Happy Whimsy Day to Me: Meanderings + an Outfit post...well sort of...

Happy Birthday to me! I praise God for life, and for allowing me to turn another glorious year: 26. I must say that this years' birthday came easy with a sparkling sun and warm breezes, right before plunging into the crisp wind, burnt sienna colored Autumn it is today. I was privileged to share it with my sister and crime, Ash, as we made our way from 71st street to 23rd street (on foot, mind you!). 

What's that I'm reading? The Hidden by Jessica Verday. Such a wonderful series, and a beautiful
accessory to my vintage look.

Dress and Earrings: Forever 21
Makeup: MAC and Rimmel London Lipstick in Diva Red
Flower Hair Clip: H&M
Dedicated to Jen @ Style Through Her Eyes.

I had the MOST fun getting myself all dolled up to saunter through city streets slowly...as if I was someone to observe. I had to get my mom to help me fix my Victory Rolls, they prove most challenging, but in the end, I was happy with the result. My Dad bought me this lovely dress as a birthday present, and I admit, it's a little different than I'm used to, but change is inevitable. 

First stop...Ladurée New York! 

My last trip to the infamous Ladurée was in the majestically lovely tea room on the Champs Élysées. Pure Brilliance! I never imagined that my next visit would be on Madison Avenue, my own backyard. It's great to know I can have true macaroons whenever I get a taste for them. Whew, expensive though. This small luxury box of six ran for around $21, nevertheless, the birthday girl will have what she wants!

I love that if you look too closely at the outside of the shop, you'd never know it wasn't Paris! Ash got the chance to try them for the very first time, and she loved them! Now I can add a black box to my collection, which I plan to decorate my inspiration room/area with!

Our next stops took us to a long block of Thrift shops on 23 St and 2nd avenue. We frenzied through each one, hoping to find some thrifted treasures, and in some we did, but none would compare to the dream we found in the Opera House Thrift Shop. It's seriously, one of the best thrifting experiences in New York City. It's chock full of wonderful antiques, quirky odds and ends, and clothes that could've seriously been purchased on Madison at affordable rates. The beauty of it is that all of the sale proceeds go to the upkeep and creation of costumes for performances at the New York City Opera House. I love to know I'm taking part in someone's artistically profound experience at the Opera House.  Ash and I went through their collection with glee, and she even found me a lovely pink dress from Forever 21 for $10! I can't get over it! Even though I'll now have to wait until next summer, God Willing, it's well worth it! I'll definitely be taking multiple trips there, and considering laying off of the commercial shops for a while.

My birthday was beautiful, and I look forward to other whimsy days!

Hope you guys are priming for an awesome weekend!

Vintage Faves

Hello Dreamers,

(please forgive the hazy cell phone picture!)

I've really been getting my vintage on lately, and I have to admit, I love it! I feel so beautiful, its such a rush! Now, I'm ready to move on to heavier projects like Victory Rolls and wardrobe reenactment. It seems to take such artistry to be able to pull it off everyday, but one day/garment/pin curl at a time, ladies. 

Here are two special editions to the Vintage Blogasphere: 

Lisa Freemont Street has seriously made my Vintage life. How, you ask? She's posted a Victory Roll tutorial for bobbed hair. SCORE! I've just pilfered through the other videos, and her channel is a vintage treasury. She's an old fashioned girl, with the cutest accent, and admiration for all things Rockabilly/Vintage/Alternative.  She's filmed a variety of looks, makeup tutorials from flashy to dewy, tips...such a glorious youtube channel! Next to, Casey of Elegant Musings, she will be one of my go-to's from now on in regards to vintage living.  Another great hair reference are the ladies of the Vintage Hair LiveJournal! I actually found out about Lisa after posting a question about Victory Rolls. They showcase their own beautiful pictures of the styles they try out, and it's simply inspiring!

After checking out Lisa's channel, I noticed her review for a cosmetic line called Besame, and it seems like a dream. Besame is a line that prides itself on delivering the best vintage themed makeup. I'm talking authentic compacts/packaging, rouges, and lovely lipsticks all in shades that colored the 30s, 40s, and 50s. I would love to try out some of the products, as they seem authentic in quality, however their prices tend to be a bit expensive, possibly likened to the cheap ranges in Sephora. This Classic Color Lipstick retails for $22. Their 1930s Mascara ($18) has to be one of the most beautiful tubes I've ever seen, and I may take a chance on it, despite my normal disdain for mascara. Besame will be a definite future try for sure!

I know I continue to repeat myself, but in terms of style, this has been one of my very best decisions. Of course, I know when to switch it up and don my skinny jeans, and converses when I want to cool out. But, it's amazing to have such a wonderfully, transforming look to change it up. I may even try my hand at blending the two styles to truly make it my own!

What new things are you trying lately with style?

Rouge the Shade of Diva

Earlier this year, I mentioned wanting to find the perfect shade of red to set off my fashion passion of the year. With red being such a confident color, I wanted it to be a kind of testament to my decision to lead a life of zeal and confidence! Yesterday, I ambushed my local Superdrug on a mission to find this color before I go on my 'secret' holiday! Armed with bestie, Charlene, we picked this lovely shade by Rimmel London called 'Diva Red.' I ran home to try it, and loved it instantly! I haven't had a tube of lipstick for a long time, and so I discovered the beauty of it's smell, and its aesthetic loveliness! I will have a photo of me taken while on the secret holiday to show you all the fierceness!

wink wink.

Bonne Nuit, my darlings!

Beauty in Bloom

Here's a hot-pick snagged straight from my Wishpot List. Beauty in Bloom is a treasure penned by Australia native, Natalie Bloom. Ms. Bloom is the founder of the Bloom makeup line, which launched in 1993! She started off creating greeting cards, and soon branched out into massage oils, and finally makeup.

I cannot wait to receive this in the post!   It's seems to be quite an eccentric makeup/style manual, as it takes on the form of a scrapbook of sorts. Inside, you'll find beautiful illustrations, quotes about life, makeup/style, and cultivating the beauty around you.  It also promises other whimsical bits about nature, notebooks, and more, which I'm excited to look into. Many style books I've observed seek to tell you what's right and what's wrong in the fashion world. What you should have in your closet, and what you shouldn't even form your lips to speak on. However, its quite refreshing to see a book which seems to communicate with its audience as a friend, immerse you in the beauty of illustrations, all the while glowing with the possibility of creating your own world of beauty. As soon as I've received it, I'll do a 'post-review' on whether it lives up to its promises. Beauty in Bloom retails for £8.49 ($12.71)

Photograph Source: Bloom Cosmetics