CGC Daily and October Reads

I have some updates for you guys. Some things that I’ve been doing, that I’m kinda super proud of and really excited about, so I thought I’d share them with you.

 

Fashion and Happy Things!   CGC Daily and October Reads
car selfie has nothing to do with this post. I just really like this lipstick

First, I’ve been writing for a site called CGC Daily for a while now. I’m pretty sure I mentioned it before, but I’m still really stoked about doing it. My latest post for them which is on different Ways To Wear A Trench Coat is up now, and I’ve got another one that should be up before the end of the month. I love contributing to this site, because it’s a positive place for working women to go for advice on what to wear to work and fitness and business.

Another thing that I’ve just started is another blog called October Reads. This is where my book reviews will be living from now on. I’ll eventually move the book reviews that are on this site over there. Books have always been my first love, and I love talking about them but I never really felt like much of the kinds of books I read fit in this space. I like a lot of horror books and Sci-fi as well as Scientific Non-Fiction. I ended up having a bit of an existential crisis, listening to a lot of Tim Minchin and talking about doing this with my husband before I just up and did it. There’s only two posts up so far and we aren’t done designing the site, but I’m thrilled with it so far.

The final thing I’ve been doing recently is this. In a couple weeks I’ll have been with my husband for 10 years. I wanted to honor that in our humorous and twisted way.

Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

I had the opportunity this weekend to make an appointment with and interview my friend Maxwell Leclerc.

For those of you that don’t know, Maxwell is a makeup artist, who studied at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and he is a Beauty Adviser/Color Expert for Sephora in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. You can find Maxwell on Instagram here.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

My questions will be in italics and all of his answers are his own words. We decided it would be amazing for him to do a makeup look on me, using his absolute must have products. There are pictures from that session, interspersed through the interview.

 How long have you been doing makeup, and what got you started?
I’ve been working in cosmetic medium for approximately 5 years, but I have spent my entire lifetime exploring the beauty and aesthetics of women since I can remember. I specifically remember seeing a Playboy at age 3, and that must be where the interest stems from. My grandfather was an artist and his home was filled with sculptures and paintings of the nude femme body. I was obsessed… The hair, the makeup, the flesh. I also recall my mother wearing incredibly stunning and dramatic makeup throughout most of my childhood and teens. I always just wanted to somehow capture and create work that represented my strong affection towards beauty and women. My primary work as an illustrator has always been faceted by strong ideals of beauty and sexuality, so it is entirely inherent that I became a makeup artist.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

I’ve seen some of your paintings on Instagram and they’re gorgeous, how long have you been painting?
I have been painting since I was a child. The Little Mermaid was my first dose of inspiration. All my stick figures had red hair! In High School I won a national Scholastic award for a series of 27 illustrations I did from Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’urbervilles, and then attended the Art Academy for 4 years. Once I realized I wanted to do makeup full time I dropped out right before graduation and my true pursuit of  beauty began to blossom.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

What other Artists are you inspired by?
So many! I’ve always been inspired by the work of Alberto Vargas, Aubrey Beardsley, Eduard Manet, Halston, and McQueen of course… These artists’ aesthetic of beauty have gravely influenced how I’ve shaped my own.

As a Makeup Artist, what are some of your must have products?
Must haves: Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, Make Up For Ever Smokey Extravagent Mascara, Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes shadow pencil in ME-54, urban decay Naked 3, Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade, Nars contour Bronzer Duo in Olympia, Hourglass femme rouge velvet cream lipstick, makeupforever aqua lip liner, and Marc Jacobs Lust for Lacquer lip gloss.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

Products shown and used: Nars Radiance Enhancing Pro Prime, Nars Sheer Glow in Siberia, Makeup Forever Aqua Matic in ME54, Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eyeliner in Jazzberry, Urban Decay Naked Three Palette the colors:Strange, Buzz and Trick, Darkside, Marc Jacobs Full Coverage Creamy Concealer in Awake, Makeup Forever HD Setting Powder in Translucent, Nars Blush in Unlawful, Nars Bronzer in Olympia, Nars Highlighter in Albatross, Makeup Forever Rouge Artist in #22 Pink Peach, Marc Jacobs Lust for Laquer in 306 Sweet Escape, Makeup Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara in Black

 

Of course, since this is a Fashion Blog at heart, what is your go to outfit for when you’re running late?
When I’m running late I like to combine something comfortable with something chic. An easy look is best to relieve anxiety of already being late so I like to wear a wife-beater with a cool blazer and a pair of jeans or running sweats.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

And finally I know you’re a movie buff, what is your must watch movie list?
Melancholia, Under the Skin, Nymphomaniac and Matilda

And here’s the final look:

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

and outside in the daylight:

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

I plan to buy everyone of the products that he used that I don’t currently have. They’re amazing. And a very sincere thank you to Maxwell for agreeing to this crazy interview. It’s rare you get to work with someone who’s not only talented, but incredibly intelligent as well.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

 

Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers died at 81 years old today. I’d like to say that I’m completely fine, because she was a celebrity and I never met her, but I’m not. I’m absolutely devastated.

Joan Rivers was a comedic and fashion icon, known most recently for the Fashion Police where no one was spared from her biting wit. While she may have been cruel at times, she was a true feminist, who paved the way for women in comedy today.  Her red carpet reviews left no one untouched. She voiced her opinions on everything from politics to fashion and did so bluntly and honestly.

Whether you loved her or hated her, Joan Rivers made a lasting impact with everything she did. I know I will dearly miss seeing her on the Fashion Police each week. My condolences to her family at this time.

 

 

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

I was tagged to do the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS by CGC Daily. Who *cheated and tagged all their contributors, and since I’m a contributor I kinda have to don’t I? Check out their challenge here. You guys know that I have a huge soft spot for good causes, so…

I tag Kallie of But First, Coffee, Hanna of Hanna Lei and Carly of The College Prepster.

 

What I wore: Navy Tee: The Limited Shorts: Krass and Co.

 

 

 

 

*no cheating actually took place

Finding Me

Welcome to Fashion and Happy Things new look! Grab a cup of tea or coffee and get cozy and stick around.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Finding Me

In September it will be 5 year since I started Fashion and Happy Things, and 2 years since it’s last makeover. I watched Taylor Swifts Live Stream on Monday and what she said about making an album every two years really stuck with me. Two years is enough time to change the way you dress, change your hair, change the kind of music you like. I’ve changed a lot in the last two years.
I want Fashion and Happy Things to represent me, as I am now. Somethings will never change, but the things you see in the image above, and the things in my header image are my absolute favorite things right now. I still love Sweaters, but instead of loose oversized cardigans, I’m loving fitted crew necks. I’m still obsessed with books, but I’m less into vampire books than I was. Instead of gushing over Ballet Flats, I adore Keds and Boots. I still drink way more tea than healthy, but I’m fruity teas and relaxing teas rather than black teas. And of course I changed my hair.
I really feel like these things represent me. I feel like I’ve changed so much, but I’ve somehow stayed exactly the same. Let me know in the comments what you think of the changes around here.