Wishlist Wednesday: Ground Zero Spring 2010

Cheeky Spring pieces by UK label Ground Zero are on my wishlist today. These items, using playful prints from the world of luxury projects, are available through Seven New York. I didn't think that these items would stir so much controversy on Twitter, but Bag Snob responded to my tweet and gave the Birkin style print a big thumbs down... What do you think?? Click on each item to shop.

What's on your wishlist today?

One to Watch from LA Fashion Week: Jen Awad

I made a quick trip to LA during Fashion Week to check out some tradeshows and a few runway presentations; to be honest, there wasn't much to write about for this blog. During the Designer Launch Pad group runway show for emerging labels at California Market Center, however, I sat up and started furiously scribbling notes and clicking away with my camera when the futuristic yet ladylike Fall 2010 looks by LA native Jen Awad came down the runway.

Using a simple palette of cream and black with a dash of blinding gold, the FIDM-educated designer demonstrated a maturity and point of view well beyond the three seasons she has been designing under her eponymous label. Some standouts for me during this brief sneak peek of her Fall pieces include a black sleeveless leather dress with pearl fringe that waved alluringly as the model walked, a shiny cropped, tailored gold jacket and a fitted leather trench with oversized silver buttons and an asymmetric cowl. I still dream about her pearl trimmed pieces.

While I was sad to miss checking out her full collection during CONCEPT which featured pieces in brighter colors and more dramatic silhouettes, you can read about the show at Dedicated Follower of Fashion. Keep an eye on this young designer, readers. She's definitely a new talent to watch.

Beauty Beat: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics

I like to use makeup with sheer coverage during warmer months, and this past week, I decided to test out a mineral foundation starter kit from cult brand Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics. If you are new to mineral foundation like I am, you will find this starter kit, which includes generous sample sizes of Mineral Rice Setting Powder, Mineral Foundation in two shades and Crushed Mineral Blush, a Kabuki Brush and easy-to-follow, three step instructions, particularly useful.

Starter Kit (click to shop)

all images courtesy of Youngblood

Step One: Mineral Rice Setting Powder

I started by applying Mineral Rice Setting Powder to prime my moisturized skin. Primer really makes a difference for me when using foundation, and the kit's rice powder had a really pleasant, light texture. The setting powder left a matte but glowing look to my face.

Mineral Rice Setting Powder from the Light Starter Kit

Step Two: Natural Mineral Foundation

Youngblood starter kits come in three different shades: light, medium and dark. I often have difficulty finding a match for my fair Asian skin, but using a blend of the two shades from the light starter kit, I was able to come up with a good natural blend. (One of my pet peeves is women who use foundation that is too fair or dark for their complexion, resulting in a visible shade difference between the face and neck areas.)

To apply the mineral foundation, you are supposed to shake a small amount into the lid and buff the brush in a circular motion, tap to shake off excess and then apply to the face using circular motions. The Kabuki Brush that comes with the kit was adequate, but I can already tell that I am going to have to invest in a full-sized Kabuki Brush to use mineral foundation on an ongoing basis.

Barely Beige for fair skin with yellow undertones

Neutral for skin with pink undertones

Step Three: Crushed Mineral Blush

The Crushed Mineral Blush from the fair starter kit was an intriguing coral and pink color called Sherbert. I applied this color using the Kabuki Brush and blending on the apples of my cheeks and upward. I love using plenty of blush during the day as I find that powder fades quite quickly on my skin, but this blush seemed to last without fading.

Crushed Mineral Blush in Sherbert

Optional Step: Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow Kit

I could have swiped on a little mascara and lipgloss and taken my glowing skin out for the day, but I was also given the chance to try Youngblood's Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow Quad. When it comes to eyeshadow, I like to keep it simple- either using a neutral, simple wash of color over my lid, or generally, two or three complimentary colors in the cool color family. Since I don't generally use brown or beige colors, I thought it would be fun to test out Youngblood's eyeshadow quad in Gemstones: an array of beige, brown and green colors. The texture of the shadow was absolutely a dream. The formula uses rice powder, and glides smoothly across lids, with or without primer. As for the colors themselves, I think I will experiment more with cocoa browns and neutrals. It's a different flattering look for my brown eyes, and I will definitely put this palette into my daily rotation.

Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow Quad in Gemstones (click to shop)

The Final Verdict

While I won't throw away my liquid foundation, especially for a finished, full coverage evening look, I would use Youngblood Mineral Foundation again during the day for a barely-there, but glowing face. The founder of Youngblood, Pauline Youngblood Soli started the line over 10 years ago to provide breathable makeup for people with skin recovering from cosmetic surgery or harsh procedures so I know this product would be great to use, especially during summer months when the prospect of wearing heavy foundation in the hot sun seems daunting and damaging. I'm definitely enamored with the eyeshadow quad and the mineral blush and would definitely repurchase both!

What are your thoughts on mineral foundation or makeup? Do you use any mineral products on a regular basis?

Disclosure: Samples of products mentioned in this post were provided for review purposes.

Weekend Links: On the Move Edition

Feeling a wee bit behind on my blogging. But I needed a break.

Hope your weekend is off to a good start! I had the misfortune of booking myself on a redeye from Los Angeles on Sunday night, so I spent most of Monday walking around feeling like a zombie. On Wednesday morning, I played stylist for the day at the StyleCaster office. I was asked to style a few "Daily Looks" for the website and it was a treat browsing their sample racks putting about 14 looks together. The rack of clothing I chose is pictured above. Who knew I was feeling so much peach, nude, purple, grey and heavy hardware like studs and chains?? Can't wait to share the final results with you. I really don't know how stylists do it every day. The whole experience was exhausting and humbling... I'm a girl who has trouble getting dressed in the morning!

Special shout out to these special bloggers who were among the top commenters for the week. You simply must pay them a visit!!

The Sugar Diaries

BonBon Rose

The Style Revolution

Chic 'n Cheap Living

Shrimp Salad Circus

Wendy Brandes Jewelry

A Daisy Chain Dream

Janetteria

La Vie J'aime

apparellel

The Swelle Life

What are your plans for the weekend??

Accessorize This: Envy Couture

They Will Want Your Shoes: Envy Couture

by Denise Grayson

Oh how we love our shoes. Imagine if we could build our ideal pair; take those favourite red pumps, make them nude and shorten the heel a bit to go with everything in our wardrobe? Envy Couture is already onto this brilliant idea, offering bespoke services both in their London showroom and online. With a few clicks you can choose the style, fabric, colour, heel size and finish, and indicate the size of your shoe. To complete the specifications you are asked to measure your foot according to their guidelines and you can even note differences between your right and left to ensure a perfect fit.

all images courtesy of Envy Couture

The custom options are plentiful. The shoes are offered as day or evening looks and there are 35 different styles in total. Fabrics include suede, satin, kidskin and leather and for more exotic tastes you can have crocodile, snakeskin or horse hair. And the palette leaves you wanting for nothing with its selection of pastels, earth tones, neutrals and brights.

Future brides can create their dream shoe for the big day with Envy Couture’s bespoke wedding service. There are 18 styles with a full range of colour options to match bridesmaids’ dresses or give an alternative to the traditional white – how about walking down the aisle in turquoise suede slingbacks? Okay, maybe not. The point is, there is plenty of room to play and consider all kinds of fun and beautiful scenarios.

Envy Couture was launched in 2006 in London by Annabel Leung who is also the label’s designer. After studying at Goldsmiths College and the London College of Fashion, she was motivated to develop the concept of a bespoke shoe boutique when she’d had enough of trying to find beautiful shoes to fit her tiny feet. Inspired by London, Paris and Hong Kong, her collections are a mix of high fashion and classic designs that are customized for each client and individually made to order.

Thanks to Annabel, no foot need go without a gorgeous, expertly crafted, perfectly fitted shoe! For more information, check out http://envycouture.com.

Denise Grayson is our Accessories Editor and also writes about fashion at The Swelle Life.

City of Angels

Some things I saw in LA this past weekend (in no particular order):

• Blogger Meetups at Fashion Week LA! I got to meet so many lovely LA blogger and online glitterati over the past few days, including Alicia of Inny Vinny, Becs of Style With Benefits, Christina of Style Bite, Jazzi of JazziMcG, Kelsi of Dedicated Follower of Fashion, Laurie of Laurie B Style, Lilliam and Tasha of Mondette, Macala of Fashionably Marketing Me, Mel of Wrecked Stellar and Sandra D of Debutante Clothing. Everyone was so warm and welcoming! I felt right at home!
• David Hasselhoff and KIT the car in front of Pink's Hot Dogs.
• Designers and Agents and FOCUS at California Market Center.
• My sister, her fiance, my friend Audrey and my folks.
• The ritzy bridal salons of Saks, Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier to help my sister with some wedding dress shopping.
• Church Boutique, a wonderful edgy Los Angeles designer-focused store that offers a shopping experience unique to the City of Angels. Check it out! Love the ivy-covered West Hollywood facade...
• On Sunday, I had a chance to meet some lovely bloggers at Space 15 Twenty for an Etsy seller flea market. I couldn't resist picking up a gold lame jacket from my friend Courtney, who runs LA Vintage Exchange.

More coverage of some of the shows to come... But for now, please enjoy a few pictures from my wonderful, long weekend in LA.

There's no place like home!

Me and Kelsi of Dedicated Follower of Fashion

Me and Sandra D from Debutante Clothing

What I'm wearing: Preen dress and Jeffrey Campbell shoes

Becs of Style with Benefits and Mel from Wrecked Stellar!

Me and Alicia of Inny Vinny

What I wore: velvet tank from Wayne, no brand sweater, Topshop harem pants and Jeffrey Campbell boots

Me and Courtney of LA Vintage Exchange

Becs, Me, Christina of Style Bite and Mel

My sister Mira, my friend Audrey and me at a party in downtown LA

Meet my new love: a gold lame jacket from LA Vintage Exchange!

Beauty Beat: Freeman and wet n wild for a DIY Manicure Pedicure

During the winter months, I rarely treat myself to salon pedicures, and with the exception of a few special occasions which merit sparkling, manicured hands, my visits to the spa for nail treatments are a rare treat. So imagine my horror the night before my big trip to LA this weekend, when I checked the weather report and inspected the sorry state of my nails. Knowing that I would want to wear sandals during LA Fashion Week, I decided to take matters into my own hands (pun intended) using some budget-friendly drugstore products which had been sent to us for review. The results? Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.

DIY Manicure

For a DIY spa manicure, I started by scrubbing my hands with the Freeman Hand & Cuticle Tangerine & Basil Renewal Scrub. My hands get very dry during the winter months, and I’m an obsessive hand washer, so it was nice to give my hands a rinse with this pleasant, citrus-scented paste. The exfoliating beads were refreshing, and they did a good job of clearing my scraggly looking cuticles. I would definitely use this product again, as I enjoy citrus products in general. After the scrub, I used a generous dollop of the Freeman White Tea & Licorice Hand Renewal Brightening Balm, which was lightly scented and sank nicely into the skin, without leaving a greasy residue. After clearing my nails with nail polish remover, I painted my nails with two coats of wet n wild Mega Last nail polish in a pinky plum hue. I’ve never used wet n wild nail products before, and I was impressed with the user-friendly brush, which was wide enough to cover my nails in one or two strokes. I’ve had a problem with really thin applicator brushes in the past, but I had no problems with this one.

DIY Pedicure

The best part of getting a spa pedicure for me is the scrub and massage aspect. I tried to replicate this in my tub by using the Freeman Creamy Pumice Foot Scrub in Peppermint & Plum. The exfoliating beads were pleasant enough and not terribly abrasive. Warning: the scent of this product is fairly strong and perfumed products can be a subjective thing. I don’t love strong, sweet smells, but the smell didn’t bother me too much. The refreshing peppermint in the scrub more than made up for the sweet smell. After giving myself a good scrub, I applied the Freeman Softening Foot Lotion in Peppermint & Plum. This scented lotion was moisturizing without being greasy, and I loved that both products contain tea tree oil. After wrapping my feet up in warm towels and swiping my toes with nail polish remover, I painted the nails using wet n wild in a berry fuschia color. Again, I was impressed with the control I had with the brush. I’m not an expert DIY nail person, and I was able to get two easy coats on both feet without much trouble.

The Final Verdict

When I’m in a pinch and want to give myself a reliable mani pedi, I will absolutely use these Freeman and wet n wild products again. They’re easy to use, not to mention, easy on the wallet and available at most local drugstores. For more information, check out http://freemanbeauty.com and http://wnwbeauty.com.

Do you give yourself manicure/pedicures at home? Any tips for longer lasting nails?

Disclosure: Products mentioned in this post were sent to us for review purposes.

Weekend Links: Grand Prix Edition

Hello from sunny, gorgeous Los Angeles! I'll be blogging and tweeting this weekend during Los Angeles Fashion Week. If you're in town and want to meet up, check out details on this meetup on Sunday...

Je Ne Sais Quoi Giveaway Winner + Coupon Code

I know some of you have been waiting for the winner of the fabulous Heimstone jacket (pictured above) giveaway courtesy of Je Ne Sais Quoi...

The winner is... comment #2: Chic n' Cheap Living!! I'm very jealous of your win. Enjoy it, my dear.

Here's the good news for everyone: Je Ne Sais Quoi is offering Dream Sequins readers a 15% discount off any items on the website (yes, including sale items!). Simply use the code: DREAMSEQUINS at checkout. The code will be valid for one month. Happy shopping!

Shop shop: http://shopjenesaisquoi.com

Link Love

Special shoutout to the top five commenters on Dream Sequins this week. Some great developments have been happening in my personal and professional life and that's really kept me from visiting blogs more regularly in recent weeks, but I wanted to thank you for leaving lovely comments... Thank you for your support! I can't wait to share good news with you (when deals are signed and finalized)...

The Style Revolution

BonBon Rose

The Sugar Diaries

Apparellel

Fashion in My Eyes

Accessorize This: Accessories from the Sea - Fish Leather

Accessories from the Sea: Fish Leather

by Denise Grayson

Animal skins and fashion go hand in hand – calfskin, lambskin (nappa), exotic and pricey skins like python, ostrich and crocodile are used to make some of our most beautiful and coveted bags, shoes and belts. And other than an increasingly superfluous use of fur in the past few years, we’re not really surprised by what the outfits in the collections are made of these days (Christian Dior shamelessly used real leopard in the 1960s!). But would it take you aback just a bit to hear that fish skins are wading into our clothes and accessories as a new and unusual material of choice? Salmon is one, perch is another.

Put that image of slimey silvery scales that flake on your fork away for good and think of a textile that can be both smooth and lustrous or velvety textured – almost suede-like – and durable. At fashion week in London I felt both salmon and perch as they were used by Rachel Freire for a garter belt and a good many pair of Gwendolyn Carrié shoes, respectively.

Gwendolyn Carrié uses an open scale perch leather which gives the shoes their exquisite texture. A closed scaling offers a fine finish. The scales may look delicate, but they withstood a vigorous hand rubbing and even the scales that appear to be hanging by a thread remained intact and perfect. (Photo: Gwendolyn Carrié)

Rachel Freire used smooth salmon leather to create the textured panels for her multi-fabric garter belt (Photo: Denise Grayson)

I’m told that Rachel, who is known for incorporating unconventional materials into her handcrafted pieces, will be using more salmonskins going forward and that she’s working with stingray as well. Her salmon leather is very smooth and glossy and the fine scales render the skin with a texture that could be mistaken for snakeskin. Gwendolyn Carrié’s ‘fluffy’ fish skin or perch, is also akin to something we know well – it looks something like crocodile but is very soft, like suede. However, these styles are just two of the ways the skins can be rendered; like any other leather they can be dyed and treated to a variety of finishes.

While salmon and perch appear to be the most popular of the fish leathers, there are other varieties available including cod and wolffish. And if you’re wondering how they’re acquired, rest assured that they typically come from commercial fish skins that would otherwise be thrown away or used as chicken feed.

The use of fish leather isn’t a brand new innovation but it’s been a fringe material thus far. Considering that it has numerous attractive qualities (including being waterproof, of course!) and it’s far cheaper than the exotic skins it mimics – yet is entirely unique – we’re likely to see a lot more of it in clothing and accessories from our more adventurous designers.

I’m hooked. How about you?

This Aquanaut Cloche Helmet by Jasmine Zorlu is made of Nile perchskin leather over a wool base. It’s available for purchase at Not Just a Label. (Photo: Spencer Hansen)

A bikini from Skini London who are known as the pioneers of salmonskin leather couture garments (Photo: Skini London)

A hairband and cuff crafted with salmon leather from Gastu, an accessories label from Reykjavík, Iceland that works primarily in fishskins. These pieces are available to buy through their Etsy shop. (Photos: Gastu)

Denise Grayson is our fearless Accessories Editor who also writes about fashion at The Swelle Life.

Meet Me in LA + Last Day for a Giveaway

I've scheduled a last minute meetup with some friends in Los Angeles during Fashion Week/Market Week. Come join us at the Space 15 Twenty courtyard for an Etsy flea market on Sunday. I'll be hanging at the LA Vintage Exchange booth between 2-3 pm. There is plenty to do and see, and the weather will be fabulous, so let's meet up! Email me for more details or to RSVP. Love to meet!

P.S. Don't forget that today is the LAST day to enter the fabulous contest to win a quilted moto-style jacket courtesy of Je Ne Sais Quoi. Enter enter enter! Very jealous of the winner. It looks gorgeous!!

Video Love: New York Fashion Week Fall 2010

Here's what I did last night in lieu of work... As I was going through some of my files from New York Fashion Week, I realized that I never put together footage of the finales from shows I attended this season. So here they are set to "Don't Dream It's Over" as sung by Sarah Blasko. Still trying to learn iMovie on my new MacBook Pro...

On Thursday, I'll be heading to LA for Fashion Week/Market Week, so expect to see some new coverage soon! What do you have planned for the week?

Beauty Beat: Fifteen Minutes of Fame + Oxymoron with Lipstick Queen

Getting the Royal Treatment with Lipstick Queen

by Tamara

If you are a lippie girl, you MUST check out Lipstick Queen. Founder Poppy King's obsession with finding the perfect, pigmented lipstick lead to the creation of a great, niche company, which has become a cult beauty label favorite, and now carries a range of lipsticks and glosses. I recently had a chance to try out two of their products: Fifteen Minutes of Fame, a series of pigmented glosses and Oxymoron, a matte gloss.

Fifteen Minutes of Fame

all images courtesy of Lipstick Queen

If you like pigmented, opaque and long-lasting lip glosses, then Fifteen Minutes of Fame should be in your makeup bag right now. Inspired by Andy Warhol and Pop Art, Fifteen Minutes of Fame these lip glosses are rich in color, with a great consistence. These lip glosses are not sticky and very moisturizing. What I love the most is that I can apply several layers for an almost-lipstick finish, or just one layer for a delicate, lip gloss look.

Fifteen Minutes of Fame comes in a click-pen applicator with a brush tip, making it easy to carry and great for an on-the go application. It does take several clicks to get the product from the pen to the tip, so be prepared to hear that click-click-click! However, once the product reaches the tip, the brush allows the gloss glide on your lips. As the name implies, Fifteen Minute of Fame comes in 15 delicious and colorful shades, named according to the minute. How clever! My favorite ones are 7 Minutes (Tropical Pink) and 12 Minutes (Deep Rose).

Oxymoron

I always like to mix it up between lipstick and lipgloss. When I wear lipstick, I love the old-Hollywood, glamour feeling of matte formulations. However, matte lipsticks can be drying on the lips and the upkeep of matte lips, ugh... High maintenance anyone? Well, I have discovered that I can have my cake and eat it too. What if I told you there is such a thing as a matte lipgloss? Sounds like an oxymoron, but it does exist!

Oxymoron is Lipstick Queen's matte lipgloss that feels as smooth and sheer as a lipgloss but it has a creamy, matte finish on your lips. When I put Oxymoron on my lips, "WOW" blurted out of my mouth! It feels incredibly smooth and did not dry my lips at all. The best part of Oxymoron is that it's a double-duty product. I applied it to my cheeks as a cheek stain, giving my makeup look a sweet, romantic feeling. Oxymoron comes in four subtle and beautiful shades and they are packaged with a small lip brush.

Have you tried any Lipstick Queen products? Would you rather have Fifteen Minutes of Fame or wear an Oxymoron?

Disclosure: Samples of both products were provided for review purposes.

Tamara is our gloss loving Beauty Editor who also writes about beauty and fashion at Brunette and Pink.