My Top 6 Beauty Favourites:

I am over the moon that I have at last found the Chanel nail varnish I have been coveting: Blue Rebel #553 part of the Jean collection...and the colour does NOT disappoint:

When I was last in Terminal 5, I was accosted by a young eastern European sales girl at the Benefit counter...did I snub her and go about my business ? No...I let down my guard one minute ,as I was fumbling to find the piece of paper on which I had earmarked the product I wanted. She was in my space and face, so to way lay her I said:
"Erm...eyebrows". And like a heat seeking missile she reached out and plucked out the product before I could say "Hey Presto!".


" Browzings "- a brow shaping kit complete with 2 mini brushes and  tweezers is absolutely fabulous and the perfect kit to define your eyebrows and to fill in the overplucked spaces. It comes in 2 shades: dark for me and works like a charm on your face. There is a coloured wax that you apply with the angled brush to draw the line and then the powder that goes over it with the flat brush. Easy peasy...I have very dark and defined eyebrows and for once the colour was perfect and my eyebrows did not come out looking like Joan Crawford's. 


The "Speed Brow" gel  quick sets it all , making the stragglers lay down in submission...even that stubborn one that stands to attention like a tv antenna.


 I was weakened by her magical fingers and the way my brows looked that I broke down and bought the "Pore-fessional" pore minimiser balm that goes on as soft as a baby's bottom and  comes with a perfect little concealer: "Erase Paste". 

The "Hello Flawless"is an oil free foundation and was a freebie. I don't tend to use much foundation  in general,least of all in the summer...I either end up looking like I am wearing kabuki makeup or part of the Adams family. So I use it in moderation and under strict supervision . 

I did buy one other product: the" Clinique even better dark spot corrector". Yes.... just like in their ad with the 2 eggs,one with dark patches and the other without...I was hoping the cream would erase the dark/age spots on my nose and face from sun exposure...ain't happening yet.


Hope does spring eternal though....watch this space.

GLEE - Full Performance of "Somebody That I Used To Know" airing TUE 4/10

Boy am I glad I came across this version of Gotye's song "Somebody..." by the wonderful Glee cast. Once again their rendition has given a much heard song a great spin and this clip is compelling viewing. Who would not want to stare at the gorgeous Matt Bomer formely from "White Collar"?...Ladies,he has come out of the closet, so pine no longer...and let our gay buddies take over from where we have left off.
Watching Gotye's body being painted from his hairy toes up has been anything but attractive viewing...Watch this instead,the song really comes to life: I actually paid attention to the words!
Amazing!

Touch...Pause...Engage : Harrods and lunch at the Fish Counter.

Don’t you just love Harrods? It is as familiar to us as our own homes and has been a welcoming haven since our childhood. It has also been the preferred meeting place for us and our dear and cherished friend O:

“Where shall we meet O?”

“The Harrods bookstore...?” he would ask knowing full well our reply. Whenever we felt like messing with a good thing, we would try to find an alternative to our tried and trusted stomping ground:

“Shall we meet some place else today?” I tentatively ask trying to sound convincing.

“Okay ...” O would compliantly reply.

“How about Harvey Nicks for a change?”...I suggest, hopeful.

“Okay...” replies O non committal. 

“So ...on which floor ...?”I persist.

“On the second floor...at the Harrods bookstore!” he would reply sarcastically.

                                          

                                              Good Cod!:

The Fish counter at Harrods is a great place for lunch, as are all the other counters for that matter, we have tried them all. On this particular day, my sister, her husband and I just came off a flight to London and we were absolutely starving. We managed to get stools as soon as we got there and we quickly ordered some food. My brother in law asked for steamed cod and vegetables, while my sister and I ordered fried scampi and fries. We were sipping our wine while hungrily eyeing everybody else’s food when the waiter popped up wearing rubber gloves and brandishing a large cod fillet... that he proceeded to drag  across the counter towards my BiL (brother in law)with gusto...as though presenting him with a fur pelt:

“Is this to your liking sir?....”

“Yes, yes yes...”replied my BiL...wanting to put an end to this unnecessary public display of potential infection. He absolutely loathes anything that involves public scrutiny almost as much as Madonna loathes... Hydrangeas!

A split second later, a young woman wearing a gaudy Rolex watch the size of a newborns head...you know the kind with diamond bezel, diamond face and leopard print so tacky that no one in his right mind would buy except... her sugga daddy. She settled beside me and was asked by the same waiter what she would like to eat...she dutifully replied: cod. Lo and behold...the gloves were back on and the cod was dragged out for an encore .The question on our lips: Was it the same piece?

                                         

                                  “I ask you nice...for some F’rice!”

Back at the Harrods fish counter, give or take a month after the cod incident. My sister and I having eaten a very satisfactory meal once again: the chowder was heaven (served in a scooped out bread bowl...yum!) were entertained by the goings on around us.There was an American lady from New Orleans sitting next to my sister  (we know this because the 2 other American ladies sitting next to her got chatting). The waiter came to remove her meal and asked her whether she wanted anything else:

“Could I have some f’rice please?”

“No problem Madame, but it will take 20mns....” She nodded and the order was placed.

We thought that it was a little long for fries but maybe the cook was being meticulous.

“Here we are Madame..Sorry about the wait” said the waiter as he placed a bowl of steaming rice in front of her.

The lady looked down puzzled and  then back up again into the face of the beaming waiter :“ I asked for f’rice?... Not rice!"

We looked from lady to waiter and saw him wearing the same look of puzzlement until his "Aha" moment visibly changed his demeanour:
 “I am so sorry Madame... I haven’t been feeling very well...” he gushed pressing his hands to his ears for emphasis. “Would you like me to get you some fries?”

“No that’s fine. Just the check please.”

Time ticked on. The waiter popped up again:”Is everything ok Madame?”

“I asked you for the check...?”

And the hands went up again; to indicate the presence of left over symptoms of the malaise that was holding him back from understanding a solitary word she said.

To Lunch or not to Lunch... on Mother's day.

London: Sunday 18th March, after 2.00pm



We were starving and schlepping big and getting progressively heavier shopping bags from Oxford Street to Park lane on a mission to find a restaurant that would have us at this late-ish hour.

The Connaught Hotel was about to set up for tea...Tea! I tell you...While the patrons were still cutting into their steaks.So we trotted up the gorgeous Mount Street, lined to the left and to the right with the most prestigious and luxury boutiques, hoping to find some joy at Scott’s. What we found were wall to wall people, boisterous laughing, many kids and no table. Dejected and blind with hunger we continued our search. The bags were now no longer held but unceremoniously dragged up South Audley Street. What was seen as fun and some much needed retail therapy quickly became a burden as our back and arms ached. With my sister in the lead and my mind sipping wine in my happy place, we soldiered on towards Wolfgang Puck's Cut restaurant at the new: 45 Park Lane Hotel.

We walked in: people peppered to the left and right, obviously waiting while we strode up bold as brass to ask for a table.
“Please wait here” said a smiling woman at the desk, “the hostess will be right with you.”

While we waited, I was given the once over from an elderly Middle Eastern woman sitting with her family having lunch. I stared back...she withdrew her gaze. I may have been dehydrated but I could still return daggers to the grouchy tiger.
We had time to take in the people, the many kids and the cheesy vocals from the live singer somewhere within the hidden depths of the restaurant: “I love you just the way you arrrreee...”

Oh! Crap...Mother’s day. We not only forgot, we hadn’t given it any thought.
The hostess wove her way towards us: “Good afternoon Ladies! What can I do for you?" Fake cheer, ugly shoes.


“We would like a table for two please...”


That was when she could have redeemed herself, but she made that fatal mistake: she looked down at our shopping bags, gave them the once over and made her decision on the spot: Le cheapo Sunday shopper. She obviously didn’t get a good look at our handbags...


“Let me go and see” she chirped facetiously.


She came back and the gig was up, we were dismissed with a perfunctory: “Sorry ladies, we have no more tables available.”

Nice to know that Aldo, Uniqlo, Gap and the ultimate in cheap Primark could not get us a more congenial attitude. She tried foolishly to give us an alternative: “Why don’t you go upstairs to the bar...they serve snacks!” And would that bar be plunged in darkness by any chance?


“Snacks???” replied my sister with a voice that could freeze water.


She quickly got the message and retreated back into the cheese fest going on behind her.

Head held high and our shopping bags now swinging with renewed vigour, we removed ourselves and our frowned upon shopping to greener, richer pastures: Bar Boulud at The Mandarin Oriental.
I can't recommend this establishment enough,the food is fantastic, the service is not only professional but impeccable ,the patrons are cool and no one gives anyone the once over let alone your shopping.


Lesson of the day: I am worth more than my shopping...actually my sister’s handbag is.
Lesson no.2: He who shops on the High street ...also shops at Prada.

Ed Sheeran - Drunk (Official Video)

The fantastic, award winning dulcet tones of Ed Sheeran. This is his latest release...I am loving his songs.
So...It's the Weekend!...Let's get Drunk...on life and love and whatever tickles your fancy.
TGIF! Everybody....

Cotelac Spring/Summer Catalogue 2012

Have a quick gander at Cotelac's Spring/Summer 2012 collection for men and women.There is something for everyone and I have made my selection:

I tried this lovely dress on and it is a contender....a wisp of a thing that needs that extra something to give it POW! This leather jacket does so in spades but for summer...? Impossible. The  jacket is gorgeous though...food for thought.

Now this sleeveless leather jacket is also very tempting but!... it sizes small and made me look like a grown woman wearing children's clothes...so that is a definite No.

This is the Acote Line from Cotelac; a little less expensive but still sharp and on trend,like these trousers.

Easy, breezy...like a summer breeze.

Now to finish things off with the wise words from worldly wise man:

Bring out your Crocs!...it is time to plant some potato's....

Crazy, Sexy , Cool :Anna Dello Russo

Courtesy of Grazia magazine.

The wacky fashion world of the lovely and fearless Anna Dello Russo.

During Fashion week in Milan she went from  demure Smurfette, to  razzle dazzle Statue of Liberty and for her finale: Mrs Darth Vader...."Luuuuke...I am your mo-therrr."

Everyday is Halloween for this fashion queen...No Guts, No Glory!