Won: Misikko "Hana" Flat Iron, Walgreens PSA & OOTD

I have been a very lucky girl lately. I never win anything, but I guess my luck has changed because a couple of weeks ago I was the winner of a MISIKKO "hana" flat iron in a giveaway hosted by the gorgeous Tiffany over at Big Hair Bigger Lashes. Thank you Tiffany and MISIKKO for such a wonderful giveaway!

The best part? It's PINK!!!

It also came with this wonderful PINK travel case as well as a satin hair serum and a heat resistant mat that you can place your hot styling tools on!

I used it today really quickly just to run through a couple of pieces of my hair and it really worked well. I'm going to wait to give a full review until I can use it on freshly washed hair to style it.  I love that the flat iron has a temperature adjustment so you can choose how hot it is.  I also love how lightweight it is. It feels lighter than my CHI.  For comparison, here is the hana and the CHI side by side.

I just love how cute it is!  I think the travel pouch it came with will be extra handy too.  Thank you again for such a generous giveaway...and if you want to see some gorgeous makeup looks, including a gorgeous smokey eye, make sure to check out Tiffany's blog. More to come on this flatiron. 

Today I stopped by at Walgreens after work because I needed to pick up a few things.  PSA to all: Walgreens is buy one get one half off on all L'Oreal and Neutrogena products.  I had to take advantage and get some of my staple products which included:

I picked up two cans of L'Oreal Sublime Bronze airbrush self tanner because it's about $10 a can, so when I can save on this I try to!

I picked up another bottle of my favorite moisturizer, Neutrogena for sensitive skin:

I like to buy on sale, so oftentimes my bathroom cabinets end up having a stock pile of products:

Oh how I heart self tanner!

I also took a risk and bought another Neutrogena product: the SPF 25 Eye Brightening Pen.  I refused to spend the money on the YSL Touche Eclat so thought this might be a nice $8.99 alternative.

I swatched it and it's more like a concealer than a highlighter, but I like it for the under-eye area (I used a bit under my eyes when I got home just to experiment with it.) I'll apply it on a fresh face tomorrow.

I really like the packaging of this product. I think it looks sleek and expensive. More to come on how I like this for the under-eye area.  I typically don't have dark circles but I do like to brighten the eye area because it really makes you look awake and fresh (especially in the morning when most of us need it!)

 

There is the product not rubbed in at all.  

There it is with flash.

and rubbed in:

I also have an OOTD to share before I go. I think I wore this on Tuesday? All black...what I'm trying to get away from! LOL:

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Skirt-Ann Taylor; Top-Costa Blanca; Cardigan- Express; Shoes- Michael Kors; Necklace- NYLightMetals on Etsy.

I will announce my contest winner tomorrow...probably in the later afternoon or evening.

xoxo,

Veronika.

12 June is England's Football Day!

England internationals John Terry and Matthew Upson pose with a giant football at Wembley stadium in London, Tuesday, April 27, 2010. The players were promoting the Football Association’s England football day to take place on June 12, a day to encourage fans and players to come together to play, coach and celebrate football.

England plays the United States on June 12th in Rustenburg, South Africa in the FIFA 2010 World Cup.

Lampard pays £200 to kid whose bike he ran over

England football star Frank Lampard gave a schoolboy £200 cash after running over his bike.The Chelsea midfielder hit the 14-year-old's BMX as he reversed.Lampard jumped from his Range Rover, convinced he had run over the lad in a London street.But the boy, who was not on the bike, was unhurt - and Lampard gave him the cash to get a new BMX.Lampard's agent Steve Kutner said: "All sorts of things were going through Frank's mind.He saw the bike in his mirror and was sure he'd run the boy over.Frank checked the lad was OK and asked how much the bike cost.The boy said it was worth £100, so Frank gave him £200 in cash. It was the least he could do.If anything Frank was more upset than the boy."

Russell Crowe and Cristiano Ronaldo

During a visit to Madrid to promote the newest version of Robin Hood, Russell Crowe stopped by Real Madrid City on Thursday to meet several players and discuss his admiration for the club.

An avid sports fan and owner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, a rugby team in Australia, Russell Crowe is also a passionate football supporter. "I always check out La Liga table to see where Barcelona and Real Madrid stand; you have a great team," said the actor. After watching the practice match pitchside, Crowe was able to meet several Madridistas.

Sporting Director Miguel Pardeza was the first to shake the next Robin Hood's hand as Crowe displayed his own talent with the ball. He later made his way into the gym, where he met and had his picture taken with Alvaro Arbeloa, Raul Gonzalez, Pepe and Guti. Crowe also presented each player with a baseball cap of his South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The most anticipated moment of the visit took place when the actor met Cristiano Ronaldo. The Academy Award winner conversed with the Ballon d'Or winner and the two exchanged mementos, a cap for a personalized Real Madrid shirt. The visit with Real Madrid was the perfect ending to a whirlwind trip to the Spanish capital for Russell Crowe.

April Favorites and INs & OUTs

Today I thought I'd share my April favorites- products I've been using regularly and loving! These posts are always hard for me because I tend to be a product devotee and don't branch out too often, but lately I have been trying a few new products so I thought I could post these as my April faves.

1. Benefit "Eye Bright" Pencil 

 

2. OPI "Lucky Lucky Lavender" Nail Polish

3. Essie "Splash of Grenadine" Nail Polish

4. Aveda Smooth Infusion Styling Cream

5.  MAC Eyeshadow in "Blanc Type"- perfect for all over the eye to brighten it up without being chalky or too white

6.  Kiehl's Avocado Eye Cream- I've only been using this for the past week but LOVE IT! So moisturizing and feels great to put on every night- not greasy at all either and very rich!

 

7.  MAC "Bare Study" Paint Pot- neutral, soft, pretty, shimmery- the perfect product to add a little oomph without needing to pack on eyeshadow

9.  Seche Vite Topcoat- do you want perfect, shiny, fast-drying nails? This is your best friend!

10. Pureology Shampoo- Nanoworks and Essential Repair- I don't think I can ever go back to sulfate shampoos after this!  These shampoos make hair feel soft, smooth and silky without weighing it down!

 

11.  L'Oreal Ever Strong  Deep Conditioning Mask- love this deep conditioner. Makes hair feel super moisturized and soft

and, coming up for May, this is what I foresee for myself:

INs:

• Open-Toe Shoes
• Skirts and dresses
• Pretty floral prints
• Purple everywhere- clothes, home decor, nails!
• Long necklaces, Key charms on necklaces
• Resses Peanut Butter Cups
• Self-tanner- bring on the summer glow!
• Clear gloss- it's all I need!
• Taking vitamins- trying to do this more often

OUTs:

•  Tights under everything (yay for warmer weather)
• Picking at my cuticles- has GOT to stop!
• Not working out- need to get back on track
• Wearing black all of the time (need to wear more color!)...says the girl who just wore all black 2 days in a row)
• Sugar addiction (ugh...don't even get me started...see peanut butter cups, above)
• Hurty feet- I just got new insoles and gel pads for all of my heels!

What are your April favorites? Link me to your blog if you've done them or post them below!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Camp Nou turn on the sprinklers to dampen Inter's celebrations

I guess the groundsman at Camp Nou was at the game which Barcelona lost and saw the ecstatic and exultant celebrations by the Italians and decided to turn on the sprinklers hoping that the celebrations would stop which actually things really more exciting to see.

Daniel Agger: Qualified tattoo artist?

Yes, today I have discovered that Daniel Agger is a tattoo artist with qualifications. Daniel, don't quit your day job.

Ronaldo vs Rooney???

Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are being lined up to take part in an explosive personal showdown to decide the world's most skilful player.

The former Manchester United team-mates are rumoured to be poised to sign deals to take part in a high-pressure skills contest at London's O2 Arena after the World Cup.

f England and Portugal avoid each other in the knock-out stages, the skills contest in London will be the first time Ronaldo and Rooney have competed against each other since Ronaldo quit United for Real Madrid at the end of last season.

The star-studded line-up for the A:3K Football event on July 17 also includes Steven Gerrard, Didier Drogba, Cesc Fabregas and £50m-rated Spain striker David Villa.

The players will compete head-to-head in a series of challenges. One that is bound to capture the public imagination will involve them trying to hit a target with a free-kick.

The challenges, which have been devised by a group of people including David Beckham's highly-respected former manager, Terry Byrne, will revolve around power, control and accuracy.

"Steven Gerrard, Didier Drogba, Cesc Fabregas and David Villa are already signed up. I can't confirm the identity of the last two players but we know we are working with the best in the world."

Inked Lovers: Nicklas and Caroline

Aww...how adorable. My advice to both of you is to make sure you 2 stick together forever because trust me, if you 2 break up, there would be more pain added due to the removal or covering up of the tattoo.

Barcelona vs Inter Milan: Mourinho books a place in the final

Inter Milan coach José Mourinho thinks his triumph over Barca was the "sweetest 1-0 defeat ever" as Inter went on to win the match 3-2 on aggregate after Gerard Pique scored at the 78th minute but Inter just were too strong for the Catalans. This is how the show went.

Dani Alves argues with José Mourinho and Wesley Sneijder as Pep Guardiola looks.

Thiago Motta had a scuffle with Sergio Busquets which led...

...him to get a straight red and leave Inter with only 10 man to play.

I laughed hard to the floor when I saw this picture!!!

But at the end of the match, it was Mourinho running around the pitch like a kid.

Victor Valdes certainly didn't like it which made him fight with Mourinho.

Guardiola: Come on, score some goals. I didn't play millions of bucks to see you score none!

Mourinho: you should have stayed with Inter, Zlatan!!!