I Heart Garance Dore

Funny. Beautiful. Talented.
She is an illustrator and fashion photgrapher.
You can see her work here garancedore.fr/en
And you can also read her funny stories.
I would loooove to have my portrait done by Garance but thats a total long shot - I can dream tho!!!

JMR

I'm obviously having a moment with abstract expressionism. And maybe its because I'm looking for an awesome piece of art for my living room. Or simply because I am a fan of color and one of the most beautiful aspects of street art and fine art alike can be color.

JMR is an artist whose work I've seen on a regular basis on Johnson Ave in the Williamsburg/Bushwick section of Brooklyn for a while now. I mostly passed his mural in a car so I could never actually make a signature out but I knew that if I ever bought a piece of artwork I would love a piece by THAT artist. After passing the mural on Father's Day I made is a point to try to make out any signature if any at all and find out WHHHOOOO DID THIS!?!?!. Mission accomplished!

Here is a quick bio from JMR's tumblr, jmrizzi.tumblr.com

The Artwork of JMR–
JM Rizzi, or better known as JMR, has adapted a unique mixture of neo-abstract expressionism with hints of contemporary pop to create a style all is own. Originally hailing from Brooklyn, New York, JMR has grown up with the influences of street art and the established art world constantly around him. Through his own individual, hybrid street style, he has dedicated himself to helping art fit into the outside world.


Images via brooklynstreetart.com and jmrizzi.tumblr.com

Amanda Wachob

Amanda Wachob is a NYC based tattoo and fine artist. Her signature has become her boldy colored, uniquely composed tattoos inspired by a play on abstract expressionism. Wachob noted in an interview with The New York Time online magazine:

"I was looking at a lot of Hans Hofmann, thinking about the squares and rectangular shapes in his paintings. I wondered if these shapes were dictated by his rectangular canvas? And if he were going to make an abstract painting that wasn’t on a rectangle, but perhaps on an organic form like an arm, what would the shapes look like? That’s when I had the idea to try it with a tattoo. So much tattoo imagery has been repeated over and over again, I was interested in trying to find ways to evolve it. To play with color theory and see if shapes and forms could actually communicate something more than say a panther. I feel like people should have more options for something that is supposed to be so unique and personal."

Wachob currently works out of Daredevil Tattoo in the Lower East Side of New York, where appointments are booked 6 MONTHS IN ADVANCE! When I found her work I was absolutely FLOORED. The detail is absolutely amazing not to mention the color. How amazing to be adorned with an actual piece of artwork that can only be found on you! I admit these tattoos take commitment but thats what tattoos are all about. Definitely for the hardcore lovers of ART.

You can see Wachob's portfolio here: amandawachob.com
...her tattoos here: amandawachobtattoo.com
and here is a really great Q & A on needlesandsins.com: http://www.needlesandsins.com/2009/10/artist-profile-amanda-wachob.html

About Face: Make-up Artist Bloggers Extrordinaire

Make-up is something that I have always loved. I cant exactly pinpoint when my passion reached its height but it was probably a few months ago when I started watching tutorials on youtube....or maybe YEARS ago when I would enviously watch my mom, aunts, and grandmother rock red lipstick (one of my obsessions)like it was a neutral. There are so many talented people on youtube its absolutely ridiculous. Once I was able to get a step-by-step rundown on how to create some deliciously dramatic looks I was hooked!! Even my boyfriend would watch some of these artists with me, in awe of their ability to completely transform themselves. I started stocking up on product and then I got my first mini freelance brush kit from MAC for christmas (courtesy of the beau). After getting the tools I got into it even more. Its really fun to get glammed up and its almost theraputic; the way painting can be to an artist.

Here is a run down of two of my faves!!


1) The Ladies of Pixiwoo: Samantha & Nicola Chapman
They're looks vary from super feminine to super fierce and they even dable in some fantasy looks. I personally love their celebrity looks recreations. The tutorials are great and clearrrr and they give a full list of products they use. I also love how they even "freestyle" through some of the tutorials. They're relaxed attitude makes you feel confident to try new techniques and looks without feeling like ur going to ruin something. Bonus: They're gorgeous!

Blog: pixiwoo.blogspot.com
Tutorials: fashionface.tv
Personal websites: www.samanthachapman.com, www.nicolachapman.com


2) Petrilude: THERE ARE NO RULES!
Pertrilude aka Josh aka Figa (Long story according to him) was really the first make-up artist to capture my attention with his incredible talent. At this point I wasn't even attempting to try anything I was just watching him!! He is absolutey creative which to me sets him aside. Its easy to copy looks but to be completely inspired by something and create something new and fresh from that is quite another. He defintiely takes make-up artistry to the next level; He has quite an imagination especially when it come to his more "costumey" looks. Perfect for Halloween. Bonus: He does drag and he is FEROSH!
Blog: pertilude.com
Tutuorials: www.youtube.com/user/petrilude
Business Inquiries ONLY: media@petrilude.com

I DO love you!

I don't want to go into a whole spiel about Beyonce...Instead Im going to watch the video a few more times and take notes on make-up, hair, and lingerie. I really really really love this video and ALL the elements in it. And I can be a harsh critic but what is there not to love? Its so Hollywood Cheesecake! (if you dont know - google it)

UPDATE: I just watched the video again on silent and I loved it even more. Muahahahaa!! The songs not bad; the visuals are just much better.

"Why Don't You Love Me" - Beyoncé from Beyoncé on Vimeo.

You do not create style. You work and develop yourself; your style is an emanation from your own being" - Katherine Anne Porter

Image via jakandjill.com/blog

Ride Sally Ride

Adeline Adeline needs to pimp my ride. This new bike shop in the West Village, NYC, is sweet as can be. They describe themselves on their website as "A Very Nice Bicycle Shop". Who can argue with that?!

From the Site:
Adeline Adeline is a bicycle boutique for the person who wants to rediscover the style, fun and romance of cycling. The shop is a friendly, welcoming environment that focuses on the beautifully designed city bikes and accessories made famous on the streets of Copenhagen, Amsterdam and now, New York.


Princess Sovereign $1,295.00 Yes, pls!

Read more about them and check out the selection at adelineadeline.com

The Perfect LWD

Ahhh Spring. So my two favorite seasons are Spring and Fall....but my problem is by the time Im ready to start dressing for spring its summer and when I wanna dress for fall its effing winter. I can't win. Anddd I haven't put away seasonally appropriate clothes in years. I have no special tupperware bin to put away 30 degree clothes when its 75 outside. IN MY DEFENSE - This weather has been bananas for a while. Plus, Im a huge fan of layering and "leather in the summer, silk in the winter" - Andre 3000 MOVING ON! This spring there is one thing that I am lovvving; The perfect Little White Dress. You can wear it on its own, with a blazer, or a jean jacket. Its fresh! Here are some of my favvvs. I stress SOME; so many to choose so little time. WARNING: The following white garments will REQUIRE the proper undergarments. If you are not heavily invested in nude colored undies/bras/spanx DO NOT PROCEED!!













These images are courtesy of boohoo.com, shopstyle.com, shopbop.com, and revolve clothing.