Dutchess Roz

Best & Worst Dressed: SAG Awards 2012

2012-02-01T12:16:00.000Z

The 18th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards took place on Sunday night and all the stars came dressed to impress in couture. However, not everyone actually impressed me so here are my picks for the best and the worst of the night.

BEST

♥ Amber Heard oozed sexy in a very on-trend cut out black Zac Posen dress!
So HOT and love the edgy quiff hairstyle too.

♥ Rose Byrne took a risk at the SAG Awards with this outfit which meant some people loved it and other hated it. For me the risk paid off because I think she looked amazing in this embroidered Elie Saab jumpsuit with structured shoulders.

♥ Stacey Keibler looked sophisticated in this stunning lace Marchesa gown.

♥ Emily Blunt looked vibrant in this green Oscar de la Renta one-shoulder gown.

♥ Kyra Sedgwick showed off her flawless figure (at 46!!) in this cut-out fiery Pucci gown.

♥ Glee's Jayma Mays sparkled in a sweeping Reem Acra gown.

Aside from the fabulous sequin-and-shine factor, the back of the dress features a black lace cut-out which was equal sweet and sexy. Total winner in my books :)

WORST

♥ Total failure of the night for me was Heather Morris in a black leather-trimmed Masai Payan dress with a sheer skirt. Hated everything; the dress, the clunky platform silver heels, the bulky bracelet, the hair and the long chandelier earrings. Such a shame, she is such a knock-out beauty :(

♥ Funny woman Kristen Wiig ruined an elegant Balenciaga gown with a bold choker necklace.

What on earth was she thinking?? This outﬁt is the perfect case of accessories gone bad.

♥ Busy Philips tried to channel her inner Californian flower child in a blue floral gown by SIMONE by Katie Nehra. Wearing a print on the red carpet is a daring choice. Wearing a muumuu is an even worse choice. Think this look is more appropriate for a beach party rather than an awards show

♥ Newcomer 'The Descendants' actress Shailene Woodley should have left the floral print on set in Hawaii in this floral L’Wren Scott gown from the Spring 2012 collection.

♥ Amber Riley in Badgley Mischka.
Sorry but the huge bow in the centre of her chest doesn't do her any favours!

♥ As much as I ADORE the mint green colour of this gown, Kaley Cuoco just didn't impress me in this Romona Keveza gown. Too much like a sweet meringue princessy look....but loving the hair though (just not with that dress)!

♥ Jenna Ushkowitz looks on-trend in a Rebecca Minkoff cut-out dress but am not a fan of the print and pleating and just think it looks a little 'bleh'.

♥ I almost didn't put Lea Michele on the worst dressed list because I do love the style and colouring of this Versace one-shoulder gown. It's uber glamorous and sexy BUT just think the slit-to her-waist is a little too much...sorry!

♥ Young and (normally stylish) Ashlee Simpson looks about 30 years older than she actually is in this slightly 'costumy' Jenny Packham dress.

Who's look did you love or loathe at the SAG Awards this year?

Happy Hump Day everyone :) xoxo

Comfy and Colourful %

2012-01-30T22:32:00.000Z

When I was in Holland two weeks ago I came across this cute little shop in the suburbs of my hometown called Luna Azul. The lovely owner, Antionette, imports a varied selection of clothes from countries like Italy, France, Spain, Ibiza and Bali. The people in the shop were so nice, they even offered me a cup of tea while I was in the dressing room; now that's what I call customer service!

While browsing the racks my attention was immediately drawn to a cardigan/vest in my favourite colour....CORAL :) I just couldn't not buy this gorgeous comfy and colourful long cardigan!

♥ Coral long cardigan/vest from VILA

♥ Dark skinny jeans from River Island (as seen here)

♥ Black leather over the knee high boots (as seen here)

♥ White t-shirt by ZARA

♥ Watch by Michael Kors

You can tie the vest various ways or just have hanging lose, which makes it really versatile.

I just adore the bright colour of this cardi and the stripe detailing gives it that little bit extra!

The cold has finally come to London this week (brrrr) but two weeks ago I was able to wear this cardi, throw on my leather jacket and new RayBan sunnies and I was ready to hit the streets :) xoxo

My tan truth for wintertime...

2012-01-27T19:24:00.000Z

In the cold winter months I hate looking white and pasty so my secret to getting some ‘sun’ during these months is using a daily gradual tan moisturiser. I have tried a few brands over time with some of my favourites being He-Shi, St Tropez and Garnier Summer Body.

Recently I got introduced to a brand called TanTruth which have a lovely daily Gradual Tan called Secret Sun!

“Secret Sun is a luxurious body moisturiser containing just a hint of their dual tanning agents. Applied daily, it enhances your natural skin colour to leave a gorgeous sun kissed glow that can be achieve all year round. Enriched with Avocado and Shea butter, Secret Sun leaves skin soft, moisturised and hydrated. Excellent for daily use or after a holiday to help prolong your natural tan. Be gorgeous and glow all year round.”

Secret Sun is £5.19 per bottle (250ml) and can be purchased online here

If I compare it to other daily gradual tan moisturisers I have used I found that the colour develops a bit deeper and stronger with Secret Sun but without looking a (dreaded) orange shade. The smell is very light and refreshing (not that horrible biscuity smelt that some fake tans can have!) and it actually is great as a moisturiser leaving your skin soft, hydrated and glowing.

The last few months I have just applied this lotion in the morning after my shower mainly to my chest, neck, arms and legs to give me a nice sun-kissed glow opposed to white vampire skin! Definitely liking this product :)

Do you use a gradual tan moisturiser in winter to get some ‘Secret Sun’; and if so, what products do you recommend? xoxo

Weekend Brunches: The Providores & Tapa Room

2012-01-25T13:11:00.000Z

As you know I love my brunches and this weekend I found another gem in London that will definitely become a regular I think! Let me introduce you to 'The Providores & Tapa Room' in Marylebone :)

'The Providores' had been on my list-to-go-to for a while because it's run by co-owners Peter Gordon and Michael McGrath. Peter Gordon is a well-known New Zealand, but UK based, chef that is known for his electic style of cuisine, called Fusion. Back in NZ I loved his Auckand restaurants Dine & Bellota and in London I am a big fan of his funky fusion restaurant Kopapa in Soho. So it's fair to say I had pretty high expectations of the Providores. I'd been told by friends to either show up and wait for a table in the Tapa Room downstairs (as it was bound to be busy!) or make a booking for upstairs, which is a slightly more formal setting. In the end I went for a booking upstairs as I was probably going to be hungry and not wanting to wait hehe. Once we received the menu we were spoiled for choice; so many delicious options to choose from! So over a pot of fresh mint tea we pondered....

In the end I chose the Changa Turkish Eggs (£6.50), a bowl of two perfectly poached eggs, silky yoghurt, and hot chilli butter served with slices of granary bread. When it arrived I was definitely not disappointed, how tasty does this look?!!

You might think yoghurt and eggs, what a strange combination but that's fusion cooking for you and trust me the two flavours (especially with the added chilli butter) complement each other perfectly. This dish was unbelievably incredible!

My friend had the grilled chorizo with sweet potato and miso has, with a soft boiled egg, garlic labne and star anise cashew nut pralin (£9.50) which was also super delicious! Next time I think I might have to try the French toast stuffed with banana and pecans with grilled smoky bacon and vanilla verjus syrup....doesn't that just sound scrumptious?

The service at the Providores & Tapa room is friendly and efficient and they apparently serve a great cup of coffee, using beans from the Monmouth Coffee company which is well known for their flavoursome blend. Brunch at the Providores is definitely worth every penny because the food is excellent and so unlike what you might cook up at home!

The Providores and Tapa Room

109 Marylebone High Street

W1U 4RX, London
Telephone +44 (0) 20 7935 6175

And yes it's that time of the week again!

Happy Hump Day everyone :) xoxo Roz

FYF Cosmetics Review

2012-01-23T22:13:00.001Z

For a while now I have been using a few products by a relatively unknown cosmetics brand called Flawless you Forever. Ever since I got the products have been using them all the time because I love them so much but just hadn't found the time to properly review them! For example some looks where I used FYF products can be found here, here and here!

Flawless You Forever (FYF) offers a "range of core and mineral make-up, skincare and spa products specially designed to keep you looking the way you should. Gorgeous! Launched by the prestigious ONYX label, FYF is more than a brand name. It's a mantra.

Created using a perfectly balanced blend of minerals and pigments, every FYF product comes with a promise of flawlessness. Not just for your outer appearance but your innner well being as well. The fine crystals are silky to the touch and overlap seamlessly on your skin, allowing it to breathe freely.

FYF products are also long-lasting, water resistant and well suited to all climates, giving you the freedom to go through even the most hectic day without and touch-ups.
Truly, FYF is the last word in beauty and luxury.
And it's yours to enjoy... Forever!"

So now onto these lovely products, here is a recent Fawless You Forever look;

Products used:

♥ Mineral Loose Powder 'Impeccable'

♥ Floral Blush in the shade 'Romance'

♥ Mineral Couture Pout Lipstick in 'Michelle'

Mineral Loose Impeccable Powder in the shade Medium (link) $30/£19.40

Medium; for light to medium skin with medium undertones (available in 8 shades)

FYF Impeccable Mineral Loose powder is ideal for all skin types and suitable for sensitive and skins prone to breakouts because it is talc-free and very gentle. It offers the coverage of a foundation in a natural and weightless powder form. It brings your complexion alive and creates a healthy look, along with providing sun protection (SPF18). I love using this powder mineral foundation, it gives me a wonderful glow!

Floral Blush in the shade 'Romance' $35/£23 (link)

This compact is just so pretty but luckily it doesn't just look pretty in the compact, it also looks lovely on your cheeks :) The FYF Blossom glides on smoothly and offers a semi-matte finish which is long lasting. It gives you the option of using countless hues in one single blush. Use with a blush brush and apply on the apples of your cheeks for a natural blush.

Mineral Couture Pout Lipstick in 'Michelle' (link) $20/£13

This is one of my favourite work lipsticks at the moment. The shade is a gorgeous rosy pink nude. The formula is super creamy, rich and very long lasting. Formulated with shea butter and lip conditioners like avocado and jojoba oil, they hydrate your lips and keep them soft and supple.

Price wise I think all these products are pretty good value for money. FYF Cosmetics is a US company and their make-up is sold online from their website Flawless You Forever but they ship internationally!

What do you think - do you like the look of any of these products?
Had you heard of FYF before and if so let me know what you've tried! xoxo

Argan/Moroccan Oil aka Liquid Gold for your hair!

2012-01-21T11:14:00.000Z

One of the biggest hypes in 2011 in the hair-care world seemed to be Moroccan & Argan Oil. The hype was kicked off by the brand moroccanoil, who did some brilliant marketing that led to a frenzy sell out of their products and got many salons and beauty professionals raving about this miracle-working ingredient. After the initial hype calmed down a little I noticed that other hair care brands and salons also started incorporating this oil; often dubbed ‘liquid gold’ for your hair into their products.

What is it?
Basically Moroccan Oil hair styling products contain Argan oil which has been a beauty secret for hundreds of years. The oil is extracted from kernels of Argan fruit that comes from, you guessed it, the Argan tree that grow in the desert of South West Morocco

Some of the stated benefits of Argan/Moroccan oil for hair are:
♥ Hydrates the hair naturally
♥ Penetrates into the hair pores or shafts and enhances the elasticity of hair
♥ Very nourishing for the growth of hair
♥ Adds shine, gives hair a silky soft feel making it more manageable
♥ Fights the frizz, lightweight, absorbs instantly, no oily feel
♥ Contains vitamin E which is a fabulous agent for hair treatment, protecing your hair from flat irons & other heat-styling tools.
♥ Cures the brittle hair and increases the life of color treated hair.
♥ With rich content of unsaturated fatty acids like Omega 3, it will strengthen the protein bonding structures in hair thereby improving strength of hair and healing the split ends of hair.

After hearing so many positive feedback about the results of using Moroccan/Argan oil I was definitely keen to give it a go but just hadn’t gotten round to it yet! Then Gielly Green, a chic London boutique salon, produced Argan Rescue and asked me if I wanted to give this product a try…now how could I say no to that? ;)

Argan Rescue is just one of the hair care products they have launched as part of their ‘Boutique Collection’, a range based on the world’s finest natural substances. This is an intense oil that, although is predominantly Argan, combined with Neem oil (great for brittleness and dandruff) and Sea Buckthorn (protects hair from sun rays and promotes tissue regeneration) becomes even more impressive. It effectively smoothes out frizz, revives dull hair and leaves a noticeable non greasy shine.

After I have washed and towel dried my hair, I apply a small drop of the oil to my hand, rub my hands together to spread and slightly warm the product and smooth it throughout my hair. Then just brush it though and style as usual.

I have been using Argan Rescue for almost two month now and I am completely hooked on the stuff!!

Why? Simple:
1) it smells A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Very fresh, actually it smells a bit like cucumbers. And yum I love cuc's ;)
2) even though I was concerned about putting an oil in my hair for the fear of it looking greasy, the Argan rescue oil absorbs instantly and gives my hair a lovely natural shine without turning my hair into a greasy mess! and 3) it manages to transforms my dull, boring hair into lusciously soft locks whilst protecting and conditioning it at the same time! So what's not to love! :)

Gielly Green - Moroccan Argan Oil Rescue is available online here for £19.50
Have you tried any of the Moroccon or Argan oil products yet? xoxo

My love of quotes...

2012-01-18T15:50:00.004Z

I have been a huge fan of quotes and sayings ever since I can remember. I love how quotes can capture a thought or feeling so perfectly, that I completely identify with it or can look to them as an inspiration to lead my life. I am one of those people that if I read or see a quote that I like; I will write it down, save it or take a photo of it - just to ensure I don’t forget it. People always ask me, where do you get all your ‘Happy Hump Day’ images and quotes from? Well they pretty much just come from my continually growing collection that I have assembled over time and then on Hump Day I look for one that fits my mood or feelings at the time.

This last weekend I went home to the Netherlands for one of my very best friends’ Bachelorette party. She is marrying her lovely American fiancé in September this year and as much as I am extremely happy for her, the downside for me is that this means she will be moving to the USA in 5 weeks’ time. When my friend (Lulu) and I met we were both 17 years old, starting the same university degree in Utrecht. We always laugh and say ‘You had me at Hello’ (as famously said by Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire) because we just clicked instantly and have had a strong friendship for the last 10 years, even though we lived worlds apart with me in NZ and her in Europe.

We both shared a love for quotes and so at 17 we decided to create our own ‘religion/way to life your life’ calling it Lulu-dism which was made up of a list of amendments out of our favourite quotes. We typed it up and took it to a photocopy place to get two big (ugly) posters printed that we each hung in our rooms to remind us and support us through life in good and bad times. Over the years we each sadly lost these posters but when I was packing up my life in New Zealand I all of a sudden found this list of quotes!!! For Lulu’s leaving gift I wanted to give her something really special that summed up our friendship and bond that we will hopefully have for the rest of our lives (no matter where we live) so I decided to get a brand spanking new poster made of our Lulu-dism quotes that she could hang in her new house in America. I wanted it to look amazing and tried my hand at designing something but being the perfectionist that I am, I just felt it needed to look more professional. So to help me I got in touch with a friend of mine who does graphic design and she created this amazing poster for me!

I seriously love the end result and so did Lulu I think because when I gave it to her this weekend…well let’s just say it produced a lot of tears! It’s hard for me to pick a favourite on this poster because I just LOVE all these quotes ♥ I am definitely going to get one printed and framed for my house too :)

For more awesome posters check out my friends Etsy Shop where she sells prints and personalised poster gifts. If you spot something you fancy then she’s offering my lovely readers FREE (UK only) shipping! All you need to do is enter the coupon code DUTCHESS01 when checking out.

Here also two pictures of the fun-filled Bachelorette Party weekend in Amsterdam.
Quite the contrast between the two haha!
A FAB Burlesque Work Shop at Paleis van de Weemoed in Amsterdam.

What happens in the Red Light District, stays in the Red Light District ;)

....and a hilarious Group photo shoot in Dutch Traditional Costume in Volendam.
Most Dutch people would not actually do anything like this (more touristy thing to do) but what amazing memorabilia to have!

Definitely had a fantastic weekend and will cherish these memories for ever....
'A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you, when you have forgotten the words' Happy Hump Day!! xoxo

Best & Worst of the Golden Globes 2012

2012-01-17T11:46:00.001Z

On Sunday night annual Golden Globe Awards were held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California. As the 2012 award season gets underway, the Golden Globes is the first chance for Hollywood's elite to set the red carpet trends for the upcoming year. Big winners 'The Descendants' and 'The Artist' took home multiple statues, but the awards for Best & Worst dressed are a whole other story. Take a look at my Golden Globes 2012 night's style winners and losers ...

Best

♥ The ever stunning Charlize Theron chose a slit-up-to-there Christian Dior Couture gown with an elegant bow in the front!

♥ Nicole Richie sparkled in a glittering column gown by Julien Macdonald and matched it with a clutch by her own label, House of Harlow.

♥ Love Heidi Klum’s simple (but with sexy open back) nude Calvin Klein dress. She accessorised it perfectly with beautiful turquoise jewellery to saves her Calvin Klein gown from being a washout!

♥ Angelina Jolie looked very elegant. The Atelier Versace dress could not have fit her better, and the red splash across the top made it stand out from other white and off-white gowns on the carpet.

♥ Salma Hayek oozed sex appeal in a strapless Gucci gown..

♥ Keeping her style simple, yet utterly elegant, Kate Beckinsale wowed in a stunning blush Roberto Cavalli chiffon and lace gown.
♥ Best Actress in a Television Drama winner Claire Danes looked amazing in this black and white J. Mendel gown. An interestingly constructed dress plus the low-cut back made it an absolute winner in my books!
♥ Evan Rachel Wood looked glamorous in sequined Gucci dress with real feathers on the bottom of the skirt. She looks a bit like a cross between a mermaid and a bird…but in a good way ;) It’s probably not something I would wear but it perfectly suits Evan Rachel Wood’s Hollywood glamour/gothic style.
♥ Emma Stone showed off a modern way to wear red; with her maroon and fuchsia pleated Lanvin gown matched with a funky jewelled eagle belt buckle. I think she looked like a fashion superhero!

Worst

♦ I’m not a fan of Amanda’s tiered Marc Jacobs dress; too much ruffle and it looks a bit like the dress was made out of her grandma’s curtains?

♦ Natalie Portman seems to be channelling Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen prefer blondes here haha. I love the colours of the Lanvin gown but perhaps after you've recently lost a ton of baby weight this isn’t the most flattering of outfits…

♦ Kelly Osbourne doesn’t shine for me in this ill-fitting, pointy-shouldered Zac Posen dress. Wonder if she'll make her own ‘Fashion Police’ show's Worst Dressed List?

♦ Sarah Michelle Gellar said that her two-year-old daughter Charlotte picked out her tie-dye-style Monique Lhuillier gown. Just too much…I think the look would have been far more successful with a plain fabric!

♦ Jessica Biel in a long sleeve Ellie Saab dress. This gown looks a bit like it could be her grandmother's wedding dress from 1934? Jessica is so beautiful and I think something more modern and striking would have been more age appropriate :)

♦ Michelle Williams looks cute and quirky in this Jason Wu gown but for me the blue velvet dress is a bit too matronly and slightly boring..(Sorry I know lots of people loved this dress!)

♦ ‘Glee’ star Lea Michelle in an embroidered Marchesa illusion dress. Again she was on a lot of people’s best dressed list but it just didn’t do it for me!

♦ Giuliana Rancic arrived in a floor-length grey and black Monique Collignon gown which is simply unflattering. Nuf-said ;)

♦ Madonna disappointed in a cluttered green and pewter Reem Acra ballgown.

So this were my picks for the 2012 Golden Globes Fashion hit and misses; do you agree or disagree? :)

See below the full list of award winners at the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards; I really want to see the movies "The Descendants" and "The Artist"!

MOTION PICTURES
- Picture, Drama: "The Descendants."
- Picture, Musical or Comedy: "The Artist."
- Actor, Drama: George Clooney, "The Descendants."
- Actress, Drama: Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady."
- Director: Martin Scorsese, "Hugo."
- Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jean Dujardin, "The Artist."
- Actress, Musical or Comedy: Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn."
- Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, "Beginners."
- Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, "The Help."
- Foreign Language: "A Separation."
- Animated Film: "The Adventures of Tintin."
- Screenplay: Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris."
- Original Score: Ludovic Bource, "The Artist."
- Original Song: "Masterpiece" (music and lyrics by Madonna, Julie Frost, Jimmy Harry), "W.E."

TELEVISION
- Series, Drama: "Homeland," Showtime.
- Series, Musical or Comedy: "Modern Family," ABC.
- Actor, Drama: Kelsey Grammer, "Boss."
- Actress, Drama: Claire Danes, "Homeland."
- Actress, Musical or Comedy: Laura Dern, "Enlightened."
- Actor, Musical or Comedy: Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes."
- Miniseries or Movie: "Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)," PBS.
- Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Kate Winslet, "Mildred Pierce."
- Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Idris Elba, "Luther."
- Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story."
- Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones."

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award: Morgan Freeman.

Urban Decay - Naked Palette 2!!

2012-01-11T10:02:00.001Z

Most of you will know that I am a HUGE fan of the Urban Decay Naked Palette. You can my read my review of this best-selling palette here. I love how you can create so many different looks ranging from a natural day look to a dramatic evening smokey eye plus the shadows are such amazing quality. Here are some of my favourite looks I created with the palette; Gold/Bronze look, Gunmetal Silver look and an Evening Smokey eye.

In the last few weeks the anticipation has been building on the release of the brand new Naked Palette 2! It won’t be available in the UK until February 4^th but I have just found out that you can buy it exclusively from Debenhams in store or online right now, a month before it hits the stores nationwide.

The new Naked 2 Palette is filled with 12 highly pigmented eye shadows ranging from shimmery nudes to smokey black and includes 5 brand new shades. The palette also features a mini Lip Junky Lip-gloss in ‘Naked’ and a double-ended eye shadow/crease brush!

I am definitely excited, are you? I can’t wait to get my hands on this palette; so watch this space for a detailed review :)You can buy the Naked 2 Palette online here for £36 – exclusive to Debenhams

On another note, it is that time of the week again...

Love this haha! Happy Hump Day :) xoxo

Sleek Brow Kit Review

2012-01-09T17:30:00.000Z

I am a big believer that well-groomed eyebrows can transform a face. A lot of girls leave this step out when doing their makeup but I think by just shaping and setting your brows it will frame your face and complete your look. I love using MAC charcoal brown eye shadow to fill in my brows and then setting it with a clear brow gel. I also use the HD brows set (review here) plus have many times thought about adding the Benefit Brow Zing or ELF Eyebrow Kit to my makeup collection. Late last year Sleek released their brow kit and ever since then have read rave reviews. So when I was in Superdrug the other day and it was just sitting their staring at me for only £7.99 I couldn’t resist giving it a go!

The Sleek Brow kit is available in two shades; light and dark. I decided on the light version which suits my colouring perfectly.

What they say “For perfectly shaped, groomed brows look no further than Sleek MakeUp’s brow kit. Complete with all the tools you’ll ever need for brows that flatter and frame your face, choose from two shades in light or dark to compliment your natural colouring. Just a few simple steps are all it takes for preened and polished brows!

The kit comes with a pigmented wax (right), setting powder (left), an angled brush, blending brush and even wee tweezers to pluck out any stray hairs. This all in a nice handbag sized compact complete with in-built mirror so perfect for on the go! Swatched is powder on the left and wax on the right.

I have been really impressed with this brow kit and it’s now part of my daily makeup routine. I start by combing my eyebrows into shape and then apply the wax, which has a lovely smooth texture, along the natural shape of my brow to create a perfect arch. Then I apply the setting powder to keep the wax from slipping off and fill in any sparse areas.
For on the go the little brushes provided in the kit are fine but at home I tend to use this angled brush by EcoTools.

“EcoTools is a leader in eco-conscious beauty products, most notably known for its incredibly soft cosmetic brushes. They take pride in offering a collection of cosmetic accessories and bath products that feature innovative, earth-friendly materials. In a continued effort to give back, 1% of EcoTools annual sales is donated to 1% For The Planet®, an alliance of businesses committed to leveraging their resources to create a healthier planet.” More information on EcoTools and their brushes here.

So have you tried the Sleek Brow Kit? If not, how do you do your brows?
The kit retails for £7.99 and can be purchased from www.sleekmakeup.com and Superdrug.

Way to Glow #

2012-01-05T21:19:00.000Z

A gorgeous glowing complexion is a beauty desire for many of us girls. Especially in these cold winter months when your skin is not in the glowing mood all on its own. Therefore we can all do with a little help from beauty products to achieve beautiful radiant skin.I have tried a few products over the years (one of my favourites is Benefit High Beam; review here) and think it’s quite hard to find a product that gives you the right amount of glow without messing up your foundation or leaving a glittery mess behind on your cheekbones. But I recently discovered this gorgeous compact by Collection 2000 and I just love it!Their Shimmer Shades compact in Way to Glow contains four merged blocks that combine shimmer with shade for a multi-tonal and natural blend of colour. The combination of shimmering peach and golden bronze shades instantly lifts and illuminates your skin. On the left are swatches of each individual block and on the right the bronzed glow it provides when blended together. The Way-to-Glow compact also contains a skin-brightening formula to enhance natural skin colour so be prepared to dazzle! ;)

For my perfect radiant glow I work product from all four colour cubes into a bronzing brush and sweep it lightly over my cheekbones. For an overall sun-kissed look you can also apply the shimmery shades to your brows bone, forehead and neckline.
Plus I've used the individual peach shade as a blusher on the apples of my cheek sometimes too!

For only £3.99 I think this product is a STEAL!!! You can buy it from your local Boots or Superdrug.
What do you think, do you like my my 'way to glow' this winter? xoxo

Turning the page on 2011….

2012-01-04T17:19:00.001Z

I hope you’ve all had a great start to the New Year?? As much as holidays and the festive period are good fun, I find it’s also quite nice to come back to your home and get back into a routine of work, fitness and spending time with friends.2011 definitely was a great year for me which will be hard to top. But that’s why I am very excited to see what 2012 has in store for me! A new year, a new start, new dreams which made me pick the below for today’s Happy Hump Day message!

Happy Hump Day!! Let’s turn the page on 2011 and BRING ON 2011 :) xoxo

Fashion must have: the denim shirt

2012-01-03T15:57:00.000Z

When I was in Oslo I found myself a very simple but, a fashion must have; aka the denim shirt.
I like to pair my blue demin shirt with black skinnies, my "leather" pants or even my red coloured jeans.
Here is a recent outfit of the day:

♥ Denim Shirt with two breast pockets from H&M (link...it's on SALE now)

♥ White singlet from ZARA

♥ Black skinny trousers from ZARA with zips

♥ Black Leather heeled boots (purchased last winter from DUNE)

I love my denim shirt because it is super comfortable and so easy to wear! The denim shirt is such a versatile and timeless staple for any girl’s wardrobe. For an edgy, rocky look pair the shirt with leather pants or a leather skirt or for a more girly look pair it with a soft maxi or floral skirt. You can easily dress it down for day time with a t-shirt and leggings or dress it up with a smart blazer for a classy but fun evening look. Plus don’t be afraid to wear denim with denim, because double denim is no longer a fashion ‘faux-pas’ as long as the washes are different!

Plus I added my favourite scarf to wear at the moment; a pink tube scarf from PIECES.

It's super comfy and adds that fab POP of colour to any outfit! :)

I think if you invest in the right denim shirt then this is one piece in your closet that not only will never go out of style but you can wear again and again! Do you have a denim shirt and is yes; how do you wear yours?

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T20:46:00.001Z

Wow another year has passed by so quickly and now 2012 is here :) I had a great New Years Eve celebration in Berlin with a group of friends but definitely feeling the hangover today! For me 2011 has been all about my girlfriends. My lovely existing friends but also some fantastic new friendships. I love them all to pieces so a big thank you is due to all my girls for making 2011 such a great one! ♥

"New Year's Day: Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions.

Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual"~ Mark Twain

One of my New Years resolutions is to start running and sign up for say a 10km run! Do you have any New Years resolutions this year? Here a few pictures of my NYE celebrations last night but now I'm going to bed to sleep off this hangover ;)

(Navy/Grey silk lace top recently bought from Zara - on sale now here)

In the Netherlands we have a saying 'Scherven brengen geluk' which means broken glass means good luck :)

Hope you all had an amazing New Years Eve and here's to another great year in 2012! xoxo

Happy Hump Day!

2011-12-28T15:30:00.000Z

Hey my lovelies,
I hope you've all had an AMAZING Christmas!! I had a great time with my family in the Netherlands going to Christmas Mass and enjoying a (massive) nine course Christmas dinner. Then yesterday I went with my parents for an overnight trip to Bruges, in Belgium which was such a beautiful town and now today I am on my way to Berlin to ring in the New Year there with a group of friends!

After the last few days I definitely feel the below applies ;)

For example check out this amazing hot chocolate I had in Bruges!

It was basically a giant bowl of hot milk and you got an (edible) chocolate cup filled with little chocolate chips to whisk into your hot milk. To die for delicious.....

Think a January Detox will be required ;) Happy Hump Day!

xoxo Roz

Christmas Biscotti Recipe =

2011-12-27T22:52:00.002Z

At Christmas time I love preparing baking treats as little gifts for my family and friends. Last year I made delicious 'white chocolate rocky road' which was a huge hit with my family. So this year I was again on the look-out to find something to bake that I could wrap up and place under the tree for them to enjoy! When I found this recipe I was excited because I had never made biscotti before and with the additions of cranberries, pistachios and white chocolate it made it perfect for Christmas...

Christmas Biscotti

♥ Ingredients:

3-1/4 cups flour

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1-1/2 cups sugar

145g (5 oz) unsalted butter, melted

3 large eggs

1 tbsp vanilla extract

zest of one orange

3/4 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 cup green pistachios

♥ Directions:

Start by sifting together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl use a hand (or stand) mixer to beat the sugar and melted butter together. Then and the eggs, vanilla extract and orange zest. Beat on medium-high until combined. Now add all the dry ingredients, and mix on low speed just until it's combined. If you over-mix the biscotti will start to get tough. By the end of the mixing you should have a stiff, but slightly sticky dough. Time for mix-ins! Add the dried cranberries, the pistachios and 1/2 cup of the white chocolate chips.

Doesn't the look of this bowl just scream Christmas? Stir until everything is mixed together!

Preheat the oven to 180C (350F) degrees, and cover a baking tray with parchment paper. Divide the dough in half and form it into two rough logs on the baking paper and use your hands or a scraper to press each into a bar roughly 30cm by 10cm. Bake the Christmas biscotti logs for 30 minutes, until they're golden brown.

After they come out of the oven, let them cool for at least a half-hour before slicing them. Use a very sharp serrated knife to cut the biscotti into 5cm slices. If you use a lot of downward pressure the logs have a tendency to crack, so try not to press down and instead to just gently saw back and forth. Place the sliced Christmas biscotti back on the baking sheet and return it to the oven for 15 minutes to crisp up. Now at this point don't let your dad in charge. I did this and said to my dad please take them out of the oven after 5 minutes because I was heading out to quickly visit someone for a Christmas Eve cup of coffee. But when I got home to marvel at my perfect biscuits, he'd somehow forgotten them in the oven and they were soooooo burned. Black and inedible. He did feel very guilty so had quickly whipped up more of the recipe so we could re-bake. I was mad but it's Christmas so HAD to forgive him ;)

Anyway after they are baked, the Christmas biscotti is technically done, but I like to add just a little decoration. Melt the remaining 1/4 cup of white chocolate chips and drizzle the cooled biscotti with white chocolate! Yummmmm....

Now you can wrap them up in cellophane to present them to family and friends. These biscotti are delicious on their own or 'dunked' into a cup of tea or coffee! Let me know if you make them and how they turn out :) Hope you have all had an amazing Christmas!!! xoxo

Perfect Christmas Crinkle Cookies!

2011-12-25T15:03:00.000Z

Here is the recipe for the delicious Christmas Crinkle Cookies I made this morning. I'd found this recipe a little while back on one of my favourite food blogs 'Iowa Girl Eats'. They just looked so pretty and seemed surprisingly easy to make so I wanted to give it a go myself. And guess what, they taste just as good (if not better) as they look!! A soft, fudge-brownie style cookie....yummmm. Enjoy :)

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Makes approximately 25 cookies

♥ Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup icing sugar

♥ Directions:

In a bowl mix together cocoa, sugar, vanilla and vegetable oil. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until mixture is smooth. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Mix into wet ingredients in 3 batches, mixing until just combined in between each batch. Cover the dough and chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

Preheat oven to 180C (350F) degrees. Scoop out one tablespoon of dough, roll it into a ball between your palms and roll in icing sugar.

I was so excited one I started to see the cracks appearing in the cookies!!

Place on a non-stick sprayed, or parchment paper lined, baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.

And then show them off to all your friends and family, they are bound to be impressed ;)
And they will dissapear in no time. Mmmmmmmm! xoxo

I wish you...

2011-12-25T12:19:00.002Z

.....a Merry Christmas!!! ♫

I am back home in the Netherlands at the moment to celebrate the holidays with my family. I arrived on Friday night and spend most of yesterday in the kitchen; baking up a storm! I love baking for friends and family so Christmas time is no exception. Want to see the goodies I made?

♥ Christmas Crinkle Cookies!

♥ Christmas Biscotti!

I will share these two (delicious) recipes hopefully later today or tomorrow :)

But for now I want to wish you all an AMAZING Christmas time with family and friends

And remember......

xoxo Roz

Fashion must have; the white silk blouse

2011-12-24T10:02:00.002Z

For a while now I have been looking for the perfect silk blouse and I finally found one at Zara that I really liked. This classic staple (and in my opinion a must-have in any girls wardrobe) has the ability to adapt to any sort of look; from classic to bohemian, from elegant to tomboy chic. There’s virtually endless ways pair it, layer it, transform it. I liked the pocket and shoulder details on this shirt.

Here is a recent simple outfit of the day with my silk blouse:

♥ Silk Blouse with front pockets from ZARA (buy here for £39.99)

♥ Black leggings with knee seam from ZARA (link)

♥ Black leather flat riding boots

♥ Tiffany Silver Bead earrings (link)

Then later in the day I added on a blazer and scarf for a bit of warmth...

♥ Black Jersey Blazer from ZARA (link)

♥ Leopard print tube scarf

♥ Watch by Michael Kors

Love this shirt, wore it out the other night for dinner with a beige tank top, dark blue skinny jeans and knee-high heeled boots. So simple, so elegant and so comfortable! Think this new shirt will get lots of use :) Have you got yourself this fashion must-have item yet? xoxo

Weekend Brunches: Lowry & Baker +

2011-12-21T15:11:00.000Z

Wow aren’t the days are just flying by at the moment! The other weekend I discovered this fantastic wee brunch cafe in Notting Hill that I thought I’d share. Lowry & Baker is a seriously cute cafe on Portobello Road, up where it’s a bit quieter so you do not get swamped by the thousands of tourists. The set up is very casual with lots of mismatched tables and chairs and it has a basic counter right smack-bang in the middle of the cafe for preparing food. This place is so tiny that the food is actually all prepared right there behind this counter on a little portable kitchen stove; it feels a bit like walking into your friends kitchen!
They have a regularly updated chalked-up menu on the wall with delicious breakfast or lunch choices plus an impressive display of muffins, cakes, pies and banana breads to lead you even further into temptation. I personally don’t drink a lot of coffee but have been told the coffee here is excellent too (Monmouth brand).
I chose the poached eggs on toasted sourdough with mashed avocado and smoked salmon! I love how the food and drinks are served on vintage tea plates! Plus the fresh flowers on each table are such a lovely touch.The poached eggs were perfection; there is a real art to cooking the eggs JUST right!!This yummy breakfast certainly disappeared from that pretty plate rather quickly ;) If you are ever in London or Notting Hill I definitely recommend checking this place out. The perfect weekend chilled out breakfast spot..
Lowry and Baker
339 Portobello Road
London W10 5SA
020 8960 8534
www.lowryandbaker.com

And yes it’s that time of the week again....
Happy Hump Day everyone :) xoxo

December Glossy Box =

2011-12-18T09:55:00.000Z

Only one week until Christmas! I however felt like it was Christmas already when my December GlossyBox arrived at my desk a few days ago! Seems the Glossy Box team are feeling the Christmas cheer because their last box of 2011 is a beautiful red instead of the usual soft pink and is packed full with lovely Christmas goodies. Think this is my favourite box so far!

This month everyone received a Rituals foaming shower gel, a Deborah Lippmann nail polish (plus nail polish remover mits) and a lipgloss by Cargo. The remaining two items were different in everyone’s box. I got the Blink+Go Hi Definition mascara and the MeMeMe Seventh Heaven FaceBase.

Here is an outline of the products I got:
♥ Rituals – Yogi Flow Foaming Shower Gel, 200ml £6.50
♥ Deborah Lippman "Razzle Dazzle" Mini (8ml) Nail Varnish
♥ Stripped To Go nail polish remover mitt (retails at £14 for pack of six)
♥ Blink + Go Hi-Definition Mascara
♥ Cargo Cosmetics Classic Lip Gloss (mini)
♥ MeMeMe Seventh Heaven Moisturising Facebase

I was very excited to find the Rituals foaming shower gel in this box because my brother and his fiancé seem to be addicted to the stuff. They’ve raved to me about it many times and every year when one of the big department stores in Holland has their annual sale, they stock up on buying the Rituals foaming gels in bulk! So I was very keen to give this product a go and see what the fuss was all about. Now having tried it, I completely understand their love for this product. The foaming gel is just delicious!

It has a gel-to-soft foam formula which makes it feel like you are having a bubble bath in the shower. Very soft and creamy plus the Yogi Flow smells amazing. It has ingredients like Sweet Almond Oil and Indian rose which not only make your skin smell divine but also make it feel moisturised and luxurious.

Once this bottle runs out I am definitely buying more because am keen to try the other varieties. My brother seems to swear by the Hammam Delight!

I also love the Cargo Cosmetics Lipgloss. I hadn't really heard of this brand before so that does show the advantage of the GlossyBox concept, exposing you to great products you might otherwise not find.

The classic lipgloss (travel size) I got was in the shade 'Serengiti' which is a iridescent peach colour. It has a lovely shiny, sheer non-sticky formula and the colour is so pretttty!

The Razzle Dazzle raspberry glittery nail polish by Deborah Lippman also looks perfect for the festive season, cant wait to have a play with it :)

Did you get your December GlossyBox or do you spot some products in here you'd like to have??
A GlossyBox subscription is £10 per month (plus V.A.T and p&p) from Glossybox.co.uk.
You find my previous review of the Glossy Box Experience here.

Loving my picnic blanket poncho >

2011-12-15T22:02:00.000Z

Wow in less than two weeks time it will be Christmas time! Last weekend me and my flat-mate decided to get into the festive spirit by buying a Christmas tree for our home ♥ I just love the smell of real Christmas trees and for me a fake tree just won't do! We wondered down to Portobello Road Markets and after browsing the stalls we picked up this little beauty :)

I'm wearing my new 'Klara Poncho' from Gina Tricot that I bought in Olso!

I spotted this poncho in the shop and just fell in love with it. My friend saw it too and liked it but felt it reminder her a bit too much like a picnic blanket haha. For 99 NOK which comes to about £10-12 pound I felt it was a bargain and something that would definitely fit well into my wardrobe this winter!

I also love that you can wear this poncho in many different ways as you can see above and below.

Wear it loosely, wrapped around your shoulders or held together with a belt...

..or wrap it round your neck like a thick warm scarf! Definitely am super glad I picked up this 'picnic blanket' poncho. I love the red and black combo and it's so warm and cosy. Perfect for indoor but also for outdoor over a leather jacket to keep warm in the crisp winter weather.

We proudly carried our Christmas tree home and it now stands beautifully decorated with lights and red, gold and purple baubles in the lounge....

And smelling DIVINE too I might add; Christmas....bring it on :) xoxo

Where the magic happens!

2011-12-14T18:01:00.001Z

As far as music goes I have to say I have an appreciation for a very wide range of music. I love listening to different things depending my mood and location. I love Pop, Rock, R&B, Dance etc. However if I had to give my preference to just one genre of music then I'd have to say (what I’d describe as) 'soft rock'. This is more the kind of albums I'd actually buy as opposed to just stuff I listen to on the radio. Under 'soft rock' I personally mean musicians like coldplay, the Script, James Morrison, the Fray etc. As far as bands go I’d probably say Coldplay is one of my ultimate favourites. I have bought every album as soon as it’s come out and saw them live in Auckland (NZ) about 3 years ago.

Last week Coldplay had two sold out shows in London at the O2 Arena and I had tickets to the Friday show!!! As soon as the dates were released I diarised it and ensured I was available and online the moment they went on sale. After frantically trying to manoeuvre my way around an overloaded ticket site I luckily was able to secure two tickets. Me = OVER THE MOON! And as expected the show was…….AMAZING!
Thought I’d share some pictures :)

♥ The O2 filling up with people. Feeling rather excited!

♥ We all got given these wristbands....

♥ and this is what happened with them during the concert :)

♥ The talented Chris Martin and his band!

♥ Amazing sets & lighting!

♥ Thanks Coldplay for a FANTASTIC night!

And yes; it's that time of the week again....

Love this!
Happy Hump Day everyone :) xoxo

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation

2011-12-11T21:16:00.000Z

I'm definitely a big fan of Bourjois foundations and regularly use their Bourjois 10 Hour Sleep Effect Foundation and Healthy Mix Foundation. I think their foundations have a lovely light texture that provide medium coverage and feel great on the skin. So I was really excited to try their new 'Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation'.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation contains lychee, goji and pomegranate extracts, which work to erase signs of fatigue and achieve a revived and even complexion lasting 16 hours. It's new blending gel texture promises to glide onto the skin for an even, natural finish with no 'mask' effect.

I have been using this foundation almost daily and am loving it! Where the original Healthy Mix let me down, being a little drying (review here), the new gel formula is gorgeous. First of all, let me clear one thing up, this foundation is not actually a gel. It's just a more serum, liquidy texture that gives your skin a radiant glow and stops your foundation from drying out after a few hours wear.

The foundation comes in 6 shades. I use #53 in Light Beige.

This is a recent look I did using the Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation

So overall I think it's a great foundation because it blends really nicely, provides medium long-lasting coverage and smells fresh and yummy too! And for only £10.99 I think that's a steal :) You can buy it online here.

To apply my foundation I have been using a new brush by KIM Professional Makeup recently.

KIM F251 Face Brush

'Large round brush designed specifically for application of wet make-up. The white synthetic and soft hair combination allows for maximum colour and liquid retention'. It's very similar to my MAC 187 Stipling Brush that I usually use. I definitely prefer applying my foundation with stipling brushes over flat foundation brushes because I feel it gives a more 'airbrushed' finish.

Brunch in my winter woollies..

2011-12-08T21:02:00.000Z

Back in November Australian restaurateur and food writer Bill Granger launched his first restaurant in London. Bill is internationally renowned for his easy-going approach to cooking and particularly well-known for his way with brunch. The New York Times actually christened him the ‘Egg Master’! And as you know I love my brunches so as soon as Granger & Co opened its doors in my local hood, I just couldn’t wait to check it out! So on a sunny autumn Sunday morning two weeks ago me and my flatmate excitedly walked down to Westbourne Grove to secure ourselves a seat for brunch.

Unfortunately we weren’t the only people keen to admire Bill’s famous eggs which meant we were told that there was a TWO HOUR wait for a table. But still keen as beans we decided to put our name down on the list, grabbed a coffee at (amazing nearby café) Ottolenghi and browsed around Portobello Road to kill some time. After about an hour our tummies were starting to grumble very loudly so we headed back to see if a table was close to being ours. Luckily we didn’t have to wait much longer and got seated in the buzzing new restaurant. After reviewing the menu (with drool-worthy items like ricotta hotcakes and sweet corn fritters) I decided on the famous Bill’s scrambled eggs with a side of gravlax. I also got a fresh mint tea, which is one of my favourite drinks. I have to say we weren’t too happy with how long the wait for our food was but the place was packed and buzzing with people and with it being the first weekend they were open, a wait was to be expected. After quite some time the food finally arrived and I have to say….YES it was worth the wait. These eggs, oh-em-gee, seriously divine!!! His secret……..cream. Yes not good for the waistline but sooooooooooo good for the soul ;)

If you want to try to make Bill Granger’s (heavenly) scrambled eggs at home, here is there recipe! (Link) I’m definitely planning another visit to Granger & Co in the near future to try the sweetcorn fritters (they looked amazing) and also the evening dinner menu. Had you heard of Bill Granger before? I definitely recommend a little visit to Granger & Co to spoil yourself to the world’s best scrambled eggs. Yes….you’re worth it ;)

Granger & Co
www.grangerandco.com
175 Westbourne Grove
London W11 2SB
T 020 7229 9111

Outfit wise I was wearing some comfy white winter woolies!

♥ Jumper: white cable-stitched sweater with openings from ZARA in Medium (online here for £35.99)

♥ Demin Skirt by GAP (as seen here)

♥ Black woollen knit knee high socks from H&M

♥ Black over-the-knee-high boots (as seen here)

I love wearing my denim skirt in fall and winter paired with knits, tights and boots and this white woolly definitely kept me cosy and warm. And the big smile on my face? Yes this photo was taken after consuming the best scrambled eggs ever ;) xoxo