Photography: Ele.Vator Vani.ty & Distre.ss

So one of the little things that I have picked up is photography.  I mostly have done stuff for my Clutch Culture website because for some reason I haven't gotten past the nerves and pressure of doing pics for other people.  In the new year though, I do hope to take up more projects for other people and build on my craft.

I did, however, do a shoot a few weeks ago with a gorgeous Ugandan girl, Erina, who is a model for STRUT Model Agency.  She is just starting off and I've been blessed to see her journey so far.  From the first time I met her to now, there is so much progress and a growing desire to learn.  Her Agency and I decided it would be fun to do a relaxed shoot, to create rapport and share some of the things I have learned from being around fashionable people.  I'm far from being a professional but I love the industry and anything that I can do to help someone I will do. 

I did 2 shoots with her.  The first named Distress which was just to get some emotion out of her and the second named Elevator Vanity which was just to get her to move and attempt different poses.  I also did the makeup and the styling and had fun doing it all.  

enjoy!
geekylove
Mo

The earrings addict?

Can a girl really ever have too many earrings? It's funny, because when I look back to when I was 18 or 19 I didn't want to have anything to do with earrings.  I got my ears pierced on a whim really, my mom's older sister rebelled against my mom and took me to get my ears pierced when I was 10.  I probably wore earrings for a month and just gave up on it until I was 20.  I guess I went through a 10 year span of my tomboyish ways, thankfully, a budding fashion lover started exploring accessories. 

For the longest time I was hooked on big earrings, the bigger the better I felt.  Then when I finally started embracing my creative side I wanted to be different, I wanted to stand out and show that I was brave enough to do so. I started to gravitate towards the rare pieces and I have seriously grown an extensive collection of intriguing earrings, a good chunk from thrifting and the rest from vintage stores.  When I really think of when the bulk of my collection was acquired, the time frame is in line with when I went natural and freed myself from the creamy crack.  Having my hair natural just made me more aware of my whole face as opposed to just my hair.  You could say I felt like since I was natural I had to up my earring game because my ears weren't being covered my long weaves or braids. 

The incomparable feeling of finding a rare pair of earrings is such a fashion high for me.  I start to think of the outfits that I would wear, to the thoughts of how I would wear my hair and to what other accessories I would pair the earrings with.  I find myself studying the earrings, from looking for details that I might have missed to wondering who wore them before me (who she is/was, her style, her beliefs and why she gave up such a gorgeous pair of earrings).  Even though I wonder what could have driven the previous owner from letting them go, I'm thankful that I'm continuing these earrings' journey. 

A toast:  "To my star trek earrings, for giving me a double dose of confidence, nothing can go wrong when I have you on. - live long and prosper <-- geeky moment  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 
enjoy some pics of some of my collection

geeky holiday love
let's love each other
Mo

Scent Map of Britain – life’s sweeter up north

I just received this in my inbox and I thought it was really interesting as Nic and I both fit perfectly into the habits of Southern women. Where do you fit UK ladies?

The North/South divide is proving alive and well in beauty halls across the country with the most floral, feminine fragrances a sell out success thanks to northern women. South of Watford Gap however, women are snapping up musky, woody and even male scents, according to findings released by one of the UK’s largest perfume retailers, Debenhams.

Northern and Scottish ladies are drawn to glamorous fragrances with a sweet, edible ‘gourmand’ edge. They choose the most ‘girly’ of fragrances with the current bestseller in the region, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb.

Southerners opt for more masculine fragrances with an edge, such as Clinique Aromatics Elixir. Men’s fragrances are also popular with Southern girls who wear them on a night out for a more distinctive, dramatic scent.

Women in the Midlands and Wales are the most traditional, opting for the enduring classic perfumes such as Chanel No. 5 and Chanel Coco Mademoiselle.

Irish women are plumping for fresh, light fragrances, even through the winter months, choosing Calvin Klein Euphoria and Marc Jacobs Daisy.

Research from the retailer also showed that:
Northern women are very loyal to perfume brands and invest in big bottles that last months
Southern women are much more likely to buy several small bottles of fragrance that they interchange on a regular basis
Northern women spritz the most – topping up their perfume in the morning, lunchtime and often twice in the evening
Southern women are more likely to go fragrance free during the day, keeping a bottle in their handbags or office draw ready for a night out
Northern women wouldn’t even consider borrowing their man’s scent – less than 5 per cent have done so
Southern women are frequent offenders and borrow their partner’s aftershave on average once a fortnight

Ruth Attridge, spokesperson for Debenhams says, “We see the same trends in fragrance as we do in fashion. Just as Northern women snap up our party dresses and highest heels, they also love the most feminine sweet scents.

“In the South however, it’s distinctive, often masculine fragrances that are teamed with a more edgy style.

“As perfume buying reaches its peak in the run-up to Christmas, we have altered our stock patterns to make sure that whether you are after a fruity fragrance in Folkestone or a woody whiff in Wigan, there is a scent to suit under the tree”.

Debenhams sales figures also reveal that in contrast, there is hardly any regional variance in terms of male fragrance. 1 Million, Bleu de Chanel and Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male are the consistent bestsellers throughout Britain.

Attridge adds, “As long as they smell good, British men are quite happy to buy a brand they recognise and like without worrying about the messages their scent portrays”.

I am also interested in the fact that Paco Rabanne 1 Million for men has a clean sweep.
I wonder how much of it's success has to do with the rather brilliant commercial. I think the advert really appeals to men (and women). Great music, Alcohol, Nice car, a bit of gambling, a naked supermodel and the allure of sex, power and money. Perfect.
Advertising at it's best.

Nic's Top 10 winter products

1. I stumbled across Oilatum natural repair face cream, and I have to say I love it. My skin was so dry and flaky but after a week of using Oilatum it look healthy and radiant, the only problem is I get though it like its going out of fashion.

2. I like to wear Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream on top of my make up just on my cheek bones and my eyes because it makes the skin look glowing.

3. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour lip balm I put on when I go to bed so my lips stay conditioned all night.
I like the Arden one as it stays conditioning for longer.

 4. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua is my newest foundation, the first time I used it I was unsure if I liked it as much as the original Vitalumiere as I felt it had a little more coverage but I tried it again for a night out and loved it. So now I use it every day.

 

5. By Terry is the concealer I have been looking for.  I love love love this product. Moisturising yet has good coverage......Fantastic!

 6. Both Sam and I have raved about this mascara for a while now, its cheap and makes your lashes huge. It doesn't last so long before it drys out but its only £4 and works wonders.

7. Nars Multiples in Orgasm is a really nice cream blush to make the skin look healthy, it is slightly glittery which I like.

8. Laura Mercier Brow powder Duo, It gives a lovely soft finish to the brows and you have the choice of 2 colours depending on how you are feeling that day.

9. The Mac 266 brush is ideal to use with the Laura Mercier brow powder duo.

10. Clarins instant light natural lip perfector, This is not too glossy. It evens out the lips and just feels amazing.

Alexander McQueen SS11 ...

I was doing some research into trend prediction for my current project and came across this collection by Mcqueen. Very inspiring and relates directly to my own work.

What do you think?

Boutique Geeking - Pretty Things Boutique

 Today, I went by a local boutique in downtown Halifax, called Pretty Things Boutique.  It's the ultimate girlie girl's piece of bliss with its fantastic ambiance reminiscent of the pin-up era . With pictures on the walls of icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and numerous pictures of pin-up girls just makes a girl wanna sway her hips a little bit more than usual.  

Owned by Cadence MacMichael, Pretty Things Boutique carries sizes 2 to 26 in skirts to dresses,  lingerie to shape wear, make up to vintage purses.  The clothes are of great quality and the timeless styles will definitely help you express yourself more.  I must admit I felt a little giddy walking around snapping pictures in the boutique because of my love for vintage inspired forms of expression.  The Owner "draws her inspiration from the beautiful curvacious movie stars and pinups from the mid 20th century and modern burlesque queens." So go check out this boutique and also check out their website [click here].  They have an online store and worldwide shipping too!!!

Some of the brands carried by PTB - Igigi, Sealed with a Kiss, Lotis, and as of next year PTB is starting it's own line!!!

PIN-UPS!!!!!!

Counters to pay for your pretty things :) can you see the cute aprons peaking in the pic on the right?? GORG!!

The changing rooms have pretty curtains :)

They also carry make-up brands like Stript and Geisha Ink

they have a seating area with gorgeous animal prints!!!

Gorgeous shelves with so much girlie panache

gorgeous vintage purses!!!!

Walls adorned with Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe

geekylove
Mo

Frank151 Presents: Ricky Powell - "Bug Out".....Launch Party, NYC

12/12

Famed NYC street photographer Ricky Powell collaborated with Frank 151 on the latest issue of its Frank Book—a quarterly publication that selects "special guest curators" to direct its editorial themes.  The latest issue, which Ricky titled "Bug Out," features a brand new series of photos, as well as collaborations with a collection of artists.  To celebrate the launch, Frank151 hosted a party at Sacred Gallery last Thursday night in downtown NYC, where the photos will be on exhibit until Dec. 28.  Definitely one to check out if you're in the city.

From left, Crazy Legs, Ricky and Joe Conzo

Ricky and Crazy Legs




My best friend Danielle is now the proud owner of this photo of Basquiat and Warhol.

I thought this was just funny...

 Really liked this one of Sandra Bernhard.

This one wasn't for sale (believe it's from the photographer's archives). The Beastie Boys.

Ricky Powell, back in the day...


...and now.