Christmas Wedding Outfit and Face Of The Day

I tend not to do Outfit Of The Day posts very often, purely because no one needs to see my pjs, as exciting as they are (and they really are- bespectacled cupcakes, yummy happy sushi, ice-skating monkeys and tough cookies, just a small example), however I thought the outfit I wore for my sister's wedding this week was worthy of a blog post.

The dress is by Eliza J and is available from House of Fraser. It's navy with a ruched waist and 3/4 sleeves with diamante buttons, below the knee with a v-neck collar. It's kind of hard to tell from the photos but it's really swishy in real life- very 50's, is super comfortable on and would be very flattering on most figures- I would definitely recommend! I styled it with pearls, my Ted Baker coat (thank God for that as it was super cold), my sister's Anya Hindmarch sparkly pink clutch (she's never getting it back) and bright pink scarily high Kurt Geiger heels.

Beauty wise, I went with a 50's style up-do, the Urban Decay Naked palette, false lashes (the Eyelure Girls Aloud Nicola ones are my favourite), Kate Moss for Rimmel pink lipstick in 16, Laura Mercier silk creme foundation and Nars Orgasm blush. Nails were courtesy of Sally Hansen's Frutie Petutie (it looked closer to the colour of the shoes in real life):

I was particularly happy with my tan for the day- recently I was given a can of Cocoa Brown tan to try but had waited 'til now to use it. Basically Cocoa Brown is an Irish brand recently launched onto the market and available in most pharmacies nationwide for around the 8 euro mark. It's a mousse that you apply with a tanning mitt, leave for up to 3 hours to develop, then wash off only to be delighted with your lovely bronzed self! There's no orange tones here so you're left with a really natural all over tan. I only left mine on for one and a half hours, giving me a light tan which suited me perfectly as I'm so pale naturally and rarely use fake tans- mostly because I find they always turn out too dark and then don't think they suit me. No such problems here, however- I have to say that I'm now completely converted to using tan after trying Cocoa Brown, I felt like it gave me a really healthy glow and prevented me from looking washed out in my navy dress. Other plus points include the lack of that "fake tan smell" once the original application is washed off, the even and streak-free result and its longevity once applied. I've been searching for a non wash-off only, flattering tan for the longest time and I'm thrilled I've finally found it. In your face, pasty legs and bright blue arm-veins!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Right about now I've finished my present wrapping and am rewarding myself with a lit tree and fire (although in very different ways), Christmas movies and ice cream on the couch with Hubster. I'm so looking forward to the next few days- spending time with my family, eating until I resemble one of the 7 Deadly Sins (I'm thinking gluttony rather than vanity, obviously) and just general, relaxing festive times.

Some of my beautifully wrapped gifts!

I want to take this opportunity to wish you all an exceedingly Merry Christmas and all the very, very best for the New Year- something tells me 2013 is going to be a good'un (blind, wishful thinking perhaps)! Also, a huge thank you to everyone who has read my little blog and who took the time to comment since I started writing it this past April, it really means a lot to me to know that these aren't just the unacknowledged ramblings of a lunatic (the lunatic part still stands though, obviously).
In keeping with now, seasonal tradition, here's a cat dressed as Santa. A somewhat creepy and suggestive Cat-Santa, but Santa nonetheless.

Happy Christmas!

Xxxx

Liz Earle Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask: Review

So, as we all know by now, I love an auld bit of Liz Earle. I adore the hot cloth cleanse and polish, toner and the moisturiser and am quite fond of the exfoliator in the range too. Given that, I said I'd like to branch out and try something different along with my usual order. So I added in a mini version of this nourishing treatment mask. This is only 15mls for 6.25 and to be honest, If I'd known it was just like one of the mini sizes they pop into your order for free for you to try I probably wouldn't have bothered. Because, lets face it, 15mls is a very small amount. I felt a bit gypped when it arrived, which is really my own fault for not reading the sizing on the website properly. Ooops.

The product itself is fine. It contains St John's Wort, borage, comfrey and rose scented geranium to "soothe and deeply rehydrate". Suitable for all skin types and a similar consistency to the cream Cleanse and Polish, this is applied in a thick layer to the face and neck after cleansing, left on for 10-15 minutes (during bath time is a good idea) and then wiped away using a muslin cloth soaked in warm water. It is supposed to leave skin "softer, smoother and hydrated" and while I like it (my skin was soft afterwards), I just didn't feel like it made a huge improvement overall to my skin after using it several times. There's pretty much none of it left now but I don't think I'll be picking up the larger version, I'm more than happy to stick with my Origins Overnight Drink up mask instead :)

Has anyone else tried this? If so, what did you think?

Why I've decided Elf is the Best Christmas Film Ever

Before I start, I should point out that I love a lot of Christmas films- It's a Wonderful Life, Love Actually, Home Alone, The Muppet's Christmas Carol etc., so it was difficult to pinpoint just one movie to talk about. However, following a trip to the Lighthouse cinema to see Elf last night, I've decided that I've found the perfect Christmas film. Don't get me wrong, I've seen Elf a million times but I really wanted to see it on the big screen. I think seeing a film in the cinema that you already love gives you a completely different impression of it and I also really enjoy hearing the audiences reaction- often it's very different to how I've always perceived the film (people laughing throughout a screening of Rear Window springs to mind). Also, I was really in need of some festive cheer and Elf was definitely the way to go. So here's why I think Elf is the best Christmas film ever:

• Will Ferrell is hilarious. Genuinely, he could read the alphabet and I'm sure I'd crack up. He's brilliant as Buddy the Elf, who's actually human, unbeknownst to himself. He leaves the North Pole in search of his father in New York and hilarity ensues.

• Zooey Deschanel. That is all.
• No, seriously, she's amazing. My love for her has not in any way started to wane yet. I loved her in 500 Days of Summer, I adore her in New Girl (I too like to rock a lot of polka dots) and she's brilliant in this. She's unbearably cute, even when she's being all cranky at the start and my God, that singing voice is just unreal. I've been listening to She & Him's Christmas album and it's fabulous- I would recommend. 

• It's really laugh out loud funny- the whole cinema was in stitches last night. One of my personal favourite scenes is when he gets knocked down by the taxi. Good times.
• It doesn't take itself too seriously- yes, it is a fair bit cheesy and that's usually not my vibe but it manages a nice combination of cheesy and comical, which as Hubster pointed out- a lot of Christmas films can fail to get that mix right. 
• It's heartwarming. I'm really quite cynical and sarcastic in general but the scenes with Santa and Central Park pretty much get me every time. You'd have to be fairly miserable not to have left that cinema last night with a smile on your face. 
• There's lots of great lines: "This place reminds me of Santa's workshop! Except that it smells of mushrooms and everyone looks like they want to hurt me", "You sit on a throne of lies!!", "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear", "I'm sorry I ruined your lives and crammed 11 cookies into the VCR", "I just like to smile, smiling's my favourite", "Santa's coming?? I KNOW HIM!!" and my personal favourite, which I said to my sister in law upon answering the phone this morning: "Hello, Buddy the Elf, what's your favourite colour?".

If you haven't seen Elf yet, you honestly have to make it your business to do so and bonus- it's child friendly so fun for all the family! Any other Elf lovers out there (that sounds really weird) or do you think there's a better contender for best Christmas movie? :)

December Empties

'Tis that time again- empties! Here's what I've gotten through in the past month (don't judge me!!):

Cutex Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover

Not the most exciting item but I said I'd pop it in anyway as it's something we all use. I seem to always buy this as I think it'll be better for my nails and then find that it takes an age to get any kind of polish off..next time I'm buying the regular one (except that I've already started a new bottle of this one again..sigh).

Lush Hair Doctor

I loved this stuff- a hair and scalp mask that works and smells really refreshing at the same time. HERE'S a full review on it.
Kerastase Resistance Conditioner

I'm also almost at the end of the matching shampoo to this as well. This one supposedly "reinforces and resurfaces damaged lengths and ends". Not 100% sure it does all that but it smells nice and is a reasonably good conditioner. I most likely won't get this again though, I've since bought a much more recession-friendly-priced Pantene conditioner that seems to be doing the job nicely.

Armani Designer Lift Foundation in 2

This was also my first time buying this and I have repurchased since finishing this bottle. I really like this foundation; it's perfectly suited for my dry skin, doesn't cause break outs, has an SPF of 20 and has a really nice medium coverage that doesn't look too heavy but equally covers all my skin sins! You really can't go wrong with Armani.
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

This was my first time buying this but I love it. Believe the hype! This is really reasonably priced and works as well if not better than a lot of high end concealers I've tried. I've already repurchased this and am half way through the new tube!

Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream

I picked this up in Macy's in Chicago a couple of years ago and have only made it to the end of it now..is that because I didn't want to finish it cause I love it so much? Yes, yes it is. This stuff is divine. Probably not everyones cup of tea scent-wise as it is quite strong but I LOVE ginger so this is perfect for me. Apart from the amazing smell, the texture is really light so it absorbs into the skin really easily and quickly and is a brilliant moisturiser. I'll definitely be buying this again.
Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream

I actually ended up not finishing this completely- there's a small amount left but it's out of date so I decided not to chance it. I'm not really sure about this one- I didn't really feel like it was doing anything for my under-eye area and regular use of it didn't seem to make any difference. Maybe that's because the cream itself is too heavy for my skin but either way I won't be getting this again, nor would I recommend it.

Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser
I love Liz Earle, as I have previously mentioned, oh about a million times.  I really like this moisturiser (I get the one for dry/sensitive skin) and have repurchased it several times but I'm not sure it's heavy enough for my Winter skin so I'm using up my Lancome Hydra Zen at the minute. Having said that, I will be going back to Liz Earle in the future! I've spoken about it previously in more depth HERE. 
Blistex Intensive Moisturiser This is a lovely product- definitely moisturising and smells all minty and delicious, it's definitely helped my dry lips. I have since acquired a new tube but only because it came free with something else..having said that I probably would've bought it again anyway. One word of warning though- it does tend to add an attractive white hue to the lips so I only use mine going to bed. 

So that's the lot! Anyone tried of any of these products? If so, what did you think?