'll  be prepared because I don't think anything is less enjoyable than walking around with a massive recyclable bag filled with groceries in the Southern summer heat, there really isn't anything cute about it but hey, it's necessary! Along with walking around in the heat, I haven't been wanting to wear a lot of heavy makeup or makeup in general. I eventually end up sweating most it off even when I douse my face in makeup setting spray. I've been doing a defined brow and a cat eye with a waterproof gel liner and that's been my go to look along with a bright lip. I've been wanting to experiment with new looks and photograph them but by the time I get home, the only thing I want to do is shower and go to bed. Hopefully, when it cools down somewhat I'll be able to get back into the swing of things.

IMATS 2012

I am determined to make it to IMATS in New York Spring 2012. The chance to meet some of the extremely talented individuals I watch on a daily basis on YouTube and read about through my blogs would be so gratifying.

Introducing Mrs. Asha Singleton

I'm so grateful to have worked with such a lovely and optimistic person. Doing Asha's makeup on her Wedding Day wasn't stressful in the least bit! She was calm and collected and so we're all of the bridesmaids, it made for a great environment even on a tight schedule. The Wedding ceremony was held at Grace on Brevard, a beautiful historic monument in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Sunny of Themba Imagery worked her magic behind the camera and even gave us a preview of the images on her blog. 

I wish you both years of happiness together!

La Petite Mort Burlesque at The Sunset Club

Last week I had the pleasure of working with the sultry ladies of La Petite Mort Burlesque at the Sunset Club. I've been to the Sunset Club once before for a co-workers birthday party and I like the venue, it's spacious and the atmosphere is chill and sophisticated but I didn't realize it was a cigar bar! I have a serious allergy to cigarette/cigar/pretty much any type of smoke so this time around I made sure I was heavily dosed with my medicine and ready to go! I never realized how much work goes into putting on a Burlesque show, these ladies rocked it out from beginning to end! I look forward to working with all of them again. Here are a few photos from the evening, I stole these from their most recent Facebook album :)

Jessica Vilanova aka Beautiful Sin

Kaya Stowers aka Cherry Von Bomb

Ginger Lee

All of the ladies and Aj aka Lilith DeVille

Tom Ford Beauty

Came across these ads on CocoPerez (yes, I'm an avid celebrity blog reader) and I'm in love! The last photo is my favorite, the purple/hot pink contour is definitely something I want to replicate in the future.