Oriental Blush - Water decal nails

I saw these stunning nail decals on the British Beauty Blogger website about a month a ago and I knew I had to have them straight away!

They are commonly labelled as 'geisha' nails, but some very knowledgeable folk have commented that they are in fact Chinese peach fairies. Whatever these beautiful, ethereal creatures are, they make for a stunning manicure and I've blurred the label by calling them 'Oriental Blush', I think that sums up the look really.

Peach fairy nails!

Nail decals are like transfers, you cut them to size from the sheet, soak them in a little water for a few seconds and then slide them over your (previously painted) nails. I chose a pale French manicure pink as my base for a soft, fairytale vibe. This is two coats of L'Oreal Marie Antoinette underneath the decals. After applying the decal I used a generous layer of topcoat to seal in the design. I'm happy to report that this has been one of my longest lasting manicures.... over a week of wear!

For some reason I couldn't get a crystal clear shot of the peach fairies, but if you go to the Hail the Nails website you can see them displayed perfectly and you can pick some up for yourselves while you're there!

I loved the peach fairies so much I picked up two sheets of them and I also got the Pink and Peach English Rose Flowers decals. Such a great little site!

I'm itching to try these over black, do you think it will work? 

Pandora loves Autumn

It's been a long time since I really wrote about the things I love and actually love what I wrote....

I began this blog almost two years ago as an outlet for my creative writing and more recently I find myself merely 'reporting' in the briefest way possible, leaving aside any real expression that might interfere or, most likely, be ignored. After all, most people check out beauty blogs nowadays for reviews and swatches, not for literary satisfaction. And why shouldn't they? Why should we part with our hard-earned cash for products that just aren't worth it. We're savvy and we know it.

Anyway, I digress as usual.... Today I'm going to indulge myself thinking about all the things that make me feel warm inside when it's cold outside, both beauty-wise and otherwise.

First up.... CANDLES!

I love them. I love the subtle light they create, and the way they instantly change the atmosphere in a room with a flicker. Scented candles are even better, but they have to be good quality ones. I've had some very disappointing candles in the past and there is definitely a correlation between price and quality. My current favourites are by Yankee Candle. Perhaps not the most luxurious of packaging it has to be said, but there is a cute homeliness about the jar candles and once they're lit and the lights turned down low it doesn't really matter anyhow.

When I come in from the cold there is nothing more reassuring than lighting a few candles and making some tea before snuggling up on the couch.

Yankee Candles in Chamomile Tea & Blissful Autumn

The two I have burning at the moment are Autumn Bliss, (a sweet, fruity and mellow tempered with spice and a stronger hit of pear) and Chamomile Tea (the most comforting, wrapped-in-a-blanket smell, and quite literally chamomile tea with a dash of honey). I burn them simultaneously if I'm feeling indulgent and they complement each other beautifully. The quality of Yankee candles is absolutely superb. A medium sized jar (410g) has between 65-90 hours burn time and the wax burns down evenly for the most part. The scent is as strong at the end of the candle as it is at the beginning.

Medium jars retail for about £16.99 each on the official Yankee Candle website. 

Next up....RICHLY COLOURED NAILS!

This year I'm really spoilt for choice when it comes to adorning my nails. I have some beautiful metallics (which go with most things but really seem to set off knitwear beautifully) such as Estee Lauder Molten Lava and Chanel Peridot, and some more unusual offerings like Estee Lauder Black Turquoise .

Estee Lauder Molten Lava

I especially love the feeling of pulling out my purse (which happens far too often according to Mr P) and flashing my jewel-toned dark nails at cash registers. Don't ask me why, but it makes me happy...

Next.... and a strange one.... PALE SKIN!

I love to embrace being pale in the winter and eschewing bronzer for a richer toned blusher and just-bitten lips. I love the idea of having alabaster skin, although to be honest I tend to go more sallow than anything else... still it's the idea I love and that inspires me to go more gothic with hair and make-up. I love the feeling of fragility that paleness gives me.... please don't get me wrong here, I don't mean consumptive heroine, and I certainly don't love feeling ill, I mean more like a delicate 'winter fairy', if there's such a thing (and I'm sure there is) :)

Anyway moving swiftly on..... BLACK!

Nothing literary here, it makes me look thin, ok? And I've been wearing a lot of it recently and loving the sleekness that comes with a mostly black ensemble. A well-cut black coat is every girl's best friend as are a nice firm pair of black treggings (trouser-leggings, don't you know?). I love colour, truly I do, but this autumn in particular I've been loving embracing the dark side....

Next.... CASSEROLES, STEWS AND BAKING!

See why I need the black? Cold weather means hearty food and is there anything more comforting than finding a casserole in the oven when you come in from the cold and freshly-baked muffins for those icy weekend mornings?

My vanilla caraway muffins - the ultimate breakfast treat

I can't tell you how much I'd love to find a casserole magically made for me when I get home. Perhaps the winter fairy will provide it, it's probably more likely than coming home to find Mr P in an apron chopping onions....

I hope you've enjoyed the randomness of this post.... I'd love to hear what you're loving at the moment!