Christmas Presents

A bit late with a Christmas presents haul but I'm always in two minds when sharing gifts 'cos there's always the risk of people thinking you're bragging; personally, I love reading these posts - I'm noisy like that - and it's a great way to get ideas and find undiscovered gems. :)

Gorgeous DKNY bag - the colour is in between brown/grey - smart looking and I will definitely save it for special occasions.

People know me well and they have been certainly feeding my pugs & owls obsession! :)

Check out these pugs salt&pepper shakers - Awesome or what?!!!

I love watching American Pickers and my husband got me a t-shirt from the States - love the rooster logo!

The frame with the wire is an handmade jewellery holder; the shabby-chic feel is right up my alley and it will look perfect against the purple wall in the bedroom.

Basilur Tea is a tea brand that I discovered few years ago and my mum sent me a new selection book over the holidays; I don't normally like fruity teas but their selection are delicious/yet not too sweet. I'd definitely recommend to check their website http://basilurtea.co.uk if you're a tea junkie - prices are average and their packagings are beautiful too.

Beauty related goodies: Especially Escada Eau de Parfum is a fragrance that I've been liking since it came out few years ago; it's described as joyful and light-hearted and I couldn't agree more - definitely not overpowering.

My sister also got me this Laura Ashley Fig Tree & Cassis Hand Wash & Hand Lotion Gift Set because she knows I love fig scents; this smells like proper fig leaves with a sweet twist and the hand lotion is also very good quality and light. I don't shop in Laura Ashley often enough, they are currently having a massive sale and I will make sure to pop in and check it out.

Finally… Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette! Yes, I couldn't resist and asked Santa for it. I will do a dedicated post with swatches soon. 

Debenhams 3/6

MAC Blush Ombre in Azalea Blossom

Finally, I managed to get my hands on this blush. Originally, It was a limited edition in the Spring Forecast Collection 2010 but I missed out. Luckly, it has been recently re-issued in the Daphne Guinness Collection.

Disappointed about the packaging as, although it's a limited editon, it's nothing special but the ordinary black Mac pot.

The product itself... ummm, I'm not sure either. I like the ombre' mix between pink and violet, resulting in a cool pink tone... but it feels a bit waxy and it doesn't write too well... I might just have to try and scratch the surface and see if it improves. 

Is anybody else's having the same problem with this blush?

Bare Minerals High Shine EyeColor in Vapor

I've only recently been discovering this brand... I think the mineral foundation is excellent so I have high expectations for other products too. :)

I decided to try the eyeshadow: there are sooo many pretty colours, they are all vibrant and with dimension. I picked Vapor as I don't have anything similar in my collection; it's a rich, high pigmented blue-ish grey.

I really like it: it's very cream and goes on beautifully without creasing. Being a powder, tho, application can be a bit tricky and definitely not something I reach for when in a hurry. 

Also, I'm not a fan of the packaging - it's very messy and feels like there's not much product in the tube. Apart from that, I'd like to try other colours too - have a look at Meteorite or Moonshine... aren't they gorgeous?!

Finally, I was so thrilled to receive a sample of Especially Escada eau de parfum as I love it!!!

Btw, I don't know what's the deal with Debenhams freebies with online orders: sometimes they send you a sample, sometimes they don't and doesn't even seem to be connected to how much you spend... boh!

Recent Samples/Freebies

Everybody knows about this already... and here is my copy.
Elle Magazine (February copy) is coming with a free Soap&Glory mascara.
To be honest, I'm not big on their bath stuff and I haven't tried any of their make up yet but it was good value for money so I picked up a copy... I'm in a 'mascara-phase' currently... hehe
Inside the mag, there's also a satchel of the new Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation.

Then, I got the Chanel Perfect Lumiere foundation sample in 20 Beige.

I'm sure you all know this but this is the new foundation that just came out and it's going to re-place both Pro and Matte Lumiere that are instead being discontinued. 

I haven't tried this myself, yet but I haven't read great feedbacks really...

 I, also, got my sample of Clinique High Impact mascara in 01 Black.

Basically, you need to bring an old mascara to get one of these; I actually wanted to try the other one (the white) but they didn't have any left... oh well, still a free mascara.

I'm sure I've used this before. To be honest, I don't see any 'high impact' going on... it's an ok mascara, not the worst but not even the best I've ever used. I like the formula which is very smooth but - bottom line - I wouldn't purchase.

This wee perfume came on a postcard - Sweet! 

You could order it on the Escada website some time ago... in fact so long ago that I had forgotten about it.

I like it a lot! it's kinda of sweet & fresh.

I also received 2x 3ml L'Oreal Mythic Oil samples in the post. I already have a full size bottle from GlossyBox - and I love it! - so I'm gonna give these to my sister.