more magazine: Temmuz 2012

11 Temmuz 2012 Çarşamba

Spindlers Writing Challenge Results!

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Collaboration Challenge Pt. 2!

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10 Temmuz 2012 Salı

Movie Night I: Thanks, Bob Casey

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Movie Night II: The Lost VoterID Ads

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9 Temmuz 2012 Pazartesi

The Collaboration Writing Challenge!!!

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Iwas so impressed by the submissions to the Spindlers Writing Contestthat I had an idea: how about we work on a short story together?!
Here'show it will work... today I'm going to post the opening paragraph ofa middle grade story. You guys will have a week to submit your ideasfor the next 200 words of the story to laurenoliverbooks@gmail.com.I'll pick the one I think works the best, post it...and then we'llkeep repeating the process!
Occasionally,I might put some of my own writing into the story, or give you aspecific feedback if I think the story is faltering or needs moreaction or more context or whatever. We'll aim for a FULL story, ofabout 5,000 words, that makes SENSE. This will bea real collaboration:a group narrative that we all shape together.
I'mreally excited about this! Who's with me? Read the first paragraphbelow.... and let me know what happens next! And as always, pleasekeep it to 200 words! And make sure to get it in by July 6th!
MollyLampart's 12th birthday was much like every other day, only moreboring: first tea with the governess and a posed photograph with herparents, then a procession of girls who giggled and brought chinadolls wrapped in pink paper, despite the fact that Molly hated pinkand that most of her dolls ended up dissected for medical researchpurposes. There was no sneaking out the door to climb trees in thenarrow, well-tended backyard, or hanging out her window hollering atthe trains steaming into the station two blocks away, or helpingTabby chase rats from the cellar.
Itwas a day to be quickly forgotten, except for one thing:
OnMolly's 12th birthday, just as evening was starting to turn the skythe exact color pink Molly particularly despised, the emerald trainarrived, seemingly out of nowhere.

I'm Still a Hair Extensions Addict. :)

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Thanks for getting me past 400 on GFC guys! :)
I did a post ages ago about clip in extensions and my sheer and utter love for fake hair haha. You can read it here if you'd like to know about my addiction to extensions. =p
Tonight I'm blogging a wee bit about my bonded extensions, rather than clip ins. I went down the 'permanent' extensions route in August, and have been using them ever since. If you've ever thought about taking the leap, read on! =p
My regular hair, minus extensions:

Ugh. It is fine and straggly and doesn't grow beyond like my shoulders. My dad is bald and my sister and mum have about ten strands of hair between them so I had no hope really. I am SO jealous of you girls with naturally thick hair!!
I bought glue in extensions through Groupon (classy). I had my first set in for four months, and my current set is coming up on five months this week. I don't think I can go back to regular hair!
I took some photos to let you see the process of getting hair bonded, excuse the poor quality, I was trying to do it sneakily haha!

So you can see you get about 150 strands with solid glue at the top, this gets wrapped around a strand of your own hair and a heat gun softens it so it melds onto your hair before solidifying. I know that glue is not good for your hair, but so far I've had no real problems.
Here is me with my extensions:

They are so easy to care for and the only thing I HATE is washing them haha! Takes so long!
My sister was so tempted by my extensions she took the plunge and got microloops, basically little elastic bands securing the hair on. Here she is, before:

and after...

Thinking about getting extensions?
Pros

Long, thick hair!
Once they're in, you're sorted for 3+ months
If done properly, they blend excellently
You don't ever have to faff about with clip ins
You style them the same as your own hair
Effortless waves if you sleep with your hair in a plait
They make an awesome scarf if it's cold. =p

Cons

Washing and drying time!!!
Can tangle quite easily if not dried properly
Bonds start to fall out after a few months
Possible damage to hair
Cost!

So what do you think? Do you wear any kind of extensions? Do you think they're 'fake'? Am I going to get lectured on how bad they are for my hair haha?Let me know!
~ Lauren ♥
The Cosmetics Kitten

NOTD - 'Gemstones' from Beauty UK :)

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I have had a lovely long weekend, hope you guys have too! It was my boyfriend Scott's birthday on Friday, but he refused to do anything exciting to celebrate it, so we went to the cinema. His choice - American Pie. I've only ever seen the first American Pie and I didn't like LOVE it, so wasn't fussed about seeing this, but it was actually pretty funny! Crude, rude, toilet humour, yes; but quite funny all the same.

On Saturday I went to get new extensions put in, yay! It took five hours to remove my old extensions, colour my hair and put in my new ones - just as well I get on well with my hair extensionist!! I tried to take a few sneaky photos while no one was looking...

On the left is me with my sad own hair (sadface!) and on the right is me holding my new hair and drinking my complimentary wine, YAY!
I've not taken a pic of my finished result yet, will put that in my next post.
Saturday night was a party with Scott's family which was a lot of fun, and Sunday involved chillaxing with Scott and my cats with pizza and home made cocktails!

But aaaaanyways, the point of the post was not to ramble on, but to show you my lovely new nail polish. Whilst browsing in Superdrug, I came across Beauty UK's new nail varnish range - Posh Polish (not the best name in the world). There are 9 polishes in the collection, 3 foils which I'm not too fussed about, and six 'gemstone' colours - which I LOVE. Here's the photo from the website of the collection:

It was two for £5 in Superdrug, and I reeeally wanted to buy all the gemstone colours but I settled for these two:

Left is Moonstone, right is Sunstone.
They are shimmery, metallic-y colours that go on smoothly and opaque in one coat. Beauty UK is also cruelty free, which I am only buying from now on. Here is Moonstone with Nicole by OPI Kardashion Kolour in Kendall on the Katwalk (my favourite nail polish ever haha).

What do you think? Pretty?? Have you tried anything by Beauty UK? This is my first purchase. Did you have a good long weekend? :)Let me know!
~ Lauren ♥
The Cosmetics Kitten

I'M BACK! Naked2 Giveaway. :)

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I'M BAAAAAAAACK!!
Ohmigosh, I know I haven't posted regularly in MONTHS and again I'm sorry, but finally I'm back! I have been mega mega busy but the awesome news is I finally have a full time permanent teaching job starting in August and I'm off on my summer holidays now so life is GOOD!

My cheesorama face to show you my joy.
Thank you so much if you are reading this, I know I lost a few followers through my absence and I totally understand that, but if you're checking this out now it might mean you're giving me a second chance so THANK YOU.

I will have a proper post up in a few days giving you a quick catch up of some things I've been up to, and then I'll be back to OOTDs, nail art and reviews like normal! I have lots of posts to write, eeEeeeEE! I'm excited. :)

Buuuut giveaway time! In order to celebrate my return (and to encourage people to visit my blog again haha) I'm giving away an Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette. I know loads of people already have this, but it's awesome and everyone needs a back up. =p

You can read my review of Naked 2 here (don't worry, this one is brand new obv).

Enter below, UK only please. Comment below if you have entered. :)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also, since it's been so long, I have tons of blogs to catch up on - please leave me a link if you'd like me to catch up on yours! Have you posted something I have to read??Let me know!
~ Lauren ♥
The Cosmetics Kitten

Collection Goodies Review :)

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Thank you all so much for your sweet 'welcome back' messages and also for the congratulations on my job! I'm super excited and lucky in this economy to get one, so thank you!! :)
Remember you can still enter my 'back to blogging giveaway' HERE to win a Naked2 Palette!
Obviously I have a lot of things to catch up on since my break, but first I want to share with you some bargain products that I'm actually pretty impressed with! I recently went into Boots and was distracted by Collection (2000)'s 3 for 2 offer on some of their new goodies.

Now I loved this because it's actually three products I genuinely wanted and needed! I've needed a new primer for a while, and I've been wanting to try gel liner for aaaaages and the finishing spray just seemed like a good idea as I wasn't too impressed by ELF's but I am not forking out for Urban Decay's.

Primer on my hand. :)The primer has the exact consistancy you'd be looking for, soft and velvety, and goes on like a dream. A little goes a long way and I do feel like my makeup stays looking nicer for that little bit longer. It costs £5.99 when not on offer.

I'm a bit scared of gel liner, not got my application perfect yet, but it goes on smoothly and easily and is lovely and dark initially. The only problem with it is that even with primer, after a day's wear it fades a bit. However, it's been a good trial product for me! I really like it and it's only £4.99.

Lastly, the finishing spray makes my face feel wet for a few seconds obviously, but it dries quickly and I did notice that when combined with the primer my makeup stayed on all night on a night out. I wouldn't use this product for day to day wear, but it seems to be decent for a night out! It costs £5.99 when not on offer.
All in all, I'm pretty happy with these products, which with the offer cost me the grand total of £12 for all three - not bad! Have any of you tried these products? Or any other bargain Collection products I should know about (obv except the famous concealer!!)Let me know!

ALSO I've been featured in Sarah from FashionismyH2O's recent 'Project Perfect' post, along with some other gorgeous bloggers. If you don't know what Project Perfect is, or you want to see more of me (haha) then go HERE.

~ Lauren ♥
The Cosmetics Kitten

8 Temmuz 2012 Pazar

A Night To Remember - April 14, 1912

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My father was a merchant marine captain. Not just an ordinary merchant marine captain, mind you, but rather the youngest captain in the history of the Argentine merchant marine. Many of you may have read an earlier post about how my mother and father met aboard The Corrientes (if you haven't and a want to, click here). My father was passionate about the sea. It was his life. If he could have spent his life at sea sailing, he would have been the happiest man alive.

Okay, not the best picture (don't you hate it when they get you with your eyes closed?) but look at the photo in the background (yes, Evita was first lady at the time)
My father ran our household as if it were a ship and we were his crew. I remember when he tried to teach us children morse code (because you never know when you may be stuck in the middle of nowhere and have to use morse code, right?). He made a little morse code machine out of household wires and knob that would transmit signals and we spent days on our dining room table learning all the letters and codes. Can't say I've had an opportunity yet to show off my talents in this area, but the childhood memory of us sitting at the dining room table pretending to be radio operators on a ship and sending messages back and forth is something I treasure.

Time in our household was also signaled by an 8-Day Wind Ship's Bell Clock. For you all who lived in otherwise normal households and may not be familiar with this clock, it is a clock based on the traditional ship's 8-bell watch cycle, ringing every half hour to signal the changing of the bridge's watch or guard.

Like many sea captains, my father loved to tell us real life stories about the high seas, which us, as young children, listened to with big, wide eyes. I cannot remember how old I was when I first heard about "The Night to Remember" -- the tragic story about the Titanic -- but it was a story that made such an impact on us all that to this day, my siblings and I still get goosebumps when we hear anything about it. In fact, just this Easter Sunday, my youngest sister mentioned the Titanic in conversation, and before we knew it, we were all huddled around the computer watching the latest footage on James Cameron's deep-sea exploration to the sunken vessel.

Everything about the RMS Titanic, from the mystique of its amazing luxury, its wealthy and not so wealthy passenger list, its opulent cabins and interiors, to the unfortunate events leading up to its tragic sinking and the deaths of so many people, has always moved me. I have watched every movie about the Titanic countless of times and every time, I sit there hoping that THIS time, THIS time, the ending will be different. What if the Titanic had heeded the iceberg warnings? What if the iceberg accident would have ripped 4 rather than 5 of the water tight compartments (she could have survived with 4 compartments being breached)? What if the radio operator of the SS Californian (which was only a few miles away from the Titanic) had not gone to bed and had received the distress signals from the Titanic? What if there had been enough lifeboats aboard the Titanic to accommodate all of its passengers (rather than half the required number)?

Can someone please come up with a version of the Titanic where Leonardo DiCaprio lives and the Titanic sails in triumphantly to the port of New York!!!!!!!

So it will come as no surprise to you that as the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic on April 14, 1912 nears (tomorrow, in fact!), I wanted to write a post in its honor and what was such a unforgettable moment in history.

The RMS Titanic in all its glory sets sail on its maiden and last voyage on April 10, 1912

Titanic Capt. Edward Smith shown here aboard the Titanic with his dog, Ben. Janice Servais, researcher for the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Mo., which opened a tribute of its own to the dogs of the Titanic last year, says the museum has only ever been able to verify 10 dogs, all kenneled by first class passengers, with only three surviving. Some people refused to leave their canine companions who were not allowed on the lifeboats.

James Cameron's epic love tale Titanic in 1997, the role that made Kate Winslet a global sensation. I LOVE THAT HAT!!!

The decadence of the time!

Titanic's grand staircase was meticulously recreated for the movie (inset)

I wonder what it must have been like to have been on the Titanic

Some of the real people aboard the Titanic. Kathy Bates portrayed the wealthy socialite from Hannibal, Mo., who not only survived the Titanic's sinking but helped others board lifeboats, eventually becoming known as the "The Unsinkable Molly Brown."

An Edwardian Diamond ring, one of the few articles that survived the wreckage.

The Titanic today as it lies at the bottom of the ocean floor (photos by National Geographic).

RMS Titanic, 1912-2012.
To my father who loved the sea.

Saturday Shopping on 1stdibs with Me!

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I have been saving this surprise for about a week now! I am just so awful about keeping surprises. They gnaw at me until I just explode and tell everyone!!

When 1stdibs contacted me about being their featured Saturday Shopper, I was delighted. Imagine searching through their entire website choosing some of the most coveted items from 1200 of the most prestigious dealers across the globe! I had a blast, choosing everything from beautiful vintage Oscar de la Renta gowns to vintage Coco Chanel jewelry, to fabulous snake skin Christian Louboutin heels. I even went shopping for dream homes in the southern coast of France with 1stdibs' new Fine Homes feature.
And this is the best part, I am on the same page and feature as Kelly Wearstler!!! Someone pinch me, please.
So go check out my 1stdibs picks for this week. I think you will enjoy them (especially the 8.80 carat HARRY WINSTON Cushion Cut Diamond Ring). To go to the site directly, click here. And to visit my own inventory on 1stdibs, go to www.KarinaGentinetta.1stdibs.com
Happy shopping!

Italian Elegance

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Elegant Mazzega Style White Feather Murano ChandelierItaly20th c.Individually sculpted clear and white hand blown murano glass petals or feathers make up this elegant chandelier. Each hand made glass piece is partly covered by an opaque white color over transparent glass. The opacity of the color, allows the finesse, delicacy of the glass . The scattered light is soft and indirect. The white color is very pure when it is lit. Chromed metal frame.
Available online on 1stdibs and on display at 1stdibs@NYDC

www.KarinaGentinetta.1stdibs.com

The indelible Mark Shaw

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Photographer Mark Shaw is best known for his extraordinary talent and work capturing the life and glamour of John F. Kennedy's family. Prior to his work with the Kennedys, Shaw was renowed for defining fashion photography in an era when fashion was heralded by famous designers such as Coco Chanel and Christian Dior, to name but a few. Having behind the scene access to some of the most elite celebrities and models, Shaw's photographs include rare, candid takes backstage in the salons of Balenciaga, Dior, Chanel, and Nina Ricci, not to mention the living rooms of some of the most renowned socialites of the time.
Selected images of Shaw's work has been brought to the public by Svenska Mobler's Andrew Wilder in collaboration with Mark Shaw's only heir, David, and his wife, Juliet Cuming, after going unviewed for over 40 years.
Here are some of my most beloved shots of Mark Shaw in never seen before photos. For more information or to see more of Shaw's work, click here.

Mark Shaw-Editioned Portrait of Coco Chanel #14 , Paris, 1957Coco Chanel as captured by Mark Shaw for LIFE in 1957. Chanel is seen here approaching her boutique on the Rue du Faubourg St.Honore in Paris.

Jackie Kennedy and Caroline in Hyannis Port 1959 #1 by Mark ShawCaptured here is Jackie Kennedy and daughter Caroline in an informal moment on the beach at Hyannis Port in 1959. This image is an outtake for an assignment from LIFE magazine about Jackie Kennedy which ran in 1959 while JFK was making his White House run.

1953 is a portrait of Audrey Hepburn on the set of "Sabrina"

Christian Dior hat and gown, Paris, 1954

Portrait of Cary Grant #1, LA, 1955

Portrait of fashion designer James Galanos surrounded by models. These models are wearing Galanos' creations and are captured at the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Never before seen portrait of Grace Kelly shot for LIFE Magazine. Grace Kelly appeared in four major motion pictures that year. Soon After she later went on to marry Prince Rainier and become the princess of Monaco. This was a test shot of Ms. Kelly which was recently discovered in Mark's archives.

Model at Paris Louvre Metro Station wearing a gray Christian Dior dress, 1957.

Model in day wear on a residential street in St. Tropez in 1960.

Pictured here a model wears a bucket hat in the 17th century house where Manon Lescaut once lived, then owned by Suzanne Luling, directrice of Dior in Paris, 1960.

A whimsical moment captured by Mark Shaw front and center at the Christian Dior couture show in Paris in 1954.

Captured in 1953, socialite Vicki Reynaud modeling a draped chiffon gown and jeweled collar by classic Parisian designer Desses. Standing in the "dahlia-bedecked" dining room of Desses' two story apartment, Reynaud is surrounded by an 18th century Manila leather screen and a collection of English Silver. Desses' apartment was formerly occupied by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, the tower builder.