TFIF...

I have a tradition when I leave a company...sounds like I'm the corner, go-to girl for jobs, but I assure you I am committed to my work and my reputation...it's just that I've accumulated some great experiences....

...just what a career slut would say!

Anyhoo, the tradition is to play Jamiroquai in the morning and in the afternoon when I leave the office...I have this insane live CD from Italy and let me tell you, it will lift you up.  There are some jamming tracks and I found myself bopping around the house in my boots and bra, singing into my mascara wand...much to Bourne's amusement!

I'm off to a local watering hole later, with some of the crew, to celebrate my release into freedom and I can't wait to chase that coffee patron with an ice cold voddies.

So raise your glass (or cup of vida...trendoids...) and let's toast...

Here's to making your own dreams come true...to working your ass off for something you believe in...to waking up with a smile, having a spring in your step and a sparkle in your eye...

Here's to believing in yourself and surrounding yourself with people you admire and who inspire you.

Damn the man.  Become the man!

Image: Imgfave

LINK LOVE ~ Hippie Yeah! Vogue Germany May 2010...

Want some hair inspiration? Here it is...

Beautiful.

Images: Fashion gone rogue

Finally...some inspiration...!

This week has been a literal desert of inspiration...I've been crawling around the dusty plains of the www begging for sweet release from the torture of barren hope...I had almost reached the point where you collapse and give yourself up to the mundane regurgitation of commercial humdrum...but being the fighter I am...equipped with a special set of skills to siphon out the shit from the genius...I edged forward and on...never releasing my death grip on optimism...maybe one day...maybe someone...maybe....maybe...

And in the dark void of my daily existence...namely my soon to be non-existent 9-5...a mirage shimmered into reality before my eyes...it gave me strength...it gave me life...it gave me inspiration...

Somewhat melodramatic? Yes. Absolutely necessary? Hells yeah.

Vogue Russia May 2010

More here

Vogue Mexico

More here

This journey has not been without its lessons...I have discovered that I like texture in styling. I love clean lines and light. I adore shadows and the mood and mystery they shelter.

All contradictory.  All consuming. All me.

Images: Fashion gone rogue

I got you babe...

why would I need anything else?

Images: we heart it

Makeup Monday: Lip colours for spring...

Coral

Fushia

Nude

Purple

For the full story visit Refinery 29...

Images: Refinery 29

Where does your blog fit in...?

I believe that the blogs you follow can be separated into three categories.  It's a generalization, but here it is anyway...

Group 1 - The Real Deal

These are the blogs and websites you visit everyday.  They're inspirational and you feel a close kinship with the author and their content.  You usually link to them and include them on your blog roll.  You feel a strong association and you can relate closely with it.  These blogs are the essence of what blogging is about...sharing...communication...community.  It's the type of blog you love to follow and what your little bloggie aspires to be one day when it's big.

Group 2 - Arms Length

This is an interesting category...it's the in-between of the blogging world and can create strong feelings of confusion and irritation.  I've mentioned before my low tolerance for sell outs and fakers, and this is where these guys fall into grey area...you might not agree totally with their content or view points and yet you keep coming back for more. Why is this?

I follow a style blog...I battle to type that as I don't believe the author has one smidgen of style...and yet, I find myself drawn to her blog...why, you ask? Well, my understanding of the situation is that although I don't believe in what she is doing, I believe in how and why she is doing it.  She comes off as a sweet, interesting and honest person and she is really and truly into her blog and her style.  Who am I to judge her style? Even though I don't like it, isn't that what self expression is all about? I respect her for being so bold and honest and carefree. She has a massive following and although I think this can be attributed to her personality more than her style, she is obviously doing something right.

So you see my predicament? I respect someone who is not like me...Someone who wears outfits I don't believe in...and yet....and yet....I like her. Gasp.

Group 3 - The Car Crash

Oooh, this is the most fun group of all.  Given that platforms like Facebook have made stalking an accepted daily activity, it was inevitable that this category would develop.  These are the blogs you don't like. They are usually run by someone you know and don't like or they are competitors in your industry or your boyfriends' ex....you get the drift...

You have absolutely nothing in common...their posts have the relevancy of last years' newspaper and almost everything you've read on their blog makes you either cringe or laugh. You don't follow the blog...you don't comment...and it grates you that when you do sporadically check out their drivel, you're becoming a statistic.  Most people will read this and ask..."why do you even look then?" Simple, my dear friends...it's like a car crash...a morbid curiosity...and it makes you feel good about your blog. It's shallow and bitchy...but please don't pretend like you're above all that. 

Maybe I am that blog for you...what you still doing here, huh?

{editors note: Huffy has refrained from listing blogs she follows which would fit into each category...but if you ask nicely, she might just do...you feeling lucky, punk?}

LINK LOVE ~ Fall/10 Show Venues...

Gives you a little insight, doesn't it...?

Can you name the venue?

Images: You me him and her

Styling!

I would like to introduce you to my new wardrobe. 

Say "hello wardrobe"!

Images: Popbee - ba&sh summer 2010 lookbook

Makeup Monday: Wake-up with makeup...

Some more great advice from Bellamumma from an interview she did with Kevin Murphy. 

"International hair and make-up artist and creator of Kevin.Murphy hair products. Here's some of his tricks-of-the-trade on how to wake-up with make-up...

FORGET THE FOUNDATION: “The more tired you are, the less make-up you need,” says Murphy. “Thick foundation will sit in sleep-deprived lines and make them look more obvious. Use a tinted moisturiser instead, or mix a dollop of foundation with your moisturiser and apply.”

GO NAVY: “Brush navy mascara onto lashes to energise eyes - the blue casts a reflection, making your eyes sparkle,” he says. “Then apply black mascara just to the tips of your lashes to make the whites of your eyes whiter.”

CURL GIRL: “When you're sleepy you're eyelids tend to droop a bit,” he says. “Use an eyelash curler before your mascara to open up eyes and make you look more awake.”

BRUSH UP: “Brush your eyebrows up using an eyebrow gel to enhance the arches and wake up your whole expression.”

PUFF BADDY: “Make eyes appear whiter and less puffy by sweeping a bronzer across your lids.”

BRIGHT EYES: “Gently apply white or pastel pale blue eyeliner along the inner rims of your lower lash lines,” says Murphy. “It instantly brightens your eyes so you look more refreshed.”

COLOUR BEWARE: “Stay away from pink or purple shades of eyeshadow – they emphasise bloodshot eyes.”

GET CHEEKY: “Put some healthy colour back into your cheeks,” he says. “Pick your natural shade by looking in the mirror and giving your cheeks a couple of pinches - the colour your cheeks change to, is the true shade of blush for you.”

RED ALERT: “Wearing red lipstick draws attention to your mouth and away from tired eyes, giving you an instant face. For a softer look, choose a rosy lipgloss.”

QUICK TRICK: “If you need to refresh your make-up during the day, place a clean tissue over your face, spritz it with a water spray and then peel it off. Your foundation will be instantly revived.”

Source: Bellamumma

Does your authenticity have a price...?

I've been thinking...that in itself should warn you...and I've seen a pattern develop in the blog world...much as it has in the real world too...

Usually people start a blog because they have something to say, share and show...it starts as a small project and usually stays that way. Small and innocent and untainted. Pure and unyielding in its views and opinions. It's a beautiful thing.

Then the real world pokes it's pimply, pore-ridden nose in the picture and starts yapping....you can't say that, you might alienate someone....you can't do that, it's bad for your business....if you say something nice about me, I'll pay you... This is where is all starts: statistics and money. 

Google analytics becomes your morning crack fix as you hurriedly type in your password and check your unique visits (note: not hits, please people get with the times).  You feel a calming euphoria as you lean back in the chair, smile and sip your vida. More visitors, means more advertisers, means more cash which in turns means more unless shit to drown in that void in your life. Isn't that why you started the blog in the first place?

I'm not against advertisers; I think it's fantastic that brands have finally stopped "doing lunch" and have noticed the change in the world around them and they're taking advantage of it...but are they taking advantage of you? It's powerful to your blog and the brand to create an affiliation but always ask yourself..."if they weren't paying, would I still be happy with them on my blog?".  Too many blogs are being overrun with ads and reviews and competitions...one more "follow and retweet" campaign and I am going to drive a stake through the dead heart of your blood sucking blog (not in a hot Vampire Diaries way either!).

That is the worst. Paid for reviews. It stinks of brown nosing and you can smell the sell out from a mile away. If you're going to review something, then review it. Don't copy and paste what the marketing intern sent you.  If you like it cool, if not...then be honest.  Needless to say, I don't expect any free shit coming my way for a review. I doubt anyone believes in their brand or product enough to run the risk of my honesty.  I couldn't care less but at least you now know that when I do review something...it's real and honest.

I follow a plethora of local and international blogs and I went through that "must follow everything" phase when you first discover the amazing talent readily available on the www.  Any pretty, shiny and colourful blog was added. It was bliss and I felt alive and connected.  Then I started really following and I was amazed by how many bloggers have sold out. My list has reduced to the usual must haves but I have also managed to siphon out a few gems. It's sad that something which started as a means for self expression and meaningful conversation, has been reduced to the online equivalent of batting eyelashes and back slapping.

So the next time you blog...or tweet...or comment...or add...or link...ask yourself:

Does this define me? Does it enunciate the person I am? Or am I doing it for attention and statistics?  Am I trying to be part of the hip crowd?

{editors note: Although Huffy realises that this is a gross generalization and there are some true talents out there, she does feels it's an important discussion and all opinions need to be considered.}

Image: Imgfave

LINK LOVE ~ Anja Rubik by Patrick Demarchelier in Vogue España March 2010

Love this styling!

Incredible how texture can make something look so luxurious...

Images: Fashion gone Rogue