Folding Shoes and My Daily Skin Routine

I remember hearing about a great idea that someone had thought of for those situations where you have been out on the town all night in your killer heels and the walk home is sometimes hard to bear. Sometimes those beautiful heels can be very painful after a night of dancing! Well, someone has come up with the idea of folding ballet shoes that fit in your handbag so you can whip them out at the end of the night and slip them on for the long walk home. What a great idea! These ones are from http://www.foldupshoes.com/ and they are £26.49 with free delivery. You could use them again and again and I reckon the black ones below actually look quite nice (well you want to walk home in comfort but I wouldn't want to walk home looking like an idiot!ha ha). Apparently it was a guy that invented them after he had to listen to his girlfriend moaning after countless nights on the town. See! Our moaning does achieve great things sometimes!he he.

I don't know about you guys but I am religious about my skin routine, I go through this process even when I'm tired/drunk/on holiday. It all starts with Dove soap. There is no other soap I can use and this one is perfect for my dry skin. I think people sometimes don't give these kind of simple products enough praise as I couldn't do without this stuff! I always take any remainder of make-up off with ASDA Clear Skin face wipes (contains tea tree and witch hazel and only cost 80p each!). These wipes prevent me from getting any blemishes and work just as well as any big brand name wipes.

Every second night I use Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser with a muslin cloth to gently exfoliate my skin. I use Simple Eye Balm and this is great for sensitive eyes. Lately, I have been using Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules which have really made a different to the radiance and texture of my skin. Basically there are two types of capsules in there, Rose Oil ones for the daytime and Lavender oil ones for night time. Both capsules contain various moisturising essential oils. I personally would never put oils on my skin in the daytime as I suspect it would make my make-up slide off my face! I only put the oil on my face at night and it still makes a huge difference. Because I'm prone to dry spots on my face, it just ensures that my skin is well hydrated (but not greasy or oily). I then put my moisturiser on top, which at the moment is just Dove Silk, which I use all the time as it sinks in so quickly and leaves my skin super soft. When I'm feeling super flush, I buy Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream (you can get it on www.timetospa.co.uk in a gift pack for around £50 with about 4 or 5 other products). I love that moisturiser, actually I love most Elemis products!

I think it's so important to look after your skin as a) it provides a smooth canvas for your make-up, b) you don't have to apply as much 'illuminating' products as your skin has a natural healthy glow and c) your skin will age a lot better if you take care of it.

What is your skin routine at the moment? Have you got any fantastic products that you want to share with everyone?

Product Report: Mac Skinsheen Leg Spray

Hi Beauties!

Going forward, I will be posting periodic "Product Reports" on items that I have tried and tested. On as many items as possible, I will try to make short video reports. Here is the first of many upcoming "Product Reports".

MAC Skinsheen Legspray *Video Report* [Color : Dark]
75 ml / 2.5 fl oz US $22.50




Overall final thoughts: This product is very well worth the purchase. My skin did not look orange or streaky/uneven. And best of all, this doesn't require the skin damage from tanning in the sun!

Let me know how you feel about these Product Reports!

XOXO,
Awilda

Nick Verreos Mentors Fashion Designers for the 70th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz Exhibit!

We're Off To See The Wizard!Recently I was asked to be the "Guest Mentor" for an AMAZING event involving....wait for it... The Wizard of Oz !!! In light of the 70TH Anniversary of the iconic film, Warner Bros. and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM are partnering to present The Wizard of Oz Exhibition Opening Night Gala Featuring The Ruby Slipper Collection. Dorothy's Slippers 2009: The Ruby Slippers, as seen by the eyes of the Moschino design house

Last Fall, nineteen fashion and shoe designers were asked to design modern and unique shoe interpretations based on the famous Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz. Designers such as Alberta Ferretti, Betsey Johnson, Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Giuseppe Zanotti, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, and Moschino all took part in this great event. Their outstanding designs formed The Ruby Slipper Collection, which debuted in September 2008 to kick off Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week.
Warner Brothers asked the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising to invite their top students of Accessory, Fashion and Footwear Design to create unique pieces for this 70Th Anniversary event. One winner will be chosen from both the Accessories (Jewelry) and Footwear categories. Both winners will be flown to New York in the Fall to celebrate the 70TH Anniversary Gala in that city. In addition, the chosen winner of the Footwear Design will ultimately form part of The Ruby Slipper Collection. FIDM Super Lab: Debut 2009 designers Johnathan Webster, Adrian Manuel, Valetina Vardanyan, and Natalie Hara await their "Wizard of Oz" assignment

Ultimately these designs will be auctioned this upcoming September for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. LA-based designer Tarina Tarnatino was asked to mentor the Accessories student designers, helping them in the creation of their jewelry. OK Kids, You May Now Begin: FIDM Alumn (and Debut '09 Graduate) Adrian Manuel begins draping his creation

At the same time, I was honored to have been asked to mentor the Fashion Design portion of this event. We chose four former students, whom I had previously taught for the Advanced Fashion Design/Debut 2009 Program, and asked them to create designs based on Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. They were very excited to participate in such a one-of-a-kind challenge and were ready to "Make It Work". The FIDM Super Lab for The Wizard of Oz was "born". I helped them with their designs, choosing fabrics and trims, draping, patterns as well as construction, bringing to life their wondrous ideas.Not So Cowardly Lioness: Adrian Manuel's illustration of his design

Next week--on Tuesday, June 9Th--will be unveiling all their designs, at a the Opening Night Gala of the Wizard of Oz Exhibition at the FIDM Downtown LA Campus. Days ago, I got a sneak peak at the almost-finished creations and I am very proud of them; they look AMAZING! This event will also launch The Wizard of Oz Hot Air Balloon Tour that will travel across the country. The Emerald City Green Balloon will actually be on campus for all the VIP guests! (I know, Stop It!!!). This exhibition--which includes the Ruby Slipper Collection-- will run from June 10Th through June 21st at the FIDM Museum and Galleries. And it's FREE to the public! And don't we really love (and appreciate) that!
Click HERE for the press release and for more info.

NOTD

Just a quick post to show you guys my nails of the day :).
I used China Glaze sangria, a beautiful, shimmery bright pink with a white konad transfer on top.
I think this may be one of my favourite colours, it is just so pretty and multi-dimensional on the nails. The photo really doesn't do it justice.

What do you guys think?
xx

New found website recommended by The Yummy Mummy's Beauty Blog

I was reading one of the older posts on one of the great blogs I follow regularly, The Yummy Mummy's Beauty Blog and she had mentioned a unique website for jewellery. It's called www.accessoriesonline.co.uk I had a quick look and saw so many pieces that I loved! The jewellery is different to anything I have seen in other shops and there are some great bits to buy as presents for people. Take a look at some of my favourites posted here, especially the bangles with the charm that was featured in Vogue. It WILL be mine!!! I have a small obsession with bangles/bracelets at the mo (teamed with my obsession with make-up, shoes and clothes in general!). It is a little bit more pricey than jewellery from the high street but I think I would pay extra for something a bit special.

I would recommend that you check this website out, there's something there for everyone. They have loads of charm necklaces from DogEared (an american brand) and they're adorable! I always think that the right accessories really set off an outfit and give it a bit of personal style.

Just don't blame me if you end up spending loads of money on that site! I will not be held responsible for bankruptcy!ha ha.

Pixi loveliness!

Since seeing this Pixi Eye Beauty kit (No.5 Miracle) for £26, I have been lusting after the oh so summery shades it offers. I checked out a couple of the alternative amazing colour combinations and I gotta say...I want all three now! There's a few others to choose from but these three are my faves. On the top there's No.15 Blue Energy and underneath that is No.6 Mermaid.

I also love the Pixi Lumi Lux Lip Palette priced at £30. Sounds like alot of money but you get 20 of their best selling lip glosses in a pocket book sized palette. Perfect for taking on holidays or popping into your bag on a summer's day. The colours look beautiful, you can even lighten up the darker shades to suit you. I will be adding these things to my ever growing 'I want' list!