Christmas Presents

Happy New Year!!!

I took a well deserved (well, in my opinion) break over Christmas; I still had to work a couple of days during the holidays (which sucked big time!) but for the rest I literally did sweet nothing.

I had a lovely Christmas and New Years Eve and consciously tried to detox from technology a bit; I still checked my phone (constantly?) and used the iPad but I haven't turned up my desktop in 2 weeks and felt right, actually - I now feel totally recharged and got few post to share!

... and what's the best way to re-start then Christmas Presents?!

Once again, I was spoiled rotten and love everything I was gifted... it's fair to say that Richard and I give each other a list because I hate surprises and I stink at coming up with ideas every year.

Although, I also realised that I need to stop to buy myself stuff because I was actually straggling to come up with things that I really wanted.

I love Lowie pieces but they are fairly expensive plus the book is to start off my New Year Resolution - knitting!

Hat is a lovely present from a friend that knows me well and my love for owls - soooo adorable and makes me look cute! ;)

Swatch Lady Collection in artic sea - This watch is just too cool and I couldn't resist. It comes in so many gorgeous colours but I went with the minty pastel green. It has a long bracelet that wraps around twice. I'm gonna wear it layered with more arm beauties.

Calendar was a sweet wee extra from my hubby... and I totally melted 'cause I'm obsessed with pugs!!!

Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules perfume - a wild card really because I had never smelled this before; honestly, I still need to make up my mind about it: I don't hate it but I was expecting more... on the other hand, my husband really likes it. I heard it works well layered with other scents so I'll try that next.

Plantini is a gorgeous Victorian metal planthouse to build - I think it will make a very interesting decoration piece.

Nike gym bag - I love the colours on this bag and I have been eyeing it for months... when I spotted it on sale, I added it to my wishlist. I'm very pleased, I thought it would be too big but it's actually perfect for everyday use.

Comete Gioielli Romantica Necklace - my parents sent my this necklace that matches the bracelet from my birthday post. Stunning!

The blue framed tile is already on my kitchen wall and the Swatch Bijoux Glamorous Love Earrings are a present from my sister; she knew they would match my Love Explosion ring and my Swarovski Malaysia set, too! They are great studs for every day, too and I haven't taken them off yet since I got them.

ummm, do you remember when I said that I kinda of like pugs? Well, we're bringing this obsession to a whole new level here... Richard's sister got me the Flying Pugs from Dwell. I cannot wait to put them up on the wall! :D

 New Pjs and dressing gown are in order every year, of course - posh ones if I may add, this time. Love the colour on those Calvin Klein trousers and the stars on the robe.

Givenchy' Dahlia Noir eau de toilette is beautiful - I urge you to go and have a sniff, it's just up my street!

Gift vouchers from House of Fraser and French Connection from Richard's mum and she also gave us this lovely frame - ideal for a wedding picture!
Finally, my parents also sent me some extra presents to open on the 6th January - the Epiphany is just as big in Italy as Christmas; It's a national holidays and more for kids really which get sweets and presents.
My parents got me the matching earrings from Comete Gioielli and a card game; this is our family thing: since I was a child I would always get some cards or board game and I still love them *geek* :)

What did you lovely ladies receive?
xxx

Delivery / Debenhams

Recently, I picked up a few make up items that I've been eyeing for a while; I took advantage of the discount and bonus points that Debenhams is currently running.

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in 81 Fantasme

What can I say about this little pots of joy?! I love them!

I already have another one - Ebloui - and I love wearing it.

The consistency is a pleasure to work with, doesn't crease, beautiful colours - just generally good quality!

Fantasme is the white shimmer one, so I don't plan on wearing it on his own but as a top layer on other colours. It's a beautiful, classy sparkle and perfect for a New Year's Eve party! ;)

Givenchy Ombre a Fleur de Peau in 1 Pearly Rose

Right, I swatched this cream eyeshadow in store during the summer and loved the colours, so I popped on my wishlist.

I decided to finally buy it but it is a bit of a disappointment, unfortunately.

I still love the colour - even though it has some pretty chunky glitter in it - but it's too creamy and doesn't set so crease as a biatch!

I have been wearing it with an eye primer and a powder shadow on top but I still need to get in there and pat it, every few hours... seems too much hassle to me. 

Anyway, I will use it because I think it's really pretty but not too impressed with the quality. :(

Also, I really like the packaging - the square pot with monogram on the lid.

Have you tried any of these before?

What's your opinion?

FOTD - Owl Sanctuary

When my sister was visiting last month, we decided to go to the Scottish Owl Sanctuary - it was awesome!!!

I am seriously owl-crazy, and I know there are a few ladies out there that share my passion, but I don't want to bore everyone to death with 50 pictures of different owls so here is the link to my flickr, if you're interested. :)

Anyway - beauty-related, this is the simple make up that I wore on the day:

Face: Murad Skin Perfecting Primer Dewy Finish, Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation in 3.0, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Estee Lauder DoubleWear Concealer in 07 Warm Light, Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in 60 Coffee Cake, Topshop Blush in Butterscotch, Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder in Brightening Nudes;

Eyes: Givenchy Les Ombres a Fleur de Peau in 01 pearly rose, Collection 2000 Idol'Eyes in Bling, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Revlon GrowLuscious mascara, Clinique Bottom Lash mascara;

Lips: Kiko Pencil Lip Gloss in 8, Mac Creme Cup Lipstick.

FOTD & OOTD - Christening

Face: Ysl Touche Eclat Foundation in BR40, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer in 07 Warm light, NYX Cream Blush in Glow, Givenchy Sari Glow blush in 43 Maharani Pink, bareMinerals Original SPF15 Foundation in N20 medium beige;

Eyes: Lancome Hypnose Star mascara, Chanel Ombres Perlees de Chanel (pink and purple shades);

 Lips: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Sweet Tart.

 Some friends baptised their baby boy, few weeks ago, so we went to the church and to the party afterwards; I forgot how pretty that dress is - it's from Topshop 2009 and I haven't worn it enough. It's a one shoulder and I teamed it up with this h&m cropped cardi... also from ages ago.
Accessories:
 Bangle - Claire's,
Rings - Topshop,
Shoes - Office, 
Bag - Mango, 
Earrings - Swarovski.

I do love an hot fuchsia outfit! :)

FOTD & OOTD in Italy

Very very simple make up look to cope with the hot weather:

Face: Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Garnier Eye Roll On Concealer, Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal, Benefit Posie Tint, Givenchy Sari Glow Blush in Maharani Pink;

Eyes: Laura Mercier Eyeshadow in Crystal Beige, Clinique High Impact mascara, Revlon GrowLuscious Lashliner in Espresso;

Lips: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake.

Outfit: 

Top - Mango

Shorts - Topshop

Bag - Mango

Shoes - Office

 

FOTD & OOTD - BBQ

Face: Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, Nars Sheer Glow foundation in Deauville, Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in 01 pink, Estee Lauder Double Wear concealer in 07 Warm Light, Ruby & Millie Face Gloss in 50 Wine, Givenchy Prisme Again Blush in Red Passion, Guerlain Meteorites in 01 Teint Rose;

Eyes: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Neal's Yard Remedies Eyeshadow in 76 Oat, Ysl Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils in 4 Sea Black, Benefit Bad Gal mascara in blue, L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes mascara in extra-black;

Lips: Lancome L'Absolu Nu Lipstick in 102 Rouge Nu.

****

Dress from yesterday's Asos Haul

matchy nails with the dress: Rimmel Peppermint & Maybelline MNY 665

Wedding Post - Make Up (part 1)

Hi guys!

Many of you know that I got married recently and got many requests about the dress, make up... 

so, I've finally got around to write about my big day - I've scheduled few different post... 

We had a great time and loved every minute, I can't believe it was over a month ago already!!!

Hope you enjoy :)

Let's start with make-up (of course!!)

I got ready in my parents' room - I thought the furniture would suit best for the vintage feeling and taking the pictures.

I did my own make up (and my mum's); at first, I decided to do my make up because I didn't know any make up artists in Italy and to be completely honest I knew I just wouldn't trust somebody else's. I wanted to have control on the products used and the end result, of course.

I must admit that a few days before I started to get very nervous and having second thoughts: what if I was too nervous to cope with the pressure? It could have easily been a disaster... Well, it was too late to change my mind... and luckly, I was pretty calm on the morning and everything went smoothly. :)

Here is what I used:

I started using Clarins Flash Balm as a primer and the foundation I chose is Nars Sheer Glow in Deauville; I used the Real Techniques Buffing Brush to apply the foundation - definitely the best brush for foundation, in my opinion.

Concealers - under my eyes: Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in 1 pink, followed by Estee Lauder Double Wear concealer in 07 Warm Light.
To perfecting the skin, I used Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-3.

Eyes - started with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in original and then patted Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in 86 Ebloui on the eyelid with my fingers; this product is amazing! I've been using it for some time now and I really like the quality - want more colours (review to follow soon).
Then added a layer of Laura Mercier Luster Eye Colour in Crystal Beige; this colour works well with the Chanel - also, the powder shadow helps to set the cream shadow.
Both are between brown and purple: brown is ideal for a classic look and the purple is perfect to bring out the green of my eyes.
Finally, i brought both under my eyes too.
I used YSL Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Shocking just a thin line to thicken the lashline; I like how glossy this product looks and the felt tip is foolproof to use, even with shaky hands :P
I, also, added a bit of Revlon Grow Luscious Lashliner in 002 Espresso on the upper waterline and bottom outer corner.
I curled my lashes with Shu Uemura and first applied a coat of L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes in Extra-Black (to separate) and a second coat of Clinique High Impact (to volumize). Finally, I used the Clinique Bottom Lash wand for applying the L'oreal to the bottom lashes (the actual product of the Bottom Lash mascara is definitely NOT waterproof - be aware of that!).
In the end, I decided to leave the false eyelashes.

On the cheeks, I used Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl as highlighter - Nars Blush in Sex Appeal to sculpt under the cheekbone (I'm not a fan of bronzers).
Then, I applied a first layer of Benefit Posie Tint on the apple of my cheeks and a second layer of a powder blush - I chose Givenchy Sari Glow in 43 Maharani Pink... this product gives the most beautiful radiance to the skin and I don't use it enough!

Lips were, heavily, moisturised with Lanolips and then a touch of Lancome French Touch Lipstick in Sweet Marmalade, for some colour.

****
These are the body products that I used in preparation towards the big day:

I brushed my skin everyday, before showers, with the Bliss FatGirl Slimulator to boost circulation.
Collistar Talasso scrub on alternating days and Collistar Intensive Anti-Cellulite Serum twice a day on problematic areas. Also, The Beauty Parlour gel on my chest twice a day.
St Tropez Firming Gradual Tan Lotion three times a week for the last month to get a bit of glow and maintain it - on chest and arms.
PRTTY PEAUSHUN in medium on the morning of the wedding - this is such an exciting product and I can't wait to speak about it extensively very soon!!! This deserves a post of his own!!!

Finally, essentials that I took with me to touch up, during the day:

Chanel Le Vernis in June - actually, this is the nail polish I decided to wear; I decided to go with something special for the occasion and, being the colours of the wedding Sapphire & Coral, this was just bang on theme. I only applied two very thin coats - I only wanted some colour.
Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in medium to keep shine at bay.
Simple Eye Make-up Corrector Pen to touch up any smudges (although, I need to say I didn't have to use it: even with tears, both mascara and liner hold up well).
L'Occitane Hibiscus Flower Hand Cream - everybody knows your hands are at the centre of attention and this is a great hand softener plus smells divine.
Lanolips - of course!!!
Avene Thermal Water Spray to freshen up the make up (used it only once, Nars foundation really didn't need any help - it did a fantastic job!).

... and that's it - I think I mentioned all the products...

I'll follow with a post with my sister's &  mum's make up :)