WEDDING FLOWERS: Metallic
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Showing posts with label Metallic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Metallic. Show all posts

Brand Focus : Models Own

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Nail painting for me is always a chore. I find it so difficult to paint my short nails and wait for them to dry - I'm waaaay too impatient! However, I can't resist the temptation of buying nail polishes and testing the colours immediately. Therefore, when I got in touch with Model's Own, I was more than happy to share my thoughts and opinions on their products.

Models Own are a cosmetics brand, sold in drugstore like Boots and Superdrug, that sell stunning nail varnishes alongside an evergrowing range of other products (eyeshadow, lipgloss etc). Over a long period of time, I have been a large fan of the company because they produce incredible opaque polishes for a reasonable price. With other drugstore nail polishes, I find that they lack in intensity and require more than one coat to build up to its true potential. However, I've never experienced this flaw in Model's Own formula and find that applying a single layer is all you need, making me extremely happy because I don't have to wait 30 minutes for several layers to dry.


*Disclaimer - my nails are horrendously short and I can't apply nail polish for sh*t so please don't judge the swatches below*


When I received my package, I was thrilled to see 6 summer-perfect polishes awaiting me to test them. All the colours, for me, are wearable because I'm not that fussy with colours matching outfits. Fortunately, I was gifted 4 Hyper Gel polishes in which hold similar qualities to that of a gel-manicure at a salon (high pigmentation, hi-shine etc). Alongside this, I received on of their classic polishes to compare with the gel finish and a 'special effects' Chrome shade from their new range.


Hyper Gel White Light

An simple, classic true white with high pigmentation and shine. The hi-shine effect, derived from the gel formulation, ensures that the nails glisten under the sunlight. This is perfect for the Summer - white looks incredible against dark/tanned skin!


Hyper Gel Summer Solstice

Orange is another colour that always looks beautiful on sunkissed skin. This deep, rustic orange glides on the nails with ease via the precise applicator. Also, Hyper Gel's always seem to last a lot longer on the nails than the original polishes - I definitely think the incredible, thick gel formula has something to do with this!


Sarong Wrap

A bright yellow to match the sun, accompanied by a beach-friendly name. I love brands that come up with appropriate, qwerky names to call their products - it's the little things that matter! Although this is border-line on my comfort zone, I will definitely be wearing this out in the summer to complement the sun (if we ever do get some in England!!) as I'm rather tentative drawing attention to my gross nails.


Hyper Gel Persian Pink

A blue-toned pink that is perfect for everyday wear. Wearing pink polish is something I opt for on a daily basis as the colour is feminine, classy yet simplistic. I also love how the blue undertones have toned down the vibrancy of the pink - this totally makes it more wearable for me as my cool skin tone doesn't look good against the typical 'Barbie' pink.


Hyper Gel Loganberry

The last of the Hyper Gel range I was gifted was this beautiful, deep cherry red. This will look incredible in the Autumnal months accompanied by a dark red lip. The Gel effect specifically showed on this darker colour - the pigmentation was the best and the shine glowed when exposed to light. I cannot wait for Autumn so I can wear this constantly!



Chrome Pink

Finally, my absolute favourite shade - a metallic rose pink with silver, iridescent glimmers. I cannot begin to describe the love I have for this polish - I have not stopped wearing it since I received it. The silver and pink really work together, giving off a glamorous shine under rays of light. Also, I was very impressed with the uniqueness of this range - I was yet to find an intense, metallic polish from the drugstore until I met this collection for Model's Own. You will definitely be seeing more from this range in the future - I cannot wait to go and pick up some other stunning chromes!!

What are you favourite nail polishes? Do you own anything from Models Own?

Lots of love

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*This post is in collaboration with Models Own. However, all opinions are honest and my own.*

Prince Carl Philip & Sofia’s Wedding: The Pre-Wedding Dinner

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The party is starting! Ready your jumpy claps!

This evening, wedding guests gathered for a short boat ride on the way to the venue for the pre-wedding dinner. Only a couple of the international royal guests were present, but the headline family members certainly did give us some things to discuss...

Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist
I wondered if Sofia would continue the trend of wearing Elie Saab for her pre-wedding event, as her soon-to-be-sisters-in-law both did. And I was close: she wore Zuhair Murad, a.k.a. almost Elie Saab! (Also the groom was present. He wore a tux.)
Many of us have been hoping we’d see more of Zuhair Murad on the royal red carpet, and I think this couture dress certainly delivers. Just enough sparkle, and with a train (which looked like it was detachable) added to the back to give it a little extra royal oomph.
And the blue is divine on her, no? I love it. What a great start to the event!

The King and Queen
{SCREECH} Well, that escalated quickly. Let’s just say that something had to come in third place on the list of Silvia's best mother of the bride and/or groom pre-wedding outfits (it's a very specific list)...call it the sacrificial lamb?

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel
Okay, this is better! Victoria’s sparkly, slinky number is perfect for this and also for her next Great Gatsby-themed party (I figure there’s no point to living in a palace if you’re not going to throw the occasional Gatsby party, right?).
Crown Princess Victoria wore Jenny Packham, the original model from a bridal collection (the Packham bridal collections always have dresses that are great more uses than bridal, though). She also had a brooch in back in her updo, and you know I luv her for that.

Victoria, Daniel, and Crown Princess Mette-Marit
With many royal guests arriving tomorrow, it was a lovely surprise to see Victoria and Daniel bring part of the Norwegian contingent: Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Märtha Louise, and Ari Behn. Crown Prince Haakon joined the party by car a bit later. Mette-Marit repeated the Giambattista Valli dress she wore to Queen Margrethe’s birthday dinner earlier this year.

Princess Märtha Louise and Ari Behn
Apparently seeing that his wife was intent on a tasteful beige dress, Ari Behn decided someone had to shake things up and tossed a sash around his waist. Sure, man, why not?

Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neill
Also skipping the boat ride in favor of arriving by car, Princess Madeleine breezed by in a basic but sort of ethereal maternity dress.

Lastly, a couple aunts and an extra international royal couple, just for good measure:

Princess Birgitta, doing her Birgitta thing.

Princess Margaretha, doing her Margaretha thing. (What more can you say?)

Prince Leopold and Princess Ursula of Bavaria...doing their thing. A very sequin-y floral thing, which is a curious combo.

All in all, not a bad start to a wedding weekend. This entry may be updated later on, and feel free to add more in the comments!

Photos: via Getty Images as indicated, Expressen video

Royal Flashback of the Day: June 11

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Add another couple to the guest list for Carl Philip and Sofia's wedding: Billed-Bladet reports the Greek royal court confirmed that Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana will be in attendance. This is encouraging news, I'd say, because Tatiana has turned in some A+ ensembles at past Scandinavian royal weddings. Let us examine:

Wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O'Neill, 2013
Her ensemble for Madeleine's wedding is my least favorite of these options, despite the fact that it is the only one with a tiara (the Antique Corsage Tiara), but in this case, that means it's still quite good. Even though it is a basic overall look, the fit and draping on this dress are dreamy. As they should be, for a bespoke gown from Armani Privé.

Her two previous appearances came prior to her own wedding. She had no tiara to wear, but she also had no order sashes to worry about, and she made the most of her appearances without those occasionally pesky ribbons.
Wedding of Prince Joachim of Denmark and Marie Cavallier, 2008
A purple gown has my heart no matter what, but all the pleated texture on this one was truly best showcased in those pre-sash days. This is from Angel Sanchez, who would later design Tatiana's wedding gown, and it was also worn by actress Nicolette Sheridan.


Wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling, 2010
It takes a LOT to best a purple gown for me, but then you have THIS RIGHT HERE. This is Carolina Herrera, and it is majestic. A sash worn here would have conflicted with the dress embellishment, so it was a perfect choice for a royal wedding guest appearance before her own wedding.
It even has a train! Such jumpy claps.
You can wrap these both up and put them in my imaginary princess closet, please and thank you.

Photos: via Getty Images, Gilt, Angel Sanchez

Royal Event of the Day: June 5

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Yesterday, the Danish royal family gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 1915 Danish constitution, in which women were given the right to vote. And the outfits were...

Queen Margrethe
...pretty standard. Leave it to Daisy to sweep in like she's running an errand after work, coat flapping in her breeze.

Princess Marie and Prince Joachim
...pretty metallic. This is a lot of mixed metals, when you throw in the breastplate situation plus the sparkly shawl plus the sparkly shoes. Too many mixed metals, for moi. That dress shape does work well with her shorter hairdo, though.

Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik
...and pretty fabulous. You might not love Mary's dress as much as I do, but I love it enough for us both. You see, I've been lusting after these Burberry Prorsum silk georgette dresses in all their different forms for a while now (see: Maggie Gyllenhaal and Olivia Palermo in Mary's version, or Naomie Harris and Kirsten Dunst in a solid color version). They're very flowy, and romantic, and all of that stuff. And pairing this with the Valentino Rockstud shoes, a nude pump but with some bite? Perfection.
Also of note, the group shown here will all be in Sweden for the big wedding! Maybe Margrethe was in a rush to get home and polish her tiara.

Photos: Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images, Saks 5th Ave

Royal Fashion Awards: Queen Margrethe's Fredensborg Birthday Dinner

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The last event of Queen Margrethe's birthday fiesta was a dinner at Fredensborg Palace, not to be confused with the dinner at Christiansborg Palace last night. Did you think we were going to repeat our palaces in the same birthday celebration? Don't be ridiculous.

I had hope that this evening's black tie dinner would be a tiara event. (A similar dinner back in 2010 was with tiaras, for example.) That hope, however, was dashed. SO CRUELLY DASHED. My faith in Margrethe's capacity for sartorial splendor has been shaken to its very core! How will we ever recover from this travesty??

Alright, I'm over it. Let's work with what we've got:

Most Side Eye in Accessories
Queen Margrethe
Sorry, birthday girl, but I'm giving you the side eye real hard here. The accessorizing, specifically - it was a great dress when she wore it to the Dutch state visit, and it still is now. But it's got cool and muted tones, and that turquoise and gold set is all kinds of bright and warm, and the contrast is making me cringe. (The necklace was a birthday gift from Prince Henrik, a new addition to her modern turquoise set which includes pieces he gave her for previous birthdays. Which is fantastic - and the necklace is the best piece of the set! - but still not at its best with this dress.) She also snuck a piece of the Floral Aigrette Tiara in her hair. Ordinarily I'd be all over that, but instead, I'm just wondering why she didn't just make the dinner a tiara thing and let the other ladies play too. It's possible I'm not entirely over it.


Most Likely Best
Crown Princess Mary
Even my faith in Mary's ability to pull off a great outfit is shaken. I think I like this one...I might even like the center part low ponytail. Hmm. I reserve the right to change my judgement.


Most Overshadowed
Princess Marie
Here's Marie again, looking fine again. But I'm not looking at her, I'm looking at Hef over there.


Most...Floatiest
Princess Benedikte
Just go with it, okay? Floaty is the only word I've got for this dress, and you wouldn't have been able to stop me from swooping around with my wings fluttering behind me right in the middle of dinner. That's why she's the princess and I am NOT. (One of the many reasons...)


Most Confusing
Queen Anne-Marie
I thought this was the same dress she wore to yesterday's dinner. But it's not. It's very slightly different. Used up those Best in Usual titles a little too soon, I guess.


Most on the Mend
Queen Silvia
I think the latest addition to our ongoing saga of Silvia and her attempts to stylishly heal her shoulder is a scarf cover for whatever device she's chosen this time. I don't know. Sil, you're adorable.

Most Typical
Crown Princess Mette-Marit
I originally posted this as Most Mysterious, because M-M sure did a good job evading the television camera. But sure enough, it's just another typical Mette-Marit flower power frock by Giambattista Valli.


Most Welcome Relief
Crown Princess Victoria
If we can't have tiaras, at least we have Elie Saab. (Her sister's Elie Saab, to be precise.) And on that sigh of relief...

...we're done! Do scroll through and make sure you haven't missed any of the events. We'll return to our regularly scheduled programming on Sunday.

Who was your best dressed at the Fredensborg dinner?

Photos:via Getty Images as indicated, DR1 video, Elie Saab
Princely Party of the Day: March 31

Princely Party of the Day: March 31

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The annual Rose Ball to benefit the Princess Grace Foundation was held on Saturday, and the Monaco bunch was out in full force (minus Princess Charlene, who stayed home because Princess Gabriella was ill, apparently). And, I don't know, is it just me, or is this an abnormally tame showing for the crew? Especially for a year when Karl Lagerfeld was in charge of the theme.
Left to right: Charlotte Casiraghi, Karl Lagerfeld, Princess Caroline of Hanover, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Paola Marzotto (Beatrice's mother), Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo
This year's theme was Art Deco, so Beatrice Borromeo's slinky column of liquid platinum was right on point. Charlotte Casiraghi's dress, sort of a day dress with evening wear ambitions (settle down, little frock), was the closest to curious we came...
...and even then, it's good for cutting a rug and it lets her face do all the work, a strategy with which you can never go wrong. Princess Caroline also took the Art Deco theme to heart in her ensemble, most of which I can't really pay attention to, because NECKLACE. And also EARRINGS.
This is her fringe necklace, one of the big family jewels she wears (and which may-or-may-not also be a tiara, you can see my post on that here), and it's nice to see her bring it out for this event. Just a spectacular display of diamond power, and for that I thank her.

Photos: via Getty Images as indicated

Royal Costume Ideas of the Day: October 31

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It's Halloween, kids! I know it's not really a universal holiday, but if you're planning on celebrating and still need a costume idea, I've plucked two outfits from the royal fashion rounds this week that might help you out. Just being servicey here, folks.

Idea #1: How about going as a garden trellis, complete with scattered flowers?
On Day 2 of their state visit to Japan, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima attended a banquet with the Japanese prime minister and his wife.
All you need is a little Jan Taminiau couture, my friends, and you too could be the chicest lawn ornament on the trick-or-treat circuit. As an added bonus, not only is this color scheme universally flattering, it could also be reasonably repurposed for next year's Dolores Umbridge costume.

Idea #2: Are you a fan of the classic film A Christmas Story? 
Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel visited Estonia this week for events including a dinner hosted by the Swedish ambassador.
Try this dark-toned take on the infamous Leg Lamp! All you need is the cash for a Stella McCartney mini dress, and you're in business. Sequin shoes from Saint Laurent will add some pizazz to the one legged-pose you'll need to strike.
This little number is the perfect option for all your Halloween party needs, because if you're not going to shake it in this dress, you're doing it wrong.

Aren't they just so helpful, our royals? Not only did they give us these two fresh costume ideas, they also saw fit to remind us this week that there's always option #3: Just wear a tiara. Happy Halloween!

Photos: Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images, @Royal_talk, Net-a-porter, Bluefly

Tiara Watches of the Day: October 30

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Big stuff happening in Tiara World. BIG stuff. So, in lieu of our regularly scheduled Thursday posts, we're going to have one big, fat round up of state visity goodness - featuring tiaras from the Netherlands, Japan, and Spain! Read on for sparkle...

The Dutch King and Queen are on a state visit to Japan, and you know this is when Máxima brings it.
And it has been brought, my friends, starting with a fun full skirt dress in a pumpkin shade, totally brought to life by a gold belt and gold shoes. The dress is from designer Mattijs van Bergen, worn with another donut hat from Fabienne Delvigne.
This visit heralded the return of Crown Princess Masako to the state visit stage, and she was ready to go, even sporting an orange outfit to welcome her Orange guests (and matching her friend, Queen Máx). Awww.

In the evening, the Emperor and Empress held a state banquet, and Máxima continued to BRING IT.
Why yes, this is the first time she's worn the Württemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara, one of the family big guns that was one of Beatrix's favorites when she was queen. A perfect choice, stepping it up for her first state visit to another monarchy. She's also wearing a downsized version of the bow brooch from the Stuart parure. I'm not in love with the gown - a Jan Taminiau from Prinsjesdag 2013 - paired with this particular riband (the Order of the Precious Crown, awarded to her by the Emperor) but give me a mega tiara and I magically forget all of that.
The Empress did not wear a tiara, which was predictable; she's opted out of tiara-wearing in the past couple years, apparently for health reasons, the weight of a tiara being pretty substantial. The rest of the Japanese ladies were out in full force (even those that we don't see here), including Princess Kiko wearing the Akishino Tiara (bottom left, above).
Video, the banquet
Masako, who looked happy to be at her first state banquet in more than a decade, gave us the best look yet at the Japanese Pearl Sunburst Tiara (and its accompanying parure). There's a lot more detail there, an intricate center section and some variation  in the style of the fringes underneath the pearls, and a whole lot of sparkle. Fantastic.


Next! Over to Spain, where yesterday the King and Queen welcomed the President of Chile. This is the first formal state visit of Felipe's reign.
I think the suit Letizia chose for the official welcome belongs on Queen Sofia, to be honest. But! Once again we have redemption at the state banquet, with tiara in place.
Letizia wore the Spanish Floral Tiara, no surprise there - predictably, she didn't bust out anything reserved for the queen right away. On this occasion, it was the perfect match to her delicate gown. (Easy for me to say, it is my favorite Spanish tiara.)
She donned another Carolina Herrera dress, and this one is the best yet! Yes, we're back to the lace trend, but this is the kind that's right up my alley. I like delicate patterns and I like black and I like this, 100% like it. The trumpet flare at the bottom would be a disastrous silhouette on so many people, but for Letizia, it's fantastic.
I'm putting this under serious consideration for Letizia's best of the year. You've been warned.
And one hair shot, just for good measure.


Ahhhhhh. Talk amongst yourselves, I'll be over here, collapsed in a tiara-filled daze......

Photos: Getty Images as indicated, News Japan and ANN News video, Neiman Marcus

Royal Event of the Day: October 1

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The Swedish royal family was out and about yesterday for the opening of parliament. Black and white dress code for the ladies - a modern nod to the outdated (but regally awesome) tradition of wearing court dress for the occasion - it is:
Sofia was there! Prince Carl Philip's fiancée made her parliament debut, which is GREAT because MORE OUTFITS. Her black suit has a pleated detail on the skirt and a pleated peplum on the jacket to tie it in. Theoretically that should be adding interest to an otherwise dull suit, but I think most of that pleating ends up being pretty superfluous. Which is okay because I have just decided that Superfluous Pleating is totally the name of my next band.
Victoria repeated a Paule Ka black and white dress (yeah, it's a dress, not separates) with a bow, and matched it with a black and white bow in her hair. I don't know who she thinks she is, stealing Estelle's hair moves.

Galleries can be found here or here or here, and a video can be found here.

Later, they attended a concert where Sofia wore sleek green and Victoria wore a sequined top that is either really modern and fun or is a total Cosby sweater (or both?), depending on your perspective.
Sofia's green Mouret, Victoria's black and white By Malene Birger
And one final bit of Swedish news: the Swedish court released official photos of the engaged couple this week.
Gorgeous! Summer wedding, I am ready for you.

Photos: SVT video/Paule Ka/Lyst/By Malene Birger/Erika Gerdemark, kungahuset.se

Royal Outfit of the Day: September 30

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Video: This weekend, Queen Mathilde and daughter Princess Elisabeth attended the Genee International Ballet Competition in Antwerp.
I should like this. Full skirt with an unexpected and interesting tone on tone enlarged snake print detail, killer earrings (look at the sparkle on video!). And yet. AND YET.
Click the link above for a gallery.
Well, this falls into all the sneaky traps of using shiny fabric, doesn't it? Each wrinkle, each area that could use better tailoring, it all gets magnified. The high neckline and unadorned front make one serious wall o' shine. It just seems...stiff, on the whole.
I'd probably love this in coat form, so you could have a non-shiny dress underneath to break things up, or maybe if the neckline wasn't so high and plain. What say you?

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