Bon Voyage

T H E   Q U E E N   M A R Y

  This recent LA weather has spoiled me rotten and I can't help being stoked on beach days, picnics in the park, and one of my all time favorite destinations, The RMS Queen Mary.  I have really fond memories of when my parents would take me there as a kid.  We would stroll around the ship and I would pretend that it was about to set sail.  I grew up on classic films and would recognize some of the Hollywood actors/actresses in the various photos displayed on the ship.  Ohhhh...Clark Gable!  Total dreamboat (doing a good job at keeping up with the nautical theme, yeah?)  For those of you who don't know too much about this luxury liner, she's been retired since 1967 and permanently rests at the port of Long Beach. The history of the ship is really fascinating. Check out some details here. 

For the record, it is haunted!  I swear!! 

I had a small incident with a ghost trying to use the soap dispenser in the ladies restroom.  True story. 

blue suede shoes and polka dots!

  Jeaux and I stayed on the ocean liner for my extended 30th birthday celebration.  You only turn 30 once, so I recommend celebrating in style, no less.  Also, try to drag it on as long as possible!  

  

  Our room was the best!  Those curtains!  That fan!!  It was no longer in working condition, but it was really pretty to look at.  Everything was very 40s, and so wonderful.  The bathtub had only fresh water, but back in the day, there were two more options.  Hot salt and cold salt!  How luxurious it must have felt, to get rid of all that dead skin.  Just like a long day at the beach, sans sand. 

  Jeaux surprised me with reservations to the ship's five star restaurant, Sir Winston's.  We snapped the photos above on the way there.  I'm no food blogger, but the meal was THE BEST.  I had the rack of lamb.  Jeaux had the beef wellington.  To start, an appetizer of scallops wrapped in bacon.  On the side, fresh bread with butter.  The butter was almost too pretty to eat (garnished with fresh parsley and sea salt crystals).  To "clean our pallet", they brought out some watermelon, or raspberry sorbet (don't remember which fruit, but it was delicious).  Then, chocolate souffle, AND a slice of chocolate mousse cake for my birthday!!

  Just look....................................................it's ridiculous. 

  We thought that was it, but no, they had to come out with dark chocolate covered strawberries because frankly, the two previous desserts weren't enough. 

  After that, we sat at the lounge for a bit and Jeaux got to experience his ghost tale in the men's restroom (what is it with ghosts in restrooms?)  Seriously, I'm not kidding.  Haunted.

  I hope that everyone gets a chance to stay on the ship at least once. 

  P U R E   M A G I C !

ah, the golden hour

  

© 2012 Ava Alamshah

your friend,

ava

Brow Beautiful

I really love that natural brows made a comeback.  As I work on a mix for my 30th birthday (more on that later), I give you some browspiration (yep, I went there). xo

 Arizona Muse is inspiring me to grow out my hair into this fabulous 30s bob.  She's killing it with those eyebrows. Just gorgeous. 

 I'm kind of in love with Lily Collin's brows right now.  The fact that she is Phil Collin's daughter makes it so much better.  Oh, Phil. 

of course

Going down the Brooke Shield's rabbit hole.  ! ! !   source

source

Eyebrows are beautiful. 

your friend,

ava

ps: feel free to send me more images of your favorite bold brow goddesses! 

Life is a Cabaret

Anyone who knows me, knows that I enjoy dressing up.  I take pride in putting together the perfect outfit, so imagine how excited I must feel that Halloween is fast approaching?  This time of year has always been a joy for me.  That chance to be someone else for a night.  Times have been tough this year with having to move back under my mother's roof, to my recent car accident.  I'm definitely on a tight budget, & probably not the only one, considering our country's economic status.   

It's funny that I chose to be Sally Bowles this year because behind her decadent facade, are her struggles to make it & that vulnerability that ever so slightly rises to the surface.  I have to quote my mother here in reference to my father; "..he may be poor, but he looks like a million bucks."  That is something that has been passed down to me, which gives me great pride.  It's all about utilizing what is already around you.  Luckily, being Liza won't be too tough.  I already have the short hair &  have managed to accumulate a sweet collection of unmentionables over the years (blush).  The icing on the cake is this nail polish I bought a while back at Sephora.  When I saw it, I immediately thought Cabaret.  It's almost the exact wild, dark teal blue polish she had in the film.  That same amazing color I have seen in Kenneth Anger's Puce Moment.  If you look closely, the starlet  has her toe nails painted that blue/green.  I'm not sure if they even had colors like that back in the 30s & 40s.  It seems so progressive. By the way, if you haven't seen Cabaret, I suggest you Netflix it immediately.  Liza Minnelli is perfection, not to mention Fosse!

Have a rad & safe Halloween everybody!

your friend,

ava