While browsing the www in search of new inspiration, I came across this talented illustrator from Japan. Her name: Audrey Kawasaki. Her work has inspired me to get creative. So that is what I am off to do… Enjoy! x
quoted
“Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.”
Oscar Wilde
nailed it!
Not for love or money can wear nail polish without smudging it. I am so concered with getting them perfect first time around, that I layer on the coats. I had decided to stop wasting the nail polishg and effectively stop waisting money! After hours browsing through old magazines I came across a teeny little advise coloumn. I thought I would try and test it, and low and behold…its still on…smudge and scratch free!!!
Here is how to make your varnished set last:
- When painting your nails,paint on a clear base-coat - NOT simply clear nail polish.
- In your chosen clour, paint a centre stripe, the a stripe down the left side of the nail and then the right.
- Avoid the temptation to paint more coats, or “perfect” the nail in the first layer. As the polish dries it settles and spreads out evenly.
- Allow to dry properly for at least an hour. This does not mean that you cannot get on with things, because there is now only a thin layer as apposed to these heavey coats the laquer dries quickly, but it takes about an hour to dry completely. The second coat will bond better. Its the perfect time to catch up on emails and browsing the www.
- Once the second coat has been allowed to dry properly (if you still have the time & patience to wait another hour - well you are in for some long lasting varnish)apply a top coat. 15 - 30minutes is sufficient.
Now you are well on your way to long lasting nail colour. Reapply the top coat every day or so tp prolong your paint even further!
Happy painting!!
I absolutly love Orly nail polishes - they come mini! in many great colours.
- Haute Red
my african dream
Have you checked out Polyvore? It’s a great site that you can play “inspiration-inspiration”.
I came across it thanks to the ever delightful [Kim Gray}(http://www.kimgray.za.net/).
Here is my inspired moment. Its called “My African Dream”
x
safe trip home
I have been shooting a music video for Dido with Rob Nicholls of Ground Glass. Now now, don’t get too excited. You did not miss her, she was not here. The idea for her latest album is that each song on the album, Safe Trip Home will have a music video shot in a different country, by a local director. It seems that there have been a few shot already. Keep checking back here for the video. It’s been shot in and around Cape Town, and that’s the point. For a change, it’s not made to look like somewhere else! I don’t want to give it all away on the first date - best you return to seee the results!
So, although it has been a HOT & HARD two days or grueling location swapping, it has been fun. And some great new friends have been made. Welcome (back) to Cape Town David!
Well all you lovely people, I wish your a glorious weekend. Over and out yo x
bright lights
So spring has spung, although late, I do believe it is finally here…
Here are two of my spring/summer 08 inspirations from cosmetic houses Dior & Clarins. I do love this bright, fresh colour approach.
love this
For those who know me, you’ll know this is one of my favourite hairstyles! Nice to see Hollywood finally caught onto the trend! :)
image from InStyle
collumn
Ok, so after two days of working on the cataloge I have locked down that it was a Dutch catalouge for Collumn mensware. Will posts pics when I get them.
I have a meeting this afternoon with a Dutch photographic agent. She is going to help me “fine tune” my portfolio. So if you see lots of photographs disapear, its all in the interest of quality over quantity!
got the job!
I am delighted to inform you all that I will be working for a new stills production company (they are not new, just our working relationship is) Episode Media Productions. I don’t know the details as to the client, but I know its a grooming job for some catalouge. Oh how most delightfully exciting.
On another note, I would like to welcome Talia to a great working friendship that is only just beginning…Good luck and have fun tomorrow on your test shoot!
Will keep you all posted on the details! x
yesterday i splurged
As strange as it may sound, one of my most dreaded things to do is to go make-up shopping for my kit. I don’t know exactly why that is, but it probably has something to do with fact that there is just soooo much and I have limited space is me little ‘ol kit (which is not so little I will have you know!). None-the-less, yesterday I went a make-up shopping, and I splurged on it too. I am starting to move out of my comfort zone and try new products all the time. So let me look into my leeeettttle shopping bag and tell you about what I bought:
- Bobbi Brown Nude Lip & Eye Palette
-
YSL Touche Eclat No.2
3. Chanel Vitalumiere SPF15 No.30 - Chanel Le Blanc de Chanel Sheer Illuminating Base
And the best part - FREE SAMPLES!! Chanel eyemake up remover, cleansing milk & moisturiser.
Watch this space for feedback on the products.
a tribute
Today is a sad day. Miriam Makeba, our “Mamma Afrika” has passed away. So here is to you Mamma. You are a true inspiration, in so very many ways. You will live in our hearts forever…
image from Roger Bourland (blog about music & life)
image from Scarlet Tiara
getting the chop…continued
I have been hunting & gathering information on faceshapes and suitable hairstyles, as well as some current trends just for good measure. So as promised,(albeit a few days late) here are some tips on figuring out your faceshape once and for all, and choosing a shape-appropriate hairstyle to make YOU feel like a million smakaroo’s! So here is the lowdown.
Change is good. There are a few things to take into consideration when deciding to have a new cut. (And if your hairdresser is any good, s/he will take these factors into account. No harm in being armed with the facts though.)
Hair type, length and face shape are all determining factors:
Don’t go after a sleek straight haired look if you have uber curly hair, unless you are prepared to do hair admin and straighten it on a daily basis. And vise-versa. Learn to love what you hair (type) you have. Learn to get the most out of it. Just remember…someone else always wants what you have!
The length you decide on can change the way you feel about yourself. Short hair is a strong statement but can be fun and cheeky, mid-length is sophisticated and long is soft and romantic. It a nutshell of course. And who says you can’t have long hair after 40! Choose a length to suite your mood… In this day & age there is nothing stopping you change your mind regularly, except maybe the bank-balance.
There are five predominant face shapes, namely: round, oval, (ob)long, square & heart.
Now comes the fun part! You get to figure out what face shape you. Bare in mind, your face shape can vary. Mine sure does!
You will need: A mirror, clips or headband, eye pencil.
Now, pull your hair back so you can see your hairline. On the outer edges of your hairline make dots with your eye pencil. Next, mark the outer most edges of your cheek bones, now mark the outer most edges of your jawline. Next, make a dot at the bottom of your chin and the middle of your forehead. Mentally or physically connect the dots and your face shape will appear. ARE WE HAVING FUN YET? You must look silly with all those dots on your face! Haha OK, ok, so here are the possible outcomes: If the dots on your cheekbones are wider than the the ones at your hairline, you have an oval, oblong, round or heart shape face. If the all the dots are as wide as each other you probablly have a sqaure face shape.
Round faces are as wide as they are long. The cut needs to create the illusion of a narrower frame. Long flowing styles work nicely as they create the illusion of length to the face. Avoid chin length hairdo’s. Or it may just become a hairdon’t!
Oval faces are said to be ‘ideal’ as they are the most symetrical. The oval is slightly longer than it is wide, allowing the most versatility in hairstyles. Basically any hairstyle your heart desires suites your face. Wear you hair off your beautiful face as you are lucky enough to do so.
Oblong - Obviously, this face shape is a longer version of the oval shape. This face shape needs width to balance it. Width can be created with curls, or a good bob will do the trick. Soft layer around the face, and a slightly wide, fuller fringe also creates the illusion of width.
Heart shaped faces are wider at the eye and cheek area, and tend to have a small pointy chin and high forhead. Styles that create width at the jawline bring balance to this face shape.
Square faces need softening as they tend to look for hard and angular. You can create this ‘softness’ with curls or layers. Hairstyles should have some volume at the root to create length in the face. Keep the sides of the hair style narrow so the jawline is covered.
Check out these websites for some ideas and advise:Hair Style Design, Hair Factory, Hairstyles, UK Hairdressers,In Style Hair Make-over
“quoted”
I love quotes. I use them on a fairly regular basis. Quotes serve some great purposes, but mostly, they make you a appear more intelligent than you are! Well-read if you like. It’s pure genius really…just memorise a few quotes, and A-presto, your social dialouge will impress even the most pompus party-goer. I will post some of my favourite quotes here to aid us all in improving our knowledge. Don’t forget to name the quoted! x
“Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy.”
Albert Einstein
getting the chop
I cannot over emphasise to you how important a good hair cut is. But the key, it seems, is to find a hairdresser that understands ‘YOU’. I’m a pain in the ass when it comes to having my own hair cut, Ive even been know to shed a tear or two for fallen locks. I never know what I want, but I always no what I dont want. Yesterday I had a killer cut. I walked in (they slotted me in as I only do same day appointments), sat down, exchanged a few pleasantries and then the cutting began. The man understood! It was…well lets just say no tears were shed and heads turned. I feel great, the cut suits me and I actually have a hairstyle on long hair! Thanks Gunter @ BoyGirl Hair in Kloof Street. (They even do late appointments if required.) I have to start prepping for a job today, but I will post some more re good cuts, current styles and faceshapes this evening. x
giving lip
After hours and hours spent online this past weekend looking for appropriate inspiration for my blog - and my new obsession (www.colourlovers.com) - I decided on a colour palette for this season must have lipstick colours. Now I’m no brand-name-junkie when it comes to lipsticks, (if it works, I’ll use it!) so I’m not going to list the must-have brand names. But… here is just a little inspiration for all of you to find your perfect shade this season. Be it gloss, matte, satin or stain. Just remember: if you going for a bright vivacious colour, you have to wear it with confidence.
Go on - give a bit of ‘lip’ this summer! x
colours
My general colour of choice for inspiration is sunshine yellow… here is a colour palette I created trying to move away from yellow as a whole and venture forth into blends…
Check out www.colourlovers.com for some great inspiration if colour is running through your veins.
x
in the begining…
So here it is! My very first ‘blog’. This is an entirely new “avenue” for me. And it must be mentioned that it was inspired by the ever lovely Kim Gray - Stylist. Bare with me as I find my feet on this platform. Basically, as the name suggests, this blog will be a collection of images/people/places/things that inspire me…for whatever reason…
I will keep you posted…
K