Happy 2011!

Happy new year! Can you believe it's 2011? I hope you all had a great holiday.

I had so much champagne, I'm addicted - ok, so this isn't much of a surprise but I tried blanc de blancs champagne for the first time and fell in love! 100% chardonnay (made with one grape, not with the usual three) and it is so light and refreshing. I will be trying all blanc de blancs that I can get my hands on! At the top of my list is this one by Ruinart...

We entertained a lot in our new home. I was very pleased that we got to use our new fine bone china - yes, I have spent the last two months buying plates! I never thought it could be fun but I've discovered that I can get quite excited about this. I have yet to buy these (for soup / pasta): they cost about 50 EUR / 45 GBP / 70 USD each (ouch!) and I need at least eight...

I also cooked quite a bit and it went well, thank goodness! There is always something nerve-wracking about cooking for guests... what if it goes wrong?! But when it's a success, it is very satisfying. I've decided I want to cook more, so I am looking forward to working my way through the new Jamie Oliver cookbook, 30-Minute Meals! Love the layout, it makes sense to me! Here is a random example.

Oh, I found a brand new NARS blush (deep throat) that I'd bought back in September! Still in its packaging and completely untouched. I think this is the ultimate proof that I have too much make-up...

And how many of you are thinking of dieting / detoxing? I've already bought my new fitness DVD (not yet opened. Soon, I swear).

Daily make-up

Before the move, I put a few make-up essentials in a bag and packed everything else away. My make-up drawers don't have a proper home yet (they are in my wardrobe!) and I'm too tired these days to be that creative... so I've just been using these products... for an entire month (I'm shocked, this never happens)!

Face:

NARS Sheer Glow foundation in Stromboli

NARS Laguna bronzer

NARS Penny Lane cream blush - Very pleased with this! Adds a subtle flush. But doesn't always last all day.

NARS Orgasm blush - I sometimes apply this over the cream blush.

Eyes:

NARS Rajasthan eyeshadow duo - I still love this! Good thing I got a back-up! 
MAC Technakohl liner in Graphblack or
Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof in black - Fantastic eyeliner, doesn't budge, I have multiple back-ups of this!
MAC Zoom Lash mascara in black or
Chanel Inimitable Intense mascara in black

Lips:

MAC Patisserie (lustre lipstick) with
MAC Love Nectar (lustreglass lipgloss) - Peachy pink with some golden shimmer. Comes with a brush wand, which I like best. My favourite combination of MAC lip products.

L to R: Patisserie, Love Nectar, both together

Nails:
Chanel Rose Confidentiel (491) - I knew I wasn't going to have the time to look after my nails during the move so I stuck to a neutral dusty rose colour. 

NARS sheer glow packaging

What's up with this weird packaging? Honestly, NARS could do so much better than this. Like with any liquid foundation you are supposed to put the lid back on tightly. But not too tight? Because if you do, it looks like this.

And they don't sell the pump, either (only online).

Otherwise, yes, it's a nice foundation but I find this rather annoying! How important is packaging to you?

NARS fall collection 2010

There were two products that I (desperately) wanted from the newest NARS collection and here they are!

The real must was the eyeshadow duo in Rajasthan. I adore the light golden-bronze colour (they call it "glazed almond") on the left. It has some shimmer but no glitter. It's gorgeous. And for the crease or as an eyeliner, the charcoal / navy-peacock blue colour is just right. A perfect duo! I'm afraid the swatch does not do it any justice.

* * *

Blush in Douceur. I love the way they've described it: "A soft pink-brown hue imparts a honeyed brown kiss of innocence on cheeks." Kiss of innocence? Yes, please! For some people it is probably more of a contour product, though.

I swatched Douceur (left, heavily) along with Madly and Orgasm, the only other powder blushes I have from NARS. It was a nice try but I don't think the colours swatched too well. 

 Douceur, Madly, Orgasm

What's on your NARS wishlist? 

Blush collection...

This is probably uninteresting but I thought I would show you my blush collection. I know, I have too many. I actually have more (from Bobbi Brown, NARS, Shu Uemura) in palettes but I didn't include them here.*

MAC mineralize blushes

Other MAC blushes

MAC beauty/highlight powders

MAC mineralize skinfinish powders

 Bobbi Brown blushes

Other blushes (Benefit, Chanel, NARS, Paul and Joe)

* The terrible truth: I forgot - I can't keep track! 

Have a wonderful weekend! I'm going away for a couple of days - I'll tell you about it when I get back!