Long train rides and pushing old ladies to get a seat

I'm not saying I've done it... I'm just saying I could understand how you sink to that level.....

I've been taking the subway from all the way in the East end to all the way in West end for two weeks now and I gotta be honest; long subway rides spent standing with a very full lap top bag can bring out the worst in people. Like the shovey, aggressive, intolerant worst. It's not that I've knocked down an old lady per say... it's just that I think if I'm forced to stand the entire way there again, it could happen. So don't judge me? K?

However, I've had a streak of luck this week as last night and this morning, sans shoving, I actually managed to snag a seat. Though I thought that would greatly improve my day, in reality, it's been the stellar magazines accompanying me on these long rides that has truly lifted my spirits.

Exhibit A:

A/W 2011 IN BEAUTY - My semi-annually magazine love. At $50/pop it's a good thing they oly come out twice a year because I'll be honest - I would buy 10 copies a year if they were there. This is the it magazine for all things hair and makeup. Next time you see it - grab it! It's a limited yet very popular magazine. Just make sure I've already got mine before you go taking the last one. K?

Enjoy my shots below!

xoxo

Ok, you need this book. Makeup is Art!

I declared to my mother just before Christmas that surely, I had enough makeup books and would not need anymore. Any new acquisitions to my book shelf would have to be food, fiction or business based. 

Then Thursday, on my way home from blo, I passed a Chapters and decided to check for the new In Beauty (more on that later) and saw Makeup is Art: Professional Techniques for Creating Original Looks for 60% off!!!!! Well, 60% for irewards members. No big deal, but I'm a member. So, it was $8 something and I threw it into the pile and went home. I didn't really get a chance to take a look until this evening.

I have been poring over this book for the past hour or so. The photography is excellent, the writing is clear and concise and the product recommendations are all totally reachable. The makeup ranges from contemporary takes on period looks, to outlandish bejeweled creations, to wearable, tangible faces. I haven't finished reading all the text but I can tell, this is going to be one of my favs. 

Aside from the oh-so-right rhinestones, the book includes a great Q+A's for newbie's and finishes with a comprehensive list of suppliers. The list of makeup and hair products used, hair and makeup artists and more (complete with websites!) has given me hours more of drool-worthy inspiration. 

My most important client yet.

Two weeks before Christmas I had, to date, my most important client yet. Here's the thing. I tell everyone that. But it's not all fooey. I treat everyone like their are the most important too. 

But this was different. This client was my mum.

I don't know that I've said too much about my mum on this blog, but let me give you a bit of a rundown on who she is and what she's about. 

For one, she's the best. She is kind and giving and tough and challenging. She expects more from me than anyone else but believes in me like no one else can. Two: If I do anything good with my life, it will be because of her. 

The reason for her photoshoot is that she is starting a project, that I'll detail another day, and I figured she should have some great head shots to accompany said project. My fantastic friend and photographer, Carla Silva took the photos and we had a blast. She's so amazing at directing people who aren't used to being infront of a camera. I'm really excited to see the finished photos. 

One of the reasons that I am doing makeup today is because of my mum. This isn't the 'I used to watch my mum apply lipstick blah blah' story because she's never been much of a makeup lover. But after I finished art school and felt hopeless and lost and stupid for not doing makeup five years earlier, she encouraged me, and made sure whenever I sucked (which was often. seriously, I was BAD when I started doing makeup) I kept going. She was never one for blind encouragement. My mum still holds me accountable for getting the things I want in life. 

As she sat in front of me on that day, and I was blow drying her hair, I kept thinking of Billy Collin's poem, Lanyard. There is so much thanks, love and overwhelming debt that I want to express to both my parents but there is never a way to make it... big enough. Watch the video below, look up the poem; Billy Collins says it better than I can.

Side note: Also, my mum is a babe. She just is. But following the crashing of my computer, none of my pictures are on my hard drive. So uh, this is all I've got. But trust me, she's not always blurry. Or far away.

What I do have, are pictures of her cat, Eleanor Rigby. She hates me because I always try to play Lion King with her. 

xoxo.

I will tell you a secret.

Well, it's actually not much a secret. Especially if you've ever snuck up on me while I'm singing to my ipod. In which case, you already know that I'm a huge Loretta Lynn fan.

Huge.

Wikipedia will give you more information that I can succinctly but, I think she's tops. Loretta didn't even pick up a guitar until she was 24 and had been married for nine (9!!!!!) years. I used to think about that a lot when I was changing my life and suddenly studying makeup and hair. Also, I love country hair.

If you want a crash course in all things Loretta, the Definitive Collection is the way to go. Then pick up one of her books (I recommend Loretta Lynn: Coal Miner's Daughter) and watch the movie by the same name.

So, for this makeup monday, I present to you, one of my idols. Aptly named not only for her looks, but for her life.

And now you know too much.

xoxo
a.