Fancy a visit to Boston?

I want to go! Badly. Today is the last day for a 'early bird' discount. (Enter code: DEX12 when registering for a full individual conference registration and receive $230 OFF the Early Bird registration.)* This code is valid through Jan 31st - after that, registration goes back to Early Bird rates.

SOMEONE GO WITH ME. That is all. Click here.

What's On Your Mind, Anneke Short

So much truth in these. Fellow designers, I know you know what I'm talking about. These posters are by designer Anneke Short.

Sent to me by a coworker, via Design Taxi. 

Luxe Effects

I just happened on what is now a new favorite top coat. Especially for summer! I cannot wait to try it over my Chanel Peridot polish!  It adds just the right amount of glitz without being too much. If you wanted to oomph it up, you could layer another glitter over the tips and that would really glam it up!

I think it'd be perfect with every trend that is coming up for spring. This is the new nude nail!

Can't. Stop. Listening.

So awesome and creepily akin with some personal things. I love this song. This title is so weird too because I had thought of getting these exact words as a tattoo a long time ago. I'm taking it as a sign that I should. It's too freaky. I'll keep you posted!

BB Cream

If you haven't heard about the new beauty sensation that's sweeping the western world, I'd say it's time you learned. I'm talking about BB Cream. It's a sensational new skin product that will help your face in leaps and bounds. Apparently. Am I ringing affirmative about this? Not yet, though I did buy Smashbox's version of it at Sephora the other day and I have to tell you that I'm not disappointed by any means.
BB Cream seems like it's just starting to pick up on a wide scale in the U.S., and I can't even begin to tell you how many brands and types of BB Cream (short for Blemish Balm Cream) there are out there.

What is it? Well it was originally created in Germany, and is a combination of SPF, moisturizer, primer, and a bit of a tint usually. Some of the asian market products also have whitening properties in them. It's been mainly sold in Asian markets and has been really popular there for a while. It was originally for people that had undergone laser skin treatments or other treatments that would cause the skin to be really sensitive, but more and more makeup artists and members of the general public have been using it as a base for makeup or a solo tinted moisturizer. I think the most popular one is this pink bottle of Super Beblesh Balm by Skin79. It's available for order online and also is less expensive than a lot of the U.S. and European products. I don't know if it's "the best", but it's the one that I see the most when searching the vast array of product choices.

I may purchase a bottle simply to see if there is a difference from the one I'm currently using, which is the Smashbox BB Cream in Fair.

I actually like this product so far. I've only been using it for a little while but it hasn't caused my to break out and I'm not overly oily or dry (which tends to be a weirdo problem with my skin). I have severely acne prone skin and have been having a rather nasty bout with dry patches on my cheeks and jaw line, while being super oily in others. This stuff has helped to balance it out, though I am also on prescription meds to help with my skin issues so it might just be everything doing its job together. The Smashbox cream is pretty expensive, especially when combined with the price of my moisturizers. I use Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream and Eye Cream, which I like very much. 

Basically, my skincare routine is: prescribed topical cream, face cream, eye cream, BB Cream, and then concealer (plus eye makeup and whatnot). I let each cream sink in for about 4 or 5 minutes before I apply the next. I must say that my skin has been looking pretty fresh and dewy lately. I would recommend at least trying a BB Cream of some kind, though they're generally oriented toward fairer, oil prone complexions. Smashbox does have a pretty good color range compared to the popular Korean brands. 

What do you guys think? Have you hear of BB Cream before? Have you tried it? The Smashbox version has had somewhat mixed reviews so I'd like to hear from anyone else that's tried one.

Pink In the Afternoon

As some of you know from my morning makeup routine post (which I have to update, stay tuned!!), I don't do full face makeup in the morning. I usually just do my foundation and eyebrows, some lip balm, and I'm out the door. I do eye makeup and (maybe) lips when I have a sec in the mornings at work. Well, I seem to have left out my secret weapon for looking alive even if I have no eye makeup on. It's lipstick that I use for blush and lips. The universally flattering lipstick that I can never be without!

By Revlon

Notice my spiffy Sephora nail decals. (I still like Sally H's better.) 

The color is a bit brighter/warmer in this picture than in reality,
but my iPhone wasn't adjusting well to the horrible office lighting. Please forgive.
Wearing a Free People scarf and a vintage plaid shirt that was my mother's.

I really love this lipstick color, and it's perfect as a blush too when you just want a pretty natural pink. My mom actually found it for me. It was featured in a Women's World article about a zillion years ago and she decided to grab it for me. I love my mamma, she grabs me cute little things like that once in a while. And I think she hit the nail perfectly on the head with this color! I've used it as my go to for at least a year. It's really perfect. Go get one!

Bicycle! Bicycle!

Getting more and more excited about my new bike by the minute. I cannot wait until it's here and assembled! Eeeeeek!

Mercier Kilo TT Stripper Limited Edition Chrome
via bikesdirect.com

Obviously I'm not about to start commuting to work in this frigid mess that is our current NYC weather, but once it warms up a tiny bit, I will be doing the 7 miles to and from work. Till then I'm just sticking to short joy rides. Also I need to buy 2 very serious locks, cause this sucker is flashy! The only problem with that is that the serious locks weigh in around 10 pounds on average. Jeeze.

Well, it'll be a great workout! Can't wait. ;)

Outfit Post & Super Sale

Earrings, Melody Ehsani. Lipstick, Revlon Just Bitten Stain in Flame.
Blue cashmere wrap sweater from Daffy's. Red leather pencil skirt, Vintage.
Clutch, Forever 21. Tights, H&M. Boots, Payless. Vest, Collection B.

I'm totally in a cozy sherpa mood, and how great is this vest?!? It's the perfect thing with my boots, and it's super warm. This has to be one of the most comfy outfits I've warn since it's been cold out. I kept the outfit relatively clean cut on purpose, because with sherpa (not to mention my dreadlocks) it's really easy to go too rustic and wind up looking like a crazy lumberjack lady. I thought my leather pencil skirt was a great piece to balance it off. 

I'm also going to make it a point to tell you that you should head on over to the Collection B Shop on Facebook and check out the merch, because it's on a super duper sale! Click Here! If you want some great jackets and a great deal, this is the time.

P.S.

Please excuse my indoor photography. I prefer outdoor photographs a zillion times better but it's just too cold and dark by the time I'm able to shoot. Forgive me! I promise some pretty outdoor shots once I can catch the daylight and not freeze my tush off. 

New Books On the Shelves

I got a bunch of crisp new books for Christmas from my family that I am thoroughly enjoying, and have been on a bit of a book kick so far this new year. I wanted to share some of them! The first three were gifts and the last three I picked up on a book spree at The Strand in Union Square. I love that store.

I'm sure my fellow designers will laugh about this one but it's really handy.
Especially since I only design products and packaging at work,
sometimes I want to work on something new. This was helpful.

I'm always looking for more package design books.

I sort of collect Mucha (slash art nouveau) books. The Mr. found this one for me.
I adore Mucha more than any other.
I have a tattoo of one of his pieces, and plan on getting many more.

This is a really great collage book.

Who can resist adding one more fashion illustration book to the bookcase?

One of my favorite things to do on the weekend is just sit at my desk or in my bed and pour over all of our design books (and magazines/websites/etc). Constantly looking at books is basically just perpetual inspiration. It keeps my mind working on all types of projects instead of just getting stuck in what I do for work. I mean don't get me wrong, I like my job a lot, but designing (or thinking) in one attitude for a long time becomes stagnant. Sometimes I feel my brain becoming mushy, that's when I know it's time to hit the books again!
Between myself and my boyfriend, we have quite a hefty collection. No joke. Books are the most justifiable thing for us to spend money on besides food. And it's one type of shopping that we can do together without one of us starting to whine after 20 minutes. I highly suggest everyone go on a book buying spree at least once this year.

Stop Motion

Hey all,
I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Mine was good, relatively relaxing even though my dog decided to be a little miscreant the entire weekend (chewing on my Chuck Talyors, whining at all hours of the night, begging hardcore for food, all sorts of fun things). I had my first Stop Motion Animation class on Sunday at 3rd Ward. It was really fun. Our instructor had a lot of good advice and an amazing list of animators that are super inspiring. I'm kind of already hooked (not that I wasn't before). Heehee. Next class I have to story board an idea for an animated short. I'm not entirely sure what I want to do for it, but I've been compiling inspirational references on a new Pinterest board.
For those of you that are unfamiliar with stop motion animation, here are a few of my current favorites that have been made in the past few years or so. There are way too many amazing old stop motions to pick from so I'm just going to stick to more recent works. Enjoy!


Out Of A Forest from Tobias Gundorff Boesen on Vimeo.



A SHORT LOVE STORY IN STOP MOTION from Carlos Lascano on Vimeo.



Sorry I'm Late from Tomas Mankovsky on Vimeo.

What do you think? Check out my pinterest board to check out some more inspiring things! Click here.

Welcome to 2012

Hi everyone, hope your new year's was amazing! Mine was good. Relaxing and fun. Dinner and a dubstep show with friends and my man. We didn't go too crazy because none of us have been feeling 100% yet and did not feel like spending the rest of the weekend nursing a hangover. It was still a super fun time. I even did a smokey eye and wore some sparkle! Haha. I'll post my new years outfit soon.

Sorry for the crappy pic, not much light in my bathroom.

I know I said I'm not into new year resolutions but I've been reading a lot of goal lists for the new year and they sound like a better idea than picking just one thing that's probably not feasible. I thought it'd be fun to set a goal list for the year. So, here's mine!

13 Before 2013!

1. Make a stop motion clip.
2. Do more personal art & design projects. Gotta keep the portfolio fresh!
3. Eat healthy on weekdays & drink more water.
    (Weekends are for pizza! And I will not give up chocolate. Ever.)
4. Invest only in quality items in my life, wardrobe, diet, etc...
    (Quality over quantity! Pizza and chocolate excluded.)
5. Develop a solid voice and criteria for my blog.
6. More diy's.
7. Keep up on my dreads so they lock up faster.
8. Go on more 'real' dates with the mister. <3
9. Get a new tattoo.
10. Clear out (slash) organize the entire apartment.
11. Make a youtube video.
12. Take full advantage of my wardrobe. I am too casually dressed too often these days!
13. Get back up on my vintage shop. It's fallen a little to the wayside as of late.

What are your goals?