All I want for Christmas is an artist

Ok, we would all love to see a Celine bag with a Sydney Evan's love ring and a pair of studded Louboutins under the Christmas tree.
But wait a second. Press rewind and think for a moment.
Wouldn't it be nice to give - or get - something unique, that someone actually dreamt about and then put into shape?
I mean, as much as I love Tim Burton's version of Willy Wonka, I find the first one more delicate, sweet and romantic, don't you?
And the idea of an artist sitting on a chair doing what she - or he - does best feels as delicate, and  somehow very appropriate and thoughtful in these difficult times.
I chose three artists between millions, simply because I know them, envy their hands of gold and know they deserve much more than what they might already have.
(And, if you ask me, all of these creations would fit a Celine bag perfectly. Just saying.)

Think different, choose uniqueness.

Illustration by Michela Buttignol (link!)

pillow, beaded Peter Pan collar and make up bag by Down the Rabbit Hole - for info please contact me

everything by Ramina Lab (link!)
 

Wine, anyone?

Are you searching for something cheap to spice up your walls, or maybe just for a good excuse to buy another bottle of wine?
I might have the answer!
I happen to like my glass of red, or at least I did before I got pregnant. Now I can only dream of it, so I thought I could at least find a use for all those empty boxes!

don't mind me, I am just a beauty junkie

Here in Bruxelles you can ask for them in almost every supermarket, for free.
Give it a go, wine lovers!

Autumn so far

Autumn is lovely, everybody knows it. The house smells of freshly baked cakes, candles and clementines, the trees dress to impress and you can finally dig out your favourite hat.

Halloween

Blooming

 

 

 

 You can also dress up like a princess, 'cos there are too many witches around, already.

And then there's the make up - Oh, God bless autumnal make up!
Who said you have to love burgundy shades? I don't. In fact, I go the opposite way. Delicate petals, that's what I like, and I dived into it!

Face:
Burberry Sheer Foundation n. 4
Illamasqua Skin Base n. 3

Cheeks:
MAC Pro Sculpting Cream in coffee walnut
Revlon Powder Blush in Sandalwood Beige
NARS Cream Blush in Penny Lane

Eyes:
Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in Pale Barley

Lips:
Revlon Lipgloss in peach petal
Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in soft nude
Burberry Lip Mist in nude honey

Summer Favourites!

Ah, it is nice to be back!
Long time no see, had quite huge changes in my life recently, but I thought it was time to get back on track, and what's easier than a tag?
Well, then.
These have been my items of choice for this hot hot summer of 2012, which I spent between Italy and Belgium, as per usual, with lovely offspring, boyfriend, mamma and friends.
Almost time for boots and scarfs, now.. But before the smell of sweet watermelon leaves us for a year, let's wave goodbye to a season's companions!
(Smile, ladies, smile)

Via dei Matti, Bruxelles.
Bag: Mulberry
Dress: an oldie but a goodie from Zara
sandals: from a market in Rimini

book: to every Peter Pan fan, please read it, it is a heart warmer!
hair product: Frizz Ease styling spray by John Frida
nail polish: Chanel June
bronzer: Chanel 537 Bronze Corail
blush: Clarins Instant Light blush
ring: YSL
foundation: LAura Mercier mineral powder in real sand
mascara: L'Oreal Telescopic
eyeshadow: Laura Mercier metallic creme eye colour in Alloy
perfume: Narciso Rodriguez For Her
lipstick: Chanel Rouge Allure extrait de gloss n. 56

All that jazz

me: Zara knit top, Chanellesque hair band - handmade by me - Arcancil nail polish, a few indian rings from a time in which I had to share the beach with cows
face: Illamasqua skin base foundation + Bourjois healty mix serum foundation,
Dior Rosy Glow blush
eyes: Rimmel eyebrow pencil, L'Oreal Telescopic mascara
lips: Chanel Rouge Allure extrait de gloss n.56

the jazz

her: shirt from Somewhere (ah, yes, that belly hides a secret)
Ray-Ban glasses, indian chocker, Sinful Colors nail polish
mug: from a vacation in the south of France

I wish it was the sixties, I wish I could be happy

Imagine an afternoon, two friends and a mezzanine. 

Add some sun, a love for Dior and two mini ladies.

There you have it, the perfect Thursday.

shirt: H&M
(studs from ebay)
golden collier: vintage Dior
trousers: Lollipop
nail polish: Arcancil
bed sheets: Ikea

face: Illamasqua Skin Base n.3 + Bourjois healty mix foundation n.52
Benefit Hoola bronzer
Clarins Eclat Minute Blush n.1
eyes: Clinique lid smoothie cream eye shadow in Bit o' Honey
L'Oreal Telescopic
lips: Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream

friends

Back to basics

All this neon is making me dizzy.
Let's go back to black and white.

white T: H&M
bag: Chanel

boyfriend jeans: Mango

shoes: Uterque
sunglasses: Ray-Ban
collier: Zara

Soundtrack (link!) by Stillekesoen

Matchy matchy - that's me

from left to right:
Clarins Instant Light blush in Coral Tonic - THE most natural blush I've ever come across
Dior Coleur eye gloss n.750
Hema nail polish n. 02
Nars cream blush in Penny Lane - the second most natural blush I've ever come across!
Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 02

shirt: New Look

blazer: Zara

Kiss my socks

Because, if they do it on catwalks, we can do it too.

white T: H&M
skirt: Sandro Ferrone
socks: H&M
platforms: Uterque
pendant and pearls: Gioielleria Burnazzi

face: Laura Mercier mineral foundation in Real Sand
Dior Rosy Glow
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant on the lips and cheekbones
eyes: Dior couleur eye gloss in Sunset
L'Oreal Telescopic mascara
 

I'm your Doll

paper dolls and dresses with magnets: Down the Rabbit Hole

carpet: Ikea

silk dress: d.cln

dress by Manoush

cache coeur: vintage

Make it one for my baby, and one more for the road

from left to right
shoes: Max&Co
sleeveless shirt and pleated leather skirt: h&m
white T: h&m
pleated chiffon skirt: Cote a Cote
oxford shoes: Bruno Giuli

handmade wool carpet: from some unforgotten people from Bhutan

And the song which started it all: link to good old Frank

Go Mineral

Make a wish. Mine was - amongst others - to let my skin blossom with the spring flowers, as if I was 17 and we had a real spring in Belgium.

Ready? Blow!

I found the way: mineral foundation by Laura Mercier, because being 34 is like being 17 twice, after all. Who would have thought a bit of sand-like powder would make me so proud!

left: Laura Mercier mineral foundation in real sand
right: Laura Mercier foundation primer - mineral

17, twice
and some other stuff
earrings: Gioielleria Burnazzi
scarf: h&m

There's a whole mineral world out there to discover, and if it is as good as what I've already tried, a whole lotta love is on its way.

Find it, try it, love it, make it yours.

Forgive me Father, for I don't pluck my brows

But repenting is not an option.

from the top:

Luci. where inside and outside meet to create fireworks;

Fede, or when you say effortlessly beautiful and you mean it;

and me. What's the opposite of effortless, effortful?

Things you can do on a sunny day

This is the first ever video, that we did together a while ago.
Hope you enjoy.


Some infos, before I leave you:

coat: from a vintage shop in Madrid, on my way to the airport
bag: vintage
hat: Accessorize
boots: Gori
ring: h&m
sunglasses: Ray Ban
shot by Maria Nosel

Forget Me Not

clockwise:
Promod, some italian brand impossible to read,
Via Maestra, Ash, Moschino Cheap and Chic,
Lei&Lei, Bloch

from left to right:
Uterque, Repetto,
San Crispino

Say Forever

ME
dress: Missoni
bag: Chanel 22.5
lips: YSL crème de blush n.1

HER
dress: DKNY
cardigan: Monsoon
shoes: Kickers

FACE
foundation: Chanel Vitalumiere B20
bronzer: Benefit Hoola
blush: YSL crème de blush n.1
earrings: art deco, gold and turquoise
hairband: Hema

Blush is served

Blush is your friend: it cheers you up when you're down, it is patient, it does not ask much, it -usually-understands when it's gone too far and, unlike men, you're sure you'll find the right one for you.
Personally, I opted for a Harem, and as it usually happens I do have my favourites:

from left to right:
NYX cream blush in Rose Petal: quite pigmented, gotta have a light hand to have a natural cheek Feel free to exagerate, I do it all the time.
YSL crème de blush n.1: my first cream blush ever, and a very well loved one. Cream to powder, it is peach in a box, if you ask me.
CLARINS instant light blush in Vitamin Pink 01: just bought it, and love the colour.. For when you feel Barbie inside, and want the outside to match.
MAC cremeblend blush in Something Special: very pigmented, and perfect for the "I've been running in Jane Austen's back garden" look. Who doesn't love that?
KIKO water blush in Mandarin Fizz 02: super natural, for the "barely there" look.
MAX FACTOR miracle touch cream blush in Soft Pink: even Lisa Eldridge uses it. Do I need to add more?
NARS cream blush in Penny Lane (and what a cool name, might I add): it makes me think of a brunch with Clemence Posey and Gwyneth Paltrow.
DANIEL SANDLER watercolour blush in Spicy: just like the KIKO one, extremely natural, since it is water based. Does need a good shake, and then it's perfection.
e.l.f. powder blush in Candid Coral: cheap and best, as they say in India. Slightly shimmery, and perfect with a tan - I'm guessing, here.
BOURJOIS powder blush in Rose: not very pigmented and with a subtle shine. Elegantly shy, I'd say.
CHANEL poudre soleil 4 lumières in Bronze Coral: the best 50 euros I spent last spring.

Any suggestions? My Harem's door is open! 

Gone hunting

Because when you see a vintage market you can't say no, can you?
Well, I can't.
It is the possibility of touching, of feeling the object that I like the most, which is something that's becoming more and more rare.
So, I dug as Lazarus would have and went away pretty satisfied.

A welcome party in the jewellery case
(jewellery case by Zara home)

the guests

vintage clip earrings from the late 50's, and me striking a pose

 Excuse my face, which is a horrendous disaster.
Thank God this winter is almost over!

vintage clip earrings from the 40's, and my hand

For those who love a bit of Nick Cave, and for those who did not get the Lazarus joke: Dig, Lazarus, Dig! Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Kisses and Thimbles

There are stories that, sometimes, stop being a creation of your fantasy and become real.
For example, many many many years ago I started telling people that, as a child, I would leave my window open at night, so that Peter Pan could come and take me with him.
I should probably ask my sister, who was the one sleeping by the window, but I doubt it is true. Nonetheless, my love for Peter was - is - very true indeed, and I can't express how happy I am about seeing his collar everywhere.
In fact, I happen to have found his trousers too, which I promptly bought, together with said collar, made of silver beads on a shirt, and another shirt full of flowers and ruches, 'cos I thought it would be perfect for Neverland.
Once home, I opened the window and sat waiting, wondering if he finally decided it was time to grow up.
Apparently he did.

flower shirt: Zara
green leather trousers: Zara

flower shirt: Zara
Peter Pan collar shirt: Zara

"You may be sure Mrs. Darling examined the shadow carefully, but it was quite the ordinary kind."
Peter Pan, Chapter 2, The Shadow.

When your legs are not ready for spring, you must be persuasive with your face

Because, let's be honest, my legs are always unprepared to show themselves in public. I even bought myself an exercise bike, but it turned out to be just another one night stand. You know, no strings attached, that sort of thing.
This - and the fact that the belgian winter had turned my skin into a hopeless disaster - made me go slightly Caudalie crazy, the other day.
Caudalie is a french brand that uses mostly natural ingredients, that respect the environment and are biodegradable. All their products are parabens free, and combine Nature and "luxurious textures inspired by the vine", in their own words (link!)
Ok, back to my shopping. This is the result:

From left to right:
Vinosource Crème Sorbet Desalterante. It is the first Caudalie product I ever tried, and one of the few that is not only tolerated, but loved by my impossible skin. I have forgotten to say that it is always a real quest to find a moisturizer that pleases and calms it. The fact that I repurchased this particular one says a lot.
Pulpe Vitaminée Yeux et Levres. First time I try it, and so far so good. Can't really say all my lines have disappeared, but I am hoping it will help dissuading new ones to join the party. I'd like to keep it quite exclusive, y'know. Contact lens wearers friendly.
Vinosource Riche. I was gifted this, a nice way of thanking me for spending a fortune, I thought. I basically use it at night, or when I am in desperate need of some moisture, like when I forget to drink water for more that 16 hours. Must have been a camel in a previous life.
Vinoperfect Serum Eclat Anti Taches. Ok, this is the result of my addiction to Lisa Eldridge. I saw her using it in one of her video and decided that, if she liked it, so would I. And I was not wrong. Plus, serums feel luxurious, and it's nice to have something special to treat yourself with before going to bed.

Voilà, I might not be as persuasive as good old Lisa, but I'd definitely give it a go, if I were you!