Applying False Eyelashes

As a long-time false eyelash addict I often have other women asking for tips on applying (and keeping on) fake lashes. I’ve recently stumbled apon this wonderful makeup artist, Kandee Johnson, who makes adorable little tutorials (makeup, hair, style - including my favorite: Poison Ivy Makeover.)

Fake eyelashes are easy, fun and make any girl feel like a vixen. Kandee shows how easy it is, so girls if you’ve been scared of wearing falsies before give her a watch and then try it yourself.

My tip: Practice on a bare lid. If you need to remove it and start fresh you don’t mess up your eyeshadow. Eyelashes can be removed, the glue peeled off, and used multiple times as long as they are clean, so don’t be afraid to try and try again.

Happy Gluing!

PONYO!

     I feel when it comes to Miyazaki movies I very much resemble that decade old cigarette commercial. You know the one… Everyone else is inside enjoying the hip party but there’s one sad smoker out in the rain, soaking wet, hungrily dragging on their death stick whilst looking longingly into the fiesta.

     Well the party seems to be jam-packed hit films such as ‘Disaster Movie’ and ‘Wedding Crashers’ and this sad cigarette is my Ponyo. Only in this tragic senario, the door to get outside to puff on my happiness is locked, and no one will let me out. In fact, I’m poked and mocked because I want out so bad.

     There has only been one or two friends of mine who have watched Miyazaki movies, with much excitement and joy, and as I reflect on those times I realize we were seldom joined by other souls, as we would rather be alone stuffing our faces with ice cream and bags of cherries in the soft glow of the t.v. It was our little pleasure, and our break from all those horrible mainstream comedies. (yes, we watched those on occasion too.)

     Miyazaki took us to a far away lands always coated in sunbursts, light, fluffy mists and sparkly oceans. Places where giggling sounded amazing, both in Japanese and English dub. Adventure coated lands with strange castles, awe-inspiring characters and giant mysteries. My Happy Place: Given to me by my Asian-loving art school roommate, is one I wish I could share with everyone, especially those closest to me. I feel that in watching one or two select films they would better understand the inner-workings of my mind. Appreciate their child-like spirit more often, and begin to doodle creepy, adorable, big eyed creatures.

    So… To Ponyo or not to Ponyo? Well, Ponyo of course! I’ve waited far too long already. Time to grab some candy, a bag of cherries, possibly some ice cream and lock myself in my bedroom for some Miyazaki magic.

BONYO out!

Become a Fan!

http://www.facebook.com/bonidutch?v=wall&story_fbid=100801293304068#!/pages/ADB-Photographix/134392079908449?ref=mf

Yes this is a plug for a facebook page, but for good reason!

My lovely sister-in-law, Ashley Dimeo Buchan, has been clicking away becoming quite the astounding shutterbug and I urge everyone to go check out her photography. Stat! Or whatever the artsy, photography version of ‘stat’ would be.

On the double?

A.S.A.P.?

Boni Dutch

     I sit daily at my huge, awkward, and beloved 1970’s art desk and stare out the window at serene beauty. Birds in spring chirping, chasing and mating, followed soon after by the sounds of hatching chicks. Gorgeous layers of trees, colors on colors, textures meeting sky, the sky itself changing every moment. Oh, and the bright blue tennis court isn’t even an eyesore.

    It’s inspiring really, though the mess that sits below these hands isn’t a combination of watercolors, inks, acrylics and pencil shavings. My fingers aren’t covered in charcoal and my room doesn’t reek with the metallic fragrance of hot glue. Nope. My desk is littered with makeup and headphones and mugs ripe with coffee. Sparkling powders and hordes of nail polish in similar shades of red. My creativity being buried by the mundane. The hurry of the daily routine suffocating my ‘Me Time.’

     As my addiction for things such as Twitter & Facebook grow, I begin to realize that I’m observing life more than I’m partaking. Sure I have my friends and my fun, and surely this gal knows how to party, but at the end of the day what is there to show for a great round of beer pong besides a bunch of dirty red solo cups and an easy buzz? I miss the high of creation: The finished product that comes with a sore neck, dry eyes, dirty nails and a sigh of self gratitude in a job well done.

     I heavily admire those I see do, do, doing. They make me feel like a sloth… which at this point is a good thing.

JESSE BARRERA

     If you’re on twitter, I feel like you should know who Jesse Barrera is. Not only does he update like a crazy person, but he gets down to business while he’s there. He surrounds himself with musicians and creative friends, who like himself, are always striving to create and show passion in what they do. He facebooks, tumbles, twitters, myspaces and more and still finds time to back it all with talent. His music is inspiring, and rich and full of soul and he never ceases to amaze me. If your hands don’t suddenly want to learn guitar, your lungs don’t want to belt out a verse, or mind doesn’t see imagery fit for a painting… you’ll at least want to fall in love.

    I currently have “I Never Said That It Was Easy” on repeat. I’m pretty sure the lyrics are ingrained in the wood of my computer desk.

http://www.jessebarrera.com/

http://twitter.com/jessebarrera

http://www.myspace.com/jessebarreramusic

BRIAN EWING

     Another talented artist that I’ve been lucky enough to know over the years is Brian Ewing. I used to show him silly little doodles that I had been editing for hours and he’d take the time out of his own busy day to let me know what was up. Like… really let me know. His lines are clean, and his work is rich and my scrawled young girl feelings as an art school drop out were incomplete at best. He made me want to be better.

     These days his whole world is an explosion of STUFF. Happenings in the world of Brian Ewing show what hard work and a somewhat hermit-like devotion to your craft can get you. Watches, Tee shirts, Posters, Book Releases, Skate Decks, Album Art, and a sweet lil cult following ta’ boot. If you don’t know who Brian Ewing is, you’ve missed out and you’re in for a treat. You’ll want to redo you’re whole apartment with framed prints from your favorite bands and the talented Mr. Ewing.

http://brianewing.com/

http://twitter.com/BRIAN_EWING

    In fact… thinking back now, my two inspirations have met. At a small apartment “slumber party” years ago when Jesse was just a fresh faced youngster in the band My American Heart, and Brian was not only designing for Vans Warped Tour, but actually dealing with the crowds, the dust, and the noise by making appearances and signing the crap outta some posters. Oh, this revelation makes me giggle so.

    Music and Art, I love you so. Thanks for the kick in the pants to help me create. The rest of the world wants to party, but my old art desk is tugging at my heartstrings. Wonderful, beautiful things are in my near future. This time I promise to keep you posted. Whoever you are.

In the meantime, I’d love to see some of your inspirations!

Boni Dutch

I’m totally inspired by my dear friend TIffany “Bakkwudz” who is currently en route to Australia with her dear fiance Brad Kimber. Australia is Brad’s homeland and she will be there several months while their band Closure in Moscow is back home playing gigs and ultimately ruling their hood. 

They have all learned a lot here in the states, and Tiffany & I will take full credit for teaching them all the horribly lame American sayings from the late 90’s, and pawning them off as current lingo. I will give them full credit for bringing back my bad habit of rolling my eyes, whilst laughing. (Silly foreigners with their silly accents)

Tiffany’s journey will be one of great excitement and stress, no doubt. She’s a huge ball of energy, and while she’s there she will be spending much needed time with Brad’s family. Wedding planning will hopefully be underway (winkwinknudgenudge) while she skips out on another brutal northwest winter for the pleasure of an Aussie summer. 

To say that I’m jealous is an understatement. To say that I won’t miss her horribly is a lie. For all her great adventures in the outback, bookmark/follow her new Aussieland Tumblr she has made for the occasion. And as she updates, I too will update my site, for I am lagging, and she is my inspiration to report back my fun Portland findings and keep her posted on all the hip events she will be missing out on. 

http://missbakkwudz.tumblr.com/

love ya mate!

boni dutch

Now why don’t we have bars like these in Portland? Sure we have the said-to-be-haunted Shanghai Tunnel, which is half underground with low wood beam ceilings. Or the Tube, which is just that… too small, with rounded ceilings where “cool kids” go to act cool. And dance. You know, if the music is cool enough. The Bye and Bye gives a great art appeal, But these featured bars are GORGEOUS. Lights: dim or bright, suit the establishment to no end. Themes, and textures run wild. Ahh, if only our vast amount of local indie designers could join forces and make one huge, perfectly detailed club— and then the rest of Portland could eat up it’s beauty and leave the bathroom graffiti and cigarette butts with the other lame bars.

New fall like for AlysonClair.com is up now! So many cute looks. Check em out. If you love Mad Men, like me, you’ll adore her clothing. It makes me want to buy a typewriter and take calls whilst baking sweet treats for my future husband.

Loving it.

New painting for my baby brother’s room. We’re getting the décor-bug and redoing his whole room. I’m a sucker to matching, and his lovely lady Jessie is quite the personal shopper/decorator as well. Our fun starts tomorrow, but my fun started today as I painted this piece of wood that’s as huge as my floor!

Check out my friend Alyson Clair’s vintage inspired clothing line made for all shapes and sizes! You can see me wearing two of her adorable skirts on the latest episode of Fox’s “More To Love,” and be sure to tune in next week at 9pm to see more of her cute creations! And of course some drama and crocodile tearshed!

-Boni Dutch

New Spoonflower Patterns

You can buy these and more, by myself and others, at Spoonflower.com!

http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/bonidutch