I was lucky enough to get to make two costumes this year for the Girlesque Expo in Toronto. One of these costumes was for the stunning and talented Gigi Vanilla. Gigi came to me with a beautiful vintage photo of a dancer and a pink colour scheme. From that I created a chiffon dirndl skirt, covered and decorated a bra top and made matching one-finger gloves and a g-string. I love the bits of pink lace on the bra and waistband, it adds beautiful texture to the outfit and the sparkle which was partly an applique and partly hand sewn gives it a real showgirl feel. Gigi did a wonderful job at the Girlesque Expo and really brought this costume to life. Check out the video at the bottom of this post!
This outfit was inspired by two things. Firstly this incredible fabric I found with the lovely embroidered scalloped edge along the bottom. I am absolutely obsessed with fabric that has a scalloped edge and I’m always in the hunt for it. I also love the fun blue plaid and thought it looked like the perfect fabric for a summer outfit. Secondly the design was very much influenced by the outfits worn by Dominique Swain in the Adrian Lyne adaptation of the novel Lolita. The matching belly top and skirt look is so adorable and speaks to an era where outfits were tailored to match. Enjoy a summery Dolly on this cold winter day!
You lipstick fiends look hungry for some new flavours!
After my last post about my favourite lipsticks I got so many awesome suggestions for longwear lipsticks to try, so I went to Sephora and picked up a couple. My friend Kate suggested I try the Sephora Cream Lip Stain in “001 Always Red” which I grabbed along with a new product Sephora has launched called Rouge Infusion Lip Stain, which I got in the shade “Cherry Nectar”.
As I sit here with this lipstick on I am realizing how much nicer it is than the MAC equivalent! They are almost identical in colour and at $16 it definitely beats the $29 MAC product, though I think the MAC longwear is still the longest lasting of all the ones I’ve tried. Still, it is doing a great job of staying on while also being very light and comfortable to wear. The MAC lipstick is really dry if you don’t use the top coat, but this lipstick has more moisture and I can hardly even feel it on my lips. This will probably be my new go-to for an everyday, classic red! Thanks Kate for your wonderful suggestion!!
Sephora Rouge Infusion Lip Stain – Cherry Nectar
Guys… I can’t believe I’m saying this but, this is my new favourite lipstick. Not only is it a luscious deep, sexy, purpley red, it also lasts really well (passing the makeout test). It goes on wet and stays really moist on your lips. At first I was concerned that it wasn’t drying but when I pressed my lips to my hand there was no transfer. It almost feels like a lip balm but stays like a longwear. Excellent product, I’m very impressed with it and will definitely be going back to get a few more colours.
As a designer and seamstress I am lucky enough to have many beautiful burlesque performer clients. Last summer I was contacted by Laura Desiree, the Big City Kitty, and we began working together on some lovely pieces for her acts. The first outfit I created for Laura was a tight fitting, ivory gown with a plunging sweetheart neckline, leg-revealing slit completely decked out in swarovski crystals. To go with her gown I also made matching garter belt and g-string and sparkled-up a pair of gloves. I absolutely love the way this dress hugs Laura’s curves. She is a total old hollywood vamp in this outfit!
Yesterday my lovely friend Brittany and I went to the Windsor Arms for their high tea. It was a beautiful venue filled with sparkling chandeliers, tufted couches and delicate tea settings at each table. We had such a lovely time sampling scones and treats and we got to pick a tea from their extensive selection. Of course, being ladies of style, we got all dolled up for the occasion. Brittany wore a lovely corset from Victoria Wilson (that I got her for Christmas!) and a black velvet, mermaid skirt. I wore a black dress with lace that I made, a Victoria Wilson waist cincher and a beautiful fascinator given to me by my best friend Laura. I think we were appropriately dressed for such a fancy tea date!
Right before winter I found this beautifully embossed polyester fabric that felt thick and warm and perfect for a cute winter dress. I used a t-shirt pattern for the top and added a circle skirt on to the bottom. Super simple. super quick and incredibly cute! In the photos below I paired it with a homemade headband and cameo necklace. The boots are ‘To Be Announced” from Solestuck. I love the little bit of metal at the toe and heel of these boots. They are like jewelry for your feet! My lipstick here is “Diva” from MAC.
Let’s start this week off Westeros style, with some sensual, filthy Lannister family portraits!
About this time last year my friend Meryle Trouble and I performed an act with the Underground Peepshow for their Dungeons, Dragons and Damzels show. We performed as the Lannisters, Cersei and Jamie, to the song ‘Love is Strange’ with a very Dirty Dancing inspired routine. I had a fun time making both our costumes for the act, including outer and under garments. These costumes are what I call “Burlesque Cosplay”, which is semi-accurate design with a bit more stage presence and of course easily removable. I love doing Burlesque Cosplay because it brings together two of my favourite hobbies. I admire and respect cosplayers who go for 100% accuracy, but I personally find it way more fun to take a cosplay idea and put my own spin on it, especially a Burlesque spin!
Dear reader, I have a confession to make. I know it may shock you but… this is not what my skin looks like. Every photo you’ve ever seen of me was taken with a full face of makeup. Shocked? Don’t be! I’m not ashamed of the fact that I wear makeup. It gives me confidence and is a huge part of my personal look. I get a lot of compliments on my skin, but really it’s the goop on top that should get the credit. And in case you are interested here’s what I use to get that alabaster glow!
MAC Studio Fix Liquid and Powder in NC15, MAC Longwear Paintpot in Soft Ocre, and MAC 190 Foundation Brush.
Firstly I would like to say that I take skincare very seriously and I exfoliate and moisturize every single day in the morning and evening. I also never go to sleep with my makeup on, no matter how tired I am. My skin is naturally quite pale and I am very careful to stay out of the sun as much as possible.
After moisturizer the first step to my routine is applying MAC cosmetic’s Studio Fix Liquid Foundation in NC15 with a 190 MAC foundation brush. I make sure to spread it evenly across my whole face, avoiding the eyelids. Then, using the same brush, I apply MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Soft Ochre to my eyelids as a base for my eye makeup. I love this product and it does a great job of preventing creasing for daily wear. Lastly I buff out my skin with MAC’s Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NC15 which I usually apply with the sponge that comes with this product, but occasionally I will use a round, flathead brush to really press it on. Et voila!
This weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Great Canadian Girlesque Expo at the Mod Club in Toronto. One of the best parts of the event, besides of course the amazingly talented performers, was that I finally got a chance to see the jewelry line Celluloid Sleaze in person. I have been following the lovely Aviva and Sarah’s instagram posts of their new line of necklaces, earrings and broaches and drooling over their chunky plastic, 60s inspired designs. I love the fun, bright colours of each piece with designs that include cherries, flowers, leaves, dominos, skulls, fruits, birds and even a pickle pin! These accessories are the cherry on top of the perfect pin-up outfit.
Celluloid Sleaze Designers Sarah & Aviva showing off their wares
The necklace I had been pining for was a very popular design and sold right away, so instead I picked up this charming piece. I love the shape of the leaf bangles and the black & white colour scheme works so nicely with any outfit. I will definitely be adding more of their jewelry to my personal collection!
Recently at a party a fellow asked me if I always dress this way, specifically if I dress this way at work. To which I enthusiasticly answered yes! At my day job I am the face of the company. When parents, students, teachers, strangers walk into the building it’s me they see sitting at the front desk. Therefore I believe it is a part of my job to look polished and put together. For the average girl that might mean wearing ‘buisness casual’ attire, having tidy hair and maybe a little makeup. For me though, I look at every work day as an opportunity to express myself and put together fun, work-appropriate outfits!
One of my favourite things about dressing the way I do is that it makes those around me stop and take notice not only of the way I look but of their own style. This morning while sitting at my desk a 10 year old girl came up to me with a big grin on her face. “Hanna, look!” she said, pointing to her face, “I have new glasses!” The stylish metal frames perched atop her tiny nose gave this girl so much joy and the fact that she was so excited to show them to me brought a smile to my face too!
CLASSICALLY CURVY 