Didn't Expect That - Pony Eyes

I love museum shops and I love false eyelashes but I never expected to see the combination.  And I surely (don't call me Shirley!) didn't expect them to look like this....

The Victoria and Albert Museum, as a part of their Imperial Chinese Robes exhibition, is offering small paper-cut pony eyelashes.

2 pairs of small paper-cut eyelashes.


Derived from a fascination with the Chinese tradition of fine papercut work, these false eyelashes are a fun and modern interpretation.

Intricately cut and delicately pretty, the design is infused with symbolic meaning rooted in Chinese culture: horses (ponies) are symbolic of success.

Designed by Ting yu Wang.

Small Pony Eyelashes at the V&A Museum shop - £14.00

Bubblegum Plastic: Review - Nars Bloodwork

I bought the Nars Bloodwork lipgloss ages agot but I never got around to doing a post of the actual color.

The formulation is very opaque and pigment-heavy. You need to be pretty careful with the application.  The wand has a sponge tip so it does go on smoothly, which is good.

My lighting here isn't the greatest, but you can see that this is pretty va-va-voom.

And while it may seem a bit counter-intuitive, I actually prefer to apply and then blot. 

If you've ever seen an actress in a movie with perfect, seemingly naturally carmine lips, I think this is how they do it.  The color when blotted makes your mouth flushed but without even seeming to have anything on.

Maybe a bit of lip balm for a soft sheen and then a small amount of Bloom eyeshadow in platinum, and you are done for look with kissable lips.

Tempting Toppers

I'm very excited to be getting/have purchased some new delicious little fascinators to perch upon my noggin.  I do have a vintage piece I recently scored that I need to shoot but the pieces below are from two of my favorite talented designers. both available on their dedicated sites and on Etsy.

First up, from Topsy Turvy Designs, is the slightly wicked Candy Apple.  Kim's designs are lush, detailed and simply amazing.  I need to find a way to get one of her tricorn hats into my life.   The apple, I've had my eye on (sans fly) and will be a dark counterpoint to my Agent Lover Cake hat.

I also snatched up two other adorable pieces from Mary at Pretty Good Things. She has somehow managed to bring all my whimsical dreams to life with her pieces. 

I've had my eye on a Bun-Bun piece and her latest sale allowed me to nab it.  I think I need a black velvet one too.

I also grabbed the Meadow facinator too (on sale for only $5!).  I have Oh Deer! piece (super adorable - see it on me here) and a version with a hot pink base and pink butterflies... this combines them both!

It may be Winter but I can wear a green meadow all year long!

Images courtesy of their designers.

Bubblegum Plastic: Review - Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick #22 Paris

I am not a huge make-up person.  I don't wear a lot and I'm not good with experimentation or pushing the boundaries on color.  I just don't have the face for it.  So I typically go for pretty colors and simple looks.  I love mascara and a good lipstick and gloss.  I have recently started trying out the L'oreal Studio Secrets primer, maybe dot on some Prescriptives custom base (which I've been using for 15+ years) and a dusting of translucent powder.

I don't spend a lot on eyeshadow or powder, etc., but I do like to splurge a bit on lipstick.  And my favorite is Chanel.

As you can see, I have quite a few.  The big problem is that I tend to fall in love with a shade and then find out it was a seasonal limited color and have to try and find replacements. Then I hoard the little amount I have left, doling it out only on special occasions. 

The most recent color I fell for was the Chanel Rouge Coco #22 "Paris".  

I saw this vibrant, almost fuchsia, pink on Sandra Bullock at the Oscars this year and had to track down that pink.

There was quite a run on the color but I eventually got my tube.. and it is bright!

Check out the cute commercial with Vanessa Paradis

The range comes in colors from browns to pinks to corals perfect for the looks seen in the Spring 2011 shows.  I may go and check out the brownish-pink "Mademoiselle" and just got the coraly-red #58 "Audace" (to be reviewed soon).

I find this color to be very intense going on out of the tube.  It's soft and moisturizing but not overly creamy.  This color has a real shine to it.  It's not shimmery at all. 

When I combine this with my bright red hair it's kind of a contrast, so I like to blot it.  You still get quite a good pink but not so in your face.  I can stop there if I want to keep a matte look but I usually layer this with a darker toned lipstick or top with a slightly more coral gloss.

 

Blotted only

This time I topped the Paris with the Chanel Glossimer #197 "Gazelle", which is a shimmery peach.

With "Gazelle" Glossimer

I luvvvv the Glossimers too! My favorite is #15 "Spark".

 

 I find it challenging to buy make-up, especially lipstick.  The tube never gives you a real look at the color or the feel or the application.  They need to sell more mini-tubes like perfume samples so you could wear it a time or two before you commit.

I've received a few samples of products including toners, lotions and nail polish, as well as a few new make-up items I've bought.  I plan on doing more reviews so keep an eye out for the Bubblegum Plastic banner.

Bubblegum Plastic: Steel, Glass and Concrete

For some reason I'm drawn to cloud jewelry lately.  I don't have a reason for it.  The pieces that catch my eye just seem to have a peaceful, whimsical quality to them.  So it's not surprising this necklace jumped out at me on Etsy the other day.

It's sort of like cartoon cloud.  Simple, peaceful and... sturdy.  It's made of steel, glass and concrete yet retains its fluffy cloud integrity.

The cloud necklace is great but, after visiting the rest of DrCraze's shop I found myself liking quite a few of his pieces.

The size on this simple circle is wonderful.  The chunks of aquamarine sparkle have to sparkle.

I'm particularly fond of the black glass pieces especially when they are bound in brass.  I think I need the Void design above.

His designs are simple and graphic.  They have strength and size but their elegance is what really stands out. And the prices are reasonable, most around $35 - $45.

Just don't buy my cloud!

Bubblegum Plastic - Packing Prints

I'm new to the love of Liberty of London, the purveyors of all things printed, floral and lovely.

But they have totally targeted my weakness... luggage. And not just luggage, but small little cases covered with sweet, sweet floral prints.

I have way too many suitcases and mini-travel cases. I really do not need this but, they are very hard to resist!

Liberty of London Print suitcases - £60.00

Bubblegum Plastic: Sally Hansen Nail Pens

I am not a big make-up or nail polish aficionado. I do like to have a nice pedicure but I tend to be pretty boring with my color choices: reds, pinks, whites. And my manicure is usually non-existent. I have the weakest nails in the universe. They split when you look at them.

But lately my nails have been doing pretty well and are to the point where I can actually paint them without looking like I just blobbed some polish on the ends of my fingers accidentally.

I had a coupon for CVS the other day and decided to try out a few new colors. I saw these Sally Hansen nail polish pens and thought that maybe I wouldn't knock them over and spill polish every where as I may or may not have done in the past.. just saying.

I bought two colors - black and chrome silver. Right now I have on the black. I was hoping this would be a true black but it's more like a really really dark navy with a bit of sparkle. I put on a base coat and two coats of polish topped with a clear top coat. It's been lasting pretty well even with all the typing I do.

I only swiped on the chrome silver over a previous nail color because I was eager to see how chrome it came out. I would say that this does a good job of looking metallic. Not shimmery but a good shiny silver. For a polish it does a pretty good approximation of the Minx silver manicures. This could be a great solution if you need to touch up or just don't have easy access to a Minx location, like me.

All in all, good stuff. I recommend. Lots of colors, easy to use. I think I may have to go back and grab the gold chrome too.

Bubblegum Plastic: English Summer cloud necklace

Bubblegum Plastic is where we talk about all the other fun stuff... where I try to think about more than just shoes!

I love cute little whimsical necklaces, especially from the talented folks on Etsy. When I was browsing around the other day, I saw this sweet cloud and rain necklace from Mixko.

The piece is about 4" from the top of the little felted cloud to the bottom crystal raindrop.

Even though it is a raincloud, it's a happy little cloud with sparkly blue raindrops. So it makes you smile!

English Summer rain and cloud necklace - $30 from Mixko on Etsy. She also has an adorable rainbow necklace and some delicate butterfly rings that I love too. Check her out!