Twinkling Toucan

I'm so excited to show you all the amazing brooch I was sent from Jasper Jewellery, an Irish based online jewellery retailer that have a variety of well priced earrings, necklaces, bracelets and brooches as well as a Swarovski Crystal collection. 

I was sent this gorgeous Swarovski Toucan brooch which I cannot wait to wear on my fur coat when it gets colder paired with some red lipstick. I know this brooch won't be to everyone's taste but I adore it and it really stood out to me straight away. This one is no longer on the site, but there is a very similar Parrot brooch that I also love. 

The quality of the brooch is excellent, it's quite heavy and substantial which is why I'll wear it on a thicker fabric like my fur coat. I love the Swarovski encrusted beak, it really sparkles in the sunlight. Sometimes a statement brooch is the perfect accessory for the colder months to add some interest to a coat when the rest of your outfit is hidden away. I have a collection of brooches that I wear all Winter on my coats and I'm delighted to add this to the collection. 

Jasper Jewellery have free worldwide shipping and free gift wrapping on all orders which is great for ordering gifts coming up to Christmas because it takes away the hassle of wrapping things. 

Keep on eye on the Jasper Jewellery facebook page for competitions and special promotions.

What do you think of my little friend?

Emma x

Plum Bronze

I recently bought two make up items that I had been wanting for about a year now. I decided to use them together to create a pretty Autumnal look. 

Products Used:

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

Estée Lauder Double Wear Light in Intensity 1

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque
Revlon Rich Sable Matte Eye Shadow (for Brows)
Collection Clear Mascara (for Brows)

Estée Lauder Double Wear Concealer in Light

L'Oréal Gel Intenza Eye Liner in 01 Pure Black

Bourjois Volume Glamour Ultra Curl Mascara

NARS Blush in Sin

theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer

No7 Perfect Loose Powder in Translucent

I had been wanting the Maybelline Color Tattoo 24h Eyeshadow in On and On Bronze since I first saw these released last year but every time I thought to pick it up in Boots it was sold out or the ones there had been opened and used. Gross! When I finally did manage to find a brand new sealed one a couple of weeks ago I was not disappointed. The colour is so pretty and subtle, but can also be built up for more of an impact. I found it easy to blend with fingers or a blending brush. I have worn it alone, with gel and pencil liner and with a matte brown eye shadow blended into the crease to add intensity and dimension. I have also used it as a base for other eyeshadows and no matter what way I've used it it has incredible staying power. At the very reasonable price of €7.49, it's such amazing value for money. I honestly think everyone should own this shade.

I paired On and On Bronze with my new MAC Plumful lipstick. I saw this on a lot of blogs this time last year and by the time I had gotten around to deciding to try it, it was coming into Springtime so I waited until this Autumn to get it and once again, I am totally smitten with this lipstick. It's a Lustre finish so it's quite sheer on the lips but as you can see above you can build it up just like the Color Tattoo for a more intense colour. The shade is a darker version of my lip colour so it's perfect for an everyday make up look and I think these two products together make the most beautiful pairing. I've been wearing this combination to work pretty much non-stop for the past couple of weeks. The lipstick was €19 and is available at any MAC counter as part of their permanent collection.

What do you think?  Have you found any great Autumn eye/lip combinations?

Emma x

Here Lie The Broken Bones Of L.B. Jefferies

I wrote about Rear Window for my dissertation in college. I chose the topic of Style versus Substance in Hitchcock's films and I discussed Rear Window in one of my chapters. I already loved the film, it's definitely one of my all time favourites, I've seen it so many times and studied it in great detail and I still love it. 

If you haven't seen Rear Window, you probably know the storyline from the various pop culture references like The Simpsons Bart of Darkness episode as well as it's various remakes and "homages" like Brian de Palma's Body Double and more recently Disturbia. I can't remember exactly when I first saw it, but I'm pretty sure it was the second Hitchcock film I had seen, after Psycho. It must have also been the first film I saw with both Grace Kelly and James Stewart (swoon!). Re-watching the film recently I was reminded of my love for Grace Kelly.

When I was a kid my mam had books and magazines about her and I was always so intrigued by her as both an actress and a woman. I'm sure my interest as a young girl was due to the fact that she was a real life Princess and wore the most stunning clothes. Her wardrobe in Rear Window was designed by Edith Head and in the film she wears one of my all time favourite dresses in cinema, the black and white one from her introductory scene. What I wouldn't give to have my own version! Rear Window is worth watching for her costumes alone.

When I was researching for my dissertation I read all about the making of the film and the amount of detail that went into the production. The set was the largest to date and they even excavated the floor to accommodate all of the apartments featured in the set. No matter how many times I watch it I'm always impressed by the scale of the set. I love how we see little glimpses into Jeff's neighbours lives and how each of his neighbours represents the different feelings he has about his relationship with Lisa.

In conclusion I will say if you haven't seen Rear Window, get on that. I don't think anyone could not like it.

What's your favourite Hitchcock film?

Emma x