Tuesday, March 31, 2009

{Beauty Tuesday}: Makeup Giveaway inc. Chanel ...

As a beauty junkie, I am constantly attracted to the new products out in the shops and often switch to a impulse buy mode, ending up with lovely things that I don't need. Since the time of spring cleaning is upon us, I have decided to host a makeup giveaway to my lovely readers: Chanel Nail Colour in Vendetta, the new Max Factor False Lash Effect Macara & Shimmer Waves from the Body Shop, plus some mini size Body Shop goodies + Cosmetic Bag. All Brand New products, worth more than £50/$75!!

If you wear minimal makeup, these may be all you need

Since there is a weekly giveaway also, this post will be excluded from the weekly giveaway. This Giveaway is open to followers and link friends of {Luphia loves...} ONLY, i.e. you can only enter if you are a follower or/and have {Luphia loves...} on your blog links.

To Enter: Give a comment below stating whether you're a follower or link friend, or both. Being both gives you two entries, hence doubling the chances of winning. Hope all these make sense, please ask anything that's unclear :)

Deadline: this Saturday (3rd April) at 8am GMT.

On another subject, I was going through my old photos and found these of my dressing table when I lived at home about 4 years ago... sorry about my arm appearing in both photos!


Can you see the Cinderella Jewellery Box in the back? I fell in love with it when I visited Disneyland Paris & carried it in my hand all the way back to make sure it won't break in the luggage!! :)

xx

Monday, March 30, 2009

Jewels, Jewels, Jewels!!!

Mondays are rarely my favorite day of the week, so to brighten the day, I am going to inject some proper glamour into the week with these stunning jewellery images. Messy yet romantic?



Not enough glamour? Would these help?

{all from net-a-porter}

I am so so in love with the peach Miu Miu bow necklace! It's not impossible to find some much cheaper highstreet versions either

{Large Yellow Beads Necklace - Topshop, Gold Ring - Miss Selfridge, Other - Accessorize}


I'm a little, ok a lot behind on replying to tags but will try to do it this week. Starting with the sexy blogger award from the lovely The Magic Risotto Diaries., with it I have to list 5 sexy things about myself, which is so hard!! I don't think I'm sexy at all, maybe a little of the cute type but certainly not sexy! I will try...

1. I am really short, no I meant petite, and sometimes that can be sexy as I can wear 4 inch heels and still be shorter than most men...
2. I almost never smile showing my teeth, hence creating a little mystery?
3. I don't go with any trend just because it's popular, only when I like it too
4. I don't "play games" when it comes to possible relationships, I don't play hard to get but I am really fussy also, good looks alone never impresses me
5. I would be happy being single, I don't feel like I have to have a boyfriend

Pretty random answers but this is the best I can do!! :) I'm tagging all you girls reading these! xx

(photos by Katja Halvarsson via Swedish Elle & stated sources)

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Chris on Scott Pilgrim set


{Weekly Giveaway}: tree & kimball

Hello Dear Readers! As usual I have another Weekly Giveaway here to kick start the weekend, given by the talented duo at tree & kimball. Their lovely lace pieces are so delicate and sweet, and you know how I love vintage touches right? Also check out their beautiful lace headband range.

The prize is any necklace from their Etsy shop, although it won't be easy to choose as they're all so pretty!

If you're new to this Weekly Giveaway, here is more information:

How to Enter? Anyone who leaves a comment on any post during the next 7 days is automatically entered in the draw, starting with this post and ending Saturday the 4th of April at 8am GMT. The winner will be revealed later that day.

Rules: only leave one comment per post please, meaningless comments will also be discarded. To pick the winner, I will first use randome.org to generate a number between 1 to 7 (7 posts a week) and then pick a randome comment within that post. So to maximise your chances you can reply to every post, don't want to miss a post? follow this blog via Blogger, Reader or Bloglovin & these technology will remind you!

Now to last week's winner...

Sorry no video to show this week as I'm home at my parents and forgot to take my camera connection wire with me!! But using the method described above, the winner is post 1, comment 42, that's Diana!!! Congratulations, I will contact you shortly for delivery address.

xx

Barbie's 50th Birthday Party

My BEST friend Barbie recently turned 50 years old and had a fabulous birthday party at the beach in Malibu. I know it's old news by now, as pics from her party have graced the pages of so many newspapers and websites, celebrity cams, video sites, and even some of your blogs, especially over at Apartment Therapy Los Angeles. She's been livin' it up having a grand ole time all around the world. What a life!

Happy Birthday Barbie!





Jonathan Adler decorated the Malibu beach pad for her party with his signature bright colors and bold patterns and emphasized Barbie's love of PINK. He went shopping with Barbie and her OTHER friend Skipper over at the Jonathan Adler Shop to pick out some swell furnishings.


Photo from Apartment Therapy Los Angeles Blog

They should have shopped at Christian's Maison21 Atelier too cuz he has some fab things which are going like hot cakes now at his big sale this weekend.

After reading some of the buzz about Barbie's Birthday bash, I got the impression that some people didn't really like the decor, especially that chandelier made of blond hair. Well, it was her party and she can have her decorator deck it out how ever they want.

Besides, it's not gonna stay that way forever. I will show you what the spectacular home REALLY looks like in my next post. But right now, let's get back to the party!

Jonathan Adler must have gotten some inspiration from Michael Williams, who actually got inspiration from Jonathan Adler to make his Haute Barbie Dream Home Dollhouse... but whatever dudes. I just had to show you these cool pics incase you haven't seen them already.











Photos from Flickr by Mawphoto

Jonathan Adler probably got inspired from Barbie's recent fashion show too which was a big hit on February 14, 2009 during New York Fashion Week. See... she really DOES exist!





Here we are! Barbie's 50th Birthday Party pad turned out absolutely fabulous! Jonathan Adler did a marvelous job!

I love that Louboutin shoe closet! Oh la la!

















Photos courtesy Matel for Barbie®’s 50th Birthday Party at her Real-Life Malibu Dream House®, except for the first one with Heidi Klum found on some guys website about cars.

Designer appearances definitely brought the luxe fashions and included Trina Turk (who we all love), Koi Suwannagate, Trina Tarantino, and The Blonds. The A-List Birthday bash guest list included Heidi Klum (who looked divine), Ginnifer Goodwin, Lauren Bosworth, Aimee Teegarden, Jonathan Adler (of course), Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian and Melissa Joan Hart.

Here's what it took to make the party people smile at Barbie’s 50th Birthday Party at her Real-Life Malibu Dream House.

The party was styled and decorated by famed “Happy Chic” interior designer Jonathan Adler and planned by renowned event planner Colin Cowie. The music was provided by DJ AM.

At the Party:
1,800 pairs of Barbie® sunglasses, 3,500 pairs of tiny shoes and 3,500 mini handbags fill up custom-designed lucite tables.
3,000 pink roses, 100 hydrangea and 300 ranunculus make up the centerpieces.
Guests can toast Barbie® with signature drinks including, Barbie Doll-icious!, Ken’s Caiprirosca, Strawberry Blonde and It’s a Pink Thing.
146 pounds of pink candy including mints, chocolate, licorice, rock candy, gummy lips, jelly beans and more line the dessert table.
1,030 pounds of ice make up the cake ice sculpture.

Inside Barbie's House:
The wall-to-wall carpeting lining Barbie®’s bedroom and hallway feature a custom-designed “B” pattern.
Over 200 yards of fuchsia velvet fabric were used to turn Barbie®’s bedroom into the dreamiest place in the house.
50 custom-designed Barbie® pink peep-toe Christian Louboutin heels (straight from Barbie®’s first ever Runway Show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week this February) line Barbie®’s shoe closet.
65 reproduction dolls of the original 1959 Black & White Bathing Suit® Barbie® doll were used to create an eye-catching one-of-a-kind wall mirror featured in the main living room.
The sitting room’s “hair” chandelier, designed by Chris March (contestant on Season 4 of “Project Runway”), consists of 30 blonde wigs and took more than 60 hours to construct.
Two pink plastic poodles on lucite pedestals flank the fireplace.
Three pieces of Barbie® vintage art hang on the walls throughout the house, including the iconic portrait of Barbie by Andy Warhol and the Donald Baechler “Ice Cream” portrait.
Barbie®’s in-house museum features 25 of the most iconic dolls throughout her 50 years.

What's Next For Barbie®:
Barbie®’s custom décor and signature pieces from the Malibu Dream House® will be heading to Las Vegas! This spring, the Palms Casino Resort will launch the Barbie® Suite, the ultimate Vegas destination for bachelorettes, birthdays and anyone who wants to be pampered in pink. Additionally, select items from the house will available for purchase as part of the “Jonathan Adler Loves Barbie” collection launching this September.

Did you know that Barbie has her own blog called Barbie All Doll'd Up. She TALKS and you don't even have to pull the string behind her head.

Remembering Barbie...

My wonderful Mom saved all my old Barbie's and her clothes for me which I think is so sweet. I even made some clothes for my Barbie's too.











Happy Birthday Barbie! Fabulous at 50! You go girl!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Hooked on: A Room with a View

When you have a place with stunning ocean views like these, why spend much on decor? You have a perfect focal point right there outside, these gorgeous rooms are the perfect example. A simple clean interior with a stunning view, I certainly would not say no to this place, would you?


The dream of owning a place like this is a distant dream for me, so for the time being I will settle for a holiday similar to this in a gorgeous hotel, how about the Canaves Oia Hotel in Santorini? I'll leave you to enjoy the views...




Breakfast on terrace? Yes please! Happy Friday! Hope you'll have a relaxing weekend :)

xx

(images from gaelle le boulicaut & SLH, check out what others are hooked on this Friday here)

The Adventure of a Girl In Blue

If I was good with words, I would write a beautiful little adventure story of this girl in a blue dress. Since that's not going to happen, I invite you all to imagine your own story :)

Feel free if you want to share with me your lovely story too :)

Most of you have probably already seen the new collection of computer wallpapers on Kindred, just in case you haven't, here's a couple of my favorites, by the talented FIFI LAPIN & HEATHER of Creature Comforts:


I would definitely switch if I wasn't using my own wallpaper, even though it's no way near as good as these, but becasue I made it myself I'm kinda attached to it, you know the feeling? :)

Just in case you're interested, you can get this one here on 1024X768 1280X1024 1600X1200.

Sorry if this is a bit of a random post, I've just got a few blog awards which I'd like to pass on.

The Lemonade Award, PROXIMITY award, Honest Award from the lovely Through The Looking Glass..., my so called fabulous life..., las pamelas and Sugar and Blush goes to:

{ With Love..., Rougemarie, Static Electri-city, Life In Technicolor., CarrieCan, The Red Otter Shop, Ambiguous Alliterative Abomination, mademoissele chic, Chic Heroin, Song of Style & ...love Maegan}

I also have to tell 10 honest things for the Honest Award, here goes:

1. I am a Maths student and will be graduating this summer
2. I am a little scared of balloons (scared they might suddenly pop!)
3. I have lived in Saudi Arabia (for 6 months when I was 13)
4. I am a bit obsessed with Seagulls (a family lives on my roof)
5. I prefer ice cream to chocolates (except when it's freezing cold!)
6. My favorite colour is blue

7. I am 5ft2
8. I had braces
9. I have worn glasses since I was 11
10. I do my money budgeting on Excel spreadsheets

xx

(images from Denise Grunstein, Kindred, me & .Surya. )

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Modern Opulence {Interior}

What would you have in mind if I mention white walls & floors? Modern all white interiors maybe? Now picture the word opulence & white together, and these gorgeours rooms is what you get...

Just shows how different white interiors can be and what a difference furniture makes!

If you're new here - hello :), just to let you know by commenting on any posts this week, you'll be automatically entered into the Weekly Giveaway. xx

Also, I'm going to enable comment moderation after receiving 10 "mature" content junk comments from this ed (watch out for his horrible comments!), think I will report to Blogger too...

(images from Trine Thorsen)

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

{Beauty Tuesday}: Beauty Interview with Vicki


Good morning everyone! I am back with another Beauty Interview today, with the lovely Vicki behind the absolutely gorgeous & "french chic" blog FRENCH ESSENCE.

Q:Could you give us a summary of your experience with beauty products?

Like all women I think I search for products that are beneficial, show results and are easy to use. I follow a routine when it comes to skin care; I may change products or mix brands but I never miss cleansing, toning and moisturizing my skin. It doesn’t matter what hour of the day or night – I would not be able to sleep if I hadn’t removed my make-up. There are three things that I think are the most important when it comes to caring for the skin: I avoid the sun, smoking and too much alcohol, I drink 2 litres of water every day and I try to sleep soundly. When I was younger I could go without sleep, party on and drink as much as I liked and still walk out the door the next morning looking reasonably ok. Now, I am not so lucky…

Q:What is your skin type and what do you look for in skincare products?

I have a dry and sensitive skin – partly due to age and party due to the climate I live in. The products I preferare those that are derived mostly from natural ingredients and those that are rich in emollients.

Q:What is your top beauty secret or product?

I always add olive oil to my bath water.

I run the bath, add the scent that I prefer – usually lavender or rose – and then pour in a few drops of olive oil; it leaves the skin feeling silky smooth. As a special treatment in the winter, I will exfoliate and then apply the oil directly onto my skin.

Q:Name 3 other favorite skincare products and why?

Right now I am using Jurlique’s Moisture Replenishing Day Creme. It is a rich crème that hydrates and moisturizesthe skin and is particularly good for sensitive skin.

As the temperatures warm up I prefer to use a lighter moisturizer and will change to Dr Hauschka’s Rose Day Cream. In the heat of summer I will alternate between the Rose Day Crème and the Quince Day crème, a lighter alternative.

My other favourite at the moment is La Mer hand creme –this handcreme was given to me as a birthday gift – sheer bliss. Not sticky or tacky and quickly absorbed into the skin without leaving any slippery residue. The scent is soft and fresh and not overpowering at all.

Q:If you wear makeup, what are your top 3 favorite products?

Laura Mercier tinted Mouisturizer SPF 20 in Nude – I nevergo without this, day or night, and find the sheer texture and light coverage perfect for me. I don’t like wearing heavy make up and this provides a good base without that ‘made-up’ feeling.

Laura Mercier Cheek colour in Crushed Hazelnut – this is a light powder that is easy to apply and blends well on the skin. Again it is a natural colour and works well as a blush to wear when you don’t want to look like your wearing a blush.

And the lips:I love a lipstick and seem to be favouring MAC at themoment. For day – Cremesheen, ‘Shy Girl’ and for night– Cremesheen, ‘Spice is Nice’ Topped off with a dab of C-Thru A78 gloss.

Q: (optional) Are there any other products that you love but have not mentioned above?

Chanel – Le Crayon Khol Intense Eye Pencil in graphite –so easy to use for day and night.

The latest nail varnishes from Chanel. The rainbow brightsin pink and purple are just fabulous.

Thanks so much Vicki for joining us today and sharing your beauty secrets! I completely agree with your beauty routine & will definitely try the olive oil too, it sounds so simple yet amazing!

(images from here & corresponding links)