Back to School Outfit

This will be the first time in years that I will not be going back to school in the fall, since I graduated University. However I still find myself thinking about it. For me you can't do much better for then Blake Lively on Gossip Girl for the perfect school girl look. I tried to emulate her with un-done hair, a button up vest and high boots. Fall is all about layering, so adding a scarf and jacket completed this look.  

For those of you wondering about a a fall colour palette for your wardrobe:

(Source: http://www.pantone.com/pages/fcr/?season=fall&year=2014)

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About Cutting Your Hair Short

I had been thinking about cutting my hair short for awhile now. And as summer was approaching and the weather was getting warmer, I thought this was the perfect time. I have also just graduated from the University of Calgary and moved to Victoria B.C.. So whats one more big change right?

I have waited along time to finally make the cut. Simply because I feel short hair is often misconstrued as anti-feminine and unattractive.  And that the media tells us that "Pretty girls have long hair". The idea of cutting my hair actually offended certain people in my life. It was as if I wasn't trying hard enough to be a women or something. 

My wonderful boyfriend gave me a lot of encouragement, and assured me I would be just as beautiful with shorter hair. And in the end, I felt ashamed that I ever thought it would be other wise.

This is the reference photo I gave my hair stylist:

(Source: http://stealherstyle.net/hairstyles/48388/)

This was taken fresh from the hairdressers:

 I felt like my hair was so long it was weighing me down. Once it was cut I felt instantly lighter, like I lost a couple pounds. I noticed that my posture has improved as I result. And there is something about having an actual style to my hair that feels great. I went for an angled bob with no layers, for a look with more edge than my previous haircuts.

In the end it is just hair. It will grow back. And we tend to regret the chances we do not take in life.

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Outfit of the Day!

Outfit of the Day

Boots, Stripes and Army Jacket

The influence of the military in fashion has remained strong. Tall buckled boots, an army green jacket with large pockets, sailor stripes...these items are classic and versatile. I would normally rock an outfit like this in the fall, however Calgary's "spring" weather is a lot more like fall anyways :)

This jacket is only $30 at Stitches! It has the feel of something bought in the 70's, and later inherited from your parents. I would definitely recommend it!  

Scarf - (May 2009)

Jacket - Stiches (April 2014)

Striped shirt - Zara (November 2013)

Tan tank top - Stitches (November 2013)

Satchel - Chicnova.com (March 2013)

Jeans - Buffalo (September 2012)

Boots - Aldo (December 2013)

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Maybelline's Colour Sensational Lipstick Review

Colour Sensational Lipstick by Maybelline

According to Maybelline's website, these lipsticks have pure pigments for crisper colour, and contain Honey Nectar for a creamier feel. With 68 shades to chose from, the range of colour is impressive. I chose Pink & Proper and Deepest Cherry.

I have rather red lips, so I was thrilled by how pigmented these lipsticks are. Relativley moisturizing, and very creamy, these lipsticks are quite the find. They lasted for about 2-3 hours. And with eating/drinking and general wear and tear, I find this is a long time for a drugstore lipstick. My only complaint, is these lipsticks are heavily perfumed. So much so, it made my nose tickle and run. The sent itself is lovely. However if you have a sensitivity to strong perfumes, Stay away from this product!

Swatches

Pink & Proper

This lipstick is a true pink with a shimmery finish. I find this colour light and fun, and perfect for a night out with the girls. 

Deepest Cherry

Deepest Cherry is the truest shade of plum I have come across. A great colour for fall. The shade is dark and sexy without being to vampy.

This lipstick is available at your local drugstore for about $10.

Bottom Line

Coverage: 5/5

Feel: 4/5

Scent: 3/5

Price: 5/5

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Made in Calgary:1990's - Exhibition Review

Made in Calgary:1990's Exhibition Review

Introduction

As most of you know who have read my blog, I am currently completing my final year of a degree in Visual Studies at the University of Calgary. And for a class I am taking about the History of art in Canada, I recently attended an art exhibition called Made In Calgary: 1990‘s. I was born and raised in Calgary. And as an artist myself, I hope to share some of my insight. I generally write about beauty and fashion on this blog, however I feel that those are aspects of art. An example from this exhibition would be Pinned in Place by Laura Vicherson (Shown below).

Laura Vicherson B.1959
Pinned in Place 
1993
Lace, wax, flower petals and dressmaker pins.
Walter Phillips Gallery

Photo credit: Catherine Wilson

About the Exhibition

Made in calgary: the 1990’s is an exhibition at the Glenbow Museum in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Calgary running from February 8-May 4 2014. Nancy Tousley curated the exhibition, that covers the 1990’s to the year 2000. An accomplished curator, Nancy has a strong academic background, and was an Art critic of the Calgary Herald for over 30 years (“Made in Calgary: The 1990s” 2014). With this rich history in the art world she has most likely seen the the best Calgary has to offer. Tousley has incorporated 55 artists with over 100 works in the exhibition (“Made in Calgary: The 1990s” 2014). 

The themes that appear the most prominent in this exhibition, are a sense of identity through family, education and race. As well of these artists strong sense of community. Such as, Video Quilt from the installation My Two Grandmothers(1991)(Shown below). Through the exploration of new media, Leila Sujir weaves together the foreign cultures in her family. (Glenbow 2014) Or Anything and Everything (1991) by John will. A humorous autobiography, that commemorates his friends and family. Many of whom are artist in Calgary (Glenbow 2014).



Leila Sujir (b. 1951)
Video Quilt from the installation My Two Grandmothers 
1991
Fabric Quilt, 4-channel video and 21 video monitors
Collection of the Glenbow
Photo credit: Catherine Wilson






The flow of viewing the exhibition varied for each venue. The Glenbow wove artwork throughout other exhibitions in the museum. This was a unique and effective way to display this exhibition giving the viewer a sort of “treasure hunt”. While the Glenbow featured many sculptural elements, The Art Gallery of Calgary housed predominantly 2-dimensional pieces. Such as M.N. Hutchenson’s The Vesalius Series #1, #5 and #6 (1992) (Shown below).

M.N. Hutchenson
The Vesalius Series #1, #5 and #6
1992
Type C prints
Collection of the artist

Photo credit: Catherine Wilson

Artwork Spotlight: Arcade by Bert Habermiller

After completing an M.F.A. in sculpture from the art institute if Chicago, Bert Habermiller ran Graceland for 11 years (“Bio” 2014). Graceland is an art collective/community in which he founded (“Bio” 2014). Located on the outskirts of Calgary, this 7 acre reclamation yard, organized school field trips, exhibitions and artist residences (“Bio” 2014). Bert Habbermiller’s strong commitment to community is reflected in Arcade (1992)(Shown left). The process by which Habermiller created this work involved installing a vending machine in the gallery, full of artwork by various artists (Glenbow 2014). Anyone can then put a Toonie in the machine and get their vary own piece of artwork. Unfortunately, this process did not work for me, as the artwork I choose got stuck in the machine. However in spite of this set back, I still feel that allowing the viewer to be so actively involved in the artistic process has merit. This work explores the relationship between the consumer and the artist  by recontextualizing the vending machine (Glenbow 2014). For example the “normal” item one buys from a vending machine would be candy or pop. And the artworks contained in this vending machine are almost the same price, yet hold a lasting value. The “art collective” style in Arcade is a tradition in Habermillers career through Graceland. And a growing trend in Calgary’s art culture. Such as Calgary’s Market Collective.

Bert Habermiller 1992
Arcade, 1992
Vending machine and various artworks
Collection of Glenbow; Gift of Roxane and Alan Dunning, in memory of Patty Green (1960-1996), 1997

Photo Credit: Catherine Wilson

Artwork Spotlight: Entomology by Shelly Ouellet

According to www.shelleyoellet.com, Shelley Ouellet was born in Calgary, Alberta. She studied at the University of calgary, became director of the city’s Stride gallery and is an instructor at A.C.A.D.(“Shelly Ouellet” 2014). She has history in web design and was an associate in digital imaging, media and visual arts at the Banff Centre for the Arts. Entomology (1998) (Shown below) is a sculptural installation composed of about 10,000 rubber toy bugs to form a single giant bug (Glenbow, 2014). This piece was originally created for an Artweek exhibition at Truck in 1994. at this point only the front half was created, to appear as if to be bursting from the wall. Then, In 1998, the entire form was created. (Glenbow, 2014). Ouellet created this work using section drawings, and an enlarged image from a 3-D computer drawing. Then using a rubber toy of a bug as a prototype, each bug was placed on a strand of nylon filament, then placed on a grid. (Glenbow, 2014) this process emulates the content of her work that deals with pop culture and digital imaging (Glenbow, 2014). The rich colour and kitsch style displayed in Ouellet work is a reflection of 90’s pop culture. This piece is similar to Bert Habbermillers Arcade, in that it recontextualizes everyday objects. Shelley Ouellet formally thanks many people for helping her complete Entomology. Like Habbermiller, and so many artists in Calgary, her focus appears to be projects that involve community. In this exhibition, Entomology was my personal favorite artwork. Playful and Original, I feel this piece reflected the ingenuity of the artists in this time period.


Shelly Ouellet 1964
Entomology (version Three) 1998
Toy rubber Bugs, filament and Beads
Collection the the Alberta Foundation for the Arts
Photo credit: Catherine Wilson

Works Cited

“Shelly Ouellet”, February 19 2014,<http://www.shelleyouellet.com>

“Bio”, Bart Habermiller, February 19 2014, <http://barthabermiller.com/bio/>

“Made in Calgary: The 1990s”, Glenbow, February 19 2014, <https://www.glenbow.org/exhibitions/mic1990/>

The Glenbow Museum, Gallery Label,  Feburay 15 2014, Pinned in Place by Laura Vicherson

The Glenbow Museum, Gallery Label,  Feburay 15 2014, Video quilt from the installation My Two Grandmothers by Leila Sujir

The Glenbow Museum, Gallery Label,  Feburay 15 2014, Anything and Everything by John Will

The Glenbow Museum, Gallery Label,  Feburay 15 2014, Arcade by Bert Habermiller

The Glenbow Museum, Gallery Label,  Feburay 15 2014, Entomology  by Shelly Ouellet

The Art Gallery of Calgary, Gallery Label,  Feburay 15 2014, The Vesalius Series #1, #5 and #6 by M.N. Hutchenson.

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Tips on How to Dip-Dye Your Hair

Hi Friends!

For this post I am going to outline instructions and tips, on how to dip-dye your hair at home. I am not usually one for using drugstore dyes. However, only dying the bottom of my hair seemed safe because if disaster strikes, I am do for a hair cut anyways. I used Splat Hair Colour in Lustey Lavender. And Overall, I am pleased with the result. Its such a playful look!

Dip-Dye Instructions

Note: I brought my hair forward to either side of my head. So that My hair was separated into 2 sections, and repeated the following process for each side. 

Note: If you already have lightly coloured hair you can skip the bleaching process.

1) Place hair on a piece of foil.

2) Using a brush or strait from the bottle, Apply bleach to the bottom 3-5 inches of hair. Make sure your wearing gloves to protect your hands.

  3) Fold up foil and let it process until it reaches a pale blonde. 

  

  Note: Double check your hair every few minutes. It’s important to not over-bleach your hair, or it will be left damaged or in severe cases, break off.

4) Shampoo and lightly condition bleach out of the hair.

5) Blow hair completely dry. If it’s still wet, it will soak up less colour.

Note: Now here is where things get messy. I found Splat Colour really drippy. So make sure your applying it over an area on the floor, that is coverd up with something you dont mind getting colour on...I managed to get it all over the floor of the hotel room I was in :s

6) Place hair on a piece of foil.

7) Using a brush or strait from the bottle, apply colour over bleached area.

Note: I would wear gloves again for this, because the colour takes a long time to come out of the skin. I would also suggest concentrating the colour towards the ends for a more gradient effect.

8) Fold up foil and process for 50 minutes.

9) Wash your hair again or rinse with cool water. 

Note: At this point I noticed the shower looked as if I had just murdered a Power Puff Girl (purple everywhere!). The dye came off easy enough with just water though, so don't panic. Unfortunately this is where things got really tricky for me, because my hair continued to drip dye every time it got wet for about two weeks! And blow drying it (especially the first time) splattered dye all over the walls. Now most of the time the dye washes out with just water. However, it is certainly a huge pain in the butt to have to clean up after yourself all the time. So be warned! The Colour went from violet to light pink in couple weeks. This is what the colour looked like originally (sorry for the blurry photo).

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Outfit of the Day!

I went shopping at Zara recently and I was so excited to see the return of the Skort! This short/skirt fusion has been one of my favourite clothing items in the past, because you can rock a mini skirt without the chance of flashing everyone your Brittany. I also feel that this combo allows for an easy transition from day to night. So I got this gorgeous cream coloured pair, and it has quickly become one of my best-loved pieces in my wardrobe.

Shirt - Zara (June 2013)

Skort - Zara (June 2013)

Earings - Ear Curls (July 2013)

Necklace - I made this myself

Shoes - Vintage

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