A Year of Favourites!

I am taking a break from unpacking and ending my break here on my beloved blog. It is going to be quite the post, but really, can you have any other type of end of the year post??? I am excited to bring you my favourites of 2009!

Beauty

Okay, I am spilling secrets! I have rarely spoken about this for selfish reasons but here is my number one beauty secret...

You can purchase this palette for only $24 at Urban Outfitters. This past October whilst visiting my father and SGOM (stepgirlfriend other mother) Liz (SGOM) and I took a girls day and hit up the local Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters. When I walked into Urban a magnetic force pulled me towards this 66 well eyeshadow. Liz and I had a cow over the perfect neutrals and bubble gum pop colored shadows. We decided we both must own it! I tell you, love at first dust! My mouth literally dropped when I swiped one of the colors over my eyelids for the first time. This was quickly ensued by an OMG text to Liz. I usually am an Urban Decay junkie and Liz rarely wears anything that is not M.A.C but we both agree this is the cream of the crop (I know, I know, it is hard to imagine anything better than a M.A.C eyeshadow, but, believe me!)

Urban Outfitters line of nail polish ain't too shabby either.
I am currently dying over a mint green color that rivals Chanel's Jade color that has caught the fashion industry in a frenzy.

Earlier this year as I was perusing the aisles of Walmart I had an anxiety attack of excitement (no, I am not speaking of the Elton ice cream incident!) I went to stock up on my Maybelline Mineral Power Foundation and Dream Mousse Bronzer (#10 Glistening Sun) when what do I spy but my long lost favourite brand Hard Candy!!!!! Not only is the line back and better than ever but it is also now being sold at Walmart prices! I know, I cannot stand it either! I leap out of bed every morning with joy at the thought of slathering my face with their primer.Really, who does not want to cover their face in a concoction resembling chocolate mousse? Delightful!I also sing my praises to every single one of their mascaras!

No surprise here, but I am currently having a love affair with bene tint.

Mostly because it smells like roses, which just so happens to be my most favourite scent of all time. It creates the perfect pinched cheek look, AND it makes a flipping fantastic lip color. If this is a little much on your budget, try CoverGirl's Outlast LipStain.

I have yet to try a color I did not like and I have tried about every near one of em!

Eyeliner is a staple in every woman (and yes, some guys) makeup bag. I admit, in High School I was on the thick liner all around the eye bandwagon (yuck! What was I thinking?) and I have tried many a brand in my day. Once I tried Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On pencil, I never looked back!

I love Zero for my top rim and Lucky along my lower rims.

This year Liz also introduced me to Perfect 10 hair care (unfortunately, you will have to go to your hair dresser and have them special order this for you.) This product has single handedly saved my dead bush I was sporting atop my head.

Also, if you are like me and rarely have the time for the luxury of washing your hair, I swear by baby powder as a quick greasy fix.

My favourite fragrance of 2009 was (DUH) Marc Jacobs' Lola.

His decision to use Karlie Kloss for the campaign, probably, helped my decision, just a little bit.

Accessories


I had one resolution this past year - thou shall not buy a new bag. Well, I say resolutions are meant to be broken! I almost made it through the year but then I found this precious gem!

It is a Kimchi Blue Croc Messenger bag but I call it my 'fauxmes' as it bares a small resemblance to an Hermes.



This year I also became obsessed with animal shaped jewelery (preferably cuffs.) I bought this Octopus cuff at Frances Vintage in downtown Phoenix.

This serpent cuff was purchased at Urban Outfitters.

I have collected quite the collection of hats this past year. Basically, if I felt like money was burning a hole in my pocket and there was a fedora in sight - DONE! It was mine! My favourite steal of the year had to be a black bowler hat that I had found at Target for ten bucks!

Many beautiful shoes have found themselves in my closet this year, I cannot quite possible show them all off. Fortunately, it was no contest to pick my favourite of the bunch. In October, as my mother and I were browsing Urban Outfitters Online we both decided I could not go without these shoes.

My mother graciously purchased them for me and I have worn them every chance I have gotten. They are designed by J. Aldridge, who also writes my favourite blog of the year - Sea of Shoes. Let me tell you, never has walking a mile in 4 inch stilettos been more comfortable.

I must say that sunglasses are my absolute favourite accessory. I would gladly give up handbags, jewels, and shoes for sunglasses. The wayfarer is my signature. Come to think of it, I do not own any other style. For the most part of the year these floral pair sat perched upon my face.A few weeks ago, as my friend unpacking new shipment at work, she did the big no no. She walked up to me and handed me these.

She said "you need these" before promptly walking away. Well, if that was not enough she had to walk by once more to tell me they also came in mint. Double whammy. Double trouble.

Housewares

This is more my mothers foray, but, look at this candle.

Buy this candle in Hemlock.

You're welcome.

Fashion

Hands down my favourite trend of the year was the fisherman knit. First came a sweater I found at work. It was a cropped with short sleeves (I promise I tried to find it online, no such luck!) The beauty of this sweater is that I can easily wear it all year long. Love Love Love. It did not stop there, I went to Target for the sole purpose of looking for the perfect fisherman knit thigh highs. Of course, Target being Target carried EXACTLY what I was looking for and at five bucks a pop, well you know...

Well, thigh highs were not enough to full fill my love. I decided I needed the same sock in a thicker ankle version. It took me a while to find but as of three days ago, the quest ended. I am too embarrassed to admit where I found them though. Lucky for you, the search is more than half the fun. Lastly, a tube scarf purchased from Gap (I promise I tried to look for this too!) found it's way under the Christmas tree for me and the World has not seen my neck since!

Denim is arguably the Worlds most beloved material. Who does not wear denim??? Well, it is a well known fact that I do NOT wear pants (but if you must know, if I HAVE to wear pants, you can bet your toosh I am wearing BDG Cigarette Ankle Jean.)

This year I was all about the denim tops!

I am ending this here. I just now decided I am dedicating a whole post to the denim shirt. Maybe with a DIY?

Maybe...

Movies

I rarely had time to sit and watch a movie this past year, but I made time to see these two movies in theatres several times each.

I highly reccomend both of them. I am not going to say anything other than that they are both equally stunning and innovative. These are movies I cannot tell you about, you need to experience them for yourselves.

Music

Besides the usual Jenny Lewis and Death Cab for Cutie on replay, this is what I listened to the most in 2009.

Hands down the best album released in 2009!

Horehound - the Dead Weather

Attack and Release - the Black Keys
Only By the Night - Kings of Leon
New Moon Soundtrack
Ratatat - Ratatat
Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk
Midnight Boom - the Kills
Keep On Your Mean Side - the Kills
No Wow - the Kills
Leaves in the River - Sea Wolf
Baby Darling Doll Face Honey - Band of Skulls
Fantasies - Metric
Self-Taught Learner - Lissy Trullie
Manners - Passion Pit
500 Days of Summer Soundtrack
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Phoenix
La Roux - La Roux
Ra Ra Riot - Ra Ra Riot
Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band - Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
LP - Discovery
Youth Novels - Lykke Li
Skeletons - Tiny Masters of Today
The Satanic Satanist - Portugal. the Man
It's Blitz! - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Where the Wild Things Are



Best Moment of 2009

Only one day really stands out from 2009, October 20. This is the day my mother and stepfather took me to see Elton John and Billy Joel in concert for my 20th birthday. That's all.

Bean

For eight years I have been blessed with a ham of a brother, given to me by my mother. This year, courtesy of my father - I was given Bean. I met Bean a week after her birth. She only weighed five pounds and I was very uneasy around her. Finally after two days, I came around and I fed Bean a bottle. This is when I fell in love. I wanted to hold her at all times. I visited once more a week and a half later, not much had changed in her developments but I still enjoyed feeding her. When she was three months old I trekked out to see her and this time I was blessed with a smile. Now at five months, despite crankiness of teething she is still my great Bean! We had bottle time, although this time I held her and she held the bottle. She let me laugh at her faces of disgust for green beans. We took pictures. We played numerous games of peek-a-boo and I never tired of it because each time she laughed and it was worth it. I sang to her. But my absolute favorite memory of her happened yesterday. Before leaving for the airport, I gave Bean her bottle. She lifted her hand to touch my face. Playfully, I bit her hand. She laughed and kept trying to shove her hand in my mouth to bite. This proved to be more interesting than her bottle. As she opened her mouth, I gently laid a finger on her gums - she bit down before laughing. I'm amazed at what Bean can do at only 5 months and I am estatic to see what these years ahead will do for her.

I hope you have a safe and joyous night of festivities!

Dress Designs for Shabby Apple Dresses.

Dress Designs for Shabby Apple Dresses.

Please click the drawing to enlarge the image so that you may view the dresses in full detail.

1. This dress was inspired by a scene from "Alice in Wonderland" in which Alice is given an impromptu concert by a chorus of flowers. It is a fetching frock for a mother and her daughter alike, while they sip on Mad Hatters tea in their own personal quaint garden.

A blue cotton poplin dress with an ecru ruffled sleeve/neckline. The dress is cinched at the empire waist with a ecru sash, constructed from the same cotton poplin material found on the sleeve/neckline. The dress is accented with antiqued lace at the decolletage and hemline.

2. This dress is also inspired by tea in a garden, only I have gathered inspiration from the fascinating life of the Beale's at Grey Gardens dashed with the innocence of the literary masterpiece The Secret Garden.

The under sheath of this dress is made from a periwinkle cotton jersey, which is topped by a grey lace overlay. The dress is elegantly gathered at the waist by a coordinating periwinkle sash fabricated from cotton sateen, which is also used for the ribbon detail at the neckline.

Wild Rumpus!

Where the Wild Things Are

best scene in the movie, hands down.

I can't believe it is already over and done with. I hate when you spend so much time looking forward to something and it is over just like that! Like all things I've come to look forward to in my life, this did not let me down. I took my friend Tangelo along for this midnight adventure. I was adamant that we eat candy corn and popcorn and sip on root beer, nothing sounded more fall like than that.
The movie was definitely not what I expected, which I loved. It was actually way better than I thought it was going to be, which is saying a lot, I had very high expectations for the movie. I also was not expecting the movie to be funny, but Tangelo and I were on the floor cracking up for over half the movie. The only other thing that did not meet my expectations was that the movie was really quite sad the other half, a bittersweet movie indeed. I do not want to go into too much detail about the movie because I think you just need to experience it for yourself.
I expected Max's life with the Wild Things to be all fun and happy - not so. With a fake title of King, Max plans to build a fort and a family with the Wild Things (to put it simply his real mother and sister kind of suck.) Max actually makes things worse for the Wild Things and tears them apart. It is then he decides to go back to his own home. You will cry when Max boards his tiny boat. I had to cover myself in my sweater so no one would see me. I am quite certain that things restored to normal for the Wild Things after Max departed, and Max was quite happy to be home. So there is still the happy ending!
Everyone should really take the chance to see this movie. It is so great. I am already anticipating tomorrow when I will go see it at the Drive-In with my girlfriends. It is definitely not a movie for younger children. There are a few scary moments and the story line is more adult like.
Spike Jonze I commend you.

DIY - King Max's Crown

Supplies:
Card Stock
Pencil
Ruler
Distress Ink (tea, watercolor, or even dirt would be a good alternative)
Paper Towel
Scissors
Staple
Jute
Hot Glue Gun

Draw your crown onto the card stock.
(I prefer my crown to be small and uneven)

Take your ink (or other alternative) and dab it on with a paper towel.
This gives the crown that dirty worn out look.

Cut your crown out.

Staple the crown together.

Cut two tiny pieces of the jute.

Hot glue the pieces of jute onto each side of the crown, looping the jute.

Insert bobby pins through the loops and your King Max crown is ready to be worn!

Happy Viewing!

All is Love.

Karen O and the Kids

So, imagine me coming into work and finding a gigantic Where the Wild Things Are display. I kind of stayed in that one little area my whole shift. I also got to pick up this little gem. I don't know if it was Spike Jonze, but whoever decided that Karen O was going to do the soundtrack - BEST. IDEA. EVER.
I have not stopped listening to it all month long. It's the perfect record for this time of year. It makes me think of brisk weather and gold leaves. I knew it would be a good album, but I kind of expected it to be a bunch of kids songs. Well, it's great for kids and it's great for everyone else too. I am just glad I finally have something to play when I am driving my little brother to get ice cream.
Igloo is the perfect intro for the album. Voice bits from the movie, humming, and great music. Once I listened to the whole soundtrack though I realized this was a common thread. In between songs, are clips from the motion picture to give you a sense of setting. Cliffs, Lost Fur, Food is Still Hot, and Sailing Home also feature just instrumental and humming. No worries, the music is amazing and humming makes all the easier to learn the words.
All is Love, the first single off the album is...I can't explain it. I will just say, this song can single handedly save the world.
I have been chanting Capsize all day long, you will too, trust me.
I think that Worried Shoes is my new repeat song for when I am stressed or having a bad day. Thankfully I have not had the chance to try it out yet.
Rumpus + Animal = Where the Wild Things Are
My second favorite song off the album is Heads Up, it's close to All is Love - but hey, you can NEVER have too many happy songs to fill your day.

Have a wild day!

Buffalo Bernard.

I thought that in honor of Where the Wild Things Are coming out this week, I would theme all of my posts.

I wanted to share some more of my "Bernard" polaroids. These were originally to be comprised for a Parson's entrance project. I decided not to pursue Parson's but kept the photos. A friend and I took a road trip around Phoenix and photographed Bernard (this is our given name, he is actually named Carol) in front of my favorite places. I thought you might enjoy a good laugh.

Home of the Octopus bracelet.

Good art, even better music.

If you're going to make a public phone call, best make it in a phone booth.

Nectar of the Gods.

A brief trip to the rain forest.

This is actually took place at QT, which is probably the main reason I will not leave Arizona.

Old school movie theatres for Indie movies.

Hands down THE best spot in Phoenix.Hooray for vintage!

Best seat at school.

Breakfast of Champions.

Take time to smell the coffee.

Driving home into the Sun.

I actually designed this feather dress to go along with my entrance project also. I loved it so much I could not push it aside, so it ended up as my last piect in my portfolio. Save the best for last.

striped, sequined backless bodice, scaled belt, and feathered skirt, eight hours to draw and color all those feathers!

The original design actually had a spiked necklace to imitate Bernards horns and teeth.

I Promise I Did NOT Fall Off the Face of the Earth.

I'm busy working on a new segment and trying to catch up on Fashion Month!

Stay tuned!!

Nothing Gold Can Stay.

Andy + Edie

Ah, the golden duo. I cannot have one without the other. Essentially, they are the same person. I mean if you heard "silver coif clad in skinny black" you would not know the difference either. They are the epitome of glamorous. Sex, drugs, rock and roll. Oh, art, do not forget about the art! The glorious art I have loved all my life. The giant silkscreen portraits, the birth of the indie film, and well be Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick is an art itself. Oh what I would give to be a member of the Factory!

Andy was born in poverty, Edie was born to old money. Andy's mother nurtured him and encouraged him to pursue the arts, Edie's father abused her and pushed her into an inescapable black hole. Andy prospered, Edie fell. In the end, neither of them got their "happily ever after."

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Andy Warhol was a certified mama's boy. After being diagnosed with St. Vitus (a nervous system disease which caused Andy's skin to blotch - hence the painted white skin) Andy was often bed ridden. He would stay home from school where he would draw, listen to the radio, and eat the soup his mother so lovingly made for him. In the late 1940's he moved to NYC where he freelanced to magazines and advertising agencies. He received his big break when a department store featured hired him for a window display - the arrival of the ever famous ink drawing of shoes. More famously, he began to work with silkscreens and is credited in influencing the pop art movement. He constructed his masterpieces in an aluminum foiled warehouse dubbed "The Factory." The Factory housed many other eccentric characters dabbling in art, film/photography, and music. In 1968 Andy Warhol was shot, he survived only to meet death in 1987. Andy has always mesmerized me. He always seemed so unreal. He once said "Everything's plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic." I think he succeeded in his wish. Andy had a certain quality about him - he was a sheer genius.

I first heard about Edie Sedwick when my Aunt Tara sent me "Edie: American Girl." She thought I might like the story. She was right - and then some. I fell in love on the first page. Born in Santa Barbara, Edie seemed well off when really she was quite the opposite. Edie and her seven brothers and sisters were kept on the family's oil ranch, with little outside contact. Her father was abusive, and her mother, a bipolar, pretended he wasn't. Because of this, Edie and two of her brothers were admitted several times throughout their short lives into mental hospitals. Through her life Edie suffered bouts of bulimia/anorexia and a severe drug addiction. In 1971 Edie died of a drug overdose. Besides being obviously beautiful and having and even more beautiful style, I had always wondered why I was so in awe of her and continued to draw inspiration from her. Yes, she is beautiful but she had a screwed up life. But that is the answer itself. I find everyone hides their problems and attempts to maintain a perfect life - which is impossible. Sometimes what is screwed up, can be very beautiful indeed.

pen and watercolor

Pretty Bird.

I am dedicating this post to my dear friend Sarah Anna Cera, most simply because - without her, I am sure that my days would be rainy (even though the sun shines everyday here in Phoenix.) Some odd years ago, Sarah came into my life. Upon meeting, I knew she was special and that we would become very good friends indeed. Two summers ago found Sarah sleeping on my floor (I tried to get her to sleep in the guest bedroom.) This was somewhat of a godsend seeing as how I was in a very dark place. Sarah thought I was helping her, but little did she know just how much she was helping me. I would go to work in the morning and as I walked out at the end of the day - Sarah would be there waiting. We would walk to Starbucks, catch a movie, or simply follow our hearts. This usually led to a trip to "The Cave." A secret hiding place where we traded the real world, for a wonderland. Eventually we would grow hungry and make our way to some fast food chain, then back to my house to watch a movie. Everyday was much like the day before but I was starting to smile more and forget about those demons that haunted me. At summer's end, I had to say goodbye. For the first time in my life, I cried for someone other than me. We are 300 miles apart and we don't get to talk as often, but our friendship remains unchanged. Later this month she graduates from the Los Angeles Film School, I am proud that she gathered the courage to move to LA by herself and conquer her dreams! I think the world needs more Sarah's. Btw - I hope you like puppet movies!

Jenny Lewis

I also have Sarah to thank for introducing me to Jenny Lewis. Sarah loves Jenny the way I love most other things I mention in this here blog. I don't want to say too much because I can imagine writing something bizarre and Sarah laughing and saying "no, that is not ok." Sarah tried several times teach me the ways of Jenny Lewis, but I did not get it until I visited Sarah down in LA and we went to see her at the Orpheum Theatre. I am not sure if it was the beautiful, intricate architecture of the old school style theatre or well just because Jenny Lewis is damn amazing - it was hands down the best show I have ever been to (okay, second best. You can't compete with Elton.) After that, I was hooked. I was on a Jenny Lewis high. A child star, Jenny grew into her own fronting the band Rilo Kiley. You may recognize her as the female vocalist from the Postal Service. But it is her solo project that gets to me.

My absolute favorite track by Rilo Kiley is "With Arms Outstretched" featured on the album The Execution of All Things. It is probably the best song to sing along to with the windows down. If only the weather would cool down. My second favorite track off this album would be the title track. It's a great song for driving in sunshine, actually, the whole album is great for this. Maybe I am just itching for autumn, which to me, means brisk weather, which means - driving with the windows down! If you are into dating guys you should probably not be dating More Adventurous is the album for you! With lyrics like "baby your bad news" and "my friends tell me to leave you" "Portions for Foxes" will be your theme song! In "Does He Love You?" Jenny croons about being in love with a married man, this song is for those who are really adventurous! I find that I identify most with "I Never." Jenny sings about being wary of falling in love, but it is her range of vocals that really make the song. I want to say "Ripchord" is about someone committing suicide, but do not quote me on that. The lyrics are beautifully tragic but the ukulele strumming along, with whistles and "ba da da's" make this 1940's radio program melody quite pleasant. Take Offs and Landings an early EP of the band, features a song titled "Pictures of Success." I once spent a whole day with my friend Hannah (the missing link to Sarah and I's friendship) listening to this song on repeat, screaming the lyrics "Mexico can @#%*ing wait." We probably had some angst built up. The latest album from Rilo Kiley is THE best breakup album. Every time I say goodbye to a boy, Under the Blacklight goes in and never leaves until I have found a new boy to love. With a fresh wound you will want to play "Breaking Up" how appropriate, right? "oooh ahhh feels good to be free!" Jenny wrote the title track (and I'm guessing the whole album) after breaking up with lead guitarist Blake Sennet. It also features one of my favorite lines "like a black widow, I'll be crawling." Another favorite line of mine "I never felt so wicked when I willed our love to die" is from "Silver Lining" which is also my favorite song on the album. To me, it represents finding yourself after you have been lost with someone else for so long and you're realizing that you are so much better off and that that one person will never find anyone better.

Right around the time Under the Blacklight came out, Jenny Lewis branched out onto her own and released Rabbit Fur Coat. The title track is a hauntingly beautiful memoir and I like to listen to "Rise Up With Fists" at full volume when I am mad at the World. Jenny's second solo album Acid Tongue is the best thing she's ever done if you ask me. I bought the album a year ago, in October, and I promise you - it has never left my CD player. I first heard the title track in Sarah's car. I do not remember what we were doing but it was the middle of the night and I was tired. I let the cool wind blow in my face and Sarah and I stayed silent listening. I remember thinking it was the most beautiful song I had ever heard. Of course at that time the album was not out so I could not buy it anywhere and I went crazy. "Trying My Best to Love You" is a sweet song that I have mentioned before in my Valentine's post. I like to imagine that Jenny Lewis sat on Hollywood Blvd. people watching while she wrote "Sing a Song for Them," and it makes it that much better, because you know what she is saying is true. My favorite song (that no longer works because I've worn it out) is "The Next Messiah." It is seven minutes of pure genius. I wish she would put out a live album version of Acid Tongue, it has a very raw sound, much like concerts in the 50's when Johnny Cash and Elvis just started touring - and believe me, this album is best heard live.

Take another little piece of my heart.

Grandma Karen

This is my maternal grandmother. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to meet her, but that does not mean I love her any less. I believe that she was once the loveliest lady that had ever lived, as proved by this photograph I stole it from my mother. I used to keep it in my pillow and I would clutch it as I spent nights crying over teen angst. This picture now hangs in a small frame on my wall, next to my pillow. I find myself talking to her, usually when I am upset but I think she likes to hear good things too. I do not know much about her but from what I hear, well, you know what they say ... the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I credit her for my love of all things 60's. I thank her for bringing Janice Joplin into my life, the idea of VW Bus trips across America, and most of all - my mother.

I had a very nice relaxing weekend! Saturday, on the account of a rare rainy day I left my front door open (yes mother, the screen door was locked,) I lit some candles, and dove into Voyager (the third installment of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.) I do not normally read romance novels but after hearing my Auntie Tara rave about it and seeing my mother and stepfather fight over them, my curiosity was growing. It was Stepgirlfriend (who is obsessed with the series, she has two rows on her bookshelf dedicated to Gabaldon including First Editions, both paperback and hardcover, and signed copies) however that finally got me to actually open Outlander. As much as I hate to admit it, I am enjoying it. I think that it actually deserves its own blogpost, so I will stop right here.

Last night, after work I drove over to the west side of town and spent the night at my mothers. Today we made a great decision to watch movies all day, a rather mini vacation if you will. Of course we had to press pause and run out to Paradise Bakery for a veggie sandwich and coconut chocolate chip cookie.

Also, today my iPhone decided to take up scuba diving! It dove right off my mother's ottoman right into a nice tall glass of ice water. Who do you think won? I am rather bitter about my phone's decision, seeing as how my life was stored on my phone, including the list of 72 things. I suppose it is quite alright. I can compose a new list. Which actually is not a bad idea, seeing as how my life has changed drastically since I birthed it.