Four things that deserve praise

"FOUR RHYMES WITH DOOR.
And doors shut close. And close is how you spell closet, without the T. And tea is my most cherished addiction. So ya, thanks for offering, but I already had three cups."


Sorry.

The above is a spinoff of the stunning display of logic demonstrated by my little brother's crush (SECRET GF, I KNOW IT!). She reeeally believes in the interconnectedness of all things.

Basically she's all: "You called me a b*tch? [I didn't. Nor did anyone else, far as I know]
Well! B*tches are dogs. And dogs BARK.
 And BARK comes from TREES. And trees are from NATURE. And nature is BEAUTIFUL! So ya, thanks for the compliment!"

THE PROFUNDITY!
Anyway...back to material things.

1. Mac Fix+. I did a horrendously artificial look (think "KARDASHIAN") the other day, to celebrate getting a NEW HOUSE (suppressed urge to squeal/cartwheel just here).... Well, it WAS overly contoured, overly powdery and just..ugh. Gross. Solution: went over with a few sprays of MAC Fix+. Et voila! Je felt & looked fresh as newly fallen snow -before the raccoons ravage it with paw prints... Got compliments and you know..just...unff..*kisses reflection*

This stuff also helps blend out the ever so chalky (but great) Lise Watier concealer/corrector wheel (PORTFOLIO LES BEIGES)... Adds dewiness, yum, and zest! So much better for makeup than overpriced Omorovicza Queen d'Hungarieeee... (good for skin, no doubt, but not, repeat not, for THE MASK THAT ADORNS LES VISAGES)

2. Yumminess. I MEAN. Kryolan Aquacolor. 

These come in a range of (bright) shades, but it's the black I mean.

 This was my first makeup purchase OF LIFE.

I clearly recall the day of acquisition. Was visiting cousins in Pakistan. Party (to President's house woo! --this is before the grossness that is Zardari was "elected"..ha!) next day.

"Oh noes!" I moaned. "Je do not have the prettiness that is eyeliner. Or indeed, any makeup. Only 13 ans, nest-ce pas? May je borrow from tu?"

My enlightened cousins responded (after berating me for being pretentious): "Mais oui! 'ere! Ah, but you zoo not 'ave ze eyeliner! Pourquoi? Ah, we shall walk to makeup counter avec toi, and see what there is to be seen... You down, hunny bun?"
"Down like a clown, Charlie Brown."
"NOT ALLOWED TO BUY ANYTHING EXCEPT CLEAR LIP GLOSS!" was my mother's last bellow, as we left.

But, as any teen would've, except the really annoying goody-two shoes ones (anyone with last name of Patel, in my experience), I disobeyed.

And...let's cut this short. "ZUT ALORS!" would be the appropriate reaction of anyone using this for the first time.
This is like a cake/cream eyeliner. It's lasted me since 2003 and has shown no sign of going off. About 98.789944% left.

I use MAC Fix+ or rose water, whatever, and a brush. Perfect. You can also use it as an eyeshadow base, to "enliven" the hues of chalky eyeshadows. It's the best to travel with too, and you feel all all geisha/elegant noblewoman when you use it. The less convenience in cosmetics, the greater the allure (see: Guerlain Meteorites). SO much cooler than boring gel/liquid/pencil.

3. speaking of LIQUID eyeliner... Go for Physician's Formula Eye booster pen+serum in Ultra black. Just do it. This is more a memo to myself, in case je run out, than to any imaginary reader (of which I have plenty. Father Dougal McGuire, for one). It is like a tapered calligraphy brush, in a pen, with cosmetic goodness inside. THE MIND BOGGLES.

I had it in "black" for the longest time (watery grey, pretty for subtle looks) but went out looking for the "blackest black" and couldn't find it... except at MALL FART/DOLL CART/what have you.

Package was opened.

 Being gross, and desperate, je purchased. Je ne regrette pas.

4. I have four words for you: Chantecaille La Baleine Bleue. To which your response may well be: "I know you are, but what am I?"

 Granted, I don't own this. Nor do I plan on purchasing (diapers cost MONEY! MONEY DOESN'T GROW ON TREES! BUT IT'S MADE FROM IT! SOMETIMES!). But! For only $100 minus $2, it could be thine! I'm talking to you, Father McDougall. Muffy Crosswire. VERONICA LODGE!
And of course, all the daughters of Arab oil sheikhs that ever were. Ms. Oil Sheikha.

LOOKY! PURDY!
(Although one might question why, at that price, it doesn't play haunting whale songs every time you open it).

the end.


..
TWO TEABAGS per cup, and I still can't feel the caffeine. This motherhood thing is exhausting.
Je suis fatty gay*.
..
*not a slur.**

**slur rhymes with blur. And blur rhymes with durr. And durr is what stupid people say. And stupid is the opposite of smart. And Stephen Hawking is smart. So ya, thanks for the Nobel Prize.

The Battle between CUTE and EVIL

Dear Pateesa, 

I quite enjoyed being an audience of one to the boxing match between you and your daddy. 

You instigated and won the battle. 

First, you caught him unawares. By AMBUSH. Edging closer and closer whilst we both talked, about how sleepy you seemed, ironically enough. 

Suddenly you let out a war cry, in a series of quick roll-overs, finally facing him with both fists held close to your chin (a stance you and Muhammad Ali share). 

"What the--?" cried he. 

"ARRRHHH!" was your response, accompanied by an impudent punch. Square on his chin.

Well he had no hope after that eh.

I was particularly impressed with the combo of roll-over kicks u seem to have patented. 

When your dad attempted feeble retaliation, you merely bent your head and blocked with your elbows--ROARING all the while! 

Good job! Your aim at his eye was perfection. Just like you. 

To end, when he was completely hopelessly humiliated, you merely stuffed a fist in your mouth, sucked on it with satisfaction, and turned to gaze at the painting hanging above. 
After all, a true sportsman would rather gaze at his beloved painting, than see defeat in his opponent's eyes. Very gracious.

Judging by the way you chattered to it for a full 10 minutes afterwards, I suspect that this painting provides you with intense moral support and congratulations.

Too bad grown-ups can't hear that stuff. 

From,
 An ardent fan

Michael Kors perfume review

One dab of this will suffice. Beautiful lush white floral scent with some spice, incense, sandalwood (?) Makes my day so pleasant just by having this gentle, warm aroma wafting around me.
Brings back tender, treasured memories of both of my grandmothers, dad's and mom's side (in a good way- not disparagingly). They had quite a lot in common, despite being quite different otherwise...both had tiny little gardens, which included an arched bough of jasmine and tuberose which they referred to as "raat ki raani"-Queen of the night. Smells just like this perfume. We used to visit them every summer, taking turns (they lived in different cities). Every morning, they both got one of us grandkids to pluck 2 perfect little jasmine blossoms from outside, and wore them as temporary earrings throughout the day. (I used to wake up early and get the flower/earrings for them before anyone else could, as I felt it was an honour. if ever i forgot to or someone else got there before me, i'd be so disappointed!)


My dad's mom, she used to weave them into her braid every day, or get one of us (her grandchildren) to do it. My mom's mom, she taught us how to make them into bracelets and little crowns, and she'd adorn us with them. These are just a few of the memories I associate with this fragrance.

I wanted to buy this for a very long time, but never got around to it. Only used a sample. Then recently, i acquired a bottle & started wearing this around my husband, he was amazed, and praised it to the skies, exclaiming how it reminded him of HIS beloved grandmother's garden! Such a coincidence. And fragrance has such potency. This is also his fave from all my perfumes!

This lovely, delectable fragrance brings back a wave of nostalgia & takes me back to pleasant, happy childhood moments spent with two of the sweetest, loveliest ladies I have ever known. I always thought they were the epitome of femininity, graciousness, and elegance, and therefore associate tuberose/jasmine scents with these characteristics. And far as I am from these things, when i wear this perfume, I feel temporarily in the same class of grace and greatness, just by the olfactory association. I think this tops all other tuberose fragrances out there (keeping in mind that I've still not tried Fracas). 

Diorrissimo by Dior used to do the same thing for me, despite being a bit different (soft, lily-of-the-valley), but I think they reformulated it. Also, it's not quite as long-lasting as this one, so this is my new favourite.

Self indulgent pictures on a stormy winter's night

In celebration (annoyance) at the news that the designer (WHO SHALL REMAIN NAMELESS -- rhymes with Faroon, begins with H) who made my wedding dress has somehow got his hands on my pics and is using them in Pakistan to advertise his work (WITHOUT ASKING. not even a crateful of Multani mangoes with a "thank-you-for-being-most-beauteous" note)... Where was I? Oh.. I decided to recreate  my wedding makeup. Used mainly Fyrinnae eyeshadows, which are addictively sparkle-some.

 Ah Fyrinnae, je t'adore -- not to be confused with feeeeerneeeeee, which is yet another S. Asian dessert that readers of this blog--speaking to my loyal but imaginary friend Jonathan McDougal, here--MUST try

The picture quality has still not improved. Instead of my camera, I used... my 'camera' (a hefty, unwieldy iPad).

Omorovicza SPF 15 Enhancer with Sunkiss as bronzer. 

Chanel Poudre Universelle (in Peche) to set (don't much like this, it can look cakey if you're not careful. Diorskin Nude Glow powder is far superior/more finely milled)

Fyrinnae Mephisto, Meerkat + Pyromantica Erotica (eyelid)

MAC Star Violet (crease) 

Essence gel eyeliner (midnight in paris) -Essence makes the best gel liners and the angled brush they sell isn't bad either! Sturdy, thin, and perfect for precision.

A dab of theBalm Mary Lou-manizer bronzer on cheeks. This has a bit of iridescence, nothing obvious.

Vasanti lipstick in Spain. Vasanti make amazing lipsticks, apart from their matte ones. The range of colours is superior to many other lines. If you're into shimmer and intriguing textures, if you like subtlety that isn't dull, you should swatch their stuff next time you're at Rexall.

This pic caught the look best (if you click to enlarge)

Please pay particular attention to how much my eyebrows have improved since my last FOTD.

 The reason being, in lieu of visiting my terrific 'brow' lady (who is about 2 hours from me and who I haven't seen for months), I mustered up the courage to thread them myself. Followed THIS awesome tutorial.

How beautiful is that lady? More than features, it's her "andaaz," the style/bearing that comes across.
She has a very sweet expression in her eyes. Reminds me of Audrey Hepburn in that way.

Mesmerize with yo' smize!

If you're coming from makeup alley, apologies for the thus-far lacklustre blog. You guys are worth more effort.

Fyrinnae is an online makeup company.

 They are fab and my teensy little post to them won't do them justice. All I'm doing is adding to the praise all over the web. It's a crime not to illustrate this post with pictures & swatches, but all I have is a phone camera.  

 They make the BEST loose eyeshadow. Trust me on this. Whenever I use this stuff, I get compliments. Hubby calls it "jewellery...for your face!" Is there a better testimony than that? Women I don't KNOW want to know what I have on.
---

MUST HAVE ITEMS - With most of these colours, if you blend them out, they have an in-built crease colour!

1. Evocation. Lovely cool-toned taupe. Makes for a beautiful neutral, has a glamourous *gleam,* pairs well with so many colours.
2. Snow leopard. Again, taupe. It's a mesmerizing neutral that's not dull at all. Much love.
3. Sorceress. Sexy deep turquoise. This will make brown eyes GLOW and bring out the honey tones. You can use it as eyeliner, delicately and subtle as a crease/outer V shade, or go all out and use it EVERYWHEEEEREEEEE...
4. Te Amo. It's like ash in the pot, but it looks amazing and complex once applied. Rose/grey/brown/WHATEVER.
5. Fire Opal. It's like a beautiful gleaming brown with a dark base. Makes brown eyes look intensely chocolate-y and rich! I have used it with restraint to add depth to  most looks. Cheryl Cole and Monica Bellucci would love this, if they knew about it.
6. Tyr. Pronounced "teer," which is the Urdu word for arrow, but I don't know what they were going for. Smokey green. This makes the sexiest smoky eye in history. Very Victoria's secret (Adriana Lima on a good day...although, yes, every day is a good day for her).

These are fun to play around with, and worth every penny.

There are more, I especially adore their neon brights! But the ones mentioned will be universally beloved. Even by the consumer equivalent of Sir Robin from Monty Python...if ferociously bright eyeshadows were a fire-breathing dragon, I suppose. Try not to unravel that mess of an analogy..

"Bravely ran away, away....
Yes brave Sir Robin turned about, and gallantly he chickened out!"

Lastly, their customer service is lovely. I cannot emphasize this enough.

Ta-ta for now, Chubby Chumpkin will be up any moment! Tick tock goes the clock...

In honour of Princess Diana

Do you remember when Princess Diana died?

My mother made us all (boys included) gather round the TV set and watch everything that aired about her--the various news updates, the documentary on her life, and the funeral. Praised her to the skies. etc. Made quite an impression on me.

There's a lot of stuff to admire about the Princess.

Humanitarian work, lovely personality, the way she impacted the world and spoke out about stuff that was supposed to be hush-hush. I love how she endured a hell of a lot in her private and public life, but made the best of it. Always a cheerful smile.

I've been inspired by her of late. There are some many well done documentaries & clips of her on youtube which I've been watching in my free time. I would love to emulate her on many levels.

Today I decided to do a Princess Diana inspired makeup.

Soft champagne gold and peachy tan on eyes, with blue eyeliner, blue mascara.
Orange-y frosty lipstick.
Tinted moisturizer/bronzer.

By the way: liquid bronzer? Apply with a contour brush instead of with fingers.
Makes a WORLD of difference!

Things of note:
That she didn't go overboard with the base.

That she stuck with blue eyeliner/mascara her whole life, and with good reason. It makes you seem ALERT & well-rested. And blue mascara is terrific for bringing out the *Whites* of ones eyes, cancelling out any bloodshot-ness...
She did go more browns/golds as she got older, but the blue made an appearance every once in a while.

On a regular basis, her lipstick seemed a very sheer glimmery barely-there colour, something like Estee Lauder Tiramisu.

This look is perfect for winter, as it makes you look vibrant and fresher than usual!!

Being a terrible blogger--these are all phone pics, not the best quality. It looks much prettier in real life, esp the bronzer. I just love that stuff.


Items used
Omorovicza SPF Complexion Enhancer & Sunkiss bronzer
Diorskin Nude Sculpting Powder
Lise Watier concealer wheel (Portfolio les beiges)
Lise Watier Sublime lipstick in Gala
Annabelle Creme Caramel Trio
Lise Watier waterproof eyeliner in Teal & Cover Girl Liqui'line in Blue Boom
Quo mascara in blue

I know certain aspects of my face are a disgrace, but it's fun to pretend to be a brunette Natalia Vodianova.
 If GUERLAIN stand behind her, fuzzy brows and all, surely I, with no contract to speak of, may breathe easy?

Oh by the way, here's a face chart that Princess Diana's first makeup artist created for her when she was younger! Source

Let me end with my favourite picture of her...

The sweetest thing...

The sweetest thing my husband has ever done for me (and the list of lovely, thoughtful things he does is absurdly extensive), was read Anne of the Island, a childhood favourite, to me when I was in my last, most painful weeks of pregnancy.

He'd be annoyed to know. He goes to greater lengths than this to keep my rather difficult self happy--so why is this simple deed tops?

Because nothing--and i mean NOTHING--has made me laugh so much!

When you are in real physical pain, seeing a thoroughly macho type, longtime X Men & Mixed martial arts fan, hunched over with a quizzical expression, puzzling through Anne and her petty problems...it's priceless. And the funny mockery along the way. Because of course he couldn't restrain himself.

' "I've a blue silk to make up yet, but it's a little heavy for summer
wear. I think I'll leave it until the fall. I'm going to teach in White
Sands, you know. How do you like my hat? That one you had on in church
yesterday was real dinky." '

"Oh the idyllic whimpers of these limpid shores.
 How quaintly doth they speak to the seraph within my soul."

Seriously. Any of you with masculine types around, be it a robust outdoorsy uncle with grotty hands from mountain-biking all day...here's a top tip. To be used whenever you are "feeling blue--just a pale, pensive azure."

Find the most florid-prosed, romantically and impractically-minded writer...and MAKE HIM READ THEIR STUFF. Just a chapter.

Here is an excerpt at random, from the gag-inducing "Rose In Bloom" by that dastardly Louisa May Alcott (SHE DISSED DICKENS...) It would do nicely. :

"I know my chestnut burr too well to mind his prickles. But others do
not, so I will take him in hand and make him a credit to his family,"
answered Rose readily.

"Take Archie for your model he's one of a thousand, and the girl who
gets him gets a prize, I do assure you," added Uncle Mac, who found
matchmaking to his taste and thought that closing remark a deep one.

"Oh, me, how tired I am!" cried Rose, dropping into a chair as the last
carriage rolled away somewhere between one and two.

"What is your opinion now, Miss Campbell?" asked the doctor, addressing
her for the first time by the name which had been uttered so often that
night.

"My opinion is that Miss Campbell is likely to have a gay life if she
goes on as she has begun, and that she finds it very delightful so far,"
answered the girl, with lips still smiling from their first taste of
what the world calls pleasure.

Hm. Anne would still be better, honestly.

With her "eyries" "slender iris figure" and "forlorn goblin nooks festooned with the lingering echoes of faraway dreams." I strung that last set of words together at random, but I'm sure it exists somewhere in the book.

*Note: J'adore LM Montgomery and hold nothing against her, save that she caused an intense, unfulfilled craving for puffed sleeves all throughout my 90's childhood*

Show some skin, that's what's in

A tittilating title for you there! Or it would have been at an all-girl's boarding school in, say, Victorian England. Or at a Bulgarian nunnery. I'm not cutting edge or risqué at ALL, not by today's standards. Phooey! Hoity toity! (<< try saying that in a Mexican accent). DOBBY'S SOCKS!

I wanted to do a short post on cosmetics and skincare I've been loving. Will this be another beauty blog? No, not exclusively. I'm not knowledgeable/experienced enough to commit to such an endeavour. Admirable and excellent beauty blogs include Pink Sith, Drivel about Frivol, Ars Aromatica, Musing on Beauty,  Musings of a Muse, A Model Recommends, Delicate Hummingbird. There are more, which I can't remember just now. 

I mention these to point those of you in the right direction, who accidentally found this blog searching for a good beauty-esque read. These are all good.

Now.

 As most new mothers know, skin takes a beating from all the hormones, late nights, broken sleep, and intense, crippling STRESS! 

Actually a cute baby does a lot to diffuse stress, but dark circles? Hormone related breakouts? Dry, flaky, vitamin-depleted skin? Not so, Pablo.

I want skin like hers!

The following stuff has made my skin absolutely pristine over the past few weeks.

Firstly. HUGE RAVE FOR SAAF SKINCARE.

I like the fact that this is a woman-owned business, it's all organic, highly certified. Their customer service is also great-always good to know, for etailers.

 I tried their face and body kit (sampler sizes) and had to order the full sized Pure cleanser and Ultimate moisture serum. Regarding packaging: LUXE! Regarding effectiveness: ULTRA FABULICIOUS BABYCAKES!

Pure Face Cleanser:

Smells nice. Beautiful texture. You just smooth it on, gently massage, remove with warm, wet cloth. (Shout out to MICROFIBER--available at Wal Mart for cheap-o!) Probably be best to use cotton wool for eye makeup, but who's to lazy to? JE!

Removes all makeup, my nasty (file into "regrets") Clinique Lash Power tubing 'scara included, leaves skin soft, fresh, cleaaaaan, and not aching for moisture.  Sometimes I follow it up with Dermalogica Tri-Cleanse which is a gentle creamy cleanser that has active ingredients to brighten the skin, helping with hyperpigmentation.

Ultimate Moisture Serum:

I did my proper, fanatical review for this on makeupalley.

Recreating that kind of enthusiasm here would render all of you numb to further raves, and a bit scared (tumbleweed and air, in particular). So let me say only that this is one of the best skincare products I have ever purchased. 

It soothes skin, absorbs just as well, if not BETTER, than the vastly more expensive Omorovicza Gold Rescue Serum, and Guerlain L'orchidee imperial--both of which seem to have been made only with yacht-owners and Arabian princesses in mind. 

Ultimate moisture serum leaves my skin IMMEDIATELY supple, soft, stronger over time (i.e. not as sensitive), and somehow has managed to fade several acne scars! I love this stuff as much as my grandma...'s knitting needles.

 When I run out (hard to do, as just a dab'll do ya), I will FRANTICALLY be on the website SCREAMING for more.

Be warned that it doesn't smell too pleasant. There's a nice scent, but a distinct rose hip scent lingering in the back. If you follow up with a moisturizer on top, you should be good, though.

For those with acne-prone or oily skin (Jiminy Cricket, pay attention), you'd much prefer the Complexion Boosting serum. I actually passed mine onto my sister in law.

Other serums:

Estee Lauder Advanced night repair is good to have around to calm down breakouts, but not much else. I've been through four bottles. "Meh" at most.

Boots' Hydraluron. You use this as a serum under moisturizer--supposedly makes the moisturizer more effective. Ok. So this has massive, rave reviews on the internet. You can read them all with a quick google. But wait. You're here for ME. So stick around if you're a bit younger than 49. You see, if you don't NEED need it, you may find it to cause pimples. At least, I have. 

Every usage has prompted itchiness and little under-the-skin pimples (dontcha hate those?!?!). So, i keep this to use under my eye cream, and around the "marionette lines" area. Is it effective--very. I wish it would work over the rest of my face.

Over this stuff, my eye cream has been the inexpensive c.Booth liquorice eye cream. Good, nothing miraculous. Is it doing anything? Who knows. 

Normal night cream has been Nivea cream, which I have cheated on in the past with fancier, flashier creams, but came back to each time with renewed affections (have used since teenage-hood). Masks vary, but currently it's Dermalogica Sebum Clearing masque, which is VERY brightening and effective for controlling pimples. Esp if used every few days--effect is cumulative.

NOW. The fun stuff. Fun because it's all flashy and expensive, like.

Omorovicza. Or, as my husband calls it "Oh-me-gaga" - it was originally a mispronunciation, but is now he's even invented a song "Omorovicza! Omorovicza! Oh me gaga, oh me gaga, oh oh!" to tease me for how  (GOD ALMIGHTY!) I have fallen for this brand. 

The sexy image, a whole fantasy that only very expensive, prettily packaged items can conjure up for the poor and infirm (moi). 

"Nobody went broke underestimating the intelligence of the consumer," n'est-ce pas? Here's their spiffy ad. 

Now you too can be privy to desiiire, set on fiiiire...

Ah! WHAT a model! There was a girl in my class, Tasneema, who looked exactly like that, except with even more elegance & beauty, if you can picture it. Pathan, obviously.

Shall I, with a spray of the Queen of Hungary mist, be spraying on such allure, such glamour and grace? Mais oui! Have my money! Have it all--and this coupon for Pita Land too! Good till June!

This facial mist IS very nice. I use it every day, whenever. It feels refreshing and it *does* hydrate. 

Not too enamoured with the (simple, herbal) scent.

 For THAT price one expects something more resplendent, and perhaps a little jingle to play at every spray--but hey! It makes for a good "setting spray" over powder, a good mist prior to skincare. Quite moisturizing. Good all around, wot! Mac Fix+ is similar and good, but too easily available, well-known, and AFFORDABLE for me to dribble over. 

Ooh i JUST had an idea for Canadian companies to follow suit (Marcelle, you listening?)! 

Bottle and sell L'EAU DU NIAGARA FALLS with a few other goodies thrown in (rose water, glycerin, chamomile perhaps? A bit of the famous Niagara wine?). Seriously, do it, and I will be the first to say WOWZA and a do a jump in mid hair, kicking my heels together, which Archie will demonstrate below.

.....

.......

My bad. Google doesn't seem to store such images in its bottomless pit/gallery. Well, this is close enough (replace  look of intense anxiety with Wink and Charming Grin)

Now. More Omorovicza. They do offer exclusive discounts on occasion, and samples with every purchase. BEWARE. The samples will tempt you to further purchases, not to mention all purchases on their site leads to garnering "loyalty pengo points" which will help justify further splurges. A slippery slope indeed.

To earn anything worthwhile, you'll have to accumulate a HELL of a lot of Pengo points, and will probably take the best part of a year, unless you're Queen Rania of Jordan. Or a very hard worker, Employee of the Month type. 

Here are pictures of me wearing only Omorovicza Complexion Enhancer. Am also using their Sunkiss as a bronzer in the second set of pics. 

As you can see, it makes the skin look natural + fresh. It is advertised to have a matte effect; forget this, it's satin-y. The finish (and feel) of my baby's cheek, to be honest.

Very sheer, but in a pretty way. When you use good skincare, you want to show off the results, not hide behind thick makeup.

 It lends this gleaming translucency to the skin that you usually find in young or very healthy people. 

Also--BIG POINTS HERE--this stuff has undoubtedly improved my skin. The first day that I wore it, two major pimples had totally shrunk by mid-day, and every time I take it off, my skin just seems better.  Very cool considering most tinted moisturizers and foundations, even the mildest mineral powder, seems to annoy my skin.

The Sunkiss is in a similar vein to the Complexion enhancer, but darker (not by much), with a very finely milled shimmer  from gold/ruby/mica particles! Ah me, oh my.... GOLD!!! This will suit darker skin tones as a tinted moisturizer, but I also use it as bronzer.

It is SPLENDID for looking as though you went on a short holiday to --take your pick--the Maldives, Tahiti, Brazil. 

Didn't put Morocco or Neelam Valley as options because those are my personal holiday picks. Nobody has gifted me with tickets to either, I'm a bitter hag about it.

Now a quick mention must be made of my other liquid bronzer love, Dr Hauschka Translucent Bronze Concentrate--fabulous and very versatile. You can use it on its own, mix it into foundation, or moisturizer, or SUNSCREEN (to take off the white cast). It also seems to improve my skin (must be the witch hazel). It DOES contain alcohol, so buyer beware. Actually, so does the Garnier Roller ball which is good for everyday, light concealing. (Lise Watier Les Beiges portfolio - concealer wheel - for formal events).

Shoutout to Vasanti Monoi Magic!! A recent release. 98% certified monoi oil (coconut oil with tiare flowers steeped in) with sandalwood oil and a bit of "parfum" as well. This smells gorgeous, it's about $35, and it soaks in lickety-split. Basically it's a great after-shower hair oil, along the lines of argan oil (but better imo), or light body oil. LOVE.

What now?

Confession.. j'ai un VAST array of foundation/base products, but am trying to go more natural, so I'm trying not to use them. I do succumb to Diorskin Nude Sculpting powder quite often, however. It's just TOO good not to. 

....

More crickets.

More tumbleweed.

Twiddling of thumbs.

While we're here, let me teach you a mild swear word in Japanese. YABAI! 

Ze Inaugural Post

So this blog is starting off on a good note, as my little one is cooing gurgling and laughing in the background. Is there a sweeter sound than waking up to a content, happy, little baby's coos and laughs? Perhaps only to be surpassed by rising in one's marble palace, to a medley of soft flutes/harps as the dawn rays shine on your face, whilst being fanned by peacock feathers by servants dressed in russet gold (to match the sunrise).

  It's only 5 AM but the baby is boss! And he chooses to adhere to the adage "early to bed, early to rise." Babies, number one cause for rise in concealer sales.

There are a couple of floral paintings hanging on the wall in front of me. These he can spend a wonderfully long time (from a mother's perspective) "chatting" to with enthusiasm.

Oh by the way, the blog name refers to both my favourite dessert (pateesa) and one of the nicknames that Littlest has gained. Because he's sweet as a pateesa!

For those who haven't tried (speaking to tumbleweed and crickets here), pateesa is a fantastic South asian version of cotton candy. (There's another one called "BURYA KE BAAL" aka "old ladies' hair, but I don't like that. You won't either, Tumbleweed. It's white and nasty looking, sharpishly-sweet, lacks the powdery softness of pateesa).

 Very sweet, light as air, very naughty to finish a whole box of in one go (as i have...often).

Shall I upload a pic? Here it is.

Now then. Is that a good way to end a post?

Blogs are a fab way to share ideas & recommendations, and hook up with like-minded fellows n fellowesses, so lemme throw in a couple of book recommendations. Used to be a voracious reader, but now not so much (Perfection Personified takes up so much of my time!)

-Stephen Leacock's books (pick any). CLASSY CANADIAN COMEDY
-Jerome K Jerome - Three Men in A Boat

They are both light-hearted reads I have loved and come back to yr after yr, whenever I'm in the need of a giggle. Have often woken up irate fellow passengers on flights, laughing like a rabid hyena, at every other passage these contain.

You may like. Available for free on iBooks, too!