... because life's too short to do anything ALL the time . Creativity and positivity are my "hiraeth"

Saturday 19 January 2013

Saturday Night Slap

I'll tell anyone that will listen that the thing I find most difficult about make up artistry is the constant references to the faces of women from the world of celebrity and popular culture.

I can't stand it. I despise  the X Factor, the Voice, Big Brother, all such nonsense, and I find it galling to have to know what particular celebrities have been wearing on their faces when they mime to their songs written by someone else on prime time T.V.

One of my least favorite celebrities is Kim Kardashian. Having never watched their T.V. show I have no idea what they are all about, I'm sure they're all perfectly nice people, but I can't stand the furore that surrounds them/her.

Unfortunately, her make up stylist is really very good and uses unusual techniques to create her bespoke look that has now become her trademark.

I watched a brilliant tutorial (about 6 times as it's brilliant, quite complicated and reallyclever) and really wanted to practice the technique, so I bribed Meg with the gorgeous curry the boyfriend made us all for our tea.

Apparently I still owe her custard though. She's got a heavy cold so did NOT feel like it at all.

SO here's the before shot:

Freshly cleansed toned and moisturised, primed using M.U.A. face primer and M.U.A perfect eyes primer.

Mid way scary shot:

Several layers of 2 shades of foundation, high use of extreme highlighting/concealing and extreme contouring. It's quite liberating applying make up in this way but really quite scary. You can easily see the way it's going to work though.

Finished product:


 Normal flash


Lovely vintage Instagram filter. Want to follow me on Instagram? Betty Red17 is my username.

I really like this look and technique and while Meg looks nothing like Kim, it's very flattering and I'll use it in the future. Could use a bit more practice on it though. Volunteers always welcomed!

Betty 
xxx

Sunday 6 January 2013

Crochet Heaven - or Hell?

We all do it.

We have great Christmas ideas months before the festive season.

Then something happens. Then something else, and before you know it you're racing to complete something for the big day.

Well this year I failed.

It's my grandmother's birthday on New Year's Eve and she's really tricky to buy for so I thought I'd make her a crochet wrap. She likes things like that and I've never made anything for her before, other than food!

So, I managed to finish it today. Fringing done - it's actually really nice. Very lose crochet which makes it light. I have a considerable amount of wool left so I'm considering knocking myself up something - I'm feeling a tank toppy thing - something thin but warm I can wear under my new motorbike jacket I had for Christmas for the many, many trips out we'll be having very soon.

This is the wrap - what do you think?


"Lady J" met her crochet nemesis this year too. Her gent Glen (keep your eyes peeled for his new blog!) wanted a crochet blanket, a granny square one, so, relative newcomer (2 years) to crochet Lady J, knocked out this blinder.



Ihave to say though, there was some choice language being thrown about by the end of both of these projects, I don't mind telling you!



Thursday 3 January 2013

This Is Your Life

2012 was a difficult year for an awful lot of people.

Don't get me wrong, I do know a few people for whom the year wasn't totally horrendous. But not many.

They say that we are given the life we are able to handle and at no time has that been truer than the last year. A lot of people very close to me have been tested to their limits. And for some it's not over yet.

 But this is a new year, and I demand more from it than last year put out.

And a lot of people are making good progress already. My best friend is about to move back home with her gorgeous gentleman who is going to be starting a new blog himself. I've missed her. Things are starting to move for her now.


Another good friend who I met through this blog actually is thinking of starting her own and she has a lot of skill to share. C'mon Karen! Let's get going!

The diary is starting to fill up already. Don't be taken in by the gloomy economic climate and weather - we can force the sun to shine on all of us.

An email received  from someone I barely know but have great respect for reminded me of how "feisty" I am. I've not felt it particularly for a while, but actually, my strength is coming back. It's time for me to take control back.

2013 is full of promise and potential for all of us. I will set up my business, I will be successful, I will see my friends, family and loved ones happy and if things go down for one of us (it's inevitable at some stage I suppose), we will all be there for each other - no matter what.

THIS IS MY YEAR

Wanna share?