ART.FASHION.COLOUR.

So yesterday was apparently Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year. The weather is cold, your overloaded with stuff to do at work, your new years resolutions have already gone to shit, your broke because you only get paid at the end of the month, because you went crazy on new years and because you were so damn tired of the amount of cash that went on presents for xmas for everyone that you spent whatever you did have left on yourself in the January sales! But hold on- we are at the beginning of a year, why the doom and gloom?!

Plus, it’s a Tuesday. There’s something about Tuesday’s I like, I’m not entirely sure why. It’s not quite the ‘URGH’ feeling of a Monday morning crawling out of bed to work and a definite sign that your weekend is over, but it’s still very early in the week, with lots of awaited optimism. Even today at work everyone seemed lots more cheery and I only started the job yesterday…

So for the rest of this month I will be posting 10 of the newest, most innovative beauty products and trends that are very 2012 to cheer you up, brighten your hair/nails/faces and get you through the January blues. And partly because I feel guilty to myself (yes myself, lol) because my new year’s resolution was to dedicate more time to my blog, and share all the interesting things I do with you guys, because in fact, I always try and do so many interesting things that by the time I get home, I’m snoring before my head hits the pillow (I don’t snore I promise)

As for new years resolutions, fuck them, I say you should never wait for the 1^st of January to improve yourself. Make one every day.

Q xo 

Forest fruits strudel and custard at 6:30am, mmmm! My sleeping pattern has become that of a child, 8pm-6am. Very different from my normal nocturnal self but its definitely helping to beat the post-xmas blues! I’ve got a day of errands today (BORE) but the excitement of new years eve is keeping me going. Anyone doing anything interesting for NYE? It’s normally so over-hyped and such a let down but I’m thinking this one will be a little different………have a nice day! 

Q xo

There’s nothing I can resist more than metallic, reptile skin bottoms. I already own a number of variations on these, but leggings not jeans #justcantgetenough

http://www.allsaints.com/women/jeggings/allsaints-rattle-brodie-skinny/?colour=2751&category=487 

An event that took place in London and Liverpool July the August 2011, it was like no other fashion event I had seen before. Held at the amazing Chando’s House 5mins from Oxford Circus and designed by the team of French Vogue, you step into the Townhouse and it was like being transported to a wonderfully whimsical world of light hearted, girly indulgence. I was privileged enough to work at the event, as a make-up artist in the gorgeous beauty parlour (London). By invitation only, it was the perfect girls evening out. Upon arrival, you were greeted by the staff of the house, all in character and completely at your service. You were given a key to the house which entitled you to 2 free drinks, with a choice of either Fruit de Bois: apples raspberries, blackcurrants and cherries or Orchard Fruits: apples, peaches and pears. Although I thought I would love Fruits de Bois, I personally preferred Orchard Fruits, wasn’t too sweet and I could drink it all day! Obviously not on the job of course………

Last year, the Lady of the House was none other than Sophe-Ellis Bextor, and the event was so successful they decided to run it again, this time ex-Sugababe Keisha Buchanon running the show. On the launch night she performed her first ever solo show with a host of celebrities attending.

Downstairs in the Beauty Parlour you had makeovers, funky nail designs by WAH, massages, elaborate French plaits, updo’s, and feather eyelashes! After you had been beautified you were escorted upstairs you had the Wardrobe of Wonders, where you could try the craziest, most outlandish and glamorous garments, from wedding dresses to gemmed bustiers to wigs and winged glasses! And you even got to have your very own mini photoshoot by Vogue photographer Terence Webb! If you attended check out the Jacques Facebook page for a chance to see the images from your photo shoot!

http://www.facebook.com/Jacques?sk=photos

In the TrendTellers Room you could then go and catch trend talks by some of the most important people in the fashion industry, see make-up demo’s by celebrity make-up artists and when there were no talks happening, you could customise your own beautiful cupcakes or Jacques bags or feather headbands!

And last but not least, you entered the Enchanted Garden where you could chill out and enjoy Jacques, play board games or hopscotch while being served mini donuts and pink popcorn! 

And as sad as it is, upon leaving your beautiful experience at the townhouse, you are given a gift bag of Jacques cider to take away with you! 

A dreamy fairytale, that’s the only way to describe it! I’m sure my photo diary below will show you. Check out the photos of me doing makeovers, and no I didn’t dye my hair to match the pink popcorn!!!

I had such an amazing time working at the event, and I hope that it will run next year so more of you get the chance to experience the Jacques Townhouse!

If you haven’t tried Jacques before, well then what are you waiting for?! Perfect girls day/night-in/out!! ;)

Q <3 xo

http://jacquescider.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/Jacques?sk=photos

http://www.yell.com/home-interiors/blog/interior-inspiration-from-chandos-house-in-london/ 

 Global Gathering, V Fest, Creamfields, Bestival. And that was just this year. Words cannot express just how much I love being at a festival. This summer was amazing, and if I had had a chance to stop, I would have been quite upset that it was over already, it just gets better year-by-year. Definitely beats spending obscene amounts of money burning your skin abroad at an all-inclusive!

There is nothing I love more than being in a field, listening to some of the best live music with thriving crowds, camping with your friends and enjoying pure freedom in the outdoors. Even being knee deep in mud at Creamfields didn’t dampen my spirit-not one little bit!

My personal favourite that I will always love is Global Gathering, and I will continue to go to it, but that is just because dance music is my vice. However, this year was my first time at Bestival, and it was definitely the most amazing festival I’ve been to yet, it’s a completely different experience to any festival I’ve ever been to before (and I’ve been to a fair few!). I would recommend it to anyone and everyone, regardless of your music taste there is everything from indie to house, rock to dubstep. And you will never have to think about which of your friends wouldn’t enjoy the music as there is something for everyone. It even came complete with its own Ambient forest! (That was amazing to be in at full moon may I add-absolutely fucking magical!!).

I think I’m going to end up being that old granny you see standing right at the back of a music tent on her own, completely content being there amongst all those rowdy youngsters.

 I’m really a hippy at heart.

 Q <3

 Tweet me about which festival was your favourite this year, and what ones you’re going to  next summer!

www.twitter.com/thequeeniempire

http://www.globalgathering.com/

http://www.vfestival.com/

http://www.creamfields.com/

http://www.bestival.net/

I am currently doing a fashion research project on accessories, and if you have a spare 30 seconds you could lend, could you please fill out my survey, there are 6 multiple choice questions- it may even take less than 30 seconds! It would be much appreciated!! :)

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P8MW2VS

So now that its mid-October I have finally come to accept that summer is over, which is really quite sad, both in the upsetting way and the pathetic way! Every summer for me seems to be a turning point, and after every summer I do feel a different person, this one especially. I’ve now got a new home, new environment, new friends, new job, new schedules and in general just a completely new lifestyle. It’s quite refreshing really, although it did take some adjusting to. It’s 8am and I don’t need to be up, I’m looking out my window and all I can see are buildings, the o2 and the oh-so-clear river Thames. Hmm. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a Monday morning so much!

Still, I think I’m quite over my writer’s block (if there was ever such a thing) and I’m going to make a point to blog about my summer, whether you read it or not.

Have a nice day! Q xo

This last month can not be described as any more than MANIC. No sleep, working early, working late, after parties, festivals, euphoria to depression, success to failure, and just in under four weeks. I am up to my eyeballs in A4 page TO-DO lists, which have taken hours to write then re-write in order of priority and time, organizing finances, invoices, travelling, equipment. Urgh. Got a weekend to get as much as I can done then another crazy month ahead of me. Bet your head’s starting to hurt just by reading this.

Q xo

I received some advice from one of my friends about my blog, which I have decided to take on- to try and make my posts more personal, about my everyday things as well as fashion work, I’m normally quite a discreet person or just don’t feel my everyday grocery shopping or who I saw on the tube needs a constant commentry, (well if it does thats what I have twitter for ;p) HOWEVER, I shall definitely try! Here goes……….

I took a massive break from the queenie empire over the last couple of months, finishing off my studies, (I was a fine art student) reorganising my life in general, all those things that need to be done when in transition :) a few things in certain relationships became clearer, old friends came back in my life in some way or another, some good and although some bad, it gave me a sense of relief and confidence in what I was doing, and in general elements almost came full circle again, they feel finished and I’m ready for the new circle to begin! I do believe life happens in cycles, and absolutely EVERYTHING happens for a reason, and if you don’t know the reason yet it just means it isn’t yet concluded ;) 

More attempts at personal posts coming soon!! :)

Q xo 

http://www.company.co.uk/fashion/street/london-street-style-2

Last couple of weeks have been really disorientating with all the bank holidays! Everyone enjoying the time off?

Recently I did a hair show for Saks academy with their art team for their new Spring/Summer Trends show, massively 70’s chic. We were all shipped off to Leeds for the day and was held at the GHD headquarters. My hair just keeps getting shorter…..

http://www.saks.co.uk/

Then I did another hair shoot, this time with hairstylist Andrew Thomas Corbett, very avante-garde, photos soon! http://andrewthomascorbett.com/

Also just received some of the final photos from the wonderful Candy Lai for the Minnie Mouse fashion story, so they will be up soon, also doing an interview for the magazine so I will repost all! 

And Mermaid photos should be up later tonight! :) 

Hope you all had a fantastic easter, I know I had way too many easter eggs……

(I thought the illustration below was very appropriate to the recent overhaul of chemicals and hair related things I’ve been going through lol)

Q xo

Who was your favourite character as a child? Mine was Minnie Mouse straight up! Became a borderline obsession at one point…..that’s why I’m super excited to be doing a Minnie shoot this weekend!

Everyone knows my love for Jessie J right? Ever seen her nails? (You’d be blind not too) Jenny Longworth is the genius nail artist behind Jessie’s nail bling, she just did an article with i-D magazine showing some Minnie Mouse nail creations, oh childhood obsession reignited….. <3

Queenie xo

http://www.i-donline.com/i-spy/hard-nails

Seriously, I would not buy a single piece of clothing for the next 10 years if somebody bought me this. That is a promise. Q xo

ill, tired, with a mountain of work to get through. I have no reason to feel positive, but I do. I’m happy. With absolutely no idea why! I have nothing to say, and so much to do. I swear I’m not on drugs! Good things are about to happen. I know it :) can’t wait for the next few months! Q xo 

Just got home from the shooting the little mermaid! Fantastic styling, make up and photography. Well done guys! Can’t wait to see the final photos! Q xo

I didn’t realise but I’ve gone awol recently, my last post was forever ago! Been busy working away, ooh and my make-up portfolio should be up soon! Done some really gorgeous looks, not your everyday beauty make-up (unless you want it to be!) but again you know that’s not how I roll! More is more, fuck minimalism! I went to get my hair done this morning, hairdresser ruined my colour! Purple isn’t as vibrant as I like (not to mention the wrong fucking tone). I was NOT happy! So I went to my beloved Illamasqua and bought me some make up to make me feel better :) and tomorrow I will be transformed into the Little Mermaid! Really excited about the shoot, should be good, working with some talented people. Photos coming soon! Q xo

Oh Jessie, I am so glad you’ve arrived. Ghetto pop, Essex girl born Jessica Cornish, has just made my life a tad more enjoyable. She’s confident without the facade, urban but clean cut and her makeup is ALWAYS impeccable! I’ve been following her youtube channel for a while now, although I think she’s a lot more talented than the stuff she’s recently released, I reckon its only a matter of time. I’m a big fan!! 

Q xo

Hollywood Glamour meets pop art with a dash of satin………..right up my street!! I also love redheads/strawberry blondes, theres just something so enigmatic about that hair colour! Lily Cole, Lindsay Lohan, Florence Welsh, Nicola Roberts……the list goes on.