Nail it!

Good morning everyone. I know Friday is usually dedicated to FBFF but this week it's about the blog awards so I decided to sit this one down. Instead, I'm going to share my new nail polish obsessions. See I'm a bit of a classic gal when it comes to nails. French manicure (all year long), Bright reds (in summer) and dark nails (in winter). I don't do blues, designs, or any type of crazies.. Until now.

According to InStyle, the 3 must-have manicures are:

1. Mixed Metals (which I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with and I know it was a fall trend but looks like it's here to stay).

How to get the look:

STEP 1 Lacquer nails with two coats of gunmetal (at left: CND Enamel in Hyde in the Dark). Allow at least five minutes for the polish to dry.

STEP 2 Sweep nail adhesive (at left: Kami Nail Foil adhesive) over the polish. It will change from white to clear matte when dry.

STEP 3 Place a strip of gold foil—shiny side facing down—(at left: Kami Metallic gold and silver foil) over your nail, tap three to four times with your fingertip to deposit the pigment, then peel off. Repeat with the silver foil.

 

I am so gonna try this look. I just need to get me the material.

 

 

2. Moon (not particularly something I would go for but I might find it cool on someone else, perhaps? I dunno. Maybe it's the black and white? I just can't seem to like it that much)

How to get the look:

STEP 1 Apply one coat of opaque white (at left: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail color in Whirlwind White) over the entire nail and wait for the polish to dry completely.

STEP 2 Using a semicircular French-manicure stencil sticker (at left: Orly French Manicure Tip Guides), block off the bottom third of your nail.

STEP 3 Paint two coats of black (at left: Essie nail polish in Licorice) from the stencil to the tip of the nail. Once it dries, peel off the sticker and finish with a shine-enhancing top coat over the entire nail.

3. Ombre Manicure ( I love this look. will definitely try it)

How to Get the Look:

STEP 1 Gather your materials: a deep purple polish (try OPI nail lacquer in Give Me Moor), a creamy white polish (like OPI nail lacquer in Alpine Snow), five clean pots (or disposable plates), and toothpicks to mix.

STEP 2 Pour out four dime-size blobs of the dark purple, and add small increments of white to each one, creating a gradation of hues.

STEP 3 Beginning with the original shade on your pinkie, paint each nail a different color.

Looks awesome don't it???

And lastly, the OPI Glam Slam. Check it out here.
 
As promised, 2 songs today. Check them out.

 

 
Just,
Bambi

Mr Porter

Hey everyone. I know I've been absent for a few days but with everything going on in the middle east it's kinda hard to focus on this. Anyway, this will be very short and very good news to all you boys out there. Mr Porter (the male version of net-a-porter), is now open for business.

If you need a distraction from the politics in the world, start clicking.

No songs today, not in a very musical mood today. Weird I know.. This never happens. But oh well.
I promise I'll post two next time.

Bla,
Bambi

New Love this Valentine's..

Hello Tuesday.. Oh how I despise you. Oh how quickly I forget, yesterday was Valentine's Day and I forgot to wish all of you a happy love day. May every day be a Valentine's day.. and if it's not? Then he's not worth it. No I ain't cynnical I just believe in eternal romance and.. the over ratedness of Valentine's day. And speaking about love, I am in love! Yes I'm in love with my boy, but I was refering to duo Lebanese fashion designers George Azzi and Assaad Osta who started Azzi & Osta. Their new collection isn't out yet but I will post a few photos of their AW2010 collection and you be the judges.

This is proof that the Lebanese have definitely got fashion talent. I love the lines, the cuts, the fabrics. Love it all. The dynamic duo are definitely on their way to fame and glory and I am a fan. Looking forward to their new collection and will definitely be passing by the Atelier to buy a dress, and with wedding season on its way, more of an excuse to splurge.

My music pick of the day, though out of the ordinary but it makes me happy.


Hating Tuesdays,
Bambi

FBFF Rainbows and Skittles

Good morning.. I'm cheerful today, cause it's Friday and it's the weekend and I get to relax.. Well that's what I always say and that never happens but I won't be working.. Crap.. That's also not true. Great. Major buzz kill that was.. Moving on..

Today we answer FBFF questions which are mainly about colours.

1. What color dominates your closet? I'd like to say I have a lot of colours but truth to the matter is I love dark colours. I am not goth at all, on the contrary, I believe in elegance and lots of LBDs. So let's say earthy tones, nudes and maybe jewel tones (emerald green, saphire blue..). These colours are what suit me best with my skin tone, dark hair and eyes. In Summer however, I go for bright colours.. (need to show off the tan), and it's usually wedding season, so I got for electric blue, orange red, greens, florals etc... I'm excited for the summer now yayyy...
2. If money weren't an issue how would you change the color emphasis in your closet?  I don't think I'd change the colours. I wear what I wear because it's what suits me most. With more money? I'd just buy more stuff and a bigger closet... Hmm.. That would be nice. More space for my shoes and bags, and my closet will stop looking like it's about to throw up all over my bedroom floor.
3. What is your mantra about mixing colors? With colours it's tricky, I either go for many shades of the same colour or 3-4 colours that work well together. I can't go for more. It's not me. I love layers, scarves, cardigans etc... But I'm not kooky with my attire especially when it comes to colours. I don't think I could ever pull off mixed prints even though I find it beautiful.
4. For you, how do you incorporate color into your outfits?
   If I'm wearing bland colours, I definitely need a splash of fire colours (red, orange, yellow even fuschia..), so it's always in the accessories. Shoes, scarf, bag, belt, gloves or lipstick. I promise it makes all the difference.
5. Which blogger(s) do you think do a good job of incorporating color into their wardrobe? I could be biased.. and I probably am.. but it's because I love her style, I love how she mixes colours, I have to say the one and only PFFer Aysha Mattar.

And my new obsession? Another Medina song. Love her and her songs.


Excited,
Bambi

To Date or Not to Date!

Good morning. Yes I'm in a fabulous mood and all because yesterday was a day off and I spent some good quality time with my girlfriends! Yay me! (the wine helped play a big role in making me cheerful this morning). Anyway, this won't be a big post, it's actually short. To all those of you who have no date on Valentine's, but do have someone in mind but not sure whether to make the move or not, here's a brilliant guide to helping you make your decision. Intrigued? Good. So was I!

Enjoy and let me know if you try it and what happens ;)

Click to enlarge.

And today's song choice, Kevin Hammond. Many of you might not know him, but he's gonna be big.. Big I tell ya.. Check it out:



Cheerful,
Bambi

Lost in the Ads

It's been quite a weekend I must say, a lot of drama, too much fun, tears (sadness and too much laughter) and body aches. So today is a Monday and oh how much I dread Mondays. But the Super Bowl has begun and with that comes all the ads that I enjoy. The games mean nothing to me. Here are just a few of the ones I loved.



























I know I said a few and posted MANY. But there really are so many great ads and so little space. So Enjoy. Let me know if I missed some great ones. And my song choice of the day is Kanye's Lost in the World.



On an ad frenzy,
Bambi

To the People of Egypt: I Salute You

I'm sure you all know what's happening in Egypt. What started off as a peaceful protest on the 25th of January by the Egyptians who are practicing their democratic right to protest against their tyrant of a president, turned into a battlezone. Obviously to those of you living in Europe, States or are only watching American News Channels, you don't really see the real picture and automatically assume that the Egyptians are uncivilised, barbaric,  and probably uneducated. Guess again. Here's a well written article that I had just read and couldn't but share it with all of you, because this is a cry for help. Please pass this on. It is vital that the people's message gets through, because I believe he speaks on behalf of many:

I Know What You Did Last Valentine's!

Alright people. It's the cursed month of February. Why is it cursed? Because Valentine's day happens to  full right in the middle of it. And so far, even though we're day 2, it hasn't started very well. Now you may think I'm bitter for disliking Valentine's because I'm single. Well you're wrong. 1. I am not bitter and 2. I am not single. Why do I hate V day? Because when you're single, everyone else finds a way to rub it in your face and give you lectures abut how you'll find someone eventually and give you looks of sympathy. And if you are with someone, the search for a gift. Oh how I hate gift shopping.. Last year, funny enough on the same date, I wrote a post about the Mukhi Sisters' Valentine's ad that stirred so much controversy it's ridiculous. A lot of people definitely loved it, some people thought it was obscene. But guess what? It worked. Why? Because people still talk about it till today and that's when you know it was a great success. In case you missed it, this was last year's ad.

Brilliant isn't it? Funny thing is, it became a typical hand gesture. Check out Facebook pictures of random people, along with the rock, peace and f*** you hand gestures, you'll find the F U Valentine's gesture (yes I named it myself). Not only that, "I Buy my own gifts on Valentines" became a very commonly used phrase. Now, what's this year's ad? A continuation of last year's brilliant idea. It's to tell the boys that the Mukhi Sisters are also thinking about you.

Brilliant aren't they? The genius behind all of this is Fadi Mroue of the one and only république. Best creative agency in town. Sheer geniusness no? Love the Mukhi Sisters. Love république. So come on peoples start buying your loved ones (and yes you can consider yourself to be your own loved one) gifts for Valentines. And since I feel the love in this post, here's one of my all time favourite tracks and video. Just makes you want to get up on your feet and dance!

Valentine hating,

Bambi

SAG.. sounds like an insult, no?

Good morning my little Bambinas and Bambinos,

Not too pleased about how this week is going so I'm just gonna suck it up, drink coffee in the morning and wine in the evening (yes I think I can tolerate a drink or 3 now, after Friday's alcohol debacle), and listen to music. Now, for today's post, the SAG awards... dum dum DUMMMMMMMM!!!! In alphabetical order, starting with:

Amy Adams in Herve L Leroux: I'm a big fan of that line actually. To those who aren't very familiar with Herve L Leroux, it's another line designed by the talented Mr. Herve Leger, but instead of bandages, you get draped material. Very flattering for curvy women. Now the dress itself I like, just not on her. She looks pale and pasty and the colour doesn't help with her complexion at all. Sorry. Didn't do it for me.

Angie Harmon in Monique Lhuillier: It could've looked better I think. I like the bottom half I just really don't like the top, and really choosing pink for a dress like that is begging me to call out PINK FLAMINGO!!

Annette Bening in Tony Ward: Lebanese designers are big this red carpet season aren't they? Not a fan of this either but I think she looks good, and I'm proud that yet another Lebanese designer has been introduced to the red carpet. Yes I'm biased like that.

Claire Danes in Louis Vuitton: I loved it. Loved the colour, the cut, the silhouette, the belt, her hair.. Everything. One of my favourites and it was perfect for the SAG Awards. Not too over-dressed *coughangieharmoncough* and not too under dressed. Perfection. Oh Juliet, I salute you.



Drew Barrymore in Monique Lhullier: What happened here? Why Drew? Why? I like the colour 's it. And maybe the hair a little. But the make up? And the dress itself? And no no! Drew you must redeem yourself at the Oscars.

 

Eva Longoria in Georges Hobeika: Seems like this starlet is a fan of the Lebanese designer. She's been seen in quite a few of his gowns. Not a fan mind you. I know they say "less is more" but I don't think they meant it literally. Love the colour. She still looks better in this than in that black Zac Posen number she wore at the GGs.

Hilary Swank in Versace: She always looks elegant this one. And this dress looks beautiful on her. The colour of the dress works well against the colour of her skin and with her honey locks. Definitely a winner.

January Jones in Carolina Herrera: Not working for me. At all. Sorry Ms. Jones, another miss this season.



Jennifer Lawrence in Oscar de la Renta: I'm confused. I like it and I don't. Like the colour, not sure about the sleeve. I don't know. It's confusing. It can go either way not sure which way to go with right now.

Julianna Margulies in YSL: Love love love. Scarlett is one of those colours that just suits everyone. Doesn't matter if you're blonde, red head, brunette, white, dark, olive tone. It works. The cut is beautiful. Now I know the sweetheart neckline was exaggerated but I think that's the gown's charm/. She looks beautiful in this number. Love it.

Kate Hudson in Pucci: Again, long sleeves, bare back. But this one, I'm not a fan of. Maybe in a different colour? A cream, ivory or off white perhaps if we wanna stick to the almost whites? No. Still won't work. The material is too thin, and Kate doesn't have the right curves. No waist and a small chest. But a killer back.

Kim Kardashian in Marchesa: Looks like an Indian Princess in this one don't she? Love the plum on her. Don't know if I would wear that dress myself, but I think she makes it work.  

Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta: She went from pink and frills, to sexy and shimmer didn't she? Still don't like it though. Her bust looks weird in this dress.

Mila Kunis in Alexander McQueen: I love it. She's on a roll this one ain't she? From that beautiful emerald green to this lovely floral red. Beautiful.

Natalie Portman in Azaro: Now that's a cute dress. I think if Azaro heard me call the 2 million dollars worth of diamond encrusted dress cute, I'd be thrown in fashion prison. But I meant that she looks cut with her baby bump. I liked it more than the Viktor & Rolf number she wore at the GGs.

Nicole Kidman in Nina Ricci: I don't know if I should wonder what has been going on in Nicole Kidman's head with her dress choices, or what has been going on in Nina Ricci's head when she was designing? First Halle Berry's dress and now this? And Nicole? What happened to you? Tsk tsk.

Sarah Hyland in Max Mara: Very cute, fresh and age appropriate. She looks adorable in this one. I like it.



Tina Fey in Oscar de le Renta: I like it and I don't. Colour looks good on her. Not sure about the many many flowers that adorn this dress.

Well, these are my picks. Can't wait for the Oscars. And for now, if you haven't already caught a glimpse of it, the new Rihanna video. It deserves a post of its own, but I couldn't wait.

Very wired,
Bambi