Uploads from Aoife 24K, with geodata

MAKEOVER MAGIC

nobody@flickr.com (Aoife 24K) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:29:13 -0800

Aoife 24K posted a photo:

As you can see, this is the result of one of my recent dreams. I had never had anyone do my makeup before. All of my makeup skills are ones I have developed on my own. But there comes a time when one wants to see what a professional can achieve.. And the result was beyond my wildest expectation.

I had this past Monday off for Lincoln's birthday. And I knew that I would be getting an extended period of Aoife time. So a few days before I called and booked my appointment. The appointment was for 1 PM. Well I needed to have my heating/air conditioner serviced that day and I made that appointment for the morning. The repair person was at the later end of the scheduled time block and did not leave til 11:15 AM. So I had just about an hour to get ready: shower, do the closest shave of my life, dressing, etc. Even though I'd totally selected what I was going to wear I made some adjustments to which wig I'd wear and which hose I'd use. I put on a bit of lipstick. I was told not to wear any makeup but I felt almost naked, I ran out of the house, got in my car and made good time on the freeway getting to the appointment a few minutes before 1.

I had planned all my activities to be in Pasadena. So the makeover was at the Pasadena store in Old Town. I walked in, introduced myself and met Lulu my makeup artist. She is the woman on the phone behind me. Since it was a Monday afternoon the store was very quiet. Only a few customers came in during that time. Lulu asked what I wanted. I explained that I was going to tea. I brought along a few of my best photos to show her how I usually looked. She asked me a few questions and then she started. Every few minutes I would glance in the mirror and I was happy with the results. But at the end I was not happy, I was elated!

Lulu was a true dear and explained what she was doing as she went along. I just hope that I can remember all of the things which she told me as she went along. So let us get down to basics. The makeover itself was $50. It was scheduled for an hour but she probably took an extra 10 or 15 minutes. She never tried to push any particular products. But I wanted to get a few things foundation wise. And I also fell in love with the lipstick which we jointly chose for me to wear. There is no way around it. MAC products are expensive. But I admit it, the more MAC cosmetics I acquire, the more that I want to get and to wear.

I had Lulu take a before picture of me with no makeup. I decided not to post it now. It is too shocking. One of the other makeup artists took this pic after all was done. As always my smile is totally genuine here. Oh one more thing for now. What I really like is that this makeover was tailored for me. This was not selected out of a book of T looks. It is me, just a more professionally made up me.

B&W T

nobody@flickr.com (Aoife 24K) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 06:21:32 -0700

Aoife 24K posted a photo:

One of the things about this dress is how slimming it is. I know that I have lost a few pounds over the last year or so, but this dress even subtracts a few more pounds and inches. This pic gives you a much better look at the entire outfit since it is a much lighter environment than the tea room is. And of course I am standing right next to a cousin of Jen P's Mr Plant!

As soon as I arrived at the hotel I went into the ladies room to check on my makeup and to make sure my hat was on correctly. And that was when I got my first compliment of the day. A very kind lady told me how much she loved my hat. And then while I was sitting in the tea room sipping on my champagne a woman who was having tea walked up to me and told me that she just had to get a closer look at my shoes. I pointed my leg in a nice ladylike way so she could see the shoes. And then she said something like "Those heels are just fantastic!" And then she gave me a big sisterly pat on the back. WOW! And a while later another lady came up to me as she was leaving the tea room and complimented me on my hat. She was also wearing a nice hat. Sisters with hats UNITE! Well after things started out so badly, to get such wonderful compliments made me quite elated.

Thinking about all of these special things which happened that day makes me happy all over again. If you don't mind I am just going to go and bask in the glow of these compliments one more time.

DOWN AMONG THE ARCHITECTURE

nobody@flickr.com (Aoife 24K) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:40:48 -0700

Aoife 24K posted a photo:

The summertime is usually a down period for my Aoife activities. Time will tell how things go in the next couple of months. So for the last for sure outing for awhile I chose something new and something old. About the old, I returned once again to the Huntington Langham Hotel in Pasadena. There are so many wonderful places to take pictures, both inside and out. And obviously this one was taken outside. This may be the best photo from that day.

The black skirt with the gold pattern and the gold pumps have appeared previously in my shots, but not the blouse. I have had that in my stash for a long time. I had to figure out what would work with it. And to increase my confidence in being out in public in regular settings. Well, I think that the outfit worked out. And I know that my confidence is at a pretty high level. So it was time!

It was an interesting outing. I will tell you more in future posts. Always leave your audience wanting more!

SEEING IN THE NEW YEAR, VIENNESE STYLE.

nobody@flickr.com (Aoife 24K) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 03:46:42 -0800

Aoife 24K posted a photo:

Well I am back. I had a wonderful vacation in London. If you are interested I can tell you a bit about it. But I have some new pics from some adventures and I will start with this one.

Since I have been going out having adventures, I have been thinking about wanting to go out to a cultural event dressed to the nines. I love going to the theatre or to classical music concerts. So I got the opportunity to go to a traditional Viennese New Years concert and I jumped at the chance. It featured the American Strauss Orchestra and took place at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Of course the program consisted of many Strauss waltzes. But there was not only orchestral pieces. Two wonderful opera singers performed some lovely pieces and members of the Vienna Ballet Company danced. The concert was truly wonderful. And I felt truly wonderful.

Some of you long term friends may recognize this dress from past pics. But there is something different about getting to wear something in public. And I am proud to say that I got quite a few comments on my gown that night. The hair is new. I had bought it because it can be worn in an updo, which I thought would look great for a formal evening. But I was quite happy with the look of it down. So now it will have to wait for another formal occasion to be worn updo style.

I have more pics from this night and more to tell.

NOTE TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE NOT CURRENTLY CONTACTS: I HAVE LEFT THIS UP AS A PUBLIC PIC. BUT IF YOU STOP BY PLEASE LET ME KNOW BY WRITING A NOTE. I AM NOT SURE IF I SHOULD KEEP IT PUBLIC. BUT IF I GET SOME POSITIVE FEEDBACK I JUST MAY.