New Blog, New Page

A Fashion Blog with a Fashion Page

Hope you can visit and like/follow me!

So the past few days I've been thinking whether I should make a separate blog that's only fashion focused and make this one like a "behind-the-scene" blog where I'll be talking about things that I haven't mentioned in the other blog and basically things happening in my life. 

And the blog is fresh out of the oven so if you want to check it out, please do! Precious Stones 21 - The Blog It also comes along with a Facebook page: Pr3ciousStones21 - The Page

The meaning behind the title: I was really looking for inspiration when it came to names and I thought, "Why not flip through the pages of the Bible and see what I can find?" So that's what I did and I didn't really find anything that I liked until it came to the last book (Revelations) and discovered what could be a great name! You can read in Revelation chapter 21 (hence the number) in the last few sentences of that passage it mentions about the 12 different jewels that will appear in heaven. It was pretty much a Eureka moment from then on. The 12 jewels could represent the 12 months so each month would start of with a theme based on that jewel and I think fashion clearly relates to glamour of the jewels as well as its worth and beauty. 

So that's it for today. Just a little bit more of a story told behind my new blog which I hope you'll visit. 

Have a good day and God bless!

Priscilla

Achievements part III

Bournemouth by the Sea Festival

#Lavish

Commissions by Arts University Bournemouth students & grads

Yesterday, well 2 days ago I guess, I went to see the opening of Bournemouth by the Sea Festival. It was incredible! Lots of installations to view as well as being entertained by a spectacle of performances in and around Bournemouth town, mostly in the Gardens.

I wanted to see the Mutoids but I didn't know where they were so I missed that one out :/ However, the good thing was that I was able to see the finished products of the portaloos the students/graduates created during the summer. I had the opportunity to get stuck in and help them out so it was amazing how they got all of this done on time with so much to do and lots of detail to create. Of course, with that being said I don't think they'd be able to complete them without the help of the assistants ;) 

Anyway, I'll let you see the pictures yourselves. I realised I didn't take each one of the loos but what can I do now? I've also captured the environment and other installation(s). 

Priscilla x

Post #1: Beauty

Blue and Black Smoky Eyes

Experimentation

So this will be my very first post on make-up and beauty! I'm excited to share with you how I made this look when I was really bored and just playing around. It's quite eccentric and can be a bit in-your-face but don't let that stop you from trying it out! I love being weird and wonderful ;)

Below are the products that I've used and I don't have fancy products shall we say and I like to keep my make-up affordable like any other teen girl. Here's the list of the brand, product and photo:

In order from left to right

1. MUA Hide & Conceal Concealer - £1.50
2. Ristra Dual Compact Foundation
3. Opia Black Pencil Eyeliner
4. Opia Eyeshadow (ivory gold and dark blue)
5. Maybelline Sweet Beige
6. Primark Beauty Eyeliner Pen - £2
7. MUA Black Mascara
8. MUA Xtreme Curl Mascara Black/Brown - £2
9. Maybelline Rich Brown Eyeshadow
10. Maybelline Rich Burgundy Eyeshadow
11. Maybelline Water Shine Diamond Sea Crushed Merlot
12. H&M Lip Gloss Dark Pink - £4

The brushes and tools I used were Kislene Blusher brush and some other brushes and spreader from Primark I think? I'm not sure as they were given to me as a party goody bag so I don't know how much either of them cost but I'm not sure not a lot. 

Method:

• Put on some moisturiser before concealer. Use (1) to conceal spots and T-zone area
• Lightly use the pad to apply (2) covering all areas of the face, focusing on the cheekbones, nose and under eyes
• Start the eyes by lightly lining the upper lids with (3), the line shouldn't be too thick and wide
• Begin (4) with the darkest colour (dark blue) and lightly using the brush, apply to outer corner of the upper lid up until the centre
• Apply the ivory gold to the inner corner of the lid and eyes finishing to where the dark blue eyeshadow meets. Enhance these colours using the pad and blending both colours together. (You can also apply the lighter blue on the middle of the lids but this is optional) Highlight under brows using (5)
• Put on (6) and cover the previous line making a sweep up towards the outer corner of your brow
• Blend the blue with the black using (3) and lightly blend from eyeliner to outer eyeshadow but leave some blue there as well
• Gently put (7) on for your lower lashes and briefly cover your upper ones too and repeat using (8)
• I don't have contour but I use (9) instead to go on cheeks, chin, temples and nose for a slim look
• Again, no blusher so I used (10) instead 
• Apply a lip balm or vaseline (rose) before putting on (11) and enhance top and bottom lips with (12)

And voila, you should have the following look (just in case someone asks, I only completed the look for half of my face - this was intentional):

Well I think that's it from me. I hope to update you more on my first collection very soon with another post that I'm writing about an opportunity that I got to do!

Blessings,
Priscilla x

Argh my face is rotated to the side :/

P.S I really don't like exposing my face - especially on the internet but hey ho!

Post #1 - The Start of My Own Collection:

 Research and Books

Lots of photocopies of Vogue magazine

This is my very first post on my development of my FIRST collection that I decided to start during my summer holiday (while I still can). So for the last 2/3 weeks, I've been doing nothing and thought that I needed to get a move on with starting my summer school work before I leave it til last minute (like always) and I wanted to make my own project that I love doing. So here is the post that I've promised I'll make showing you my progress into my newest collection :)

First off, before any designing takes place, one must research their stuff! It's a very important aspect as it tells the designer where, what and who they're targeting so target market can be met and reaches their needs. I started off with trends first from this year's spring and summer collection. I used Vogue magazine to narrow it down to 30 trends and rearranged everything so it fits onto 2 A4 pages of my sketchbook. Here I've highlighted the main trend and fashion designers to help me integrate designer research as well as colours, textures and even the other side to fashion which is beauty. Styling could help out with the look and feel of my collection. 

30 Tricks and Trends for Spring and Summer

UGG Australia and Ralph Laurent

For the next 12 pages, I decided to use Vogue's A4 pages to briefly look up some brands and designers which might help me out with my design briefs and decide which style suits them the best. I've annotated some information about their style from Voguepedia - very helpful website for brief detail about designers, models, brands and photographers. 

Isabel Marant and Topshop

Designers to look out for

Florabotanica Perfume

Celebrity style trends on the red carper

I've got hold of a notebook that cost £4 from Asda and it's a really nice notebook ^^ although the price is a bit high, I do like quality a lot of the time and I like how professional it looks. I've only written 2 pages in this about plans and structure of my second project which I haven't done any research for. I've also done some pages at the back about upcoming designers that could be helpful for some research and what the celebrities are wearing at red carpet events. 

Cara Delevingne and some designers to look out for

A page of 2: T|ask Analysis

That's probably it so far. Make sure you follow this blog for more updates of my collection which I hope to start designing in a couple of days if not, in a week.

Priscilla x

Emerging Trends - LONDON FASHION WEEK 2013

#Fashion2k13: London Fashion Week

Emerging Trends 13th September 2013

@Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, London

Hey guys!

What exciting news!! London Fashion Week (OMG you serious??) is coming on its way VERY soon so it's about time that you plan and book the damn event NOW!! (before tickets sell out - you don't want that to happen)

If you haven't read my previous post about my volunteering at the event well then check it out if you want: http://priscillaestdanslalune.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/achievements-part-i.html

This year #LFW13 will start in mid September so it really isn't that far away now. It usually takes place at Somerset House but this event that I'm promoting will happen at a hotel but equally, it pretty is much part of the LFW annual show and one that a fashion-lover must not miss!!

It gives attention to European emerging fashion market and will be useful whether you're a designer, a fashion writer or just someone with a huge heart for fashion - it might be useful to know future trends as you never know, you could be the next trendsetter ;)

Anyway, more about the event: a number of designers from all over the world will showcase their designs and artistic abilities to a group of sponsors, buyers, press and media. Not only will this be a showcasing event but it is a Fashion Challenge where $10,000 marketing package will be up for grabs to the winning designer as well as the chance to present their full clothing line at either Western Canada Fashion Week, San Diego Fashion Week or Boston Fashion Week in autumn this year with private mentoring by the TFB agency.  

The designers are as listed below:

Nina Athanasiou (Germany) Priti Bali (USA)Elena Jones (Canada)Shefali Couture (Saudi Arabia)Hope Wade Designs (Jamaica)Opening men's collection presented by Rudy Wolff (Norway)

So what are you waiting for?? Go and buy the tickets now!! http://etlondon.eventbrite.com/?fb_action_ids=10200192327836491&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

For more info on the designers above, visit: http://blog.thesynergyevents.com/

The host of this event is by Synergy and you can visit their social media here: 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SYNERGYBoston

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SYNERGYBoston
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/synergyevents/
Tumblr: http://thesynergyevents.tumblr.com/

If you have Facebook and would like to show interest in attending this event, you can join here: https://www.facebook.com/events/152372034958217/?fref=ts

I think that's it from me. I will post more arty and fashion-y things and keep you updated with how my self-initiated work is doing :) Enjoy your summer!

Priscilla x

Follow me: @Prunester9 (Twitter)

                  @pruneyar (Instagram)

                  and follow my blog!! :)

Achievements part II

Personal Summer Project

July - August 2013

Sustainable and Ethical Fashion

The last few weeks at school were very intense - trying to finish off all work for marking before the summer was a pain but what was even more of a pain was thinking that some people were already enjoying their summer while we were stuck at school with the usual 8.35 - 15.35 every week of every day. Of course I can't complain that we're blessed with free education but I mean come on, holidays could at least finish all at the same time. I get that university students finish in May/early June-ish time but places like college or private schools finish just a little bit earlier - where's the fairness in that? Anyway, off the point that I was originally about to write...

For those of you who have just finished AS Level or A2, EPQ may be of familiar abbreviation to you. For those who don't know what the heck that is, it stands for Extended Project Qualification and usually takes place in Year 13 but initial ideas/plans start at the end of Year 12 so the summer can be spent to start researching materials and sources for your project. I did think that I was going to carry this EPQ thing out when we come back in September but I had a change of mind at the very last minute (more like 3 days before our school break-up). 

I decided not to do it as I don't think I could cope with the workload, especially when I'd be occupied with 3/4 A Levels (still waiting for results to decide the number of subjects I'll be taking (yay results...)) plus leading 2 clubs at school and all the other stuff that integrate in the stressful life of a 17/18 year-old preparing for Uni (daang, still need to start drafting my personal statement). Instead, I made up my mind that I'd organise my own project instead that I will work on (on top of other jobs and stuff) this summer holiday. I have exactly 3/4 weeks to do this and I have yet to plan what I should be doing everyday as I already plan to have a week's break between finishing off school and extra summer work. 

Hopefully, my brain will sort it out for me and I will be more organised than ever before! (Like seriously, my laziness will not get the better of me this time!!) The good thing about this is that I can plan my own deadlines and set my own "marks". I guess the creator of the work knows best if it is of a satisfactory quality. And I really want to show my progression of this so-called project :) (more like an online production log)

I know I'll probably regret not taking it as EPQ is a certified qualification and it impresses universities but I think it was for the best that I declined this opportunity.

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us - Alexander Graham Bell

 Of course, none of this would have happened if I didn't pray about it. I pray about pretty much everything; the little things and the big things 'cause nothing is impossible with God. Maybe that's something to try if you've never done so. You never know where God can lead you - His plan is like no other.

Anyway, that's it for this month's blog. And yes, I've decided to blog at least once a month now :)

Have a nice day,
Priscilla x

Achievements part I

London Fashion Week

September 2013

I'm going! Are you?

http://etlondon.eventbrite.com/?fb_action_ids=10200192327836491&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

Above is the website that you need to go to if you want to attend one of the shows at London Fashion Week (13th September). 

So I'm going to LFW, for the first time! Quite exciting right? Of course!!! It's London freakin' Fashion Week, not obvious when all the fashionistas start blabbering about it. It seems so far away but every time I cross a day in my calendar (which I don't do normally but in my mental calendar I do), the time gets nearer and the more I itch to get there. I am not overly obsessed with fashion but my passion for fashion (ugh remembering the days when I used to like Bratz once) is enough to keep me motivated to do fashion-y things such as the one that I'm about to to explain to you about. 

So I'll be volunteering at London Fashion Week - EEEeeeek!!! I'm soo excited I think my lips are going to tear if I grin too much (again I'm not grinning but mentally I am - I'm telling the truth! It's a bit weird if I start grinning at the laptop when there isn't anything to grin about visually). Not too sure the stuff I'll do there but I know it's going to be amazing!! I'm trying to get friends to volunteer to share the experience with me and so far one has had an interview and the other is going to have one this week. I cannot tell you the sheer amount of Facebook messages I received once I posted on my status something like:

TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN FASHION: I just had an interview for volunteering at London Fashion Week and if you are interested in volunteering as well, please private message me and I'll give you all the info about the event and how you can apply. The event will be on 13th September 2013

And within 20 minutes I had like 10 people beeping at me like a strong current in a river hitting my body from all directions. It's crazy! But then again we're talking about LFW here so in some aspects I'm not at all surprised as it's a fabulous opportunity that might be just once-in-a-lifetime.

I'm going to be in London next week for a meeting and spending a day around London visiting the usual landmarks and maybe some galleries and exhibitions for art :)

What opportunities have you had? Or will be having? I'd love to know some!

God bless,
Priscilla

Achievements

Getting Closer and Closer to My Dream Career

In the Fashion Industry

(So close!)

Some of you may know the one thing I'm passionate for. Most of you, probably not. I've been longing to work in the fashion industry for a while now and I praise God that I'm getting closer and closer to that goal day by day. He's given me opportunities that are just too good to miss and ones that I will really benefit from. And in this post, I'd like to share some of them with you and take you with me to embark on the journey so far. 

And so far... 

<<insert journey so far>>

First Time

A quickie...
This is my first time blogging on my phone. Technology is growing so fast!! It seems like the children of today are trapped in such a materialistic world with all these gadgets that sometimes make them sit at home all day. That's definitely not the case when I was in primary school! I loved going out; parks, playgrounds, friends' gardens. Childhood was so much fun! I felt so free every time I go on the swing and happy as I jump over the rope when I skipped with friends. I wish that kids are still like that; going outside and making the most out of nature. It really is not healthy staying at home all the time. Get some vitamin D! Of course, if weather permits which is always the problem in England haha.

Speaking of healthy, I broke the rules yesterday. I just couldn't resist! Ate Oreo chocolate. Healthy stuff, huh?

Have a blessed Sunday and hope to write soon!

Priscilla x

Let's Start Over

I never knew where God would take me in my life. It could be dangerous, could be exciting and it could be down right depressing! Obviously to Him, it's never all those because He gives the best for all of us who believe and trust in Him.

Being a teenager just makes it that tiny bit harder to overcome pressures and temptations; maybe they are tests that God is giving us. I don't know. I've felt scared, excited but most recently depressed. But aren't all Christians meant to be happy? Well I'm on that road of discovery to find that feeling where you can just be content with everything and anything you have. And of course, during times of trouble to persevere and keep on trusting Him.

Being young and all, there must be a lot of people that could complain that I am too young to look at such a mature perception in life. But I know that God will work in any person, most probably the ones that we think are the unlikeliest of all. And that's what's amazing about God. He can just turn a boring and depressed person like me into something wonderful who will bear much fruit.

"I am the vine; and you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" - John 15:5 (NIV)

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you" - John 15:7 (NIV)

I'm not perfect. I'm FAR from perfect. I'm messed up. I've messed up. A messed up Christian. My paths weren't straight and that was due to the desires of my human flesh but God had opened my eyes to see that I was not honouring him, I was disobedient, what I did didn't please Him. It pleased someone else. I realised that I was relying too much on my own power that is like brittle bone compared to God's. No one can EVER beat His mighty hand. That's why I couldn't live without Him. He wanted me to realise and say, "Hey you! Where have you been? I haven't spoken to you for ages, is everything alright? Please tell me everything!"
Obviously to that, I was ignorant and ignorance became laziness and laziness became a total fleshy life that I didn't even like! Even if I tried to entertain myself, it wasn't long lasting. I was never content with anything. I always wanted more. And of course, that didn't only cause upset for me but for everyone else surrounding me. My parents, my brother, my friends, my teachers. And most importantly God. He didn't want me living that way I know. And now I understand that God wanted me to see what it was like to live 'without him' but during that time of despair, He was there along with me. I just didn't realise it. Or maybe I didn't want to realise that.
I've asked the Lord for full forgiveness after He's spoken to me through my parents. This was about a month ago and although the words were harsh and prickly to my heart, I knew that I had to untangle the knot and give it all to Him. I'm His creation after all. With defects and all, I am still His. He loves me and I love Him. God would never leave me nor forsake me. This also applies to you reading this. Whatever faith you have and whatever stage you are in your faith, I'd like to leave you with one message: You are His and all He ever wants is a relationship with you because He loves you. He loves you this much; He gave His son to die for you, so a bridge can be built so we can cross to the other side and talk to God again. HOW GREAT IS THAT?! We don't have to feel guilty, and with the Spirit's conviction, we are free of sin. Well, the power of sin to be exact. He will forgive you if you ask Him. He is a God who is Good, Great and Gracious. Start with a prayer and who knows, you could be moving mountains.

He replied, "... if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." - Matthew 17:20 

I know I am just a teenager but I'm sharing what I've experienced to encourage those who are in the place where I used to be. To remind the hope that we have as children of God and that it is not the end just yet. Don't give up. Hold on to the hope that we have in Jesus Christ and do your part for Him :)

This is probably the longest post I've written but I feel it necessary to just empty the things out of the box and freshen my mind with the truth. And to of course give myself a break from French revision, haha! (please pray for me to do my best for AS level French speaking exam tomorrow :)) But that's all I want to mention. It was nice to empty my mind and blogging is one of the ways where I could just express my feelings and faith. I hope you are encouraged by this. Just by reading this, I feel truly blessed. Thanks for taking the time to read :)

God bless,
Priscilla x