Two make-up looks for Christmas and New Year's

Hey guys,

How are you doing? Are you ready for Christmas? I ,myself, have some more stuff to sort out tomorrow. I am also working in the morning which means that I have even less time to sort stuff out but hey ho...!!!
I had some time yesterday afternoon and I thought I should prepare this post for you guys. This is basically a post featuring my two picks for the Holiday Season make-up. They are easy and simple. You might need some time to practice in order to perfect them but I think they are easy enough.
I will probably be doing both of them during the next week or so.
Now...let's get on with it...!!

Look number 1 "Tickle Sprinkle"

For this look I used a base colour to cancel out any redness and/or veining on my lids(Urban Decay "Foxy"). I ,also, used a taupe colour in the crease(MAC"Haux") and 2 glitters on the lid of the eye (MAC "Reflects Pearl" and Essence "03 A Piece of Forever") . Then I lined my top lash line with black gel eyeliner (Bobbi Brown) and I added half lashes(Ardell 318). 

Look number 2 "Graphic & Colourful eyeliner"

For this look I used my MSF Natural to cover any discolourations on my lids and then I used a light brown to lightly define the crease (Urban Decay "Naked"). Then I used two colours from the Sleek Ultra Matts Palette(Highness and Orbit) to create a graphic eyeliner look. Then I used some liquid eyeliner really close to the lashes and some purple glitter liner (Collection 2000 "11 Shake It Up"). I finished off the look with Ardell 109 lashes and some white eyeliner in the water line.

What do you guys think? What look are you going to be rocking this holiday season???
xoxo
A.

Christmas nails!!

Hello Hello!!!

How are you all?? I just got up a couple of hours ago and I realised that it is already the 15th of December which means we are only 10 days away from Christmas. So, I decided to do a series of Christmas- themed posts starting with nails. I have 8 different nail ideas for you today (4 colours + 4 designs).
I picked the colours and created the designs specifically for you. I am not very good with designs normally but I did try very hard to make these and I hope you like them.

Here is the nail wheel with all 8 "picks"...

Let's take a closer look.....

Designs

Left to right: Present, Snowflakes, Rudolf, Santa's Suit

Colours

                    Now for colours I chose the classic Gold, Green and Red and a sparkly purple.

From left to right: OPI "Goldeneye", Barry M "Racing Green",OPI "Wocka Wocka!" &          Zoya"Daul".

These are my picks for Christmas/New Year's nails for 2012. What are yours??

xoxo
A.

OPI "The Bond-ettes" mini nailpolish set

Hello and happy mid-week guys !! :P
How have you been? How was your week so far?? I have some exciting nail varnish swatches for you today. As most of you already know, OPI released their Skyfall /James Bond collection. Some of the colours were exciting and others ,not so much. However, I was looking for one of them and couldn't find it anywhere so when I realised it was available in the set with the mini varnishes I decided to pick that up instead of going on a wild goose chase so-to-speak.
Now, without further ado, here are some pictures of the varnishes...!

                                                                          Packaging

 From left to right: Goldeneye, The Spy Who Loved Me, The world is not enough and Live and let die.

Comparison...

Mini VS Normal

This is "Goldeneye" and I bought the full size bottle before I purchased the set.

Swatches

Goldeneye

The Spy Who Loved Me

The World Is Not Enough

Live and Let Die

Now, since the last one(live and let die) is the reason why I bought this set in the first place I also have some swatches of this polish ,on the nails, to share with you...

Did you pick any colours up from this collection?What do you think of these colours??

xoxo

A. 

November Favourites!!

Hello my lovely readers,

I am skipping the long and pointless introduction today. I am only going to say that November had its ups and downs and now that it is gone and Christmas is around the corner I am hopeful...!! So on to this month's favourites...

                                                                 Beauty-related...

Urban Decay Naked 2 palette(birthday present)

Sephora mat lipstick in No4 (likewise)

NARS eyeshadow primer

Revlon Just Bitten lip stain in "Flame"

Clinique High Impact mascara(in my opinion this is a daytime mascara ONLY)

Korres Lip Butter in "Jasmine" (I couldn't resist picking another one up)

Revlon Lip Butter in  "Raspberry Pie" 

MAC MSF Natural in "Medium"

MAC In Extra Dimension Skinfinish in "Superb"

Apivita Lip Care Lipbalm (The Organic Beeswax and Olive Oil version)

Real Techniques Blush Brush

My new setup(definitely a favourite!!!!)

Look of the Month

Neutral and work-appropriate

Random Favourites

H&M scarf

Yankee Candle in "Kitchen Spice"

Studs

Accessorize Satchel 

YOGA(The mat represents my newly found respect and love for Yoga)

That is all for today's post....!!

What did you love this month??

xoxo

A.

I ♥ owls NOTD

Quick NOTD from me today featuring my attempt to do an owl nail design....!!!I really wanted to have more than one owls on my nails but I did start working recently and I didn't think it was appropriate. I chose a nude base which is my all time favourite Essie "Sand Tropez" (swatches HERE). I also made the owl using OPI's "Barefoot in Barcelona" which is relatively nude as well.
Anyway.....take a look and let me know whether you like it or not. Also keep in mind that I am not the most talented person when it comes to designs so please be lenient.

What do you think??Decent?? :P

xoxo

A. 

Quick NOTD featuring Zoya "Daul"

I am sorry I've been absent for so long but I've been quite busy and not in the best mood to be honest. But that's not really something that should concern you guys!! :) :)
So here is my NOTD. I used this new nail varnish by Zoya called "Daul". It is somewhat difficult to explain what the colour looks like. It is an super shimmery varnish but the glitter is so fine that shows up almost as a sheen on the nail even though the particles are visible. The base colour is a purple (mid toned grape I'd call it...if that makes any sense) and the glitter particles are mainly gold.
Here are some photos....

The photos don't do this varnish justice. It is gorgeous and in my opinion perfect for the holidays.

What do you think?

xoxo

A.

p.s. I had my nails done on Monday morning and these photos were taken today. I think it looks pretty good....!I have experienced chipping with my other zoya varnishes but this holds up pretty well from what I can tell.

Scarves & How to organise them...

So today I have a different post for you. I love love looooove scarves and I have lots of them. For the longest time I was storing them in one of my drawers. That made it very difficult for me to find the scarf I wanted quickly and easily. So, about a year ago, I went on a hunt to find the perfect organisational solution for my scarves. I ended up picking up a very handy IKEA item. It is a type of accessory hanger with 28 circles. It is pretty basic actually but it is also very handy if you are looking for an easy and inexpensive way to organise your scarves.
So here is how I do it...

I hang the item in question on the outside of my wardrobe. Then I lay all my scarves on the bed and start the grouping process. I group them according to print(if I have more than one of the same print), shape, size or colour. Having said that, I also colour-code my wardrobe so if you're not a neat freak like me you can skip the grouping. Grouping the scarves makes it easier to find when you are in a hurry, though...;)

The mess....and how I sorted it out....

 Silk/Square                                             Infinity                                               Rectangular/Long

 Animal Print                                          Skull Print                                               Vintage

Monochrome

Then...just place them on the hanger....

Here is the "finished product"...

FRONT

BACK

In my wardrobe...

I know this might look trivial but I hope that some people will benefit from it.As always...let me know what you think in the comments...! 

xoxo

A.

October Favourites!!

Well well......I know it is the 9th of November and my favourites are pretty late but I have been bed-bound for the past couple of days with a nasty cold. However I am feeling slightly better today so I thought I should do this post for you guys...!

So, my make-up this month was pretty minimal and repetitive. I loved dark lips and nude eyes with a hint of red or plum. I ,also, loved clean skin and minimal lashes for the morning time. I really didn't go out much this month so wasn't concerned with evening looks. 

So here is the list of the products...

Left: 

Maybelline Collosal Volume express Smoky Eyes

No7 Stay Perfect primer

Garnier BB Cream (combination/oily skin)

Essence Blush Brush

MAC "Deeply Adored" lipstick(from the Marilyn Monroe collection)

YSL Gloss Volupte in number 8

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipstick in "Boy"

MAC e/s in "Vainglorious" (from the Venomous Villains collection)

Barry M Dazzle Dust in "88"

Urban Decay eyeshadow transforming potion

Right:

MAC MSF Natural in "medium"

NARS "Sin" Blush

MAC blush in "Legendary" (from the Marilyn Monroe collection)

Next are my skincare/haircare favourites...

Le Petite Marseillais Miel De Lavande (Lavender Milk) shower gel

Bioderma(loooooooove iiiiiiit)

M&S Fig and Orange Oil handcream

Kerastase Elixir Ultime

Organix Coconut Milk conditioner

Aaaand last but not least some accessories favourites for the month of October...

Heart Pendant by Forever 21

Vintage earrings (my grandmother's) gold and fresh water pearls in a grapevine shape

Gold Bracelet(my mom's godfather made this)

Michael Kors rose gold watch (MK 5128)

That is all for my October Favourites...!What did you love the month of October?

xoxo

A. 

Birthday Haul!

This is going to be a short but sweet post featuring some presents I got for my birthday. I loved all of them so I thought I should show you guys!!

I am sorry about the bad lighting and mediocre quality but I still haven't managed to buy a new camera. I will do so soon though.

Is this the cutest wall clock you've ever seen or what?!The eyes glow in the dark as well...

Some make-up goodies...

Naked 2 Palette by Urban Decay & Sephora Mat lipstick in number 4(this has been discontinued but the amazing Lydia found it and picked it up for me).

Accessorize goodies...

Coin purse with owl, wing earrings and a 3-pair set with owls, bows and hearts. (can you tell I love owls yet?)

           Medium-sized china-blue satchel from Accessorize as well(is it just me or have they upped their game lately?). I've been wanting a satchel for the longest time so I'm very excited!!
The scarf was also a present and it is, also, from Accessorize. I have other skull scarves but this is unique. The skulls are candy skulls and the colour is an amazing deep blue which is perfect for this time of year.

That is all for my little birthday haul. I'd like to thank my wonderful friends for their amazing presents but most of all I'd like to thank them for celebrating with me this year. It was great!!I had loads and loads of fun!!
xoxo
A. 

Giveaway winner announcement...!!

Hey my lovely readers,

I hope your month started better than mine and that you are enjoying the autumny weather...!
So this is my giveaway winner announcement......
Drumroll please.......

And the winner is.........    Entry #234Panagiwta S. 

Congratulations girlie...!!!!I have e-mailed you. Please e-mail me back within 24 hours so I can arrange to send you the prizes.

I also want to say I huge thank you to everyone who entered and to all the new people who are now following my blog. I hope you stay tuned.... :)

xoxo
A. 

Autumn/Winter wish list!!!

I was browsing on the internet(don't do it...just don't) and I came across a couple of products that I am incredibly curious about and I would love to try. Some you cannot get outside the U.S. but a girl can still dream can't she??
Most of these items I have been wanting to try for a while and some of them have been recently, added to my wish list. So, I decided to do this post to show you these items just in case you have tried any of them and you'd like to let me know whether they are worth buying or not..!! This is a two-part wish list with a beauty-related and misc list.

What do you think??Let me know...;)

xoxo
A.

I ♥ Autumn TAG!!!!

                                                           I ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Autumn

Photo by my Marios Koutsakos

Marios is the brother of a good friend of mine and you can find more of his work here:

https://www.facebook.com/mkoutsakosphotography

I saw this tag going around on youtube and blogs and I thought..."you know what??I love Autumn as well". So you see...this tag is perfect sooooo let's get started.

1) Favourite Autumn Lip Colour

MAC "What Joy" and Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in "Boy"

2) Favourite Autumn Nail Color

OPI "Done out in Deco" and Essie "Bahama Mama" 

3) Favourite Autumn Beverage

Hot coffee (mostly cappuccino and filtered coffee) and tea with milk 

4) Favourite Autumn Candle

I love the IKEA Tindra cream coloured candle with this picture on the packaging/pot/glass container :P 

I also like any apple/cinnamon scented candle. I haven't really found one that I adore yet so please let me know if you have any suggestions.

5) Favourite Autumn Scarf/ Accessory

I love scarves and these two are my two most worn autumn scarves. They are both infinity scarves. One is from River Island(right) and the other from M&S(left). I also have an upcoming post on scarves and how I store them so if you are interested watch out for it. ;)

6) Haunted House, Haunted Hay Ride or Haunted Corn Maze?

I would have to say haunted Hay Ride because it sounds awesome plus I would have to go with other people which would make it that much more fun...

7) Favourite Halloween Movies?

Hands down Tim Burton's "Nightmare before Christmas". If you haven't watched it yet you're missing out... 

8) Favourite Halloween Candy?

Do Pretzel M&M's count?? I mean they are delicious and I am so happy you cannot get them outside the U.S. because that means I don't have to stop myself from eating them...woo hoo!!

9) What are you dressing up as this Halloween?

Well since Halloween is not celebrated here I won't be dressing up however I might do a Halloween look on my blog (does that count?).

10) Favourite Thing About Autumn

Oh dear....one thing only? That's impossible...

Well let's get started with the fact that it is my birthday season. Then, I love the colours, the weather, the smells, the warmer clothing and the fact that Christmas is just around the corner. 

Do you love Autumn?? If so get started on this tag...and please leave me a link to your post so I can read it!! 
Love you all....
xoxo
A.

Pictures taken from...
Tea: http://britishfood.about.com/od/AfternoonTea/ss/British-Tea-What-Is-Tea.htm
Cappuccino: http://strictlycoffee.co.za/blog/flat-white-vs-cappuccino-what-is-all-the-fuss-about/
Essie nail varnish: http://www.luxuryparlor.com/essie-bahama-mama-609.html 
Film poster image taken from Wikipedia
Autumn leaves picture taken from : http://www.youcantcallitit.com

If you own any of these pictures and you'd like me to remove them then please contact me and I will do so immediately.