Dragons and Rats

One of my favourite nail varnishes is Chanel and I love this shade of blood red called Dragon.

Very fitting this being the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac.

Lately I've been considering trialling shellac nails but I'm sure I would be absolute rubbish when it comes to maintaining appointments every couple of weeks for regular maintenance. Maybe I could do a course and learn how to apply this wonder product myself?  

Then again I get tired of things so quickly I would be wishing to change the colour after a week!

Recently I was perusing the manicure section at the pharmacy and happened upon this product. I have used different potions from this brand before and been satisfied so thought I would give it a try.
Supposedly a layer of this top coat will extend one's mani up to 10 days. I must admit my nails do feel super strong and the sheen is quite glossy. Even the packaging is super glossy.
Plus it contains an exclusive micro-diamond formula so what's not to love about that!
I am aware some of you girls are converts to gel/acrylic/shellac nails and I would love to hear your opinions on the pros and cons.

Here are my nails rifling through Nigella's Kitchen cookbook looking for dinner inspiration and hello..a nice photo of red velvet cake to match my nails.
Oh dear don't my fingers look chubby. Actually they are more on the slender side so I figure the phone camera adds weight like a TV camera does. Please say yes, it's the cameras fault!
My mother adhered to the nightly ritual of slathering hand cream on at bedtime and I have tried valiantly to follow her advice.
My hands have suffered because I let this regime slide last year while renovating the house and my mother's words are ringing in my ears..'You can always tell a woman's age by her hands'.
Do you agree?

So..getting back to the Year of the Dragon. A quick scout around my house and we have a few dragon-ish items in this abode.

I was born in the year of the Rat. A quick research on the net informs me of certain characteristics I definitely was aware of but a wow moment occurred upon reading the following gem,
'Routine halts their creativity so Rats need flexibility'.
So so true, I have never been a lover of routine, most of my life I've railed against it and flexibility is my middle name.

 So maybe I can blame this trait on the fact I would be hopeless at maintaining nail appointments?
xx

Nigella and Sparkly Lights

Nigella's new series started on our screens tonight and I was very excited.

Nigella and I both love sparkly fairy lights and she has even decked out her pantry in sparkles.

I'm hauling out my other two sets of lights and lighting up the house a la Nigella. Even Mr redroses  loves watching Nigella cook her fat-free recipes and we enjoy all her DVDs. This does not mean I can conjure up fabulicious meals like Nigella, I just feel so relaxed and happy while I watch her do her thing. I remember her children as littlies when she first ventured into TV. Well those kids are all grown up now.

We have been buddies for a long time. 

                     One day our television will be mounted on the wall and not propped on a book


Do you get the idea that I love Nigella!

Annie xx