Once upon a time, there existed a legendary kingdom called Silene. The kingdom had a pond, as large as a lake, where a plague-bearing dragon dwelled that envenomed all the countryside...
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| Volcanic Dragon by Bob Eggleton |
A England Dragon
To appease the dragon, the people of Silene used to feed it two sheep every day, and when the sheep failed, they fed it their children, chosen by lottery. It happened that the lot fell on no other than the king's daughter : Princess Sabra.
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| Princess Sabra by Sir Edward Burne-Jones |
A England Princess Sabra
The king, distraught with grief, told the people they could have all his gold and silver and half of his kingdom if his daughter were spared; the people refused. The daughter was sent out to the lake, to be fed to the dragon, decked out as a bride and tied to a tree.
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| The Princess Tied To The Tree by Sir Edward Burne-Jones |
A England Princess Tears
Saint George by chance rode past the lake. The princess, trembling, sought to send him away, but George vowed to remain. The dragon reared out of the lake while they were conversing. Saint George charged it on horseback with his lance and gave it a grievous wound.
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| St. George slaying the dragon by Hans von Aachen |
A England Saint George
Princess Sabra and Saint George then led the dragon back to the city of Silene, where it terrified the people at its approach but George slew the dragon before the entire Kingdom with his sword Ascalon .
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| St. George Kills the Dragon by Edward Burne-Jones |
A England Ascalon
Freed from the dragon, the kingdom finally enjoyed peacefull times and the wedding of Princess Sabra and Saint George could be celebrated.
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| The Return of the Princess by Edward Burne-Jones |
A England Bridal Veil
The legend of Saint George, Princess Sabra and the dragon, considered an icon of bravery lead to the creation of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St. George as England's patron saint.
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| HONI SOIT QUAI MAL Y PENSE (Shame of him who thinks evil of it), source |
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| Star of the Order of the Garter, source |
A England Order of the Garter
In terms of formula this collection is simply flawless : high quality, smooth, almost self applying glazes with an outsanding opacity for the most :
Dragon, Saint George and Bridal Veil were true one coaters.
Princess Tears and Ascalon, barely required a second coat.
Princess Sabra and Order of the Garter were fully opaque at two coats.
If you love complex, unexpected shimmers, you will adore "The Legends", on top of thin, glowing, holographic particles, Dragon and Princess Sabra, offer an exquisite gold flash while Ascalon and Princess Tears, present an almost duochromey purple one. Of course, Bridal Veil, black with a subtle dark brown tint, Dragon such deep and saturated blue hued green and Order of the Garter with its dusty royal blue base enlightened by bold glass flecks, single out by their outstanding beauty.
Overall :
Adina did it again! She has managed to create, reaching through legends, history and her unfathomable creativity, an epic collection made of alluring, lustrous shades. Bedazzling and already highly coveted, one will only comprehend the reason of it once these gems in hand, because, yes, they are even better in real life!
In all honesty, I don't think I could express just how much I love 'The Legends".
A England retails for £9 each on a-england.co.uk, free worldwide delivery. The Legends should be online very soon, in the meanwhile, you can order them directly by dropping an email at hello@a-england.co.uk
And if you're not familiar with the lovely Adina yet, you can follow her on both Facebook or Twitter, she always has a kind word for everyone.
Princess Sabra, Princess Tears and Ascalon were purchased by me
The others were provided to me for review
Oh wow, I LOVE this collection.....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fotos!
ReplyDeleteI love Ascalon and Bridal Veil! ♥
This collection is just amazing! I mean, A England has outdone themselves. My biggest cravings here are probably Princess Sabra and Ascalon. :)
ReplyDeleteoh wow i love these colors!! and your nails just look perfect with the each color!!
ReplyDeleteI love this post and the fact it is written as the legend :) super cool idea!
ReplyDeletethank you so much YoannitaL *blushing*
ReplyDeleteespetacular! Beautifull polishes, amazing pictures!
ReplyDeleteOh my god! I'm speachless. I can't wait to have them all. I hope it ill be part of the main collection, not limited, for being able to have them. Lovely swatches, to say the least. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI need them all!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! I ordered four of these, but now I think I have to go back for the other two. Your nails and swatches really honor this gorgeous collection. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I promised myself to only get the OPI collection for Spring this year but after seeing those pretty swatches I think I need all of those in my stash. Adina really did a great job, I dare saying I like those a tiny bit better than her Mythicals collection (which I already love a lot).
ReplyDeleteWow, I love the way you laid out the story with pictures of the polishes. Amazing, all of it.
ReplyDeleteThey are all so so gorgeous, especially Dragon and Princess Tears! <3
ReplyDeleteLoveee Bridal Veil and Dragon! Amazing! :D
ReplyDeleteOh man, this is an awesome post! Can't say I've heard this story before, so thanks for telling it!
ReplyDeleteI need to save up for this collection, cause I now want them all!
Gorgeous swatches, I loved all of them, too bad I can't find the brand here in Mexico. Your swatches are impecable, as always!
ReplyDeleteAdina has become my fave brand of all time! Her colors are stunning! I already ordered Dragon, St George and Princess Sabra. I can't wait to get these. She truly has outdone herself. I still need some from her last collection!
ReplyDeleteGAH!!! SO EPIC!!!
ReplyDeleteWow ... that wonderful collection LOVED
ReplyDeletebye
That
http://esmalteecriatividade.blogspot.com/
I'm now buying this entire collex. Thanks for such a great post - one of the best I've read! Loved the story.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome post, and your swatches are lovely! Now I need 4 of these instead of 2! Argh!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this! The swatches look incredible! All of them are beautiful :D
ReplyDeleteI can't even pic a favorite! I need this entire collection..
ReplyDeleteWOW! i love how you told the story and wove in the swatches... pre-Raphaelite is my favorite art period so i'm just dying over the whole post! i think i'm going to have get all of these... and save this post to my computer! thank you so much for sharing all this <3
ReplyDeleteOH WOW - JUST WOW. what an enduring theme I love the shades corresponding to the names - I think its pure genius. A England truly has done it again I LOVE THEM ALL!! beautiful swatches as always xxx
ReplyDeleteAll of those polishes are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen Order of the Garter much, but it's absolutely gorgeous! Great post and the shape of your nails is just perfect!
ReplyDeleteThese photos are gorgeous as usual! And I love how you put them into the legend! I already have 3 of these and more on the way and your photos are making me all the more excited!! :)
ReplyDeleteSam, your swatches are simply the best I know, simple perfection! And those polishes, can't pick one I didn't like :) Bisous!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous swatches for a gorgeous collection. I can't wait to get my Legends!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and your swatches are perfection!
ReplyDeleteYour swatches made me want the entire collection which until now I had been resisting! They all look beautiful! And thanks for posting about the legend, didn't know it :)
ReplyDeleteSam! I knew your swatches would be superb, and I was so right! What a wonderful story you wove, both with the images and your swatches - love it! A stunning tribute for a stunning collection! Hugs!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful swatches and superbly written post as usual. I'm pining like a 2-year-old, my Legends have been shipped a week ago, can't wait to lay my hands on it! I only took four, leaving out Order of the Garter (which I don't regret, not quite my kind of colour though it's beautiful), Princess Tears and Dragon (and those two I do regret leaving out now that I see swatches everywhere...).
ReplyDeleteThey all look so gorgeous! The only one I don't really like is Order of the Garter.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful collection ! wow
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU for sharing the story! I knew about St. George and a dragon but not the rest.
ReplyDeleteI was hesitant about a few of the colors, but the story makes me wants ALL of them! :)
BEAUTIFUL swatches and story-telling ;)
They're stunning, I really need to get these if only I had the money, lol!
ReplyDeleteI don't have workd to express how mush I am delighted with this photos, I cannot choose one, I want them all!
ReplyDeleteTuli
From PrettifyourNails
I love them all!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI need to stop reading your blog, I can't stop ordering the polishes you show us!!!! loool
Hi
ReplyDeleteI have just fallen completely in love with the OPI spring collections Red Lights Ahead, Where, but my wallet will not allow me to buy it. Is there a dupe on the market?
Please, help a girl out.
This is very beautifull! wo, love it!:)
ReplyDeleteEPIC POST! I loved the story telling in addition to the gorgeous swatches
ReplyDeleteOMG! Thanks a lot! Now I want every one of them! This is the best nail post I have ever seen, seriously. It really is EPIC and the story is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI've been watching and reading this post repeatedly since you've published it, and with good reason. This is one of the best reviews I've ever come across, not only are your swatches and pics flawless (as usual ;-)) but you've really reached into the emotion and passion that must have felt the creator when this beautiful collection was born. So, a big thank you to share this with us, and also a big thank you to Adina, to bring us this amazing amazing amazing shades. I need it. All of them. But especially Dragon and Saint George.
ReplyDeleteDid I mention I love mythology? ;-)
@Musings from Manhattan thank you!
ReplyDelete@Marionne you didn't but of course I already knew! With a pet called Pandora, one could have guessed ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your praise sweetie, so moving!
xoxo
@The Crafty Angel (aka Manicured/Headacheslayer) thank you! xx
ReplyDelete@Fairy L�lie you'll love them! xx
ReplyDelete@Susy you're welcome! Thank you for reading it <3
ReplyDelete@Priscilla now you make me blush. my sweet Priscilla <3 bisous right back at'cha!
ReplyDelete@Anneke thanks! xoxo
ReplyDelete@KelBel oh my *blushing* thank you!
ReplyDelete@RiaLovesPawlish you're welcome! You have a shared passion with Adina about English History. You should definitely tweet her about it, you'll see she's a sweetheart. xoxo
ReplyDelete@drinkcitra thank you! xx
ReplyDelete@legiolinde ooops! sorry ;-)
ReplyDelete@Crystal thank you so much, it means the world to me. xoxo
ReplyDelete@Angie you're welcome, I'm really happy you liked it! xx
ReplyDelete@Fingers Yep, Adina's a genius!
ReplyDelete@Tinchi thank you. I really wanted to depict it that way. I'm glad you enjoyed it. xoxo
ReplyDelete@ommorphiabeautybar.com as are yours as always! Thank you Eugenia <3 xoxo
ReplyDeleteI love how you did this! I've never heard/read this story before, and I love how you placed the polish perfectly in it. Like a picture book for nail polish! Great pictures. I ordered mine earlier today (boo 2 weren't available) can't wait to get them!
ReplyDeleteYour swatches are so beautiful!! I must have these polishes ASAP!!
ReplyDeleteI love how you did your review - especially the story! Lovely pictures too! Possibly the best review of The Legend I've read! <3
ReplyDeleteI love this post! Thank you for telling the story and your swatches are incredible! Saint George looks amaaaaazing. I can't wait to get my hands on it and Bridal Veil. And maybe Ascalon, too; I haven't decided.
ReplyDeleteJust ordered St George & Bridal Veil - cannot wait to get my hands on these!!!!
ReplyDeleteSimply stunning swatches as always! x
love this post amazing job
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, with beautiful polishes (I need them in my life!) and a beautiful story, with beautiful paintings!
ReplyDeleteI would be prud to have this collection, unfortunately, it´s not possible. BUt I can admire it here :)
ReplyDeleteWOW! What an amazing review. I love how you told the story of the legend in words and pictures. So cool! I ordered Princess Sabra and Ascalon today. I'me really excited to see them in real life.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures of these polishes! What type of light do you use?
ReplyDeleteLove love love the way you wrote this post! :) I've never heard this story, but together with the images it was so enticing! Loved it.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are so perfect ! so are the preraphaelite paintings. Thanks for this interesting legend and for this review.
ReplyDeleteI've ordered Dragon and Saint-George... and am even more looking forward to have them on my nails !!!