Viruses, Blue Ties and Butterflies

I apparently contracted some kind of virus while on the boat last weekend, so I've spent the entire week struggling with a cold. I know I shouldn't complain, as I've only been sick with a cold once during the last four years, but I'm scared senseless of something settling in my lungs, possibly giving me bronchitis or even pneumonia. I went to the doctor on Tuesday, kinda hoping it would be something bacterial so he'd give me some penicillin or antibiotics to kill it with, but everything came out negative pointing towards a virus. Thankfully he told me that it was rather improbable that a virus would cause an issue with my lungs, but told me to come back immediately if my general state worsened or if the fever spiked. Let me just say that I've had a terrible three days now, with a fever threatening to burn my eyeballs out of my skull - or at least that's what it felt like. My nose has been acting like a faucet during the night, keeping me from sleeping very well, and I sound like a stuffed duck when I talk. Did I mention the constant itch in my throat? I'm immensely glad it seems to be passing now, and I hope I'm back to normal soon!

Haul: M/S Color Magic

I was planning on showing you what I purchased on M/S Color Magic, since I visited the duty-free on-board a couple of times. Roughly. I'm not a big fan of mixing up my posts like this, talking about my health and makeup in the same breath, but today I don't care - and I'm blaming it on being sick. So I picked up three items this time. The first item, which I actually went on a hunt for, was the Dior 3 Couleurs Smoky in "291 Smoky Navy". I wasn't able to get the promo picture from Dior Blue Tie off my mind, that fierce blue smokey eye is truly breathtaking, but since I didn't really like the Blue Tie palette, I settled for the smaller and a bit cheaper one. Sure, the compact is gorgeous - who can resist the shininess? I don't know if it's accurate, but when comparing swatches of the two palettes, I think the two main colors in "Smoky Navy" are the same as two of the colors in the Blue Tie palette.

The second item I decided to spend a little fun money on was the "Sweet Butterfly" palette from Lancôme, a travel exclusive. I cannot remember when or where I saw the "La Rose Butterfly" blush for the first time, but when I saw it displayed at the duty-free I wanted to pick it up. "La Rose Butterfly" was released with Ultra Lavande from spring 2011. This is one of those items I just like looking at because I think it's beautiful, and might not have the heart to stir. The blush itself has some kind of multicolored glittery overspray, which I personally don't appreciate very much, but it makes it look quite stunning in the correct lighting.

Apart from these two items I purchased an Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Trio (special value). I'm always on the lookout for a good lip balm, and according to MakeupAlley it seems to be a good product as it's average rating is 4.0 - worth a shot anyway! Lastly I picked up a tub of Clarins HydraQuench Cream SPF15, recommended by Fieran, to try with my eczema. And guess what? It worked like a charm, and I'm forever grateful for the tip! Unfortunately I managed to ruin my summer tan this year as well by scratching my forehead sore, but maybe next year?

Now it's time to ignore this bloody cold, and focus on the several exciting things I have to look forward to. Hopefully Mr. Postman will stop by with a package from Amira tomorrow, and then I'll have a few more things to show you. And I'll finally have the second duo from Electric Tropics, the gorgeous Dior Vernis 558 Paradise, in my collection - thanks to Amira, who worked her magic and got it for me! I still have a few Chanel palettes from this summer I haven't posted, but I need to have another photoshoot first. And who knows, maybe Mr. Postman will bring me something else as well?

Photos © Shamini Thevarajah '11