Q&A With Elimelise Vilmenay: Blogger/Fashion Industry Veteran

Having grown up in Santa Cruz, Calif., Elimelise Vilmenay went to fashion design school in San Francisco, then moved to New York where she continued to work in the fashion industry designing women's clothing, fashion sketching, fabric research and development, and worked as a color specialist. Recently, she moved back to her hometown and began blogging for The Penny Rose. We caught up with this fashion industry veteran to get some valuable fashion and beauty tips. 

How would you describe your personal style?

Dirty Martini—my style is classic with a salty kick. All joking aside, I'm a jeans-for-most-occasions person. I love that they can be dressed up or down and I think they're the perfect blend of my low-key California roots and big city mentality.

What’s your favorite brand of denim?

So far, Joes Jeans fit my curvy backside the best.

What fashion designer (or beauty brand) are you eyeing right now?

I'm loving most everything coming from Rag & Bone lately.

What’s your favorite skin care item?

Moisturizer with sunscreen, everyday.

What fashion tip would you give to someone for the upcoming season?

Color!

If money were no object, what spa or beauty treatment/service would you be addicted to?

I'd have a standing appointment for a regular massage.

On occasions when you need to get ready in a rush, what is your quick ‘n’ easy beauty routine?

Moisturizer, gel blush, curled eyelashes with mascara, lip stain balm, and I'm out the door.  

What is the most unusual or surprising beauty product in your arsenal?

My homemade vitamin C serum. I Googled it. It's super easy, cheap, and it works. My pores look smaller, my skin looks more radiant and as odd as it sounds, I kind of like the tingly sting. It's how I know it's working.

What beauty products would we find in your purse?

It's all about lips and hair: lipstick, lip balm, lip stain balm, lip liner, head bands, pony tail bands, hair clips, dental floss.  

You’re traveling, and can only bring one bag: what favorite beauty/fashion items stay home, and what must go with? 

For Spring/Summer travel: SPF moisturizer, mascara, eyelash curler, gel blush, sheer SPF foundation and at least one lip treatment with color, and one colorless lip balm. A travel size hair tamer (gel or mousse), hair clip and rubber bands, tweezers, simple earrings that go with everything like gold hoops, a pair of comfortable flat sandals, a pair of high heels for night, jeans (of course), my black cotton dress with crochet trim that is perfect for day or night. 

Mani or pedi?

Both! I don't mind doing my own manicure but I hate to give myself a pedicure.

Lip gloss or lip balm?

Balm. Glosses are too sticky for me.

Heels or flats?

Both. 

Like Butter

You know the phrase, “like butter”? It means something works so smoothly and is so easy it’s like, well, melted butter. I recently came across something that fit that description. butter LONDON nail polish. It was truly the smoothest nail polish I’ve ever used and the results of painting my own nails were so smooth, shiny and error free, I was shocked. Usually I go for OPI, Essie, Revlon, or whatever else happens to be at the drug store. However, recently I was in the market for something a bit more natural without harsh chemicals, yet still with plenty of color options and I was not impressed by the selection at Whole Foods.

Then I remembered butter LONDON is a carcinogen-free nail polish that comes in a wide range of colors that are fashion-oriented and fresh each season. While not the most inexpensive option at $15 a bottle, I decided my health was worth it. I purchased the "tops and tails," which is the base and top-coat. These worked wonderfully by making the color go on smoothly and the finished result shiny. For color, I went with "blowing rasberries," a reddish hue with a tinge of pink that is a classic, easy-to-wear color. Definitely a winner! Now, I’m longingly looking at all the cool shades that are listed on their website and dreaming of my next purchase. I think next I might go with "Cake Hole," a neon pink, "Yummy Mummy," a taupey neutral or maybe "Union Jack Black," a MET Gala punkish black color. There are so many to choose from. What I do know is that the next time I need to purchase a nail polish, the decision of which brand to choose will be like butter.

Images: www.butterlondon.com

We're Off to See The Wizard

The Penny Rose team gathered this weekend at the home of Laamie Young of Blank Verse Jewelry up in the Santa Cruz mountains. There, Photographer Nick Chao teamed up with Producer/Creative Director Christa Martin to shoot an Oz inspired summer fashion project that will debut on The Penny Rose in late May. We brought in five models and a team of eight crew members to execute what will be our biggest and most wicked shoot yet. Our crew: Fashion Stylist Missy Schnaps, Hair Stylist Ginger Vaughn, Makeup Artist Anna Wu, Fashion Designer/Wardrobe Supervisor Sally Esposito, Filmmaker and Set Designer Deva Blaisdell-Anderson, Production Manager Gina Peters, Jewelry Designer and host Laamie Young, Set Designer Mama-T, and our beautiful models, Desiree Amariei, Matt Struthers, Jose Estevez, Coco Barrett-Tormey, and Anna Wu. 

Special thanks to Cameron Marks, Stripe, Jade, and Wallflower for loaning us clothes, and to Missy Schnaps for sharing her wardrobe with us. And special thanks to Laamie Young of Blank Verse Jewelry for hosting our team and providing a sweet lunch for the crew. 

Look for the gorgeous photo spread and accompanying editorial during the last week of May on The Penny Rose.

In The Bag

Summer is less than a month away and I’m dreaming of long days spent on the beach sinking my toes into the warm sand. A day at the beach is my ultimate form of relaxation and a little preparation can make for a glamorous day on the sand. A good book, proper sunscreen and a killer hat are my must-haves. Here are the rest of my essentials (above) for looking and feeling fabulous while soaking up the sun.

Pattern Mixing Made Easy: Stripes and Florals

I love pattern mixing but at times it can be a little overwhelming as to the how and what goes with what. That's why I titled this one as "easy." You really can't miss with stripes and florals. The rule of thumb is that pretty much anything goes as long as they have at least one color in common. Example: soft tones of brown and yellow on the left; black and white on the right. The graphic jolt of the stripe is complemented by the femininity of the floral so they wind up being a perfect pair. Spring and Summer are excellent opportunities to experiment with pattern mixing as there's a plethora of both in the stores. Be bold, play and have fun.