travel nostalgia...pere lachaise, city of its own.

I've been rifling through the unpublished traveling photos stored on my Picasa account and what's the point of hoarding them if I'm not sharing them.  Here's a few pics from my excursion to Pere Lachaise.  I'd never considered a day at the cemetery as a way to beat the heat and enjoy myself but what can I say?  When in Paris. lol.

I immediately thought of St. Louis Cemetery in New Orleans; which oddly enough, I'd like to visit one day.  I guess I'm more morbid than I thought lol...

obligatory James Morrison stop; to be honest this grave is so tucked away we barely saw it.

What trip to Pere Lachiase would be complete without visiting the tomb of Oscar Wilde?  I don't care how much of an icon he is to some folks, I was not kissing that thing.  Germs much?

 and of course I had to stop by the tomb of Gericault... all my art history buffs understand.

As for these photos, there's only do so much editing I can do with them in the future.  Mainly because they were shot in jpeg with my point and shoot.   I can't do some of the editing I'd like to do now that I'm accustomed to using camera raw, so before I even begin to tamper with them I'll be posting them here.  Once I'm done some of these will be great on display around the apartment.  I honestly can't wait to take new images on my future travels with the dslr!  I need to name her by the way.  Any suggestions lol?

Sabine Piper for Vlisco...

I love fashion illustration, even more so when its a mixed media combination with textiles.  Just my luck that vlisco has a new campaign illustrated by artist Sabine Piper.  The super detailed illustrations were layered with fabric and photographed to create these fantastic works .

I'm not at a skill level to create anything this detailed, but one day (it's been a while since my days in drawing class.)  See more images from the campaign work on Sabine Piper's website here.  Get into it my friends.

not my usual

since the snow killed the few plans I had this weekend, I decided to play with makeup.  To be honest I hadn't done that in a while, but I finally got my mojo back.

I decided to mix things up and use a color in my palette that I hadn't touched yet, and mix a new lip colour.

For the lips I layered my L'Oreal Sea Fleur 630, with Rimmel's Bordeaux 124.  I actually love the affect the 630 had so I'll be doing this combo more often.  I decided to forgo blush because the lips were so strong; which really means I couldn't find the blush I was looking for...

yeah, wheel chair jimmy really gets the struggle.

 As for the eyeshadow... I can see why it doesn't get much use.  It's in the yellow family and... yeah.  Y'know how that is, unless its wetset.  However its nice enough for day time.  I do think that if I layered it with my neon shadow it'll pop so I can't wait to try that when I have the time this week. 

Overall not my usual, however I can make it work.  Anyone trying something new, I'd love to know?
ETA: I frickin love this camera, even the automatic looks great...

simply thank you

 

Thank you to everyone who reads loyally (hey y'all lol); to those that stop by every  once in a while and to everyone that only stopped by once.  This weekend we hit a milestone, with 12,000 hits.  This is a big deal to me, especially considering the numerous times I thought of deleting this blog and starting over.  However I'm glad that I didn't as it allowed me to really hone the trajectory that I'd like to take.  In true fashion I forgot to paste and save the screencap of the 12,000 in my excitement so this will have to do lol.

I have big plans for this blog and I hope to celebrate even more milestones with all of you in the future.

i'll make an exception...

I'm usually not a fan of double breasted blazers and jackets in womenswear because it personally feels dated or too boxy.  However this jcrew blazer I'll be willing to make and exception for; perhaps its the shortened length or the higher buttons.  Again, if anyone wants to gift it, I'm a size 10.

jcrew double breasted ivy blazer

[source]

I've got a secret...

I've been tumblring lol.  What can I say?  Tumblr's platform makes it so easy to reblogg so may things with just a click of a mouse.  It's not only that but I've been able to connect and been introduced to so many artists and great bloggers.  If you have a tumblr drop me a comment and I'll follow you or message me when you're on. 
noirmuse.tumblr.com .  Get into it

beyond a bargain...marc jacobs edition

these were a steal for $45 bucks.  I've admired these for a while and then I forgot about them.  So imagine my surprise when I saw them for sale: the sale combined with promotional codes made this a steal in my book.  I deserved them lol (that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it).

Update: You may or may not have noticed a difference on photo quality here on the blog.  Well now that I've brought it to your attention I can say that it's definitely a great investment, especially since I've taken a photography class.  It's absolutely worth it.   It makes even the most boring photos interesting lol

new blog feature...petite vignette and more

I'm introducing a few new blog features in the new year, one of which is called petite vignette.  Every once in a while I'll come across an image that triggers a random memory from my childhood and what better place to share some memories?  It'll be sporadic at best, and purely cathartic; but I really want to be able to share some of my writing with you all.  It's been something I've been very protective and at times insecure about, but I've learned that sharing in the process is important even if I don't like the final product.  It's something that I've learned to do in accepting myself as an artist and a writer.  As an artist one of the many things that I dabble in is a selection of mixed media embroidery art where I mix crafting and photography...

This particular run was for a photography assignment (I don't have any images of the final products), but you get the idea.  I've been working on a photography book where I've taken portraits (not posterized like the above images) and going craft crazy.  Some of the final images will be posted within a couple months when the final book will be available.  I'm really excited to share all the work that I've been doing with you all. Stay tuned...

my manifesto for surviving happily...

Tiger Lily on Monet Property, Giverny France. 2009. 
Tiger lily for prosperity in the New Year ♥

I don't think I've ever really been so excited for a New Year and a new start, however I’ve learned so much in 2011 that it allowed me to create my manifesto for surviving happily. 

 1. healthy personal critique

I promise to practice healthy personal critique; depreciative thinking does nothing but provide limitations where they need not exist...like we don't have enough of those to deal with. ;)

2. dream big

I promise to continue to dream big; to enrich my life by venturing to accomplish my goals both big and small.

3. having faith

I promise to have faith in my spirituality, my family and most importantly myself.  I'll continue to be cognizant of my circumstances, but I won't worry.

4. living

I promise to appreciate all the life within me by simply living; to enjoy everything down to the simplest pleasures.

...

These are relatively open ended but that’s what so liberating about them.  I had to give myself permission to have nuance in my thoughts and to accept my faults;  I'm human and I'm not invincible.  Here's to 2012 being a great year everyone.

visionary spotlight...tom ford

I've gushed about Tom Ford before so this time I'll be brief.   I adore everything about this documentary.  It was every bit inspirational and what I needed to hear in the in this very moment.  I've mentioned before that I've been down, but to be truthful the past six months have been a significant low point.   Watching this over and over has reaffirmed that I need to stick to my ideology of doing what I love, no matter my current situation.  Take the opportunity to watch as he gives a rare glimpse into his life.  Enjoy!

Style Forum Special from Music Guy on Vimeo.

you do something to me...

holiday gifts for everyone...

     This year I actually planned out some cute (well at least I think so) gifts for my family.  Now that I'm actually celebrating with them instead of staying in Philadelphia like last year, I figured some nice presents were in order.  The first watch is for Pops, the purse for my little sister (I'll be borrowing that), the second watch with the tortoise links is for Mummy and the chartreuse velvet schoolboy blazer from jcrew is for me!!  I deserved that bad boy lol.  Some chew toys for JuJuBee (he's not a pet, but a family member, don't get it twisted) and a few other things for everyone else.

     All this aside I'm just happy to be spending time with my family; school has been entirely too draining and my enthusiasm is completely gone.  The month of May can't be here fast enough despite the impending depressing idea of a job hunt.   How I'm currently feeling!


Happy Holidays everyone!!