Halloweenery at our 5th annual Party

Each year we really welcome the Halloween season. So much theatricality to enjoy! This year was our 5th annual costume party. Do to my heavy schedule traveling for Dior, we decided to not go as "crazy" with the haunting and decor as we usually do. Plus, with the impending storm, we didn't want to risk putting up the 20x20 "haunted house" tent to find it gone the next morn ;)

So, I opted to make sure we did a extra special mantle display this year since we would not be displaying so much of what we usually do. I took my collection of antique medicinal bottles, doll heads, scullery and etc... And concocted an eerie display that was illuminated with two 48 inch black lights. Two make certain elements really pop we opened a glow stick (with an awl) and dripped it into water. We then filled my antique bottle collection with various levels and amounts of the non toxic glow fluid.
Add a few plastic snakes, resin dental teeth, etc... and you have one kick ass display :)
With no big haunted tent this year, with a couch, settee, fireplace, dining table and chandeliers, we were worried it would be boring. So, we opted to copy a especially eerie decor tutorial we saw on Pinterest, to grasp our guests with fascination!




The fascination......are Alienesque orbs that swing and sway in the winds from Hurricane Sandy this past Saturday night.
Water filled balloons are inserted with glow sticks and then into long stockings that bob and dangle about from our crab apple tree.
The early winds of Sandy made for a brisk night. We all sat around the bonfire, noshing on goodies and reminiscing about good times gone by. I always enjoy a good old bonfire so much. It's one of those things that really gives me a smile.




Mike did find some time to put up a small goriesh display of zombies and their babies. Tombstones, rats eating a writhing-moaning man and our horse drawn carriage, all made for a fun place to peek for Halloweenery gone bad ;)




Our guests never disappoint us with their costume choices! Every year 2 or 3 guests show up early and fully disguised and do not speak a single word! This year a zombie roamed our back yard for over 30 minutes and when I went down to hang an orb in the tree he came out from behind it to get me! I loved every minute of it, thanks Rick and everyone who made for a fantastic Halloween party!



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Location:Washington Crossing, NJ

Makeup Nirvana, IMATS NYC 2012

Me at IMATS, wearing a Button from GGF.com. They have the funniest shirts and such for makeup artists (MUA) to wear. Like a t-shirt that shows a makeup brush and reads "it's Not a magic wand"!




This past weekend, Kathleen (makeup artist friend) and I stayed in Chelsea, NYC for IMATS -International Makeup Artist Trade Show. We stayed at Ink48 (a Kimpton boutique hotel) and simply.... I highly recommend it. We could walk to Pier 94 for the show which was great.
Gorgeous through and through with a stellar restaurant, Print on the first floor.
Great food, drinks and staff left us feeling wonderful.


Cocoa ribbon pasta, sugar peas, Brussels Sprouts and Pancetta in a Parmesan Cream Sauce was divine.

The garden bar on the top floor had one of the most brilliant views I've ever had the good fortune to see.


Friday night of IMATS was open to Makeup Professionals only. Thank goodness because we would have gotten nothing done without pro night. The rest of the weekend was open to the public and consisted of lots of young girls looking to spot their favorite YouTube beauty guru. In short it was irritating but I do understand, so again, thank the Lord for Pro night.



Me with 5 time Emmy Award Winning MUA, Eve Pearl! She was lovely. Very gracious and helpful. More about Eve: http://www.evepearl.com/spages/eve-story.htm

I met amazing artists of whom I greatly admire and covet their mad skills... Perhaps some day ;).
I bought my very first cosmetic grade airbrush with water based and water proof makeups. Yippee! This makeup and application is virtually undetectable to the eye and camera lense. In addition it is sweat and transfer proof, totally! 12 hours of lasting makeup...no problem!


I researched this purchase since October and very glad I waited for the Kett Pro System and the better show pricing and freebies :) Now, I just need to complete the class and lots of practice in the coming weeks. More about Kett : http://kettcosmetics.com/

Maybe I can learn how to do this?



Model getting airbrushed.




Completed look! Fabulous :)

Another highlight for me was meeting Dom Briguglio, a master level MUA from Stila. I admire Dom because he started out as a painter like myself. He started at a Sephora in 1998 and is now Director, North American Sales & Pro Artistry Relations for Stila! Go Dom go!
As you can imagine, not all in the beauty industry are always the nicest peeps but I can truly say that everyone we met were nothing short of lovely and Dom was so exceptionally sweet. I would have loved to spend more time with him to get to know him better because I just loved his energy and kindness.


Me, Dom and Kathleen outside the Stila booth.
More about Dom: http://www.stilacosmetics.com/procommunity/dom.asp

So,in short, I came back inspired. I have spent the last few days in the studio working on 1 assemblage painting (wip photo on fb tomorrow) that is coming together nicely and my nights practicing my airbrushing techniques. It's really nice to feel challenged and on task.

Happy creating my friends~
dani


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Middle Aged me!

Yes, I have lavender highlights and I lurve them! My mini midlife crisis ;)

Tomorrow, I turn 40! And yes, let's be honest....That is middle aged! So, I decided that instead of making my loved ones guess or do too much to try to make me feel special on my big day, that I would just ask for what I wanted to do. Brilliant decision thus far. Everyone is relieved and I know the day will be lovely ;)
So, now I can't sleep! 11am I leave for 2 days in NYC to attend IMATS (int'l makeup artist trade show). My friend Kathleen & I have planned for 8 mos for this and it happens to fall on my birthday.
I can't even imagine what I will see & learn! For those unaware, I have been studying makeup, application and skincare like a religion for a few years now. In October I took a very pt position as a newbie makeup artist with a Macy's and I have worked at most counters on the cosmetic floor in a flex capacity.
Six weeks ago, I reached the goal I set out for when I started this. The goal was within 6 months to work hard, very hard to get as "pro" as possible without formal training and to make contacts with the cosmetic company reps that excited me most.
Six months to the day (so crazy), I brought a model to MAC and passed my interview! I am now a MAC freelance artist and I will get their famous training!
MAC challenges you to create 2 looks in 25 minutes of which they tell you when the timer starts! You run around grabbing everything but the sink and hope your model is easy! I brought my gorgeous niece, Jessica and she was the da bomb.



Before and after of Jess for our practice run. I chose to do a modern approach on
the pinup look.




Then 3 days ago, I was being watched by a rep for Dior and was offered a freelance position on my way across the street to get to my car! Freelance artists make amazing money to start and it gets even better with time, in fact I am shocked. I want to help train and encourage women in this field because you can earn a living, support yourself and even work through college! Go girls go!
So, as a freelancer, the more companies I sign with, the more jobs I get, the more contacts I make and the more photo shoots and runway work I can get. Especially when affiliated with MAC, Dior or Chanel (I am going for next)!
I am right now only working 6-17 hours a week because I still have my artful endeavors of course! So as you can see, this IMATS is right up my alley :)
I see IMATS is already sold out for Sat in case you were wondering but Sunday is still open for now.
This is the perfect 40th birthday gift to myself. And really the best part is the ending. I return in time for Sunday brunch with my family at Rat's restaurant in Hamilton, then we tour the famous sculpture garden. Art and makeup.....Yippee!.

Thanks for letting me share my friends.

http://www.imats.net/newyork/about.php.
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