Amelia Kay Photography Giveaway

What a wonderful time of year to be inspired by the love of life and all it has to offer. I don't know about you guys, but I am a very visual person and one of the most inspiring things for me in my life are beautiful images. I love photography as you might have guessed from my own amateur ventures, but experiencing the world through the eye of a different camera lens is invigorating and I love meeting new photographers.

With that, allow me to introduce Amelia Kay whose images are dreamy and whimsical and leave you wanting to more. I love the vintage feel of her work, and her subjects are so interesting. Good news Embellishers...Amelia Kay Photography has partnered with Embellished to offer you a special giveaway opportunity!

1. What got you started with photography?

I have always been into photography - ever since I was a young child. It wasn't until after my daughter was born 4.5 years ago that I took it more seriously and started to teach myself the basics of photography. From there, I found my true passion was fine art photography, especially macro photography with flowers or every day objects!

2. What's your story?

A lot of my friends and family encouraged me to think about turning my hobby into a business as I became better at fine art photography. They didn't have to encourage too much because when I was a child, I dreamed of being a professional photographer! So to take this leap from hobby to business was a dream come true!

3. What is your favorite thing about having your own shop?

The fact that I am my own boss! Also, I am still over the moon that I have turned my hobby into a business, so when my kids are in school full time (in a few years) my Etsy shop and my photography will keep me busy during the day!

4. If you could have a super power what would it be?

To be able to fly! I love to travel and see other places, so being able to fly would be amazing!

Be sure to check out the Amelia Kay Photography Blog and follow her on Twitter and Facebook

and get your daily inspiration when life calls for it!

So here is your chance to win an 8x8 or 8x10 print of your favorite photo! As usual you have 4 opportunities to enter, but make sure you post a comment below for EACH entry or it won't count when the random number is drawn!

1. Visit the shop and comment below on which print you would choose to win

(make sure I have a way to contact you)

2. Become a follower of The Embellished Life Blog

3. Tweet about this giveaway! (tag @fashiondiva304 so I can keep track)

4. Become a Facebook Fan of Embellished!

This is a 4 day contest so doors close at Midnight, Thursday, February 4th, NYC time.

All readers are welcome to enter, good luck darlings!

On the Street....Alexander McQueen Shop Window, NYC

Alexander McQueen and Dries Van Noten were the two shows I was most excited to see during my first Paris fashion week.

To me, McQueen represented the drama of fashion. He represented the conflict and harmony of being a craftsman and an artist - Savile Row training, runway dreaming.


There are people in fashion I always figured I'd meet sooner or later.
I'd meet them in a very natural way (introduced by a mutual friend at a party or something) and the encounter would be so much more meaningful that way. McQueen was one of those people I felt I had time to meet. I almost wanted to save him for later. Not a conscious effort but just a concept. Well...I'm sad that won't be the case.

I hope we all remember him for the genius he brought to fashion.




ps. I'm rereading what I wrote and what has been written on other sites and blogs.

All very nice but I still feel so unsatisfied, so empty, even a little mad.

When a bigtime movie star or politician dies someone like Tom Brokaw has always been there to help put it into perspective.

If it was a sports star, fans would talk about it for days on talk radio.

However, for someone that loves fashion Alexander McQueen is just gone and no one seems to be able to make sense of it.

There doesn't seem to be anywhere to turn to make it feel right or understandable.

I don't have any answers for you either. All I know is this sucks.

His Card Reads, Dott. Gianluigi Vernet, Milano

On the Street....Sunday Stroll, Milano

On the Street....Brown & Orange p.2, Pitti Uomo

Yes, I know I have been a little heavy on the mens photos lately but NYC fashion week starts tomorrow!!

On the Street....Paris by Night

On the Street....Man-shawl p.2, Pitti Uomo

On the Street.....The Ladies Sportcoat, NYC

I love seeing ladies wearing regular length sportcoats again.

Please, no more of these tiny, short-waisted jackets that every corporate attorney wears. I saw a great women's jacket (a suit actually) at the Marc Jacobs show last night and it looked so fresh. It was a DB with deeeeep back vents (my passion) and a firm shoulder- I'll post a shot of it tonight.

Miss France 2009 - After JP Gaultier Défilé

Je préfère Chloé Mortaud en mannequin pour JP Gaultier qu'en Miss France pour
Mme de Fontenay. Pas vous ?
(merci Naylaah !)

On the Street....Man-shawl p.1, Milano

Fashion Week Starts @ Alexander Wang

Blow Wave Boy - Trocadéro - Paris

On the Street....Mr. Rubinacci, Pitti Uomo

Sofia Fisher at Chanel Show - Paris FW

On the Street....Outer Edge of Paris

On the Street....Brown & Orange p.1, Pitti Uomo

A Graceful Man, A Gentleman

Thanks everyone for all your great suggestions on books about modern manners. I can't wait to get a few and brush up on a few things before my next big dinner party.

For me, this is blogging at it's best. Being able to create a community of individuals that share information and ideas that can make the community as a whole a better place. Thank you.

One of the things I mentioned yesterday, was the "manner" of a person. "Manner" or "grace" is not something that you can learn from a book. Unfortunately, it is something you just have to be or to develop.

A great scene of modern grace on '30 Rock' the other day:

Liz and Jack went out to dinner at a very chic restaurant. As they sat down at the table, Jack immediately moved the candle from the center of the setting to the side of the table. Liz looked at him kinda funny, not understanding why he did that but, not really caring either. Later, however, when Liz reached across the table to steal some of Jack's food (as she always does), she realized he moved the candle so her sleeve wouldn't catch fire when she reached across the table. Jack's manner and grace were so attuned to her as a friend, that he knew her moves before she did. That tiny gesture ended up becoming the pivotal moment of the episode and changed the course of their business relationship.

I'm telling you guys again, women notice the small stuff. They notice the gentleness/gentlemenliness more than if you use the right fork at dinner. I'm a very lucky man, Garance notices every little kindness I offer her, she doesn't miss a thing. Knowing that makes it so much more rewarding to do even more little things for her. I'll be honest, my biggest obsession in life right now is not better shoes, more suits or a bigger career but, to simply be a more graceful man for my graceful woman.

So women, in the spirit of grace, manner and Valentine's Day, take a moment and share with us men some of the little kindnesses that your man has done for you that made your heart flutter. Us men might learn something and you might gain an even more graceful man, a gentleman.

Editor's Note: For my gay readers, I can only write this as I know it, a man loving a woman. Don't let this keep you from joining the conversation. If you have tiny acts of kindness from a boyfriend to a boyfriend, or girlfriend to a girlfriend, please share with us!
Grace is Grace.
It doesn't matter who you're lovin', it's how you're lovin'!

The McQueen Question.

So....now what?

I was talking to a retailer yesterday who said that her McQueen business was growing faster than it ever had before.

However, she sees no other option than to close the business of McQueen.

Who could take over? Should anyone takeover?

I'm sure Gucci has invested millions in this business but, this isn't the same as finding a replacement for an old house like YSL or Kenzo.

This is different, very different.

I think the closest correlation to this would have to be Moschino. And still after all these years, no one has been able to replace him, just a design team. Do we really want this to be the fate of McQueen's business?

I mean, come on, who could possibly keep the spirit of McQueen alive? He was so unique that his replacement could never get out of that shadow.

But again, Gucci has already spent millions and, in this economy, can anyone just walk away from a growing business?

So....now what?

Waves of Clarity

One of my favorite places to be is at the beach. I love walking along the shore and listening to the waves, with the sand in between my toes as the water continually washing them off. It is so peaceful. Its a place I always know I can go and clear my head.

*Photo compliments of Alvaro Puentes via Flikr*

Where is your place for zen?

Rouge

I have seen le "Moulin Rouge" hundreds and hundreds times and I cannot
grow tired of it. Every time I pass near Pigalle (Place Blanche), I cannot stop myself from having
a look at it just to check if its red is always so ... rouge, like a giant lipstick.

Sunny Saturday...in my mind.

As a Southern Girl I very much enjoy the heat and plenty of sunshine. Now living in the North of France I have had quite a difficult time adjusting to a constant state of cold and overcast, I also feel like a vampire with the serious lack of melanin in my skin!

Yesterday was the strangest weather day of my life. It was raining in the morning, followed by a brief parting of clear blue skies, and then it started snowing...like a blizzard! It was snowing cats and dogs! But that's not all, later in the evening it sleeted! What?! That's right I had 4 kinds of weather in a 12 hour period, no lie.

*Photo compliments of Amy Sneder, Flikr*

This picture felt like a hot summer concert in a park to me. This has only made me realize how ready for warmer weather I am. Bring on the sunshine please, I'm ready for my sundresses, shorts, Rainbow Sandals, and really long sun drenched days!

Anyone else feeling the late winter blues?

Don't forget to enter for free mineral makeup! Make those winter blues a little more sparkly and fun!

Skye Stracke - Paris Fashion Week

Giovanna Battaglia - Rue St-Martin - Paris

Tina - Rue de Turenne - Paris

I a am Stylist
I wear a vintage Jacket with artic Wolf from Canada
Black leggings and boots from DINSKO (Sweden)
My top is designed and made by me
My bag is from BURBERRY
Fashion is expressing myself and feeling creativ.
My look is vintage, black and classic at the same time.
I love politness and generosity of people.
I don't like people who are too superficial.
If I had 1 000 € I would go to CHANEL Boutik and go crazy !

On the Street....After YSL, Paris

Black & Blond Gang - Rue Cambon - Paris

January Pondering & Giveaway Winner

Well, January is finally coming to a close and with that comes the established tone for the coming year. How have you done so far on your resolutions? I don't really care for them so much myself as I feel they set you up for failure, but the goals I have placed for myself to accomplish this year in general are shaping up quite nicely. I am increasing my brand awareness for Embellished through buzz marketing and this blog. I have been consistantly running, and getting much further along in my training for a marathon...10 mile runs are what I'm up to now! And I have reached a place where I can enjoy my time here in France and savor the things I have here while I have them!

*photo compliments of mylittlepipsqueek*

Now all I have to do is busy myself over the next little while to pretend that I am not missing the Super Bowl this year! I look forward to it all year, and I don't think I have ever missed the big game in my life, so being in France will be a challenge!

How is your 2010 shaping up thusfar?

Now for the news you want to hear, here's the winner of the Gossimar Wings Necklace Giveaway....

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:13Powered by RANDOM.ORG

...Anastasia of Matt's Crafty Wife!! Congratulations on your unique handmade necklace, I know it will make quite a statement!

If you missed out there is already another giveaway going on that is live for more than another week! Don't miss your chance to win some amazing Mineral Makeup!

At Costume National.....The Character, Milan

Irina - Rue St-Martin - Paris

I wish to be a model. I am looking for an Agency.
I wear a coat by H&M
All my outfit by ZARA
except my bag by H&M and my shoes by ANDRE.
Perfume: "Elle" by YSL
For me Fashion is Style
My look is simple
I love Music and I hate Strawberry Yogurts.
If I had 1 000 €, I would buy those striped blue and white
CHANEL Shoes.
My message to the world: Live Fashion more !

Uliana Sergienko - Rue Cambon - Paris

A slav Princess ...

Pierre Cardin - Avenue Montaigne - Paris

Irina Lazareanu - Bonne Nouvelle - Paris

At Roberto Cavalli....The Fashion Journalist, Milan

I actually shot this in Milan a few days before I shot Kanye in Paris . Like any artist I follow my inspiration and lately I've been feeling for portraits. I think it started with that "Red on Red" portrait in Sydney. Right now I love the idea of a dramatic face surrounded by an equally dramatic fur...a very modern John Singer Sargent vibe.

Regarding the Kanye shot. Yes, Kanye is having a tough time right now but I think that makes the portrait all the more moving.
For those of you that think the Kanye shot was a celebrity grab and a change in direction for the blog, go check the archives. I've shot Kanye about ten times over the last two years and his inclusion hasn't changed anything in this blog (if anything it enriches it with a wider stylistic offering).

Is Kanye a Sartorialist? Who is? I wrote in my book that I appreciate and relate to his struggles to find is own style vocabulary. Haven't we all gone through that? Am I a Yohji or an Armani was mine. I know Kanye a little bit and that portrait captures something in him I haven't seen before. Whether you like him or not is up to you. That shot is just a simple portrait of a man in a difficult moment in his life and as a artist I would be crazy not to react to that moment (especially if it falls within a mood I'm feeling). I love the contrast that these two portraits create. And lets be honest, we can't assume that this woman is any more or less refined or graceful than Kanye. I think the not really knowing makes portraits all the more fascinating

I wish I had more to say about this lovely woman but she spoke almost no English. My good friend Renata (who you'll see in another shot very soon) was the person who really helped make this shot happen. I love the calm poise of this shot even though there are about two hundred people right behind me moving out of a fashion show very very quickly.

Igor - Avenue Montaigne - Paris

I am a Performer-Stylist

My look is trash
Fashion is extravaguant
If I had 1 000 € I would buy apair of those beautiful orthopedic shoes.
I love Soup.
My message to the world: make love !

Maja - Rue Cambon - Paris

5 under seems nothing for Maja "the Graphic Wizard"

Jane Austen Romance

As an avid reader, I have my special stack of books I know I can return to and time and time again be swept away by the timeless story. I adore the characters of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, etc, and was inspired by their romance to create a few things over the weekend. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

The Bronte Rosette

Crush satin in aubergine and white lace neatly twisted with delicate vintage black French lace for an exquisitely rich sensation of romance. Topped off with a sprig of black and white feathers for glamor and demure.

The Marilyn Peacock Rosette

Blow passer-bys away with this chic statement piece that is sure to turn heads. Formed by twisting Aubergine crushed satin into a tidy rosette and then adding intoxicating green peacock plumes for allure. Be prepared to be desired!

Which one is your favorite?

Also today is the last day for the Gossimar Wings jewelry giveaway!

Enter HERE and don't miss out!

At Louis Vuitton....Kanye West, Paris

On the Street.... So Much to See, Paris

Where to start?
- the "retro" extended shirt collar
- the 3-pc. suit worn without a hint of stuffiness
- the simple brown/grey color story
- the playfulness of purple socks


But the single most important element of this look!

- the masterfully/effortlessly rolled (almost punched) brim of his hat. Really, doesn't that one element of his look tell you everything you need to know about this gentleman?