Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog!

Phew…today has been quite work-filled. After my morning bike ride around downtown, I jumped head-first into my apartment patio project–leveling ground, adding sand, laying concrete stepping stones, adding marble rock, and ruining a perfectly good manicure–all while Ziva played with the leftover sand and my photographer snapped a few candid shots. Stay tuned to VIP home in July to see photos from the process + the final product.

Now, back to today’s blog topic–Throwback Thursday. In celebration of June coming to an end, let’s take a look back at what the VIP was doing this time last year…Oh, it’s hard to believe how much has changed in just a year! Time really does fly when your having fun, enjoying life, and following dreams *wink*

This time last year, the VIP was getting dolled up by the fabulous makeup artist Daphne Rush for the "VIP Signature Curls" photo shoot with Hot Tools and Matrix products. — This time last year, the VIP was getting dolled up by the fabulous makeup artist Daphne Rush for the “VIP Signature Curls” photo shoot featuring Hot Tools and Matrix products.

(from left to right) Detra Smith, the VIP, and Daphne Rush before the "VIP Signature Curls" photo shoot. Oh, Detra did such a fabulous job styling the VIP's hair--check out the photo below! — (from left to right)
Detra Smith, the VIP, and Daphne Rush before the “VIP Signature Curls” photo shoot. Oh, Detra did such a fabulous job styling the VIP’s hair–check out the photo below!

To see more photos from the “VIP Signature Curls” photo shoot and learn more about Detra and Daphne, click here.

Also this time last year, the VIP was interviewing R&B singer Gabriel Tajeu. In this photo, the VIP is holding an autographed copy of Gabriel's first album "Finding My Way". Pst....special secret...Gabriel Tajeu is currently recording his next album that will feature the VIP's favorite Gabriel Tajeu song "Southern Skies". — Also this time last year, the VIP was interviewing R&B singer Gabriel Tajeu. In this photo, I am holding my autographed copy of Gabriel’s first album “Finding My Way”. Pst….special secret! Gabriel Tajeu is currently recording his next album that will feature the VIP’s favorite Gabriel Tajeu song, “Southern Skies”. AH! I am so very excited–I cannot wait!

Do y’all remember when Gabriel gave the VIP and VIP viewers a sneak preview of “Southern Skies” during his first VIP interview? Refresh your memory with the video below:

This time last year, the VIP was also interviewing Mississippi-based band The Bonfire Orchestra. Do you remember this fun bunch? Refresh your memory with the interview here and video below: — This time last year, the VIP was also interviewing Mississippi-based band The Bonfire Orchestra. Do y’all remember this fun bunch? Refresh your memory with the interview here and “Meet the Band” in the video below:

Another cool VIP photo shoot from this time last year was the "Concert Wear" series featured on Real Media. Check it out here. — Another cool VIP photo shoot from this time last year was the “Concert Wear” series featured in my Real Media column “The Adventures of the VIP”. Check it out here.

If you are really in the mood to throw it back, click here to go back in time to see what the VIP was up to two years ago!

Now, VIP readers, I am off to pick out paint colors for my patio. Hm….decisions, decisions, decisions… *wink*

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Hello, my fabulouses! I had the most fabulous modeling photo shoot EVER thanks to Detra Smith, hair stylist for the shoot, and Daphne Rush, MUA for the shoot. Before I show all of the magnificent pictures…let me tell you a little bit about Daphne and Detra!

Who is Daphne Rush?

“Daphne Rush is a makeup artist in the Birmingham area. She currently works full time for Smashbox Cosmetics as an account coordinator and artistry trainer. In addition to that, she serves on the board of directors for the Association of Independent Artists (AIA) and is currently the Best Makeup Artist for Birmingham Fashion Week. She eats, sleeps, and breathes makeup 24/7–when she isn’t in-store for Smashbox, she is making brides beautiful, on set for a photo shoot, or collaborating on projects for publication. She got her start at Sephora, and after making the National Pro Beauty Team, she traveled internationally in 2009-2010. After that, Daphne left to pursue her own business, Birmingham Beauties. She began embracing the education side of makeup artistry by teaching everything from private lessons to interactive group tutorials known as Makeup By Numbers. While freelancing for Tarte cosmetics in 2011, she was recruited for her current position with Smashbox. The fusion of education and camera ready products made Smashbox a perfect fit, and allowed her artistry the momentum that it continues to have today.” (Daphne Rush’s bio.)

Who is Detra Smith?

“I wear many hats in the salon industry. As Artistic Director at Helen of Troy, one of my responsibilities is to style models for Hot Tools advertising. I also write step-by-step guides to teach consumers how to use their styling tools. As an artistic educator for Matrix, my responsibility is to teach other stylists how to achieve the best possible color results in their salons. As a salon owner, I have many guests who ask how to maintain frizz with curly hair. After meeting the VIP [Vintage Inspired Passionista–Abby Hathorn], I knew she would be the perfect step-by-step model to help others learn to manage their curls.”

After winning top stylist at BFW [Birmingham Fashion Week], I became a lead board member of the Association of Independent Artists. I meet regularly at AIA The Salon with Jeremy Stephens, Daphne Rush and others on the board. Jeremy is generous enough to allow me access to his salon anytime I’m working in the Birmingham area.”

How did Detra Smith make my curls ever so luscious and frizz free?

“I used Matrix V-Light to touch up Abby’s highlights. Next, I used the Matrix Total Results Super Defrizz Gel–it is my favorite product to define curls while taming frizz. The Hot Tools Tempest 2000 Blow Dryer comes with the finger diffuser that Abby used to dry her hair while keeping the curls controlled and smooth. The curling iron I recommend for touch ups is the Hot Tools 1” Professional Spring Iron,” says Detra Smith.

The Matrix Defrizz Gel, Hot Tools hair dryer with finger diffuser, and the Hot Tools 1” Professional Spring Iron is the most fabulous mix for any girl wanting to tame her natural curls.

VIP Personal Testimony:

Oh, I cannot explain how much I love the Hot Tools Tempest 2000 Hair Dryer and finger diffuser! I was very impressed how the Hot Tools Tempest 2000 dried my hair thoroughly and so quickly–AND without frizzing! Wow! I could not believe my eyes when I saw no frizz! I admit that the VIP was skeptical because I have tried and owned several different hair diffusers–and by the time my hair was dry, my blonde curls looked like a giant frizz ball. After only one use, I had fallen head over heels for Hot Tools!

For those pesky strands of curls that do not want to cooperate–the one inch Hot Tools Professional Spring Iron is beyond amazing! Some days, fixing my signature curls is a stressful task, but with Hot Tools and the Matrix hair gel, styling my hair has never been so easy and fast!

Now, without further ado, I introduce to y’all the fabulous photo shoot pictures! Special thanks to Detra Smith and Daphne Rush for making me look so totally FABULOUS! Another super special thanks to Bella Bridesmaid for letting the VIP wear their lovely dresses and model at the super gorgeous Bella Bridesmaid shop!