Be Daring. Be Fabulous. Be You.

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Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the  children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the  long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or  nothing.

–Helen Keller

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The loving are the daring.

Bayard Taylor

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Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert  integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the  creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.

Cecil Beaton

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When the crowd appreciates you, it encourages you to be a little more daring.

Julius Erving

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Be daring. Be Fabulous. Be you.

Abby Hathorn of Vintage Inspired Passionista

IMG_6982FEATURED JEWELRY ARTISAN:

MarKateLiz Designs & Ethereal Energy by Liz and Maria Stechschulte

BEHIND THE SCENES: Looks like the VIP took a shameless mirror selfie while the photographer was busy *wink*
BEHIND THE SCENES: Looks like the VIP took a shameless mirror selfie while the photographer was busy *wink*
BLOOPER: Sometimes...we like to goof off when taking pictures *wink wink*
BLOOPER: Sometimes…we like to goof off when taking pictures *wink wink*

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Abby Hathorn

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VIP Signature Curls with Hot Tools and Matrix Products!

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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!

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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.)

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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.”
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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.
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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!
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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!
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Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Weekly Whistle: All About Sunglasses

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Hello, fabulous! It is that time of the week again on the VIP blog, and y’all know what that means–WEEKLY WHISTLE! Yay! This week’s Weekly Whistle is all about snazzy sunglasses. Every fashionista and fashionado needs AT LEAST ONE PAIR of sunnies for all occasions! Hm…I wonder what style of sunglasses I will add to my collection?

As I dream up my next pair of sunglasses, why don’t y’all enjoy this week’s Weekly Whistle! Remember, it is all about the fantabulous sunglasses!

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Special thanks to Jonathan Shalon Ballard for doing my makeup and modeling with me! Isn’t he fabulous!

gnoflyersmallerJoin me for a fabulous fashion show presented by Birmingham-based novelist Liza Elliott! There will be hot summer apparel from local stores and fashion shows every hour on the hour at The Summit Club in downtown Birmingham. Great local food trucks will be serving up the cuisine as we enjoy all of the fashion shows. Tickets purchased will benefit Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health Center.

For more information about this event and to purchase tickets ahead of time, please visit http://girlsnightoutoperationbeachready-eorg.eventbrite.com/# I cannot wait to see y’all there!

Related Article on See Jane Write by Javacia Bowser: http://www.seejanewritebham.com/2013/06/win-tickets-to-girls-night-out.html

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Check out more of my writings and photo shoot styling here:

Real Media: The Adventures of the VIP–Behind the Lenses: The History of Sunglasses–http://thisisrealmedia.com/2013/06/12/the-adventures-of-the-vip-behind-the-lenses-the-history-of-sunglasses/

Town and Gown Magazine June Issue: http://www.townandgownmagazine.com/#!current-issue/c113z

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Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

VIP Interview: Fabulous Fashion Designer Hilton Hollis

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Hello, fashionistas! I am very excited to announce that I interviewed the FABULOUS Mississippi native fashion designer, Hilton Hollis! We chatted about his design career, what inspires his fashion pieces, and of course, Southern food! When you get two Mississippi natives together, talking about good ole’ Southern cooking is absolutely going to happen! What is Hilton’s favorite Southern food? See the VIP Interview video on the YouTube channel here!

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The VIP telling designer Hilton Hollis about my Birmingham Fashion Week spread in Town and Gown Magazine.

BLOG EXCLUSIVE QUESTION:

  • You recently received a honor from the state of Mississippi for your achievements in fashion and philanthropic work. Tell us a little bit about this.

“First of all, I am really honored and amazed that the governor of Mississippi gave me this wonderful award,” says Hilton Hollis. “Growing up in the South and coming from a small town in Mississippi, as a kid I would never in a million years imagine that I would be standing there getting an award from the state that I call home…I give a lot of my time to my philanthropic interests. I also try to give back as much as I can to my home state,” states Hollis. “I am very proud to be a Southerner and a Mississippian! So, for them to recognize my achievements and to give me this award is really humble.”

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Check out my amazing interview with Hilton Hollis on the Vintage Passionista YouTube channel! Click here.

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for a peek inside my life.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/vintageinspiredpassionista

Twitter: @Abbysauce_

Instagram: @VintagePassionista

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/vintagepassionista

Check out more of my writings and photo shoot styling here:

Latest Real Media (Real Story Publishing) Article: http://thisisrealmedia.com/2013/04/17/the-adventures-of-the-vip-dive-into-the-history-of-makeup/

Town and Gown Magazine April Issue: http://issuu.com/townandgownmagazine/docs/april2013

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn