VS Fashion Show Backstage

My bf Natalia's younger sister Carina - you still with me? - has the coolest internship ever. She's working with the co. that designs and assembles the Angel wings for the Victoria's Secret fashion show. How amazing is that? Well, she saw our past "coverage" of the show on the blog and talked to me a little bit about what she saw, heard, and loved the most while working her butt off backstage. Carina was there for the actual taping of the show on November 9th (and the dress rehearsal on the 8th).

"It was amazing. On the 8th, I got to see maroon 5 practice their song about 100 times," she told me.

Carina's backstage pass

The Dress Rehearsal

As for the show on the 9th, Carina said the most amazing thing during the tapings was the amount of glitter all over the sidewalks within a 5 block radius of the show (held at the armory on 25th street and Park Ave). 

"I think they ordered like 100 pounds of glitter. It was insane. 

I still have glitter on my rug in my apartment."

New Angel Karlie Kloss 

Carina said the models were all really nice, some of them (like Alessandra & Miranda) would do their own thing and meet
up with their beautiful husbands. But others (like Adriana) were loud, engaging with people backstage.

"There were cameras and reporters everywhere! You'd have to yell "WINGS!!!WINGS!!!" for people to make a path for you."

Carina with Adriana Lima

Remember these?

Up close and personal:

What we saw:

What she saw:

The Happy Couple:

More Prep Photos:

What she saw:

What we saw:

And finally, one of my favorite looks:

Carina's photo:

Overall, her whole experience sounded amazing. One of my favorite details: when Carina told me Adriana and Miranda brought their babies with them on the runway during rehearsal. How cute!

Between the two taping and after a little bit of drama (one of the models went out without her wings on), a much needed drink was in order. Carina, lucky lucky girl, went to the afterparty where she saw the likes of Jake Gyllenhaal, Orlando Bloom, Beyonce, Jay Z, Nicki Minaj to name a few.

Just another day in the office, I guess. Just incredible.
Carina, thanks for sharing!

Found: Vintage Holiday Market in Bryant Park

Right around Thanksgiving every year, little holiday villages pop up all around the city (Union Square, Columbus Circle, etc.) and live there until right after Christmas. Not familiar? Here's what the Bryant Park Holiday Market looks like:

Lucky for us, it's only 6 streets away from where Julia and I work. So, during lunch, I agreed to accompany Julia on her first trip to the little village even knowing how much of a tease this would be for poor-little-broke me. At one point, Julia turned to me and said something like, "I am in my heaven right now. This is like the coziest place I've ever seen." There's Italian rich hot cocoa, Belgian cranberry cider, soap stocking stuffers, warm waffles with nutella, cable knit everything . . . you get the idea.

But there was one little store I was NOT aware existed: Vintage Studio Manhattan. (No, you can't get their stuff online YET, but I will keep you informed). Instead, I will do my very best to show you MY heaven.

The spaces are tiny, but the owner (?) did an amazing job decorating the space. And it turns out she's a 

Florida Gator (like moi), so extra points there.

 

And you know how much I love 

displaying jewelry in frames.

Love hers:

 

Wish list item spotted!

Vintage form and feather collar:

 

This burlap frame would make 

a pretty good DIY project:

 

And last, my purchase (below). 

Old pages from a book tied together with a lovely 

paper flower on top. This is going on my guest book table for the wedding!

Crazy Beautiful

Lady Gaga's Vanity Fair Photo Shoot 

with Annie Leibovitz 

LYLIF Natures Gem Bracelet - Styled

I'm loving this burnt orange gem bracelet from LYLIF. It's really unlike any other pieces I own. It's funky but has an antique-y look to it also. I had a plan to wear a simple black outfit to make this bracelet pop, but honestly, I can do better than that (i hope). I wanted to mix different prints with this ornate cuff and see how it turns out.

What do you think?

Style 1

 

 Dress: Forever 21; Boots: Rocket Dog; Cardigan: Banana Republic; Watch: Michael Kors

Style 2

 

Blouse: Thrifted; Wide leg jeans: H&M

Style 3

 

Dress: Forever 21; Boots: Aldo; Cardigan: Banana Republic; Scarf: Who the hell knows

Something Pretty . . .

Little Scout - We Are Walking Out from Byron Quandary on Vimeo.

Tempest Freerunning Video

This video is crazy cool. It makes me want to run around and just play all day. The idea of the Tempest Freerunning is pretty freakin cool too...

Makeup Tips from Last Night's Show

Street Cred

 Below, get the full makeup and hair how-tos from Pecheux and his team of 21 makeup artist and 7 body bronzing artists, plus 21 hairstylists 

(led by celeb hair pro Orlando Pita):

MAKEUP: EYES
Step 1: Start with an eye shadow primer on lids as a base for the eye look.
Step 2: For under-eye circles, darkness or puffiness, swipe a liquid highlighter under eyes.
Step 3: Pop VS Brilliant Shimmer Shadow in Gold Dust ($12, victoriassecret.com) onto the brow bones and the inner corners of the eyes. This will really open and enhance the eyes.
Step 4: To get ultra-flirty eyes (the focal point of the makeup), run a black liquid eyeliner along upper lashline, starting at the inner corner and extending slightly beyond the outer corner for a slight upward cat-eye wing. [Note: It should look very natural -- the liquid liner should not be overly dramatic or too thick.]
Step 5: Finish eyes with coats and coats of the volumizing and lengthening mascara in black on both top and bottom lashes!


MAKEUP: LIPS
Step 1: Start with a gentle lip scrub to exfoliate and replenish lips so they are perfectly smooth and plump.
Step 2: Apply VS Perfect Lipstick in Whisper (a pink champagne nude beloved by makeup artists and the VS Angels) ($13, victoriassecret.com) to lips.
Step 3: Top the lipstick with a coat of VS Lip Gloss is Sublime (a sheer coral) ($12, victoriassecret.com) or VS Sparkling Lip Gloss in Delight (a sheer sparkly pink) ($13, victoriassecret.com), concentrating on the center of the mouth for added fullness and shine.


MAKEUP: BODY
Note: In place of the deep bronze faux glow this year was a head-to-toe healthy glow!
Step 1: For a little boost of color, moisturize, then mist VS Beach Sexy Flawless Airbrush Instant Spray ($12, victoriassecret.com) over the entire body.
Step 2: For highlights and contours, swirl a body brush in a bronzer and run it down the center of legs, on the collarbone and over shoulders.


HAIR
Note: This year's signature hair look was full "tousled glamour."
Step 1: Curl hair with a 1-inch or 1 1/4-inch barrel curling iron so that the curls turn outward for a wind-blown look.
Step 2: To amp up the volume and add texture, use VS So Sexy Style Clean & Go Dry Shampoo ($14, victoriassecret.com) and top off with a shine spray.

How does Alessandra Get a Runway Body?

We won't be doing any of this tonight, but you might want to put these tips in your back pocket for later.

During Commercial Breaks . . .

As if we needed something else to do besides watch the Fashion Show in awe and glory, Julia and I are trying out this Tinsel Glitter Manicure (thanks to The Color Issue for suggesting!)

Street Cred

Apparently, all we need is:

1. Tinsel Glitter

 2. Clear Nail Polish

Street Cred

I think we can handle that. Easy and glamorous. 

This way we can glitter while watching all the glitz.

For the full tutorial, click here.

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show - WINGS!

Yes, it's true, I'm OBSESSED with the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. I watch it every year with champagne and good friends. (Okay, by the end, I am not drinking, eating, and I will probably get in like 10 crunches as I watch the angels walk down the runway). Bittersweet, if you will. Nonetheless, the music, the outfits & wings, and the overall show is so much fun. The wings specifically are SUPER cool. I am always amazed at the creativity and always excited to see what they come up with. Here are some of my favorites from the past couple of years....

The Pre-Show to the Pre-Show

We Have to Prepare, Ladies & Gents 

(Gents, we know you wanna watch this too): 

DO THIS: 

Street Cred

One Two bottles of champagne 

(one for me, one for Julia)

Don't judge, we got a long night ahead of us.

DON'T DO THIS:

Street Cred

This is not the time to pig out on junk food. We don't want to have to put anyone on suicide watch (i kid, i kid) after watching itsy bitsy bodies for 2+ hours 

(or however long the pre-show/show will run). 

Instead, go with something girly and light like strawberries, hummus, salad. 

You'll thank me later.