Saturday, June 6, 2009

What I'm reading now...


I re-read the Harry Potter series every few months or so, its the perfect series for a day-dreamer like me. Favourite characters include Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Fred and George Weasley and Dumbledore.

Favourite Quotes

Albus Dumbledore

"- yet sadly, accidental rudeness occurs alarmingly often. Best to say nothing at all, my dear man." 

"What happened down in the dungeons between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret, so naturally the whole school knows."

"By all means continue destroying my possessions. I daresay I have too many."

"Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and above all, those who live without love."

"And now Harry, let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure."

"Tell me one last thing," said Harry. "Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"
"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"


Fred and George Weasley

"You haven't got a letter on yours," George observed. "I suppose she thinks you don't forget your name. But we're not stupid - we know we're called Gred and Forge."

"You're a prefect? Oh Ronnie! That's everyone in the family!" (Molly Weasley)
"What are Fred and I? Next door neighbours?"

"Hello, Harry," said George, beaming at him. "We thought we heard your dulcet tones."



What I soon will be reading...



As a lover of Chanel how can I go past a biography of Mademoiselle?

I'm waiting for...




The first book details 18th and 19th century fashion, while the second book covers fashions from the 20th century. Apparently they're filled with pictures - can't wait!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Beauty

I love reading what other people do for themselves in terms of beauty/skin care, so I thought I'd compile my own list. 

Cetaphil Cleanser
I truly love this cleanser, as a person with extremely sensitive skin it really is a lifesaver. I also use it to take makeup off, with a washcloth. To be honest, I don't see the point on spending a lot of money on a product which stays on your skin for about 30 seconds before you wash it off. I just want something that will clean my skin and not irritate it. 

I also make myself up a scrub with Cetaphil and bi-carb soda once a week.


Clinique City Block Sheer SPF 25
If I had to choose one product out of all the ones I use, it would be sunscreen. I live in Australia where our ozone layer is practically non-existent, and there's no way I'm getting premature wrinkles or cancer if I can help it. Plus I'm as pale as a glass of milk - damned impractical Eastern-European complexion! Definitely not the type of skin to expose to the sun for lengthy periods.

The Clinique one I put on when I'm working inside, and the Invisible Zinc when I know I'll be outdoors.

Invisible Zinc SPF 30

In my opinion, you can't go past these two sunscreens. I have tried many, and they have made me look completely oily-faced and ridiculous. You can put make-up right on top of these (give them a few minutes to absorb) and you won't look like you've been sweltering in the kitchen. 


Clinique Continuous Rescue Anti-Oxidant Moisturizer
I confess... I never used to put much faith in moisturizers. Seeing as I always wear sunscreen, I didn't see the need of adding more moisture to my face during the day, and at night I'd slap on whatever was at hand. But now I'm addicted to this, worth saving up for I think. My skin is no longer dry and doesn't get irritated when I put it on - rare indeed! 




Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse
Clinique Super Balanced Makeup
Ah foundation, necessary yet extremely difficult it seems to find the right shade! I use a mixture of the two above, but with a tinted sunscreen I don't put a lot on.  

Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner
Throw out your eye pencils - if you want a strong line that will last the day look no further! I use it in True Black, nothing beats it. Nothing!
Clinique High-Impact Mascara
Mascara was another product I didn't spend too much time thinking about, but this one doesn't clump and is easy to take off - an absolute necessity! Two coats and an eyelash curler are all you need.



I don't actually wear a lot of eyeshadow, if I go out I'll use a bright purple pigment from Inglot, but day-to-day I find the strong eyeliner and black mascara combination enough. But a golden shade from the MAC counter called Goldmine has interested me.. I'm thinking of applying it both on my upper and lower lid and finished with eyeliner. Hopefully won't look to over the top for daywear.


Lucas' Papaw Ointment
I never go anywhere without this and always have it on - nothing moisturizes my lips as well. 


Chanel Rouge Allure
I am not a fan of lipgloss. Oh I've tried and tried, but I can't get over the greasiness and the fact that a sip from a glass of water makes it necessary to reapply it. I much much prefer a lipstick - the stain, the surge of colour! I think its far far sexier and intriguing to put on lipstick with a small compact mirror than a gloss. Plus, my boy is not a fan of kissing me when I have gloss on, so I feel I can generalise and say the majority of boys will feel the same way about the stickiness factor hehe!

I do have the Chanel in No. 58 Audace, which is a bright, cool red, but am looking to buy a different, more natural-toned colour. Red lipstick does have its time and place, so my new mission is find a shade I can wear everyday, that looks similar to my natural lip colour but with a bit more 'kick'. So I will be hunting through the MAC, Clinique and of course Chanel counters to find it!



Currently, I'm using a Clinique Colour Surge Lipstick in Dreamy Pink that I've nearly finished. I've had it for such a long time that (according to clinique.com.au) its been discontinued, and the packaging has changed from pale green to silver as seen below. 



Tweezerman Tweezers 
Best tweezers in the world! Well worth the $49.95 I paid for them. Of course, mine are baby pink ;) 

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I love....

Christian Dior Spring 2009 RTW
I would happily wear this outfit - I love the pussy bow blouse, the leopard belt, the skirt, the shoes... would probably take off the hat as I'm not and never will be (sadly) a hat person, but the rest is gorgeous!



Chanel Fall 2009 RTW

The classic Chanel suit. I have always looked and coveted Chanel's suits, and hopefully one day, when I'm better paid than I am now, I will actually be able to afford one! A girl can dream...





The Amazing Blair Waldorf
Favourite character from my favourite show. I probably couldn't pull off the shorts and red tights look, but I love love the sailor dress from Season 1. Hopefully with my new found sewing skills I can soon make my own version. I also love her ballet flats - all of them - and can't believe how hard it is to find a pair good quality, leather ballet flats! I've found many cheap, over-embellished, and some down right ugly pairs, so the search continues.