Brunch and rambles...

This feels like a non-post as:

a) It's about a dress
b) It talks about my weekend which at this point feels like years ago.

Anyway...I plough on :)

So first of all, I did the brunch at the St Regis Saadiyat Island. This means wearing a dress, drinking champagne and eating lots of cakes.

I actually hate buffets - I always wander around, admiring all the food but completely unable to make a decision.

And when I do I end up with 132940349 different cuisines on my plate and most of them the cheapest food items. The buffet strategist will get oysters and lobster. Me? I end up with a plate of beige carbs - potato, bread and cake.

Then there's the thought of spending an afternoon surrounded by a bunch of drunk expats. Well, I pretend that's one of the reasons but truthfully it's because going to brunch also becomes synonymous with slipping into a champagne coma where I fall asleep at 3pm in the afternoon and waste an entire day.

Well despite this I gave it another go and made an effort - AKA wore a dress.

This old Topshop dress remains one of my favourite buys - it's about 2 years old now but the print is so pretty - watercolor love hearts or petals...either works - and I love wearing it. The shift shape is also very flattering.

Dress: Topshop
Bag: Celine
Sunglasses: Elizabeth & James
Shoes: Not pictured but my new heels! :)

...and some pictures of the brunch and the hotel!

It's seriously blissful there...

Rambles...

• I had Minx nails applied yesterday. Whilst the results looked great on my day off, and I was happily throwing my nails around, I felt a bit of an oddity at work today. They do make me smile and they will only last a matter of days on the hands so I am not too disturbed by them. Nail experimentation is fun I suppose.
• I also had my hair "did" yesterday and the ombre has been taken to the next level. Some parts of my hair are now VERY blonde. Well blonde for a brunette anyway. Photo to come - alongside a more comprehensive Minx review.
• I am thinking of attempting Insanity - the crazily hard series of DVD's. It's one of those structured programmes from the sadists that gave the world P90X. I need to do something. I can no longer run outside comfortably due to the heat so this might be the answer. Plus I do get passionate about a structured programme....for at least a week :) Anyone tried it or willing to join me? 

New post tomorrow :)

TB flats and LDR lips

Yes, that was my weekend. When I wasn't in my pyjamas I was breaking in some shoes and sporting some seriously wannabe pouty lips.

The TB Flats

You all know I love my Tory Burch flats. I don't even care that the symbol looks like a Take That dedication. I love them and they are usually very comforable.

When I spotted these on shopbop.com before Christmas I fell in love. They reminded me of a pair of Chanel $600+'s that I had seen in Saks about 18 months ago - a pale nude colour with an elasticated inner edge that from afar looks like a dainty ribbon.



I got them about a month ago and whilst it was love at first sight, my toes revolted. They cried in pain. These shoes made me feel like my toenails were inches too long - a sort of scraping feeling that just feels uncomfortable an hour or two.

I am pleased to say however that I experienced a breakthrough this weekend and they are finally worn and ready to be sported without a face wince. Hurray!

Link!

The LDR lips

You all know Lana Del Rey. Well I am borderline obsessed with her.

Whilst I think her music is good I think, if push came to shove, I would rather see Ellie Goulding, Florence & the Machine or Imogen Heap in concert but yet, I am mesmerized when I see a picture of her.

I levy the blame at her lips. They are so full and just brrrrrrrrr......I won't be getting a pair of my own but for fun I decided to draw on some LDR lips this weekend, partly prompted by Tali's post.

The best product I found for this was Maybelline's liner in Toast. You could use this and just call it a day to be honest. It's a lovely liner - not as grey as MAC Stone, similar to Rimmel Tiramisu but far creamier to apply.

I added Illamasqua Sonnet and,some Viva Glam Gaga 2 gloss for a shinier finish.

It was a fun look, You never know maybe I will try stiletto nails next...(joke!)


:)

Hope you had a good one!

The Topshop Peach Blazer

Today I dragged myself to see the cricket in Dubai Sports City. I say dragged as I have been spent the last two days flaked out in bed with muscle ache/headache/sore throat/massive chin spot.

It was good to get out though, spend a few hours sitting outside and it also proved a good opportunity to give my new Topshop blazer an airing.

And boy did it need an airing.

I can only describe the scent as "polyester clusterf*ck". It stank in only the same way that sections of H&M do....does anyone know what I mean?

Eau de polyester aside, this is my top tip for Spring. Yes a pastel for Spring. Shocker! Hold the front page!

Still, it's the most gorgeous and flattering peach that I have seen for a long time and I like the fact that it comes in a more masculine double breasted style to balance out the potential "cutesy" factor.  I wore it buttoned up but it hangs even better when undone).

I was a little nervous about the price initially when I ordered it online but it made even a sick, spotty girl feel very fresh so for that reason I think it's worth it. 

And one of the cricket....the perfect snooze-inducing spectator sport :) 

Blazer: Topshop - Link!
Tee: Splendid
Jeans: Earnest Sewn
Sunglasses: Gucci
Bag: MiuMiu
Shoes: Ash

On the pastel blazer tiff, Zara also has some great, and cheaper, offerings. Last week I saw some tempting mint and pink versions that are deliciously soft in both fabric and colour. Link!

It seems like we are going to look like ice creams next season :)

Coming up....

I should probably save this for the next post (and I will go into more detail then) but you know what....I am not sure I "get" the Naked 2 palette.

Its a thumbs up for the packaging, the synthetic brush and the overall impression of the shades but yet, every time I apply it, I can only conclude that my eye makeup looks like total crap.

I just don't think it works for me. It's too cool/durgy. And I am honestly shocked. Neutrals and me go together like peanut and butter and yet I am now giving this palette evils out of frustration. Why do I not like it? Anyone else had this problem?

Hope you are all having a fantastic weekend!

Forgive the cheese but...hair we go again!

Look past that achingly faux smile in the photo. I was not pleased with my hair today. You see, this morning I had a brain wave and decided to straighten it. I haven't done that for months and I wanted to see what it looked like/how long it was.

And the verdict once complete?

Ewwww.

When straightened it took on a totally different look and feel. In other words:

* The colour looked brassy
* The look was flat and lank

It's funny how different it made me feel. Whereas the wavy hair makes me feel confident and pretty, this made me feel depressed and drab.

I was "this" close to cutting bangs/fringe in an effort to make it feel more exciting when I thought of the video below...watch it all (as it is funny) but specifically focus on 1 min 41 - 1 min 48. That IS ME when it comes to fringes. I want it, I get it, I hate it :)

Despite that I am still thinking about cutting in some layers. To go professional or to DIY? :)

Onto some perfume

I wanted to give this a mention as I have been wearing it constantly since I got it.

This was a perfume exchange with one of my oldest friends in Dubai - old as in I have known him for a long time by the way (we worked together) and not in age.

We are both perfume nuts and agreed to exchange for Christmas. This I highly recommend you do with any similar minded friends. There is nothing more special than receiving a perfume from someone who picked it out because it reminded them of you.

He got Bulgari Black and I got...Ferre eau de parfum by Gianfranco Ferre.

This was released a while ago and reminds me of Calvin Klein Beauty in it's notes.

Think of soft, misty florals and fruits sitting atop a warm sensual base. It's unassuming and inoffensive. Iris lies at the heart of the notes and for that reason it has been compared favourably with F. Malle's Iris Poudre. If you like that, and you like these soft fragrances that have a hint of powder about them then you will adore this.  

And finally...

I got my first GlamBox today. Yes, the beauty box phenomenon has hit the UAE.

I will spare you the review right now - I know how exciting and original beauty box review posts are - but this had a couple of nice products in it, including an Arden lipstick I wore in the post above.

I still can't make up my mind about these programmes though. Part of my brain screams "scam" and the other coos at the thought of monthly parcels winging their way to me. I might do a thought piece on it soon so prepare yourselves :)

Hope the week started well for you!

More pan collars and Tom Ford inspiration

Yes I know. Another pan collar. This was a Christmas present from someone who clearly knows me far too well.

Pale pink, black pan collar and a little keyhole at the front, I have worn it with jeans and today I wore it with a pair of standard black trousers from H&M, Tory Burch black flats and my beloved Zara TRF blazer.

Seriously if you take anything away from this post know that this blazer is a true find. Yes, the button is a little bitch and will therefore mean that you never do it up but it smartens and works with almost anything.

Another blogger that loves this blazer (and all things Zara) is Mila. I saw her post today and agreed that she made a good outfit choice :) Link!

PS. In the photos below you will notice a few things:

1) My hair is quite frizzy.
2) There is a little sushi stain down the top. I wore it on Sunday, clearly dribbled as I ate and only noticed the stain after the photos were taken this afternoon. Honestly this happens quite a lot. I must be a big dribbler.
3) I am holding my bag awkwardly like a prop. I don't know why it worked itself into that position on my arm but it did. And it annoys me.

Oh well. Semi outfit of the day fail :)

Hair flip picture included for the LOLs.

Top: Zara (cannot find this on the website so my guess is that it is new season ?)
Blazer: TRF - Link!
Trousers: H&M (old!)
Sunglasses: Gucci
Bag: Celine 

Tom Ford idol worship

There is actually one other thing I want you to take away today and that is that Tom Ford is the most inspirational designer in the world.

I watched the video embedded below and came to the conclusion that everything about him is impeccable.

You see him as both the designer but as a philosophical and arrestingly perceptive man with a candid value system that reflects what is truly important in life - clue: it's not the crap that I post on here and I know we all recognise this.

Needless to say I found this documentary absolutely fascinating. Don't be put off by either length or the fear of pretentiousness. For reference, there is something of "The September Issue" about it and whilst it's 40 minutes long its well worth foregoing the latest installment of the Real Housewives for....you will come away full of admiration and inspiration.

Can I go on about my love for Tom Ford? Yes.

But I will let him do the talking for now....


VISIONARIES: Inside the creative mind TOM FORD from Cielo Magazine on Vimeo.

The Zara coated trousers

These trousers - and many variations on them - have been floating around for some time.

Zara has them in leather, denim and now this coated cotton version.

Now I love the zip detail at the hip and at the trouser foot. I have been very tempted but always reticent to splurge. You see trousers from Zara never seem to fit "right". It's either too big at the waist, too small at the waist, too tight on the arse, too baggy on the arse....it's always something and I generally walk out of the changing room in a huff.

In the case of these trousers however, I am really pleased. They are a bit baggy in places (which I really don't mind as I have enough suck-it-up tight/skinny jeans) and as expected the Zara sizing is a bit strange but they feel comfortable and look a bit more interesting than a standard trouser.

The zipper detail makes them as far as I am concerned - but frustratingly it's all for show as there is no pocket beneath that zip....cue awkward placing of handswhen you intiutively feel for a pocket but come across nothing.

I wore them yesterday whilst popping out for lunch...note this does not mean some lovely outdoor brasserie type affair with waiter service. It meant supermarket.

So yes, nothing special in terms of either event or outfit but in trying to keep things real, this is what I wore! :)

Trousers: Zara - Link!
Vest top: H&M
Shoes: Tory Burch
Watch: Michael Kors
Bracelet: Disney Couture
Bag-that-doesn't-go-but-I-used-it-anyway-as-I-couldn't-be-bothered-to-use-anything-else: Celine

In other news

1) I ripped off my Gelish earlier this week. It wasn't intentional but one fingernail had some lifting, so I peeled...and then before I knew it I was therapeutically removing the rest. Feel very naughty.

2) I spent the last of my Christmas money on a pair of shoes from the Boutique 1 sale. They are of the totally impractical variety :)

3) Urban Decay's Naked Palette is getting daily usage again - Virgin, Naked and Buck....it's all you need for a soft, natural and sultry eye. Am contemplating Naked 2 but not experiencing any massive urges to buy it...not sure I would like it more than this?

4) Finished When God Was A Rabbit last week and loved it. It is written in quite a staccato fashion but the narration moves at a pace and although I didn't feel huge empathy with the characters there was a moment when I cried. And oddly I do associate this kind of emotion with a well-written book. Make me cry and I'm happy.

Currently moving through Ally Condie's Crossed, the second in her trilogy and it's a bit....slow? This is clearly the character development book and so not a lot of action is going on. I just can't give up on a book though - even if I hate it I will persevere. So here goes...

5) Bioderma Tinted Sun Cream is incredible. The coverage is comparable to Liz Earle's Skin Tint but as a product it's far better. No gross scent, 100SPF, a nice "light latte" tint and a cream consistency that sets. This is my weekend-wear product!

6) I have lost alot of my time this week to the Bejewled app. This is probably why posts have been scant. I would recommend it but if you are a fan of Connect 4/Tetris type games...prepare to dedicate/lose hours.

Have a great Friday all!

Gelish Snow Bunny + The Must-Have Polish List

I had it all worked out. I was going to get a festive-type manicure and rather than opting for an obvious red, I would go with white.

I absolutely love white on the nails and so I was excited. I even decided to go all out and get a layer of glitter polish applied on top. My intentions were good.

It's a shame then that the execution was just "okay".  The white was not tippex/white-out enough and the glitter not opaque enough. So near to what I wanted but so far....

However, I refuse to be one of those odious women that have a tantrum and force the manicurist to remove and reapply the colour because they "don't feel it". I have seen it happen and you just end up looking like a fussy bitch.

And you know what? I like it. It's soft, pretty and sparkles well under artifical and bright sunlight. That will do me for the next two weeks:

Gelish Snow Bunny + Golden Treasure

The Must-Have Polish List

Of course if I get bored I can always paint over the top with a regular polish.

This is something I have yet to try and I was pondering what colour I would go for the other day. By the same token, that thought ended up with a mental list of my all time favourite polishes. These were the ones that I would immediately reach for if I had to paint my nails "something". In no particular order...

* Chanel Particuliere - the ultimate colour so perhaps I lie when I say "no particular order".  Colour family: mud.

* Barry M Lilac - the prettiest lilac polish and one that always gets compliments. All of Barry M's polishes are great to be honest but this one makes me coo every time.

* OPI Mod About You - a flight risk (it will always explode) and a consistency of tar once left for a few months but...nothing comes close to the blue toned pink shade. I am on bottle number 3.

* * OPI Pandamonium Pink - if Mod About You channels "Barbie" a little too hard then this is a softer alternative. It also has a stronger purple tone that underpins it. Was told by another customer in a nail bar in London that it looked "well nice" when I had it applied. So there you go.

* OPI Vodka & Caviar - a true red with a brightness that somehow makes it modern. I also love the name.

* Essie East Hampton Cottage - when applied by a professional this will make your nails look like pearls. Note, when applied by me it looks like crap.

* China Glaze Ruby Pumps - is it possible for a polish to hold memories? Because this does. This was at the start of the YT community boom and it was a good time filled with fantastic recommendations. I remember buying this at Sally's and its the most stunning, glitter-filled red.

* Revlon Cherries in the Snow - a rich raspberry that can be sported with the lipstick of the same name for the ultimate in matchy-matchy.

* Bourjois Rose Lounge - groomed nails a la KMidd. Great consistency and quality. This is the nail polish equivalent of MAC Hue lipstick. Non-offensive and natural.

* Nailstation's Dapple Grey - I have only ever seen this brand in Dubai and sure, this colour is dupe-able but its a fantastic creamy mid-grey. Not too light, not too dark. This brand also has about 30 variations on the taupe....*I die* everytime I walk past it in Debenhams.

* OPI Lincoln's - I say plural as there are two variations on the dark/black/purple/plum and I love them both and consider them equally essential.

Okay...

I am going to cut myself off here as I have realised, in the process of writing these out, that I could literally go on forever.

Unfortunately what this post has also done is remind me of how much pleasure I used to get from eBay polish haulin'. I might just have a quick look at my favourite store.... :)

What does your must-have polish list look like?

Voyage d'Hermes - nicely done!

I briefly referred to this perfume a few posts ago and now I have time to give it a thorough and wordy review. Having said that, it's notes could just as easily be summarised in a few simple words: fresh, unisex, sophisticated, citrus, warm, balanced...okay now this is getting complicated.

Give me a few paragraphs - in which I will most likely sound very pretentious - to explain...

Voyage d'Hermes is a relatively recent creation by Hermes head perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena. I read that he tries to create fragrances that effortlessly flow - never overpowering the wearer but elegantly enveloping them and softening as the notes mould to their body chemistry. If that's true then Voyage d'Hermes would be the personification of that aim.

It's certainly not overpowering - whether the wearer is male or female it fades to a complimentary citrus scent, stabilised by the use of some cedar. The notes are just so refreshing and almost shocking in their simplicity. I have heard it described as a "slap in the face with cold water" and akin to the initial sip of a gin and tonic on a scorching summer day.

Expect top notes of citrus, grapefruit, tea (! yes really!) and black pepper with a spicy dry down of cardamon and a little cedar.

It doesn't sound ground-breaking does it? And in truth it really isn't.

The notes themselves are almost generic and as soon as I tried it I thought of D&G Light Blue - that fresh lemon-pepper. The different with Voyage d'Hermes however, is that it's decades more sophisticated. It's still fresh, it's not too grown up but like all things Hermes it smells....expensively fresh - like you own a yacht and permanently live in the summer.

And whilst this does get a massive thumbs up I do have two major/minor criticisms:

1) The very nature of the notes makes the longevity a bit poor - yes you will smell expensive and fresh but wait a few hours and you will be back to your old plebby self :)
2) The bottle is in some ways really impressive - hinting at a classic Hermes purse design - and in others deeply, deeply annoying. I don't know. I am a big fan of a classic bottle and lid combo and all this requires is a spin to open and close. It's not difficult but it's not convention. I guess they have managed to de-sex the bottle though and that's very much in-line with the idea that this is a unisex creation.

It's a shame that this review comes in November because this is such a great Spring/Summer fragrance. If you are currently snuggled up in knits and need a flash of summer freshness to cling on to then head to the perfume counter and give yourself a little pick-me-up ;)

And breathe!

Blimey, that was quite a full-on review wasn't it? Once again, perfume passion took over and verboseness became the only way :)

Sorry about that!

Before I forget...

Here are some of the pictures taken at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. I know that the vote was split - some of you couldn't give a stuff and others are big F1/Jenson Button fans.

Ah Jenson.....

Yes there are lots of pictures of cars but there are also some amazing pictures of skies (I am obsessed with sunsets and skies FYI) and the Yas Island hotel which glows beautifully at night.

It is well worth the 3 day ticket price and fingers crossed I get to go next year :)  Of course these photos are weak because until you have heard an F1 race in real life you really have no idea of the noise - ear plugs are handed out as standard for a reason!

For these pictures I used my Canon 550d as always and alternated between a 50mm and 300mm Canon lenses.

Back to more important fashion related things next post - promise! :)

Getting my nails done and contemplating adding more highlight "flashes" this weekend so watch this space :)

Mooching around Samui

I escaped the gates of my resort for a drive round Koh Samui yesterday. It was good to get out and play serious tourist for the day, snapping pictures and visiting the Golden Buddha, the Butterfly Garden, Fisherman's Village etc...

I have included some random pictures below for another crazily picture heavy post. I am sorry about this - I will get it out of my system once I get back to Dubai (FYI - fly back tomorrow!)

I wore my trusty H&M shorts, New Look blouse and couldn't resist the compulsion to add a recent purchase - a cream/taupe pashmina/scarf that I picked up in MBK. This is probably the best £3 ever spent - ombre finish and super handy.

NB: My hair is transitioning into full on frizz attack in the picture which is probably why I look like a sulky moo.




On my feet I sported Tory Burch flats coupled with the gnarliest - yes I am using that word - bruise on my foot.

Thanks to a metal rod sticking out of a wall at Bangkok airport I managed to pick up this little "souvenir" on my way to the departure gate and it has come out looking like an aurora. Ouch.


Shorts: H&M
Shirt: New Look - Link!
Shoes: Tory Burch
Scarf: MBK
Bag: Miu Miu

Before I go I have to share with you some fantastic lip product purchases made in Bangkok. I was looking round a store called Loft - which by the way sells amazing stationary...cute little page post-its and bookmarks anyone?


...and noticed that they had a small selection of Canmake cosmetics. A Japanese (I think!) brand, they have a lipstick range called...Melty Nude Lip.

Cue an internal swoon as I make my way over to place products into basket

I got two - each cost under the £5 mark. The quality is more than just a passing nod to YSL - yep, they are that good. Soft, pigmented and with a metallic rose packaging - I love almost everything about them and would say that if you can get hold of them, go for it!

I got 01 Baby Beige (left - and clearly already attacked and used by myself) and 03 Baby Pink (my absolute favourite - reminds me of a slightly creamier MAC Hue).

These two beauties have renewed my interest in Japanese cosmetics. I used to be somewhat obsessed with the likes of Kate, Majolica Majorca and Canmake but it can be tricky keeping up with the trends. I really must get my finger on the pulse of these kind of product releases - lipsticks can be life-changing after all :)

PS. Thank you to all of you for your support on my blog - I am nearly at 5000 followers already and I really appreciate you taking the time to follow. x