Diamonds on My Nails!!

I know I just put up a NOTD post but 5 minutes later I went to the pharmacy to pick up a polish I've been swooning over non-stop. Let me just say BEST.PURCHASE.EVER.
I remember doing a short post here on OPI's Miss Universe 2011 Collection...FINALLY I got my hands on "Crown Me Already" (it's hard to get polishes from new collections here).
I swiped it over my ring fingernail, right over Essie's "Carry On"....Not only does this polish look fabulous over it but I'm 100% certain it looks equally as fabulous on a bar nail with 2 coats!
The mix of chunky and fine glitter is PERFECT and because it's silver it gives the effect of a million little diamonds on your nail. Just beautiful!

xoxo

NOTD: Essie Carry On ;)

The first time I saw this shade was in a magazine and the picture look sooo....delicious? That's the only way I could describe it. The colour carry on was being poured over a beautiful white bag. The contrast was amazing!

The polish smooth, non-goopy, and best of all it dried so quickly! My other Essie polishes take a litle while to dry but this one was quick and easy! It's VERY similar to "Evening Seduction" by China Glaze even though the two look different in the bottle. Carry On looks lighter and milky in the bottle while Evening Seduction looks very dark. However, if I put my nails up to the bottle of Evening Seduction it's the exact colour of how it looks in the bottle (but still lighter than how it looks on the nail).

I love it! A great fall/winter shade!

xoxo

MAC Glitter & Ice!! [Holiday Collection 2011]

Last year around this time MAC launched their Holiday collection A Tartan Tale....One of my personal favourite collections, the plaid, the colours and the collection itself were nothing short of amazing.

This year MAC has come out with the collection "Glitter & Ice" for the holidays!

Winterized Mineralize Eye Shadows, Smooth Manoeuvre-ing Technakohl Liners, Paint Pots full of Morning Frost, Opulash Mascara in Bad, Bad Black, Dazzleglass with Glitt er and Ice and Unconditionally Fabulous Nail Lacquers. Shake up the season with breathtaking Beauty Powders in glossy white Snowglobe-inspired comp acts filled with glittery, glossy and gorgeous silver sparkles.

Doesn't it sound soooo pretty! All I can think about are snow flakes and icicles!!
I have my eyes on "what joy!" the lipstick, "Morning Frost" paintpot, and "Spanking Rich" dazzleglass!
Many girls may be saying "oh no! This collection seems to only suit fair skin tones", well let me tell you! Those beautiful frosty/metallic eyeshadows, the gorgeous Technakohl Liners and some of the Dazzleglasses can definitely work on warmer skin tones! You just need to know how to apply it and what particular shade would look best on you :)

Paint Pot (Limited Edition) $18.50usd

Let’s Skate Pale pink with pearl

Morning Frost Shimmering champagne taupe

For Effect Black with pearl

********

Mineralize Eyeshadow (Limited Edition) $21usd

Fresh Ice White silver melange

Snow Season Soft taupe melange

Hold That Pose! Pale mauve melange

Frozen Blue Blue silver melange

Shimmermint Pale green melange

Winterized Dirty purple with silver, indigo, and pink melange

********

Beauty Powder (Limited Edition) $24usd

Snowglobe Frosty pinky beige

How Beautiful Pale shimmering beige

********

Nail Lacquer (Limited Edition) $16usd

Unconditionally Fabulous Super sparkle white (Frost)

Get Noticed True bright red (Cream)

Festive Finery Dirty mid-tone greyed violet (Cream)

********

Lashes (Limited Edition) $15usd

#7

********

Lipstick (Limited Edition) $15.50usd

Whirls & Twirls Sheer pink with gold pearl (Glaze)

Double Spin Pale mauve pink (Cremesheen)

Soft SableCool frosted taupe (Frost)

Eloquent Air Sheer white silver(Glaze)

Such Flare True red (Matte)

What Joy! Deep berry (Satin)

*********

Dazzleglass (Limited Edition) $19.50usd

Pleasure Principle Clear white violet, teal, and white pearl (Repromote)

Dressed to Dazzle Pale dirty pink red and gold pearl

Glitter & Ice Light nude with white and gold pearl

She-zam Sheer silver with silver and red pearl (Repromote)

Love Alert Raspberry red with red pearl (Permanent)

Spanking Rich Raspberry pink with red and gold pearl (Repromote)

*********

Technakohl Liner (Limited Edition) $16usd

Silver Skates Silver with pearl

Going for Gold Gold with pearl

Seasonally Spicy Brown with pearl

Fancy Moves Purple with pearl

Practice Makes Perfect Blue with pearl

Smooth Manoeuvre Black with pearl

*********

Icy and beautiful!! This collection was scheduled to come out in the
US: 27th October 2011
Internationally: October/November 2011.

This is only ONE PART of MAC's Holiday collection!
They're also coming out with a collection called "Ice Parade",a series of kits!
Bags, brushes, eyeshadow pallettes, viva glam gaga combo, viva glam teddy bear ornaments and little cards! :)
That'll be another post, another day :)

xoxo

"Linking" up with FEED!!

Links of London and FEED have decided to join forces to produce a friendship bracelet collection that's not only gorgeous but goes toward a great cause in helping to fight hunger amongst children around the world.

FEED’s Co-founder and CEO; Lauren Bush expressed:

“FEED is excited to partner with Links of London to showcase a collection of new bracelets. The partnership was the result of both brands wishing to create a desirable high end fashion product with a conscience. Each bracelet supports a different program that is effectively fighting hunger and malnutrition around the world through a donation to the FEED foundation. The FEED for Links of London bracelets will help make a meaningful and tangible difference in the world!”


Links of London commented on the partnership:

"Working with Feed was a natural progression for us because of our history of supporting children’s charities. We see this as a long term partnership; launching the initiative in the UK and US with plans to take this worldwide."

***********************

The collection, launching in November, consists of 6 beautifully coloured cord bracelets each with a silver bead in the shape of a motif which represents a different intervention in the fight against hunger with each bracelet engraved with the number of meals it will provide serving as a visual reminder of your donation to such an important issue/cause.

The Leaf provides 50 meals in areas that have been affected by natural disaster

The Heart provides 50 meals in areas with high HIV/AIDS rates

The Water Drop provides 500 days of clean drinking water for one child

The Dove motif contributes 50 meals in areas of war and conflict

FEED Logo Bracelet contributes 50 school meals

There is a special bracelet with a 18ct gold heart design exclusive to Harrods for those of you living in the UK. It's my favourite one!!! Too bad I'm not up there to purchase one :(
Up to me I would definitely purchase all of them, not only to have the beautiful bracelets but to know that with each purchase I'm giving 50 meals or 500 days worth of clean water to children in need.
Somehow I'm going to get m hands on one.

It will be sold for $125USD at all Links of London boutiques worldwide and £75 in the UK :)
The Harrods Exclusive 18ct Gold bracelet is £395.

FEED Co-Founder & CEO: Lauren Bush

Images for the Launch created by Margot Bowman

Keep your eye out for these beauties!

Make sure to click on the following link to check out FEED !!

I'm also eyeballing a tote on FEED's site...why not contribute more!

xoxo

October! Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Breast cancer awareness month is in October for those of you who forgot (as throughout the year I continuously see fb posts about it being breast cancer awareness month in APRIL, JUNE, JULY etc). I think we should constantly be aware of cancer in general. Not only does it affect the people who suffer from it but their friends, family and even children. It is advised that we all go for regular check ups, mamograms (women), full medicals, prostate examinations, colonoscopy, eat well and exercise regularly.

Every year, around this time, we go PINK :) I always look forward to brandishing my pink ribbon!
Companies world wide, not only cosmetic, launch their annual breats cancer awareness products from which part or all of the proceeds go towards finding the cure.
I'll just be making you aware of a few. Cosmetics of course ;)



CLINIQUE:

This year Clinique has brought out 2 special limited edition items.

A little history on the company:
The Estee Lauder Companies founded the Pink Ribbon and Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the UK. They have distributed the pink ribbon in over 70 countries.
Evelyn Lauder founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 1993 as an independent not for profit organisation dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and genetic research worldwide.
The BCRF has so far raised more than $285 million for breast cancer research.
For more information about the BCRF go to www.bcrfcure.org.

The first item is the Longlast Glosswear Pink Ribbon Keychain.

I've talked about this product (the long last gloss) in a previous post and these lipglosses are AMAZING! It's Clinique's best selling lipgloss for a reason.
However, they are exclusively available at Boots in the UK at the price of £15 and at Macys and Bloomingdales in the US, so international readers, you may want to order it or have someone buy it should you want it. $4 USD from every purchase goes toward the cause.
Not only do you get ONE of the amazing lipgloss but THREE! In three beautiful shades of pink! Ace!
It's not available where I am but I would definitely love to get it. The keychain itself is beautiful and it will always remind me not to sweat the small stuff especially when others have to go through the rigours of this horrible disease.

The second product is the Special Edition Breast Cancer Awareness Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. This is exclusively available to Selfridges & Thomas Ireland (UK) and Macy & Bloomingdales (US).

Sorry girls :( You'll have to order it or get someone to buy it for you. It comes with the cutest keyring around the neck. £35 for 200ml or $25USD. $10USD from each purachase goes toward the cause. I've used the dramatically different moisturiser for years now and it is truly an amazing product and another best seller. This moisturizer feels almost like water on your skin and it absorbs in a flash leaving your skin supple. I ran out a while ago and I'm definitely looking to purchase it again. I've tried so many other moisturisers which I do like, but this one is definitely the winner.EL will be donating £2 from each product sold going to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation's study at the UK Institute of Cancer Research (www.bcrfcure.org).



JO MALONE:

Jo Malone presents the New Red Roses Hand and Body Wash.
It's a bit pricey at £30 but £5 from every sale goes towards the cause!
Jo Malone is known for their very gorgeous but very expensive colognes/perfumes and candles.
I urge you all who have access to Jo Malone stores/retailers to smell the Dark Amber and Ginger Lily Cologne or the Wild Bluebell Cologne. Yum!

OPI:

OPI came out with their limited edition Pink Shatter: "Pink of Hearts" to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  This will be the 5th year they've taken the initiative to raise breast cancer awareness through their LE nail polishes :)

Each bottle of Pink Shatter has a special pink-ribbon tag & pink cap wrap to call attention to breast cancer awareness.
OPI will also be making its annual donation of $25,000 to Komen for the Cure.
The polish will retail for $8.50 and will be available at outlets like ULTA during the month of October.


ELIZABETH ARDEN:

This one is not so much a beauty product. Elizabeth Arden comes out with a ribbon pin every year. This year it's especially gorgeous, with one tiny blue stone on the ribbon representing the 1% of men who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

It's about £10 and all of the proceeds go to the cause. Available at Estee Lauder counters.



COACH:

Not only do the makeup and cosmetic brands contribute but take a look at one of my favourite brand's creations. Their watches are never too much for a lady's hand and always well crafted.

This new watch is crafted in brilliant stainless steel with the Coach signature embossed in smooth pink enamel around the face, this limited edition of the Phoebe bangle watch is more than just an elegant way to keep time: its purchase helps support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation! :D
At $298 USD available at Macys or your nearest Coach retailer it's a bit pricey but hey! It's a coach watch! 20% of the purchase price will be going towards breast cancer research.
I would definitely purchase this as it's not only cute as hell but helps the cause :D win!! A constant reminder of your support.

**************************

There are so many other companies that have products out from which proceeds go towards finding the cure. Among them are Aveda, Estee Lauder (pink lipstick and bag set), Palmer's Cocoa Butter, Elemis, Tropicana, I can't believe it's not butter, chapstick etc...

Click the link and check out the other different products at BCA Campaign.

****************************

You don't really need to buy a product to donate to the cure unless of course you fancy something I've posted. You can get together with your friends or family and make pins to show your support, sell the pins or even bracelets and donate all the funds to the cause. Donate to the many funds dedicated to finding the cure. We can all do it together. One day, we'll achieve that goal and many will no longer suffer.

xoxo

What is Beautiful?

I came across a stunning picture while I was flipping through W Magazine the other day and I fell in love with a few of the pictures. SO Priscilla Presley/Bridget Bardot kind of feel. One of my favourite pictures was of a girl named Candice Huffine, her hair tied in a scarf. Turns out, she's a plus sized model signed with Ford. Graced the cover of Vogue, appeared in various magazines and shows. Another model who graced the cover of Vogue Italia with Candice is Tara-Lynn.

Now, in the modelling industry once you're more than a size 4-6 US, you're considered plus sized. Countless designers have called themselves "plus sized" when they're as thin as a twig. In the show Big Sexy, there was evidence to this claim. It's amazing how the fashion industry has conditioned people's minds that beautiful means thin, boney limbs...prominent hip bones and rip cages and sternums...knees bigger than the rest of your leg and protruding elbows. You may say I'm being dramatic but the girls they push out on their high fashion runways are stick thin. Not even FIT. They would like to tell you that they're fit but there isn't an ounce of good muscle there (you don't need to be bulky, hard etc...but there has to be something beside skin and bones showing). This has been a problem for years! Young girls and even older women look at magazines and shows and strive to look like these girls. They binge eat, become anorexic, smoke, throw up all their food or their self esteem sinks so low that they have mental problems or develop a large complex.

It has been taboo for a long time to really accept plus sized models and promote them and publicize them. They claim they have stopped hiring models that are too skinny but 99.9% of the ones that are appearing in magazines and on shows are skin and bone. The public has voiced its concern with the kind of example and kind of influence these things have on girls and women.

Boy was a glad to see a plus sized model being publicized, not because I'm plus sized (because i'm not) but because it shows that being beautiful doesn't mean you have to strave yourself or look like those thin girls. Bear in mind there is a difference between being fat/obese and being plus sized. A girl can be big and beautiful...just not big, UNHEALTHY and beautiful.

The photos I found of her subsequently did not fail to blow me away either. I just wanted to share with you all, should you already know who she is or not, these beautiful shots of an equally beautiful big girl.

xoxo