Guest Post: Blau von T

Blau von T from Blaubushka and The Hostess Handbook here. Blaubushka; an edgy scrapblog of fashion, style and beauty. The Hostess Handbook; a parlour of delicate beauty, a lounge of wit and the obscure, a kitchen of the kitsch and all things tempting.

Elegance is back, as it understated timelessness, refinement and femininity. Return to that childhood desire to play dress-up and that modern desire to live the Upper East Side life.This a nostalgic throw back to a time when men were men, women were women and sex was still sexy. This is a lady of polite perfection, educated elegance and girlish glamour. Remember your please and thank yous, keep your knees together when getting out of a car and stay away from boys who are trouble or at the very least date them in secret.

 

Blau x

 

Images via Blaubushka Tumblr

Blast from the past: Trish McEvoy

I popped into Harveys Nichols Dundrum recently on my lunchbreak for a little window shopping indulgence and re-discovered the makeup brand Trish McEvoy. You see, for my 18th birthday, my brother introduced me to Trish McEvoy when he bought me a set of brushes (he actually worked in security there at the time and one of his makeup counter friends insisted he got them for me) and I’m so glad he did. However down through the years I misplaced the brushes much to my dismay but it is definitely fair to say nothing has ever come close since. Ever. I got chatting to the artist Eve on the Trish McEvoy counter and told her this and she had some very exciting, exclusive news for me! They are bringing out a new brush set with an amazing selection of their most popular brushes which will be available in store from August 25th at a price of €225 – steep but a definite investment, this brushes are so, so worth it and will last for years if you look after them (and don’t lose them like I did). I can’t remember for definite but I think there was at least 10 brushes in the set (sorry, the information hasn’t been released yet and I didn’t take note). The set includes my favourite no. 61 corner brush which is amazing for contouring in the crease, especially if you have a small lid like I do – you see, what most brands consider crease brushes are just way too large for me!

Also on August 25th Pro New York makeup artist and Trish McEvoy veteran Nicoleta Barac will be instore delivering makeup lessons and pro tips, in one to one sessions and group masterclasses, at the Harvey Nichols counter. For more info and to find out how to book – visit here.

I did a bit of a google and Iz found this amazing advice from the makeup Guru Trish herself which was definitely worth sharing:

“My best advice yet: Engage all your senses and indulge in pleasure wherever and however you can. Spend time with your family and friends. Furnish your home with the joy of flowers and music and great food. Literally, stop and smell the roses. Enjoy a sunset. Take a walk. Give yourself the gift of time, and take an hour to do nothing but observe the beauty of nature. Inhale deeply and absorb the moment! Seek new adventures! Find reasons to laugh. Share your love every day. I try not to let a single day go by without telling my husband and all those I love how fortunate I am to have them in my life. Life is a matter of focus, and it is what you decide it will be. Make the most of every experience, and your life will be filled with beauty, I promise.”

You can read more about Trish McEvoy and view the entire brush range on her website HERE.

A special announcement…

It’s nearing Avante Garden’s 100th post so I thought I oughta make it a special one and so to celebrate I’ve invited fellow bloggers and some of the most influential people in my life, my friends, to share their inspirations. And now, I’d like to invite YOU!

I’ve already received a few (amazing) contributions however I’m going be leaving it until at least early next week to begin putting the pieces together to give others time to also join in. If you’re a regular subsciber/reader, you’ll know the form my inspiration posts typically take. However if you are not, and would like to find out then click on the Inspirations tab which you’ll find to the right (you may need to scroll down a bit past the beauty/fashion category tabs to find it) and have a look through previous posts.

There is no strict format but I usually use a collection of images, quotes and lyrics based on a theme or current events in my life (e.g. a job interview, or a new start) for my posts – you can base your contribution on this, or do something completely different! You could write a story, make a video, style an outfit… Whatever you like.

To get involved mail me talktoavantegarden [a] gmail.com

Love in Print Form: Chanel Pre-Fall 2011

I’m sitting in Starbucks seeking inspiration in the bottom of a large low-fat Caramel Macchiato with Harpers Bazaar UK and US sprawled across the table in front of me and I found it:

This ad campaign is truly beautiful. Shot by Karl Lagerfeld and inspired by empress Theodora and the lost culture of Byzantine, the campaign inspires images of Eygptian influences and a great empire rich in culture and arts.

Intricate Mosaics

Gold Filigree

Wonderment and Riches

Bold, Imperial Hues of Ruby Red and Azure Blue 

Inspiration: Dream, Work, Achieve

I have a big, big interview in a couple of hours and I can’t sleep, and since I’m overdue a blog post I thought I’d do a set of inspiring images and quotes related to current events in my work life and the direction in which I’m aiming to go… (ahem, up)

I never know where to stop with these posts, sometimes I could go on forever browsing on tumblr or weheartit and still find something that inspires me but I decided to call this one quits at 2am and try to get in some zzzs before its time to get up and prepare! So.. Enjoy, and wish me luck.

My Pre-Interview Manta:

” You have been selected for this interview because, having read your CV, they know that you are a qualified and compelling candidate. Now you just have to prove what they already know. “