The Afore-Mentioned Fabric

This is the beautiful fabric I bought last weekend at the Portsmouth Fabric Company. From left to right:

Belle Collection:
Gothic Rose in Turquoise
Crysanthemum in Olive
Gothic Rose in Burgundy
Coriander in Blue

Lotus Collection:
Geisha Fans in Olive
Wallflower in Sky

Lovely!

This Week's Face

I also mentioned doing a post on a makeup look once a week, and I had time this morning, so I did something fun. I'm totally obsessed with my new eyeliner from Clarins, and I've done something with it the past three days. This morning, since I didn't have to work, I did something a little more out there.



Here's what I did!

Face: No foundation today, because my face is looking okay. But I still wanted something to even things out a bit, so after concealing any little spots with Chanel ProLumiere Concealer in Light, I whipped out my Chanel Hydramax+Active Tinted Moisturizer (from here on, everything is Chanel unless I specify otherwise). I just smoothed that on with my fingers. The blush is called Reflex, it's a really nice orangey peach with gold flecks (it's also discontinued). Other than my cheeks, I also dusted a little blush on my forehead and nose.

Eyes: From the lash line to just above the crease, I applied the darker purple shade from the Star-Dust Duo (dusted that along my lower lash line too). At the inner corners, I used the pink from the Flash-Back duo, pretty much just around the insides of my eyes. Along the lash line, I smudged on the purple from Flash-Back. I also intensified my lower lash line with the Stylo Yeux in Violine. The turquoise is Clarins' new waterproof crayon that goes on as smooth as a khol pencil. I drew a pretty broad line with the end winged out past my eyes (oooo, cat-eye)! The mascara is Inimitable in Noir-Indigo.

Lips: With an eye as bright as this, a nudish pink gloss will do: Glossimer in Sundress! Done!

Hope you liked it! :)

Introducing: The Playlist of the Week!

I have a great new idea that I think will be fun! So I'm always creating playlists for theoretical events and situations, because I love to orchestrate an event right down to the smallest detail (coordinating my frilly toothpicks and napkins with the colors of the beverages). I will weekly present a playlist of 15 or more songs. I plan to do this until I run out of imaginary scenarios for which one would need a specialized playlist. This week, the event is:

Swanky Uptown Retro Soiree

Sexe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Line Renaud
Call Me . . . . . . . . . . The New Classic Singers
Mayo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ana Laan
Leisure Suite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feist
Fly Me to the Moon . . . . . . . . Astrud Gilberto
Insensatez . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maria Creuza
Me Echaras De Menos . . . . . . . . . . . Ana Laan
Blue Bossa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ana Caram
Vivo Sonhando . . . . . . . . . . . Astrud Gilberto
Minha Flor . . . . . . . . . . . . . Luca Mundaca
Girl From Ipanema . . . . . . . . . Astrud Gilberto
Innapropriate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ana Laan
Something in the Air Between Us . . . Sophie Milman
Quiet Nights (Corvocado) . . . . . Blossom Dearie
Low-tech Lady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ana Laan


This music makes me want to don a black shift, sip something from a ritzy glass, and make charming conversation while gesturing in a way that draws attention to my cat-eye liner, nude lips, and marvelously bejeweled beehive (a classy beehive-- lately the reputation of teased hair has suffered because certain rehab-destined people have sported it, but big hair is still classy). If your next dinner party needs that certain je ne sais quoi, this is the perfect sonic backdrop for a sexy little gathering of polished people in a properly dim setting. Especially if you favor drinks that require tonic. One last thing: the last four songs are excellent for after all the guests have gone home and that stimulating someone has stayed to help "clean up" (hint: the dishes can wait till morning-- evenings are for romance).

Fabric Fever

Yesterday at the Portsmouth Fabric Company:

How I wish the camera did not jet off on my parents' camping trip! But alas, I am without it, so I can't take a picture of the absolutely GORGEOUS Amy Butler fabrics I got yesterday. Most are from her "Belle" collection, which I still love, even if it's not the newest one. I saw her new Midwest Modern collection too, and while I like the patterns and shapes, I'm not nuts about the pastels. I also got a peek at her Nigella home dec collection, and the fabrics in the "Water" palette are just GORGEOUS. I just love her fabric in general. But I can't buy a truckload of $10-a-yard fabric, so I had to settle for a yard of two of them and then fat quarters of the other four I liked. I'll hopefully have some new items posted on my etsy. It still looks like winter on there! I also plan to take a photo of my pretty fabric when the camera comes back, so it will be here on Tuesday or so!

Regarding the Chanel Exam:

I got a 100! Wowee! Luckily I impressed our Regional whatever-she-is, Patty. I forgot to mention that at the Chanel Basic School, my astuteness impressed the Education Executive such that she e-mailed a bunch of people in the company about me, and went so far as to say that I was the kind of person they were looking for at Chanel, and that she couldn't wait to see me grow in the company! I was very happy, so I hope it doesn't sound like I'm tooting my own horn-- it's just nice to have people see that kind of potential in me!

As soon as I have something created with those lovely fabrics, you better believe I'll be posting it!

In desperate need of structure

So as you can see, I have been superbad at posting here lately (or for the past month?), so I really need to make some kind of plan. As in "Once a week, I'll post one of each of these: a food item, a music video, and a makeup look, and then whatever else I happen to care about." So maybe that's what I'll do. It will at least keep things interesting.

I have my Chanel exam today at work, which ought to be good. It takes 3 hours, I'm told, and it's EXHAUSTIVE. I'm not really nervous. Oh, I guess I never posted anything about Chanel school. Well, it was awesome! I won seven prizes in the three days, plus we each got a gift bag at the end with some products.

I saw Prince Caspian on Saturday night, and it was excellent. I can't think of any particular criticism. I've heard people complain about some additions to the screenplay that weren't in the book, but as a lover of C.S. Lewis's series, I have to say I don't have any gripes. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is expected to come out in 2010, so I can't wait to see that one, as it's one of my favorite books!

So the other day I was reading Spin and I discovered that Scarlett Johansson has an album out called Anywhere I Lay My Head-- it's all Tom Waits covers. I listened to the 30-second previews that iTunes offers, though I was skeptical. Although I felt her vocals left a bit to be desired, the arrangements were good-- very dreamy. Good sonic backdrop to a philosophical discussion!

I have bought some music lately that is just great. Stars is a new discovery; I'll leave you with an excellent and beautiful song/video that kind of reminds me of Eternal Sunshine because of the whole lying on the ice thing. Enjoy!

Off to Boston

So I know I haven't updated in a while-- I feel as though I haven't had a spare minute lately! But I know that's not true. However, I am going to Chanel School at the Taj in Boston for the next three days, and I will probably not have a spare minute then!

What else is new:

1) I have picked up needle felting for a new craft! I'm working on a sizable first project, and I'll post when it's done. I'm planning an excursion up to Portland for some roving on Friday so I can work on stuff in North Carolina.

2) Yes, we're going on a week vacation to North Carolina. I have never been there, but my brother and father have been visiting the Outer Banks in April for a few years now, pretty much for surfing. If there's anything good going on down there, I'll take photos!

3) Looking for an apartment.

4) Getting some poems ready to send out for publication! I know, I know, I've been talking about it for a year or two, but I'm finally doing it!

5) Bought some FABULOUS new shoes, and will take a photo and post-- they deserve it.

6) Currently working out the details of my MFA lecture. I'm having trouble really framing it, but I plan to work that out in NC, while I'm chilling and NOT working! Yay!

7) Discovered the AMAZING Canadian band Stars last week, and their album "Set Yourself on Fire" is one of the best albums I've heard in a while. Think Sufjan Stevens styling (and horns!), but with boy-girl vocals and you can slightly imagine Stars. But they've got to be heard for the unbelievable lushness and poignance they achieve on this album. Go get it! "Your Ex-Lover is Dead" is a standout, as is "Calendar Girl." This is the kind of music for which you should lie down and listen with your eyes closed, allowing the incredible emotionality of the music and lyrics to envelop you.

I have a slightly hatched plan to find crazy runway makeup looks, and use them as inspiration for wearable looks, and then show you the results. May happen, may not! But I'll start looking for stuff to use. I'll let you know how luxurious the Taj is and how fabulous Chanel school is too!

Me Today

What a MySpace-y pic! But I don't have a MySpace anymore, so. . . I don't really know what that means! I think I've forgotten to mention that I have been going to the gym three-four days a week for the past month or so, and it has totally made a difference! I don't know what the difference is in pounds, because I don't care what I weigh, I care how I feel and how my clothes fit. And I've been able to get into clothes I haven't worn for about a year and a half! So I'm pretty stoked! I have so many clothes that I can't wait to get into! I haven't been dieting per se, because I don't deny myself anything really, but when I work out I just naturally crave better food.

So that's the deal with me these days. I start at the counter tonight at Macy's, so I'm pretty excited about that! I don't know exactly what will be in store for me tonight, but I'm thinking it'll go by fast! Hopefully I'll get some gratis merchandise soon! Yippee! Luxury makeup!

Oh, I also went to a dance this weekend to benefit Noble's Class of 2008, and it was wicked fun! Tom and I danced up a storm! Pretty much didn't stop. We had a great time with my parents too, so I was happy about that.

I'm thinking I'm going to do a makeup post once a week. I'll do a photo and the inspiration for the look, and we can all have fun with that!

Pros and Cons of Concerts

I ask you, am I not a true music fan if I sometimes prefer the slick, clean production of a studio record to the bad mixing of a live show? I also like it when the song adheres to the album version, so you can bet that's another reason live shows aren't always as pleasant to me. Then again, there is the absolutely awesome feeling of being truly involved in a moment in history that is full of the energy of so many other people in a way that feels like it can never happen ever again. . . I guess I like each medium for a different reason. I can tell you that I sure don't usually buy live albums though! If I'm going to listen to something without the benefit of a visual, awesome crowd energy, and the concert atmosphere, I want my music CLEAN. Like this:



But of course Frank Black (of the most awesome Pixies) is not a great example, because he sounds awesome live, even so long after the original.



I remember the first time I ever heard a Pixies song. I was driving to Ogunquit and I heard "Here Comes Your Man", and I remember thinking "This is fucking awesome! Who is this?" And it was one of those lucky times where they actually said the artists's name when the song ended, and I took my little self on down to Bullmoose and bought "Doolittle", and later every regular Pixies album there was. I just listened to "Trompe Le Monde" all the way through twice yesterday, and it was awesome. Just a little music nostalgia there.

All Macy's-ed Out!

Yesterday I had my first day of training, and boy was it long! Not only did they send me home with a long manual which I had to read, but I had to watch all kinds of video modules and take quizzes to prove I understood the information. I did that for about 6 hours without stopping yesterday! If you know me, you know I'm the kind of person who likes to just get that kind of stuff out of the way in one fell swoop. But I have register training to do on Monday, and I don't know what after that, but hopefully I can get near that Chanel counter soon!

In other news, I have to make a bunch of stuff for the prom fashion show at Noble High School this Saturday, March 1st. I also haven't added anything to my Etsy for a while. I haven't had batteries for my camera, yearbook is sucking up my time. . . I'm hoping to get going on some new spring products soon. Really need a new camera too!

Jubilation

I just had my interview at 11:00, and they called me back at 12:30 to say I got the job! So I now work at Macy's at the Chanel counter, and I'm dreaming of becoming a makeup artist in a few years. I am SO excited! I don't know when I start yet, but hopefully it's soon!

More on the job later, when I've had some training! I'll dispense some of my new learning on here!

I Wanna

walk down the aisle to this song! So bad! It is perfect!



And T.V. Carpio has such a lovely voice! For the longest time, I've been trying to find a song slow enough (but not deathly boring) that I can use, and I found it. I LOVE "Across the Universe." Just love it. I can't wait to buy it. It is sonically and visually excellent.

Well, now that I've found the perfect aisle song, I sure can't elope! I was considering it because pretty much no one in my immediate family thinks I should be marrying the man I love, but I am no longer going to let that make me feel like I don't deserve a "real" wedding; in other words, the wedding I really want to have. I also recently read a book called "Altered," edited by Colleen Curran. It's all female writers' essays about weddings and marriage. It put a lot of things in perspective for me. It's not that I don't care what my family thinks. I just know that no one on the outside of a relationship can really understand what it's actually like on the inside. They can have theories and ideas, but when it comes down to it, it's me that has to be sure. And I've gotten to the point where I feel that I could still have an awesome, special wedding day, even if my father, mother, and brother don't want to come.

That's that! Interview wth Chanel tomorrow!

Warrior Monday

*Edited because the photo got lost in the great somewhere!*

Well, as you can tell by the above photo, I was in a bit of a whimsical mood today. A few times lately I've worn my hair this way, with the sides parted around eyebrow-height and curving around my ears, then I do a French braid on each side. It feels very Native Princess, so I decided to play around with the makeup to see what I could do. It isn't much, but I thought it was pretty cool. I realized that I REALLY like playing with makeup and styles, and I went down to Macy's today to apply for a Beauty Advisor position. I should have another interview later this week with a Chanel representative, and I'm pretty excited. I think I could be happy working in cosmetics for quite a while. And you never know where that could go. . .

I finished the rough draft of my manuscript at the beginning of the month, and David responded very positively. That was a blessing, let me tell you! I'm looking at a few poetry prizes these days for which I plan to submit work. Having gotten so much feedback on what I consider to be my best poems has been really helpful for determining which ones to use.

My friend Leann from the late great Gallery has been working to get me a little meeting with the program director at the Coolidge Cener for the Arts in Portsmouth. She teaches childrens' art classes there, and we're hoping to expand the program to include literary arts and weekend workshops, maybe a summer camp-- all kinds of exciting stuff! Hopefully something will come of that.

Oh, I guess it goes without saying that the name of my blog (and my username on many many sites) is now a misnomer--I have become a brunette! Have been since January 3rd. But the weirdest part about it is that I just feel like a blonde with brown hair!! I like it a lot, and Tom likes it, though he was a little puzzled when I came home from Vermont, and regarded me from a distance for a few minutes. He said it looks good, but he wants me to be back to blonde for our wedding (whenever that may be), because that's how I looked when he met me. Silly boys!

Well, more on all of this great stuff soon! Hopefully I'll have a job update by the end of the week!

Long Time No Type

Boy oh boy, I've been gone forever! What was I thinking? Anyway, since the last time I posted, this is what has happened:

1) My birthday on December 12th-- I'm now 23.
2) Christmas was very nice. I was able to actually purchase and make some great presents for everyone. I also visited the Farmer's Market in Dover the Saturday before Christmas. Only even knew about it because of Sarah, so I am very appreciative of that info, because I got all kinds of neat things, including popcorn on the cob!
3) Shortly after Christmas I had my fourth residency at the newly named Vermont College of Fine Arts, now a more independent entity! But I am working on my last semester with the great David Wojahn. I'm really excited to get my first draft of my manuscript together, and I also have a great lecture topic! Can't wait to get my refund-- I'm buying books upon books!
4) On January 7th, Tom and I had our second anniversary!
5) I've decided to try my hand at getting a PhD in creative writing. This will make moving necessary in the next year or two, but I'm excited for the challenge and newness of a different place.

I'm also still looking for a better job that allows me to be creative in some of the other areas where I have talent, and the development of BombshellWorks products is ongoing. Hoping to get a new camera, take better photos, and get them on that etsy! :)