Blog Awards

I was nominated for these awards by the ever glamourous Cheryl http://cherylsbeautyblog.blogspot.com/ and if you haven't checked out her blog already, then I would recommend you do. She does some great FOTD's and her blog is just fantastic in general. I have opted out of two of the tags as alot of the questions are things that I have done before in tags so I don't want to repeat myself or bore you.

Upon receiving this award, I must list 6 interesting facts about myself...

1) Before I started blogging I never contoured, used blush or used makeup brushes (or at least hardly any). I wouldn't say I was a makeup dunce before but I have learnt so much from blogging and sharing info with everyone. I can't believe that I was happy just to have a single wash of eyeshadow and no definition in the crease!Unthinkable!ha ha. I have really enjoyed picking up all the handy tips and hints from you girls and long may it continue!
2) I am really into Japanese/Chinese art and painting. I was always really keen on art at school and I even got accepted into art school but alas my 'sensible' head was on at the time and I figured I couldn't make much of a living from it. Nothing would make me more happy than to have a whole studio to myself to paint huge canvases all day. I am determined that one day I will fulfil that dream!
3) I used to die my hair all different colours when I was a teenager. Oh yes, I went through 'mahoghany' stages, 'plum' stages...I even had it really dark once in my moody teenager years. Chris, my fiance, saw a picture of me when I was 15 with really dark hair, no makeup and with a look on my face like a bulldog chewing a wasp. He turned to me and said "so you blossomed in your LATER years, that's ok honey..." The cheek of it! I was suffering through Dawson's Creek-esque angst at the time so it was allowed. My mission is now to find an embarassing teenage picture of him! Then revenge will be mine!

4) I would class myself as being reasonably intelligent...somewhere between a carrot and Einstein.ha ha. But sometimes I really do wonder about my common sense. I sometimes display weird logic, like the other day...I was measuring the rice out for dinner and I was like "half a cup for me, half a cup for Chris". Chris came over to me and said "you know, you could just put in a whole cup to start with!". I just burst out laughing and we were in stitches for ages. Just for the record, I am not a dumb blonde! But then...I would say that, wouldn't I! 5) I hate admitting this but I only have half-brows, it's like god just got bored and stopped half way across. They just kind of taper into nothing and it's weird coz I have never plucked them that way. I guess that's just the way they grow! When I was in New York when I was about 20, I was walking through a department store and a lady at the Lancome counter shouted over "would you like me to fix your brows sweetie?"...like she was doing me a favour. And you know what? She probably was! You gotta love New Yorkers!

6) I have an embarassing habit of being clumsy/tripping over at every opportunity. The fact that I've broken my arm three times, cracked my ribs once and sprained my limbs numerous times should tell you that I have a problem.ha ha. If there's a kerb, I'll trip over it. If I'm holding something, I'll drop it. You would think I would have a red face all the time for the amount of occasions I embarass myself but I'm kind of over it now and I just tend to laugh to myself...which possibly makes me look clumsy AND crazy!

I nominate:

Amy Nadine The Beauty Queen - I have been LOVING her posts lately! http://amynadine.blogspot.com/2009/10/lauren-conrad-at-style-awards-how-to.html

Nick Verreos at the GLEH Garden Party--Hancock Park

Garden Party With A PurposeKhaki and Bubblegum Pink: Nick Verreos and Leeza Gibbons say "cheese", 8th Annual GLEH Garden Party

Last Sunday, I attended the 8Th Annual GLEH Garden Party. GLEH stands for Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing, and it is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and operating high-quality affordable, multicultural housing developments to provide social and recreational services for GLBT older adults. GLEH provides a safe, nurturing environment that supports the well-being of GLBT elders. When I was invited to attend to show my support, there was no question: I had to be there! This Way Please: Nick Verreos at the 8th Annual GLEH Garden Party

This year's event honored Leeza Gibbons and Sharon Gless. It was held at the UNBELIEVABLE estate (not just a home--it looked like where Queen Elizabeth would live if she had a "Summer Home" in LA!) of former "Extra" anchor Dayna Devon and her husband, plastic surgeon Dr. Brent Moelleken.Odd Couple: Chuy from Chelsea Lately and Lance Bass, 8th Annual GLEH Garden Party

My best friend, Erik Moreno came with me and we really had a good time. As we arrived, we spotted Lance Bass and Chuy from Chelsea Lately (Lord knows what he was doing there, but I'm happy he was there to support!). Most of the afternoon, we hung out with my "girlfriend", model JP Calderon (you might remember him from the Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency show and Survivor Cook Islands) and his HOT partner. Don't Touch My Fat: JP Calderon feels Nick Verreos up (as his bf looks on laughing!)

We had a lot of fun together! The house--located in the "original" Beverly Hills area of LA, Hancock Park, was incredible (did I already say that?). This 8th Annual GLEH Garden Party featured a fashion show/presentation by LA underwear and swimsuit designer, Andrew Christian.
Designer and Client: Nick Verreos with actress Thea Gill, 8th Annual GLEH Garden Party

There was also an extensive Silent Auction featuring a signed guitar by Melissa Etheridge, various vacation packages, signed scripts, spa packages...you name it, they had it! There were delicious hors d'oeuvres including beef and shrimp skewers, crepes, salads as well as cocktails galore. In case you're wondering, the Gays WERE eating (including myself!).
Flipping Out: Nick Verreos with hair "guru" Chaz Dean, 8Th Annual GLEH Garden Party

I also said "hello" to actress Thea Gill from "Queer As Folk" (and a former red carpet NIKOLAKI client!) as well as Chaz Dean (he was one of Jeff Lewis' clients on "Flipping Out").
Leeza's speech was wonderful and very inspiring I might add. Thank you to GLEH for allowing me to be a part of such a wonderful event.

Good Times/Bad Times

GOOD TIMES -

1) I have been doing VERY well this week with the healthy eating/exercise regime (I lost 1lb last week but that may be due to the fact that I was ill!I only went to the gym twice so I'm thinking it must have been that). I have been to the gym 5 times in the past week (1 hour cardio each visit) and have been eating 3 square meals a day with fruit as snacks. I don't believe in diets coz a balanced diet and exercise is alot better for you and easier to stick to. I didn't drink any alcohol this weekend so I'm hoping that will also boost the weightloss! I am sitting at a grand total weightloss of 2 stone, 5lbs since February so it's been a gradual process. Wish me luck!

2) I have really been enjoying using my Nars Sheer Glow foundation and Nars Albatross highlighter...my skin looks luminous without looking shiny or greasy. I know alot of people found Sheer Glow too heavy but to me, it's the perfect consistency and alot lighter than Revlon Colourstay which I was used to. Foundation will always be something where everyone has different opinions and preferences though.

3) My lust list is finally getting to a manageable size...at one time there were over 100 items on my list! That's just crazy. I went over the list and deleted anything that was similar or almost identical to perfectly good products I already had. Also, I deleted any items that I felt like I had already found my HG product in that category (why is it that, even though you own a product that you swear is your HG...you still look out for the next one just in case it's even better???). For example, I keep buying mascaras, but I already love YSL Faux Cils! I need to start shopping my own collection and be happy with what I have. After all, it's about quality, not quantity!

BAD TIMES -

1) I've noticed that in the past week, I have been getting little wispy hairs at the roots of my hair. They look suspiciously like breakage!They aren't THAT noticeable but it still annoys me. I have been so strict with my intensive masks and not using heated appliances etc, I'm surprised my hair has decided to start misbehaving!

2) My Psoriasis has been playing up a wee bit...it's that time of year though. Whenever the weather turns cold, my skin gets a bit dry so it just means I have to slather on a richer moisturiser. For anyone who maybe doesn't know what Psoriasis is, it's basically a skin condition that's in the same family as eczema. Like eczema, it's not contagious as some people seem to believe! It's when the body produced too many skin cells and you get patches of very dry skin. I'm extremely lucky that mine is very mild now and I don't get much bother from it anymore. However, I did go through a really bad breakout of it when I was younger due to stress and it can be really awful, it can cause a big drop in self confidence. If anyone is suffering from it and wants some advice, feel free to ask me any questions.