The Luxe Life

Did you get what you wanted for Christmas?
I couldn't help but notice the glaring omission of the Keurig coffee maker that I wanted so badly, but that was so markedly absent under the tree. Maybe Santa was drunk? or just forgot? - he is old afterall.

Another thing that clearly wasn't there, hadn't actually been on my list anyway, but nevertheless intrigues me no end, is the ultimate statement of the luxe life, the Hermes Birkin Bag

 This 35cm fuchia crocodile gem of a Birkin is actually on ebay right now for a mere $43, 999.00
Bargain.
If you're in the market for one I guess. I have clients and friends who own Birkins, and they are fun to walk around the house with, but I have a hard time seeing the value in them, much as I try.
If you look on the Createurs Deluxe website you'll see exotic Birkins for $75,000.

I wonder if any of my blog readers anywhere in the world got a Birkin for Christmas?

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One of my favorite blogs dedicated to the Hermes phenom is Ladyhermezz. You can read all kinds of fun things about the Birkin here.

The luxe perfection that is Victoria Beckham is frequently spotted with Birkins.
Could she even look more fabulous???
(and what on earth is the white stuff on the side of that dude's face? Something About Mary? Looks like he's got new shoes on too)

 Marc Jacobs takes his white Birkin to the beach, at the same time taking decadence to a whole new level.

But if you are in the market for a new Birkin, this one I found on the Createurs Deluxe website certainly does have a spring/summer feel to it, and could no doubt take a girl any place she felt she needed to go.

I do enjoy Mykonos too...

Sparkling Pear and Cranberry Cocktail

 I was looking around for some fabulous drink to serve this weekend, and found this one. I  haven't tried it yet, but doesn't it look lovely?? And, of course, Martha has the coolest glasses!

Sparkling Pear and Cranberry Cocktail

From Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

This cocktail is made with icy Moscato d'Asti, which is sweeter than champagne but much lighter than the rich dessert wine also made from Italian moscato grapes. Just the right medium for this fizzy drink, it adds flavor to the silky pear and tart cranberries.

 

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon(s) dry cranberries
• 1/2 cup(s) organic pear nectar
• 32 ounce(s) Moscato d'Asti wine
• 8 small sprigs fresh rosemary

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Directions

1. Put cranberries in a small bowl; add 2 tablespoons warm water. Soak until cool, about 15 minutes. Drain, pat dry, and refrigerate until serving.
2. Divide pear nectar evenly among eight tall champagne glasses. Add cranberries, and then gently pour the Moscato d'Asti into the glasses. Garnish each with a rosemary sprig.

Cham Pale!

We all know that December 26th is the big day for returning gifts you don't really care for - well in countries that don't celebrate Boxing Day that is, so a girl's gotta have a plan for what she is going to exchange said items for.

Cosmetics giant MAC is on top of the sitch, with a fabulous new collection hitting the stores on December 26th, just in time for you to get your New Years Eve party look put together.

The Collection is called Cham Pale, and will only be available through February 2011.

Only the finest will do for a M∙A∙C toast to the New Year! Cham Pale is a cuvée colour collection that’s cause for celebration – a Champagne smash, shimmering with all the bubbly optimism and golden glow of the best that’s yet to be, in Eye Shadow, from Brule to Et tu, Bouquet?; Paint Pots in Chilled on Ice and Let Me Pop, Lipstick in four shades, especially Quiet Please, and Flustered; Lipgelée from Bubble Lounge to Straight to the Head; two Chromagraphic Pencils (NC15/NW20 and NW25/NC30); Eye Kohl in I Get No Kick; Kohl Power in Feline; Nail Lacquer we call Very Important Platinum!; Studio Fix Mascara, and new Special Reserve Highlight Powder in four shades ending perfectly elegantly in everyone’s favourite: Rosé Olé. All, for every skin tone. To us!

Fabulous champagne shades that are
both timeless and exquisite

Make sure you pick up lashes while you're there! 

There are new lash styles moving into their permanent collection On December 26th.

6 Last Minute Stocking Stuffers

Here are some fun last minute stocking stuffer ideas...

Nars luscious red lip pencil in Cruella.
Velvet matte lipstick, this color is a classic

Chanel Mascara in Rouge Noir
Very beautiful, softer than black
but more alluring than brown.

Essie Nail Polish in Masquerade Belle

Clio Palmperfect Electric Razor
Ideal for sensitive skin, this razor needs
no shaving foam or gel.
And its kinda cute looking.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Solid Perfume
For Daisy fans this one is a must!
Solid perfumes last much longer on the skin.

Trader Joes Swiss Chocolate.
No fat, no sugar, no calories.
OK. So I lied...

Nars 12 Days Of Christmas

Here are some fabulous slices from Nars 12 Days of Christmas!
Perfect last minute shopping ideas...

“A great way to go from an office look to a party look is by adding a strong red lip & some mascara. The most beautiful reds are very pure, very bright & have the perfect combination of red & blue undertones - like Red Lizard Lipstick… one of the first lipsticks I created,” says François

"Have fun with color! You can’t go wrong with makeup. And, if you don't like the look you've created, wash it off and try something else! Life is short and you should enjoy it," says François Nars.

 "For someone on the run, the Multiple is the best product to use. It has a very velvety & transparent texture that makes you look great in under 3 minutes!" says François Nars.

"When in doubt, gift chocolate! I always, always love receiving chocolates, especially from La Maison du Chocolat," says François Nars

"Blush is one of my favorite products. I think it is because my mother used to be so fond of it. She would never leave the house without it," says François Nars.

You can follow Nars on facebook here and see the rest of the 12 Days Of Christmas

Plum Eyeshadow - Sooo Beautiful!!

I love plum eyeshadow!
Actually, when it comes to makeup, I love plum anything.
Plum comes in many shades, from deep blue-reds to inky almost black tones, and as such is extremely versatile as well as incredibly flattering.

Everyone looks good in plum. It is equally beautiful on pale skins as it is on dark skins.
It makes a deliciously bold statement in smoky sophistication, or can be a barely there subtle nuance. Plum can be the main focus of your look, or a mere accent. Eyes, lips, cheeks all benefit from getting cozy with plum, either worn together or as the one feature on an otherwise neutral face.

Megan Fox in plum lips

No matter what your eye color is, plum will enhance it, whether you're using a plum shadow, or a purple based liner as an accent.
Instead of doing a smoky eye with blacks or grays try using the moodier, lush plum tones.
Mascaras such as DiorShow Plum and Benefit BADgal Plum give you an instant boost, drawing out your eye color and making the whites of your eyes super white while giving you an ethereal aura.

Julia Roberts in plum eyeshadow

Quick tips for plum tones

1.)If wearing a plum eyeshadow, opt for one with a slight shimmer or sheen instead of a flat matte. Try Nars Night Rider (soft plum with a silver glitter) or Nars Ondine (plum with gold shimmer). MAC shades Fig, Indian Ink and Vibrant Grape are beautiful variations of plum.
2.) Plum eyeliners such as Julie Hewett Dahlia and FACE Atelier Velours are perfect for everyday wear, or can supercharge an evening look.
3.) Try a cream blush in plum tones. Cream blushes keep the complexion looking alive and vibrant.
Julie Hewett Cheekie cream blush in Vampie is one of the best blushes I've ever used.
4.) Choose a plum lip with a blue undertone to make your teeth look super white

Black Orchid, Black Magic

One of the things I love most about this time of year (apart from all the presents, parties and gluttony) is the profusion of truly decadent, dark flowers. My favorite Black Magic roses hit their sultry, mysterious stride, with hues that resonate more depth than at any other time of year.

This season I am feeling the slightly gothic, incredibly deviant lure of the Black Orchid.

 Elusive, sexy, a little bit kinky, a little bit wrong.

Completely alluring.

Sexiest man on earth, Tom Ford is feeling their siren song too.

Ford has released a Limited Edition Black Orchid Collection

which includes a deep plum lipstick and matching nail polish, 

as well as a solid version of his Black Orchid fragrance.

"I created the fragrances using the blackest orchid I could find, and notes that are spicy, slightly peppery and incredibly rich" says Ford who considers the reddish plum lips and nail polish "dark, bold and exotic".
Which is reason enough to buy them, even without trying them first.