The finest French Champagne – GH Mumm, Beautiful Trelise Cooper Spring/Summer ’14 garments, and a delectable three course lunch by Soul Bar and Restaurant equals the perfect day of fashion, fun and bubbles in the sun.
Check out our images captured yesterday at the Trelise Cooper runway show, hosted by GH Mumm – held to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research…
Ange x
Gurlinterrupted
A Girl Interrupted By Fashion, Beauty & Anything Pretty That Catches My Eye
No doubt you’ve heard the hype around the new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette (it’s currently the talk-of-the-town with those that are beauty-obsessed), and let me tell you, it’s taking the world by storm for good reason! This palette is basically the “photoshop of cosmetics”.
The new Limited Edition Ambient Lighting Palette has already sold out throughout Sephora’s in the US (I’m not entirely sure if they’ve restocked yet) and are now available here in New Zealand, at the beauty haven otherwise known as MECCA. If the US is anything to go by, then I’d get in quick if you want to snap one of these up.
If you haven’t heard of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, let me explain – basically it’s the equivalent of a photographer’s lighting equipment kit, in the form of beauty powder. This high-tech, soft-focus finishing powder blurs skin imperfections and recreates exquisitely flattering light sources, such as a soft candlelit glow, or a sun-kissed warm glow, etc. Combined they make a fabulous bronzer, or all-over beauty powder, and worn alone – they are hands down the best highlighting powder!
The trio of colours (L-R): Dim Light, Incandescent Light (a new limited edition shade) and Radiant Light.
DIM LIGHT: A neutral peach beige powder that blurs imperfections and highlights a radiant complexion with the perfect balance of warm and cool tones.
LIMITED EDITION INCANDESCENT LIGHT: A pearlescent powder that highlights the cheekbones and brightens the complexion with a celestial glow.
RADIANT LIGHT: A sun-kissed golden beige that enhances the overall complexion with believable, subtle warmth, and also extends a summer glow.
I’ve been a huge fan of the single-pan Ambient Lighting Powders for quite some time, however this trio is a dream come true – perfection-in-a-palette. With this limited edition palette the powders are now portable, compact and even come with a travel-sized bottle of Veil Primer (yet another Hourglass must-have).
RRP (as seen in MECCA) $120
Ange x
Gurlinterrupted
A Girl Interrupted By Fashion, Beauty & Anything Pretty That Catches My Eye
This is officially the strangest post I’ve ever written, and I realise this is going to be a little controversial (some are not going to like the stance I’ve taken, some will hopefully respect it) however I do think that I need to explain why I DON’T want you to ‘vote for me’ and why I made the decision over the weekend to revoke my acceptance of a certain beauty blog award nomination. I didn’t intend to actually write about why I took myself out of the running, however I have had an overwhelming amount of emails and messages asking why the website now states ‘gurlinterrupted was removed at the nominees request’. If you never knew anything about the award, then feel free to click out of this post now, as it will probably bore the heck outta you. So, here goes…
Last week (Thursday or Friday I think it was), I was informed that I had received nominations for the “Beauty Review Best Beauty Blog Awards”, and was asked if I would accept the nominations and thus be a part of the competition to vie for the award. Admittedly, I was at first flattered and quickly (clearly too quickly, without reading all the details) answered in the affirmative that I would indeed accept the nomination and was excited to be a part of it. I then received an email saying that a voting system would be in put in place and a number of ’rounds’ would ensue to see who came out on top, and so, that’s what I did – I asked for your vote and that was that.
Cue forward a day and I was off to Blogcademy – an intense two-day course, run by three of the worlds biggest names in blogging (the course was amazing by the way!). It was at Blogcademy that I was made to take a really good look at who I am as a “fashion, beauty, lifestyle blogger” – what my brand (gurlinterrupted) means to me, what my values are, what my point of difference is and what I need to do to accomplish everything I want to with my blog! In short, I now know exactly where I want my brand to go, what my goals are and how to reach those goals, the new direction I will be taking, and most importantly, what I value and stand for, and of course, not compromising those values. I spoke to the teachers at Blogcademy, and to several fellow bloggers about the beauty award I had just been nominated for. I said I was excited, however felt weird about having to ask for votes for the first round, but it was all part of the process. I was asked by the teachers “given that Gurlinterrupted isn’t solely a beauty blog, you cover fashion and lifestyle as well – are you worried you’ll potentially being pigeonholed?” Admittedly, that hadn’t crossed my mind. The real doubt around the award came when they asked “who’s on the judging panel, when does the judging take place, and what criteria did you have to meet?”. I realised I had no idea at what stage any of this would take place. When I returned home from Blogcademy on Saturday night I re-read the email only to find that in actual fact, the entire process was based on ‘voting and voting alone’. This meant that in essence there was actually no kudos (in my personal opinion) behind this award, and that it didn’t actually recognise what I felt the award was stating e.g. ‘Best Beauty Blogger’. It was solely going to be based on how many votes I could wrangle up and in turn this would mean constantly asking friends, acquaintances, colleagues e.g. you guys reading this right now, to go and vote for me to win an award that actually doesn’t recognise what I want to be recognised for – my blog, my writing skills, my content, my qualification in makeup artistry, my background in beauty writing, actually it had nothing to do with my content at all.
Throughout day two of Blogcademy, the more I thought about it, the more I felt uncomfortable about having my name/my brand attached to an award process, that for me personally, wasn’t what I wanted to be recognised for e.g. ‘being capable of getting the most votes’. The fact I kept hearing things like ‘only do and write about what you’re passionate about’, and ‘if your gut-feeling is that somethings not quite right, it probably ISN’T right’ (for a moment there I thought, sh*t these girls aren’t teachers, they’re blo*dy mind-readers and they’re directing all these messages at me ha ha ha). Well that was it for me, I got home Sunday night and sent an email stating that I would like to revoke my acceptance of the nomination and asked that they remove Gurlinterrupted from the competition.
I do feel like I need to state that no fault lies with the beautyreview website – I still think it’s a great website, as well as a great source of information! And had I of read the entire email that informed me of the nomination, I would have known from the get-go how the whole process was going to play out, and in turn I wouldn’t have accepted the nomination. I also don’t want to offend anyone still involved in the competition – in fact I wish everyone still in the running all the best – the fact of the matter is, it just wasn’t right for me!
Aaaaaanyway – Sorry for the ramble – this turned out to be a novel rather than a simple explanation – it’s just that I couldn’t reply to all the messages individually that asked why I had taken myself out of the running, yet I felt I did owe everyone an explanation given you all took the time out of your day to vote for me (which I truly appreciate), you shared my ‘vote for me’ post, and wrote gorgeous, positive messages urging your friends to vote too, and I want to thank everyone that got behind me, especially those that nominated me in the first place. You’re all amazing!!
Ange x
Gurlinterrupted
A Girl Interrupted By Fashion, Beauty & Anything Pretty That Catches My Eye
I finally got around to reading my copy of “IT” by Alexa Chung. Ok, the word “reading” is probably a stretch as it’s hardly an in-depth novel, however I thought it was worth reviewing for those of you that may not have yet perused Miss Chung’s recent release…
I know they say ‘never judge a book by its cover’ (I do by the way) I have to say I absolutely loved the cover and the title. Not unlike the simplicity of the title, the faded pink cover and minimalistic look was actually quite alluring and would make for a beautiful coffee table book.
It oozes that “Alexa Chung effortlessly cool” vibe, and is clearly imagery focused with all the “I’m so hipster with my unedited, poorly lit, gritty, raw snaps”, however at the same time it wreaks of the publishing house and a marketing team having pulled the whole thing together with Alexa signing her name to the completed tale.
Alexa states that her book is a stream of consciousness and it takes us from her childhood to the present, giving us some insight into her style, friends, music and beauty, however I think a more accurate descriptor would be a coffee-table book jam-packed with random doodles and photos of god-only-knows-who (there are no photo descriptors or names attached to the images), nor is there flow or continuity. However I shouldn’t of expected much more than doodles and photos as I’ve since read that she told Vogue “I wrote it because I was bored and wanted to create something alongside hosting television shows”.
I know it’s sounding more and more like I didn’t like the book and that I’m solely criticising it, but in actual fact, it just left me a little unsure as to what the hell I’d just read, yet at the same time, I did find it somewhat charming and funny. I would have liked to see more glimpses of the real Alexa. For example she talks about heartbreak and admits that she once googled ‘how long does heartbreak last’, and for just a split second you start to see her as a real girl, a girl like any other – but then you turn the page and there’s a photo of “F___ you’ written in the sand, followed by an obnoxious selfie. Again – actually kind of funny.
Upon reaching the last page of the book I found myself in the same predicament I’m in now – I didn’t love it, but I definitely didn’t hate it either, and I’m not sure what I expected, but my brain is still trying to make sense of it all. What is your purpose “IT”?
In summary – don’t expect ‘groundbreaking’ and you wont be disappointed. I will probably peruse it again, and will definitely leave it out as a coffee-table book and interesting conversation starter!
I’ll leave you with a few insightful things I’ve learnt from Alexa…
– Nudity is necessity at a festival
– Karl Lagerfeld is very, very funny!
– How to ‘look like a groupie’ (yay, everything I’ve never wanted)
– A guide to getting dressed – “you have to look in the mirror” (thank goodness for Alexa [see: sarcasm] all these years I’ve been getting dressed and looking in the mirror, oh wait..)
Ange x
Gurlinterrupted
A Girl Interrupted By Fashion, Beauty & Anything Pretty That Catches My Eye
Essie – Coveted, loved and adored…
The Queen loves the shade Ballet Slippers and Kate Middleton chose to wear Allure to her nuptials to Prince William last year. Lady Gaga paired Merino Cool with her infamous meat dress and Angelina Jolie adores Mademoiselle.
Never before has a nail polish brand gained such a celebrity following. Loved by A-listers worldwide, essie has been adorning nails for more than 30 years and now it’s available to even more New Zealand women.
Yesterday media were invited to celebrate and experience the NEW and IMPROVED essie nail formula first hand…
Held in the beautiful surroundings of The Pavillion in Kohimaramara, guests mingled and sipped on mocktails (and perhaps a cocktail or two) before walking the gardens of The Pavillion, overlooking the water, to peruse all the stunning hues of essie’s vast colour range. And before the day came to an end everyone received a ‘nail makeover’ from a lineup of manicurists with essie nail colour and care products at the ready (with each guest receiving a selection of colours matched to their personal style – how cool is that).
So, what’s new with the already ‘world-famous’ essie? L’Oréal has relaunched the essie nail brand with a larger range of shades and care products, with wider distribution, but most importantly – essie has a new and improved, thicker formula combined with a wider paddle brush that ensures ease of use and an even, smooth finish (less expensive salon visits, more at-home manicures – that’s what we like to hear!).
With 100 colour shades from neutrals to pinks, corals to reds and greens to blues, there’s a perfect essie shade for everyone. And now, given the essie re-launch in New Zealand, the internationally renowned brand has become even more accessible to every kiwi woman.
Check out a few of the highlights from the day, along with proof that even before essie launched their ‘new and improved’ formula, I was already a huge fan, with a shot of some of my favourite essie colours I’ve been donning for years now – because after all, nails are the best accessory…
My current essie nail colours: clockwise from top left – Wicked, Chinchilly, Bahama Mama, Angora Cardi, Lapiz of Luxury, Demure Vix, Nice is Nice, All In One base/top coat
Product Range:
essie nail care RRP $24.99
essie nail colour RRP $22.99
Ange x
Gurlinterrupted
A Girl Interrupted By Fashion, Beauty & Anything Pretty That Catches My Eye
When Two Icons Merge…
After recently announcing Marilyn Monroe as the new face of Chanel No. 5, the French fashion house has now unveiled the new ad campaign which uses actual footage of Miss Monroe. The commercial features an audio recording of a 1960 interview between Georges Belmont, who at the time was the editor of Marie Claire, and Monroe, in which she famously stated that she wore nothing but Chanel No. 5 to bed. Monroe states “You know, they ask me questions. Just an example: ‘What do you wear to bed ? A pajama top? The bottoms of the pajamas? A nightgown?’ So I said, ‘Chanel No. 5,’ because it’s the truth… And yet, I don’t want to say ‘nude.’ But it’s the truth!”.
1952. Marilyn MONROE, a young American actress under contract with 20th Century Fox, posing in her small apartment for the cover of LIFE Magazine.
Both the print campaign and TV commercial are in black and white and Chanel has released three exclusive images featuring Marilyn with the perfume, however there’s still no confirmation as to which will be used throughout the actual campaign.
View the commercial here:
All imagery via Chanel.
Ange x
Gurlinterrupted
A Girl Interrupted By Fashion, Beauty & Anything Pretty That Catches My Eye
Yes, as macabre as it may seem, I still consider this worthy of a place amongst my collection of ‘beautiful editorials’. Maybe it’s because I’m a little disturbed myself (I kid!), who knows, but I find this entire fashion/beauty edit intriguing, mesmerising and somehow – beautiful! The makeup artistry is perfection and the style edit still looks amazing, even if they are of the undead variety, because hey – everyone needs a little mystery and magic in their lives!
Dazed & Confused has dedicated their entire November issue to the Dark Arts. Photographer Jeff Bark and fashion director Robbie Spencer created what are possibly the chicest zombies in history in their editorial entitled “Disturbia”. Models wear a selection of F/W 2013-14′s best 1950s-esque garments from Prada, Dior, Nina Ricci, and others.
Photography Jeff Bark
Styling Robbie Spencer
Hair and make up Rick Gradone
Models Linn Arvidsson, Anouk Hagemeijer, Lena Hardt, Irene Hemstra, Larissa Hofmann, Clara Nergardh and Jamily Meurer at DNA models
Photographic assistants Chris White, Anthony Garito
Styling assistants Coline Bach, Katy Fox, Victor Cordero
Hair and make-up assistants Brian Dean, Leslie London
Location Bark Residence
Ange x
Gurlinterrupted
A Girl Interrupted By Fashion, Beauty & Anything Pretty That Catches My Eye
Max Fashions are whisking us away on an early holiday with their sun-kissed collections ‘Far Away Places’ and ‘Birds of Paradise’ featuring beach ready maxi dresses, tees skirts and shorts in luscious summer prints.
Intricate porcelain florals and Moroccan tile prints illustrate their way through wedgewood blue, biro navy, butter yellow and crisp white in Far Away Places.
Birds of Paradise heats up the season with tropical palm prints and pretty florals in shades of watermelon, strawberry, citron, marine and grass.
Both collections are available instore and online now. Click through the gallery to see my tops picks from Max’s latest collections…
Ange x
Gurlinterrupted
A Girl Interrupted By Fashion, Beauty & Anything Pretty That Catches My Eye
Cameo – a hair and beauty accessories brand, sold at The Warehouse nationwide, offering on-trend accessories at fantastic low prices. I checked out their fashion hair accessories brands Cameo Catwalk for adults and Cameo Cupcake for girls (yip, I think there are some cute lil floral pieces from the cupcakes hair range).
Cameo Catwalk features a “Monochrome” range with a selection of minimalist black and white hounds tooth pattern accessories, and “Spring Fling” adds a splash of colour to their collections with feminine peach toned pinks and floral embellished accessories (the florals are definitely a standout for me – they have so many cute pieces for spring/summer 2013). Floral pinks and pastel yellow are carried through to the Cameo Cupcake range of adorable accessories for girls.
From floral garlands and hair clips to sparkling hair ties and chic monochrome pieces, there are some really fabulous pieces that I thought were worth sharing in the Cameo range.
Check out a few of my key picks from the Cameo 2013 spring range…
Ange x
Gurlinterrupted
A Girl Interrupted By Fashion, Beauty & Anything Pretty That Catches My Eye
Vivid memories of her grandmother’s fabulous fuchsia-coloured velvet coat and big, bold colours of the 80’s inspired Karen Murrell to create her very own eye-popping lipstick colour resulting in Fuchsia Shock.
I’m loving wearing Karen Murrell’s flamboyant fuchsia pink lipstick again – it’s rich in natural high pigment, ensuring that it delivers an intense colour that is long-wearing and doesn’t feather. Tipped to be a number one seller again for spring, summer and autumn, Fuchsia Shock instantly dresses up any outfit with an injection of head-turning colour, bound to brighten any room that you walk into, and is the perfect pairing for summer wardrobes.
Available from selected pharmacies and health food stores nationwide. RRP$29.95
Ange x
Gurlinterrupted
A Girl Interrupted By Fashion, Beauty & Anything Pretty That Catches My Eye