Gorgeous to Go - Get on it!

I've often quoted and consistently admired the gawjus gurus over at Beaut.ie that are the McDermott sisters. Their site has been an inspiration to the nation for 5 years now, not only that but it is a warm & welcoming Blathering community that acts as an online daily meetup for Beauties all round the world.

So imagine the chuffage to hear that Aisling is due to release her second beauty bible imminently! (14th October)

Gorgeous to Go offers tried and tested recommendations, insider tips and make up secrets. As an A5, perfect mála size and purse friendly dinky price at €12.99 this buke has a serious look of stocking filler (not to mention self gift!). Don't say you weren't informed, folks.

For those of you within doable distance of Dublin this Saturday there is a treat in store. The Girls are holding a fabulous launch in BT Grafton St at 2pm and these Pretties know how to do a party!

Fabulous buke, fabulouser people and the possibility of a goody bag? How could you not jump at the chance? Throw an oul email to the girls if you're interested in attending & I might just see ye there!

Pic & vid courtesy of Beaut.ie

Feeling Handsy?

I'm a fiend for mah nails, we all know this yes? If not check out that Nails tab above y'all!

Although I like to keep my talons short for work (snoresville) they're fairly kick ass for strength & are easily growable.

I put this down, for the most part, to a top from the Mamito to always use hand cream & massage the base of your nails. If you do this when your watching TV or before your mani I guarantee you will see the difference in a week or two. I'm not talking Worried Granny level of wringing hands but just when you think of it. Keep a tube in your desk, by the pc, pop one in your mála. Within hands reach (geddit?)

To that end I have 3 favourites when it comes to hand cream loveliness:

Fleur Chérie from L' Occitane is enriched with grape seed oil and shea butter, it has a heady perfume that's not to everyone's taste but I loves it. This is my desk essential, it soaks in quickly and leaves your skin beautifully scented. This 30ml is €12.99 from L'Occitane in Dundrum (& countless other outlets). Well worth the price. The staff in the Dundrum shop are so helpful, apart from opening night when i asked the SA how to properly pronounce the name: 'Lo-K-Ih-Tan-Ye' says she, 'Look it up on the 'You-Tubey'. 

I'm a big fan of Sally Hansen and her nailish wisdom. This citrussy scented delight I picked up for €7.99 in Boots. It has pride of place in my nail tote (yes I have a tote). It smooths cuticles and nourishes your hands beautifully. It has been my number one for quite some time and has meant that I've not needed a cuticle oil for months now. If your hands are slightly rough or you suffer from dry cuticles this is almost miraculous. Get on it. 

Other naily favourites, prepare to be blown out of the uisce! Roger & Gallet have released THE most divine hand cream I've used so far. You don't need much more than Mange Tout, Rodders, Mange Tout understanding of the language to get that Créme Sublime Bois D'Orange is a sublime, creamy, orange scented delight. As an oil & water emulsion is glides on beautifully, scents the skin delicately and is only malliable long enough to allow massage of the nail beds before you skin drinks every drop in. Can't blame you skin.

Belying its €9 price tag, this is a beautiful addition to your nail care ritual or indeed a thoughtful treat for the ladies in your life. I know my momma will be getting one. Sssh.

What do you use for your mitts then? Anything?

Point of order Ceann Comhairle:
Créme Sublime was sent from the ever lovely Paula, 
the brand's Irish PR Rep. That in no way detracts from its fabulousness, K? *strokes hands Monty Burns style*

Monday's Moments - 03/10

For shame for another late installment but had a good excuse this week, he's featured in number 5!!

My week has been full of ups this time round so there were hard decisions to make but here we are:

1. Family Night Out - Kerpoww!

Arriving back to office last week I was greeted with this cryptic post it (cryptic post its are my fave kind) One look at it my instant thought was:

Turns out Batman was the lovely Darragh from Yay.ie with tickets for the Batman Live show in the O2 that night! Not only did he give me two tickets but had heard about the blog so gave us 3. We had the most enjoyable family night out that we've had in yonks. And we have some doozies. Unexpected awesomeness? Awesome.

2. Evil, Hilarious Genius

Jus' chillin' waitin' on Mary

You know I'm a fan of snorty laughter, right? This week I heard something so funny I still get a shaky, smiley head thinking about it.

Discussing with a work pal how I *may* have moved house in the Sims before, without y'know bringing my children with me... Wha?! It's a game & they were brats! She made the funniest revelation I've yet to hear about her son. When he tired of his Sim wife he waited till she was asleep & SOLD THE STAIRS & waited for the inevitable conclusion! Bahahaha, how evil a genius do you have to be to even think of that?

I won't name names (or call the ISPCC) but you know who you are! Raising hilarious kids? You're doing it right.

3. Oh Hai!

Friday night was spent with some of the loveliest Gals I've had the good fortune to meet through the Blogosphere. It was the Beaut.ie Jane Eyre & Jinkies meet up that turned into Crazy, Stupid Love & pitcher after pitcher of cocktails meet up.

We had a seriously good night. My one moment in all of it? Realising that some people (that make you laugh every day) are actually warmer, funnier & downright crazier in real life. Now that rocks. 

4. To ELLE with it!

No, that doesn't spell what you think it spells...

My laaahvely Sis in Law on her recent trip home brought me a torn article from ELLE where they are searching for new writers. The topic was 'An event that has shaped your life'.

Having thought about it for quite a while I decided I'd bite the bullet and enter. My submission is a letter to 19 year old me (aprés Gorgebags being born) to advise myself of things that have happened and that have yet to.

It may not be what they're looking for but I've genuinely never found an exercise as cathartic as that. Its made me take stock of the amazing journey we've made, shown me how different our lives are now & given me huge enthusiasm for the road ahead. Highly recommended y'all.

5. All Hail the Newest Egg!

Look at those cheeks!

Finally, the little pink bundle of joy that has delayed my Monday's Moments. How selfish? Folks, please meet Cillian Stone, my newest & squishiest nephew, born to my wonderful Sis & her hubby tonight.

I couldn't be prouder of her, seriously, I was in charge of her 3 little 'uns today & I need a valium. I have no notion how she does it. She is a Mammy Supreme with boundless energy and the biggest heart I know. Of course there's room for one more little hoglet.

Congrats Sis, once again you've knocked it out of the park xx


Granted unless you're reading this from the States, Hi if you are *waves*, it'll be Toosdy before you see this. But do please let me know what's great in your world this week?

Cherry Pick of The Week - Florence & The Machine - Shake it Out

This weeks pick is a twofer as I genuinely can't choose between the two!

Florence is one of my all time favourite artists, had the opportunity to see her live at Belsonic last year in Belfast. What an experience. Her live performance is haunting, beautiful and second to none. Highly, highly recommended.

Second pick is a variation on the above - genius remixed by Benny Benassi for those days that nothing but a screamer of a track will do:

I love 'em equally, counting the days till album release here in casa Cherry!

Crazy, Stupid Love - Review

Who's in it? 

Steve Carrell, Ryan Rideface, Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei

What's it about?  

Crazy, Stupid Love sees Cal (Carell) a 40 something guy who's done everything 'right'. Meeting the love of his life at 15 and settling down. After 25 years of marriage he's shocked to the core at her admission to adultery & request for divorce. Cal is thrust head first back into single life, sipping girly drinks through a girly straw in a swanky bar. Jacob (Rideface), as the coolest wingman ever, decides to take pity on him, to help him regain his mojo.

Any Good? 

This film is witty, engaging and refreshingly down to earth. Coming from the makers of Bad Santa and in a year of gross out, foul mouth comedy it achieves laugh out loud, snorty hilarity without resorting to filth or bad language. Original, eh?

I'm a big fan of Steve Carell, he plays the hapless moper effortlessly but with an endearing charm that makes you root for him every single time. Even as his conquests start to mount up you still feel for him and his broken heart.

Ryan Rideface as Jacob is suave, handsome and cool, his on screen presence much like a young Clooney or what a young Clooney aspired to be. Cal reminds him of someone close and during a hilarious makeover montage we see him work his magic on not only Cal but every female that crosses his radar. Until Hannah, 'She's a game changer'. There is a cheesy nod to Dirty Dancing that had every female in the audience swooning, I swooned enough for the males & I don't even like feckin' Dirty Dancing!

                                              

The entire film is well paced and charming enough to have you genuinely feel for every character and their miss placed, sometimes cringe inducing, always hilarious affections. The creators manage to throw in one or two surprises that lead to the most farcical and possibly funniest 10 minutes of movie time I've seen. The entire cinema LoL'd continuously. (I snorted, uncontrollably, it wasn't attractive).  

This is right up there with Drive for me for surprisingly good movies this year, yes they have a common denominator but it wasn't just the Gosling factor. I swear. 

Soz, couldn't help it. 

Get yourself to see this one folks, well worth the trip. 

Rating?