Christmas 2010

I love Christmas!

Every year, probably a few weeks after Coles and Myer start showing Christmas decorations, I get into it.

I am looking forward to the many different Christmas lunches or dinners that I share with different groups of my friends and family.

I can't wait for the food and the smiles. I can't wait to sing carols. Although, it appears that I am the sole person that actually wants to sing all the carols out loud. No worries, I can sing We Wish You a Merry Christmas and Jingle Bells all by myself.

What are the differences this year?

I feel like I have another family. So I have two lots of festivities to attend! Which really means double the fun for me and double the amount of yummy food I consume.

Myer has promoted a winged-Jen Hawkins blowing kisses at customers. I can say that this kind of creeps me out.

I have become more domestic and house-wifey so I will be baking this! (Or making a thorough attempt at it)



For the recipe, http://www.creativegourmet.com.au/CustomContentRetrieve.aspx?ID=418340

I finally have my own beautiful Christmas tree. All thanks to a very kind and thoughtful person. And yep it's gold.

Merry Christmas guys! (And I will be posting lots and lots in the next month!)

Stay tuned guys, I've been invited to many events.

Xo El

The New Faces in Beauty

We constantly admire the beauty of celebrities, actresses and singers and follow their style religiously.

The chosen celebrities are carefully chosen out of a big pool and are selected to become the face and ambassador of the brand. They are chosen based on their likeness to their brand and their market of fans.

The latest beauty, to be signed to the international, luxury brand Armani has been compared to Angelina Jolie and named by numerous sources and magazines as the sexist woman alive. Her name is Megan Fox.

Fox at 24 is already signed to Armani Jeans and lingerie so this latest signing to Giorgio Armani beauty has come as no surprise. No doubt she will sexed up this high-end beauty brand.



Calvin Klein, a brand that is known to be sexy, provocative and made for the incredibly confident woman has chosen a more demure “Face”. This woman played the most beautiful in the world in a movie blockbuster, Troy. Her name is Diane Kruger.
Asked as to why Kruger was chosen, "The Calvin Klein Beauty woman is authentic and true," the company said. "She is accomplished and inspiring." The design of the perfume bottle highlights CK for embracing feminine curves.

The “faces” of these beauty brands will no doubt change throughout the years or they may remain as the “face” for over a decade, i.e. Andie Macdowall for L’oreal. Either way, as consumers and admirers we always want to look like them.

Xo

Miranda Makes Vogue History

She is known as a Victoria's Secret Angel and won the Dolly Magazine competition which provided her the start to her modelling career.

She has walked for countless couture and high-end labels such as Gucci.

In her latest works, she posted nude for W Magazine in the states and has made history by appearing on the cover of Australian Vogue pregnant. Now this is saying something big. In an industry that favours size zeros, this move is definitely welcomed.

And doesn't she look so beautiful? I love her voluminous hair and the colour is a perfect chestnut. It has the right combination of curls and waves, adding to an illusion of bounce and life. And that's just the hair. She looks amazing!

If you want a piece of her (real estate), her New York apartment is for sale...and it looks pretty good too.



Xo

Imperfections concealed!

Most girls will search a long time for a concealer and most of us struggle to find the perfect product for our skin and our needs.

Whether they are those annoying monthly blemishes that just pop up randomly or we are always lacking sleep so dark circles are visible, we want them gone using just one product.

So here I go, in my attempt to try and assist all my girls...from cheap to exy.

TRUConceal
COVERGIRL
RRP: $13.50
Inexpensive product
Is it the best concealer? Not necessarily but it works hard considering it's so much cheaper and there are a few shades available. Not as long-lasting as I like but still good as a backup.

Youthful Radiance Anti-Dark Circles Roll-On Concealer
Garnier
RRP: $18.95
Roll-on cover-up!
The upside? You won't be getting your fingers dirty and it won't rub onto your work clothes (like I do all the time). But I am concerned whether I am transferring oil back onto my skin so it's not as clean.

Creamy Concealer
Bobbi Brown
RRP: $45
Sets well
I love combination skin, being my cheeks are dry whilst some areas such as my forehead are oily. I usually use this under my eyes and it goes on smoothly and there is also powder to set it.
However, when it gets to summer, the creaminess is perhaps not the best, because it rubs off! And for a guy to see it, he is shocked that the skin under my eyes are coming off.

Xo

I want these angel wings...

Every year, there is one show that both women and men don't fight over the remote and want to watch it together.

You guessed it (or not). Victoria's Secret Fashion Parade.

Since 1994, Victoria's Secret has featured 152 (that's a lot of angels!) different models sporting sparkly, over-the-top lingerie (which you know that both you and I will never, ever get the chance to wear) and not much else in its annual televised lingerie runway show.

The iconic Angels Wings, worn by the brand's top models (hello Heidi Klum!), are also a necessity in every show.

To date, there have been a total of 92 different sets of wings made. Those that make them are artists and no doubt they are veritable works of art, such as one pair made from 10,000 peacock feathers as modeled by Karolina Kurkova.

Music artists in the past have included Usher and Black Eyed Peas, but this year the gorgeous Katy Perry and multi-talented Akon take to the stage with all of the angels (minus pregnant Miranda Kerr).



To catch the 16th annual fashion parade, it will be shown on November 30th in the US, so clear that night! (Not sure what if Channel Ten is hosting it again this year, update to come soon).


So you know what I want for Christmas!

No no no, not lingerie, angel wings!

Xo El

Summer Fragrance Reviews

I have put down short reviews about some of the summer fragrances.

Updated with the actual words rather than the link.

Here we go...




Orange Blossom Cologne
Jo Malone
RRP: $80/$140
Sweet Orange Flowers
This fragrance, although, it's cologne is definitely a feminine fragrance. This is my second fav fragrance from Jo Malone. It's soft, citrus and great around the home & bathroom. Awesome mother and grandmothers.


Britney's Fantasy


Fantasy Britney Spears Eau de Parfum
Britney Spears Beauty
RRP: $49 / $59
Super sweet
I love sweetness but I feel sometimes I have to be in the right mode for it because it's overpowering!



Britney's Curious

Curious Eau de Parfum
Britney Spears Beauty
RRP: $49 / $59
One of my favs
I have so many memories from this lovely fragrance. It's feminine, young and sweet.


Chloe

Chloé Eau de Parfum
Chloe
RRP: $90 / $130 / $170
Daily use
Feminine and the perfect way to finish up an outfit. It's floral and delicious.


Marc Jacob's Daisy


Daisy
Marc Jacobs
RRP: $90 / $120
Daisy
i love the concept and the design of the bottle.
But, is it the perfect Spring and Summer fragrance, no. It puts up a good effort though.




Davidoff's Echo Woman


Davidoff Echo Woman Eau De Parfum
Davidoff
RRP: $59
I would call this a classic
Definitely one that is for every woman.
it's feminine, subtle and very classy.



benefit's Maybe Baby



Baby Maybe Baby
Benefit
RRP: $51
Sweet Divine
Just like everything else in their range, it's unique, fun and quirky. This fragrance is no different. It's sweet and makes me want to have fun.



Sarah Jessica Parker's NYC


SJP NYC Eau de Toilette Spray
Sarah Jessica Parker
RRP: $55 / $70
Mini SITC
Definitely more of a youthful Carrie. It's more for the girls in their 20s or high school. It's fun, sweet and not too overpowering.



Xo El