Charlotte

000085210004Here are the final images from the shoot I styled a few weekends back with Danielle. Danielle almost exclusively shoots on film, so, understandably, things can occasionally go wrong with the images and developing process, which was the case with the outdoor shots from this shoot. But that’s quite alright, I’m quite smitten with how these shots turned out, and I hope you are too.

Photography: Danielle Suzanne
Model: Charlotte Bate (Elite Model Management)
Stylist: Alexandra Spence (hi, me)
MUA & Hair: Leesa of Pinch Cosmetics
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Bonjour, From Montreal!

Last Friday I made my way to Montreal, and I’ll be here until this coming Friday, spending time with my best friend Kristen and other MTL pals. The reason for my trip wasn’t totally for leisure, however. I have a couple dance shows this week in this lovely city, so I decided to make it an extended trip, ensuring I’d be able to have some fun with my best pal who I hadn’t seen in months, before I get busy this week with rehearsals and performances.

I decided to snap some photos of my new dress I purchased this past weekend in Kristen and Sergio’s flippin’ amazing kitchen. The outfit goes so perfectly with their kitchen and decor, it is like a match made in heaven.

How was your weekend? Let me know, I’d love to hear. Dress: vintage via Empire Exchange
Beret: thrifted
Boots: Samantha Pleet x Wolverine

Into It, Intimates / Lena Lena Lingerie

il_fullxfull.572497823_3z55What is it about bows on intimates that make them that much more appealing?! I mean, it is rather impractical for everyday wear (I’ve never been one for practicality though), and yet it seems like bows were mean’t for undergarments (and everything really) – like a wrapped present. So, it only made sense I fell for Lena Lena Lingerie almost instantly. Bows galore! Designer Elena is inspired by feminine sensuality and the charm it evokes, which is brought to life in her collection of sweet and sultry pieces that would make any woman feel her best. And how about that ivory bodysuit?! Any collection featuring one or more bodysuits is a collection I can get down with. Maybe it’s from the years and years (and years) of wearing bodysuits for dance classes, but I always get super excited when I see ones with interesting cuts and details.

My favourites: ivory lace high waisted panties, black lace bandeau, black strapless bra, admire me set, ivory bodysuit
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Beauty / Styling My Fringe (Bangs)

Today I’m going to share how I style my bangs/fringe, each and every day. I’m sure the way I style my fringe is not uncommon, but I do see a lot of people using a straightener to style a straight-across fringe, which I used to do ages ago and that works pretty well, but what I do now I find is longer lasting and gives the right amount of volume, in my opinion. Also, I’m in desperate need of a bang trim, so my fringe is a bit wonky, I apologize for that.
STEP ONE:  To style my fringe, it is an absolute must that my fringe is wet. But since I normally wash my hair in the evening, I wake up with totally dry hair. What to do?! Well, I just run my comb under water and then comb through my fringe, getting all parts of it wet, not to a super sopping wet degree, but just enough that it is malleable and will agree with my blow dryer.
STEP TWO:  Now the styling part! I split my fringe in 3 sections (left, centre and right) and using my round brush and blow dryer I place one section over the brush and dry that section by holding the brush near my hairline and then pulling out (that’s what she said) away from my face. The round brush will create a lovely lifted, round shape to the bangs, that is both bouncy and clean looking. Then I continue on to the rest of my sections, until all is even and dry. Since my fringe often has a mind of it’s own, I usually guide the outer sections in the correct direction so that my fringe covers all of my forehead. To give the whole look an extra lift, I’ll take little sections of hair from the top of my fringe and do the above process again. Side note: you may be thinking, why the heck are you not holding the handle part of your round brush?  And the answer is, I’m not sure? It feels more comfortable for some reason.
Processed with VSCOcam with n1 presetAnd that’s it! Every so often I give my fringe a little spritz of hairspray after I’m done, but not always. I find this way of styling a straight-across fringe is great for holding on it’s own, with little or no product.

Ophelia

DSC_3962Often times, I’m uncertain from where I draw inspiration. Our minds are so filled with information – information we may not even be consciously aware of – that we can think we are creating something genuine and new, when really we are pulling reference from something we have seen or read without being fully aware of it. When I posted the image above to instagram it was met with such sweet and kind words, and many people commented “So Millais” and “Ophelia”. It was an Aha! moment for me. The painting called ‘Ophelia’ by Millais is an image I was immediately taken by when I first saw it (it was actually the cover photo on my FB for a long time). I’ve always been quite interested in the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the art they produced during this time period, so in a way, it only makes sense that these images have been deeply rooted in my mind, siting there, waiting for me to pluck little bits of inspiration from them. And because of my long, wavy red hair, it’s easy for people to make a connection between me and the women in these paintings, heck, I even feel a connection sometimes.
All this to say, it has got me thinking about consciously producing work inspired by some of these Pre-Raphaelite paintings – putting my giant red mane to work and creating something from the images that I have so often reveled in.DSC_3983DSC_3959