My Glamourology

I'm back, I'm Back!!!

Monique Justina — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:35:48 -0700

I'm BACK! Wow that was a long time away! I've missed all you bloggers!! I have a new computer (thankfully), and it works wonderfully!!! I just need to retrieve my old photos, music, personal files, and work files from my old computer now, just waiting on this wire to arrive! Anyway it's pretty hard getting back into blogging after a bit away, but I'll just start here and show you what I've worked on this week.....Some more fall sketches and some quick trend boards for a little meeting we had at work....

I have lots of catching up to do with all of your blogs! Hope you all have a GREAT Thursday!!

xoxo M

Justina Leigh on set...

Monique Justina — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:55:25 -0700

In my last post I let all you amazing bloggers know I've been having computer troubles (or just the fact that I don't have one right now!). But I was able to take a gander here on my work computer at my bloglovin' account and there are 200 plus posts I need to catch up on! Oh boy! Anyway I took a quick peek at one of my fav blogs Style Underdog and she's posted a terrific ensemble to go with her Justina Leigh "Monte" Bracelet!!! I can't tell you how excited it was to see this!!! It looks SOOOO fab on her and I'm just THRILLED!! Made my entire week!!! Thanks again S.U.!!

xoxox M

Please excuse the lack of posting...

Monique Justina — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:04:30 -0700

My beloved computer decided to completely crash on me! It wont even turn on. Which means no access to my photos, or photoshop, or my random files! I am in the process of getting a new one from Apple, and having my old one backed up somehow, but It won't be all set till next week. And of course work is nuts this week and reading blogs and posting is not going to happen here at the office.

I'll miss you all for the week! I hope to catch up on some of your blog posts on my iphone (which went missing for a bit, but now its back thankfully!) Have a happy week!

xo M

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Monique Justina — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 05:24:01 -0700

Hello lovely fellow bloggers!!! I took a little break this week from blogging and most things Internet related. I've been coming home, cooking, baking and reading. Being domestic, if you will. I can't wait to catch up on all my fav blogs this afternoon and to peek into some new ones I've added along the way as per all your fantastic recommendations!!!

This is my favorite sequin owl tee purchased at Forever 21 (of course) about a year ago,

pants H&M (recent)

Belt H&M (purchased a very long time ago)

shoes Zara (Purchased a year ago)

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEKEND!!!!

XOXOX M

TAG! You're it!

Monique Justina — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 04:59:41 -0700

The Lovely Jemina Tagged me in a little questionnaire. THANK YOU DOLL!! Before I get to the questions here's a shot of my favorite pair of cut out booties (Chinese Laundry) I purchased back in May. I've only gotten a few uses out of them but I loved the way they looked paired with simple H&M Skinnies and of of my fav Madewell Silk blouses...

Here are my answeres to Jemina's fabulous questions...

1. who is your favourite designer? - My all time favorite designer is Roberto Cavalli. I've always been obsessed with his use of feminine fabrications like chiffon and all those amazing animal prints. Cant get enough!

2. name 3 items you can't live without - Mascara, Hair straighter, Iphone.....there are a lot more things I can think of that I cant live without but these three just seem essential right now

3. your favourite fashion era - 1960's. Love the liberation of it all! Mini Shift dresses, Big fat falsie eye lashes, LOVE it all.

4. any fashion icon? - I think right now I'm loving Alexa Chung and how her relaxed style just seems so chic.

5. favourite song - This changes daily. But lately Ive been playing "Into the Mystic" By: Van Morrison quite a bit.

6. favourite book(s): The Alchemist is my number one fave. I'm actually quite obsessed with all Paulo Coelho's books.

7. favourite movie: I could do this by era, or genre but I'll just list two of my favs. My Favorite Classic film is Breakfast at Tiffany's And my favorite modern day film is Eternal Sunshine Of the Spotless Mind.

8. favourite season: FALL. So happy it's almost here!!

So now I'd like to tag the following bloggers!

Piper of DAILY DIVA DISH

Lee of LEE OLIVERIA

Johanna of SKETCHBOOK SIX

MelbGirl of MELBOURNE GIRL

Valerie of BEAUTY AND THE BUDGET

Moserrat of FASHION BOOK

Nikki of STYLE AND CHARM

Annie of ALL NATURAL ANNIE

Would love to hear your answers to the same questions I myself answered above! Thanks Loves!

xo M

Happy Friday!

Monique Justina — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:02:07 -0700

My DIY cork board made from a mirror I found at Jacks $.99 store on 32nd street and Broadway for $29.00 and an old cork board donated to me from work. I'm quite happy with how it came out!

A sketch of how I plan on wearing my H&M lace shorts once the weather gets a bit brisk

A peek into work: A few sketches I'm working on for our transitional/fall line. My favorite season to design!

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!! Anyone have any good plans??

xoxo M

I LOVE BLOGLOVIN'

Monique Justina — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 07:01:19 -0700

Just a quick post to all my amazing blogger friends. I'm not sure if everyone has bloglovin or not but I'm strongly suggesting that you do! It's free and easy and here's why I love it. Every morning I get up early (ok this is a lie sometimes I do this at night), make myself coffee go sit and my newly acquired workspace and log in to bloglovin'. A lot of the blogs I read are on there and I get to just click along my long list of reads all on one spot!! How easy is that?!! Its like an on line catalogue of all your favorite reads. I love all the blogs I read and am following but sometimes its hard to remember to go check out a new post if its not in my bloglovin accnt. Because, let's be honest getting 300 emails a day about every new post is not ideal, so I turn off notifications but I love that I can just log into one place like Bloglovin' and its all there! So if you don't have Bloglovin' I'm just throwing out a little suggestion to sign up! :) Love all you fantastic bloggers!!

xoxox M

Remember when patchwork was hot.....

Monique Justina — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 05:37:21 -0700

So I've had this dress for a while. A crazy patchwork dress that I bought maybe 3 or 4 years ago at H&M and I really haven't liked it much lately, but I remember absolutely loving it when I had bought it, and wore it often, which is why I haven't parted ways with the patchwork "mess"....it's sorta like an overall in patchwork....which is weird. Anyway recently I've been getting inspired by some of my favorite bloggers Style Underdog and Fashion Butter (to name a few), to use what I have and find new great ways of wearing them. These two bloggers have been seen wearing many dresses as skirts. I love this concept and I figured enough with being lazy!! Let me get back to my creative FIT roots and brush up my rusty DIY skills. So here's my version of the dress as a skirt. I wore this ensemble last week.

Sorry for the Lack of multiple shots, they all just kinda looked the same so why bother! :)

xo M

mmmm Tiramisu...

Monique Justina — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 06:23:44 -0700

BABY TIRAMISU

The easiest, tastiest, 107 calorie snack ever! It was seriously delicious! Better than most 300 and up calorie treats! I have to give my sister credit for finding this recipe on eatingwell.com. It took all of about 15 min to prepare and when we finally dove in after dinner it was better than I could have imagined!

Ingredients

1/2 cup nonfat ricotta cheese, (4 ounces)
2 tablespoons confectioner's sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 ladyfingers, (about 1 3/4 ounces)
4 tablespoons brewed espresso, or strong coffee, divided
2 tablespoons bittersweet chocolate chips, melted (see Tip)

Preparation

Combine ricotta, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
Place 6 ladyfingers in a 9-by-5-inch (or similar size) loaf pan. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons espresso (or coffee). Spread the ricotta mixture over the ladyfingers. Place another layer of ladyfingers over the ricotta and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons espresso (or coffee). Drizzle with melted chocolate. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.

Tips & Notes

Tip: To melt chocolate: Microwave on Medium for 1 minute. Stir, then continue microwaving on Medium in 20-second intervals until melted, stirring after each interval. Or place in the top of a double boiler over hot, but not boiling, water. Stir until melted.

Nutrition

Per serving: 107 calories; 2 g fat (1 g sat, 0 g mono); 3 mg cholesterol; 18 g carbohydrates; 3 g protein; 0 g fiber; 125 mg sodium; 29 mg potassium.

30% Off Justina Leigh!!

Monique Justina — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 07:52:31 -0700

Please Visit FASHION BOOK and leave some kind words, for a very special end of summer 30% discount on Justina Leigh for the whole month of August!!!!!

Please Visit THE SITE to view the collection!

Thank you Monserrat for posting the deal!!!

xoxo M

Dont you wan't to be friends with Justina Leigh???

Monique Justina — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 06:15:37 -0700

Come on, you know you wanna!!! hehe. Click the link to "LIKE" Justina Leigh on Facebook, You know she "LIKES" you right back! ;)

JUSTINA LEIGH FACEBOOK PAGE

xoxo M

Bloggin' Love...

Monique Justina — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 06:06:06 -0700

Thank You Jemina for my STYLISH BLOGGER AWARD!!! Such a super sweet gesture!! Jemina happens to be one of my favorite blogs so its such an honor! She has the most unique and fabulous sense of style, I always look forward to her looks, and she's also amazingly talented with all her DIY projects on some of her wardrobe pieces. So please check out her blog if of course you have not already. Most of you lovelies probably have. So in addition to extending this award right back to her fabulous self, I'd like to pass it along to some other equally fantastic bloggers whether or not you've received it already, you'll just have to get it twice! :) Here goes...

Lee Oliveira

Beauty and the Budget

Nostalgic Deconstruction

A Brit Greek

Grit and Glamour

The Accessories Junkie

XOXOX M

A Shoe story....

Monique Justina — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:32:21 -0700

I'm not supposed to buy shoes......no, CAN'T buy shoes, will NOT buy shoes, won't even window shop a shoe store, that's how dedicated I am to NOT buying shoes!!!
I've even tried to stop thinking about shoes, which is basically like telling me to stop breathing!!
But like any addiction one must be weened off....so to indulge just the teeniest bit, I figure some glossy, happy, page turning browsing can't hurt.....trying on is dangerous for me, so I won't try on, I promise!

Buuuuut if I were to, let's say, just, oh....waaanndddeerr over to some department stores in the near future for, oh, let's say a casual afternoon lunch trip, and let's just say, for arguments sake, I passed the shoe department while trying to get to the kids department, for work of course (because naturally this is the only reason why I'd be in a department store in NYC, right?..... I only shop for work...really its true....fine! dont belive me!) , but since I'm already there, and it WAS on the way.. I'd probably go in search of these....

Photo Credit : Marie Claire Magazine - August 2010

But I won't try on! I'll touch...and fondle....and maybe, just maybe, when no one is looking I'll sneak a quick little sniff, because the smell of new shoes is an aphrodisiac for me. But I WON'T try on...I absolutely cant try on, trying on is like a gateway drug for me, its the kiss of death. When I try on shoes they somehow appear in my closet.....Better yet I should just stick to flipping through magazines... (sigh).

Lacy bottoms

Monique Justina — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:14:28 -0700

I went out for sangria with a couple of my girlfriends last week and I snapped a couple of shots of my outfit. Mostly because I was just so in love with these lacy shorts I bought at H&M a few weeks back. Poor things had been sitting in my closet waiting for me to find the right time to wear them since they aren't work appropriate. But finally they had their day! I paired them with a simple white tank and my Zara wooden platforms.

I'll take my cupcake anyway I can get it!

Monique Justina — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 05:27:19 -0700

Recently on a trip to the grocery store I was perusing through the cereal isle for something semi healthy (fiber, bran, and all that good stuff) but also tasty. Chocolate Cheerios and Special K Chocolatey delight were getting a bit old. Then I stumbled upon this, Cupcake Pebbles?? For real??? YES IT IS, my eyes did not deceive. I snapped a photo then promptly left the isle, its such a shame I had forgotten coffee the first time around because I had to venture back to the cereal isle, and, well, the box just called my name. I have a STRONG affinity for cupcakes and these were something I just had to indulge in (esp. because I really do like Coco Pebbles).

I had decided against blogging about them because there's nothing fashionable or glamorous about sugared carbs with no nutritional value whatsoever (seriously it has 0g of fiber!) BUT when I thought about it over my nightly indulgence last night, I realized something. The average cupcake has about 400 calories or so (also no nutritional value), that's almost half my daily budget!! The cupcake cereal on the other hand has only 160 with a cup of skim milk! So why not indulge in some super sugary processed carbs, its better than the 400 calories right? I really can find the rational in everything can't I? haha

Madonna Madness!!

Monique Justina — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:50:06 -0700

Part two to the "Material Girl" launch is the actual unveiling! I just got back from the event at Macy's in Herald square and all I seriously want to do for the rest of the day is blast my old school Madonna Mixes (which I will, thank you very much!) Since I'm not much of a Fashion critic because I believe style is personal and what looks good on some just might not on others, I don't want to spend too much time critiquing. BUT I will say that being a tween fashion designer I most definitely acquired some much needed fall fashion inspiration from "Material Girl". Women's clothes and trends while amazing, can be a bit serious at times and well, my wardrobe may consist of those serious pieces but when designing for girls in the 7-16 age range a bit of glitz and glam is necessary!!

The line was an eclectic mix of glitter, sequins, faux leathers and furs, intarsia sweaters and military jackets pieced with Lace and studs! It was as if they didnt want to miss a thing! "let take all the trends and do our best to mix em up to create a glamorous mash up of looks!" Great thinking! I loved it. Personaly I could never wear half the things on the line but artistically it made my heart do pitter patters. It felt some what like the first time I walked into Top Shop in London (before it was in NY) I gasped and didn't know where to go first! So I give the line a thumbs up for creating a mixology of looks, some wearable some just show stoppers But all at seriously down and dirty fantastic price pointsl! Here are some shots I snapped...

I Personally had to have this little studed skirt! Its adorable!!

One of my fav looks from the collection! I'll most certainly be Modonna-fying my denim jacket with some lace and pins now!

A Happy Workspace...

Monique Justina — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 07:49:09 -0700

Finally my Desk AND chair arrived for my little workspace nook! I couldn't be more pleased with the items I purchased!!! It makes me so happy to get up every morning and check my emails and do a bit of blog reading at my new clean and simple desk! I still have to get a cork board (a little DIY project I have an idea for) and one shelf for the side wall but I'm happy with it for now! :)

Originally in this space I had a big wine cabinet/side table that took up this entire space. It's sole propose was to hold my liquor and wine glasses but the space was necessary for me to do freelance, make jewelry, blog, photoshop, anything my little creative heart desires. So I got rid of the beautiful wine cabinet (sold on craigs list for $200 SCORE!) and put the money towards a new desk a chair and a little drawer cabinet (I also dug deep into that closet of mine and sold a few misc things that I never used like shoes, and some clothes with tags.

So what did I do with all the Wine glasses and liquor? My amazing boyfriend put up two shelves over the sink and two wine racks next to them! It looks even better than it did bare! and it made room for my pretty little mock office! My apartment is really coming together with some chic personality. I'm going to have to post pictures of it soon!

Items for my workspace include:

West Elm Parsons Desk - $299.00

Zgallery Aero side chair - $149.00

Z gallery Everyglades White 3 drawers - $139.95

Sold wine cabinet for $200.00, Sold shoes on ebay for $180.00 Total amount for my office make over $207.00!!!

Do any of you lovelies have a workspace that makes you happy?? If so what about it makes you smile??

August 2010 GLAM-SCOPES are up!!

Monique Justina — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 09:19:32 -0700

Where did July go?!?!? I woke up this morning to the 2nd of August!!! WOW the summer is flying by! Sorry for the one day delay! Have a happy August!!

August 2010 GLAM-SCOPES

xoxox M

Are you a Material Girl??

Monique Justina — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 05:33:05 -0700

I don't know about you but I'm a big fan of Madge. I love her music through all the decades and watching her appear in many outrageous ensembles has always been of interest to me. Let's be honest shes been a big fashion icon in her own right. Always pushing the envelope, and whether or not shes been a fashion disaster or a fashion statement it doesn't matter shes MADONNA and she can do what she wants too!!

So I can't lie when I say that I'm just a little more than excited to see the new line designed by Madonna and her daughter Lola this week, August 3rd in Macy's! I'm sure we can expect some over the top looks, bright colors, leathers and god I hope LACE!!!!!

All photos and sketches copy right 2010 Material Girl

Taylor Momsen as the new face of "Material Girl"

The launch starts at August 3rd 10am at Macy's herald square the first 200 customers to line up will receive a $10 gift card valid for that day only. If you dress in your best Madonna inspired ensemble you have a chance at winning a T-shirt signed by the original Material Girl herself!! If you spend $50 you have an opportunity to meet and have a photo taken with her as well!

Just a little sparkle....

Monique Justina — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:34:32 -0700

Erica Conte, A friend of mine from High school and College, a super talented textile designer also has her own line of jewelry EConteDesigns that I'm totally obsessed with. I've blogged about her line before and I have a few of her stack-able rings that I seriously wear every day! I even bought a set for my mom for Mothers Day and she wears them every day as well. I also have earrings, and a necklace that I adore! Well anyway a week ago she told me she was sending me one of her new rings that are double dipped in 18K gold. I couldn't wait! The anticipation of this package arriving was eating at me! A few days later my ring arrived and I couldn't even wait to get up to my apartment and open it so opened it in the elevator...cue GASP! I swear it was the prettiest little thing I had ever seen! So delicate, the gold was so BRIGHT and shiny, I put it on and twisted my hand in all directions so the cuts in the gold and the stone (white topaz) could sparkle. Side note: I was in the elevator with about 3 other people who all stared at me like I was a loony as I said to Quintin "OHHHH look how pretty!!!" Quintin politely responded by sitting next to the strangers with a look on his face like "mom your seriously weird and wheres my treat"

Visit Erica's Etsy shop for some of her other amazing styles! AND she will be in Soho on the corner of Greene and Prince street August 7th, 21st, and 28th, go check out her stuff! I'm thinking about selling some of my own line with her at the end of August. I'll keep you all posted!

Lomography obsession!

Monique Justina — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:08:10 -0700

Photo Credit: Lomography.com

I've been obsessing over Lomography for sometime now (I guess this will be my next hobby- cupcakes, jewelry, and now photography?). I have been fussing with my digitals on photoshop to create an imitated look of the a Lomo shot (I'm sure you all noticed). But enough with the imitations!! I want real authentic shots!!! Ones I can develop and put up on the walls, or place in pretty little photo albums! Ones that make me feel nostalgic!!! I LOVE the energy you can feel through them and I think some art around my apartment would be a good thing! (There's no way I can hang up any of my own art because I'll pick it apart till the day I tear it down!) So I was on the search for a really great lomo camera, they are all over eBay. Originally I wanted an old vintage one. The real deal, from Russia or Korea! But I've read that the originals can be fussy and parts are most certainly not easy to come by, so instead I perused Urban Outfitters and Lomography.com so see which one would best suit me. THERE SO MUCH TO CHOSE FROM! In the end I did not want a crazy colored one (so not like me because almost everything I get is pink!). I just wanted the feel of the authentic vintage ones so I decided on the Holga 120N in black/silver from urban outfitters (I scored it on eBay for much less than the $48.00 listed on their site!) I also felt like I would need the flash and the 35mm film converter because 120 film can be hard to come by. I got the whole kit and caboodle on eBay for $40.00!! I cant wait till it arrives! The "Boy" and I will promptly be venturing over to Coney Island for a fun filled day of photography!

The black and silver Holga 120N I purchased on eBay.

I'm also obsessing after this Diana Dreamer which is an Urban Outfitters exclusive (could NOT find it on eBay at all!) ! I think ill need to get this one too..... eventually. I'm thinking about starting a little collection! There are just so many! And they do all sorts of different things!

Anyway I hope to be posting some interesting lomo shots as soon as it arrives!

xoxo M

SO GRATEFUL!!

Monique Justina — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:42:18 -0700

The Lovely Monserrat Fernandez of FASHION BOOK did an amazing post on my jewelry line!! I'm so thrilled and thankful to her and all my other fellow blogger friends for all the positive feedback I've been getting. It's seriously amazing to me how tight knit this little blogging community can be. Everyone is so supportive and its great to have that! You guys are the best!!! Please please go visit Fashion Book, it's a fantastic blog! Great fashion tips and great articles!!! Thank you Monserrat for taking the time to write about Justina Leigh!!!

On another note, I've been out of the blogging world a bit, I can't even say it's because I've been so busy working. The boy (he hates when I call him that) and I have been doing so many things!! Beach days, dinners, brunches, concerts! All fun summer stuff, and of course in between, some real life work! I hope to be back to posting daily soon! And I have a TON of blog reading to catch up on! I just looked at my bloglovin account and WOW there is so much I've been missing!!! I hope to get to that tonight. Here's a quick shot of John and I in Central Park at the Black Keys concert. Such a good time! Great music, great wine, great company. Cant wait to do it again!

xoxo M

New Justina Leigh Style!

Monique Justina — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:50:19 -0700

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A FANTASTIC WEEKEND!!

This weekend I tried a few new jewelry ideas and this new bracelet is my favorite! The "JAYDEN", its a little bohemian mixed with some rocker chains! I did a few different styles with some colored threading I'll have to take pics and post soon, I've been slacking!! I also have a new necklace which is way different from my other necklaces. Its super delicate and wearable for every day. Ill post that tomorrow! And stay tuned because once I figure out how to actually use one of those give away counters there will most certainly be a give away! But here's the "JAYDEN" (I also make this style with leather strips!)

HAPPY WEEKEND!!!

Monique Justina — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:55:31 -0700

I've been a bit busy this week, hopefully next week i'll have some more time to post some of my looks! Quintin is already relaxing!!! Have a happy weekend enjoy!!!

and now he's hiding! hehe!

xoxo M

THANK YOU FOR MY FEATURE!!!

Monique Justina — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 06:25:02 -0700

Valerie of Beauty and the Budget did a feature on my post Cheap Thrills. I just wanted to say thank you!!! It was so nice seeing that in my inbox yesterday! I'm happy that I, as well as all the other fabulous bloggers out there can be recognized for affordable fashion. It's so important to know we don't need labels to make us fashionistas, its all about personality, and personal style and you most certainly can do that on a budget! Valerie does such a good job on her blog of pointing us in all the right directions for affordable fashion AND shes a fantastic writer. One of my must reads daily! Check her out!!

xx M