This Day Rocks!

HAPPINESS IN EXTREME LEVELS.


for those who don't know already, i FINALLY got a call from MAC for the third interview with the manager who has been helping me all along so needless to say, i think i'm hired! i got the call while waiting for the 'new-hire' papers from H&M as i've just been hired there as well! this is just one heck of a day. i've never been more pleased with The Universe than i am right now. i feel 100% about being on the right path and i haven't felt like this in so long. i'm going to take some time this weekend to sit down and really have a heart to heart with The Universe to show my gratitude and pretty much say "Ahh, you almost had me fooled!". . . but once again, it has come through at the last moment and i'm sure the right moment for the right reasons. this is what i get for being so impatient. i loose hope too fast and from this i will learn.


i'm also working on a couple different photo shoot ideas with one hopefully shot before Christmas. i'm going to start building my makeup portfolio and i also have a new blog in the works! it will be just about my work as an artist and an up-to-date portfolio as soon as i get one going. for the next little while i'm happy to say i'll be learning, researching, looking, studying, training and beaming at the beginning of this new adventure. thanks to all of you for your encouragement and support. your belief in me has truly had a hand in this all coming together. please let me know if i can repay you in any way :)


have a FABULOUS day!


love, the happiest girl on the planet. XO.

Hello November

inside my week.


i slept in today because i got up early yesterday to go to my first spin class in months. if only bed wasn't so inviting. i haven't been a consistent spinner but i'm determined to become one after my class yesterday. it's difficult to walk down the stairs today, my calves feel like they've been beaten repeatedly with a meat tenderizer. the instructor of the class yesterday was half drill sergeant half motivational speaker and is exactly what i need in the morning - to be yelled at (in the kindest way possible) about how great i am, how great i'm going to be and how everything depends on my choice. he's fantastic at what he does and revs you up to the point where i had to stop myself a few times from shouting out "YEAH! I CAN DO THIS! C'MON LETS GO!!!" oh and he had superb spinning music which is a big, BIG part of spinning. i can't wait to go again.


on Monday i had the second interview for MAC which involved bringing a model (i brought Ish.) and going to town on her face. well, not really. that actually would have been much better instructions. there was about 9 of us in my group (4 groups at different times during the day, so roughly about 40 people). we were instructed to do a neutral smokey eye and a bold lip. they told us this about 5 mins prior to going in the room to get ready. i knew exactly what i was going to do to Ashley's face. they gave us 10 mins for the eyes, 10 mins for the face and 10 mins for the lips. long story short . . . i hope they were looking for how we work under pressure and not my best makeup application because there's no way i could have done my best smokey eye in 10 mins. sowwy MAC! they said we would get a call within the week if we passed. still holding my breath. 

( ashley post-MAC-makeover )

posts to come : 

Etsy Faves of the Moment

Coffee Table Books Galore

MAC : A Tartan Tale ( holiday collection! )

MAC Interviews

 . . . SO exciting . . . 

M·A·C Cosmetics: Rockin' Summer Beauty

Go nuts with colour!

Summer has arrived and with the fun-in-the-sun attitude comes along tons of fun makeup looks! I am a huge MAC Cosmetics fan and I've decided to highlight a few of their summer collections... that I am in LOVE with. This year, it's obvious everyone is going wild with the 80s look and feel (with a modern spin of course), everything is studded, bedazzled, leathered, ripped, washed, faded, tight, and almost gives a little punch to your senses when you look at it. Well, with makeup its all about bright colors and lots of glow. Most people tend to get into a comfort zone when it comes to applying makeup - same colours, same routine, same look - well throw that idea out the car window while driving really fast because it's time to brighten things up. 

Embrace the colours and freedoms of this year's fashions and let your wild side out. It will feel good... I promise. If you've got a party to attend or just a night on the town, take full advantage of going the extra mile on your face. It's like painting a beautiful picture that you get to show everyone... all night! Here are some invigorating colour palettes to keep your eye on and some of my personal favs...

( spring 2010 collection : check it out here )

( lipstick: made to order $14; eye pencil: NC15 NW20 $14.50 )

( paint pot: coral crepe $16.50 )

( blush: instant chic $18.50 )

( collection : prep for color, check it out here )

( lipgloss: prep for color $14 *hot fuchsia, so fun!* )

( collection : art supplies, check it out here )

( pro longwear lipstain marker: dirty red coral $16; greaspaint stick $17.50 )

MAC always rocks the boat but this season is just brilliant. I suggest 

you run to your closest store to check it out in person. Enjoy exploring all the different sides of your personality. The whole point to makeup is to be creative and use your imagination - so get to work! 

Who wants KANDEE...?

Make-up. The best kind of art.

Halloween is creeping up on us and if you're one to go all out, I have a great recommendation for some fun and different looks for this year. I came across a very talented make-up artist on YouTube and have been obsessed with watching her videos while she does a Halloween series. Her name is Kandee Johnson (professional make-up artist from LA) she has a fun blog, and a YouTube channel. She is incredibly thorough with her tutorials, has lots of great suggestions, and is quite cost savvy. She also sings and dances. She's positive, puts tons of time and love into her work - for free, and is funny as hell. Check out her YouTube channel here and of course her blog, here. I am having a difficult time deciding which look I would like to do. I love getting dressed up, especially in unusual ways! I'm thinking Queen of Hearts, Tinkerbell, maybe a Pin Up?! She's also going to be doing a Betty Boop one which would be amazing. Fun stuff!!!

Does anyone have an interesting or unique ideas for Halloween this year? I can't believe how expensive costumes can get. Be frugal folks - this is no time to be spending $80-$100 on witchcraft. For make-up stores, try Sephora, (carries almost every great make-up brand known to man) MAC, Naimies (online only) and of course there are the cheap drugstore brands. Have fun using your imagination everyone! Looking forward to seeing some of your creations (VIA Facebook...obviously).

*Photo Credit: Kandee Johnson