Rain On My Parade

It came as a complete shock to me when 2 nights ago, to coin a phrase 'the heavens opened' and (large) droplets of wet fell out of the sky. Literally one minute dry and 0.5 seconds later....down-pour!

Surprisingly unprepared for this sudden change in the 'sunny' Algarve's weather front...I mean I did come from Ireland after all, where rain is not a stranger to any of us in the land of luscious greenness! But having re-located to a part of the world, where let’s face it...we don't get much of it, and I have become un-accustomed to it on Portugal’s 'Riviera'.

Well, it's going to last for a day or two...gray skies, clouds, and if I am to believe my iWeather app, it should actually be raining as I write. Not quite a chilly spell but nevertheless I have to be practical and always adorable. Time to assemble my rainy-day kit!

1. Umbrella/guarde-chuva

2. Appropriate footwear & necessary accessories/calçados apropriado

3. Raincoat & hat/impermeável e chapéu

 4. A spare....just in case it should suddenly brighten up

5. Shades, fabulous necklace, and a cute little belted number, just because........

Anyone care to join me for um café?

 xo

Friday Fashionista.....Blake Lively

An unlikely choice some might say, but I wanted to be a little less obvious in my Friday series. From  street-style casual to all out glamfab, this Gossip Girl has got it going on, with the odd cover shoot thrown in for good measure!

Miss Lively (aka Mrs Reynolds)....take it away!

Ex-ooh, ex-ooh!

Essie.....Yes(ie) Please!

Essie family: Top (l to r): Chocolate Kisses, Braziliant. Bottom: (l to r): Power Clutch, St Barts Blue)

As much as I had wanted to try them all (at the same time....lol). I made a bold leap and went with 'Power Clutch'on fingers and toes (ring fingers in pink and 'ring' toes in illuminous yellow).

A deep gray-green that goes with EVERYTHING and in category 'on-trend' this Essie nail polish is well-pigmented, gives good coverage, and really 'pops' on the second coat (3 if you include the base coat). A smaller brush that I'm used to but it didn't bleed into the cuticles (you do have to have the know-how for 'verniz' application) and with a good top-coat will last you more than a week......less housework and more chilling out with a glass of bubbly by the pool should do it, I think. However, I do have 3 more to try and my eye on a zillion more of their fab colors....is it wrong to want to change your nail color every week?

Follow this step-by-step guide for the perfect nail polish application

I'm giving Power Clutch (BeautyBoutique.ie price €9.95) a full 10 out of 10 and I'm going to throw in extra marks for the 'less is more' on Essie's packaging too. 

All the above polishes plus many more shades can be found on www.beautyboutique.ie where prices start at €5,95

Next weeks 'tried & tested' polish will be Essie Chocolate Kisses....I am swooning with anticipation.

xo

Rememberance, Reflection...And to Never Forget

No more words to say what has already been said..... it still strikes a cord with us all and feels as sad today as it did all those years ago. To ALL the INNOCENT lives that have been lost as a result of this catastrophic event...................

Beauty This Good......

Needs its own boutique. I'll cut straight to the chase: Ireland's Beauty Boutique set up by good friend and mom-trepreneur Ciara Ui Mhurchu nee Lawless, has literally been like a god-send. Fast approaching its first birthday this online beauty destination is making waves as big as those seen here on the west coast of the Algarve, and  I had the pleasure of receiving my first (and most definitely not my last) order this week. Yes, beauties shipping has gone international! And Christmas has come early.

No longer does ANYONE who knows me need ponder in fear about what to get me for my Crimbo stocking ever again...or indeed where to go to get it........the answer is at the end of a www.beautyboutique.ie click!

Dedicated to continually sourcing 'the best of the best' beauty products (so people like me do not have to), BeautyBoutique is doing what it does best by carefully chosing the niche beauty 'must-haves', familiar favorites and on-trend beauty products. And with over 15 years in the business of beauty, BB knows what it is talking about. The growing fan base and I are in good (manicured) hands.

So, for those of you who have not already rushed off to check out the website, 'what beauty brands can we expect to see?' I hear you cry..... (in no particular order)....Essie, REN Skincare, Mama Mio, Kerstin Florian, Decleor, Korres, Carita, Bloom & Blossom, PAYOT and the list goes on.............

 REN & Essie

First to be tried and tested:

To coin a phrase, it really 'does exactly what it says on the 'tin', and all you need is one pump dispense per use. REN Skincare Mayblossom T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel gets a 10 out of 10 from me. No distracting fragrance, in fact its almost fragrance-free, the gel works into a lather quickly and easily, has great coverage and washes off to leave.....and I cannot stress this enough.....skin that is squeaky clean. It says it 'removes dirt and dissolves excess sebum' and after the first 'go'...I can honestly say it actually does. If you are prone to oiliness and outbreaks in the T-Zone...this is the product for you too.  And its antimicrobial and antibacterial to boot!

Suitable for combination to oily skin types (150ml, €20)

To compliment and complete the regime apply the REN Invisible Pores Detox Mask (50ml €20) to clean dry skin. Allow to dry and remove by gently rubbing the skin with the fingertips. Rinse with warm water, e voila! You will not be disappointed!

Nice minimal packaging too with instructions in French, German, Spanish, Italian, & Portuguese.

Don't forget to check out the website for all the beauty products in this REN Skincare range - there is a product to suit each and every skin type.

xoxo

Friday Fashionista - Olivia Palermo

The first in the series of Friday fashionistas...and who better to lead the proceedings but reality show star turned celebrity in her own right. Transitioning from street-chic and hollywood glamor to editorial and back with pure ease.

Feliz Sexta-feira/Happy Friday

Boa fim de semana/Have a good weekend!

xo

Viva.....Dublin Fashion Festival

And in more immediate 'other news'......this fashionable event is in full swing as I write......sadly I cannot be there (for ANY of it) *sigh* so all that is left to say is: Happy FF Dublin!!

Fashion Countdown......ModaLisboa

For once words have failed me and been replaced with sheer excitement. A fashion week (well, 4 days to be precise) on my doorstep. To say that I needed an invite would be an under-statement....my fingers are crossed!