Beauty review Maybelline 10 hour stain gloss in Refreshingly Red

Model wearing Refreshingly Red

I am constantly on the hunt for "the" lipstick. You know the kind,  one that is timeless, luxurious and also au courant. Wait... did I forget to mention cheap? So that makes me unable to resist dollar store deals that look velvety red in the tube but feel like sealing wax on my lips. I probably have tried hundreds in my 29 years. You think I would learn. Nope.

But every now and then I am also enticed by actual brands of makeup. Usually in the drug store, possibly late at night. And fortunately rarely over 10 dollars a pop.

I was in Bed Bath and Beyond yesterday morning getting a lavender sachet for my rice filled boot stands (post to come) and I was sucked into the make up section.  I decided I deserved a treat, and before I knew I I had 5 different kinds of lipstick in my hand. The one I chose was Maybeline 10 Hour Stain Gloss in Refreshingly Red.

When I got home I immediately tore it out of its package and smeared it on my lips. This is how I feel about it today....

1) The red really is very pretty. In truth it's one of the best reds I have found.  And because it is a stain it isn't too lipstick-y. (Though there is a time and place for that) I give it....

5 out of 5 smooches for color

2)  It is not as the package claims "10 hour". Though it is quite a long lasting stain, don't think you are going to make it through dinner with your ruby pout.  Reapplication is necessary especially after meals, which is the same for most lipsticks.  But it does have a tendency to stay on the outer lips far longer. Making it .... awkward.  I woke up this morning looking like I had lip liner tattoo.

3 out of five smooches for staying power

3) The application of this stuff was crazy terrible. It has a stick applicator which is usually OK, especially for stains because it gives you more control. Not so this Maybelline! Using this was like using a fuzzy stick dipped in a paint bucket. The consistency was to thin for the applicator and tube, and as a result it got all over! Despite the fact that I was very careful it ended getting on the table, on my planner, on my dog, and if I hadn't noticed that it had smeared on the outside of the applicator I would have also gotten it on the inside of my new bag! Arg!!! This is not something I could put in my clutch or pocket for an evening out. Too messy!

1 out of 5 smooches for usability

Would I recomend this lipstick to you? Um...no. Don't bother. This will just be one that ends up in the bottom of your makeup bag until it explodes and gets all over your stuff and you wont ever be able to get it out. 

So what is your favorite lipstick? Will it be your signature color forever? Or just the flavor of he moment? I would love to hear suggestions...

Right now mine is Fran Wilson's Mood Matched in Red. Big surprise that it was 2.99 at CVS right? It's not my forever color though. That is still TBD.

Till next time!

Gertie's New Book For Better Sewing Launch Party! Woohoo!

Last Saturday I had the fabulous opportunity to go to Gretchen Hirsch's book launch part for her book Gertie's New Book For Better Sewing.  The party was held in benefit to the Pets Alive shelter where Gertie herself got her three furry pals.  (Lou and I will be getting our next kitten there I am sure)

I went by myself which was a big deal, even though I am a pretty out going person.  This was my first experience going to a crafty event like this and I was nervous! Would there be anyone for me to talk to? Would I stand in a corner alone and be a sad sack? Would everyone else know each other except me and I would be that one crazy fan?

I stood outside of the Sewing Studio on 29th and 7th (my old stomping ground back when I went to FIT...it brought back a lot of memories) took some deep breaths and said to myself "I am crafty, creative and nice. It will be a good night!"

Let me tell you I had so much fun.

ME and Patty (Gertie's Mom!)

First thing when I walked in the gal at the check in desk complimented me on my dress, which was the Burda Shirtwaist that I wrote about here and here which I had just the franticlly finished the  button holes hours before. That started the evening off with a bang. I met a bunch of wonderfull people, including Jessica Pigza of Handmade Librarian and Sarah Goldshadt whose book Craft-A-Day will be coming out next month.  The founder of Kollabora was there, Nora Abousteit, as well as some people from Creativebug, the web-hosts of Gertie's new online classes. (I got a 1 month subscription and I am dying to try a few...OK, all of the projects).  I met Gertie's mom and dad, who live near my hometown of Flagstaff AZ and we talked about local eateries and hangouts.  I even got my book signed by Gertie herself, (she said I look amazing in plaid). She was absolutely as nice and gracious as she seems. 

When I got home though, I realized I had forgotten to take any pictures! Dag nab it! Then, low and behold, when I checked Gertie's Blog yesterday....THERE I WAS!!!!! (Can you tell I am excited about this? I don't all -caps-bold for nothing!)

It was is an honor to be pictured on Gertie's blog, but even more so to meet all of those wonderful people.  Every one there cares passionately about creativity, and craft which is really neat.  It's not everyday someone asks you if you used your walking foot to match the plaid or how you basted your seams. I can't wait till my next event. 

The Shirtwaist post ... 2 = Tips for Cutting and Matching Plaid

Well, I finally finished the shirtwaist dress that I talked about here.  It was quite a feat matching all that plaid. And because I am lame and didn't post my progress I as I went along, I have to play catch up now. Or maybe I should say I have to plaid catch up. Get it? (collective groan)

So here you go with Shirtwaist post ... 2 = Cutting Plaid

I decided to use a beautiful Jewel hued plaid for my Burda Style pattern 7179. This is the second time that I have used plaid and have learned to match it very carefully. Here are a few tips for cutting and matching plaids....

Threads Magazine blog giveaway

So I just discovered Threads Magazine's blog! Its really great. And....They are having a giveaway!!!!

Go check it out and enter to win the Colette Sewing Handbook!!! Yay! (I hope I win)

You likey?

ME in my all sewn by ME outfit!

Thanks! I made it!!

Well, I didn't get the shirt dress completed. (I swear its coming! It has to be done by next Sunday so I can wear it to a house warming party!) But I did finish a dirndl skirt that I was working on. I wore it out to run errands in the city and out to drinks with friends at a bar called William Hallet in Astoria.  Its really the first time I wore a very vintage inspired ensemble.  I was always afraid I would appear a little costume-y.  But I think I carried the look of quite will. I was even complemented on the subway by some hipster chick (she had a sweet Rosemaling tattoo! Inspiration for me perhaps?)

Why hello Darbalou!

Me outside the courthouse! 

So... I am working on the shirtwaist posts, but in the meantime I have some super exciting news that I wanted to share with you! I am now officially a business owner! I went to the Queens county court house today and got a Business Certificate then went straight to the bank to open an business account and get an IEN.  I feel very grown up about it all!

I had been quite overwhelmed by the whole process. My mind is not altogether linear so it is hard for me to wrap it around legal terms and requirements.  The first time I actually went to the court house  forgot some papers I needed and I felt like a schmuck.

But when I went today, it was easy as pie! The guards were nice, the notary helpful and I had a wonderful conversation with the certificate lady about her old boxer. It was grand. (except I lost my car and had to walk around for 20 min beeping the key thing to find it, but don't tell anyone about that) Plus I was their first Business Certificate of the day! I thought that was a good omen dont you?

So now, I am proud to announce the official opening of .... (cue fanfare please)

Darbalou is a children's costume/dress up company we have been working on for a while. My goal is to make really awesome children's dress up clothes that are washable, easy and super fun to wear. When I was a little kid playing dress up was my favorite thing in the world.  Putting on a discarded bridesmaids dress (about 10 sizes to big mind you) could transport me to ancient Egypt, a royal court, the Organ trail, or anywhere else I could think of.  I think it is so important to encourage kids to flex their brain grapes. So, my husband and I decided to start a company with just that in mind. (his name is Lou BTW, that's where the Lou in Darbalou comes from.

The Shirtwaist...Post 1

The Shirtwaist...Post 1

OK, truth be told, its 4 am and I can't sleep. I keep thinking about the shirtwaist dress I am going to start on tomorrow (ahem, today). When I was in South Carolina I scored big time at Jo-Ann fabrics Labor day sale. Vogue patterns were on sale for $3.99 and McCall's were only $1.99!  (you would think that liking in one of the fashion capitols of the world I wouldn't get so excited about going to a Jo-Ann sale but so be it) Needless to say I picked up a bunch of patterns on the cheap. More on that later.

 One of the patterns I bought is Burda Style 7179

This is a vintage reproduction pattern which means that the fit will have been modernized. But that what muslins are for!

I will be making version B as its still quite warm and I figure this is a good fall transition dress.  Should I make the shall collar variation? What do you think? And I might just try and figure out that cute little pill box hat on the F illustration.  And those gloves might be perfect for trying my new Bernina Leather foot! (I have a pattern from BurdaStyle.com for the gloves) I might need the bow tie too.  Hmmm.

The Essentials List

 The Essentials List...

Patricia Franchini in Breathless

Patricia Franchini in Jean-Luc Godard's 1960 film Breathless has a certain something, dont you agree? The film itself is, of course, an essential member of the canon of film history. And yes, I enjoyed it. But I enjoyed watching Ms. Franchini much more. Her quintessentially cool looks remain burned in my mind when ever I think of Paris, let alone bohemian chic. But it is also her seemingly perfect travel-go-with-the-flow wardrobe that makes me swoon...just a little.