A Bug's Life: NYC Style

Sometimes my blog posts are about fashion, sometimes they focus on beauty, and sometimes my posts are about my life. But today's post is about that part of life that just ain't pretty, no matter how you slice it...

Although I skip it more often than I should, I'm a fan of going to the gym.  When I go to my gym at home, it's a huge de-stresser for me, especially during the law school year.  Even though my fashion class was much less stressful than my law classes, I still needed to go to the gym to balance out all my restaurant-going and treat-indulging during my semi-vacation here in NYC.  My hotel has a small gym, but with only a few machines and its easily-crowded 500 square feet, I decided I should opt to walk a few blocks and go to the same gym I use at home.

Initially, I was irked that I would have to pay the difference between a monthly membership at my gym at home and the "ultra" version here in NYC... After all, I have been a 4-year member of my gym at home and am now able to steal my annual memberships at the ridiculously cheap rate of $30 a year... But I got over it, paid the $40 difference for a month, and went to work out any left over frustration. 


I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the clean conditions, modern design, and all the amenities in the locker room... Q-tips, dixie cups for samples of shampoo or body wash, spray deodorant, packaged hair combs?!  I love when gyms make it easy for you to shower and get ready after a workout... And feel comfortable doing it.  Throw in some freebies and I'm on board.


So I started my workout in a decent mood... Blasting some Rihanna... Taking an occasional glance at an extremely attractive man (there with his boyfriend, tragic I know)... And feeling like I could get used to working out there if/when I move to NYC. 

THEN... 

I saw something dark brown, about the size of a small mouse, skittling across the floor.  Excuse me if I'm wrong, but nothing is supposed to skittle at a gym.  So naturally, Too Curious For Her Own Good stops lifting weights and goes to investigate... The skittler had stopped underneath a rack of weights, and I just NEEDED to know what it was.


Upon closer inspection, my stomach lurched... I felt the blood rush to my hands, feet, and face... In front of me was a HUGE cockroach!!!  Dark brown, thick deviated shell, and quivering feelers extended.
 

FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC. 

If you follow my tweets, you are well aware that I HATE bugs and I am a dedicated supporter of my local Orkin man... He comes once a month, and I tell him to spray the place till it's dripping.  The only things that should be LIVING in my house are humans and dogs.  PERIOD.


So to see this monstrosity of an insect just INCHES from me caused an intense adrenaline rush... And then the following total-body quivering and convulsing that occurs upon sight of such a disgusting creature.  I immediately went into panic mode...

"OHMIGOD, OHMIGOD, OHMIGOD... IT'S A BUGGGG!!!! A BUGGGG... RIGHT HERE!!! OHMIGODDDDD, IT'S HUGEEEE!!!!" 

I was bent over, trying to control my urge to jump up and down and let out a shrill scream... (I managed to release only a couple hops and a squeal muffled by my hand)... Keep in mind there were several large, muscled men around... Who just sat there and stared at me like I was crazy or something!!!!

I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone... Why didn't anyone give a flying fox that this GINORMOUS cockroach was prowling around the gym?!  Was I the only one disturbed by the thought of tiny cockroach eggs, nesting in the towel I would use to dab off my face and neck?!  Was I the only one who had an adverse reaction to the thought of little skittling feet approaching my mat as I did abs?!?!  I was in total shock as I looked around at the men, all at least 6 foot and 180 lbs of bravery... 

I looked back at the cockroach... Who was just sitting under the weight rack and RELAXING.  Yes, I swear... He knew that nobody would step on him or squish him!!  I know I didn't want to... Stepping on a bug that large would make a horrible crunching sound... And it would make a mess.  I am not kidding... It would require at least a couple paper towels. 

I tried to go on with my workout, concentrating on exercises that held as many limbs as possible mid-air... But I couldn't!!!  My eyes constantly scanned the floor for the cockroach's friends and family.  I couldn't hide the occasional shudder every time I thought about that thick body, thicker and longer than the pink erasers we used in elementary school.  Trying to work out downstairs was useless and I was embarrassed that I had freaked out that badly, so I hung my head in shame and went upstairs to the cardio floor. 

Suddenly, I thought of a good idea... A way to be helpful and make this unfortunate situation a little more positive.  I would tell the girl at the front desk about the cockroach!!  She needed to know, right?!  I mean, gyms pride themselves on cleanliness and the general lack of pests and rodents... The last thing they would want is a cockroach problem!!

Yeahhh... Not so much. 

Me:  Excuse me... I was just downstairs and I thought I should let you know I saw a cockroach down there near the classroom.  

Employee:  Blink... Blink... 

Me:  (Getting a little defensive... What's WITH these people?!)   Well, it was HUGE... And... And my dad has always told me that where there's one, there's more!!  So... If this gym has one of them, they are crawling all over the place and you could have a big... BUG PROBLEM!!!  

Employee:  It's New York... 

At this point, I was at a loss for words... Didn't anyone in this entire city care that monster-bugs the size of MICE were running rampant?!  Did that "Grade A Sanitation Inspection" sign on the door include cockroach infestations too?!?!  Once I realized my mouth was open as I mulled all this over, I consciously shut it and started walking away... I would write a letter... I would Yelp the crap out of that place... I would -

Employee:  You're not from here, are you?  (I kind of glared at her... Sorry gym employee.)  I'm not either - I just moved here from Seattle... And I'm not used to the cockroaches yet.  They get in my apartment if I leave food out.  (I tried to tame down my glare a little... I felt a little sympathetic.)  And yesterday... I saw my first SUPER RAT on the subway!!

As she opened up and forgot that I was an alien who was weirded out by monster-roaches, we chatted about NYC and life here and if she missed home and all the differences between NYC and... well, everywhere else in the world.  She never admitted that a cockroach in a gym was gross or promised she would go down and kill it with something... But at least she acknowledged that she, too, had difficulty getting used to NYC's pests.  

 

I realized there could be a happy medium... I should learn to be a little more comfortable with the idea of insects... And the girl who worked at the gym could do her part to make the gym members feel like she was listening to their concerns.  If I'm going to live in New York, I guess I've gotta get used to it... There will be big bugs!!

As Hopper said in A Bug's Life... "It's a bug-eat-bug world out there, princess."  :)

Hope you all haven't had any scary bug-run-in's lately!!!  

Xoxo B.  

Photo Credits: 

Weights Photo: weheartit.com

A Bug's Life Photo: LINK (via Google Images)

 

Independence Day in NYC

I woke up and ordered a delicious breakfast from room service... I figured, why not?!  It is the 4th of July!!!

A couple hours later... SH and I met at my hotel, I put on some really embarrassingly "tourist" tennis shoes, and we were off to enjoy the city!!  Our destination??  Central Park... Which may not seem like a long way, but my hotel was in Chelsea, and it was a solid hour's walk.  SH and I didn't care... We chatted and took in the sights...

It was HOT that day... And there were a lot of tourists, bustling around!!  I snapped this pic as we were almost up to Times Square.

When we were just outside Central Park, SH and I stopped at Le Pain Quotidien and bought some drinks and sandwiches to share for lunch in the park.  We found a huge, smooth rock in the park to enjoy our lunch and people-watch.  There were kids playing, people there with dogs, families having picnics... In a city where all you see is concrete and glass, it is so refreshing to sit on something natural and see green and water and trees!!

After lunch, SH and I walked through Central Park and just enjoyed the sun and slight breeze.  We were on a mission to find Pinkberry, when we got distracted by the carriage rides outside Central Park.  Even though it's totally cheesy, we just had to do it... It was the perfect way to get some great views of the park and cool off.

One of my friends on FB said our driver looked like Pauly D!! Hahaha

After our carriage ride, we started our walk back downtown... Which began down 5th Avenue... Which meant that we just had to stop at Bendel's!!!  ;) 

SH had told me about the line of L'Artisan perfumes Bendel's carries and suggested I check it out.  As many of you know, I love perfumes, and something unique always intrigues me.  We went upstairs to a little room to the side of the jewelry, set aside for perfumes from L'Artisan Parfumeur.  Although many of them are a little strong or a little mature for my tastes, there were a few that were absolutely intoxicating... Think heady florals, dripping with the lightest notes of sugar or vanilla musk.  I smelled one called Nuit de Tubereuse and I fell in love!!  It reminded me of my mom and I knew I had to get it for her!!

Nuit de Tubereuse is described as... "The scent of luminous Parisian nights, narcotic and unexpected, romantic and compulsive. A feminine woody scent glorifying every facet of this sensual flower."  I think it's pretty accurate, although I'm not sure if my mom would agree that a "narcotic and compulsive" scent would make me think of her!!

Bendel's was great about shipping the perfume to my mom... The bottle was too large for me to carry on, and I would never pack something like that in my enormous suitcase with 60 pounds of heavy shoes and product slamming around in the plane!!  They charged only $12 to pack and ship it to her... And it arrived in perfect condition.

After our stop at Bendel's we were on way back to my hotel, fighting distraction every step of the way...

St. Patrick's... Where SH wants to get married someday!!

The American Girl Place... I was a huge fan of the dolls!!

We didn't stop this day, but I went back a couple weeks later!!

The NY Public Library (where Big & Carrie almost got married!!)

One of my favorite buildings in all of NYC...

And finally... We found a Pinkberry about halfway back to my hotel.  I can't even describe to you how refreshing it tasted after walking on a hot day!!  Sometimes I think the worst part about being out in NYC is that "grime" you feel on your skin after being outside in the city a while... I think it's just the pollution, but it makes you feel nasty and dirty!!  So a cold cup of tart frozen yogurt with fresh fruit was the best thing I could have imagined... 

With a festive sparkler for the 4th of course!!  :) 

The hotel was having a rooftop party for the 4th, complete with DJ, barbecue, and a perfect view of the fireworks.  SH and I decided it was the perfect spot for drinks and dinner, even though we were exhausted from being out all day!!  I don't know why we didn't take any photos... The views from the rooftop are great, and so was our barbecue dinner!!  Of course, I always love fireworks... It makes me think of being back in Iowa because my dad has a pyro side and has lit some pretty impressive fireworks over the years  :)

It was a very happy 4th of July... And needless to say, I think it took me about a minute to fall asleep in bed that night!! 


Xoxo B.

Saks and Speakeasies

What's the best way to initiate someone into the NYC way of life??  Going shopping and checking out the best bar scenes, of course!!  :)

I arrived on a Friday morning, and SH and I didn't waste any time... That evening, we met up for dinner at a charming little Italian restaurant called Gnocco in NYC's East Village.  We sat outside in Gnocco's courtyard, drank wine, and indulged in some truly delicious Italian.

(Image from Gnocco website)

Sorry it's so dark and blurry... The courtyard is 

lit by candles and I didn't want to blind us with my flash!!

If you're looking for a place with a fun, chill atmosphere to have some great drinks with friends, a speakeasy should be at the top of your list.  In my opinion, these are some of the most creative, intriguing bars I've ever been to... The whole theme is fascinating to me.  After dinner, SH, one of her friends, and I walked to a nearby speakeasy, The Blind Barber.  You enter a vintage-looking, 1920's-themed barber shop and walk through a door at the back to the bar area.  Both the decor and the bartenders attire matched the 1920's theme... Dark, lit with candles and smoky-shaded lamps, and accented with rough, wood-and-leather seating.  The drinks were very stiff, but definitely tasty.

 (Image from The Blind Barber website)

(Image from The Blind Barber website)

Before I arrived in NYC, I asked SH if she trusted me to make reservations somewhere for desserts and drinks... I heard about the speakeasy Beauty & Essex from one of my favorite bloggers, Andee Layne at The HONEYBEE (visit her blog HERE) and thought it sounded like such a fun place!!  SH agreed to let a non-New Yorker make her Friday plans (brave girl!!) and I made reservations for Beauty & Essex.

Beauty & Essex was all I expected and more.  We entered a vintage-looking pawn shop and walked through a door in the back wall.  Once we stepped through the doorway, SH and I were thrilled... It was a 20's/30's themed place, dripping in sparkles and decorated with display boxes of vintage jewelry.  I felt like I should be wearing dark red lipstick and a flapper dress. 

The downstairs dining area at B & E

(Image from Beauty & Essex website)

SH and I went downstairs to use B & E's ladies' room... And were surprised by the champagne bar and sitting area inside.  We sipped on glasses of free champagne while we touched up our makeup.

Mirrors and perfume in the B & E ladies' room

(Image from Beauty & Essex website)

Our desserts were phenomenal... We ordered the Devil's Food Layer Cake and the Strawberry Shortcake and shared both.  SH loved her cocktail ("Earl the Pearl" - Belvedere vodka, Earl Grey Tea, lemon, mint syrup) but I have to admit... Mine didn't thrill me ("Smoked Opal Martini" - chipotle Hangar One, cava, honey syrup, pineapple & blood orange).  A lot of the cocktails I've tried lately have had peppercorn or chipotle-infused vodka and I just cannot stand the taste.  I prefer fruity, sweet drinks... I don't understand the appeal of a drink that tastes like remnants of dinner.  YUCK.

The atmosphere in Beauty & Essex is the best part... It is a great place to relax and unwind with your girlfriends... As well as a place to dine or grab a drink with your significant other, as the dark rooms with beautiful wallpaper and luxe furnishings create a sexy vibe.

 The downstairs bar/lounge area in B & E

(Image from Beauty & Essex website)

The upstairs lounge area in B & E

(Image from Beauty & Essex website)

SH and I had a lot of catching up to do... We hadn't seen each other since April!!  It ended up being a fantastic girls' night  :)

The next day, SH and I met at Mecca (otherwise known as Saks Fifth Avenue)... For the best way to spend girl-bonding time: SHOPPING!!!

I know I have a shopping addiction problem, but I really do not see how anyone could ever be sad or unhappy at Saks... It has perfect lighting, it smells beautiful, and has some of the most fabulous clothes/bags/shoes money can buy.  Unlike my incident last summer at Harrod's, I did not have a fashion attack at Saks, and I am pleased to say that I left the store with one dress (okay, and a top).  Yay for self control??  :S

Rebecca Minkoff "Claudia" Dress

The perfect Summer dress for a night out!!

Next, SH and I grabbed a quick lunch at Europa Cafe and hit up the six-floors of Forever21.  Covering that much ground in a F21 is definitely a feat, but it was worthwhile because we found some cute pieces for Summer. 

On my way back to the hotel, I stopped at a little shop on 6th Avenue that sold everything glittery - blinged-out necklaces, earrings, bangles, keychains, phone cases, and iPad covers.  I ended up with a very obnoxious 3D Hello Kitty iPhone case  :)

That night, SH and I met up with two of her friends at a relaxed Lower East Side bar, followed by a random stop at a hookah bar.  After only two days, I was already falling in love with NYC  <3

On Sunday, SH and I went to see Selena Gomez's movie, "Monte Carlo".  Yes, we are 24... And yes, we were surrounded by 10-year-olds and their families in the theater... But I can assure you, we were totally okay with that!!!  :)

The movie was fun and girly - do NOT take your boyfriend/husband... he might kill himself - and it was the perfect feel-good, relaxing movie to see on a Sunday afternoon.  Sure, it's cutesy and cheesy and the plot is about as developed as an old-school Mary-Kate and Ashley... But Selena Gomez looks adorable, and the clothes/makeup/jewelry is definitely drool-worthy. 

I spent Sunday afternoon and evening reading and studying for my Fashion Marketing class at Starbucks... An iced skim caramel latte and a fashion book?!  Let me just say, it was one of the most enjoyable "study sessions" I've had thus far!!!  :)


Xoxo B.

Gnocco Website
The Blind Barber Website
Beauty & Essex Website

Taking a Bite...

The Big Apple.  Gotham City.  The City That Never Sleeps.  NYC.  New York City.  

If you follow my tweets, most of you know that I've been in New York since the first of July.  I'm here to take a Fashion Marketing class and to see if I can picture myself living in this crazy, nonstop city.  I know there are many NYC fans out there that can't imagine anyone not wanting to live here, but remember... I'm a Midwest girl at heart.  I love fresh air and smiling people who will remind me that I forgot my handbag in a restaurant and lots of space (for a small amount of money).  Yes, I am happy to say that for the price of monthly parking in NYC you can pay for a roomy apartment and at least one utility in the Midwest.  That's just the way it is.  As we all have learned, it's location, location, location that matters.  :)

I remember thinking my family was undergoing financial problems when we moved to our townhouse in the Chelsea neighborhood of London.  My dad probably wanted to kill me for asking... Where's our yard??... Why is my closet so small??... Are we poor??  I know people make fun of Iowa and Illinois and Nebraska but my God, they are great places to grow up.  You can live well in a safe community for much less financial output.

The downfall of these fresh slices of America's Heartland is that they boast very few institutions that foster more unusual careers.  I can't continue to live there and still get a great education in fashion or cosmetics.  I can't stay there and expect to be presented with the kind of opportunities I need to gain experience in fashion and cosmetics.  For a long time I have dreamed of starting my own business, even pestering Dad with constant streams of business ideas.  But first I need to learn... I need experience.  And outside of a move "across the pond", the best place for that kind of experience is right here in New York City.

I also believe that moving somewhere different - somewhere that may feel big and scary at first - is extremely good for a person's mind and outlook on life.  It challenges you... Teaches you difficult lessons... And expands your mind.  While I don't like being away from my family and friends, I know that this experience is good for me.  It's causing me to grow as a person.

I came to New York with an open mind and an open heart... I wanted to see, smell, feel, experience everything without a single judgment or prejudice and let my heart decide what I should do.  I had been to New York previously for shopping, to see a musical, or to visit a friend... But this was different.  I would be here for a month and I would be experiencing the city as close as possible to how I would if I were living here.

My initial impressions??  The air isn't clean... It almost has a feel or taste to it, which is only exaggerated by the humid heat of the summer.  You feel dirty after being out exploring all day... It's not really the sweat, but just a general "grunge" from touching doors and brushing against people on the street and having exhaust and fumes touch your skin.  If that doesn't bother you enough, there are piles of trash along the streets in the evening and huge cockroaches that creep around and the infamous "super rats" that are rumored to live in the sewers and subways.

Next to the filth, the expense is New York's worst attribute.  I can see no other way to learn this than the hard way.  The least expensive studio apartments I've seen start at $1,800 a month but are more likely to approach $3,000/$4,000 if you want to live in a nice area and you aren't a fan of sleeping with bugs of any sort.  Everything costs more... Food, drinks, cab fare, clothing, services like getting your hair or nails done.  I'm staying in a hotel to avoid the cost of buying sheets and lamps and cleaning supplies for an apartment... And I sent out a few of my workout clothes to be cleaned (not even dry cleaned) and was presented with an atrocious bill upon their arrival back at my room.  I don't even want to say how much it cost because it's so terrible, but I think I could have had my entire wardrobe dry cleaned for that price in the Midwest.

So with all these lovely features, you're probably wondering why on Earth I would contemplate moving to this city... Well I haven't told you the good parts yet.  :)  

On one of my first days out and about the city, I felt the pulse - the heartbeat - of the city, and I loved it.  It reminded me of the busier areas of London - people always moving, musicians on the corner, the many different smells of food, and lights that never seemed to go off.  The city feels so absolutely alive, thriving, and exciting... You can become intoxicated by that feeling.

Everyone is so different here - I could literally sit at an outdoor cafe for hours and just people-watch.  I love that diversity in a city - the fact that I could wear the craziest thing in my closet and nobody would take a second glance or judge me.  The ability to go out and be yourself without worrying what someone might think or say because you know you'll never see any of those people again!!  Gay people, straight people, people who love Jesus, transgender people, people who have blue hair, nerdy people, people who enjoy wearing an extreme amount of pink, people who don't wear shoes... They aren't weird or odd here... They just are.  Oh, how I wish every place could be so open and comfortable and accepting.

And the FASHION.  The amount of people strolling down the street who look so impeccable you would think they just sauntered off the runway... The ability to look down a single street and see all of the famous designers!!  The way my heart skips a beat when I walk into Saks and see each beautiful piece I would have dog-eared in my magazines.  It's fantastic.  And dangerous... I would need a leash to live here.  

Related to fashion, and probably the most important of all these factors, is how much I love my class.  I get so excited to go every morning.  I have never felt that before!!  Sitting at a desk for over three hours straight can make you antsy, and going through an entire semester of information in less than a month can be a little overwhelming, but I don't really mind... Because I'm absolutely, totally, completely over the moon about it.  I love what I'm learning about and I hope it loves me back.  So far, my grades have shown it... And you can't imagine how great it feels to see only 95's and 100's after getting such average grades in law school.  It's encouraging to put time in and actually see results again.

I have this feeling that I've finally found what I'm supposed to be doing... And I can only hope that little feeling is right. 


Xoxo B.




Photo Credits:  All images from weheartit.com. 

Sunkissed and Sleepy...

I was exhausted by the time I got back to Las Vegas from IMATS in L.A. on Sunday night.  EF was tired too... And she was fully supportive of a sushi-to-go-and-packing night.

We woke up early on Monday morning, got presentable, checked out, had breakfast at the hotel cafe, and headed for the airport.

Being silly at the Las Vegas airport... I kind of fell in love w/ this desert turtle.
(Feel free to gift any replicas you may have laying around)

This was the perfect girls' trip.  Meeting Holly Madison, seeing Britney Spears perform, going to IMATS in L.A... But most of all, just spending time with my best friend of twenty-four years... Getting to go out and spend a day with another bestie, AB... And getting to see CB one night, if only for a few minutes.  Sometimes in the midst of changing out of your bikini only to throw on a dress for the evening's festivities, you realize how very important it is to cherish that "girl time" in your life. 

EF and I wanted to take this trip because we thought it was the perfect opportunity to see our most favoritest of all time - B. Spears - and have fun being the same silly girls we've been since we rode bicycles together and traded Barbies across our street.  To be honest, we didn't know how many of these girly trips we would be able to take... It's only a matter of time before our lives are consumed with our careers, and eventually, husbands and babies.  (And let's be honest... Jetting off to Vegas with your girlfriend for a long weekend is not something most husbands totally support.)  

I will never forget this trip, EF!!!  Great memories, and of course... What would an E-and-B trip be without some laughs and things that would only happen to us?!  For example, speaking of the realities of the world looming ahead in the next few years... We were reminded of just how harsh those realities are when a woman raced down the aisle mid-flight, carrying her baby, with green sloppy baby poop running down her arms.  Yikes.  E saw the whole show, but I was totally oblivious... THANK GOODNESS, or I would have needed to use that lovely little sick bag in front of me.  :S

Here's to Vegas... And being sunkissed and sleepy on the way home  :) 

Xoxo B.

IMATS Haul Vlog

SP Human Hair Company
20" 7-Piece Clip-In Remy Hair Extensions in Color #2 and #4

SP Human Hair Co. Website

Mehron Makeup
Celebre HD Pro Cream Foundation in Medium 4
Face Smoothie Blending Sponge

Mehron Website

Sumita Beauty
Gel Eyeliner in Kala Black
Double-Ended Eyeliner Brush
Brow Powder Duo in Auburn
Contrast Eye Pencil in Suman
Eyeshadow Pencil in Sehej

Ziba Beauty/Sumita Beauty Website

Blinc Inc.
Blinc Mascara in Black

















Nyx Cosmetics
Set of 4 cupcake lipglosses
Mega Shine Lipgloss in Dolly Pink (fuschia)
Soft Matte Lip Cream in Istanbul (pale nude-y pink)
Soft Matte Lip Cream in Amsterdam (bright coral/tomato red)

Nyx Cosmetics Website

Model in a Bottle
Model in a Bottle Original Setting Spray































Too Faced Cosmetics
Teddy Bear Hair Professional Brush Set (w/ Case)
















Bronze 'Buki Retractable Brush
















Chocolate Soleil Bronzer
















(free) Shadow Insurance in Candlelight
















Royal & Langnickel
12 Piece Silk Pro Brush Set (w/ Roll-Up Case)
C446 - Flat Smudger Brush
Kabuki 19 - Synthetic Flat Top Kabuki Brush

Royal and Langnickel Brush Co. Website
Link To 12-Piece Brush Set

Make Up For Ever
Duo Mat Powder Foundation in #209
















Sculpting Blush in #12

 Make Up For Ever Sculpting Blush Powder Blush - #12 ( Matte Rosewood ) - 5.5g/0.17oz

Mat Velvet+ Mattifying Foundation in #45
















10-Pan Eyeshadow Palette:















 
Top Row (L to R)
#7 - Iridescent Pearly White (Click HERE)
#35 - Matte Peachy/Beige  (Click HERE)
#121 - Metallic Grape Satin  (Click HERE)
#137 - Raisin/Berry Satin  (Click HERE)
#142 - Bright Violet Satin  (Click HERE)
Bottom Row (L to R)
#301 - Shimmery White (Diamond Shadow)  (Click HERE)
#127 - Satiny Taupe/Brown  (Click HERE)
#79 - Deep Purple Satin  (Click HERE)
#172 - Deep Plum/Chocolate Satin  (Click HERE)
#309 - Shimmery Vivid Purple (Diamond Shadow)  (Click HERE)

Loner Eye Shadow: #168 - Iridescent "Mermaid" Teal  (Click HERE)


I hope you guys enjoyed this post!!  IMATS was like beauty heaven for a girl like me  :)  I hope to see some of you there next year!!!


Xoxo B.

IMATS L.A. 2011!!!

One of the biggest highlights of my Las Vegas trip was roadtripping to L.A. for the International Makeup Artists Trade Show with AB.  After EF and I got back to our hotel room after our late-night snack around 4 am, I freshened up and touched up my hair and makeup, literally sat on the bed for fifteen minutes, and AB picked me up from our hotel.  Although I'm not as talented as I used to be, I can still survive on no sleep... Just fuel me up with Starbucks and I can make it work.

The ride to L.A. went fast - there was NO traffic at 5 a.m. on a Sunday morning, I had some homework for my online class to do, and AB and I had so much to catch up on!!  All of a sudden, we were in Pasadena, right outside L.A., and we could not wait to get into the convention center where IMATS was held.

The line to get tickets... Looooong. 

We originally thought we were supposed to be in the long line, 

then we realized that we could speed through the short line to registration

because we had purchased our tickets online MONTHS in advance!!

Even though we were in the long line here, we were still SO happy!! :)

After you've presented your tickets and "registered", you are given an IMATS booklet with information on all the different vendors, a map of the convention center, and a schedule of all the classes and seminars for that day.  Immediately, AB and I spotted a seminar we wanted to attend. Makeup artist Anabel Vargas was demonstrating "HD Makeup for Beauty Queens", presented by Royal & Langnickel Brush Company.  Umm YES... We want to look like pageant queens on a daily basis... Thanks.  

The auditorium doors opened at 10:00 and the seminar started at 10:30, so we had about thirty minutes to get some booth shopping done.  Almost all the vendor booths at IMATS offer products at makeup artist prices, and many offer additional discounts and sales.  But... It is a crazy, mad dash to the booths and products often sell out.  

The #1 key to navigating IMATS is looking at the vendors beforehand and deciding which you want to visit most. 

AB and I had already spotted the remy hair extensions booth while looking at the vendors online.  We booked it to their table, and made sure to get our extensions in our hair color before they sold out.  At $49 a set (regularly around $108 - $180) I decided it was worth it to get a medium brown and a dark chocolate brown.  Call me crazy, I love my hair extensions for special nights out and events.  

Fake hair in tow, it was time for us to go to a separate seminar room for the HD makeup tutorial.  Makeup artist Anabel Vargas has done the makeup for Miss Universe pageants, Good Morning America, and other various TV and pageant productions.  She demonstrated how to achieve a look that appears flawless and beautiful, even under the harshest HD cameras and lights.  Her tutorial was easy to follow, especially with the giant, projected screen IMATS had provided, showing her every brush stroke in detail.  

After the seminar, AB and I had a little list of products and brushes we wanted to try.  I had been in the market for some new makeup brushes ever since I had lost my entire set of MAC eye makeup brushes while traveling and my Sephora blush and powder brushes hadn't performed as well as I had expected.  The Royal & Langnickel brushes Anabel Vargas used in the tutorial seemed to apply effortlessly and smoothly.  AB and I went to the Royal & Langnickel booth and volunteered to wear their free t-shirts and get people to follow Royal & Langnickel on Twitter via the barcode on the back for a "prize" at the end of the day.  Done and done.  I didn't care if the black t-shirt looked completely silly over my cream lace maxi dress.  Prizes from IMATS =  always a good thing!!

One of our favorite stops was the Sumita booth.  AB and I love doing smoky, dark eyes... So we were thrilled to find Sumita's carbon-black, smudge-proof eyeliners.  The girls there had the most beautiful, Kardashian-esque eye makeup I have ever seen!!  We wanted all their makeup secrets!!  Our purchases were 35% off, and we were given free henna hand tattoos as well.  

When the henna first goes on, it's really thick and wet.

It looks disgusting, but it smells really good... like incense!!

We had to be really careful not to touch anything for 1-2 hours

while the henna dried and then flaked off.

All tatted up  :)

This is what my henna tattoo looked like the next day.

This was my very first IMATS, and I will just say I was completely overwhelmed...  And I had prepared very well by looking at the schedule, vendors, and map of the booths ahead of time.  Only when I was THERE did I realize how large the convention center was, and how many people were actually there.  AB and I would take little "hallway breaks" to clear our heads and decompress from the hustle and bustle inside the convention center.  

Some of the crazy crowds.

I didn't go to MAC because it was at least this crowded all day.

 The Sugarpill booth was one of my favorites... So bright and colorful!!

The Napoleon Perdis booth section was so glamorous and chic...

They had their own little chandelier and seating area!!

We found some amazing products and even a few adorable accessories.  Everything was at a great price, and there were so many professional products we couldn't find anywhere else.  It was like heaven for AB and I... We were thrilled.  I made a quick, middle-of-the-night video showing all the products I hauled home... I will upload it and post it as soon as it's edited.  It would be way too much and too boring to force you all to read about all the products!! 

Demonstrations are another great thing at IMATS... There are demonstrations going on at many of the booths throughout each day, so you can just stop and watch a makeup application or airbrushing techniques.  

We watched purely for education's sake, of course... 

I have no shame... Just snapping away!! 

AB and I aren't makeup artists... We are just really into beauty products and makeup techniques.  We love doing our makeup to go out and we have so much fun planning what kinds of makeup we'll do for Halloween or other special events.  But... For those who are into theater or special effects makeup, IMATS definitely didn't disappoint.  There were so many realistic, grotesque, and sometimes even magical-looking makeup looks.  Most of these looks took all day to create...  AB and I walked by certain ones throughout they day and could see the progress slowly being made.  It truly makes you appreciate the talent and patience professional makeup artists have.  One artist told us that when he worked on movie sets, he would have to start on certain looks around 10 p.m. the night before the actor or actress had to be camera-ready by 8 a.m. the following morning.  Truly incredible.  

I took this photo around 10 a.m.

The two photos above were taken after 4 p.m.  

The artist had been working on this sailor girl body paint 

literally all day... The poor model!! 

This photo does not do it justice.

He was sparkling and shimmering like a million miniscule diamonds... 

SO pretty.

The special effects makeup looked so realistic... 

Sometimes it was hard to look at!! 

I am terrified of clowns... I didn't want to get too close.

I loved this butterfly/fairy girl... My absolute fave :)

Doesn't she look like a ballerina?!  I love her pink eyes!!

And the "prize" for wearing the Royal & Langnickel tee and having people scan the barcode on the back??  A free, 12-piece, professional makeup brush set!!  Ashley and I were so excited... We looked the brush set up online on our way home and it retailed at $120.  I can't wait to try all the brushes out and give them a full review!!  :)

Ultimately, IMATS was a fantastic experience.  I learned a lot from the seminar, found products I would find nowhere else, and saw some of the most intricate theatrical makeup I have ever seen.  If I have the opportunity to go next year, I definitely will!!! 

AB and I roadtripped back to Las Vegas that evening... With bags full of goodies of course!!  AB drove and I kept some of our goodies in the front with me so that we could look at everything we got... I think it was the equivalent of little kids leaving Disney World.  :)

Xoxo B.