glitter and gloss

Seriously how amazing are these paintings!?! There was one good thing that came out of my $16 movie ticket to see Prometheus and it was the discovery of Anja Van Herle. Her amazing Audrey Hepburn inspired paintings adorned the walls all around me! These woman are sexy and beautiful, her work is astounding, and I strongly suggest that you check her out! xxx

www.anjav.com

tattoo inspiration

I am getting really anxious these days to finish my sleeve so I created a tattoo vision board! I started it almost 2 years ago, time flies! The idea basically comes from a poem my other half sent to me once upon a time when he was madly in love before the old married couple set it... haha! The longest sentence ever! So, the lower portion of my arm is going to be "love and madness" surrounded by a rose garden, because after all it was in a rose bush that madness went sooo "mad" that "he" poked out his beloveds eyes and left "her" "blind"! The upper half is going to be "love is a battlefield", old fighter planes, bombs, etc... and all the fillers will be life in between! I have an amazing tattoo artist who started to draft the top, the only problem is that he is in NJ and I moved to L.A. So I am looking for an amazing tattoo artist in Los Angeles. I am really scared because I have gotten a bad tattoo here and there before... but I am really excited to meet some new super creative and talented artists to help me create the perfect masterpiece on my arm! Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! xxx

follow me on instagram @danaleecalabrese for my daily photo diary xxx

take a leap

hat adidas//gloves vintage//shirt H&M 2.29.12

Once upon a time I wandered the streets of Manhattan... sides in hand, improv on an impulse, and dreaming about my breakthrough role on the big screen... until the day I got slapped in the face with a big fat dose of [stage fright]. Whoa, where the hell did that come from?! Lights, camera, freeze! I will never forget that moment many moons ago on West 47th Street. But today I kicked that fears ass. I went to a call back audition for a new show [that I am not allowed to talk about] But I stood up there in front of the entire room and completely let go!!! Today a took a giant leap for myself and it feels so amazing! See you again in [4] years leap day! May we always remember to never let our fears become us. xxx

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." Eleanor Roosevelt

turquoise and tattoos

There are two trips I need to plan asap... Mexico to get more amazing turquoise jewelry and New York for some more tattoos! I am really itching to finish my arm, but my tattoo artist is all the way on the east coast blah... so I plan on heading home in a couple of months to visit my family and get some more work done! His name is Galo Balseca and he just published his first book Nyce Lettering, you should definitely check it out. As for Mexico, I didn't get to go on a honeymoon so I am hoping for a nice little getaway soon! Turquoise and tattoos... oh you make my blood warm! xxx

shirt zara//turquoise ring mexico//wood ring lucky brand//leather cuff venice beach//metal bracelet lucky brand//jeans forever 21// 

happy birthday 2012

 Happy Birthday 2012! Okay so I have decided to take on a year long project. The 365 Photo a Day Challenge. I will be taking [1] photo of me everyday for the next 365 days. [i know you are over joyed right now] haha... But I am really looking forward to this so I can see how I have changed over the course of this year. I plan on putting together some type of collage or short film when it is all said and done! You should try it too, send me your link if you decide to take it on so I can follow you and maybe we can all get together at the end of the year and put together something grand! Click on the link on the right side of the page to view the photos, I will be adding 1 everyday! sleep tight. xxx 

sleep tight 2011!

Goodnight 2011, you were fun... but I am looking forward to the new amazing year ahead! xxx

Happy New Year loves and see you next year!

diy coasters

Here is my first batch of handmade coasters, what do you think?! I have so many more ideas for the next set, I cannot wait to make more! I love seeing my art around the house, and I really love the fact that my husband will stop ruining my favorite wooden trunk with his water rings! These will be available for purchase on etsy as soon as I have a few more sets made! So excited. xxx

versace for H&M madness

It was a a pretty chaotic scene this morning at The Beverly Center. There was about an hour wait and you were limited to two items from the Versace collection per person. The racks seemed to be empty within minutes and all that was left after awhile were a couple of boxes of shoes!!! My favorite items from this collection are the Fitted Leather Jacket , Cropped Leather Jacket both priced at $299, and the Pleated Skirt for $129. What about you?! xxx 

an artistic goddess

 

 

 

I have been following Cereinyn Ord for a few years now. We used to interact on MySpace {remember that?} often. It has been so amazing to watch her portfolio grow and flourish into this amazing work of art. If I didn't just get married, I would be on the next plane to London... xxx

yesterdays make-up

I woke up this morning in yesterdays make-up, I must say if it wasn't for the fact that my eyes have been burning all day from my mascara, I would sleep in it more often! It's nice when you can race out of the door to work and spend zero minutes painting your face! [at 5am that is a HUGE deal] I'm an editor by day and 6am is my call time... the joys of time zones and magazine deadlines! But, now I know why Prince sleeps in his make-up... there is something glamorous about waking up, done up. Other than that this gal has spent this rainy Los Angeles day getting cozy on the couch with my love muffins and working on my blog! Can't wait for tomorrow, fun photoshoot planned... now I think I should go wash my face before my next blog is about why you should not sleep in your makeup... my poor pores. xxx

My addictions pictured : Starbucks Coffee, Teal-Blue Leopard Scarf and Ray Bans!

some kind of artist[s] !

These are some [i have a ton more so expect to see these posts often!] of my super talented friends who inspire me daily... and they all have one thing in common.  They are all "some kind of artist"! Extremely talented individuals with passion, creativity and the drive to make their dreams reality. {click the title to go to their website}

1. Melanie Leppe : model 2. Torgeir Ensrud : digital artist  3. Natalie Caez : singer 4. Tiffany Kappeler : singer 5.  Peter Breeze : singer superstar 6. Leslie L. Marie Cook : writer 7. Kate Strand : singer 8. Annet Artani : singer 9. Gavin Von Karls : photographer 10. Heddie Sinatra : make-up artist 11.  Guro Beitohaugen : photographer 12. Daniel Deren : airbruch artist 13 Anna Norvell : fine artist 14. Joe Baron : clothing designer 15. Fiona Murphy : crafter 16. Jaime Lynn D'Angelo : singer 17. Clev Fronza : make-up artist 18. Jonathan Friolo : photographer 19.  Alice Gernandt: singer, dancer  20. Elsa Gernandt : singer


"Nothing great has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe something inside them was superior to circumstances." 

zombie [love] !

BEFORE THE PARTY:

DURING THE PARTY:

THE AFTER PARTY:

Of course I had to be the Corpse Bride for Halloween [with my zombie groom] I did just get married 3 days ago!!! Happy Halloween everyone, and don't forget October 31st is the last day to see the Tim Burton exhibit at the LACMA.  

Till Death Do Us Part! xxx

just married: [in black] !

So on Wednesday October 26th we decided to get married, on Thursday October 27th! Talk about a shot gun wedding!!! [and no I am not pregnant] hahaha...

 I felt fabulous in my black Badgley Mischka Gown & according to InStyle magazine Black Wedding Dresses will soon be all the rage! [Good to know I am ahead of the trends] Thor looked handsome in his plaid shorts and top hat... The courthouse was grand [very Sex and the City] the officiant was hilarious, and our lovely witnesses wore cowboy boots! After that we grabbed a bite to eat in the drive in, popped champaign in Griffith Park, and smoked a couple of cigars.... drunk on happiness we ran around the grass barefoot while our lovely photographer captured it all. I cannot wait to see the photos... but until then I hope you enjoy my snapshot collage!!!

I CANNOT BELIEVE I'M MARRIED AND HAVE A NEW LAST NAME [that I cannot pronounce: Dana L.C. Ensrud] has a nice ring to it though!?! xxx

"Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine"... {name that movie!}

something [borrowed]

Above is a photo that I digitally manipulated for fun! I snapped a photo of myself with my iPhone... I then found an image of Angelina Jolie and cut out her eye (thanks for letting me borrow your eye Angelina!) I dripped water onto a white surface and photographed it to make the tears - in combination with real ones (I blame the makeup) I used both the burn tool and brush tool for the black eyes - mixed together with some real makeup that I smudged all over my face! I used the blur tool on certain spots of the skin and played around with colors and such! Hope you enjoyed my fun little project!

Ps. If you want a cool photo of yourself give me a buzz!  xxx

that [70's] skirt

Charming vintage skirt I found while out hunting! I adore the 70's orange and blue tones, plus this is mixed with vertical stripes and a skinny belt?!! Heaven! Your body will thank you for making it look so long and skinny!


Dear Skirt,

Thank you for holding up so well over the years, and for ending up in my closet.

Dana Lee
xxx

floating on a [love] cloud

Here is a pic from the shoot we did for fun in my bedroom... and yes that is a giant black chalkboard square above my bed! I think it's romantic to leave each other notes or write cheesy love quotes on it! Are we "Floating on a Love Cloud"? is what Thor likes to say to me after we have an argument  (with a squinty eye and half smile) ... works like a charm!xxx

hollywood : dreamin'

The secret adventures of Dana & Leslie

eggs and wine : artistic expression

Some girls like to sit around and gossip, we like to smash eggs on each other.

Photography By : Leslie Cook

Aaron Kraten you inspire me !

Aaron Kraten is one creative little creature... He has a keen eye for design and his color combinations keep me mesmerized for hours! GET INSPIRED : http://www.AaronKratenArt.com/