D-List: Frills & Bows - Tops - Under A$50

Admirable Ascot Vest • Knot Vest • Frilled Top •

Sequin Bow Tee • Origami Blouse • Shirred Front Knit Top

Fabric Button Rings & How To Make Them

Selection of Fabric Button Rings from Glamourpuss.

These are so cute - they can be fun and funky, or elegant and chic depending on the fabric. I am keen on trying my hand at making custom ones that compliment my tastes and wardrobe exactly.

 

HOW TO MAKE A FABRIC BUTTON RING

Video from here

Design Inspirations: Vinyl Wall Decals & Decorative Mirrors

Painting the walls does change the whole feel of a room, but let's face it - it's messy and time consuming. I have recently updated the colour scheme in my lounge room, and while I'm pleased with the results I am still on the look out for some interior design ideas to add zest to the lounge and other rooms in my apartment.

And so I stumbled upon vinyl wall decals. These things look amazing, are removable (though often only usable once) and from what I have read there's very little effort involved other than deciding what you want and where. Peel. Stick. Done!

They usually come in various colours, and so could suit any room. Some of the prettiest ones I've seen are available on Etsy and I covet them.

'Bird on Branch' here and 'Birch Trees in Winter' here.

Another little design idea that I simply love is the use of mirrors. Mirrors cut in usual shapes, or in sleek contemporary frames are my favourites. But wait, there's more! How about using those vinyl decals to decorate a simple frameless mirror? As much as some people hate the mass-produced consumerism that it represents, IKEA is a great place to find basics that you can pretty up with your own creative touch.

Various mirrors available from IKEA; 'Chickadee on Branch' Vinyl Decal from here

I think my next DIY venture will be to create a unique piece of contemporary art out of mirrors to hang in the very narrow entrance hallway of my apartment. Stay tuned for the next installation.

Gone Shopping: Creating the Smoky Brown Eyeshadow Effect

RECENTLY I BOUGHT

1. The Face of Australia liquid eyeliner in Black
2. Rimmel London Colour Rush eyeshadow quad in Cafe Latte
3. Too Faced eyeshadow in Label Whore (metallic brown with irridiscent blue)
4. Bourjois Liner Effect mascara in Noir
5. Bourjois Effet 3D Max lipgloss in #66 Peche Shiny

I LOVE THESE BECAUSE...

The Face of Australia liquid eyeliner has a very fine tipped brush and I have found that it is by far the easiest liquid eyeliner to apply, since the shape of the wand makes it comfortable to grip. Since switching a couple of years ago I have not felt inclined to use any other liquid eyeliner.

Armed with a voucher for a mini-makeover at Kit Cosmetics in Myer, I allowed the very bubbly, very capable sales rep to experiment on my face. When she recommended the shade Label Whore from Too Faced I was initially apprehensive because the shade in the pan looked a bit "meh", to be honest. But after she applied it I found that it was pretty cool - dark, with irridiscent blue tones that reminded me of the flash of dusk on a raven's wing - and I was smitten.

The Bourjois mascara and lipgloss I purchased together last week. I love the brush on this mascara - it's very flexible and gives me the appearance extra long eyelashes easily. The lipgloss was an impulse buy because I tried it on in the store and just loved how it looked on me. Plastic fantastic lips without the cosmetic surgery. I could not walk away without taking it home with me. O the sheer vanity!

THE LOOK

This is one of my favourite looks to create using these cosmetics. I can go quite smoky for a night out or ease up on the eyeliner for darkly subtle daytime look. I use a generic eyeliner pencil for the smudged effect with liquid eyeliner on the top lids to add drama, and because I just love the cat-eye effect.

First, using a black eyeliner pencil I draw a line from inside corner to outside corner of my eye as close to the lashline as possible. Then I smudge it with my eyeshadow brush. Then I apply the second lightest shade from the Rimmel quad all over lid and up to the brow bone. With an angled brush I apply Too Faced eyeshadow from the line of eyeliner and smudge it to the crease. Add more Rimmel eyeshadow and blend, blend, blend at the crease.

I then line the bottom outer corners of my eyes with the eyeliner pencil and smudge towards the inner corner with the brush that has some of the leftover Too Faced eyeshadow. You can stop here and just finish off with some of the mascara, but for that dark mystique I also put a line of liquid liner close to the lashline and flick out the corners.

I think the sheer pinkish shade of the Bourjois lipgloss (alone or on top of a neutral lipcolour) complements the dark eyes and completes this look.

Blog Team

Here's a brief introduction to the regular contributors to Delusions of Style:

	call me Miss Aida current location: Melbourne, Australia profession/interest(s): Student, self-indulgent writer easily distracted by pretty things. i describe my style as Changes with my mood, with a strong lean towards classical styles. i am inspired by People. i cannot live without my Dose of optimism.
	call me Miss Tuesday current location: Melbourne, Australia profession/interest(s): Journalism major turned freelance graphic & web designer; weekend shopaholic; aspiring full-time beach bum. i describe my style as flirting with the dark side. i am inspired by many things at various points in time. i cannot live without my playlist... what's life without the music?
	call me Qohl Kueen current location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia profession/interest(s): Photographer + Images of anything and everything, I'm very visually oriented + Foreign cultures + Easily distracted by gorgeous hair i describe my style as Rockn' & Rolln' preppy sprinkled with cuteness and topped with own individuality. i am inspired by my ever changing universe and the fearlessness of Carrie Bradshaw. i cannot live without my eyeliner!

Concept

Delusions of Style is an eclectic resource of design and style inspirations contributed by a network of 20-somethings with varied tastes. Beauty is, after all, only a matter of opinion.

We want to share what encourages us to a life of style; be they objects of desire, or issues and people that inspire. But mostly we like heaps of pretty pictures (though that too, is in the eye of the beholder).

"Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess." - Edna W. Chase

"To give style to one's character -- a great and rare art! He exercises it who surveys all that his nature presents in strength and weakness and then moulds it to an artistic plan until everything appears as art and reason, and even the weaknesses delight the eye." - Friedrich Nietzsche

So welcome to our blog! Now for the standard disclaimer:

The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice. We make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Any opinions expressed on the website (content and/or comments) are solely those of the respective authors. We welcome feedback and comments but reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason - including but not limited to abusiveness, profanity, and rudeness.

Peace & Love,
DoS Team