Sunday 25 December 2011

Good Tidings We Bring...




... to you and your kin! Have a lovely, relaxing Christmas everyone.

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Time to Tousle


Style by Kling
Reading Style by Kling and absolutely sickened to see a post where Elin is doing a photoshoot and the hairstylist plaits a section of her hair underneath at the back because it's 'too thick'! What a nightmare! Anyway, totally loving the finished wavy style. Wondering if a Babyliss Waving Wand might create a similar affect. Anyone have one?

Monday 19 December 2011

Eye Shadow for Blue Eyes

sofarsochic


Most women know that brown and burnished colours are meant to make blue eyes stand out, but finding the right shade can be tricky. Some brown colours leave you looking tired or ill. This eye shadow from Lancome is perfect for adding subtle definition and is especially great on blue eyes. It's called 'Cuban Brown' and is from Lancome's Ombre Absolue Radiant Smoothing Eye Shadow range.

Sunday 18 December 2011

What's in my Handbag?



I don't know about you but I love having a nose through other women's favourite products and what could be better than a peak in their handbag? That's the premise of new website What's in My Handbag? They have an advent calendar – the 25 handbags of Christmas – and I'm  today, the 18th. Click through to see some of my beauty essentials. I'm in great company so make sure you check the other days too!

whatsinmyhandbag.com

Saturday 17 December 2011

Christmas Gifts from Jo Malone






Who wouldn't want to open a beautiful gift-wrapped Jo Malone treat on Christmas day? This cracker with mini Grapefruit Cologne, Pomegranate Noir Body Creme and Lime, Basil and Mandarin Body and Hand Wash offers a little bit of luxury (and I do mean little – the cologne is 9ml) for £28. 

Unfortunately someone at Jo Malone missed a trick and it's sold out online. However, I think it's still available in store. I've had mine since the press event in July and haven't run out – the quality is so good that you only need a tiny bit. You can still smell the fragrance of the body products hours after application and they smell incredible! 

If this set is sold out, there are lots of other goodies on the Jo Malone website to choose from – last day for Christmas delivery is 12.00 pm Wednesday 20th December. I highly recommend the products as gifts.

jomalone.co.uk

Liberty Christmas Shop

Sofarsochic
Every year I decorate the (fake) Christmas tree at my mum's house and it's really not much fun at all. I miss my dad; Christmas feels pretend; the tree is always red and gold... Anyway, enough of my fractured family – this is about baubles.

Since I met someone in January, this Christmas promises to be different, and therefore, better. For reasons I won't go into involving his ex girlfriend, J doesn't have any Christmas decorations. This suits me fine as I get to buy all new ones!

It's been harder than I anticipated to get hold of some decent baubles. B&Q had the biggest selection but all had to be threaded. Sainsbury's and Tesco had a few as well. However, when in London for work I popped to the Liberty Christmas Shop and entered bauble heaven. So many beautiful glass decorations. I spent ages choosing the best ones. While some were quite expensive, most cost no more than the individual plastic baubles you see everywhere. Still, I only bought six!

Friday 16 December 2011

Gorgeous Gifts for Girls: Clothes & Accessories



























Clockwise from top left:
Hobbs NW3 Malton Sweater, £65. Navy jumper with a hint of sparkle. 

Michael Kors MK5076 chronograph watch, £179. If you can't afford a Rolex... Who can? Smart watch, more low-key than the gold versions.

Anya Hindmarch Girlie Stuff Wash Bag, £85. Maybe some lucky ducks can collect the whole range. I'd be happy with anything Anya!


Warehouse Jumper, £45. If you're a size 12 get an 8. It's loose. 

Archie Grand Notebook – Doctors I Met And Liked, £9.95. There's only one but I like him a lot! *smug face* These gorgeous notebooks come in multiple colours and phrases.

French Sole Harriet in Black Patent, £113. Toe cleavagey, patent, quilted pump perfection.  

Neom Christmas Wish Candle, £40. The best wintery candle, or so I'm told. For each candle sold £1 is donated to Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

Tissot Ladies PR100 Bracelet Watch, £134. For those with smaller wrists. I like this but prefer an oversized look so might opt for the men's version. (I haven't seen any of these watches in real life.)

See By Chloe Black Poya Flap Wallet, £135. Also comes in bright yellow! Classic shape but also fun.

Jigsaw Fair Isle Patterned Scarf, £59. She's a beauty! *

Jigsaw Large Leather Zip Wallet, £55. Reasonable price for a simple, stylish wallet. Also comes in black and gold. Love them all! 

Jigsaw Knitted Beanie Hat, £29. Slouchy without being grunge. * 

Hobbs Lafayette Necklace, £41. I've been on the hunt for the perfect jewelled necklace forever and ever. This comes pretty close. 

**cough* These items go with my Zara coat, as do these cashmere gloves. My wallet is worn out and I don't even have a watch... *cough*

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Practical and Pretty Christmas Gift Guide: Beauty

Sofarsochic


Clockwise from top left:
Life NK Ultimate Unwind and Drift Away Bath & Shower Gels, £12.50 each. Big bottles, free from synthetic nasties and smell lovely.

Darphin Aromatic Purifying Balm, £36. Caroline Hirons says this is the shit. Works to decongest and normalise skin whether dry or spot-prone.

Elemis Tranquil Touch Exotic Stars, £25. Patchouli, cedarwood and vetivert scents, plus a mini candle to make your bathroom a bit spa-ish.

Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in Red Lizard, £17.50. Hoping for warm skintone-suiting, wear-anywhere, perfect red.*

Laura Mercier Cream Cheek Colour in Blaze, £18.50. I've had this in another shade, Oleander, for years and love it. Repurchased it and got this one as well. Good for a wintery flushed cheek look.*

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Supersize, £36.76. Finished my sample bottle ages ago and definitely want more of this glycolic, skin-clearing stuff. Not a luxury to use but a necessity if your skin is lazy like mine. This size is good value and will last an age.

Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment, £21.50. If your hair's as knackered as mine you might need this. All Aveda products are glorious and this has stellar reviews.

Clinique Makeup Brush Cleanser, £12. Amanda McLennan recommended this to me. I was sold.*

Origins Ginger Treats, £29. Ginger treats! Perfect for my inner redhead. Love the smell of this stuff.

Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia Cologne, £72. Trying out a little tester of this at the moment and it's probably more of a spring fragrance but anything Jo Malone wins in my book.

Chanel Miroir Double facettes Miroir Duo, between £23-£32. This seems to be a bit tricky to get hold of and I can't find a definite price. One side is a regular mirror, the other is magnifying. And it's Chanel. 

Bobbi Brown Eye Definer Brush, £23. Supposedly makes eye-shadow-as-eyeliner and gel liner a synch to apply. Ideal to use with...*

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, £16.50. Everyone says it's a classic. Time I found out what all the fuss is about. Hoping it's amazing for winged liner looks.*

* Stuff I already bought myself when House of Fraser had a sale on but might give mum to give to me for Christmas, aka, I haven't used it yet!

What beauty products are on your Christmas list? Or what beauty gifts have you received in the past and loved? Spill the beans... 

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Sarah Jessica Parker's Time to Shine


I think SJP looked stunning in this Theyskens' Theory dress at last night’s Kennedy Center Honors event. Not many people could pull it off but Sarah Jessica Parker's doll-like proportions lend themselves to the babydoll shape. Unusual and magnificent! What do you think?



Friday 2 December 2011

Cos it's Cold Outside

sofarsochic
I popped into Cos while in London this week for work and couldn't resist this gorgeous navy striped scarf. It's made of 65 per cent wool and is super long, wide and snuggly. I also love the pretty Christmassy coloured bag with gift tag; it makes my present (to myself) even better!





The Cos scarf costs £35. It reminds me of this All Saints scarf that I was obsessed with last winter. Still love it.

Thursday 1 December 2011

Brush Cleaning Secrets



I don't have any. Do you? I could never be a makeup artist (aside from the total lack of skill) because I find brush cleaning one of the most boring activities in existence. My current method involves shampoo, my hand and a lot of swirling and rinsing. Any useful tips or shortcuts gratefully received. I get to a point where I just stop using brushes rather than wash them. Lazy little me. Ps I promise to blog more in December.