Hey kittens! If you're in the NYC area and want to join me for a craft up this coming sunday well you're in luck! I'll be co-hosting a craft up with my girl Sonia (@alwaysinstyle). We're starting at 3:30pm and going until we run out of materials... or get too tipsy to glitter anymore.
If you're interested in coming simply RSVP to me lesley@lesleykat.com to get the address. While you're at it, check out my DIY Pinterest board.
Hope to see you there!
Since I don't believe in day/night specific I obviously wore this all day. This is probably a little MUCH for your average girl; not to mention if you have a corporate job this look will not fly! haha! Luckly I work in a creative environment that gets a kick out of all my product testing.
I've been testing some of the makeup I got in London and I was freaking out over the Barry M dazzle dusts, specificly Burgundy Noir. I planned a whole look around it. I created a super smokey eye and topped it with the shimmery dazzle dust. Instructions on eyes and full list of products used after the jump.
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is a brand I've been following for a couple years. They were well known for their airbrush makeup but then they really blipped on the beauty radar big time when they came out with Lip Tars. After those hit popular beauty blogs they spread like wildfire! I love a good startup story.
I stopped in last weekend to check the place out for myself. Its about the size you'd expect for a boutique. Its small, but there is plenty of room to walk around and see product. They provide makeovers for clients as well as having an engaging staff that will help you with any questions.
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If you check in on YELP you recieve a free nail laquer! How awesome is that?!
Carol's Daughter recently named Solange Knowels, Selita Ebanks and Cassie their new spokesbeauties for the new Manoi Collection. To celebrate, Sephora 35th Street is hosting an event to launch the collection. The collection is designed to benefit every hair type, color and texture.
WHO: Carol’s Daughter Spokesbeauties Solange Knowles, Selita Ebanks, and Cassie
WHERE: Sephora 34th Street 130 West 34th Street New York, NY 10001 Cross-Streets: On West 34th Street in between 7th Avenue & Broadway
WHEN: May 24th, 2011 9am: Monoi purchasing opportunity begins (you’ll receive your wristband allowing you to come back later that evening) 4pm: Wristband holders are allowed to start lining up to meet the Spokesbeauties 8pm: Wristband holders are welcomed into Sephora for a meet and greet with Solange Knowles, Selita Ebanks, and Cassie
Note, walk-ins are welcome and anyone who wants to get a picture with the spokesbeauties should bring their own camera. This event is truely special and a great opportunity for anyone who is a fan of Solange, Selita and Cassie.
When I was growing up there was a shop in the mall called "The Nature Company." It was filled with all sorts of crazy nature stuff including rain sticks, books, various stones and TONS of other crazy stuff. I never missed it when I took trips to the mall but I also never bought anything. Sadly, I think that I was not the only one since the store is no more. I mean, who really wants a rain stick anyway?
So imagine that store has a cool cousin that's into dead things and lives in SOHO. That would be the shop Evolution. It's a narrow, two story shop that's filled top to bottom with amazing nature stuff including, mounted insets, real and replica bones from tons of different species (including human), beautiful stones and all sort of other odities and treasures.
When I shopped Evolution it was packed with people; which is kind of a bummer because I always felt like I was in someone's way or they were in mine. It was high tide in SOHO (that's what I call it when all the tourists are out) so I should have expected that. If you're in the area during low tide you should definetly pop in and check it out! If you can't make it out to the brick and mortor, check out their website.
Evolution
120 Spring Street (between Mercer and Greene)
NY, NY 10012
I am really honored to be invited to become part of Refinery29's Social Ambassador Circle. Its really great to team up with such a great crew! Pierea shot some great street style photos of us in front of the Tribeca Grand hotel. I guess I missed them part when I was supposed to tell them what I was wearing (fail on me!). It was a little on the windy side so my bangs are kind of doing a strange thing. The event was great and it was so amazing meeting so many other pasionate and creative people. Look soon for some great colabs in the future.
Here's the outfit breakdown:
White Zara Blazer
Rogan for Target Go International Leopard print shirt
Levi's Indigo Ankle-length Legging
YSL Stilettos
YLS tote
Coach Shoulder Bag (Vintage, thrifted)
Bee necklace from Evolution
Warby Parker Becket Glasses
not seen: thrifted vintage bracelets and Forever21 ring
The weekend before last I went thrifting with a few of my lady friends and I brought along my flip camera to document parts of it. As you may know, I adore thrifting. In high school it was one of my many hobbies. When I moved to NYC 5 years ago I thought I would have such great thrifting experiences, but alas, this was not true. Most thrift stores are way over priced and have a terrible selection. I was used to the sprawling, super cheap stores of ohio. NYC thrifting is a total let down.
My outlook on thrift shopping is to look for items with potential. You may not find the perfect skirt but maybe you'll find a dress that can be amazing with a little alterations. Try to avoid buying things that are too small. At least if they're too big you can alway alter them. It's much harder to go the other way. Keep an eye out for vintage. Sammy Davis Vintage has an excelent post of how to spot the good stuff.
The video is short and sweet. Check out some of the rediculous stuff I found!
Refinery29 Reserve is featuring a great deal this week on designer duds. You buy a $200 credit for $100. What's better than refreshing your closet AND saving money? This deal only last for 2 more days so if you are interested, you better JUMP on it! Bonus: you also get a 30% off card for your next purchase.
The deets straigt from RR: "Spend $100, get $200 to shop in-store at Suite Orchard, the L.E.S. boutique catering to the cool girl who effortlessly mixes pieces. We’re talking Karen Walker, Shipley & Halmos, Alexander Wang, plus new labels that you simply can’t find elsewhere."
It seems as if INGLOT has finally launched their online store. I randomly went to their site this morning and the whole thing was completely redesigned. The opening page presents different search methods: face, nail, eyes, etc... The navigation on the left is pretty thorough with options of shopping by product or price. The navigation seems to be working well although I saw a broken image here or there. I'm sure they need time to work out the kinks.
An issue I am having with the site is that it doesn't give me any sort of idea about what this brand is about. There's no inspiration photography or background story. These are important things when running a brand. Why should I buy THIS makeup as opposed to any other brand. I think they were so worried about getting the store launched that they completely left out their identity.
Additionally, the pricing structure is pretty convoluted. (see screen shot below) You get a "discount" for buying as part of the freedom system. For example, a couple of weeks ago I made a rather large purchase from the Broadway store including a few freedom palettes. I didn't have them put together in the store since I knew I wanted to arrange them myself. As I put them together at home I realized that I already had one of the colors leaving me with an unfilled space in a 10-pan palette. I tried exchanging it yesterday and was told that I couldn't. It is unused and in it's original packaging but they said they could not do an exchange because I bought it as freedom system palette. This is not okay. Lesson learned, take a list with you so you know what you already have.
My second piece of news is the opening of a PRO store in NYC at the famous Chelsea Market. It's on the fifth floor and the hours are 10am-6pm, I am not sure of the weekend hours at this time. The Beauty Map has been updated!
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In conclusion, I have been a big INGLOT supporter for a while, and will stick with them through their growing pains. I really do like their products. I hope that as they grow they don't lose sight of product quality and customer service. These things can make or break a brand.
I was so excited the other day when I read on Miss Whoever You Are that she had spotted GOSH in nyc. At the time I dropped what I was doing at time time and ran to the Duane Reade in union square to see for myself. Unfortunatly all that running (I didn't literally run, come on now) was for nothing since they had not gotten their GOSH stuff yet. However, I made a trip the the Herald Square Duane Reade this afternoon to see what they had since I had comfirmation that they had GOSH at that location. I was so excited to see GOSH's very own display kisosk gleaming like a beacon of hope to beauty junkies all over NYC. We've been watching Europe and Canada have all the fun with this brand. It's our turn now!
I actually didn't haul that much since I actually picked up a bunch of stuff a few weeks ago when I found some GOSH at a random airport store. (werid right?) I picked up the Fix Base Coat and Holographic nail polishes and two effect powders in Greeny and Azure. I've been lusting after the Holographic nail polish for so long and I'm so happy to finally have it in my collection. It was the last one there but hopefully they'll be getting more in stock soon. While you're at Duane Reade, take a few extra mintues to check out some of the other amazing brands they carry.
Add it to your foursquare here:
Have any GOSH in your stash? What's your favorite product?
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