Friday Blanks... Movie Style

F R I D A Y

is finally here. joy joy joy joy joy!!!

I am so glad for this week to be through and for the weekend to commence!! 

{I'm also VERY excited for my Saturday Makeup class tomorrow -- we're learning foundation application and skin tone color matching!!}

But we all know what Friday bring us - - - BLANKS!!!!

Here are my Friday Blanks:

1.  My absolute favorite movie of all time is Edward Scissorhands or American Beauty. I just love how both films have the raw character development and how they make you look at the world, life, and beauty, in a different light. Both very powerful films.

2.  My favorite movie as a child was  The Land Before Time... I seriously watched this movie every night before bed, and I had a serious love for all things dinosaur... I also love the Chipmunk Adventure movie... also a childhood classic...

3.  The best movie quote ever is  from American Beauty: "It was one of those days when it's a minute away from snowing and there's this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. And this bag was, like, dancing with me. Like a little kid begging me to play with it. For fifteen minutes. And that's the day I realized there was this entire life behind things, and... this incredibly benevolent force, that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever. Video's a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember... and I need to remember... Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in."

4.  My favorite actress is  I love Drew Barrymore's quirky sense of humor, and relate to her more than any other actress...  My favorite actor is  Duh, the one and only, Mr. Johnny Depp!!!  : )

{mmmmmm.... this may be my new favorite photo of him.... chills}

5.  The movie I could watch over and over is   Almost Famous. I adore the unrequited love story, and just the overall vibe of the film. My favorite film Kate Hudson has done...

6.  My favorite movie genre is  hmmmmm, I think I go for the indie most often, but I love a good psychological thriller that isn't too bloody...

7.  A movie I'd like to watch this weekend is  The Hangover. I've seen it twice, but I need a good laugh... and that move is FULL of them... : )

Do play along with Lauren at The Little Things We Do.

It's just so much fun!!!!

Happy Friday Everyone!!!!

Spring Inspirations . . . .

Right now, these lovely little jewels from Anthropologie are seriously tempting me with their beautiful bright colors and mixy-matchy scatterbrained designs... I will definitely be investing in one of these beauties for my spring/summer collection...

Now that I think of it, some of these would be rather easy to recreate myself... with a little custom pizazz of course! Perhaps a trip to the Bead Store is in order...

Mother's Day Gifts by Clarins; Deep Discounts by Gilt

French women are known for their flawless skin, and Clarins is a big part of that. Founded in Paris in 1954, this eco-friendly company was one of the first to utilize pure plant extracts and non-animal-based ingredients. Nowadays it’s stayed ahead of the game in innovation by formulating top-notch anti-wrinkle creams, cellulite firming lotions, gentle sunscreens and more. Clarins also makes gorgeous makeup, so don’t gloss over these lipcolor trios.

BACKSTORY
Perhaps you didn’t know, but Clarins has been taking care of your skin since 1954. This historic skincare company began with a philosophy of love and respect for women’s beauty, and women around the world have returned the favor by making Clarins one of the world’s top sellers of skincare products. And while the earth’s women love Clarins, Clarins loves the earth right back – the company was one of the first to make use of pure plant extracts, non-animal-based ingredients and eco-friendly production methods. Its simple, effective products and pioneering dedication to the environment are what set this company apart from the pack. That’s beauty from the inside out.

Grab Great Gifts for Mom!

Sale begins Thurs., 4/29/10 at 11 a.m. CDT

Buyer's Picks / Some Selected Sales Items

Register to join in. It's free.

Click HERE to shop the Gilt Groupe sales event!

source: Gilt Group; sale starts 4/29/10 @ 11 am CT

the paint pot . . .

Soooooooo, last night I finally received my slew of MAC cosmetics for my professional makeup kit. Seriously, the sight of 13 girls sitting in a hallway opening a million little black boxes and organizing them into their cosmetic bags was both hilarious and thrilling. It was like Christmas morning when you were 10 and everything in your stocking was exactly what you've always wanted... seriously, it was that cool. We got a brief summary on what each item in our kit is for, but will get a detailed lesson tomorrow night... so more to come on that!!

{p.s. my instructor has suggested we bring cameras with us on all of our assignments for personal documentation, so there will be some (hopefully) awesome photos on this blog in the near future!! yay!!}

After we had all gotten over our joyous hour of unwrapping, it was time to 'get to know' the products we had just received. Many of them included different face and body foundations, waterproof mascara {for the weeping brides he he he}, powders, blushes, eyelashes, mascara wands, set powder, lip conditioner, and the absolute love of my cosmetic life: the paint pot.

Have you guys ever heard of the brilliance that is the paint pot? Well, if you've ever experienced creasing of the eye shadow or your eye makeup running or smearing throughout the day... the paint pot is your new best friend. It's a lovely little addition to any girls makeup bag. You should at least have one in a color that is close to your skin tone.

What is it? -- It's most commonly used as an eye shadow base. You just gently blend this onto your eyelid wherever you know eyeshadow is going to be. It comes in a variety of colors -- I now have it in black which does absolute wonders if you're doing a smokey eye... no more runny black mess!!

If you have never tried a MAC paint pot, please do yourself a favor and try it out!!

The Fragrance Foundation Announces FiFi Awards 2010 Finalists

Last Friday, The Fragrance Foundation revealed the top five finalists in each category of the 2010 FiFi Awards, considered the “Oscars” of the fragrance world. Superstar brands Calvin Klein, D & G, Diesel, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Shiseido, and YSL are among the Luxe finalists, while Nouveau Niche brands Bond No 9, Brooks Brothers, Issey Miyake, Jo Malone, and Narciso Rodriguez made the cut in their category. Winners will be announced on June 10th.

Fragrance fans nationwide can weigh in by voting for their favorites. Voting opens on Wednesday, April 28th and continues through Wednesday, May 19th. You may vote for your favorites at:

FiFi Awards 2010 Online Ballot

2010 Top Five FiFi Finalists

Fragrance of the Year: Women’s Luxe

• bebe Eau de Parfum – Inter Parfums USA
• Crescent Row Collection – Benefit
• Flora by Gucci – P&G Prestige Products, Inc.
• Lola Marc Jacobs –Coty Prestige
• Very Hollywood Michael Kors Eau de Parfum—The Estee Lauder Companies
• YSL Parisienne – YSL Beaute/L’Oreal

Fragrance of the Year: Men’s Luxe (6 in this category due to a tie)

• ckfree Calvin Klein – Coty Prestige
• D&G Fragrance Anthology - P&G Prestige Products, Inc.
• Givenchy PLAY - Parfums Givenchy
• Only the Brave - Diesel Fragrances, L'Oréal
• Shiseido Zen for Men – Shiseido Cosmetics America
• Tom Ford Grey Vetiver - The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. 

Fragrance of the Year: Women’s Popular Appeal (6 in this category due to a tie)

• Avril Lavigne Black Star – P&G Prestige Products, Inc.
• Faith Hill Parfums – Coty
• Flirt! Flowerific Perfume Spray – The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
• Halle by Halle Berry – Coty
• Mariah Carey Ultra Pink – Elizabeth Arden
• Super Samba Woman – The Perfumer’s Workshop Int’l., Ltd.  

Fragrance of the Year: Men’s Popular Appeal (only 3 in this category)

• Playboy – Coty
• Seduction in Black, Antonio Banderas – Puig USA, Inc.
• Super Samba Man – The Perfumer’s Workshop Int’l, Ltd.

Fragrance of the Year: Women’s Nouveau Niche

• Bond No. 9 Astor Place - Bond No. 9 New York
• Eau Mega by Viktor & Rolf - L'Oréal USA
• essence narciso rodriguez eau de parfum - Beauté Prestige International
• Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise - The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
• L'Eau Ambrée by Prada - Puig USA, Inc.

Fragrance of the Year Men’s Nouveau Niche (only 4 in this category)

• Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers Eau De Toilette – Inter Parfums USA
• Bond No. 9 Brooklyn – Bond No. 9 New York
• Bond No. 9 Perfume – Bond No. 9 New York
• Collage by 3.1 Phillip Lim & Natalie Gracia-Cetto, Ende/Anfang by Damir Doma & Yann Vasnier, Solar Donkey Power by Henrik Vibskov & Louise Turner, Smell by Henry Holland & Stephen Nilsen, Nicoll 17 by Richard Nicoll & Rodrigo Flores Roux, Whiskey Caramélisé by Toga & Alexandra Kosinski - Six Scents Parfums Inc.

Fragrance of the Year: Women’s Private Label/Direct Sell (only 4 in this category)

• Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Twilight Woods EDT - Bath & Body Works
• In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon - Avon Products, Inc.
• Love Rocks - Victoria's Secret
• Naturelle - Yves Rocher North America Inc.

Fragrance of the Year: Men’s Private Label/Direct Sell (only 3 in this category)

• comme une Evidence - Yves Rocher North America Inc.
• Patrick Dempsey 2 - Avon Products, Inc.
• Vertical - Victoria's Secret 

Fragrance of the Year: Unique Boutique (6 in this category due to a tie)

• Baroque Pearl for Gump’s (women’s) - Through Smoke Creative
• Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire (women’s) - Guerlain
• Halston Man Eau de Toilette (men’s) - Elizabeth Arden
• L'Oeuvre Noire Back to Black Aphrodisiac (unisex) - by Kilian
• Tom Ford Private Blend White Suede (unisex/women’s) - The Estée Lauder Companies
• Tuberose Trilogy (unisex) - Histoires de Parfums

Fragrance Hall of Fame Nominees (honors a fragrance that has been on the market for 15 or more years)

• CK one – Calvin Klein Cosmetics/Coty Prestige
• Classique by Jean Paul Gaultier- Beaute Prestige International
• Cristalle EDT - Chanel
• Donna Karan Cashmere Mist EDT – Donna Karan Cosmetics/Estee Lauder Companies
• Fahrenheit – Christian Dior Parfums
• Gap Dream – Inter Parfums, Inc.
• Pour un Homme – Caron Paris
• Rapture – Victoria’s Secret Beauty
• Red Door – Elizabeth Arden

source: beautypress

GILT's Got More: Scented Escapes from Kai, Linnea's Light and Red Flower All on Sale

Experience the calming power of scent with aromatherapy products from this trio of top companies. Kai’s light, exotic floral notes have earned the fragrance devoted fans like Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts; try it as an oil, a creamy body butter or a sudsy wash. Unwind after a long day with a natural soy candle from Linnea’s Light, available in subtle hydrangea and lively gardenia. Or recreate the spa at home with Red Flower’s candle, soap and dish sets, made of pure flower extracts, honey and natural vegetable oils.  Great Mother's Day gift ideas, all on sale, all beautiful, all with the power of creating a pleasurable, multi-sensory experience never to be forgotten.

Selected items destined for the sale

Register to participate in the sales event. It's free!

Join in the fun of this sale - Wednesday, 4/28/10 starting at 11:00 a.m. CDT

Tribeca Film Festival: Vidal Sassoon ~ The Movie

One man changed the world with a pair of scissors, Vidal Sassoon.

Sassoon is dubbed a pioneer by many for not only coming up with so-called wash and wear looks, liberating many women from weekly salon trips to have their hair done, but also creating a multimillion dollar line of hair care products.

This first-time, deeply intimate look into the life of Vidal Sassoon, from his early days in an orphanage, to his time as a soldier, his beginnings on Bond Street, and ultimately, the revolution he caused, which continues to this day. Vidal Sassoon: The Movie was filmed over the course of three years and features unprecedented access to Vidal, candid interviews with former staff, family members, reporters and historians. Together they explore the life and legacy of the most influential hairdresser in the world, whose influence far outreaches the industry he changed forever.

Millions revere the legend, yet so few know the man.

The idea for the film started off as a personal tribute to him as he was approaching his 80th birthday, and then it grew into a major initiative to capture this man's life both in a film and a book. My intention was to leave a lasting memory of him that would inspire young people and re-inspire the older generation of hairdressers, as well as the millions of people in the world to whom the name Vidal Sassoon is either familiar or personal or evocative. Due to the fact that hairdressing's impact on society has not been very well documented or recorded, much less respected because of the lack of any serious written material, I am hoping that this is something that every hairdresser in the world will want to share with everyone they know.

 ~ Michael Gordon, Producer
Hairstylist, Creator - Bumble & Bumble Haircare

Craig Teper (Director), Elan Sassoon (Vidal Sassoon's son); John Frieda (Hairstylist Extraordinaire), Tabatha Coffey (Hairstylist) and Mary Rector-Gable (behindthechair)

On Friday, April 23rd, TV personality Tabatha Coffey (Shear Genius, Tabatha's Salon Takeover) and celebrity hairstylist John Frieda joined fans in celebrating the inspirational and world-famous Israeli hairdresser, Vidal Sassoon, at the private after-party for Tribeca Film Festival's premiere of "Vidal Sassoon: The Movie" at The Standard Hotel in New York City.

Guests showed up in true Sassoon-style, donning the hair master's signature bob haircut and others eagerly seeking personal styling tips from hair gurus Tabatha and John themselves. Tabatha, who began her career studying at the Vidal Sassoon Academy, was thrilled to celebrate the legend.

The film's production team mingled with Vidal Sassoon's family, friends and fans, sipping on their choice of Heineken, Avenue, Stoli and SmartWater, as they celebrated the man who revolutionized the art of hairdressing.

source: Reuters, Vidal Sassoon: The Movie, Getty Images

New! Strange Invisible Perfumes: Essence of IX and Peloponnesian

EARTH MONTH 2010: VIBRANTLY GREEN WITH STRANGE INVISIBLE PERFUMES

An exclusively natural, botanical perfume house, Strange Invisible Perfumes is sincerely committed to environmental consciousness, green business practices, and product purity.

• 100% certified organic grape alcohol is used as the base for all Strange Invisible Perfumes.
• Organic, wildcrafted, biodynamic and sustainable raw materials are sourced for all fragrances (local ingredients whenever available).
• Essences are usually wildcrafted or organic. Essences cultivated by small pioneering farmers who cannot afford organic certification are also embraced.
• All eau de parfum cartons are printed on FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified paper, manufactured using biofuel with pulp from sustainably managed forests.

Strange Invisible Perfumes’ latest launches include

• Essence of IX – A limited edition pure perfume .25 fl oz $320
     - Brambly. Floral. Stirring.
     - Inspired by Colgin Cellars in Napa Valley and the famed IX Estate
     - Notes of white sage, rose, black currant, California lavender, French oak and wild honey

• Peloponnesian - Strange Invisible Perfumes’ first eau de parfum designed expressly for men 1.7 fl oz $160
     - Crisp. Exhilirating. Exotic.
     - A refreshing fragrance built with the ancient perfumes of the Greek peninsula
     - Notes of hydro-distilled orange and lime, cypress, orange flower, mountain sage, honey, and botanical musk

This lucid composition is built with the ancient perfumes of the Greek peninsula. Salted Aegean winds glide through the branches of cypress, lime, and orange trees, lifting their epic aromas into the Peloponnesian mountains. A reception of mountain sage honey collects each gallant perfume as it rises from the vineyard-patterned earth of the Peloponnesos.

I've been in love with Strange Invisible Perfumes since first trying them several years ago.  This is an exquisite fragrance house committed to providing those who inhale its perfumes and fragrances with something akin top a spiritual experience. Yes, it's that wonderful!  These unique blends are carefully created with a foundation of true love for the art of fragrance making by perfumer and SIP Founder Alexandra Balahoutis. 

The Strange Invisible Perfumes collection is carried at their flagship perfumery in Venice and online at siperfumes.com.  You may also find a selection of their fragrances available at Beautyhabit.com.

makeup tip number 1 . . .

Lighting is key. 

Since most people spend a significant portion of their day outdoors or near some natural light, try applying makeup near a window where natural light comes in... That way you won't apply makeup in a dimly lit room and get to work and realize, "whoa! I put on way too much blush!!"

oooooh the things i'm learning...

: )

some random thoughts . . .

• I really wish my neighbor (whom i've nicknamed Thunder Foot) would stop stomping and doing laundry at midnight. it's getting old... don't make me be that neighbor who broom-pounds the ceiling on you!! hahaha

• I get my makeup kit tonight (finally!!!!) and we get a tutorial on all the products in it. i can't wait!!

• I think allergy shots might be doing more bad than good... my allergies seem to have gotten worse the past few months. it feels like a bad sinus cold {and DayQuil actually helps}, but has not gone away for 2 weeks. can colds last that long?

• I just got word from boss man that I will be traveling to Germany later this year!! {seriously work... NOW you decide to be cool?} Hopefully it's during the last leg of Summer this time instead of the frigid months of winter...

• I have to read a 1 page paper in front of class tonight and it's freaking me out. I hate reading in front of a group...

• I really want a pair of grey boots... I know I'm really late to the party, but I've just seen so many cute pairs lately, I'm ready for my own pair. 

• I wish my hair would just grow another 6 inches overnight. I'm too impatient to wait another year, and I'm actually debating on purchasing extensions {the clip-on kind).

• Finding motivation to work out when it's so foggy and muggy outside is very very difficult.

Okay, I'm just going to stop there... I have a gazillion things running through my head today and these are just a few of them... I thought getting them into a post might help clear my mind a bit..

How is everyone's Tuesday going??

HAUTELOOK: LORAC Sales Event - Tuesday, 4/27/10 - Not to Be Missed!

The "Red Carpet Authority" lines of cosmetitcs by Carol Shaw - LORAC (her name backwards, ah ha) - will showcase a fab little diddy for all of us tomorrow on HauteLook with some products priced at $4!


During her twenty years as a makeup artist, Carol Shaw has had the opportunity to work with some of the most prestigious photographers: Annie Leibovitz and Steven Meisel, among others.Her work has appeared on the covers of Vogue, Vanity Fair, Glamour, Allure, Elle, Jane, and many other magazines. She's also worked with top models such as Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and numerous others. Currently, she works with the most famous faces walking down the Red Carpet such as Nicole Kidman, Debra Messing, Rachel Bilson, and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

After doing makeup for many years, she found that many of her clients had the same complaints about makeup; too many of the products irritated the skin, felt and looked artificial and just didn't last. So, Shaw created LORAC. LORAC has enjoyed and still enjoys a huge following of celebrities, beauty editors, beauty bloggers and many more, for one reason - quality products that never disappoint. Simple.


This isn't the first HauteLook - LORAC sales event, and hopefully it won't be the last. Don't miss it tomorrow beginning at 8:00 am PT.

Click HERE on Tues., 4/27/10 for your access to the LORAC Sales Event

GILT: Prada Parfums Sale Event - Starts Wednesday, 4/28!

Prada makes perfect. It's all here mid-week at Gilt Groupe!
Look for creative ways to bring Italian couture into the everyday: scented sheets to sweeten drawers, closets and suitcases, linen water to mist while ironing, and even a set of moisturized tissues for true Prada fanatics who have the sniffles. The classic eau de parfum is here, too, in delicious Amber Tendre for women, as are colognes, soaps and shaving creams in Infusion D’Homme for men.

The Prada name is an icon of elegance and innovation in the world of fashion and beauty. This luxury powerhouse, which started in 1913 as a small leather-goods shop, has since expanded its megabrand status by designing a fragrance collection that blends the brand’s familiar, signature sexiness with a forward-looking attitude that plays with the boundaries of modern femininity.

Click HERE to access the Gilt Sales Event for Prada Parfums!

Maybelline New York, CVS Pharmacy Be Sensational and Win Contest

Hot off the press! The "Cell Block Six" finalists of the Maybelline New York, CVS Pharmacy Be Sensational and Win contest have been announced. The finalists are from NY, FL, CA, NJ, MI and TN.

After an exciting, nationwide search Maybelline New York and CVS/pharmacy have announced the “Cell Block Six” finalists in the Be Sensational And Win Contest. The contest, created by Maybelline New York in partnership with CVS/pharmacy will land the grand prize winner in a performance of Broadway’s Chicago the musical.

Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipcolor

The Six finalists’ audition videos can be viewed by visiting BeSensationalAndWin.com. Fans are asked to vote for their favorite contestant before May 7th. Each voter will automatically be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win their own trip for them and a guest to New York City, including air, hotel, and tickets to Chicago, the musical.

Ultimately it’s the voters who decide the Grand Prize winner. The votes for each performer will be tallied and the contestant receiving the most votes will be Broadway bound. I've viewed all six audition videos (they are very brief) and I've got a favorite!  These ladies are all very talented; very fun to watch. Tell me who you vote for and I'll tell you who won my vote.

To cast your vote, visit BeSensationalAndWin.com and help decide who will razzle dazzle the audience in an upcoming performance of Broadway’s Chicago the musical.