Accessorize Yourself

         BOLD 

Is The Way To Be.                                                            COLOR 

                                                                                       Me Chic.

Bracelet by CH Carolina Herrera,
Velvet Heel by Zanotti Design, Blue Clutch by Reiss,
Red Shoes by Simone Rocha ay John Rocha.

Twin bags by and red bag by Loewe, Yellow Bag by Celine,
Green Heels by 3.1 Phillip Lim, Bracelets by Pandora.

       SHINE 
In The Darkness

Blue Shoe by Alexander Wang, Brass clutch by Kipling,
 Bracelet by Stella McCartney, Black Shoe by Lanvin,
Green boots by Louis Vuitton.

                                     Yes, You Are Seeing
                                 SPOTS

Shoes by Dolce & Gabbana, Tights by Wolford,
 Bag by Marc Jacobs, Ring by Melanie Georgacopoulos.

 Follow The
PATTERN

Colorful Heels by Christian Louboutin for Mary Katrantzou, Scarf by Hermes,
Ring by Husam El Odeh, Bracelete by Bottega Veneta, bag by Oierre Hardy,
 Middle Heels by Topshop Unique, Bottom Heels by Dries Van Noten.

Love,

ALPHA

                                             




Feel The
TEXTURE 

Black Heels and Gold-Pink Heels by Miu Miu, Bag by Proenza Schouler,
 Boots by Louise Gray, Necklace by Lucy Hutchings, Oxfords by Topshop Unique.

Seize the Day

VOGUE

point of view

"Want to know a Vogue secret? Obsessing about your age, and your 'flaws,' is never chic. Don't-give-a-damn is the MOST FASHIONABLE QUALITY ever known. A seventeen-year-old from East L.A. with a strict budget and a stellar SENSE OF SELF can be as a 36-year-old Parisian style-maker with a charge account at Colette. She knows how to fully EMBRACE this self, this day. She knows what shade of turquoise or amber brings out her eyes. 


AGE? Sure, it's just a number. But that doesn't mean you should pretend you're a number you're not. Dressing like a club-hopper when you're a WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE undermines your own POWER. Being a conformist when you're in your 20s would be a sin. 


When we write about dressing through the decades, we're advocating that you embrace the INDIVIDUAL. Take possession of your unique personal style. Because how many women can be you?"

*****

This is from the August 2011 Vogue - The Age Issue, and I thought it was just tremendously inspirational and it made me feel so good about myself. Sure, I'm not a middle aged women afraid of wrinkling skin or anything but I am a teenager and we are super body conscious. We do always focus on our flaws and never seem to embellish our favorite parts. I love the whole "Don't-give-a-damn" attitude - it's just what we need. I mean don't be a bitch or anything, just be who you are and love it. Seriously, Seize the Day! Dress the way you want to dress, be you're own person! It'll give you confidence and power. This is exactly why I adore Vogue! 

Love, 

ALPHA

Fall/Winter Trends 2011

The New Bags

 This season, fold you handbags, wear them upside down, side ways, diagonal, and right side up. Bags are now coming with handcuffs, but don't just let them hang as design, you might as well wear them for safety. And we must not forget the bright color trend.  

The Baseball Jacket 

Go Falcons! Who doesn't love that varsity obsession? It is definitely back and baseball jackets are the way to go. Just add a pair of skinny jeans and you will be ready for the game.

 The Girl Boy Thing

In this modern year of 2011, like men, women are allowed to vote, work, and drive. Now, we can even wear their clothes. A women's body shape looks great in a man's oversized shirt. The blazers add a more sophisticated touch to this trend, making it easy to dress for work and still look fashionable.

The Eccentric Lady

Not just any lady, but as you can see the eccentric British lady. With long high waister skirts and a hat and gloves, who else can it be? This season, don't be afraid to be daring with this look.

The Fabulous Fabrics

Do you want to feel good? Buy looks with different kinds of unique fabrics. It adds texture and style. Most of all, it just looks fun, I mean come on, who doesn't want to wear something that looks like you could sleep on it?

The New Native

Everyone loves their classic cartoons, like Cinderella and Snow White, but don't forget about Pocahontas! Why? Because her native american style is totally in right now. The pieces are beautiful with rich color and eye-catching designs.

The Optical Illusion

This optical print pattern appearing on clothing is a great match with the color blocking introduced in spring/summer. The patterns combined with the color draws your eye to the clothes right away. So when you are walking down the street and people start staring, just remember; its a good thing.

The Shinning

From solid color blocks to shinnyness! Who could have asked for better? Don't be afraid to literally stand out in the crowd by wearing something shinny. I looks great and can be turned down a notch when matched with the right simple solid accessories. 

The Boy Shoes

It is all about manning up this season. Your male wardrobe is just incomplete without a pair of these shoes. These shoes are very practical when you think about it; without a heel, your shoes won't be hurting your feet anymore. Finally, comfortable shoes are fashionable. 

The Statement Skirt

Talk about making an entrance, you will definitely be noticed wearing one of these skirts. This is the seasons new quick fix style. It is easy to simple throw one on, add a top, and you are ready to go.

The Super Sportswear

Along with getting rid of those foot murdering heels, this season also introduces a trend of sports wear. Nice oversized tops and cute little caps. Along with the cut, the fabrics they are made in are just as comfortable; from fur to cashmere. 

The Bold Sweater 

Continuing from spring/summer is the idea that greys, beiges, and blacks are untouchables. Grab a brightly colored sweater to make a bold statement about yourself. It says you are playful and fun, but don't underestimate me.

The Unique Trousers

Looks like all kinds of bottoms are making statements this season. From skirts to trousers, these ones definitely stand out. Pick bold colors and shinny fabrics and top them with simple tops.

The Future Look

This fall and winter, fashion says bye bye to the 90's looks that we loved. Instead it embraces the future just like the rest of the world is. By doing so, it embraces looks inspired from outer space. This trend is very edgy and hard to pull off, but that said it is a very unique one.instead of reliving the past and what has already been done, designers have sprung to the future.

The Modern Retro

Last but not least, we have the modern retro look. Ahh yes, the look of pure chic and sleekness. It comes with tight sophisticated skirts and coats cut right above the knees.

Love,
ALPHA

Alexander McQueen

This name might sound familiar to you - Think hard! Oh yeah, Kate Middleton - now the Duchess of Cambridge - wore an Alexander McQueen dress for her wedding. Well, even though that was an outstanding and beautiful creation, it's not the kind of Alexander McQueen fashion that I want to discuss. Here, take a look at what I mean:

All Ensembles are a part of the 'Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty' exhibit at the MET

Different isn't it? And it's all because of one man: Lee Alexander McQueen. This British fashion designer and couturier was probably best known for his in depth knowledge of bespoke British tailoring, his tendency to juxtapose strength with fragility in his collections, and the emotional power and raw energy of his provocative fashion shows. He has earned the British Designer of the Year awards four times and the CFDA's International Designer of the Year award in 2003. 

I love how he used so many different types of materials and different silhouettes.
So original, raw and beautiful. 

It is terrible to know that the world will no longer be shocked and mystified by the designers work as he passed away in February this year. I remember the fashion world being devastated about this, and often would read so many sad accounts from the designer's closest friends. I distinctly remember the Vogue tribute to him as well, it's tragic that the world lost such an interesting and imaginative designer. 

In memory of the late designer, the Metropolitan Museum of Art opened an exhibit under the design label, "Alexander McQueen : Savage Beauty" which opened  May 4 and closes on August 7, 2011. In fact all the pictures that you see are the select pieces in the exhibit. I love the title of the exhibit because it is so true. A lot his pieces do look wild and beastly, but there's still that touch of soft, feminine beauty. 

Everything is so different, no two ever closely alike. 

I just find all his works so interesting to look at; what's made out of it, how it hangs on the body, what was he thinking when he made the piece? It clearly shows that he was an artist! Willing to explore, create, and experience. I also have a sense that he wasn't hesitant at all, no matter what people said about his work. I truly admire his passion and his creativity.  

I adore looking at his different collections because even though they are so different, they really do have a quality that brings them all together. I love it, it really is truly fascinating to put the works that belong together. For example his "It's Only a Game" 2005 Summer/Spring Collection - genius! There is a video that has models wearing the pieces looking as if they were the parts of a chess game. It's terrible clever!

Although the real designer has left, the label is still running under his close associate, Sarah Burton, who worked under Lee closely. Many applaud her for keeping the legend alive through her pieces but also allowing her style to shine through as well. As I'm writing this, I'm looking at the 2012 Spring/Summer Pre-Collection Lookbook, and it is breathtaking. The pieces are really signature McQueen, but with a touch of something new. Alpha and I are just drooling over the new dresses. It's exquisite! To see the fashion house's newest collections click here. 

Long Live McQueen.

Love, 

ALPHA

Goodbye Borders!

For awhile now, Borders (and I would say many bookstores) has been facing financial troubles - books (physical books) just don't seem to be selling like they used to. Now with all these electronic readers - like the iPad and the and Kindle - real books seem to be left on the shelves. It's sad to see one of my favorite places closing its doors. All over America, Borders Bookstore began their 'Going out of Business' and 'Everything Must Go' Sales.

This is just horrible to me, I remember all the times my parents took me to Borders and told me I could buy any  book or books that I wanted - yeah they really wanted me to read. But, I loved walking through the numerous aisles of books, reading the captivating titles and glancing at the unique covers. I could spend hours there, gliding my fingers over the books, trying to decide what I was going to flip through and eventually buy. My dream had always been to work at Borders (Okay, not a life long dream, but like a part-time job dream that I had).

I can't read through the Kindle or iPad, or anything electronic - it really does make my eyes and head hurt. I love feeling the pages between my fingers and folding down the corners of my favorite part of the book so I know where to come back and read again. I like marking things in my books - little reminders, what this made me think of, my own ideas. I hate that bookstores, like Borders, are being taken away from all the bookworms! It's just not fair!

Save our book stores! Seriously, what's playing in my head is a song my mother sang to me in order to try to get me to read! Books are for learning and learning is fun. Books take you places, common and pick one. Books are exciting from start to the end. A Book is a wonderful friend! 


Love,
ALPHA

My Signature Make-Up Style

We all have a certain we like, that we're comfortable with. This Alpha's is very simple and I find that it can go with just about anything that I wear. The most I use is really just eye shadow, eye liner and chap stick. So here's what I do!

Step 1: The Basics
Follow your normal routine when you start your makeup. Recently instead of moisturizer or foundation, I've been applying this Japanese sun screen. I like it a lot because its really easy to absorb into my skin - making it smooth and soft. And I also know that it's being protected! So, do what you have to do! Liquid, Mousse, Powder foundation, concealer, anything that you do for you basic face. I would skip the blush on this look though, but a touch of bronzer - a touch of bronzer - might give it a nice touch.


Step 2: The Silver Lining 

I just use silver eye shadow - that's it! I really adore the CoverGirl's Eye Enhancers 4-Kit Shadows - Drama Eyes 222 (Right). Well, at this point all I have in the palette is the silver and black - the white and maroon looking color literally fell out. But it's okay because I love the silver in the there! It's shiny and metallic - it's also quite bold so it's very noticeable. Okay, so what I do is smear the silver (make sure you have quite a good amount), from the corner of my increase eye in between lashes and crease first. Make sure you kind of pile it in there - cause that's where its going to be seen the most! Okay, then spread it out lightly (meaning applying most the sponge but only a tad bit) and the journey from your crease to the eye brows. It should get lighter and lighter and then look like its disappeared.

Step 3: Line the Silver
Depending on how I feel or how much time I have, I can either use liquid or gel liner. Since I just ran out of my liquid liner, I'm going to go for the gel liner. I start from the middle of my eye and then gently swept the the outside corner of my eye. Then I go back and start from the insider corner of my eye. Finally, I do one big swept of the line to make sure it's smooth and even. The thickness doesn't really matter - it's more how you feel or what you end up with. I personally like it thinner, and sometimes I will make the ends thicker and add a slight wing to the eye.

Step 4: Flutter Those Lashes 
Finally, it's mascara time! I love my lashes - I'm really blessed to have luscious long lashes (like that alliteration right there?). So apply your mascara as you usually do. Wiggle your brush on through you lashes if you want a no-clump, long lash. It's always worked for me!

That's the basic Alpha look! My sister always told me that this was my Pixie Look - because I do often like to use lighter bold shades and just use eye liner and mascara. So, I guess it looks a little like a fairy - but that's basically why I like it. It makes me feel bright and energetic. I don't really like being neutral, I want to stand out! It's fun and it really does make me happy. Besides, it works with a lot of the outfits I wear.

How to Turn This Look into a Night Look

Step 1: Add Definition

Using the black in the palette, gradually use the black from the outside corner of your eye in between your crease and lash line. Dap from outside to inside without reapplying. You're aiming for a gradient - so when your done rub the two colors in. If you want more black, use it but make sure you blend well. If you use too much black, you might just end up with black eye shadow and no silver at all. 

Step 2: Some More Liner

Since you already have liner on top, time to use it on the bottom. Now you should use your pencil liner! Try to get as close to your bottom lash line as possible! 

Add some touch-ups, a cool lip shade, and bam! You're done! It's kind of like a smokey eye for a pixie I guess. You can play with it as much as you like! It's my favorite look, I was just wanted to show you!

Love, 

ALPHA

The Amazing Neil Patrick Harris

Like I said, I just watched the 2011 Tony Awards, I've had a busy summer okay! But I can not get over how hilarious Neil Patrick Harris, and what an extraordinary host he was! His opening number - I was just dying of laughter! He hits the right spot, I just want to watch him over and over and over again! I am truly in love with him  - he just makes me love the theater and the Broadway world even more now! Here's his opening number for the the Tony Awards: 

Mid-Show, Hugh Jackman another amazing actor and performer joined Neil Patrick Harris in a duet battle which was even funnier. They were both so clever and animated!! I was falling off my seat with laughter. You just have to love the both of them. 

And when the last of the Tony's were given out, it was time to close the show. I think this is the most memorable finish to the night at the Tony's. Neil Patrick Harris summarized the entire night - in the form of a rap. A very remarkable rap at that! I thought it was super impressive thinking that he had to rehearse it throughout the night based on who won the awards and the reaction of audience and winners! 

Neil Patrick Harris, hands down you are a God of performance, the best host of any award ceremony (Sorry Hugh Jackman). I don't know if anybody can top a hosting like Harris.

Love,
ALPHA

Cake Decorating

Need to make a fabulous cake? Well, good thing this Alpha dedicated an entire year long project on cake decorating! So, I'll show you the basics and offer as many tips as I can. So basically, you need to start off with your cake - get it so it looks like this (or tiered if you like):

After you have your cake ready, time to lather on the icing or frosting! When you're done applying all the icing/frosting, you want the surface to be as smooth as possible. Now how do you do this? Okay, have a cup of pretty hot water and then take a cake knife. Dip it in the water, wipe with a paper towel and then glide over the cake. Tada - smooth surface!

Here are some easy techniques!

Shells
1. Put the bag at a 45 degree angle - standing up and doing this would be easier
2. Initially squeeze the bag and then un-squeeze and relax pressure.
3. Lower the tip until it touches the surface
4. Relax the pressure and pull the tip away without lifting it off the surface to pull the shell to a point.
5. To make a shell border, start the end of your next shell so that the fanned end cover the tail of the preceding shell to form a chain.

C-Motion
1. 45 Degrees, hold the tip slightly above the surface and then squeeze out the icing with even pressure, curve the tip down and around to the right as if writing a "c".
2. Repeat to complete the border, using a steady, even pressure. And then to end, stop pressure, pull the tip away.




E-Motion
1. Once again, 45 degrees, and it's similar to the c-motion actually!
2. So squeeze out icing with even pressure, moving the tip up to there right and around as if writing the letter "e"
3. Repeat to complete the border, using a steady, even pressure. To end, stop pressure, pull tip away.
4. You can vary the look of the e-motion border by making tight e's or stretched e's.

Stars and Star Drop Flowers 
Star - Instead of the regular 45 degrees, now its straight up 90 degrees. The important factor in this technique is to hole the bag above the surface. And then from there squeeze the bag to form the star. Stop the pressure and pull tip straight up and away. Increase or decrease pressure to change star tip size. Stars will be neatly formed only if you stop squeezing before you pull tip away.

Star on the Left, Star Drop Flower on the Right

Star Drop Flower - Similar to the star (90 degrees, blah blah blah), the difference between the two techniques is that this time the tip should be touching the surface. Now squeeze, letting icing build up to make the flower. Stop squeezing and then lift the tip away.

Ruffles **You need a special tip**
1. Bag positioned at 45 degrees, with the wide end lightly touching the surface and narrow end down and away, squeeze steadily.
2. Move wrist up to pull up icing. Move wrist down to complete one curl of the ruffle.
3. Repeat up and down motion.
4. Raise and lower the narrow end as you move around the cake. Repeat this motion for the entire ruffle.


Vines **You need a special tip**
1. Hold decorating bag at a 45 degree angle, and use thin consistency icing
2. Touch your tip lightly to the surface as you start to squeeze the bag, move tip gently up and down to form "hills and valleys"
3. To end the line, stop squeezing and pull the tip along the surface.
4. Then try pipping several vines together as if in a loose bouquet.
5. Add secondary curved stems for a natural look. Place tip into main vine, apply light pressure and gently pull out secondary vines. Stop pressure as you pull to a point.

Swirl Drop Flower
1. Hold the bag 90 degrees, the tip should be lightly touching the surface.
2. As you squeeze out the icing, slowly turn your hand to 12:00. Stop squeezing and lift tip away.

The left image is a cake that I made, the flowers are a combination of swirl drop and star drop flowers .

Script Writing and Free Style

For this all you need is a steady hand and imagination! Good Luck! The left is little hearts and dots that I did on the sides of a cake. The right is a my version of a basket weave using two different colors and then script writing at the top.

So, I hope this was helpful! Happy Decorating and if you need any more help or any more techniques visit the Wilton Website - that's where I learned everything! (With a little help from MAMA ALPHA too)

Good Luck!
Love,
ALPHA