Let me tell you, I never actually thought this interview could happen. With Christine Mielke, studying full time, and having a full time super successful blog that is a great resource, and community for makeup enthusiasts – I didn’t think she’d say yes!

Temptalia is a site which Christine originally began to catalogue all of the looks she would come up with, a place to document the day where she’d wear a trio of blues, or the day she’d rock a wicked cat eye. It then turned into a place to turn to when you needed to know what MAC Cosmetics were to release next and so on. The photography Christine includes, whether it be for the upcoming collections, the tutorials she does to guide us how to rock a cat eye, or how to pick your foundation is the sharpest and most stunning I have come across, even when it comes to the step by step application of eye shadow in any given tutorial. Christine spared a few moments to let me ask her for her inspirations, and favourites..

Kimberley (K): Was Temptalia at any stage – a blog, and not a viable profitable website? At what stage did you realise that Temptalia became a renowned and reliable resource for make up enthusiasts?

Christine (C): Of course – I never dreamed it was ever going to be more than just a website on the internet. I didn’t start it with the idea of taking it to where it is today! I started to feel really good about what I was doing and writing about when readers would tell me they were waiting for my review before they went out to buy!

K: With your degree, and studies in another area – is there a chance in the future that Temptalia would have to be delegated to someone else? Or do you enjoy it way too much at this point to even think of handling it less?

C:It really depends on how everything goes between now and when I graduate. Blogging is inherently unstable, so it’s hard to say what’s going to happen when I still have over a year left of school! It is my baby, so I really love to have my hands in everything when it comes to the blog!

K:The looks you come up with – how random are they? Are they based on requests, the collections that come out, or the colours you love?

C:A lot of looks are created based on new/recent products – so I might review a new palette from X brand and if it’s something readers seem interested in (or if I see a look I’m excited to create with it!) then I often will do a look to show how you can actually use the product I reviewed! I don’t really plan out my looks, though – often the color combination itself is random. I might say, “I want to use products from X collection” but that’s as much planning as I do!

K:What are your 5 favourite looks? – and why?

C: I like a very clean, natural look with antique gold eyeshadow on the eyes and a soft coral on the lips. An all-black smoky eye paired with a pale nude lip is always fun for something more dramatic. I am definitely partial to chartreuse greens and teals together, so that’s always something I gravitate towards. I also like “sunset eyes,” where you have gold/yellow, orange, and pink paired together. Finally, I do really love a bold red lip with barely-there eyeshadow!

K: What’s your ideal look for a first date? Ideal look for a concert?

C: My ideal look for a first date is soft and natural – a mixture of matte and satin finishes on the eyes in nudes/beiges/soft browns and a subtly glossy, played down pink lip. For a concert, I might wear a heavy smoky eye with a pop of color – like pink or blue.

K: Are bold eyes in an office a no-no?

C: It really just depends on your office!

K: Do you think there are some colours that should NOT be worn for certain eye shades – or are you a believer in people should be comfortable in what they wear, and be confident?

C: No, I think you should wear what you feel confident in. It’s important to feel comfortable in your makeup, whether it’s neon green or a soft brown. If you want to wear a color but don’t feel comfortable in it, where it around the house. Make funny faces at yourself in the mirror while wearing it. Makeup isn’t so serious – enjoy and have fun with it!

K: Is the bold eyes/nude lips or the reverse a myth, or a good guide for makeup application?

C: I think it is a good guide, but it’s a guide, not a hard and fast rule. You should feel free to be creative with your makeup. The worst thing that could happen is you don’t like it, but you can always wash it off and start over.

K: What is your go to look for everyday – what are YOU most comfortable wearing?

C: I wear tinted moisturizer, a little mascara, peachy/coral blush, pink/coral lipstick and matching gloss! I’m comfortable wearing just about anything, but my every day look is minimalist overall, since I’m either at home or at school!

Thanks so much to Christine for taking the time to give me some tips on how to rock any look, as well as work it, wherever you may be – even an IT nerd like me at the office! Each of the sexy images you see above are clickable, leading back to Christine’s tutorial on how to put it together. Get crackin!

.. which was quite true, as me in a club setting is kinda like oil and water!

But I was most excited; hello I was going to be meeting some of Britney’s dancers; and as I explained in the previous post – me and commentating on dancing is like bread & butter. As for me AND dancing – that is a work in progress.

Sadly.. the night didn’t really work out as planned. Let’s just say I waited about four hours just to meet the *gooorgeous* Willie Gomez and stunning Tiana Brown for only a few minutes.. but we’ll get to that later.

Gotta say, the music at Baroq House was quite catchy, and at least included songs I liked; featuring Rihanna, Kanye, Jay-Z, Beyonce and of course Britney. Surrounded by a good mix of both guys and girls, my friend KimberleyL and I sipped on drinks and had a chat to a few people, there for the dancers, or just there because Tiger Woods happened to be in town also.

We spotted Nacho Pop, as well as Timomatic from the 2nd season of Australia’s So You Think You Can Dance, and oh, he could dance for sure. I introduced myself (like a fangirl, no squealing though) and told him I thought he did so well. Enough that as we were both outside, leaving the club – he waved goodbye. Ah. I’m memorable.

The four dancers, the stars of the night – Willie Gomez, Tiana Brown, Chase Benz and George Jones Jr arrived close to 1am, and very quickly ushered into a secret room. I got excited! I thought, ooh this is it! Eh. Not so.. not quite. Soon they began to perform – though uh.. as I am vertically challenged, and they were not on an actual raised stage – I saw nada. Nothing. Zip. The only way I knew something was actually happening was the highs and lows of the crowd’s cheers, and squeals of delight.

There was also a Britney sighting! Ah! About 1 metre away! *squee!* Which was actually anticipated, being the final show of the Melbourne tour. I can say though honestly, all I saw was hair. But by the screams, and the tight entourage around her as they moved to the ‘secret room’ – it was clear that it was her.

By about 2:30am, I was about ready to leave. Then I got ushered into the foyer..
and there I met Willie and Tiana. I was flustered, nervous – and they were absolutely lovely! On the spur of the moment, there I was meeting two of Britney’s dancers and I had to be quick! What was their favourite song to perform to in the show? Tiana answered Radar – and Willie said, as a proud male – its gotta be ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’. HOT. I haven’t even seen the show, but I’m sure that’s a hot performance.

Tiana was really excited to be exploring Australia, and of course – wanting to hug a koala to which I explained they weren’t necessarily cuddly! I gushed over the fact that Tiana also toured with Christina Aguilera on her Stripped tour (one I was lucky enough to see in Toronto) and I think I just breathily giggled at the hotness of Willie to be honest. Then – bam. They were called away. I thanked them profusely and Willie hugged me. HUGGED me. Ripped, sexy arm came to hold me, and thanked me for coming.

Yes. I have had a shower since then, thankyou for asking. It was a lovely gesture, considering I only got to chat with them for a few minutes.. So, a bittersweet event, and no, not what I had anticipated.

For more excitement, and a sparkly review on Britney’s Circus tour on that very night in Melbourne, check out my friend Sarah’s review here at Sarah’s Style Emporium

Oh, this post could have been headed with any number of song lyrics but Flo Rida’s Low is still so iconic and memorable in terms of how much of a buzz it created to introduce Step Up 2 (arguably better than its original – no offence Channing and Jenna!)

You all know of my penchant for dance movies and dance TV shows – though it doesn’t translate to me actually having any moves. Once a guy invited me to a salsa dance lesson and I flat out told him – I have no rhythm.* (Which essentially, was me being diplomatic and not wanting to learn a sexy South American dance with this particular gent..)

Anyway, I digress! I am fascinated, and inspired by seeing how effortless dancers seem to move to any piece of music, making it seem like such a natural movement lyrically, and rhythmically. It inspired much TV-volume-increasing and dancing in whatever leisurely outfit I was wearing at the time. In my lounge-room.

So it is with great pleasure that on Friday – four esteemed dancers that are currently on tour with Britney Spears’ Circus tour are going to be at Baroq House showcasing their talents – and I am lucky enough to be meeting with them, and blogging for the event! Watch this space – there may be even live tweeting!

If you are in Melbourne- check out the banner below for details. Its going to be a HOT night!

For more info on Melbourne’s Secret Society, click here. I will be having a chat with the two directors on Friday as well to discuss future events.. but that’s a total secret, and don’t say I said anything.. :P

To celebrate Pop Couture’s first birthday I thought I’d show its growth over the year, by posting my very first interview. Jordan Millar, up and coming singer/songwriter and lead of Jordan Millar & the Question was lovely enough to grant me this opportunity. (Well, I really put him on the spot, but ssssh)

I first was introduced to Jordan’s music as he supported Brian McFadden (@BrianMcNugget on Twitter) and was pleasantly surprised by a local singer, him and his guitar sharing pop/rock songs, whilst sheepishly sharing stories of how the songs came about. My friend and I were instantly charmed, and I did the rare thing of actually buying the CD in between his set, and Brian’s (also having the opportunity to meet and greet, and shyly say ‘I like your style!’) How often is it that a support act makes you actually pay attention, and not tap your feet impatiently just waiting for the main act?

Jordan Millar is a 22 year old Tasmanian born guy, living in Sydney now with one of his band-mates Ben, and living relatively close to his other band-mates its almost like an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond. Though, without being related or having a houseful of toddlers.

Jordan’s music can only be described as not your run-of-the-mill pop band. Infused with pop/rock/blues/soul – Jordan & the band definitely deliver, whether it be accoustic, or a full band backing him, and I can say that having seen him twice. He lists his influences as John Mayer, Dave Mathews Band, and Jimi Hendrix to name a few, and that lends to an expressive honesty in the lyrics while having great melodies. From that first support show I saw him in, I was already thinking there were some tracks that were definitely radio friendly and not the generic mumbling accoustic pop act that bores me to tears.

So, bearing in mind I see no Melbourne dates for the rest of 2009, I asked him a few questions in between a record crowd at his gig at The Basement in Sydney, and Jordan’s journalism studies at University.

KS: When did you first start singing, and what were the contributing factors that led you to make it a career choice?

JM: I first started singing when I was very young, but only really took it up as ‘something I did’ when I was about 14. My mum was a singer and my dad a drummer, so I always had music around me and it never really felt like something I was going to DO, it was more just something that was always there and that I was a part of.
As for pursuing it professionally, well that is just the byproduct of not wanting to do anything else but play music!

KS: Describe the song writing process

JM: My song writing process always starts with the guitar. I’ll come up with a nice chord progression, or an interesting riff and then I’ll build the rest of the song around that. I think you need to have the musical vibe first before you start putting lyrics and melody onto it.

KS: What goals have you set for yourself, and the band?

JM: The goals we set as a band are very big in one sense, but we have the steps in place along the way to ensure that we get to that point. Things like getting a manager, a booking agent, get people to come to shows, do an album, tour the country. All small things, but all building towards the main goal of being able to play music full time. We’re a very realistic band I think. We’ve learnt a lot in our 3 years together and we know that things aren’t always as they seem, but by knowing this we’ve realised that if things are going to get done, we’re going to have to do it ourselves!

KS: What’s your favourite track on the album?

JM: My favourite song off the album is actually Lies In Translations. I wrote that only a couple of days before we went into the studio, and it just hit home. It was more honest, lyrically, than I had been before and I think it was a bit of a turning point for me.

KS: What sets you Beau, Michael and Ben apart – what do you guys get up to to keep it fun, enjoyable? Do you trash hotel rooms? (Joking!)

JM: The guys in the band are all really great guys, and thats the best part about it. We can all go away and have some crazy good laughs and still not want to kill each other. Me and Ben live together and have done for 3 years, Beau lives downstairs (pretty much) and Mike is in the same suburb. It’s weird because we all came from different areas and now we’ve all closed in on one another without even realising. But I was very lucky to find such a great bunch of guys to play music with!

But what sets us apart… Hmm… Well Beau loves comic books and the movies and figurines etc that go around all that. Ben loves tattoos and has a bizarre taste in women, which the rest of us fail to understand. Mike likes snare drums more than any other person in history, and I’m a pretentious wanker who’s into arty movies, useless trivia, skim lattes and crosswords. So we it’s a weird dynamic, but it seems to work and keeps things interesting!

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If you want to find out more about Jordan and his love of useless trivia, or to generally see some videos and hear some tracks I know you’ll love, visit his MySpace page, become a fan on Facebook, follow him on Twitter!