Luxury Lust Contest Winners!

And finally… it is time to announce the winners of my Luxury Lust Makeup Contest (about friggin’ time huh?!?)… Soooo… a big well deserved congratulations goes out to…

Kittie Rae!

Kittie chose Betsey Johnson as her makeup look inspiration for my Luxury Lust contest and NAILED IT! Bringing the use of vibrant color and original patterns, she captured the essence and branding of the designer perfectly. Did you see those cheetah print markings?!?!? WOW! What can I say… I love everything about this look and how she did it! Well done (and to all the beautiful ladies who entered – it was a tough choice)!!!

“I love to take things that are everyday and comforting and make them into the most luxurious things in the world”.

-Marc Jacobs-

So Kittie… you get to choose between a Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch or some designer makeup! Get back to me with your preference and your shipping info

Annnnnnd…. our second winner who posted my contest on her beautiful blog (please drop by her page)….

Twinsouls888!!!

Darling you have some designer makeup to pick out!!! Get back to me with all your info

Check out her blog Beauty Inside and Out here!

Congrats to the winners, and never forget that luxury is but a mindset… you can feel like a Queen wherever you are!

514 Outfit Post – A Lesson in Seduction

Well hello there all you sexy peoples! I have been channelling my inner twenties flapper side as of late… twisted in with a remote feeling of Parisian lifestyle… I was sick last week (one of my excuses for not posting as of late), but am feeling more like a recreation of myself today and wanted to let all of this crazy energy outta me

I went to see the disturbingly sexy and talented John Legend last night (India Arie opened for him… double whammy!), and all I can say is that my soul feels as though it has been restored. It was the last dosage of medicine I needed to get back into being inspired by everything that is constantly drifting around me (thanks John & India – I owe you one!). “Someone saved my life tonight… suga bear…”

Montreal has been having some gorgeous days (very hot… 32 degrees Celsius with the heaviest of humidity), and as a result I think my brain may have melted in the process… so bear with me y’all…

LOVING dying my hair a darker shade courtesy of a box of Herbatint (available at health food stores – kicks Feria flat in the ass) at home in front of the TV

LOVING doubling-up jewellery looks

LOVING bead work, sequins, and all things that sparkle and shine

LOVING drawstring waist dresses

LOVING happiness and dark eyeshadow (maybe happiness IS dark eyeshadow?)

LOVING treating myself to a new Thomas Sabo long chained silver charm necklace with morbid undertones… mixed and matched the way you want it This jewellery designer is seriously talented if you like detail and personalized accents… but don’t just take my word for it… check him out here (you won’t be sorry – I promise).

LOVING matching my jewellery (especially to images in picture books)… sparkle on!

LOVING not being engaged but wearing my favorite family heirloom on the finger that it fits on!

LOVING Manolo Blahnik… the artiste extraordinaire! How beautiful is his shoe art? Another source of soul nourishment… thank you Mr. Blahnik Thank you Mr. Babe for treating me to a book that lets me inside the mind of a genius…

and my source of inspiration for the day… french lace and lingerie…

girls… put one of these magnificent unmentionables on and you will feel like a woman… the men in your life will appreciate it and you will have a little secret from the rest of the world… The more beautiful the item, the more beautiful you will feel… guaranteed. So stop clinging to your tighty whities and boyshorts and hop to it!

What I’m Wearing

• H&M dress (possibly THE best $60 ever spent)
• Thomas Sabo charm necklace
• Kaufman de Suisse Earrings
• Aldo Accesories black and white sparkle ring
• great grandmothers ring
• Gucci watch
• David Yurman knockoff cuff bracelet (courtesy of Babe – Loves you sir)
• OPI Nailpolish in “Do You Lilac It?”
• Lingerie from Agent Provocateur and LaSenza

… All worn with a string of joy, sunshine and happiness (my god, I am starting to sound like a Teletubby… ewwwwww) … Have a great Tuesday… and winners for the Luxury Lust coming up!

iPod Nano Winner!!!!!!

A big warm heartfelt congratulations to the winner of my Shopping Hiatus Challenge…

Maria!!!

Here are her money-saving tips

-shop at the cheapest grocery store eg Superstore

-sell stuff you don’t need on your blog or use some of the stuff you currently have for giveaways (that your not using). nobody minds vintage!

-make your own coffee. Even if you are addicted to starbucks, you can buy a bag and brew it at home

-eat at home. look up recipes online and cook for your man or some friends…that will make it more fun and you can still entertain without going out-do your own manicure/pedicure

-color your hair at home if you color it, browns are very easy to do

-wear stuff you have not worn in so long…you will get a lot of compliments and where did you get that?

-use makeup you haven’t used in awhile…6 empties back to Mac will get a goodie!

-buy your shampoo etc things that you always use in the biggest size, it is usually the cheapest and you won’t have to buy it as often

Good Luck!!!

Congrats – you win an engraved Fashionista 514 iPod Nano!!! I found Maria’s list to help me out personally the most! What have I been doing the most of??? Eating at home! As a result I am becoming rather passionate about cooking!!! Thank you bloggies – for all of your suggestions and for everyone who entered! Maria please contact me with your shipping details and what color you would like (your choice of the above)!!!

Enjoy girlie!

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On a Side Note…

My darling internet world… I am SO sorry I have been not updating my blog as of lately – I have had a miserable cold! Also, really just trying to enjoy the summer (the sunshine finally decided to pay the 514 a nice visit) Miss you all (will be visiting your sites sometime this week to catch up on all I’ve missed), and will be announcing the Luxury Lust winner tomorrow! Hold on to your hats – someone will be one Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch richer!

***

Have a beautiful Monday luvers!

Luxury Lust Makeup Contest Entries!

Ladies, ladies, LADIES!!! WOW is all that I can manage out of my lips… you have really raised the bar this time!!! I want to commend ALL OF YOU on a kick ASS collection of makeup looks that have been gathered all together and been squeezed into this one post! You all look gorgeous!!! Eat your heart out… here are the lovely ladies

I chose YSL as my inspiration, because it was a brand that was fierce as hell! and very mysterious. To me, YSL represents androgenous beauty, snowy white skin, fierce dark red lips, black and white attire, sharp with a bit of edge, drop-crotched pants, and old french elegance.

http://jess-cakes.blogspot.com/2009/08/luxury-lust.html

I have chosen Versace brand because I love their bags every season! They’re always unique, sophisticated and interesting! The brand automatically associates me to elegance, timeless creations and color! Just look at this spring collection, even the winter collection has got some strong colors! The inspiration was their gorgeous bag from this spring season. It’s holographic purple mixed with some pink. So I have used basically lots of different purple colors. And I tried to recreate the bag pattern around my eyes. That’s it. Let the pictures speak for themselves.

http://xoxo-parisky.blogspot.com/

My make-up creation was inspired by the Dior 60′s theme catwalk show in 2008. The make-up was originally done by Pat McGrath who i think is an amazing make-up artist and i thought i’d try out my own 60′s ‘big eyes, big hair’ make-up style. I wanted to capture the dolly eyes look from the 60′s and although the 60′s was very monochrome, I think the colour adds a modern day twist! The main focus was on the eyes so as they did in the show, i went with the nude lips. This was so fun to create because of the expression and the shapes. This competition has let me try to be more creative!

http://www.beauty-crush.blogspot.com/

“a wonderful girl … her personality and energy are part of her style. Her body is beautiful, very feminine. I love to dress women like her.”

-Roberto Cavalli-

http://www.xphoebelinax.blogspot.com/

My name is Jamie Masliah and I based my makeup look off of one of my favorite designers, Dolce & Gabbana. In this look, I did leopard print eyes and lips with gold shadow and brown eyeliner. I take inspiration from D&G because this is the ultimate risk-taking line and I’m all about taking risks. I love going all out with my outfits and makeup looks. Whatever it is that I’m wearing, it has to stand out. That is my one rule. I’m a sucker for leopard print and red. Red lips, red dresses, red bags, red anything. I just love it all.

I did a Gucci inspired look from a makeup look they used on Chanel Iman on the runway. I love the vivid colors Gucci uses on their models. They smoke out the eyes and really have the models look stunning, so you not only look at their clothes, but you cannot help but look into their gorgeous eyes.

http://katrina-is-a-princess.blogspot.com/

I decided to make a look inspired by Chanel. For me Chanel is always connected with two crossed golden or black letters C. Chanel is also creates the most luxuriuos designs, in my opinion. I also adore how expensive every collection of them looks. They also always make the best makeup for their models and I love how they make models’ hair for campaigns.

I tried to create an expensive, golden and black look. For my inspirational photo I actually combined 3 pictures of different details which mostly inspired me for my look. So this is chanel logo, bag and a model from the 2008 fall collection.

http://shewga.blogspot.com/

Alright darlings… you HAVE to give me your opinions on who you want to win!!! They are all so gorgeous that I really don’t think I can pick all by myself! Let me know who you think should win!

Also… I will be keeping this contest open for a few more days (until Monday, August the 11th 2009)… so if you still want to enter and have the chance to win a Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch… get to it and check out the rules here!

Hope you are all having a great start to the week!

Don’t… Don’t you Want Me…

Ummm… so I guess I was under the wrong impression that girlies go CUCKOO for Marc by Marc Jacobs… cause you girls are SLACKING on the makeup entries for my Luxury Lust contest where you can win your choice of either

a. A Marc by Marc clutch

or

b. Your choice of designer makeup (YSL, Chanel, Givenchy, etc…)

GET GOING LADIES… or I’m just gonna keep it for myself (hey… well that wouldn’t be so bad after all now would it…

I know it’s summa and the sun is MUCH more interesting than my giveaways… however I am requiring a minimum of ten entries to dish out these $$$ prizes

Spread the word lova’s… Contest ends Aug. 1st 2009!

Click here for more details

Grimm’s Fairytale Makeup Contest Entry

The STUNNING Tali over at The Gloss Goss is hosting a super cool contest folks… inspired by the genius – yet haunting and disturbed Grimm’s Brothers! Modern day Disney fairy tales are completely sugar coated in comparison to some of their original stories that show no mercy to the heroines and villains…. this was something I just HAD to get in on . The objective was to choose a character from the stories and do a makeup look inspired by them… with a dark twist…

I chose Snow White, and the photo above is my “dark inspiration” Enjoy loverrrrs!

THIS IS MY FIRST CONTEST ENTRY EVER!!!
TALI, THANKS FOR “POPPING MY CHERRY”!!!

The following pics were taken WITHOUT a flash…
included the blurry pics for an added “heebie geebie” effect

… and now WITH a flash…

… bitten…

… had to… just had to include the louboutins…

Here’s What I Used to Create the look…

LORAC platinum palette

• MAC Red Lipstick
• MAC Bazaarish Lipglass
• MAC Copperplate Matte (grayish brown ideal for eyebrows)
• MAC Sea & Sky Mineralize Eye Shadow
• MAC On a Mission Beauty Powder Blush from the Style Warriors Collection

BARE ESCENTUALS!!!
OMG… people! If you haven’t already tried this amazing foundation… WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? Gives super natural coverage to even the most problematic or pigmented areas… seriously goes on like a second skin!!! WOWSERS… I am never going back to regular stuff… this stuff is just THE SHIZNACK… and actually good for your skin! I wear Fair and Lightly Fair…

Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara (I seriously recommend this one for added DRAMA to your life and Red Cherry Lashes are THE ULTIMATE lash duo!!! Seriously… the kind of lashes that make hearts beat faster…

That’s it that’s all folks! Be sure to enter in to Tali’s contest (I need some competition), and don’t forget my Luxury Lust – Designer Inspiration makeup contest!!!

… winners of the Badass Haircare giveaway coming next post… if you haven’t already entered, click here to jump in last minute!

Check me out y’all… I’m Badass… ;)

Welcome my darlings… to the wonderful world of being a badass… Let me show you around some…

well, this post is a badass post… (if you haven’t already figured that out), but it’s also a product review for a shampoo and conditioner I really love… Badass Hair (how fitting… *tee hee*)

Today I will be reviewing Wicked Mint Shampoo and Silky Sweet Condition from the Badass Hair line… yum yum yuuuuuum!

American in Style.
Rugged in Attitude.
Defiantly Creative.

“At it’s core, Badass Hair is driven by iconoclastic stylist Scott Fontana. With a fiercely independant business style and a maddening obsession with quality, Badass Hair offers the sophisticated consumer a taste of luxury while retaining a streetwise, Badass attitude.”

…. sooooo me, right?

Did you see the packaging?!?
Glam enough for even the princesses of punk…

Oh, and of course helping you to all release a bit of your inner wild child… hang on to your hats… here we go

Being a little bad is VERY freeing feeling (hey MJ said it right)… not only does it break you out of your little bubble of self, but it also gives you a rush, some shock and breathes a new stream of air into your life. Breaking the rules, riding on motorcycles, making dumb faces (you will be seeing a lot of this in my pics… you know… I had to “educate”you… yes… that is my excuse), being spontaneous, daring yourself, making your own rules, wearing studs and leather… this is just the beginning! There is just sooo much ground to cover…

Personally, I find it incredibly hard to act badass when I am not dressed to kill… (c’mon, try breaking some rules in a sun dress – just not the same effect). Slap on some lipstick, smokey eyes, high heels, chains, spikes, pleather – whatever! Just transform yourself a little bit into that person that is hiding in the corner of your brain, chained down by ridiculous laws and rules set upon us by society, family and friends… oh, and your little friend “ettiquette” is the one in there holding the whip… break free girlies – if only for a morning jog

The little things I do to surprise myself and get a rush out of…

• cut my hair different every time
• say what I want when I want
• Make-up in vampish colors
• exhibitionism in the home (there – my secret is out)
• Say “fuck you” to chores and enjoy the sun
• Dance on the bar
• Shots, shots, shots (blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol)… make me feel strong like man!
• Splurge on louboutins and handbags… always gives me a naughty rush (like I’m not supposed to – ummmm… reminder… you only live once… at least I’m livin’ in louboutins
• Trying new and exotic foods! I’m adventurous like that…

And now for THE MONEY SHOT!!! Yes, I am topless… and yes those shampoo’s are the only things covering my tee-taa’s… you see… I haven’t even washed my hair yet and they are ALREADY bringing out the inner badass in me… I’d hate to see what happens next…

I thought I’d be more thorough with this review… so let me all welcome you to my hair-washing, bubble bath, Badass review hair experience…
a.k.a…. my bathtub!!! Woot woot… party’s ON!!!

Oh! There’s my drink… a badass bath just wouldn’t be the same without a stiff drink… (Redbull/White cranberry Belvedere Vodka Martini with a splash of lime if you were wondering) now where were we…

Wicked Mint… what it is:
“A rich lathering shampoo with healing properties of Tea Tree Oil to cleanse hair and scalp”

… and oh boy does it ever! Firstly, I have always been a mega fan of shampoos with cooling oils integrated into their recipe – there is no better feeling than a mint tingle on your scalp to refresh yourself on some of the hottest days of summer. The smell wakes you up in the morning as a natural aromatherapy, and it leaves your hair feeling squeaky clean without stripping away all it’s natural oils! This shampoo really lathers up very well (as you can see in the pics), and with the excess soapy foam I used it as a great shaving cream for my underarms and legs (my legs loved the cooling sensation from the mint… gimme more)!

and now on to the next…

Silky Sweet Condition… what it does:
“Rich in proteins, vitamins and amino acids to energize weak, hungry for moisture hair”.

First of all, let me just say… this conditioner smells like sweet tarts, or rockets… so in my books it has already won! I love this conditioner because it is very rich in texture, creamy – but without the residue that is often left after some products. Also, you can kill two birds with one stone by using this as a hair mask (please refrain from hurting any actual birdies – Badass DOES NOT test on animals so it would really just cancel out all their good efforts)! I color my hair (yes, I have greys already – bastard genetics), so I need all the hydration I can get! This conditioner does a great job at untangling unruly hair BEFORE you brush… easy peazy I tell ya…

Soooo… I have both a Wicked Mint Shampoo AND a Silky Sweet Conditioner courtesy of Badass Hair to share with one lucky reader to indulge in! YAY!

So… in the comment form below, just tell me why you want to try these amazing new products, and what you do to bring out your inner “Badass” on a regular basis!!!

Winner will be chosen at randomn… to get extra entries you can tweet (1 entry) about this giveaway and blog about it in a post (1 entry)! Please leave all links in the the comment form below so I can check ‘em out!

This giveaway ends in exactly ONE WEEK from today… so spread the word YO!

Visit Badass Hair online for more amazing haircare products…

www.badasshair.com

Luxury Lust – Designer Inspiration Makeup Contest!

It’s just that time again folks… Another Makeup Contest courtesy of the 514!!!

Alright… so lets not waste any more time (I know you are all eyeing the Chanel yummies… don’t act like you aren’t!!! Soooooo BUSTED!)

My theme for this makeup contest is Luxury Lust – Designer Inspiration! We all drool over the goodies and delectable handbags, shoes, and insatiable clothing designers dish out every season right?!? Well I wanna see a makeup look inspired by the very fabulous fashion creators of the world!!! Having studied design myself… I just gotta give credit where credit is due…

I wanna feel the energy, the essence, the tradition of one brand/pic that you have selected as inspiration (k… trying not to sound too Mugatu… lol). Think to yourself… what does Gucci stand for? Well to me I think of black snakeskin, smokey eyes, sky-high sexy heels, red lips… Dolce & Gabbana brings to mind cheetah-print and red lips, satin bustiers and peep toe pumps… Chanel…. pearls, chains, quilted leather, pastels, black and white… etc…

Pick an inspiration photo… It can be a pic of a handbag, a pair of shoes, architecture, jewellery… even the logo of the brand – and makeup away! Make it clear which designer you take inspiration from and why (write a mini-blurb that I can feature with your pic). Dressing the part always helps with the overall theme – don’t be shy!

Don’t worry about listing the products you used – it’s really not necessary! This contest is open to international readers and to everyone (with or without a blog)!

Contest ends August 1st 2009!!! Get those entries in!!!

Submit your pics (makeup look, blurb and inspiration pic) to fashionista514@gmail.com!

Winner will be chosen by moi (and my judging panel of experts… lol)

A runner-up prize will be chosen at random for all those who twitter (1 entry) this contest and post it (1 entry) on their blogs (this is open to everyone, whether they submitted a makeup look or not)!

Please leave the links in the comment box below

Prizes exactly are not yet confirmed… however I am thinking of something really good… be it Designer makeup (YSL, Chanel, Givenchy, etc…), OR a Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch… winner chooses…

Runner-up prize… Makeup!!! Designer of course…

P.S. I am one of the insanely LUCKY girls to win the beautiful Ketmany’s Giveaway!!! Can you believe!?! I must have a horseshoe up my @ss!!! Watch her video announcing (and drawing) the winners!!!

514 Outfit Post – Denim Debut…

(Click Images for a Detailed View)

Who doesn’t love a fabulous pair of jeans? They can take you from day to night, are comfortable and durable and go with everything… I think it’s pretty safe to say that denim has become the worlds most versatile wardrobe staple. Whether you are rocking out, chillaxin‘, or running errands, denim is and will always remain the “it” piece of the moment – a trend-setting classic.

I am very much a skinny jeans kind of girl… however the lovely Audrey from Holts here in the 514 advised me a while ago that boyfriend jeans were the new hot item for the summer – so, I tried a pair. As much as I resisted at first, eventually I developed a huge crush on these Paige Premium Denim Boyfriend cut jeans (I especially love rolling up the hems of my jeans in the summer – and with booties in the fall) The beginning of a beautiful love affair thus began…

How do I like my denim? Mostly… I love the rock star look. Bad ass skinny tight-as-hell jeans with studs, rhinestones, rips, tears…
shimmer – you name it (whatever enables it to become somewhat decrepit) with my D&G bustier and some louboutins. But sometimes (like today), you just want to be urban comfy… mixing practicality with impracticality, hard with soft, light with dark…

www.denimdebutante.com
is hosting an amazing denim inspired giveaway that is truly not to be missed! All you have to do is leave a comment after her giveaway post with the link as to what pair of jeans you have or are lusting over that would complement the makeup palette she will be sending off to one lucky reader! Explain with your denim entry what look you would create with the palette to rock your denim… good luck! Giveaway entries accepted until July 15th 2009 – get going!!!

Today my makeup is pretty natural looking, however to transform this look for something a bit more fierce… smokey eye is always a surefire winner… or, a beautiful white bustier matched with a scarlet red lipstick and winged liner look for more of a retro throwback… with hair down or slicked back… or curled Marilyn style… mmmm… I’m just brainstorming now… what about a colorful trendy smokey eye with the glossiest of lips… yes… yes… that fits this look AND that palette perfectly…

www.captivateme.wordpress.com
is throwing a giveaway for your chance to win a pair of INSANELY GORGEOUS Current Elliot skinny jeans!!! Btw… if you didn’t already know… Current Elliot PIONEERED the boyfriend jean look… officially. Leave a comment on her giveaway post of what you would pair the skinnies with (if you follow her on twitter you get an extra entry… hint, hint…), and ta-da! You’re entered! Good luck ladies…

What I’m Wearing

• Paige Premium Denim “Boyfriend” jeans
• FCUK (french connection) leather strappy heels
• C’est Moi top
• DVF white vest
• Michael Kors belt
• Ray Ban classic aviator shades
• Bedo “horn” long necklace
• Stephen Webster earrings
• Janet Miller Tahitian Pearl ring
• OPI nailpolish in Cajun Shrimp

Happy Day… rock some jeans

Love Package from Chrystina :)

So if you didn’t already know, I was the runner-up winner for the GORGEOUS and poetic Chrystina’s NARS contest/giveaway (out of 100 peeps yo – soooo amazing)!!! If you aren’t already following her beautiful thoughts, go IMMEDIATELY… RIGHT NOW to her blog

Whimsical Rose

Once you get there you will know exactly what I mean when I say that this girl is heartbreakingly beautiful in every sense of the word… she can find beauty in absolutely everything and her posts dictate personal strength, motivation, dreams and dilemma’s… all the while adding a fairytale twist to her every perspective This is why I am addicted to her blog… it is her au naturale… raw art.

Alright, so enough with the sappiness… on with the show Look at the beautiful vintage card she sent me!!! Complete with a Barbie sticker to seal the envelope… loves it…

Chrystina shared some tips on how to “work it” in my new NARS Dolce Vita lipstick (will be posting pics verrrry soon), and quoted one of my absolute favorite scenes from Sex and the City (remember when Carrie is standing by the water fountain in the white dress with her hair all wild and curly…)

“Maybe some women aren’t meant to be tamed. Maybe they need to run free until they find someone just as wild to run with them”

-Carrie Bradshaw-

How true is this quote… I cannot even begin to explain… Some women can handle being in a relationship ruled by a man. Some can handle being suffocated and held down from achieving their dreams. Some can accept that no matter how devoted they are to their man, they will never see it returned. Some can put their lives on hold for another, only to find out in the end that their lives are already over.

I am proud to say that I am not, and never will be one of these women. I have found my wild match who, chases me actually, and keeps me reaching for everything I ever wanted to achieve. If one day he were to change, he would have been the one who had made me strong enough to not care, and just do it anyways . Thank you babes – you have given me the priceless gift of self worth, confidence and “fuck the world, I’m gonna do whatever I want”

… like I said… priceless

Alright, alright… seems today we are getting quite sidetracked huh?!?! Back to business once more…

So, as if a beautiful card filled with beautiful words and a NARS lipstick weren’t enough… darling Chrystina included this super funky/fresh red & black zebra print bangle!!! Groovy baby (that is my tribute to Austin Powers… I will shut up now…)!!! I LOVE THIS BRACELET! I can already feel it’s gonna be bringing out my wild (favorite) side…

Thank you girl! Your package was so thoughtful and packed with a taste of your personality – tres cool… I consider this bracelet some kind of friendship bangle – def always think of you when I wear it.

For all of you who read this post and DIDN’T do as I TOLD YOU TO at the beginning (going IMMEDIATELY to Whimsical Rose)….

WHAT THE EFF ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!?
***sorry… not meaning to be rude… I’m just dishing it out today***