Update

I couldn't really think of a title for this post that completely encapsulated what I wanted to talk about so 'Update' seemed a good a word as any in the circumstances.

First off...I JUST found out today that both Lauren Conrad and Audrina Patridge from The Hills (I don't need to tell you guys that though!) have new reality shows planned which start filming early next year.  Why didn't I know about this sooner???  Just when I thought I was free from the grips of my uncontrollable compulsion to watch The Hills, they go and do this to me! It's bad enough that whenever the re-runs of the show are on MTV, I find myself watching episodes again even though I know what happens! All the 'drama' just draws me in!

Apparently Lauren's show will be on MTV and will follow her as she designs a line of evening wear, a follow up to her two other clothing lines, Lauren Conrad Collection and LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's.  Audrina's reality show will be on VH1 and will follow her as she lives and works in Hollywood, featuring her family and close friends.

So will you be watching both shows or choosing between the girls? Or do you think it's a step too far after The Hills?

On a completely different note, I just wanted to share a big disappointment I had recently following a purchase of what I THOUGHT was my hair product saviour.  Ok, so I have raved about the Kerastase Reflection Chroma Riche hair mask before because it is hands down, the best intensive conditioner I have ever used.  It's the holy grail of hair products for me and when I use it, any other product used to style my hair afterwards is so much more effective.  I ran out recently and decided to log onto Lookfantastic.com to get myself another hit of the good stuff.  So I toddled off and ordered the mask....

Little did I know that this wasn't the right mask at all.  I had ordered the Kerastase Reflection Chroma Reflect Treatment Mask which has a medium pink coloured tub as shown in the pic above.  But what I meant to order was the Chroma Riche Treatment Mask in the dark pink tub which is shown in the pic below...

Who would have thought that there would be such a difference between these two products? Well I can categorically say that the Chroma Reflect Mask is NOWHERE near as good as the Chroma Riche Mask.  I was so annoyed when I used it and realised it wasn't what I wanted.  It just feels like a normal cheap conditioner and doesn't make my hair feel especially good.  This stuff is expensive so I was not a happy bunny when I realised I had wasted £21.50 on it.  You would have thought that the masks would have a similar effect on the hair but no.  Chroma Riche Treatment Mask rules supreme and now I will have to go and order that to console myself!

So if you are thinking of treating yourself to a Kerastase Treatment Mask, just make sure you are choosing the right one!

Milano - Valentino for GAP!!

DH wants to drive all the way to Milan but I insisted that we stick w/ our original plan --- EuroStar all the way and it takes less than 2 hours.

Here is a whole look w/ Missoni black collar!

Are you ready for this Christmas yet?

DH said that I am doing free advertising for Chanel... lol. 

Thanks to Ceci, my friend from Canada, who tells me this exciting collision of Valentino For GAP!! I also stopped by HM in Milan to check out Lanvin for HM collection. I saw they still have some leopard heels and dresses available in the store. 

It is very big in Milan and packed w/ people!! I guess everyone is busy shopping for Christmas gifts already!

VALENTINO For GAP 

Jacket Euro 149; Cargo pants Euro 139 (or so)

I seldom try out a whole outfit look (Jacket + cargo pants) but I kind of liking this whole military green ruffle all over urban chic. 

Yes, shorts again!! My signature look in Italy! ^^ 

There is always history in Italy and there is always fashion involved in Milan! We are in front of Duomo which is the 3rd largest church in the world! 

Now I am going to zzzz...z..z...

We almost finished our Europe trip...

Rachel

Topshop Highlighter & Current Fave Lip Combo

This is the first couple of products I have tried from the Top Shop makeup range and I have to say that I am impressed with them.  I sometimes get a bit dubious when it comes to clothing stores launching their own makeup range because at times the products can be low quality and plain disappointing.  It does make you think, why not just stick to what you are good at?

However, the product that really stood out for me, being a highlighter junkie and all, was the Highlighter in Sun Beam.  Even just the fact that this highlighter only costs £8 is pretty incredible to me because the quality of it is akin to MAC MSF's or Nars Albatross.  In fact, this shade is like an exaggerated version of Nars Albatross...a pale, glowing gold colour.  The powder itself is really smooth, buttery and fantastically pigmented.  You only need to touch your brush into the pan to get enough product so no need for swirling and making a mess.  It gives SUCH a pretty sheen to the tops of the cheekbones but you can also use it on your brow bone if you like that look, your cupid's bow to accentuate your pout or on your decolletage to make your skin glow.  It would also be great to use down the front of your legs to create a slimming effect. 

You get alot of product for your money and given the intense pigmentation of the powder, you really can go wild with it.  I like the simple packaging with the cute little stars on the lid and it doesn't bother me that there isn't a mirror in the lid because I rarely take highlighter around with me to re-apply.  This is definitely a great addition to my existing highlighter collection and if you're thinking of getting Nars Albatross, skip it and get this instead.  It's cheaper, more effective and you get alot more product for your money.

My fave lip combo for this week has to be Mac Shygirl lipstick (Cremesheen, creamy neutral coral beige) with the Top Shop Glaze in Frostbite (a very sheer gloss with teeny gold reflects).  I love Shygirl because it's an easy way to introduce a subtle creamy coral shade into your look and it looks amazing against golden skin with a bronze eye! It's a bit brighter in real life than it appears in the pic. The formula isn't perfect but I can forgive that because I love the colour.  You definitely need to prime your lips with a good lip balm first.  The up side to the drier formula is that it stays put for a long time.  Every cloud...

The Top Shop Glaze is exactly what it says on the tube...a glaze.  Don't expect a highly pigmented gloss because that's not what it is.  It's basically a lip gloss that will add gold reflects to any lipstick and make your lips look VERY plump.  The sheen it gives off really volumises your lips as it catches the light.  I love the way it transforms my usual lipsticks into something a bit more special.  It's definitely a gloss I would stick to wearing at night time due to it's shiny, shimmery look.  The shimmer in this gloss are by no means chunky or gritty and it smells alot like Mac glosses.  I think the packaging is really pretty with the cute polka dots on the applicator.

What have you tried from the Top Shop makeup range? Is there anything you have your eye on? 

On another matter...how amazing was Duffy's live acoustic performance of her new song on The One Show??? Her voice sounds amazing and I've always liked her retro look! How cute are her dimples!?

Day 5(last day) in Firenze.... a visit to Venezia!!

I barely keep up our travel speed w/ my journal n' blogging at the same time in between cities in Italy.... and I barely have the strength to keep my eyelid open as I am typing right now. lol  But memory is the freshest and will be kept the longest if I "capture" them at this very moment, thus, I stayed up!! 

Today we drive ourselves to Venezia and again, it is quite a challenge. As you see, trucks, tunnels, fogs especially on the way when we entered Bologna. Apple I-pad is the best navigator but we have to download the map first and let it cached to be able to navigate us later on when we need it!!!

The same way to Milano and to Venezia.... until it splits!

We probably past 10 tunnels on our way to Venezia.


The fog and trucks are very persistent all the way till we passed Bologna!


 Finally ~ yeah~ after we drive through this big "river??", yet another totally different vibe of city in Italy--Venezia!


Venezia: A city w/o cars driving through between the alley, a city limits its air pollution to the minimum, and a city that I have never been to until today!


DH and I were talking about how different this Italy trip to us compared to our Paris trip in 2008. By then, we have our parents' help and we stayed 9 days in Pairs only in the apartment in St. German. That was quite a relaxed vacation for 7 of us. This London and Italy trip, however, is more like an adventure and quite an amazing experience for my 3 kids too. 




The only transportation goes into Venezia and in between its alley is by boat and gondolas.  






Ponte di Rialto






My new Chanel gigantic tote and pearl brooch 10/11'.



DH bought a down vest from GAS - an Italy brand, made in Italy (not their jeans though).



Even me likes pigeon feeding... 






Campanile 



Piazzetta






Basilica di San Marco 

Today we are taking EuroStar to Milano, where everyone can enjoy a palpable sense of fashion. Before we head down for our breakfast buffet in Westin Excelsior, I took last picture outside our hotel room to capture this very moment!! We don't know when will we be back but surely I always can mesmerize all the places through our photos.
 
Doesn't this back drop looks like a painting to you!!?


I think my Chanel cruise 2011 brooch is a perfect match w/ my TOPSHOP beaded shorts!




On me, RL camel turtleneck, Topshop beaded shorts, black tights, GAP vintage 05' felt hat, Ethic moss/taupe leather w/ shearling boots, Chanel 10A marron tote (not show), Chanel 11' cruise pearls, floral applique brooch.



Gotta run again~~

See you in Milano!!
xoxo Rachel