maybelline april: playful colourfun

This April Maybelline's Harajuku schoolgirl Emily DiDonato is abducted by the Easter Bunny
and held captive in a Takashi Murakami wonderland. 

Luckily she gets one phonecall...

And uses it wisely, ordering a lifetime supply of Lash Stilleto. 

Girl just can't get enough.

This make-up look is so boldly beautiful, I wonder if it wasn't the inspiration behind style superstar Rihanna's creatively colourful look?

Maybe it IS Maybelline!

maybelline march : barbarella beauty

Maybelline's March heroine creates a space vacuum, sweeping us all along to her ultra-gam future. 

She experiments fearlessly with vinyl-shiny bright blue lips but is smart enough to keep the rest crystal clean. 

Spectacularly spiky lashes complete this bold beauty look.

not your standard rules of engagement

Renowned Cape Town jeweller Ida Elsje has long had me drooling over her beautifully unique pretties. 

But now that I'm already ringed that way, she's taking my breath away with the most striking,
contemporary re-designs of classic engagement rings. 

I could be sorely tempted to swop my sweet and simple Tiffany's Lucida for this bold beauty. 

If, you know, it wasn't for the sentiment and all that...

If you're still in the market, rejoice, and book an appointment for your custom creation!

SALON/locale : long street baths

Various Photographers

Long Street Baths
Long Street

My photos of SALON/locale Cape Town installations

SALON/locale : iziko bertram house

David Tlale Installation

Iziko Bertram House

Hiddingh Campus, Orange Street

My photos of SALON/locale Cape Town installations

SALON/locale : 15 on Orange

15 on Orange Hotel
Orange Street

Stoned Cherrie Installation

Athi Patra Ruga Short Film

My photos of SALON/locale Cape Town installations

SALON/locale : gregor jenkin studio

Chris Saunders & Justin Mcgee Photography Installation

Gregor Jenkin Studio
Shortmarket Street

 

My photos of SALON/locale Cape Town installations

SALON/locale : darkie shop

My favourite!

Paul Ward, Swain Hoogervorst & KALATA Multi-media Installation

Darkie Shop
Long Street

My photos of SALON/locale Cape Town installations

SALON/locale : caldis

Clive Rundle Interactive Look Book Installation

Caldis
Long Street

My photos of SALON/locale Cape Town installations

SALON/locale cape town : iziko koopmans de wet house

The most exciting fashion show I've ever seen?

The longer I think about it, and the images linger, the more interesting I find it. 

SALON/locale is a Dutch initiative that brings fashion, art, photography, design and culture head to head in a way that seeks to stimulate thought, conversation and a rearranging of preconceived notions.

I find the message personally relevant as my own obsession with fashion is filled with internal debate on the meaning, value and rightful place of apparel in our lives.

Cape Town's SALON/locale puts outstanding South African artists' work into unexpected locations across the city. Patrons walk through the centre of town finding one exhibit after the other in an exploration of contrasting venues, from little known or overlooked cultural monuments to mundane retail spaces.

Apart from the conversation stimulation and pure visual interest of the installations, it also brings a new and different kind of visitor to some of these establishments, opening up a door to an alternative part of the city for locals and tourists alike.

David West Installation

Iziko Koopman De Wet House
Strand Street

 SALON/locale runs 10-5 till this Saturday 26 February 2011.

We managed a rushed walking tour within two hours - I'd recommend a more leisurely stroll!

Complete information and ticket details at salonlocale.com

So hurry, take and make the time.

You don't want to miss this most exciting, first Cape Town SALON/locale venture!

maybelline february : glam domestic goddess

For February the Maybelline NY girl goes from Susie homemaker to stir-crazy sexy baker.
She whips up a frenzy in the kitchen and beyond, using pretty purples on eyes and lips.

Susie is such a clever girl, as Colour Plush Silk Eyeshadow in Purple Icon is just the thing to accentuate that cheeky sparkle in her hazel eyes.

In March we'll meet Susie's best friend, Barbarella Barbie, a fashionista from the future!

maybe it's maybelline...

I am thrilled to be the owner of a limited edition Maybelline 2011 Calendar!

This visual explosion of colour, fashion and beauty portrays the Maybelline girl in all her different guises,
as we peek through the windows of a New York City brownstone.

There's a tongue-in-cheek fantasy look for every month.

April is a colour-wonderful Harajuku schoolgirl.

August sees a modern day, single in the city gal living in a Pop Art world.

October finds a post-pumpkin hour Cinderella inelegantly stuffing her beautiful face in front of the fridge.

But let's start at the very beginning (a very good place to start).

January kicks off 2011 with a disco-fabulous Jane Fonda-esque gym bunny and her demented trainer.

The colours, wardrobe and makeup give me lovely little-girl flashbacks to Xanadu, rollerskates and Aerobics Barbie.

Go work it girls!

Look forward to an eye-poppingly gorgeous new image and makeup close-up every month!

festive dresses

There's a lovely new label in town, just in time for silly season!

Velvet brings Southern California's comfortably cool vibe to sexy little dresses that take you straight from the beach to the party. 

Pretty and feminine with a laid-back edge, a dress-lover like myself can't ask for much more.

Find Velvet dresses at Purr, in the Lifestyle Centre on Kloof Street.

Euna

Quinn

Krystal

My personal favourite: Nola

bridesmaid fashion inspiration: grey

My favourite bridesmaid's dress inspiration image ever:

InStyle Weddings Fall 2007

Melissa Sweet Fall 2007

Classic, floaty & feminine:

Watters * Beyond Vintage * Marithe & Francois Girbaud

Playful, cheeky & sexy:

French Connection * Karen Millen * Jane Norman

Sleek, modern tailored:

Kate Spade * Warehouse * Karen Millen

bridesmaid fashion inspiration: pink

I am not the biggest fan of pink. But lately? Grown-up nudes, musk, flesh, peach and even delicious shades of candyfloss, bubblegum and strawberry ice cream all tempt me with their inherent femininity. Add a black bow, some ruffles or lace and you're sitting pretty in a girly daydream.

Image by Jason & Anna Photography via Style Me Pretty

La Petit Salope * Preen * Karen Millen

Lipsy

Nordstrom * Forever21 * Lipsy * Halston Heritage

red carpet : 2010 emmy awards favourites

Spectacularly Sparkly

Heather Morris (Glee) in Ina Soltani is my surprise favourite of the night!

The glam yet somehow still clean hair & make-up and the little black belt are just perfection on such an all out show stopping gown.

Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter) comes a very close second - does anyone know who designed her dress?

On Jennifer the super low-key styling works a charm.

Maria Menounos (TV presenter) elegantly pulls off a tricky cut-out Ralph and Russo.

Subtle Shimmer

 Kelly Osbourne looks absolutely unbelievable in Tony Ward Couture.

Jane Krakowski (30 Rock) is proportionally perfect in Escada.

Juliana Margulies (The Good Wife) looks a little thin but effortlessly gorgeous in L'Wren Scot.

Colour Wonderful

Jenna Fischer (The Office) is stunning in a slightly altered 2007 tangerine Versace gown.

Kyra Sedgewick (The Closer) also goes for relaxed hair but chooses a lovely berry lip to perfect her Monique Lhuillier look.
She looks better than ever!

I don't love the bangs on Emily Deschanel (Bones) but won't hold that against her lovely ruffle-layered Max Azria Atelier dress.

Magical Monochrome

The longer I look at it, the more I adore Toni Collette (United States of Tara) in this understated Valentino gown. How originally beautiful is the realistic floral print at the hem?

Tina Fey (30 Rock) totally bowls me over in this Oscar de la Renta gown. Her best fashion choice yet!

Kristen Wiig (SNL) looks perfectly pretty in polkadots.

Luscious Lace

Singer Jewel's Zuhair Murad gown is a romantic red carpet dream and quite a classic choice for her.

Dianna Agron (Glee) just manages to carry off a major Carolina Herrera gown.

Grecian Goddesses

Kim Kardashian was the first one in the foto galleries to catch my eye with this perfect fit Marchesa gown - I think she looks fantastic.

Rose Byrne (Damages) also went with a classic up-do to complement her Gucci goddess gown.

They both look utterly divine, but I prefer Kim's curves in this dress shape.

King & Queen

I haven't gotten on the Jon Hamm (Mad Men) bandwagon yet, but him and his girlfriend Jennifer Westfeldt are just picture perfect in Armani.

Prince & Princess of Darkness

Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer (True Blood) are just the right couple for Alexander McQueen. 

I wish I loved Anna a little bit more in this dress though, it feels like something's missing?

Just not that into it...

I first thought Emily Blunt was Marion Cottilard in this pale lilac Christian Dior (a compliment for Emily methinks!) and I just can't find any love for this look. It doesn't fit very well and the floral embellishments seem slightly wilted.

All the critics are raving about Claire Danes in Giorgio Armani Prive. With her golden blonde hair and bronzed skin she's almost unrecognisable, but the simple sheath still feels too safe and predictable. The other sparklers outshine her by miles in my opinion.

I love Keri Russel in this vintage Jean Louis Scherrer frock and the gold accessories are perfect... 

For a dinner date. I wish she'd worn something more formal for such a major red carpet event.

On the other hand, I feel like January Jones is over the top in cobalt blue Versace. (There's just no pleasing some people!)
Kudos for the brave choice though and I love the undone hair and make-up to counter-act the drama.

All images from www.instyle.com