Five Things I am in Love with this week:

Hi everyone! I've got a moment to myself for a minute so I wanted to get this post up. In between my busy schedule this week of picking up some materials for a makeup design I'm working on, filming 3 makeup how-to videos, doing makeup for a photoshoot, working several events, and finding time to cook meals and clean the house, I have compiled a list of the five things I am seriously in love with right now, and if you aren't already familiar with some of them, I hope you enjoy. So, here goes!

#1. Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense lipstick in shade 43 Moulin Rouge. I mentioned this color in my previous post about Red Hot Lips for this fall, and it really bears repeating. It is a GORGEOUS vibrant cool red color, and the satin finish on it leaves your lips moisturized and never cakey or streakey. It leans towards the pink side of red, and is a fabulous shade for all year round, but it is absolutely perfect for the red lips seen on the runway for fall/winter. It's a classic yet fun color that you will want to use over and over, and I guarantee it will be become a staple in your makeup bag.

#2. Cake Love by Warren Brown. I have been devouring (pun intended!) this incredibly delightful cook book that is all about baking cakes from scratch. I love to cook, but other than the occasional batch of cookies and pumpkin breads from a box, baking is sort of the last frontier for me. It's an easy read that not only explains his philosophy on baking tasty cakes, but also great step-by-step instructions with pictures. You can really tell he puts a lot of love into what he does, so 'Cake Love' is a perfect name for his bakeries and book. I mean, the guy actually used to be a lawyer and loved baking so much he quit to open a bakery! I received this book as a gift, but you can get your own copy of Cake Love here.

#3. World Market Drinking Chocolate in Mexicocoa. THIS. STUFF. IS. AHHHMAZING! It's a smooth delicious drinking chocolate with a little spicy kick to it. It has a special blend of chili spices in it that give it a subtle heat that goes fantastically with the rich chocolate. Perfect for the coming fall and winter. Everytime I drink it I imagine myself curled up all cozy in front of a fire. You really can't go wrong with chocolate. Which brings me to my next favorite...

#4. Mo's Dark Chocolate Bacon Bar by Vosges Haute Chocolat. I know you're probably thinking, did I just read that right? Bacon in a chocolate bar?! My answer to that is hell YES, and if you haven't tried this before, you better get some RIGHT NOW! Seriously! It is my hands down favorite candy bar of all time, it's THAT GOOD. It's got applwood smoked bacon, Alder wood smoked salt, and 62% cacao in it. It is truly one of the most decadent flavored chocolate bars ever. Now, you might think that bacon and chocolate doesn't exactly sound appetizing. Hey, I thought the same thing too before I tried it. Believe me, they truly are a match made in heaven. It's the perfect blend of salty and sweet, all in one treat. You can order these bars online, but they are also sometimes available in stores at World Market. Wherever you get it, just get it!

#5. Earth Solutions Aromatherapy Scent Inhalers. Now, I wasn't able to find a good enough picture of the packaging, so I'm sorry about that. However, don't let that stop you from checking these out. These things have truly changed my life. I first heard of them through a friend who is an aromatherapist. I have terrible sinus problems that plague me almost year round. So after listening to her describe them, I figured they were worth a try. I am SO GLAD I did! The two I use are Breathe Easy and Stress Less. Breathe Easy has a cool blend of essential oils that aide in expanding and calming the airways in your sinuses, and alleviating stuffiness and congestion. Plus it has a little bit of lavender in it, which actually has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties to it--excellent when fighting stuffy sinues or a pesky cold. The second one that I use, Stress Less, is not only great for my poor nose, but it is also great when I'm having a rough day and need a quiet little moment. It's particularly fantastic right before bedtime to really calm and soothe you. One of the neatest things about all the inhalers is that they come with a little affirmation printed right on the tube. It's great for a positive boost. You can pick some up for yourself online, or at your local EarthFare.

So that wraps it up for the five things I am loving this week. I hope you guys enjoyed it, and when you try one of these out let me know what you think! Oh, and if you get one of Mo's bacon bars...bring it over and share it with me :)

See you next post!

Love, b.b.

Art:UNAUTHORIZED recap

As you know, I participated in Art:UNAUTHORIZED last weekend with some extremely talented people.

Kristy Thomas, the curator for the Center for Visual Arts gallery, invited Photographers John Ryan Flaherty, John Read, Evan Brennan, and Matt Bell to set up a live model photo shoot at the second opening of "Art Unauthorized". They put together a 'live installation' photoshoot to help promote the artists' work hanging in the show.

                                              Photo by John Ryan Flaherty.

Participating in the installation were Models Melissa Stanley, Theresa Ortiz, and Kelly Keodara; and Hair Stylist Kyle Britt. Bob Smithey from At The Ritz costume rentals provided wardrobe for the shoot. And of course, me, b.b. doing makeup. Melissa called me just a couple days before the event. They had lost their makeup artist for the shoot, but fortunately for me I was free and agreed to provide makeup. I'm so glad I did!

                                              Photo by John Ryan Flaherty.

The theme for the shoot, as well as the artwork in the exhibit, was grunge/skate/graffiti/punk. So, lots of crazy colors and materials. We basically had license to do whatever we wanted within the realm of street chic, and I'm proud to say we got some amazing shots. Here are just a few:

                                        Photo by Evan Brennan. Model Melissa Stanley.

                                              Photo by Matt Bell. Model Kelly Keodara.

                                   Photo by John Ryan Flaherty. Model Theresa Ortiz.

There were a TON of people there that night. So many people came through the exhibit, and the energy was incredible. We were also able to use the entire exhibit space, not just our roped off area of the installation, for shots. Yup, that means audience participation! It was definitely a challenge at times to ignore all the people staring at you while you work, but it definitely made for a fun experience!

                                   Photo by Evan Brennan. Model Theresa Ortiz.

Did I mention there was also food, drinks, music by DJ L in Japanese, and a live tattoo demonstration by Houston Patton?

                                    Photo by Evan Brennan. Model Theresa Ortiz.

I had an amazing time to say the least, and it was one of the most fun shoots I've ever worked on. It was also great to work with such fantastic talent. John, John, Matt, Melissa, Theresa, Kelly, and Kyle are also part of Greensboro Production Photography. Greensboro Production Photography was founded under the principles of community, cooperation and progression.  They work to unite the artistic minds and elements of the city into a strengthened movement looking towards positive encouragement and development.  They work to bring together independent artists striving for something more and working towards an exciting environment which will promote fellowship and collaboration among all of those inspired artists involved.

I can't wait to get some more of the photos from the shoot. As soon as I get them, I'll post them up. I also can't wait to work with these special artists again. They were an absolute joy to be around, and they are all so talented.

Got several more posts in the works, so stay tuned. See you next post!

Love, b.b.

Today in My Busy Life:

Things have been super crazy and busy for me lately. Lots of projects and work coming together, which I love, but it's left me with little down time to work on the blog. I wanted to make a quick post about what I've been up to lately, and then I've got to run out the door for some prep work for tonight.

Come by and see me tonight, 6-9pm at the Center for Visual Artists at the Cultural Arts Center in Downtown Greensboro for ART:UNAUTHORIZED. I'll be working as the makeup artist for a 'live' photo shoot installation. This is part of the First Friday Bash for October. It's going to be a blast with some amazing work by local artists, and it's a great way to kick off your Friday evening. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Also, October 3rd I will be set up with photographer Mike Micciche at Level II Downtown for the Brides-on-Tour Bridal Event. Mike is a fantastic Bridal Photographer, and I'm so pleased to now be offering Airbrush Bridal Makeup as part of his photography packages. So let me tell you a little about Brides-on-Tour. Brides-on-Tour will take you in a luxury coach to 5 different locations with gourmet-catered receptions. Each location will be similar to a mini bridal show with all sorts of vendors there to help make your wedding great. Each location will have samples by different caterers, cake tasting, florists, beauticians, photographers, dj's, and dresses. Brides will be divided into small, private tour groups at each of the 5 locations so that there will be plenty of time to obtain all of the information you need to plan your wedding from each vendor. Each guest will also receive swag bags with more than $200 worth of merchandise from vendors and have a chance to win the the Grand Prize drawing for two round-trip tickets within the US and Caribbean, courtesy of A Way To Go Travel. Visit http://www.bridesontour.net/ for details and to purchase tickets ($50 each, $90 per couple, or $45 each for groups). 

This is just a small taste of what I've got going on right now. I've got several posts in the works, so when I get some more time I will sit down and get them on here! In the meantime, I hope you are all safe and happy, and living a beautiful life!

See you in the next post :)

Love,
b.b.