Need inspiration? Hello Europe!

So who watched the Eurovision Song Contest? A bit of history for you: this annual singing competition started back in 1956 and has launched several big careers - ABBA won in 1974 (with 'Waterloo') and Céline Dion in 1988.

This year, 39 countries participated. They use a rather loose definition of 'Europe' - included are Russia and Azerbaijan, for example - but who cares about the politics?!

I never used to watch this - tacky! embarrassing! - and never admitted to it if I did, but I thought Norway did a great job of hosting this year's contest. And the participants were um... inspiring!

Does your guy want a bold, new look? Go for a blonde fringe - Serbia shows you how!

Look to Turkey for your next party: blinding lights and Stars Wars fashion.

Want to know how to wear this summer's blue eye make-up? Look no further, Moldova has the answer!

So that's where Lara Croft from Tomb Raider has been hanging out! In Armenia and she now sings, too.

There were also serious performers. I quite like it when they sing in their own language but most of them choose English. And this bit is embarrassing: my husband voted! As in, he actually called, and not just once but three times! (for Albania)

I don't know how they organised these but they showed huge crowds in European cities doing choreographed dances together. (Think Austin Powers.) We just thought: all this fun, excitement and joy across Europe, it's so much better than killing each other in pointless wars!

The winner was Germany: sweet 19-year old Lena with the song 'Satellite'. She was a nobody before Eurovision! And now she's a star! 

Did you watch it? What was your favourite song? Did you vote?! 

Scrub your lips with Lush

Mad about Lush? Nah... been there, done that. I went through a Lush phase about two years ago and tried the bath bombs (or whatever they're called), the soaps, the massage bars, the hair products, the foot cream... you name it, all the bestsellers. I tried them for a few weeks, then gave everything away to friends. I don't like their packaging and the smells are sometimes too overpowering. Lush is not really my thing.

But never say never. I recently read about the new Mint Julips Lip Scrub. Now, I don't usually need to exfoliate my lips but the past few weeks they've not been as soft as I like them to be... so I thought I would give this a try.

Because it is a sugar scrub, and I am paranoid of having ants and other sugar-loving creepy-crawlies in the house, for my first try I stood at the kitchen sink and applied a tiny bit (you really don't need much) to my lips. I have since given it a home in the bathroom so I can scrub away in the bath or after I've washed my face in the morning or at night.

And what can I say? Wow! It's an exfoliator all right, the bits are big enough that you can really 'scrub' your lips with them. The sugar dissolves after about 20 seconds of rubbing. At this point, I'm not sure if other people lick the rest off?... but I rinse my lips with water. It leaves an oily film behind - that's the peppermint oil. The fragrance is quite nice (I'm sure many would say delicious), it reminds me of After Eight mints.

There was a pleasant tingling sensation for about three minutes after scrubbing. To finish, apply the Baume de Rose lip balm by Terry and voilà, perfect lips. Amazing scrub!

This is much better than the only other lip scrub product that I own - a limited edition thing from MAC, called Prep and Prime Microfine Lip Refinisher, that is half scrub, half lip balm. Nice idea but the black bits don't dissolve and it's not as creamy as the Lush one.

What is your favourite lip scrub?

SATC2 Premieres in London with Hair Extensions, Hats and an Homage

It's baaaaaccck.

Staying true to her SATC London premiere look from 2008, Sarah Jessica Parker wowed the Brits with yet another Alexander McQueen frock topped with a stunner of a Philip Treacy, ummm, hat I suppose you would call it.

While the look she sported in 2008 fell on the wrong side of 'ridiculous' in my opinion, this choice I have to admit is wonderfully whimsical. Perhaps because it's paired with her diamond-studded arm-band homage to the deceased Alexander McQueen, whose untimely death will surely cause a vacuum of envelope pushing in the fashion world (he is the designer responsible for everything Lady Gaga wears to wow these days).



The other leading ladies - probably used to being upstaged at this juncture - didn't disappoint with a stunning Kristin Davis in vintage Norman Norell from Decades and simple diamond studs:


Kim Katrall in vintage Thierry Mugler accessorized with a great Fred Leighton brooch at the waist and that classic Hollywood hair she seems to love of late.


And Cynthia Nixon in teal Narciso Rodriguez with gorgeous vintage diamond teardrop earrings that are hidden by those unfortunate hair extensions (ladies, you're not fooling anyone).



So I'm dying to know if you agree with me. Do you love or hate the SJP hat choice? What do you think of the other looks? Again, Kristin Davis does not disappoint, but I have to give this one to the scene stealer. Thoughts?

Blog award!

Who wants to talk awards?! I'm very pleased that I have received another blog award - this is my second one. I have a lot of friends and readers to thank, and I shall start with... Mr Pineapple Man, who gave me this bright orange sunshine award! Thank you! I'm not sure it really goes with my pink and white blog background but I'm proud to display it nonetheless!

I'm so happy that my blog is off to such a good start. It's proving to be a lot of fun. Every day I can look forward to beauty, inspiration, pictures of deliciousness, product reviews... from all over the world! The best part is... the dialogue, the interaction with all of you. I'm grateful to all my lovely followers who read and comment regularly - I love to hear from you!

The rules are:
1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Pass the award on to 12 bloggers.
3. Link to the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and the link to the person from whom you received this award.

I am passing this award on to these lovely followers first (rest will follow... some other time):

exPress-o
Lipstick Rules
Loveaudrey
The Alternative Wife
The Zhush

Congratulations!

Brides just want to have fun!

I just adore this trend of matching a pair of beautiful heels with your wedding dress, but I am a shoe girl! So just in case  you need a reasons to buy a pair of jaw dropping stunning bridal shoes...

Reason 1: Match your wedding day colours. The new trend is to match that gorgeous red or purple palette that you picked out for your wedding day. Plus, have something that ties you to your bridesmaids. While they are wearing red dresses, wear your red bridal shoes. If you’ve chosen a beautiful light blue colour, then match that colour with a pair of light blue wedding shoes. Or if your dress has a bow or ribbon that is a different color, think about buying shoes to match.

                                            http://www.plvstudio.com/

Reason 2: Make this your something sexy, new, or just your something blue. Are you still having trouble finding blue underwear or a blue garter to use as your "something blue?" Well, blue shoes will be just perfect for that. Those Tiffany blue wedding shoes will make you look different from other brides, but still look fantastic and hopelessly elegant.

http://www.christianlouboutin.com/

Reason 3: Do you want to make your outfit a little sexy, but wearing white just doesn't cut it? Why not try some sexy red heels to show off to your new husband after the wedding? Or, choose a pair of purple shoes that are just perfect to change up your look. Your husband will love that he can peek under your dress and see your shoes and you will love showing them off to him!

http://www.ninewest.com/

Reason 4: Buying red, blue, green, pink or purple shoes means that you will definitely be able to wear these shoes again. White wedding shoes are really hard to wear a second time. It is hard to match white with lots of things, but blue, red, green, pink and purple go easily with many different outfits! For the holidays, you will find yourself wearing these shoes under your best holiday dresses. When you go out and celebrate your anniversary, you’ll be able to wear those red bridal shoes and remind your husband of your wedding day. When you want to go out for a night on the town, those purple bridal shoes will be perfect to dress up any outfit.

http://www.manoloblahnik.com/

Reason 5: They are just more fun and interesting! These days, designers are making a lot of different coloured shoes. The white shoes are simple and elegant, but the red shoes are a lot more dramatic. Designers choose the colours to match their design and when they want something bold, they will choose a bold colour. Stand out and allow yourself to explore something different!

                                            http://www.christianlouboutin.com/

Reason 6: Shoes in a different colour are really fun. If you are considering these shoes, you know how fun it is to wear them. When you are wearing a pair of fabulous blue heels, you know that you feel more fun. You just want to kick them up and show them off. So, choose those blue bridal shoes you’ve been envying or those red wedding shoes that you really want and have fun on your wedding day!

http://www.jimmychoo.com/

Short wedding dresses

www.pronovias.com

2010 / 2011 short wedding dresses are voguish in every manner thereby pleasing the number of brides for a wide variety of reasons. It can range from the very obvious convenience to the wedding dress cost. Whatever may be the reason the result is the ever increasing fondness of the short wedding dress styles. To your delight there are number of wedding gown designers who have dedicated an entire line of bridal dresses to it.

Yes you are reading correctly. For instance Alfred angelo is having an exclusive section assigned to it. The line is better called as little white dress that can be counted on to have chic bridal wear. On the other hand leading bridal fashion house i.e. Pronovias too has numerous wedding outfits in the same pattern in one of their 2011 bridal collections titled as city collection.

http://www.peterlangner.com/home.aspx

Short wedding gowns have their own numerous plus features that have been motivating the brides to go for it. The upper hands associated with it are:


A Cost-Effective Alternative


The wedding costs are increasing by leaps and bounds. Thus no wonders numerous times we notice bride-to-be looking for numerous do it yourself wedding ideas. Hence in such a period what can be a better option than the modish short wedding dresses? The price tag of the wedding attire remains low on account of lesser use of wedding dress fabric plus lesser detailing. So perfect if are you are a bride on a budget!

www.pronovias.com

Makes Walking On The Wedding Aisle Convenient


Although walking on the wedding aisle is itself is a kind of big examination when a woman is all set to begin her new life with new dreams and aspirations. The nervousness and puzzlements remain in her heart but she is anticipated to walk with a smile on her face. Any kind of women wear just can’t give you comfort level that can make you feel like walking on a bed of roses.


Yet in contrast to long wedding dresses you certainly will be in a better position with a short wedding dress. As in such a case you will not have to bother about the wedding dress trains getting muddy or catching fire if your aisle is decorated with candles in a row on the sides.

http://www.oscardelarenta.com/?folderId=/collections/bridal/

Appropriate For Eleventh Hour, Traveling with your gown and out door weddings


With the increasing trend of getting married in outdoor wedding ceremonies and the obvious difficulties of traveling with your grown to Italy calling for your attention, add the temperature and climatic conditions, the humid etc thereby encouraging for brides to select one of 2010/ 2011 short wedding dresses as the perfect elegant wedding attire for their wedding in Italy.

http://www.marchesa.com/

Short Wedding Dress Styles Lets You Dance Luxuriously


The significance of first wedding dance need not be emphasized by us. After it is the time when the bride goes through inner conflict in the sense that she should either feel ecstatic for the forthcoming life or feel sad about the fact she has to leave her family. Whichever feeling dominates the fact is that she is anticipated to dance luxuriously.

But is that so simple in the floor kissing wedding gowns? Of course not dear so here comes the short dresses for weddings to your assistance thereby letting you do rock n roll pleasantly.

http://www.johanna-hehir.com/

Lets You Show Off Your Designer Wedding Shoes

Whether it is Vera Wang wedding dresses or Melissa Sweet bridal collection the dresses from the collections are all preferred by affluent brides all over the world.  But one of the big trends are fabulous shoes that you can wear again and again making them a popular indulgence for brides with all levels of budgets! And if you are going for one of the designer wedding shoes and investing in a pair of shoes of a lifetime, then obviously you will want to draw guests’ attention to them! So herein again the short wedding gowns are what deserve your contemplation.

www.christianlouboutin.com

After taking a look at the different advantages associated with it, it is high time that you also get well versed with differing styles found in the same kind of wedding outfits. In case you are really confused to go for which wedding dress fashion then dear it is none other than the tea length wedding dress. It can be looked at to have the ever mesmeric bridal demeanor. Apart from this it also shows off less flesh hence even ideal for formal wedding ceremony to garden ones.


However in this situation you must have attention calling worthy legs then you can take a look at various knee length bridal dresses. Mini wedding dresses too can be taken into account if you have some really good pair of legs plus pounds of confidence as you are very likely to notice several raised eyebrows.

http://www.monsoon.co.uk/

In nutshell 2010 / 2011 short wedding dresses come in a far-ranging variety of lengths, fabrics, neckline and detailing. All you are required to do is to figure out style that flatters you exceptionally well.

Wedding dress trends for 2011

www.verawangonweddings.com

2011 might seem like a long way off, but bridal gown designers are already hard at work creating the beautiful styles which brides next year will all be coveting. Set to debut in a few months, the first crop of 2011 gowns are embellished with many dimensional details, lots of hand stitched crystals, and large floral appliqués. Take a sneak peek into the romantic style of the latest wedding gown trends.

www.pronovias.com

For the last few seasons, ruffles have been one of the biggest ways that designers have chosen to add volume and visual interest to their gowns. The bridal gowns which are set to debut soon move away from the ruffle trend, but not from the idea of using embellishments to add volume and femininity. Instead of ruffles, look for gowns with hundreds of tiny three dimensional flowers stitched all over them. Soft petals are another favourite decoration for the romantic gowns for 2011. Oversized clusters of flower "corsages" are another big trend, and they are primarily being used as accents on waistlines or shoulders.

http://www.christosbridal.com

One thing you will not be seeing is a lot of plain dresses or those with simple lines although I personally think they are stunning. Asymmetry is still in, both in the form of the one shoulder gown and wedding dresses with asymmetrical draping on the bodice. Very low waistlines are in abundance, and most bodices have gathered, or draped bodices which hug the figure (the wrapped fabric does a nice job of smoothing over any figure flaws in these tight bodices). Certainly strapless bridal gowns are still a staple, and the one shoulder style is still in style. A new addition to the necklines for 2011 wedding gowns is the tip of the shoulder design which is very slim at the top and just barely grazes the edge of the bride's shoulder. It is a very flattering neckline for many women, and a nice alternative to the more typical strapless wedding dress.

www.carolinaherrera.com

With all the romanticism evident in the upcoming gowns for 2011, don't worry that all the petals and flowers mean less sparkle. You will be seeing Swarovski crystals stitched into the centre of tiny floral appliqués, as well as larger crystals used to embellish the entire gown, from neck to hem. The difference is in the way the sparkly details are being used: more organically and in clear crystal, rather than the icy silver of mirror backed crystals or rhinestones used to create a defined pattern. This will tie in beautifully with the Swarovski crystal bracelets which are one of the top trends for both 2010 and 2011 brides. Stacks of mismatched Swarovski crystal and pearl bracelets are a modern finishing touch for the romantic gown designs.

www.christosbridal.com

It seems as though all of the bridal designers will be crazy for texture in 2011. Not only will gowns soon be gliding down the runway embellished with floral appliqués and oversized crystals, but designers are using even more interesting accents to create gowns with dimension. Look for multiple sizes of palettes’ being used to create a shimmery, faceted appearance on gowns. (Palettes’ are essentially larger and nicer versions of sequins, and they are often drilled at the top instead of the centre so they can dangle and move.) Even feathers are making a statement as a trendy bridal gown embellishment. These fantastical details are being added to very soft and romantic fabrics like net, lace, and organza to create gowns which are like something out of a fairy tale. Lucky brides!

http://www.angelsanchezusa.com/

Glow with sun protection

I hope everyone uses sunscreen when they're outside. As nice as the sun feels on our skin, it can do serious long-term damage. I don't want (premature) wrinkles. I definitely do not want skin cancer.

SPF 15 is obviously not enough for serious sunbathing but I like to think it's fine for my kind of weekends. My favourite is Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Sun Supreme for Body.

"Special ingredients help guard against the appearance of sun spots and other visible signs of sun damage--even helping prevent patchiness. Sun Supreme formulas allow a natural tan that's incredibly even-toned, golden and radiant."

It is very smooth and has a light, pleasant fragrance. I like it because it contains tiny golden particles that reflect the sunlight, making the skin 'glow'!

For my face I'm currently using Sun Supreme SPF 15. I've only just opened it but I bought it last summer (it's my second jar). It looks like there is a newer one on the market now with SPF 30 - even better, I say, because I use this as a daytime moisturiser only in summer.

Golden sparkles!

I also have the Sun Supreme Rescue Serum but I'm not really convinced it's necessary. (Tell me if you are!)

When it comes to skincare I do like to use Estée Lauder products and I think the Sun Supreme series is one of the best and certainly one of the most interesting.

What are your favourite summer skincare products?

'Sex And The City 2' Premieres in Style

High fashion, diamond jewelry, Liza Minnelli - three of my favorite things lit up Radio City Music Hall last night to celebrate the debut of Sex And The City 2. And while rumor has it the fashion in the film is a bit disappointing (don't quote me - haven't seen it yet), the fab four of the female franchise all rocked the red carpet in style.


Let's start with SJP - a vision in bright yellow Valentino, newly blonde locks and a sun-kissed look that screams, "I'm a big star".


She is a fan of the layered diamond bracelet (see her 2010 Oscar ensemble for more), and used the look here since the dress's neckline didn't support a statement piece.


I kindof love the yellow flow here - it's a surprise without being annoying (like that controversial flower hat contraption she wore to the London premiere of the first movie. No, SJ. We haven't forgotten.)


Kim Catrall channeled old Hollywood glam in a metallic Naeem Khan gown with elegant diamond drop earrings and a diamond bracelet to match.


Cynthia Nixon kept things simple in a strapless black Carolina Herrera frock with a bejeweled leaf embellishment and black and white diamond drop earrings.


And my personal favorite - this Audrey Hepburn-esque vision in pink - Kristin Davis in a vintage Jean Desses dress from the 1950s made current by some diamond Fred Leighton drop earrings. Yay.




Who was your favorite of the foursome? Are you a 'Carrie'? A 'Miranda'? A 'Charlotte'? Or a 'Samantha'? Weigh in!