Super Easy Easter Nails

Easter is upon us, can you believe it? Any excuse for me to have a little go at some free hand nail designs.

These designs are pretty generic so I can't really take credit (though the Chinchilla like bunnehs are my own). Dots are courtesy of dotting tools from the lovely Karen's Birthday gift to me. So Yay, Karen!

Fancy a closer look?

As you can see, they're really simple to do and even simpler to recreate on your own pingies. Dots can be made using dotting tools, hair clips or toothpicks and the Easter egg design and more delicate areas are done using a toothpick too. Here's the colours I used but any pastels should do the trick nicely:

While I had said dotting tools out, though, I did try one more look, it might be a little easier to wear, it reminds me of the Easter ribbon D'Mammy used to buy D'Sister & I to plait our hairs up into Easter baskets (we were Rapunzels)

I've got to admit I'm a little taken by the pastels and that's coming from a notorious magpie! 

Have you tried any Spring time/Easter manis?

Revlon Lip Butters - My Picks

The world and his Uncle have heard all about these new lip butters on the market, right? Manys the Beauty Blogger that clutched her bosom in anticipation of them crossing the pond and I was right there with them.

Although all shades didn't make the trip, the gorgeous Adrienne from The Sunday Girl has helpfully swatched every one that did. By the by, if you don't follow Adrienne already, hop to it - her photos are some of the quirkiest, well thought out pics that I've yet to see online and are always a joy to behold. Check out her individual posts on the lip butters to see what I mean. 

Anywho, finding myself in Boots (happy accident) I spotted that they have a 3 for 2 on at the minute on these babies. They're €11.42 each, so €22.84 for 3 is not to be sniffed at. Wanna see my picks?

These are honestly the only shades I was really drawn to, despite fearing for my poor purse following Adrienne's swatch fest. They're a mix between a lipstick and a balm and, while I like them, I have to admit I'm a little dissapointed. I thought they'd be softer, more moisturising but no such luck. The colour pay off is great for what is essentially a lip balm but they're just not doing it for me. While they are buttery and comfortable on your kisser, the colour seems to clump slightly, which gives an uneven finish and bleeds easily from the lips. 

Lollipop is a bright Summer pink, Peach Parfait (my favourite) is a light peach with gold shimmer throughout & Candy Apple should really be called Candy Orange, it's a bright corally orange with red undertones.

Now all is not lost, they are fairly decent as daytime shades to pop in your purse. I did only buy 3 and won't be purchasing any more from this line but if the popularity of Revlon Lip Butters is anything to go by we can expect to see the formula reworked and improved several times over by other brands looking to cash in on its success. (Avon's Shine Attract or L'Oreal Caresse Sheer, anyone?)


What do we think? Have you picked up one or three yet?

Chocomania from The Body Shop

Whether you're cutting back on chocolate, have eaten your egg already (like me) or are looking for an alternative Easter gift, The Body Shop Ireland has you covered. To say this range is delectable is an understatement.

I was more than thrilled to receive a *ahem* taster of the range last week and when I say it was almost inhaled, I'm not exaggerating. Both boys were immediately smitten too, so much so that the poor tub of Body Butter was almost decimated in the five minutes it took me to read the Press Release!

You'd think as Blogger's sons they'd realise the sanctity of a 'before' photo. Philistines! 

Containing 13 Community Fair Trade ingredients, synonymous with the Body Shop, this Butter (€18.95) is, by far, my new favourite. (Knocking Mango off the top spot). It promises 48 hours of hydration. I'm not sure about 48 but using this before bed, the heavenly scent and velvety feel was still about following work at 6pm the next evening. I'm not sure how many times I had to explain to colleagues why I was sniffing my own arms though. (weirdo)

I did have initial reservations about the scent, The Body Shop were responsible for such olfactory crimes as Dewberry and Fuzzy Peach back in the day but this is scrumptious. Not so much chocolate as cocoa,vanilla, buttery cream and toffee. Seriously, go sniff it. I've been so taken with it that I've ordered the scrub and shower gel to match.

The Gals over on Beaut.ie ran a piece on this range yesterday, which took into account the high pricing we face in Ireland for Body Shop goodies in comparison to other countries. It's well worth checking out if you're considering making a purchase. Personally, it doesn't stop me buying but it does make me reconsider where I buy.

Have you tried any of this range yet? Tempted?

ps.. have you eaten your egg already? Tell the truth and shame the divil..

EDIT: Psst the scrubs and butters are 2 for €30 in The Body Shop at the mo!

Monday's Moments - 02/04

Happy Monday, everyone, how was your weekend? Mine was all kinds of FAB, but more on that later. To the Moments!

1. The Awesomest Gift, like, Ever!

On Thursday night I had the great pleasure of heading out for drinkie poos with some of the funniest, most successful Bloggers I know. It helps that they're loons, it really does. Anywho, one of my firm favourites (ooh er) Karen arrived with a little gift pour moi (it was my Bday a little while back). I'm fairly sure the entire Market Bar jumped an inch with the howls of laughter.

Behold, the gift of gifts! Images of Moi and the delectable Rideface. Karen had searched my FB pics (in a todally stalkerish yet acceptable way) and shopped us into coupledom. Aren't. They. Feckin'. EPIC?! They now adorn our fridge and mean that I take at least 6 more minutes getting anything from inside. Le wistful sigh.

2. D'Apprentice. 

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I can remember when we were kids, every now and again we'd take a figary and decide to have a toy sale. Lugging every Raggedy Ann, Suzi Skates and wooly headed Barbie to our name down to the front wall, sure in the knowledge that the kids of the neighbourhood would lap this stuff up and we'd be rich beyond our wildest dreams. Invariably that ended with being sent back to Karrie's house to buy back our scaldy Barbie for 10 pence because it was a present. Sake.

That's why, when passing a lemonade and toy stand manned by 6 and 7 year old little girls on the Navan Rd last week, I was transported back in time. Both sisters laughing and joking and undoubtedly planning what to spend their millions on. Just don't tell the 'rents what you sell, girls. That's where we went wrong. BuzzKillingtons. 

3. On the Road Again...

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This past weekend has to have been one of the best in a long time. D'Sister, D'Mammy and I hopped in the car and headed to Ennis for a Spa weekend (a different and equally fabulous BDay pressie). 

Highlights include luxuriating in the Spa, the Cliffs of Moher in gale force wind, Lehinch beach in baltic conditions, Lisdoonvarna with the tumbleweeds and lunacy and finally the crazy, crazy locals in Ennis. The Sis and I headed out on Friday night to take in the sights (& the drinks). I can now report, with full certainty, that chat up lines haven't quite reached Co Clare. Ranging from 'You're Garrrgeous' to 'I would eat your hair, I'd eat your glasses and I'd eat you' (I kid you not). I've returned with several more adjectives to add to my CV to describe me. Madness aside, there's nothing quite like getting out of Dodge for a couple of days. Was just what the Doctor ordered. (The Psychiatrist will be thrilled too)

4. Septic Peg!

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I don't normally go in for Horoscope hocus pocus or star sign shenanigans. Yeah, sometimes 

people can display stereotypical characteristics that correspond with their star sign but our personalities have so many facets it's hard not to be spot on some of the time, right?

I do read horoscopes occasionally for kicks but for the past couple of months have been reading the Metro Herald page more and more closely. Septic Peg over there has been right on the money for Moi, every single day. Eerily close to reality. Thursday's hit the nail on the head again and made me realise as much. I'm beginning to wonder if there might be something to 'em, that and considering calling her up for lotto numbers.

5. And the Tax Came Back...the Very Next Day..

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And last but nowhere in the vicinity of least. A cheeky little windfall courtesy of Revenue (Well courtesy of ME in a roundabout way) fell into my lap this week. I decided to order a Balancing Statement when going through my medical bills and lo and behold, the scoundrels have been over charging me for a while.

It makes crippling tax slightly more bearable (for a day or so) when something like this happens. I did consider blowing the lot and that was a very enjoyable 15 seconds, I must say. With teenage hounds in the house the only logical decision is a new shower. I may never see the inside of it with these two auditioning for Flock of Seagulls every morning but one can but try.


How about you, pretties? Got anything to share? 

Do you hold much sway with horoscopes... or mad country men?

Cherry Pick of The Week - The Shins - Simple Song

It was the cult (& personal) favourite movie, Garden State, that first had me loving The Shins. Everything they produce is effortlessly cool.

Simple Song is no different. Loving this tune and this vidjo right now. Press play & enjoy!