Saturday, December 5, 2015

Two book reviews



SO I finally had some down time to get some serious reading in over Thanksgiving. Driving almost 10 hours one way to Tucson and back. Thank god I had some reading to do! I read "Hunger makes Me a Modern Girl" and attempted to read "Girl in a Band". Carrie Brownstien from my beloved Sleater Kinney killed it. She's funny, hipster, and interesting. All things you would expect from this Portlandia creator.  Ms. Kim Gordon on the other hand! I hate to say anything bad about anyone... but in all honesty.  She's the epitome of a self involved and self important Los Angeles artist. I found it annoying and boring. I didn't even finish it. I only got half way threw it because I was stuck in a car with no relief, just hoping it would get better. My man friend read both and loved both. Maybe it was my inner turmoil of PNW vs SoCal. Someone else please read it and let me know your thoughts! 





Friday, December 4, 2015

CHILL AXE and color

This is the best thing since sliced bread I swear! Adult coloring books! You know what everyone is getting for gifts! AND one for myself stat.


Thursday, December 3, 2015

Acure is my new cure!

I feel as though I've been on the hunt for the perfect facial cleanser and scrub duo. FINALLY the day has come. A cleanser that does not strip my face down to the dry zone of don't move too quickly or it might crack BUT still gets rid of make up. AND its smells like Peony's! The scrub makes you oh so soft! I only use a few times a week, but everytime I do my pores look GOOD. Both products are vegan, sulfate free, cruelty free, paragon free, PEG free, Petroleum free, Phthalate free, silcone free, gluten free, synthetic fragrance free, non pore clogging, and 100% biodegradable! Check times a million check! SO pretty much its pure magic in a tube. $9.99 at Sprouts seems like a very small fee if you ask me. This lipstick hippie is a very happy customer. Cant wait to try more from this company.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Her story of Lipstick, feminists wear lipstick

Lipstick is very interesting thing don't ya think? Why don't we paint out noses red? Wearing lipstick dates back to the dawn of history. It is thought to aid in reproduction. Woman luring men dates back to 5000 years ago. It is thought to be started with the crushing of stones and fish scales. The Egyptians had some snafu's with the use of iodine. The kiss of death arose many disease's. (Can't blame a girl for tryin'.) Queen Elizabeth really solidified the trend of chalk white faces and blood red lips by the 16th century. She evolved the product using bees wax and plant based make up. Around World War II lipstick became more common for the every day gal to wear. (thank god) At a point in time make up was to be thought of as the devil's work and male trickery. So glad these shameful times are behind us. Viva la lipstick. 

Before 1884 ladies just con-cocked lipsticks at home. (1800's Etsy!) Guerlain, a french company, was the first to to manufacture. They would wrap the product in silk paper, still not yet offered in a tube. In the late 1890's Sears Roebuck offered rouge for lip and cheeks in their catalog. It wasn't until a very smart lady by the name of Maurice Levy in 1915 to invent a cylinder metal tube applicator. 

As a feminist I just love how lipstick represents so much for woman. Flappers wore dark red lips to show their independence. At the time of male-dominated professions, such as scientific research and engineer's. A woman by the name of Hazel Bishop in the 40's, who created the first kiss proof formula. She was an organic chemist in New Jersey and Brooklyn. For me personally it for sure puts a bounce in my step and also gives me a way to support myself. 


Hazel Bishop the OG girl boss formulated the first "kiss proof" lipstick. Nasty Gal eat your heart out.






Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Soft cat eye tutorial

Do you love a good cat eye but liquid sometimes seems to harsh? Try this shadow line tutorial. I used Urban Decay's new smokey palette. FUN.


Start with a clean eye lid. I always apply an eye primer to lessen eye creases. My favorite cheap one is Elf's shadow lock eyelid primer in sheer.





















Swept the shade "thirteen" all over your lid. I used a flat fluffy brush. 



Using that same flat fluffy brush sweep the shade "combust" just in the crease.

Take the shade "whisky"and draw a line mid eye to outer corner.

Now you look a little crazy. So get in there with a fluffy brush and windshield wipe back and forth until you are blended and smooth. 







take the flat fluffy brush, place the color "high" just on the round center of your lid. Lights up your look ever so slightly.
 
Now taking your angled brush, get the color "whiskey" (You can use whatever color you like, but I prefer this dark brown vs. a black. tends to be softer.) line your upper and lower lash lines to your liking. Making the wing as big or as small as your comfort level. A tip not to draw the line but you place the brush and re-load shadow as you go. Give more of a clean defined line and lessons fall out.







for the lower lash line I like to smoke out and smudge the line using a short and stubby brush.



I like to finish this look with a strong brow, mascara, light pink blush, and a classic red lip.
















Monday, October 26, 2015

Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl




Can't wait for this to come out! Carrie Brownstein from Sleater Kinney wrote a memoir. I love Sleater Kinney and I LOVE a good memoir. Oct. 27th. Just in time for my Birthday. 32 looks good already! 

Friday, October 16, 2015

Girls To The Front

If you remember Bikini Kill and Bratmobile or even the Riot Grrl movement of the 90's and wonder what happened to these babes? This epic read gives back story a little behind the scenes insight and where they are today. How they ultimately fizzled out and the fall of the band "zine". If you ask me zines just turned into blogs and Tumblr's. Loved the nostalgic PNW 90's grunge oly, wa read. Hope you do too. 

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Range of colors🍯

Are your grey's showing and you have no time to touch up? Style edit has you and your regrowth covered. Light and dry as a dry shampoo and only comes off with shampoo. 

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Fashionable orthotics?! Could it be true?!

These shoes come in an array of styles but I've tried the active walker aka my work out/running errand shoes. Normally a new athletic shoe I need to break in and always have blisters. Didn't happen with these! REJOICE! In the past when I've worn shoe insert's my body is sore the next day. These have arch support and I didn't feel the day after hang over. REJOICE! I've never heard of a shoe helping with bunion support, well now I have. REJOICE! I was a little nervous to wear a leopard shoe, but they are a muted leopard and go with most things. I've gotten so many compliments when wearing them. Tempted to try other styles! 

Thursday, October 1, 2015

The Falling of Your Tan



       Now that we are full swing into the fall season, our summer tans are noticeably dwindling to a nil. Everyone knows the harms and risks of tanning beds and – let’s be honest – no one is fooling anyone with that carrot-hued spray tan. In my opinion, we should maintain a slight glow during the impending fall and winter months. However, colder temperatures bring dry, dull and pale skin appearances.  So naturally the question arises; what are those people to do, who are looking for a glow and a pinch of shimmer? Are you doomed into wearing turtlenecks and footed jumpsuits until the sun comes back? NO. Should you roll around the city smelling like sour coconut milk and cheap perfume, also known as self-tanner? BARF. My recommendation to avoid these beauty blunders: RCK or Red Carpet Color is an oil based, fragrance-free, paraben-free, and hypoallergenic tinted body lotion that is awesome for the following reasons: 

    Being fragrance-free, this product won’t give you that self-tanner smell that makes your nose twitch. Yay! Additionally, it locks in once it dries (which takes about 5 minutes) so there is no transfer of the lotion onto your threads, which evades stained clothing. Bonus? If you mess up, it effortlessly washes right off with soap and water in the shower. You can wash your hands at your leisure and they won’t get that orange palm stained look. The oil base is great for dry winter skin so you can avoid the patchy skin-color variation. You can easily use this product year round, especially if you are someone that turns pink or red under the sun and never achieves that sought after glow.  It comes in three tonal shades which reduces the look of uneven skin. Imagine a scentless, error-free lotion option that glides on, dries after application and gives you a nude panty-hose effect. Plus, anything that lessens our body’s exposure to the sun is on my happy list. Remember, a sun-kissed tan is temporary; wrinkles and cancers are not. 

    This product was formulated by a celebrity makeup artist and is used on the red carpet often. The photo quality is great and who doesn’t want to look air brushed in real life? If it’s good enough for Hollywood’s red carpet it’s good enough for you to use at your friend’s wedding, a birthday party, or New Year’s.  Whether you’re a daily glam person or looking for a shimmery glow for a one-time event, I urge you to try it out. The 5.5 oz. pump bottle size is actually pretty generous and should last you quite some time. Give it a whirl without regret!



Monday, August 24, 2015

Edit your Style


I'm now carrying a hair root concealer called "Style Edit" in the shop. Its great for busy gals. l love it and I'm sure you will too. Every shade is only $20


what it does -

this instant gray root touch-up spray covers fading roots, extending the life of color between salon visits. the unique pin point applicator targets the areas that need a temporary color boost.

what’s in it?

color adaptive pigments that smoothly adhere to the hair fiber and self adjust to perfectly match hair color, providing a lustrous, natural shine.
mineral oil, petrolatum, parabens, peroxide. not tested on animals.


shake well before use. for best results, apply to dry hair. hold can 2-3 inches from hair root. spray onto roots until gray is evenly covered. let dry at least 2-3 minutes.
  • doesn’t flake
  • works in seconds and dries in minutes
  • shampoos out

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Verb, Verb, Verb have you heard?

I'm now carrying a hair care line called "Verb" in the shop. Its great and I'm sure you will love too. Everything is only $14


SALON RAISED

Created by stylists looking for high-quality products their clients could afford.

ONLY GOOD STUFF

Every verb product is cruelty-free, with no harmful sulfates, parabens or gluten.

PRICED RIGHT

Professional hair products made for the 93% of people who don't buy them.

AUSTIN BORN

Verb comes from a place of natural beauty, easy living and no nonsense.
From packaging to ingredients, we care about how we make our products to ensure they are healthy and beneficial for our customers. Although we do use some certified organic products, we do not certify our products organic.
All of our products are made in the USA.

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Lizzie's wall hangings

Lizzie Weaves

Here is the story behind the rad wall hangings in my shop! Come shop them in person, OR I can ship them to you! 3706 E Anaheim Ave Long Beach, CA 90804

Q: Tell me a little about yourself! Where are you from? What are your hobbies? Is wall art full time?
A: I'm originally from the UK, but have been living in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for almost six years now. I work in the fashion industry and have been working with the wonderful Betsey Johnson since I moved here as well as working on other projects. Making my wall hangings started out as a hobby - combining my favorite things, colors, textures and shapes to create something that can really change the mood of a room. Once I ran out of wall space in my own apartment I decided to sell them, so I set up and Etsy store so other people could enjoy them too.

Q: How did you get in the wall hanging business?
A: It was an Instagram rabbit hole that led me to discover some amazingly talented textile artists that had rejuvenated the Fiber Art movement and were creating some beautiful pieces that I was instantly drawn to. Being someone that just wants to create, I decided to take a class from Maryanne Moodie who happened to be teaching in Brooklyn. I was instantly obsessed!

Q: Do you have a personal favorite design?
A: They're like children; you have to love them all the same. But for me the bigger the better with lots and lots of texture!

Q: How do you come up with designs? Inspiration?
A: I take inspiration from Navajo designs, architecture, geometric shapes, or even just a beautiful color story from nature inspires me.

Q: Tell me about the yarns you use!
A: The yarns are all obtained from responsible sources and I try and use organic yarn as much as I can. I like the color and texture or hand dyed yarn – it has more character.

Q: Any special instructions on care?
A: It's good to give them a little gentle brush when you first hang them as they can get a bit crumpled in transit. Then occasionally pat them down once in a while to keep them clean.

Q: What is your favorite book to read?
A: I love reading autobiographies, especially from designers and musicians living the NY life in the 70's and 80s. Right now I'm reading Born to Run, it's so inspiring! It makes you believe anything is possible!

Q: Anything in particular you would like to add?
A: I take custom designs too! If you have a room that needs a splash of color or a wall to fill with something beautiful then please email me. I love working with customers to develop a piece that suits their taste and personalities perfectly. Also – thank you for appreciating my work! It's such a pleasure to have work represented in Long Beach!

Edited by Toni Mathews ms.tonimathews@gmail.com

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

The Four Agreements




I really wish I would've read this book in my early 20's BUT better late than never. My favorite agreement is take nothing personally. I know you hear that, but how they explain how nobody else honestly cares THAT much about you makes total sense. So true. Good lesson for me and my sensitive nature. It's a short read, so even if your not a "reader" you should give it a whirl.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Palms Over Pines

Palms over Pines 


Q: Tell me a little about yourself! Where are you from? What are your hobbies? Do you do work with and sell succulent’s full time? 
I am originally from Dallas, Texas, but moved to Lake Forest when I was five – so I grew up in the OC.  As far as hobbies, I love Pilates, vintage swap meets, baking and of course, flowers, gardening and succulents. I'm like a 50's housewife. I would LOVE to focus on succulent’s full time but right now it’s just a full time hobby! 

Q: How did you get in the succulent business?
A:  I didn't mean to start a business. I just started doing it for fun and because I have always loved plants. I spent about six months in Texas and I collected all these cool vintage pots and containers from antique shops and road-side flea markets.  So when I got home my natural instinct was to plant things in them! My friends suggested I should sell them and started to offer to buy them. That’s when I started taking it more seriously.

Q: Do you have a favorite succulent?
A: favorite? No way. I love them all. It truly is like an addiction. I do look for different or unique ones that you don't see everywhere but each succulent is a favorite in its own right. 



Q: How do you come up with arrangements? Inspiration? 
A: I either start with a really cool succulent as a center piece and then I add to it to make a visually interesting arrangement. Or, I start with a really cool pot or planter and let it inspire my direction. If I am making arrangements for an event – that will have influence as well. For instance, I made some center piece succulent arrangements for a surf brands trade show booth. I wanted them to have a wavy, underwater, seaweed feel so I added some blue glass stones. It really did turn out beautiful! I think the inspiration comes from loving what you do; there is no real explanation for your passion. 

 Q: How did you come up with your label/brand/name?
A: Like I mentioned I spent about six months in the South visiting family in the winter time in the woods.  I was surrounded by pine trees in an area of East Texas, which the locals call the "Pine Curtain." Honestly, I'm not the outdoor type; anyone that knows me can tell you I am not a camper and I definitely prefer Palms over Pines. It just came to me while I was driving through the country. I missed California. I immediately started the Instagram account (PalmsOverPines) not really knowing what I was going to use it for. At first just posting my little creative projects, furniture refurbs, cross stitches, flower arrangements, etc. Several months later, I realized its true purpose. 

Q: Any special instructions or tricks people wouldn’t normally know? 
A: There are two secrets to success: #1. Never reveal all that you know… Just kidding! The one question I get asked the most is, "how do I know when to water it?" Usually I say, "when the soil is dry," or about once a week. That's if the succulents are outside in good lighting. If these plants are inside, you can go a little longer because the soil isn't going to dry up as fast. But you have to just pay attention to each plant; you care for it individually like you would any other living organism. 

Q: Who was your teenage idol? 
A: I honestly don't remember having a teenage idol. Everything I did then (and still do) is/was influenced by music and fashion. I lived and died in high fashion magazines. I would get up super early on Saturday morning and watch a show called "Style, with Elsa Klensch," on BBC and try to steal ideas from top fashion designers and make my own tees and purses. I loved Blondie – her hair and style and careless attitude. I grew up in skateboarding culture and going to punk rock shows, which were huge sources of influence. 

 Q:Anything in particular you would like to add?
A: Simply that, if you love something you should pursue it, whether on a large or small scale. You have to have something to look forward to each day; if you work hard enough the rest will fall into place. It’s easy to become impatient and lose focus. It took me a long time to realize that. I now have a clear vision and a plan in place and a lot of good stuff is coming! 


Edited by Toni Mathews ms.tonimathews@gmail.com

Kelly's creations are available in the shop for purchase! As always I can ship if your not in the Long Beach area.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Paradise Metal Art






Q: Tell me a little about yourself! Where are you from? What are your hobbies? Do you create jewelry full time?

A: I am Diana Ishimizu, owner of Paradise Metal Art. I was born in Japan but raised in the US. I have lived in Long Beach for nine years. Aside from making jewelry, I also like to paint, go to shows, get tattooed and run. I work as a jeweler and custom fabricator full-time.

Q: How did you get in the jewelry business?

A: I have always been an artist, but I have been making jewelry since I was 14. I learned traditional techniques by Native Americans from Arizona. I decided to major in metal-smithing at El Camino College in Torrance, Ca. and I obtained my BFA from Cal State Long Beach in 3D Media-Metals. I started my business, Paradise Metal Art in the beginning of 2012. I started at Patchwork Festival in Long Beach at an $80 booth and the next year was in the Pool Trade Show/Magic in Las Vegas selling internationally.

Q: Do you have a favorite metal?
A: Silver is my metal of choice, but I also enjoy working with gold.

Q: How do you come up with pieces? What is your inspiration?
A: My inspiration for Paradise Metal Art is West Coast Native American symbolism. I am especially drawn to Zuni artists and in particular the artist, Effie. I enjoy researching iconography and symbolism and Native American culture and incorporating traditional aspects into my contemporary pieces.

Q: How did you come up with your label/brand/name?
A: It was Jorge Luis Borges that said, 'I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library.' My paradise has always been jewelry and fabrication.

Q: Any special instructions or tricks people wouldn’t normally know? Storage? Care? Cleaning?
A: A trick to keeping your silver jewelry clean is to wear it a lot. Normal wear keeps the piece from oxidizing as fast. Buying a 'sunshine' cloth at a local bead store will also help clean your pieces without scratching them.

Q: What do you dance to by yourself?

A: Everything! I like a wide variety of music and I have no problems dancing like Elaine to any song.

Edited by Toni Mathews ms.tonimathews@gmail.com