WHY DON’T YOU LOVE ME?

Beyonce’s video for her song “Why Don’t You Love Me?” is a retro lover’s paradise. I really can’t stand the song, even though I love most of Beyonce’s music. But the video.. that’s something else! Beyonce plays a distressed 50’s housewife, who cooks, cleans, looks pretty, but is obviously not satisfied with her life. I like how the photography mimics the styling. It looks grainy and old fashioned.

I loved loved LOVED the styling. It is simply amazing! It looks right out of another decade. I also adored the makeup, especially since they gave her that winged liner look, which is my favorite. Her best look would have to be the second image at the bottom, where she’s wearing all those rings. Her hair and makeup is to die for too.

Enough gushing, I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves..

All screen caps by me. Please credit.

AUGUST COLOR PALETTE

Images (Clockwise from top left):

{ Fashion Gone Rogue, We Heart It, Wild Child, Unknown }

DIY: GERGAI’AN BAGS

When I was preparing my Gergai’an bags, I decided to publish it as a Do-It-Yourself post because I really think its easy and fun to do. It’s also a great family activity and can keep grownups and kids busy!

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Cellophane Sheets (colored or plain)
• Colored Ribbons
• Twine
• Scissors
• Candy!!!

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place the sheets on a hard surface, and put the candy in the middle.
2. Pull up the corners of the sheet to create a bag shape, and bunch it at the top.
3. Tie the bag, right above the tallest candy bar, using the twine.
4. Trim the excess wrapping so that the top is short and fluffy.
5. Decorate it by tying a piece of colored ribbon over the twine, and curl it using the scissors.

GERGAI’AN BAGS

Yesterday, I had some special kids over for Gergai’an. For those of you who don’t know what Gergai’an is, it’s a Kuwaiti (and Khaleeji tradition) where during the middle 3 days of Ramadhan children walk from house to house holding woven bags singing a traditional Gergai’an folklore song, and in return they would receive candy and nuts. It was possibly one of my favorite times of the year when I was a child.

The sweets given out to kids can range from cheap hard candy, to more “fancy” ones like Mars and Snickers bars. My mom taught us from an early age that children deserve the best sweets, so every year when Gergai’an approaches, she would buy a huge amount of chocolates, candy, chewing gum and caramels for us to place in small sandwich bags.. And you know what else she adds? A bag of chips! My sisters and I would sit on the floor, fill the bags with the sweets and the bag of chips and tie them up. This tradition made us one of the most sought after houses during Gergai’an. The children come every year asking us “Do you still give out chips?”, and sometimes we overhear them calling out to their friends saying “This house gives chips with their gergai’an!”. I love that feeling!

So this year, I decided to make my “fancier” version of it for my friends’ kids who were coming over to sing for us. I added lots more candy, used colored cellophane wrap to hold them, and tied it with some colored ribbon.

I’ll post a DIY tomorrow, but for now you can see more pictures on my Flickr page.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

OH BIANCA!

Bianca Balti in Harper’s Bazaar Spain September 2010 issue is GOOOORGEEOUUUUS!!! She’s on the cover plus in a fashion spread inside. The styling is to die for! And the hair & makeup is simply divine.. I love how the photography looks vintage, and the fashion has subtle 70’s and 80’s references. Very “Dallas”, but on a more wearable level..

Cover: The Fashion Spot, Editorial: Fashion Gone Rogue

AMERICA IN COLOR 1939-1943

The photographs in this post are some of the only color photographs taken of the effects of the Great Depression on America’s rural towns, from 1939 to 1943. The photographs are property of the Library of Congress, but were originally taken by photographers of the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information.

What I love about these photos is that they are raw, real and have the effect of transporting you to that time and place. Not only that, but for a period in time where cameras weren’t high tech devices, the photography seen here is really good! Also, I love the color palette in all the photographs. There are a lot of mustard, dusty beige, brown and olive shades. But you also get small bursts of orange, green, blue and red throughout.

Pretty cool isn’t it?

Visit the Denver Post’s photo blog to see the full set of photographs.

via 2:48am

QUOTE OF THE DAY

JESSICA ALBA IN TATLER

Jessica Alba is usually very bland and lacks a “wow” factor in photo shoots. But maybe that’s because she’s always done mainstream American media. European magazines on the other hand, are more edgy and have better fashion photography. In the June 2010 issue of Tatler (which is British), they really knew the best way to capture Jessica. Doesn’t she look hot?? The styling is not the best, but her hair and makeup is pretty amazing. Not to mention the gorgeous photography.

Images: The Fashion Spot

NET-A-PORTER MAGAZINE

Have you guys checked out Net-a-Porter’s weekly magazine? It’s very sleek, simple and stylish. It is so wonderful to browse, and brings life to all the pieces for sale on the site.

There’s always a story or a theme which they style using pieces of clothing, accessories and shoes. There are also an abundant number of tips, chic styling and trend updates.

Psst, I’ll let you in on a little secret? I’m enjoying browsing the magazine even more than shopping the site! It just keeps getting better and better!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

PAINT DIPPED BASKETS

Oooh I’m in love. Aren’t these gorgeous?? I love wicker baskets and wicker accessories. First off, they’re cute. Second, they remind me of summer. Third, these are dipped in paint. What more could a girl ask for?

Image: {this is glamorous}

FREELANCE WRITERS WANTED

Do you want to be the next big magazine editor? Kickstart your career right now!

I’m looking for fashion, lifestyle, art & design, travel, entertainment, health and food writers who are interested in contributing to websites. If you write about other things, we’d love that as well!

You don’t have to be a professional writer, you just need to have an eye for what’s new and exciting, and have good writing skills.

We work virtually, so it doesn’t matter where you’re based. We also offer attractive rates and flexible deadlines.

If you’re interested, please email me at alya@khaleejesque.com

Image: Tumblr