Learning to Let Go of My Bettie Bangs

For the last 6+ years, I have had "Bettie bangs."  There was, however, a brief period in 2010 when I tried to grow my bangs out in the hopes of achieving more styling variety.  Alas, my feeble attempts to "stay strong" and resist the charms of Bettie bangs eventually fell victim to my stylist's shears.  Before I could say, "I am trying something new," the Bettie bangs emerged victorious.

Despite my love/hate/love relationship with my bangs, I have decided to grow them out this time, for real.  There will be no wavering!  My mind is made up.   I realize that it's not that I "hate" my Bettie bangs, but I am ready for a change. 

In late July, my stylist, Jesi, cut and shaped my bangs into the beginnings of a side-swept bang.  I want to be able to wear them like this (albeit a little longer):

I also would like the option of rolling my bangs back so I can do styles like this:

As of right now, I can do a reverse roll, although it's small:

In the last 6 weeks that I had my Bettie bangs re-shaped, they are still on the short side.  The side-angle look is becoming more and more evident but I realize I will not have full effect/length until probably the end of the year or later.

In the interim, I have purchased a side-swept bang clip-in from Hairdo on the days I want a side-bang look:

The clip-in is easy to use and is washable.  I shampoo, rinse, and air-dry.  The piece is made with synthetic hair so do not curl with heat or it will melt!

Here is me with the clip-in:

I am excited about the prospect of my bangs growing out!  After 6 years of the "same old, same old," I am looking forward to a new look! 

New Tattoos!

Tattoos!  Whether you have them or not and whether you like them or not, tattoos are a fixture in the rockabilly/vintage culture.  Despite the fact that mainstream society still hesitant to accept body art, I have never felt more proud to collect and display my tattoos! 

One morning in late May 2000, I woke up and decided I wanted a tattoo.  I was 25 years old and about to start graduate school.  I was the antithesis of the impulsive 18 year-old hellbent on getting drunk and "getting inked."  I was a married, mild-mannered travel agent with a mortgage who was eager to earn a Master's Degree in Spanish.  By the end of the day, I had a simple black star tattoo on my lower left back/upper hip.  The entire piece took 10 minutes and was the size of a quarter.  I loved it.  A couple of months later, I found myself getting another tattoo, a Celtic design that was larger, boasted some color, and located on my upper back, between my shoulders.  That piece was a bit more painful and as a result, I told myself I was "done" with tattoos.   Less than a year later, I had a black line moon tattoo on my lower right leg/ankle.  So much for "being done."

Regardless of my suburban and professional life,  I continued to get more tattoos.  I am not sure if my fascination with tattoos stems from being an artist but there is just something about body art that enchants me. Nevertheless, as I ventured further into the world of ink, I transitioned from small, basic black outline pieces to large, full-color designs.  Whenever I completed a tattoo session, I thought, "that's it. This time I am done." Nope.  Not by a long shot.

In early 2007, I was preparing for my annual Colorado ski trip 2008 and I had this idea that it would be "cool" for me to get a half-sleeve cherry blossom and snowflake tattoo.  I thought there's no better way to capture my love of Colorado than getting tattooed in Colorado.  With this burning scheme in my head, I called a tattoo studio in Breckenridge and made an appointment for the last full day I was in town. 

On the morning of my appointment, I woke up feeling a nervousness I never experienced.  All of the tattoos I sat for previously were small and quick.  This tattoo, however, would be the first "big piece."  I took a few deep breaths and told myself I could do it.  Later that afternoon, I met my artist, Kauri Tiyme, and after filling out necessary paperwork, I sat in her chair and the next five and a half hours flew by!  When Kauri was done, I had a masterpiece on my skin.  I felt amazing.  I had the privilege of sitting in Kauri's chair for five more sessions, continuing in late summer of 2007 and ending on the 24th of September 2008.  Sadly, on the 22nd of October, 2008, Kauri was killed.  In the wake of Kauri's untimely and unfair death, I did not get tattooed for four years.  I couldn't.  I felt like if I got another tattoo, I would be cheapening Kauri's memory.

However, a year ago, I had a talk with a good friend of Kauri's and she told me that Kauri would have wanted me to move on and that the process of getting tattooed again could be a way to "let go" of the sorrow I was harboring for so long. 

In October 2012, I sat for beautiful alpine forget-me-not floral and starburst tattoo with artist Liaa Walter of Cirque Du Rouge Tattoo studio in Washington, D.C.  I had the piece done on my inner left forearm.  After our session was over, I felt a cleansing and lifting that I cannot describe.  Words will never do it justice. 

Since last fall, Liaa has touched up a couple of tattoos and created two lovely pieces for me.  In May, I had my father's words added to a flower tattoo I had done in 2006 and then fixed by Kauri in 2008.

As some of you may recall, my father has Alzheimer's and as a result, he is not able to write much anymore.  This tattoo was created by tracing my dad's words he wrote to me in a letter on my 18th birthday.  A couple of years ago, I found the letter whilst sorting through storage bins in my closet.  This letter is one of my prized possessions and I can so happy Liaa captured the little subtleties and nuances of my father's once beautiful handwriting. 

And just last week, Liaa covered up my very first tattoo, the ugly star, with this gorgeous peony bowl of beauty flower:

I sat for this tattoo for nearly two hours.  Let me tell you, it hurt. It hurt like hell.  Due to the proximity of my spine, the nerve-endings are very sensitive because they branch out from the vertebrae. Thus, this was one painful piece.  Despite the "ow factor," I am simply overjoyed with the stunning outcome!  Moreover, in late October, on the afternoon of Halloween to be exact, I am going back to Liaa so she can touch up my Celtic design and add more to it.  That tattoo is going to be a bit "squirrely," but I know I will endure. 

http://www.westword.com/2009-01-08/news/in-life-and-death-tattoo-artist-kauri-tiyme-made-her-mark/

http://liaawalter.com/home.html

"Girl World" Strikes at the Makeup Counter

First and foremost, I would like to apologize for my absence!  This summer has been chock-full of travel, work, a vicious cold, sick kitties, and more work.  Nevertheless, now that life is seemingly 'back to normal' (what is "normal" anyway?), I am anxious to jump back into blogging!

With that said, I would like to address the post at hand: Girl World.  What exactly is "Girl World" you ask?  Let me explain.  Girl World is what I deem the subtle nuances, behaviors, and that energies that occur between women.  When we are young, we learn quickly what sly glances signify and how whispers literally speak volumes.  Moreover, we become familiar with the way a girlfriend can say "I'm fine" but we know she's is not.  With a few questions along with that look that says, "Girl, I am here fore you. You can lean on me," she's confiding in you.

As we age, we develop a sixth sense that heralds a power that can be used for "good and evil." This sixth sense so-to-speak can be an amazing tool to reach out and connect with the other women in our lives. However, this same element can be utilized for sinister intents like spreading gossip, being catty, and basically talking smack to bring down your fellow sisters-in-arms.

To the outside world, the delicate and elusive forces at play go unnoticed. A snicker accompanied by a fast glance can often be construed as mere happenstance but in Girl World, it's a crushing cacophony of alienation and shame.  We know they are talking about us.  We feel it.  In Girl World, we have a language all our own and we know it.

So, let me tell you how Girl World came to "strike" at Macy's Impulse Beauty in Boca Raton Town Center in Boca Raton, Florida.  In early June, I went to Boca Raton to visit family and one day, I went to the Inglot counter for some needed products.  As I approached the counter, I noticed a sales associate sitting in a chair at the adjacent Benefit counter.  She sneered at me and turned to other employees and loudly stated, "I am NOT helping her."  I was shocked. What? Did she just say that out loud?  She knows I can hear, right?  Wow.  Just Wow. 

After a deep breath and not wanting to get upset, I proceeded to browse at the various eyeshadows, pencils, and lipsticks.  Within a few minutes, the Inglot sales associate came over and assisted me with my purchase.  I ended up buying stuff because I wanted it but I really wanted to walk away and deny them the satisfaction of that sale.  In addition, as the Inglot associate rang up my final purchase at the register, I overheard hushed voices saying, "Oh my god! I know! Her dress! Ha ha ha!!"  The sales associate at the register was trying hard to keep a straight face as her colleagues carried on like bitchy teenage wannabes.  I could tell she was in on the joke at my expense yet I did not have the chutzpah to say anything.  Dammit.  I feel like my makeup lust made me into a sitting duck, gossip fodder, and basically a sucker.  I walked away and went back to my in-laws, feeling shitty.

When I returned home to D.C., I immediately filed a complaint with Macy's regarding my experience.  I will tell you this, despite my cosmetic addiction and admiration for Inglot, I will NEVER EVER set foot in that Macy's again. 

Even though I took the high road, I so wanted to tell those women to "**** Off!"  I wanted to say, "Hey bitches!  I know you are throwing shade at me! Cancel the sale! Where the **** is your supervisor?!" But, I didn't.   I walked away.  Was my lady-like demeanor and handling of the situation not the right way to conduct myself?  I think I have more to lose if I "lose my cool."  How do I navigate Girl World while holding my head high?

Hukilau 2013! Part 1 (Friday)

(Image courtesy of the Hukilau and tikiroom.com)

In June, Big Daddy (aka my husband) went to South Florida to visit his family, enjoy the sights, go boating with the fam, and to participate in the Hukilau 2013. The Hukilau is a tiki-themed event that takes place at the Sheraton Yankee Clipper and Mai-Kai Polynesian Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale.

http://www.thehukilau.com/

http://maikai.com/

The event started Thursday, the 6th of June and ended Sunday, the 9th. Big Daddy and I wanted to do the entire event but to due our procrasination and not getting full event tickets in time, we only got tickets for Friday night, aka the Main Event. These tickets, or wristbands (ala VLV) were 40 dollars each.

After enjoying a day at the antique mall and shopping at the Inglot counter at Macy's, Big Daddy and I got ready for the Hukilau. It was pouring rain and I was so afraid my hair was going to be ruined. Leave it to my trusty Bed Head Hard Head Hairspray to save the night! That whole week was pretty much a "wash out." The very first tropical storm of the year, Andrea, was brushing past and heading north over the area. Moreover, South Florida's rainy season was in full effect. According my Florida native husband, the rainy season takes place from May to September.

As we left Big Daddy's parents' house, the rain was crazy. The traffic on Interstate 95 was nuts too! Despite these inconveniences, we finally made it to the Yankee Clipper in Fort Lauderdale. I wish I got a picture of the hotel itself! It actually looks like a ship! We quickly checked in, got our wristbands, were given a sample of rum (yes, please!) and had a quick bite to eat in the Mexican restaurant, Dos Caminos.

After dinner, we made our way up to the Main Event area and saw a few bands, had some tiki drinks, and met some great people. I even had the surprise and pleasure bumping into and talking with Gabriella, a fellow vintage blogger! She was so nice and always so wonderfully dressed!! Here is her amazing blog:

http://sewingishard.blogspot.com/

The first photo below shows the entrance to the Hukilau and check-in area and the rest are of the Main Event and vendor areas:

(Apparently, having a few tiki drinks made me think taking this picture was a good idea.)

After the Main Event bands were done, Big Daddy and I headed to the vendor area and browsed the booths. I bought a hot pink and white lace peignoir set and Big Daddy got real puffer fish lamp for our tiki bar at home! His light is similar to this:

As we finished our purchases and chatting with some great people, we saw the Disasternauts come into the room and they began to play. They are AWESOME! And their "monkey guys in NASA suits" antics were a riot!

http://www.disasternauts.com/

Around midnight, Big Daddy and I decided to head back to his parents' house in Boca, which was only 15-20 minutes north of the Yankee Clipper. As we drove home towards Federal Highway, the storms over the ocean were producing amazing lightning! The bright, intense bolts lit up the thunderhead clouds hovering over the black ocean, creating a scene that was just incredible!

Overall, the night was a blast! I am so glad Big Daddy and I were able participate in the event! If you ever get a chance, you must do the Hukilau!

The next post will be Part 2, which features Saturday's event at the Mai Kai. I will post it soon!

Lipstick Review: Lipstick Queen Lipsticks in Red Sinner and Scarlet Sinner

Yesterday, I met my sister and niece for a day of shopping at Tyson's Corner Center, located in Tyson's Corner, Virginia. Tyson's is part of the Northern Virginia/DC Metro area.

During our fun day out, I went to MAC Cosmetics for a few basics and we browsed the stores and had a lovely lunch at La Sandia (a new, upscale take on classic Tex-Mex cuisine). We ordered table-side guacamole and dined on enchiladas, black beans, and tortilla soup.

After lunch, we made our way to the makeup counters in Bloomingdale's. I saw a few things that peaked my interest but I decided I didn't need anything. As we were leaving, I spotted something that caught my eye and lo and behold, there it was! Lipstick Queen!!!!

I have wanted to try Lipstick Queen lipsticks for a long time but no store carried them in the DC area. I have read countless online reviews that detail the quality, pigment, and color. One review said Lipstick Queen "Sinner" lipsticks are "not for the faint of heart" or the "shy." Well, you got my attention!

Nevertheless, you can imagine my joy and excitement when I saw the pretty colors just packed with pigment. According to the sales associate and Lipstick Queen packaging, these lipsticks boast 90% pigment and after trying on "Red Sinner," they were not foolin' around! These lipsticks mean business!

After swatching a few colors, I decided to buy "Red Sinner" and "Scarlet Red Sinner." (Lipsticks retail for 20.00 USD each).

Red Sinner is on the left and Scarlet Red Sinner is on the right. Red Sinner is a neutral bright red that leans slightly cool. The color is similar to Besame Cosmetics, "Besame Red" lipstick. The lipstick goes on opaque with one swipe. The texture is very smooth and rich. These are touted as matte but they have a little creaminess and feel very soft. Moreover, despite the matte description, they are not drying at all. Not one iota.

Here is me wearing Red Sinner:

The other color I purchased, Scarlet Red Sinner, is a berry red. It has a little bit of a claret undertone. The shade reminds me of a lighter, brighter version of Besame lipstick in "Cherry." MAC lip pencil in "Beet" pairs well. Beet is a touch darker than Scarlet Red Sinner.

Me wearing Scarlet Red Sinner:

Another thing I want to mention is how Lipstick Queen classifies their lipsticks. The full pigmented version is called "Sinner" and the more sheer, less pigmented formula is called "Saint." Many of the shades have a light and full-bodied version of each other.

So, how do these lipsticks compare with Julie Hewett? Besame? MAC? I think these lipsticks have more pigment than both Besame and Julie Hewett but only slightly more. The texture is heavier than Julie Hewett and Besame and as a result, the lipstick lasts much longer throughout the day and survives eating and drinking better.

However, when I compare Lipstick Queen to MAC, Lipstick Queen wins out hands down. I am usually a MAC girl but in the last few years, small companies like Julie Hewett, Besame, and Lipstick Queen are out-pacing MAC in spades. For example, I recently purchased RiRi Woo (a retro matte) from the "Rihanna loves MAC" Collection and as much as I love the color, the formula is so dry. It literally tugs at my lips when I apply it. In addition, the texture dries my lips out. I find that I can only wear MAC's Retro Matte lipsticks (ie Ruby Woo and RiRi Woo) for a few hours at a time (ie date night).

Overall, I am pleased as punch with my two Lipstick Queen purchases! If I didn't already have a huge cache of lipsticks on my vanity, I would go out right now and buy more shades. I cannot rave enough about them!

Antique Shopping in South Florida

As some of you know, I was recently visiting South Florida (Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale to be exact). While I was there spending time with my in-laws and participating in the Hukilau, I also had the opportunity to visit two of my favorite antique malls, Sugar Chest and Hillsboro Antique Mall.  Both malls are located in Pomano, Florida.

http://thesugarchestantiquemall.com/

http://www.hillsboroantiquemall.com/

Of the two malls, I have to admit that I prefer Sugar Chest. The layout is easier to walk and browse through and the bakelite selection is fantastic. Hillsboro has a cool vintage post card section (it's huge!), furniture, a great number of vintage housewares and kitchenware, and loads of costume jewelry. The only drawbacks are the small amounts of bakelite (and what you do find is so overpriced) and the layout is a bit chaotic. If there is such a thing, I feel like there is too much to see. I call it "sensory overload."

Nevertheless, I bought some post cards from Hawaii to frame for my tiki bar, three thin red bakelite spacers, a pumpkin-colored carved bakelite bangle, and a Hobnail dish for my mother-in-law.

(The pumpkin, carved bangle is on the far left. One of the new red spacers is second to the far left and the other new red spacer is second to the far right.)


During my trip to South Florida, I also visited Sugar Chest Antique Mall in Pomano, located on Federal Highway. This mall is about 15 minutes south of my mother-in-law's house. Every time I visit, I always make a stop at Sugar Chest! I call it my "bakelite haven."

On my recent visit, I bought three carved bakelite bangles. Each one was listed as 65 USD and there was a sale going on and as a result, my bangles were 40% off! I also scored a pristine opalescent, glittery lucite bag. I was floored when I spotted it glowing from within its display case! The seller originally wanted 400 USD but I felt that was way too high. Between my mother-in-law and the lovely attendant, Joey, who always helps us when we visit, I managed to get the bag for 200 USD.

One of the many charms of shopping in antique malls is finding hilarious items! You never know what you are going to find!

Let me show you what I discovered:

This reminds me of David Bowie in his "Blue Jean" video!

The King, complete with "sneer detailing."

A very macho cowboy Ken doll!

A sequin nightgown? Dress? Robe? I am not sure. So shiny.

A velvet poker hat. Do you think I should go back and get it?

A Ken Doll from the 80s. Kind of reminds of "Jersey Shore" Ken. GTL!

And as we were leaving, I saw this book. Pose! Werk that camera, honey!

At the end of my Florida visit, I had some great new bakelite scores, a pretty lucite bag, some fabulous vintage post cards, and I got a gift for my MIL. Overall, it was a fun time! I cannot wait to go back when I return to Florida in August!

A Preview of Things to Come (To Florida, the Hukilau, and Beyond!)

Wow! How time flies when you are traveling, having fun, getting your tiki on, and just being alive! I hope all is well with everyone! It is June, summer is pretty much here, and oh gurl, we have a LOT to catch up on!

In my little absence, I visited family in South Florida, participated in the Hukilau in Fort Lauderdale, scored some great vintage finds, and spent Father's Day weekend with my lovely dad.

My husband (aka Big Daddy) left the DC area on the afternoon of 1st of June for Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Big Daddy was born and raised in South Florida and his parents live in Boca Raton.  After an uneventful, yet calm flight, we arrived in Fort Lauderdale and upon claiming our luggage, my in-laws picked us up and all four of us went out for dinner at JB's on the Beach in Deerfield.

The next few days, we went out on my in-laws boat:

We toured the Intracoastal and swam in the open ocean. We also docked to eat lunch in Lighthouse Point and saw the historic "Cap's Place" as we cruised around:

http://www.capsplace.com/

During our stay, we ate out, cooked out on the grill at my in-law's house, had cocktails on the back patio in the evening, and simply took in all the wonders South Florida had to offer.

On a couple of mornings, my mother-in-law and I visited two antique malls, Hillsboro Antique Mall in Pomano and Sugar Chest Antique Mall on Federal Highway, just south of Boca Raton. At both locations, I scored bakelite bangles, vintage Hawaiian postcards, and I bought an amazing opalescent glitter lucite purse. (My next post will feature my goodies!)

But I have to share with you one of the 'hidden gems' you can find at Sugar Chest:

This is "Earring Magic Barbie." This doll came out in the 80s. It features a very "Jersey Shore-looking" Ken, complete with mesh shirt, gold chain, and vest. GTL, BABY! Um, no thanks. But, I know you want it! Just kidding! In my next post, I will show your more "treasures" I discovered.

One morning, my mother-in-law and I went to Boca Town Center to get makeup and to check out the sales at Macy's. My intent that day was to go to MAC Cosmetics for my goodies but as we went down the escalator to the first floor, I spotted this beacon of hope, light, and simply jaw-dropping makeup freak HEAVEN!

I wanted to die. I really did. Die from the sheer insanity and glory of all those pretty colors! I first found out about Inglot from my friends, Erin C. and Inky W. When I first saw a free-standing Inglot store, it was the Las Vegas location in the Caesars Forum Shops during VLV 15. I wanted to go in there so bad but I knew Big Daddy had been tortured enough. It was dinner time and I had already spent an hour in Sephora. Nevertheless, when I saw this counter in Macy's, there was NO way ANYONE was going to pull me away! Let me just say this: I. Wanted. EVERYTHING. In the end, I was "good." I only bought four shadows, a palette for the shadows, a brow pencil, two lipsticks, a loose copper pigment, and a glitter/loose shadow adhesive from Too Faced. I will post pictures/reviews of my haul soon! I promise!

By the end of the first week, it was Friday night and time to head to the Sheraton Yankee Clipper Hotel in Fort Lauderdale for the Main Event of the Hukilau 2013!

The weather was really bad for most of that week due to Tropical Storm Andrea brushing by and moving north over the Gulf of Mexico. The drive from Boca to Fort Lauderdale was terrible due to heavy rain. As a result, all the of the events for the Hukilau were moved inside. Despite this, Big Daddy and I were determined to have fun! We got drinks, had some dinner at the Mexican restaurant at the hotel, and made our way upstairs to see the bands and to enjoy the crowd. I met a few lovely people who knew other friends I had. You know, the whole "friends of friends" who know "this friend of that friend" thing.

Everyone was so kind and dressed so well! One gal I met from North Carolina had on this KILLER Whirling Turban dress that was to die for! She and her friend were dolls! So nice!! After the bands finished upstairs, we went downstairs to the vendor room to watch the Disasternauts play. I also did some shopping. I got a great hot pink and white lace nightie/robe set from the 50s/60s that was only 20 bucks and Big Daddy bought a real puffer fish light for our tiki bar at home!! I have photos I will share soon.

The next night of the Hukilau was the dinner at the Mai Kai. I will post on that event in its own post. It is quite a story (both good and not so good).

On the afternoon of Sunday, June the 9th, Big Daddy left to return home to DC for a business trip. I stayed in Florida until the evening of the 12th. During the remainder of my stay, the in-laws and I relaxed, visited other family members, and swam in the pool at my in-laws house. Let me just say, I did NOT want to come back home! Florida is just my cup of tea!