Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Further C-uriousity

This Vitamin C thing has got me thinking. Another video I watched, the girl made a solution of the vitamin C powder and distilled water for each application, and applied with makeup brush where she wanted it (face, neck, hands, avoiding blemishes). A good way to control how much or how little you apply if you have sensitive skin, and no premixing of creams and vitamin for the week. So the mask she does twice a week versus the lady in the previous post who I believe uses her vitamin C creams every day.

I have to admit I turn 30 this November and it is hitting me in various ways. Having a high-energy child, a stressful job, a marriage to a drama queen, quitting my job, and smoking on and off for the last 17 years (oh my....), not to mention the years of sun damage where I didn't give a damn about sunscreen... I looked in the mirror and saw in what I had previously perceived to be my unlined skin.... multiple distinct lines across my forehead... and down my neck... my under eye bags are out of control... and my stretch marks from pregnancy are improving but I will never be the same.

Don't get me wrong, I am pretty happy with things. But I am realizing I can't get away with the follies of youth in so many ways. Definitely in the area of skin regime. Genetics blessed me but lifestyle chosen by me has not always been optimal. I want to try to see if I can improve some aspects by trying this vitamin C thing, which really is like a home acid peel plus vitamin C promotes collagen production I believe.

In the following video this girl uses lemons (and buying lemons or even that plastic lemon full of lemon juice is much easier than buying powder vitamin C and mixing solutions and creams like a chemist) as well as sugar on a cotton pad... pretty genius and yummy and so easy:

Monday, March 25, 2013

The Must C's of Beauty - Coconut Oil and Vitamin C

I have to improve this site so I can actually have different sections, but alas blogspot is not the best for that, and it is the platform I have chosen for now... more to come.

In any case, I am going to sometimes segue into beauty and health topics that fascinate me. The following two videos are must-sees for anyone.

The first is a woman in her late-50's with fantastic and very budget-friendly long-term skincare tips that keep your skin almost magically youthful. Her skin is probably at the condition of about a 35-year-old, you can see it in her throat and hands more than her face which has a lot of makeup.



This video is about coconut oil. It is wonderful for your skin, hair, cooking, sex life, it literally is a magical product. And the following video shows just how wonderful. I lost my grandmother some years ago to a case of very aggressive and terrible Alzheimer's. This man got his brain back by consuming coconut oil.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Some Paris in restrospect

A lot has happened in my life lately, including resigning my position of four years sort of out of the blue. I have not been on top of things at all with fashion news so I decided to look over some of the major shows I missed and make some observations.

For instance, still not a fan of Miu Miu, can never picture myself in even one piece or outfit, do not understand the woman Miuccia Prada is dressing. Same goes for Balmain. Bleh. Taste? Modernity? Where have thou gone?

By contrast, Elie Saab's Fall RTW... Every piece is gorgeous, wearable, elegant and chic. From sporty looks to formal wear, and in a beautiful array of colours, he really shows he has range and incredible style.




Same goes for Raf Simons' collection for Dior Fall RTW. Holy feminine, beautiful. Sometimes it was a little all over the place, not a huge fan of giant crochet, especially when mixed with houndstooth... However, overall a successful collection I would say, and I am very eager for the couture offerings...








The Givenchy show was very inspiring personally, I will be incorporating into my wardrobe ideas such as mixing florals with moto jackets, and belting sweatshirts over skirts. Absolutely love, and feels so modern and exciting somehow. Some of the looks were downright ugly but overall, so great. 






Another collection I would commit a crime to own all of is Christophe Lemaire's Hermès RTW Fall 2013. Extremely classic, elegant and luxurious, you know you would feel like a complete lady.







Awesome brown tuxedo look...




Stopping here...

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Thrift Shop

I am a huge thrift/flea/hand-me-down kinda gal. You can find some real treasures. And then when you grow tired of something, or accidentally bleach and destroy, you don't sob at the enormous waste of what you paid.

I have the unique benefit of living in a small town with many well-off people/purgers and few dedicated thrift shoppers with true taste or eye for style. Consequently I find incredible items, like Ferragamo loafers for 14 dollars (the cashier tried to warn me of my exorbitant purchase, I'm good thanks) that have become my go-to work shoe. Yesterday I found Aldo suede ankle-strap heels that are super comfy, fun, sexy and elegant. And Hilfiger heels with a red sole, mauve highlights, and a hide/houndstooth upper that is pretty cool. This is the kind of shoe that at original price I would probably never buy but at all under ten bucks, and all leather, you cannot go wrong.




And years ago, I bought my first converse all-stars, an amazing high-top white pair with a Durer horsemen of the apocalypse etching in black on each outer ankle... I bought them on my last day of a year-long adventure in Europe, in Camden market before flying out of London. Well, they sold me the left foot 1.5 sizes smaller and I guess in my rush and excitement I only tried the right on. That is one mistake I will never make again, buyer beware. But yesterday, I scored my second pair for under 10 bucks, and I am so happy.


The fake fur shrug in all the pics is also a thrift score and so great. My apologies for the abominable picture quality, darn iPhone, my Blackberry used to take much crisper photos. I have a Canon 40D, currently can't locate. Ah life in a too-small apartment...

Chanel, LV, Celine and Burton oh my...

Oh gosh sooo many amazing shows to catch up with.... The biggies....

Sarah Burton is such a genius. Her collection, although rather unwearable, is so exquisite in artistry and imagination that I don't care. I went back through several seasons to remember just how awesome she is, highly recommend it. Miss you Alexander McQueen....


Then Chanel... Is it possible for Karl to get it wrong? Always so prolific, maintaining both originality and his signature look, every time. Incredible. You can tell the models feel pretty badass too. Still my dream to own something Chanel, haven't managed it yet.







And Cara Delevingne just IS badass. 



I really like the 'cool professional girl' looks at Celine, very much my own aesthetic, many very wearable/covetable...







Still disturbed by his pyjama/lingerie/fur/naked fixation this year, but didn't hate Marc Jacobs' contribution via Louis Vuitton RTW Fall 2013...



(I don't know who this model is but her body is perfection)






I was going to talk about Elie Saab and Miu Miu but it will have to wait, my 14-month-old must take precedence for now. The thing with fashion, and an online WWD subscription, is there are always more shows, more looks to look at and drool over... Yum.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Oscar-worthy Dresses

Holy, Talbot Runhof RTW Fall 2013 deserves its own post because there are just too many looks that I liked. How incredible would these dresses look on celebrities on the red carpet?


What lovely contrast here:

 


I picture Angelina in this:

 




This would get a girl on best-dressed lists I think:

 

And this fabric should be garish but I absolutely love it.

 


And for less formal events...

 

Love this dress, top to bottom.

 

This sweet tough girl peplum look is so awesome. I even love the silvery socks.