Chanel Le Vernis in Fabulous

Firstly,  my nails are a state.  Terrible cuticles, weak nails and ridges have suddenly appeared for the first time in my life, so I'm really trying to be good to my nails at the minute or at the very least hide them under a nice nailpolish.

I'm particularly drawn to darker nail shades ... I embraced Chanel's black back in 2007 and always remember loving the quality of the nailpolish.  This bottle of Chanel's nailpolish I bought before Christmas 2008 and thought I'd revisit it this week but I can NOT keep this stuff on my nails.  I've tried it with Nails Inc base and top coats to no avail and I don't know if its the state of my nails or is the polish too old?  Any ideas...I can hardly stand the sight of my hands at the minute but I really like this colour.  I also wanted to invest in rouge noir or a similar colour ... I think it's time for a DIY nail makeover



Natural light

In direct sunlight



Autumn Colours and A Quick OOTD

 So, House of Fraser had some supsiciously Christmas-esque fairylights twinkling all over the store this weekend and I keep getting emails about starting my holiday shopping so I've decided to fight back and post lots of pretty Autumn things to keep this beautiful time of year alive for that little bit longer.  Let us have our seasons please!

This time next week Halloween will be over and we will be into November, my least favourite month of the whole year I think.  So this is a quick post to rejoice in the colours of the season.  It's bitterly cold at the minute and we've had our grey days but by and large its been a lovely Autumn in Ireland and I've been out trying to enjoy it.

Favourite seasonal things I've done:

• Nature walks with my sister and little nephew.
• Collecting oak leaves in the park with my boyfriend for said nephew's christening.
• Trying out recipes for nice warming meals and eating casseroles, macaroni cheese and baked apples!
• Enjoying afternoon cups of Earl Grey tea
• Lighting fires again and wearing gloves and tights and boots!
• Going to the Enchanted Evenings in Botanic Garden with my nephew dressed as a skeleton and finishing it off with X Factor and 'Hobgoblin' halloween beers.

I got this dress (by a brand called Pop) in Liberty Blue, Belfast.  I've worn it quite a lot so far, I just love the 60s feel and shape to it and how the bright blue breaks up my usual uniform of black.



This tree in the park just seems to be lit from within.  Everytime I pass it, even on a grey day, it just seems to be glowing.



Peacock makeup and inspiration

So I don't think I will be dressing up for Halloween this year, a lack of costume party invites and all that... but I thought I would post last year's halloween makeup for a bit of fun and inspiration.  I went as a peacock and ever since I have been obsessed with all things 'peacocky' and watching the trend fill the shops.  I almost wish I was doing it this year as more things have come into the shops....for example:
I remember really wanting peacock pattern tights last year and having to make do with teal-blue coloured ones but Jonathan Aston have some for this year which are beautiful
And, New Look are doing black high heels with feathers on the heel.. oh maybe  I will have to peacock it again this year after all, its too tempting!

I find peacock patterns, feathers, colour schemes very inspiring.  I particularly love the use in art nouveau and art deco graphics and ornaments.


From top let (clockwise): Vintage cameo brooch, 1920s stain glass panel, Anna Sui perfume bottle, Jonathan Aston tights, Vintage photo entitled 'peacock dress', handpainted peacock shoes from Etsy, 1920s french ad for Cognac.


Here is my own photograph of a peacock taken a few months ago in Dublin:

annnd here is my peacock look last Halloween!  I actually think I could do a better job on this now, but it was a lot of fun.  Let me know what you think? Are you dressing up this year?  For me the best part of Halloween costumes is the chance to experiment a bit more boldly with makeup

Eye makeup:
MAC Paintpot in Delft
Lola Social Eyes in Tahiti
MUFE eyeliner in gold in tearduct and lower lashline
Barry M Dazzle Dust in Midnight in the crease
MAC Penultimate black liner
Eyelure eyelashes in Yoko

Superstitions about Peacocks:

I can be quite a superstitious person and this one always worried me because I love peacocks so I did some research and I can't quite find the origin of this fear.  It seems to have peaked in popularity during Elizabethan times and mainly inspired by a mythical Greek monster, Argus whose body was covered with 100 eyes and when he was turned into a peacock, the eyes were all over his feathers.

Therefore, people used to find peacock feathers unlucky and wouldn't allow them in their houses.  This seems to be mainly because of the eye like markings on the feather which people associated with the 'evil eye', something that was thought to cause death.  Traditionally actors would not allow peacock feathers on their costume or backstage for fear of this superstition.

However, in Asia they are seen as lucky and the feathers thought to be protective in your home.  I also read that in India the peacock is seen as sacred and sometimes its feathers are burned to ward off illness?  They seem to be popular in Muslim cultures and Buddhists view them as a symbol of openess..some very interesting stuff to read, whether you believe in it all or not!

It's quite confusing but very interesting if you search it online, it seems there is all sorts of superstitious beliefs about the peacock but either way, it cannot be argued that its beauty has captivated and inspired us all for centuries.

Autumn leaves, conkers and clogs

Just a quick post to show my new shoes!

New Look. £40. Not the practical clogs that have been plaguing the high street but these are the most comfortable heels I now own!  I didn't want to buy them, I was worried they would look a bit trashy and I needed a more basic black heel, but I really love them.  The leather is soft, they dont pinch my toes or make my legs ache and the platform makes them easier to walk in.  Will just have to make my wardrobe work around them now!  What do you think?

I've also been unable to resist all the shiny new conkers bursting out of their shells the past few weeks.  I alawys have to collect a few every Autumn,  I don't even know what for!  It's like every year I forget they exist and then when they fall from the trees, they are like little chesnut jewels and I can't resist them.

I hope you are all enjoying Autumn :)

Andrea Garland - vintage beauty products!

Have you heard of Andrea Garland?  These beauty products are just adorable.  All natural, you can buy her beauty balms and lip balms housed in (re-useable) vintage tins... and I think some of the products are reduced on ASOS Beauty right now..

The brand also has a line of skincare products and I've been using a moisturiser that was on sale for under ten pounds on ASOS this summer.   My skin had become so dry and uncomfortable and I needed it remedied before the cold weather began.  Finding out that the ingredients were all natural, lots were organic, and the product isn't tested on animals I thought I would try the Lavender and Geranium Face cream. 

It says on the Andrea Garland website that it is best suited for sensitive/problem skin and is easily absorbed. 
Unfortunatley, the ingredients listed on the website where not the ingredients listed on my pot of product from ASOS but this cream has recently been given a new improved formula so i must have just bought my pot before this happened!

I love the pretty little glass pot and I like that it has a 'best before date' (May 2011).


I have been using it every morning for about 5 weeks and a little has gone a long way.  It hasn't broken me out or made my skin greasy and it has kept my skin well hydrated and much smoother for applying makeup.  In conjunction with my Evolve Cleansing Melt, my skin is definitley a little less irritated looking right now so hopefully I can keep with the less is more philosophy this Winter.

I still have a decent amount left, so I think it was a good purchase for under £10.  I would be intrigued to try the newer formula however, and also the violet facial oil which sounds so luxurious!  It seems like a nice, small brand.  The products are made and sold in London and also on ASOS or the Andrea Garland website which is very cute.  Dear Santa, please bring me a vintage tin filled with natural balm.

All in all, a decent little pot of cream that does what it needs to do.. I'm happy with that!

A-Wear for Autumn

A little bit late to join in on this love affair, but I shall reiterate what we all already know, A-Wear's collection for this season is pretty great with prices to match! With it being a week into October already, I thought it was definitley time for coats again.  I just love coats this time of year!

Ever since I spotted this coat, I knew I wanted it.  I had searched all over for one similar last winter and the only thing that came close was from Urban Outfitters and way out of my price bracket.  I blame Zooey Deschanel in the 'Yes Man' for everyone's frenzied love of her one-off, vintage navy and red coat last year....

This coat was 70 euro (bought it down on Henry Street in Dublin) but it feels well made.  Nicely lined, reassuringly heavy, soft and warm.  I'm not sure how much I love the brass buttons, they are just slightly too gold and shiny... A-Wear are calling it a 'schoolgirl' coat but my Dad stated that I looked like I could be on the cover of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.  He swears this is a compliment... but regardless, I feel lovely in it! What do you think?   It's very very dark navy, almost black .. I feel a bit like the episode of Father Ted where they are discussing the colour of priest's socks so I shall let you make your own mind up on that one.

I also got a new handbag from A-Wear.  I'd seen it in their ad campaigns and liked it a lot but it sold out online so I got the last one in shop too..crazy!  It matches the coat but not overly so.

I'm hoping to get good wear and use out of both pieces as I have done with all my previous coats and bags.

All in all, pretty delighted with my new autumn/winter coat and bag.  Suddenly makes me feel very pulled together and proper!

Evolve Gentle Cleansing Melt

I have been using this product for 3 weeks now so as to give it a fair review.  When I first started using it I was so excited about it, then I wasn't sure if it was making me break out and now, I think I'm averagely contented with it!

I wanted a cleanser that was not as messy as the Balm Balm Coconut oil (previous review) but that would keep my skin from drying out, help keep redness at bay and remove makeup easily.  As usual, I was interested in finding a product as natural as possible within a reasonable price range.

Enter 'Evolve'.  The brand was launched by Laura Rudoe, one of the founders of natural beauty brand, 'Nude'. However, Evolve is more affordable.  A concise collection of  12 products, all packaging recyceable, all products chemical free and prices are mid-range.  I decided to give the well reviewed Gentle Cleansing Melt a go on my sensitive skin as the simple natural and organic ingredient list appealed to me.

The texture is hard to explain, like a soft gel.  I'm quite fussy about cleansers, I've rarely repurchased the same product but I've a good feeling about this one.  The pot looks like it will last a good few months with daily use and I like the texture and how it removes eye makeup as well without any irritation.

I really massage this into my skin and then wipe off with cotton wool.  I add a little water to form a very subtle lather (it turns sort of milky) and then wash off with a muslin cleansing cloth.  It is actually much quicker than it sounds and I have been able to stick to this routine rather religiously which is no easy feat for me!

I haven't been toning or moisturising, just using this alone at night to remove makeup before bed. 

Things I like about it:

It's quite good at removing eye makeup without being too greasy or stingy on your eyes which I really liked about this. 

My skin feels so soft afterwards but very clean as well.  All in all, I think it's a good all-round cleanser especially for dryer and more sensitive skins.  Maybe I'm having a good day, but its really helped with my redness too.

I also really like the packaging.  It's functional but a little bit pretty as well...the colours are not unlike the Nude brand, same lilacy colour and rounded edges.

Things I'm unsure about:

My only issue was that it might be a bit too heavy or oily for my often combination skin, but with Winter rolling in I'm not sure it will be a problem for the colder months.  Also, I've had to wear heavy makeup and new foundations for the past week (don't ask..!) so it's hard to tell what is breaking me out and perhaps the fact my skin hasn't had a total meltdown might be because this cleanser is so effective and mild!  Hard one, I know!

Would you give it a go?  Does the brand interest you?  I think for sensitive skin and anybody interested in natural skincare it's a great bet.  Less expensive than Nude, REN etc but a little bit more desirable and high end than some of your regular health food shop products!

I bought it for £10.99 with free delivery from the Evolve Website.

Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides , Glycerin , aqua (water), Sucrose Laurate , Helianthus Annus (sunflower) seed oil 

*Natural ingredient

*Organic Ingredient