Jewelry Wish List

I love a nice piece of jewelry. Especially gold vermeil, which is usually quite durable and reasonable prices. Here are a few rings and earrings I'm eyeing at the moment.

-Raemi Cleo ring

-Raemi Ellesa Earrings

-Anäu Isora ring

-Anaü Paris ring

-Good After Nine Melody ring

-Ana & Cha Marinette necklace

-Natkina Fine Rainbow silver ring

3 Holiday Drinks Recipes

There's nothing like warm, spicy (and alcoholic) drinks to make you feel cozy during the holiday season. Here are 3 recipes that will make you feel cheerful (and make your home smell amazing) in just a few minutes.

1) Mulled Wine:

-1 liter of red wine

-60 cl. of water

-120 g. of sugar

-1 orange

-1 star anise

-1 cinnamon stick

-3-4 cloves

-a pinch of nutmeg

Put everything a in large bot and boil for 15 to 20 minutes.

2) Hot Apple Cider:

-1.5 litter of apple cider

-5 cl. of maple syrup

-2 cinnamon sticks

-5 cloves

-The peel of 1 orange

-The peel of 1 lemon

-1 star anise

Put everything a in large bot and boil for 15 to 20 minutes.

3) Early Grey Hot Toddy 8recipe from a Coop magazine):

Serves 4 cups

-10 cl. of whisky

-5 cl. of lemon juice

-4 tbsp of maple syrup

-60 cl. of water

-Earl grey 

-4 cinnamon sticks

-4 lemon slices

Mix the whisky, maple syrup and lemon juice. Set aside.

Make the tea.

Divide the whisky mixture in the 4 cups and top with very hot tea (reheat it if necessary).

Stir with a cinnamon stick and and a slice of lemon to decorate the mug.

What is your favorite warm drink?

My Favorite Glitter Shadows

During the holidays, we want to look sparkly but are often too busy cooking or picking out the right outfit to mess around with loose glitter and glitter glue. Here are three liquid glitter that are super easy to use and will make you look  festive in no time.

- The Nyx Glitter Goals Liquid Eyeshadow will give you a more subtle sparkle with a colored base. I love the shades Polished Pin Up and Metropical. However, the Glitter Goals Cream formula (the one that comes in a pan) is just pure glitter in a sheer base. It comes in really pretty quads or a full palette. 

- The Stila Glitter and Glow Liquid Eyeshadow is an iconic product that comes in a lot of different shades. The glitter is contained in a tinted base. I have the shade Kitten Karma and I use it a lot.

- The Pixi Liquid Fairy Lights are also a great liquid glitter. The base is very pigmented so you can use it one its own or layer for extreme shine. I have the shade Bare Brilliance which is a nice silver glitter in a bronze base. So pretty!

What is your go-to eyeshadow during the holiday?

Christmas Workouts to Try

Exercising in winter can be so hard, but there's nothing wrong with adding a little Christmas cheer to your workouts to motivate yourself. Here are 3 Christmas workouts and a 7 days holiday pilates challenge to try! 

- Moving Mango 7 days pilates challenge for the holidays

- Lucile Woodward Christmas workout

- MadFit Christmas dance workout

- Blogilates Christmas cardio workout

My Tartan Wish List A.K.A My I'm-living-my-best-life-in-a-scottish-castle Dream Wardrobe

Tartan is the pattern that seems most festive to me. However, I own very little tartan clothing. Here are a few pieces that I wouldn't mind adding to my winter wardrobe.

• A dress: As seen on the amazing Rach Martino, this red tartan dress is a holiday dream. Unfortunately, the website that sells it doesn't ship worldwide. 
• A headband to channel my inner Blair Waldorf. This Monki one looks nice.
• A tartan coat can look so chic. This J. Crew number is on my list.
• A suit: nothing says Christmas Fever like a tartan suit. J. Crew release one every year and I'm tempted.
• Pants: J. Crew are just killing it with tartan this year! I'm eyeing these pants that I also saw on Rach Martino (She's the queen of tartan!)
• Heels: These are so cute. I'll let you guess where they're from. ;-)

So I'm basically going to spend the next few weeks on the J. Crew site waiting for a sale! And I'm also going to watch A Castle for Christmas on repeat! BRB

Festive Drugstore Red Lips

The festive season is upon us and with it come parties and family gatherings. At Christmas, I feel like nothing complements an outfit better than a red lip. Whether it a sparkly dress, a satin blouse or a suit, put on bit of gold on the eyes and a bold lip and you're good to go. Plus, if you've spent all your money on gifts and you don't have much left to spend on makeup, here are five drugstore lipsticks that will get you feeling extra glamorous without breaking the bank.

Nyx Powder Puff Lippie in Group Love:

A powder texture for velvety lips. I love this formula because you get the effect of a liquid lipstick, but it's actually easy to touch up. Group Love is a blue toned red, so perfect for Christmas parties.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Red-volution:

A moussy, buildable formula that can be applied sheer or layered for more intensity.

L'Oréal Rouge Signature in I am worth it:

A true liquid lipstick (almost like a lip stain). The texture is very thin and easy to reapply. 

L'Oréal Color Riche Matte in Julianne's Red:

I'm not sure this shade is available anymore, the the Color Riche matte range offers several shades of red in a long lasting matte formula (I think Scarlett silhouette looks quite similar).

Maybelline Superstar Matte Ink in Pioneer:

These liquid lipsticks are super long lasting, so great for a party. I would recommend using a lip liner to define the shape of your lips before applying as the product dries quite quickly.

My Christmas Reading List

My love for Christmas and my love for books collide at this time of the year and I find myself reading nothing but Christmas themed stories. Here is my selection:

 

Books I loved:

The 12 Days of Dash & Lily by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn

I loved the Netflix show and was so happy to discover it was actually adapted from the first volume of a trilogy written by David Levithan (one of my favorite authors) and Rachel Cohn. I haven’t read the first volume, since have just rewatched the series (twice!) and was afraid it might just be too similar (I’m saving it for next year), so I read the second volume The 12 Days of Dash & Lily and I really enjoyed it. Dash and Lily are such a cute couple and the New York at Christmas setting is so inviting!

 

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig

Nobody does Christmas stories like Matt Haig. There’s adventure, courage, love and cuteness. Plus, his narratives are really inspiring. They always contain a sliver of hope to take with you as you close the book. I read A Boy Called Christmaslast year and loved it. It is now a movie that I’m dying to watch, but it seems like it’s not available in Switzerland. 

 

The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig

The second volume in Matt Haig’s Christmas trilogy, The Girl Who Saved Christmas is the book I’m currently reading. So far it’s been a really comforting book to dive into at the end of a long day. I also love the illustrations by Chris Mould.

 

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle

I tried to read it years ago but couldn’t finish it. I almost gave it away and I’m glad I didn’t since this time I finished it in just a couple of days. It’s composed of three short stories that are all set in the same town and I later discovered that it was adapted on screen by Netflix (I much preferred the book though). A nice and entertaining festive read.

 

 

On my to-read list:

 

One day in December by Josie Silver

I think this was selected for Reese Witherspoon’s book club so I have big expectations for it. I love a nice romance, so we’ll see how this one goes.

 

The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

It says on the cover that it is recommended for people who loved One Day in December so, again, my expectations are high. :-)

 

Letters from Father Christmas by J. R. R. Tolkien

I love Tolkien so I had to pick this up. It’s a series of letters and stories that Tolkien sent to his children as Father Christmas. The letters contain stories of the North Pole and tell the adventures of Father Christmas and his helpers.

What's on your reading list? Let me know!

My Coat Wish List

 

Winter is here and with it comes the urge to expand my coat collection. Here are four numbers I'm eyeing right now.

This pink tartan one from J. Crew looks for festive and would be perfect for the holiday season. The price tag is pretty hefty, so I'm waiting for a sale or for my savings to go up. By the way, there are so many beautiful coats on their website right now!

The Make My Lemonade Octave coat has been on my wishlist since last year. I actually ordered it last winter but had to return it because it was way too big. It is made to be worn on top of chunky sweaters and cardigans and that it always a big struggle for me in colder months. I love wearing oversized knits but the sleeves don't fit in most of my coats. 

The frilly collar is what drew me to this Ba&sh coat. It's such a unique detail on a coat and would also make it a great holiday party coat. Add a sparkly dress, heels and a clutch and you're good to go.

I love patterned coats as they tend to add a nice touch to plain jeans and sweater looks (my uniform for work in Winer). This one from French brand Des Petits Hauts looks really cosy and it seems like the sleeves are wide enough to fit a big sweater underneath. I might order it if it gets discounted some day.

What is on your wishlist? I'd love to know!

My Favorite Christmas Movies

Watching Christmas films and decorating the flat are the only things keeping me afloat during the last few weeks of the year, where the lack of light and tight work deadlines go hand in hand to make you tired AF and on the verge of seasonal depression. Here are my favourite Christmas movies of all time (the ones that feel like a warm blanket):

 

1)  The Holiday: I fell in love with Nancy Meyers movie from my first viewing of the Parent Trap. The Holiday has all the Meyers essential, a heart-warming story, love, friendship, beautiful houses and a killer soundtrack. It’s by far my favourite movie to watch and rewatch during the holiday season.

2) Love Actually: The sheer perfection that is the cast, the intertwined stories, the soundtrack, Hugh Grant as Prime Minister (dancing to the Pointer Sisters), in love baby Thomas Sangster… Do I need to say more?

3)  The Beauty and the Beast 2: A childhood favourite that I actually watched more than the first film. I loved following Belle as she decorated the castle with her friends, looked for the perfect gift for the Beast and tried to make him love Christmas, despite his traumatic past.

4)  The Princess Switch: I’ve loved a good switch ever since I saw the Parent Trap back in 1998, but honestly, I think the only reason I watch it on repeat is Sam Palladio’s smile. There! I said it! All I want for Christmas is to go horse-riding, play piano, waltz in a gazebo and bake cookies with an oh so British prince!

5)  Dash & Lily: Another absolute favourite. I love this show so much I watched it twice last December and I’ve already rewatched it this year. This contains everything you need to escape your reality and daydream for a little while: Christmas in New York, a game of dares through the best places in the city, romance, literary references, notebooks, DIY Christmas clothes and accessories… Midori Francis is a fantastic Lily and I found it quite inspiring to see her get out there and face her fears, while learning to be proud of her quirks. I recently read that the show hadn’t been renewed for another season and I cannot understand why! 

6)  A Castle for Christmas: A recent discovery, A Castle for Christmas had me longing for a trip to the Scottish countryside (I’m also dreaming of owning a castle, but that’s far less likely to happen). Again, all the essentials are here: cozy interiors, an unlikely love story, walks/rides in the snow, friendship… It’s also a nice change to see “older” actors portraying the main characters. All in all, a great Christmas movie that is entertaining and not too mushy. 

My Christmas 2021 Bucket List

 

I love the Christmas season, but I often find myself caught up in work and before I know it's December 23rd and I've yet to do all the fun seasonal stuff. This year I started early and have been enjoying Christmas movies and music, as well as slowly decorating my flat since mid-November. 

Since there are 12 days left until Christmas, I'm also using the occasion to cross one item on my "21 things to do in 2021" list which is blog and post on IG more often. So there will be a new reel on my Instagram account and a new blog post here every day until December 24th.

We're starting off with my "Christmas Bucket List". I've already crossed a few things, like go ice skating, read Christmas books (reading list coming soon) and watch Christmas films. I have made mulled wine and hot apple cider, but I haven't attempted egg nog yet. Actually making egg nog and pudding has been on my to do list for years. Same with posting Christmas content. In other words, my free time in the next 12 days will consist mostly of baking, filming and editing! 

Autumn/Halloween Reading List

 

- The Magpie Society: One for sorrow by Zoe Sugg and Amy McCullough

Mix a cup of The Dead Poet Society, a teaspoon of Wild Child (yep! The movie with Emma Roberts!) and a pinch of Harry Potter and you get The Magpie Society. There's murder, an old boarding school full of secrets, a mysterious society, friendships and rivalries. Everything you need to keep you thrilled. Can't wait for the sequel that is coming out in November.

- The Witches by Roal Dahl

This book took me back to my childhood. I love Roal Dahl's mischievous stories and Quentin Blake's illustrations are amazing as usual. Not took spooky, but a great read for the season. Now I'm dying to see the movie.

- Death or Ice Cream by Gareth P. Jones

This is a collection of short stories all set in a gloomy town called Larkin Mills. There's magic, organized crime, disappearing people, weird families, houses full of sharks, mad scientists and devilish creatures. Life is never boring in Larkin Mills and neither is this book.

- Coraline and The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman's books are Halloween staples. I read Coraline last year and loved this story and its atmosphere. This year I plan on reading The Graveyard Book. It tells the story of a boy who lives in a graveyard with ghosts and other creatures of the night. Sounds promising... Can't wait to dig in!

- Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling

It's impossible not to come back to good old Harry Potter when witch season rolls around. I personally find it very comforting and tend to turn to it whenever I'm stressed or anxious. 

- The Radleys by Matt Haig

I actually read it during the summer, because I didn't have a clue that it was about vampires. The cover clearly would have given it away had I been more observant! Not my favorite novel from Matt Haig (The Midnight Library is hard to beat!) but a great entertaining read nonetheless!

- The invisible life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

This is a book about the consequences of selling your soul to an evil nocturnal god. If that doesn't make it appropriate for this season! I'm currently reading it and I love the tone and the rhythm of going back and forth between different periods and settings.

- Macbeth by Shakespeare

As an English major, I've read a few of Shakespeare's play, but I've never read Macbeth, which seems perfectly appropriate for the season. Set in mysterious Scotland and starring witches, it's sounds pretty spooky to me! (I might have a completely wrong impression of this play, shaped by references in pop culture. So forgive me if I do :-))

- H. P. Lovecraft's stories

I couldn't fail to mention Lovecraft, a master of horror and fantasy. The Color Out of Space is a good one, as well as The Shadow over Innsmouth. If you love his universe, the card game Arkham Horror is made for you.

My Favorite Sheer Lipsticks

I love a good sheer lipstick that's easy to apply and easy to wear for work or when I fell like keeping my makeup casual.

Clinique Chubby Sticks

A classic makeup item, the shade Two Ton Tomato was one of the first high-end lip product I ever bought when I started uni. A subtle red shade for everyday life!

 

MAC Lustre Lipsticks

MAC‘s Lustre line has had a makeover. It is now called Lusterglass. Some of the popular shades from the line like Syrup and See Sheer are still there. Sadly, it seems like the Fall must-have Plumful is being discontinued. Act fast if you want backups!

 

Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss

These tinted lip balms are a new addition to Charlotte Tilbury’s line of lip products. They are pigmented and feel really nice one the lips. The iconic shade Pillow Talk is a chic nude that is great for daily looks. Bonus points for the gorgeous packaging!

 

Milani Color Fetish Shine Lipsticks

The cute, colorful packaging totally sucked me into trying these. These look and feel very nice. However, the pigmentation isn’t really consistent within the line. The shade Lingerie is barely visible on the lips and feels like a tinted lip balm, while darker shades like Bitten, Covet and Roleplay are really pigmented.

 

Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain

A cheaper alternative to the Clinique Chubby Sticks, these twist-up crayons from Jordana come in a few cute shades that work for any occasion. Sweet Pink is a pretty everyday pink and I also like Candied Coral.

 

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine/Flash

I used to wear the shade Antigone from the Rouge Coco Shine range all the time. The shade is discontinued and the range has been renamed Rouge Coco flash, but the cult shade Boy, which is another one of my favorites, is still there and I might repurchase it soon since mine is getting pretty old.

  

L’Oréal Color Riche Shine

I love a sheer red and L’Oréal’s #beautyguru ticks all the boxes. It’s lightweight on the lips and leaves behind a pink stain, making it longer lasting than most sheer lipsticks.

  

YSL The Slim Sheer Matte

These clearly win the prize for sleekest packaging. Their unusual formula gives you a blotted effect that be left sheer or built up. 

 

Urban Decay Sheer Vice Lipsticks

When UD came out with their Vice lipstick range, I was obsessed with the variety of shades and finishes. I love their comfort matte formula for special occasions, but their sheer formula is perfect for everyday life. I especially like the shades Ex-Girlfriend, Wrong Number and Lovelight. Similarly to MAC, it looks like UD is giving the range a revamp, so if you want to snag one of these before they’re gone, be fast.

 

Dior Addict Stellar Shine

The packaging is truly luxurious. I own the shade Diorismic, a warm pink that is pretty much my ideal shade for Spring and Summer, and the shade Twinkle, a barely there pink.

 

Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip

These liquid lips feel like a balm and offer the typical buildable pigmentation of the crushed range. The shade Lychee Baby is a pale nude. Smoothie Mauve and Haute Coco are great for Autumn.

 

YSl Rouge Volupté Shine

A long time favourite formula. I have the shade 19 which was a Lisa Eldridge recommendation from 2013 (Probably should throw it away…). But the shades 5 and 12 are also gorgeous!

 

Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment and Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm

If you want a tinted lip balm that packs a little more punch, Fresh Berry and Pixi Ripe Raspberry will give you both hydration and pigmentation.

 

What is your go-to lipstick for everyday life? Tell me in the comments!

Current favorites - September 2021

Being a teacher, back to school season comes with a lot of stress and quick change of pace that takes from summer chill to intense work mode pretty much overnight. I have thus been looking to ways to help me manage my stress and entertain myself when I have time off. Here are a few things that I’ve been enjoying lately.

 

Surfaces

I started listening to the band Surfaces on the train, on back to school day, and ever since it has helped me manage my stress on multiple occasions. I love the feel-good vibe of their songs and the positive lyrics. I new their hit Sunday Best, but I find the live version so much catchier than the studio version. I also love Palm Trees, Grace, Learn to Fly, Take it Easy, This View, Let me Know, Heaven Falls/Fall on Meand Keep it Gold. A must listen if you’re going through a rough time or you want to make summer last a bit longer. 

 

Laivi Põder

A few months ago, I stumbled upon the work Laivi Põder, a London-based Estonian artist. Her illustrations are dreamy and a lot of them represent a little house lost in lush nature. They are so whimsical and adorable little invitations to take a few seconds to step away from your busy day and imagine you’re wandering through a blooming field or a napping in a cozy meadow. I think that she has illustrated several books, which I definitely have to get my hands on, although they seem pretty hard to find online.

 

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

Series-wise, I’ve really enjoyed the two seasons of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. As a lover of anything musical-inspired, I could not resist this show. The plot is interesting and moving, the cast is spot-on, and the song selection is just awesome (The cover of Into youby Ariana Grande by the brilliant John Clarence Stewart is far better than the original). If you’ve enjoyed shows like Glee(Hello Alex Newell!) or Crazy Ex-Girlfriendand you’re a fan of Pitch Perfect(Hello Skylar Austin!), you’ll love this! However, it seems like the show has been cancelled and that is making me so sad! 

 

Melissa Wood Health

My biggest challenge with back to school season is to keep working out even when I’m busy and tired. I’ve heard several people talk about Melissa Wood’s workouts on Instagram and I decided to give it a go and by a subscription to her platform. What I love about her videos is that they’re short and yet effective (you’ll feel the burn!). Plus, you need little to no equipment at all. She also provides meditations, which I have not tried yet but I’m excited to. 

My favourite sunscreens (Great for combo/oily skin)

After several weeks of grey sky and rain, the sun is finally making its comeback in Switzerland, just in time for the reopening of restaurants and swimming pools. More time outside equals a daily application of sunscreen before heading out the door (at least). 

Having pretty oily skin, I always look for products that will keep the shine at bay, as well as multi
taskers that save me time and prevent makeup meltdowns that inevitably happen when it is 35 degrees and you’re wearing 4 layers of face products on.

Here is my current roaster of SPFs for different occasions and with different levels of coverage.

 

 

Avène Reflèxe solaire SPF50

This is my go-to when I want protection but no coverage with a matte finish. I like using before outdoor workouts or hikes since it is waterproof. (I also really like the Vichy Idéal Soleil sunscreen, which smells amazing, but I currently don’t own it.)

 

Avène B-Protect

This is my most recent discovery and it is a tinted moisturizer/sunscreen hybrid which provides just enough coverage to unify the skin, without feeling heavy or greasy. It looks white when it comes out of the tube and quickly turns a light skin color when rubbed into the skin (The shade is pretty light, which unfortunately doesn’t make it a great option for medium to dark skin).

 

Shiseido Sports BB Compact (Shade light)

This compact holds an SPF with the coverage level of a foundation. It is meant for sports, but I actually use it more for picnics or terrace lunches, since I don’t wear much makeup when I work out. It is however very mattifying, so I like to make sure my combo skin is properly moisturized before applying it.

 

Coola Makeup Setting Spray

When it comes to reapplying, makeup and sunscreen don’t really match and you can quickly end up with a messy face. I’ve been looking for the perfect powder SPF, but in the meantime, this face mist with an SPF 30 is what I go for when I want to top up my sunblock without having to remove or touch up my makeup. Even better, Coola’s products are vegan and cruelty free!

 

Coola Lip Balms (not pictured)

I forgot to include it in the picture, but Coola makes a great lip balm with an SPF 30, that comes in a clear and tinted formula.

What's on my reading list (spring-summer 2021)

One of my favorite things about the beginning of the pandemic (March-April 2020) was spending my mornings reading in the garden. Things have changed quite a bit since and I don't have a garden anymore, but a balcony and this year's spring is much rainier (although that is starting to get better, as I'm typing this having coffee by the lake). There's something with spending the first few hours of your day relaxing and enjoying the sun that does wonderful things for my mental health and I can't wait to fill my summer with outdoor reading sessions. Here's what I'm planning to read this summer.

I've recently finished The Midnight Library by Matt Haig and it is brilliantly thought-provoking! I have Reasons to stay alive waiting on my bookshelf, The Comfort Book, his latest work is coming out soon and I have just ordered The Humans and the Radleys so it fair to say this might be a Matt Haig summer!

If there is one newsletter that I read religiously, it is Letters of rebellion by Meg Kissack. I love discovering her weekly pep talk (She also has a great podcast called the Daily Pep if you need more of those), which is followed by a list of recommendations called the Rebel's digest. In this segment she often recommends books. She mentioned The 100 years of Lenni and Margot and I immediately ordered it, as well as The House in the Cerulean Sea, which she also recommended.

I'm currently reading Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers. I have to admit I bought it because the cover is gorgeous and would look great on a shelf, but the story is actually captivating and I'm having trouble putting it down. Her novel Learning to Swim is also on my to-read list.

Two of my favorite authors, Jennifer Niven and David Levithan have collaborated to write Take Me With You Where You Go which is set to be released at the end of August and I will definitely pick a copy of it.

A copy of The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green is also expected to arrive in my mailbox very soon. It is, I believe, his first non-fiction book and I can't wait to dive in.

Lastly, I've just started Anxious People by Swedish author Fredrik Backman. I'm only a few pages in but it looks very promising (It's always a good omen when the first page makes you giggle).  A Man Called Ove has also caught my interest. Did you know there is a book genre called Up Lit, which stands for uplifting literature? A Man Called Ove is part of it. Check out this list if you're interested.

What is on your reading list this summer? I'd love to know!

Spring Inspired Lip Products

Even though I haven't been wearing a lot of lipstick lately to face masks, lipstick is still one of my favorite thing to collect and play with. One thing I've always been into is looking at product names. I love how fun, creative and sometimes even inspiring they can be. Since it is spring, I went through my collection to find lip products with spring inspired names, which are also (unsurprisingly) perfect shades for this season.

Artdeco Perfect Color Lipstick in Make it Bloom

This is a recent addition to my collection. The packaging really caught my eyes and the soft pink shade will be perfect for every day life.

L.A. Girl Metallic Lipstick in Bloom

Another recent find. I was quite disappointed when I first opened it because I thought it would be much lighter, but this metallic peach looks really nice on the lips and the shimmer adds dimension to them.

Charlotte Tilbury K.i.s.s.i.n.g Lipstick in Stoned Rose

An oldie in my collection, this sophisticated nude is great for every season.

Chanel Rouge Coco in Magnolia

What says spring more than magnolia trees in bloom? Unfortunately I believe this shade is discontinued, which is sad because it is a beautiful blush pink with a subtle shimmer running through it. 

Catrice Ultimate Stay Lipstick in Floral Coral

Also discontinued, this Catrice lipstick is a firm favorite of mine. I would describe the shade as a perfect balance between a mauvy and a corally pink. It instantly brightens the face. 

Jordana Twist&Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain in Gorgeous Peony

I love lip crayons and I always reach for them when I want a little bit of color and a lot of hydration. This shade in particular is a nice every day nude.

Clarins Gloss Prodige in Coral Tulip

This is very old and probably shouldn't be in my collection, but I can't bring myself to throw it away, since it is such a gorgeous coral gloss.

MAC Lipglass in Cherry Mochi

This whole collection was spring heaven. This is quite an intense gloss in a lovely berry pink shade.

Dior Rouge Dior Ultra Care in Bloom and Blossom

I love this range of lip products. I already owned the shade Blossom in the previous formula and it is a stunning rosy brown hue. The shade Bloom is one of the brand's most iconic shades and it is undeniably a very flattering red.

Clinique Pop Lip Color + Primer in Poppy Pop and Peony Pop (matte)

Another favorite range of mine is the Clinique Pop lip colors. The shade Poppy Pop is a warm red with a moisturizing (although slightly slippery) finish. I actually prefer the matte version of these lipsticks and the shade Peony Pop is a nice light pinky nude.

Do you have a favorite lipstick for spring? Let me know in the comments!

My Happiness Project: The Road to Happy Thirties

In a year, I'll be turning thirty. When you're about so reach such a milestone, you can't help but look at the last decade and ask yourself: What have you accomplished? And Have I lived my life to the fullest. And although I definitely accomplished things in my twenties I also feel a tiny bit of regret when I think of the hours I've spent watching Netflix or scrolling on Instagram. That's why I want to make sure that when I'll step into the next decade I'll be moving forward and toward my goals. And what better way to spend your last 365 days as a twenty-something than with a Happiness project? If you're not familiar with the concept, it originates from Gretchen Rubin's book "The Happiness Project" in which she attempts to increase her happiness by spending twelve months focusing on twelve aspects of her life that she wishes to improve. I am a big fan of Gretchen and of the podcast (called Happier) that she co-hosts with her sister Elizabeth and I've always wanted to give such a project a try. I will thus dedicate the next year to making some lifestyle changes, as well as getting on track to reach my goals. I know twelve months isn't than long and I do not expect to have checked all the items on my bucket list by then. I just want to feel like I'm moving forward, even if it is one tiny step at a time. Even though each months will have a dedicated theme, I will do my best to work on all twelve aspects all year long, since my aim is not only to reach goals, but also to make long term changes and build new habits.

When you are preparing for a happiness project, it is important to identify the things that bring you joy and content, but also frustration or regrets, so that you know what you should be working on. These are the themes that I chose. 

On the tenth of each month, I will assess the situation, as well as create a to-do list and/or habit tracker for the following month, focusing on concrete actions that I can take. Here's the plan for May:

May: The month of "Home"

My boyfriend and I moved into our current apartment about 6 months ago and, although it is fully functional, we feel like it misses quite a few finishing touches to truly feel cosy and clutter free. So this months' goal will be to get the few pieces of furniture that we still need (mostly storage), as well as some plants, and to give life to our bare walls with prints and shelves. Our balcony is also in dire need of a makeover, so that it is ready for apéro season. Lastly our storage unit is starting to overflow. We need to declutter it and reorganize it so that everything can be found when we need it.

See you in June!

Mathilde

5 things I'm loving lately

Cougar Town: 

I'm the biggest fan of Friends and was watching it on repeat. Not that it bothered me or anything but I thought I could try watching something else to get my sitcom fix. I spotted Cougar Town starring Courtney Cox was on Disney + and decided to give it a go. I'm now on to season 3 and completely hooked. You get a lot of the same components that make Friend soooo good: a group of friends with different personalities, drinking coffee and wine, going through the ups and downs of life. Plus, life in Florida seems cool (just subtract the alligators :-)). Jules, Courtney Cox's character is very similar to Monica, (hyperactive, control-freak, but also caring and loving) and I have a major girl crush on Busy Philipps who plays Laurie, who is literally a walking rainbow. Also loved the guest appearances of Lisa Kudrow and Jenifer Aniston.

The Five-Minute Journal: 

For the fast few months, I have been starting and ending my day by writing in my Five-minute journal, which is a guided journal that allows you to reflect on the positive things that happen in your life. It doesn't take a lot of time and helps you being more grateful and aware of the power of small things. I totally recommend it to anyone who feels a bit overwhelmed by journalling, since this is very satisfying and straightforward. 

Witch, The Graphic Novel:

I am a kid at heart so when I found out that my favorite comics from my teenage years had been reedited, I couldn't resist ordering a few volumes. Witch is about a group a girls who discover they have powers and are supposed to protect a magical barrier between different worlds. It brings back to many memories and makes me wan to start drawing.

The Biotta juice cleanse:

I recently did a five-day juice cleanse and, although it was pretty hard not to eat, I can feel that it was good for my body. It makes you realize that you can actually function without food and that afternoon  or late night cravings are more psychological that anything. It also really makes you appreciate your food, when you start eating again.  I will definitely do this again, whenever I feel like I need to good cleanse.

The Office: 

I didn't expect to like this show so much, but boy is it good! This series is so well written and the characters all have their own little quirks that make them so lovable. Even Michael Scott (Steve Carrell's character) who I first could stand has grown on me so much. He is actually such a trickster! Plot-wise, I thought nothing very interesting could ever happen in a show that is set in a office, but it keeps proving me wrong. I'm on to season 4 and I can't wait to see what comes next.

What are you loving at the moment?

Things for Spring

As much as I love winter for its cozy nights-in and the occasional snow fall, I'm so happy to see spring arrive. I get to enjoy my balcony and spend more time outdoors, which is such a great mood-booster.

A change of season also means switching a few things here and there in my skincare and makeup routine, as well as accessories.

Here is how I'm adding touches of spring to my daily life.

 ACCESSORIES

I recently treated myself to a new watch from Olivia Burton. I couldn't resist sporting a cute kitten on my wrist every day.

I love these earrings by Kolier (a Geneva based brand). They are so dainty and girly and great to add some fun to any outfit.

MAKE UP

I couldn't resist this latte bronzer by I heart Revolution because it combines two of my passions: makeup and coffee. 

The Art Deco spring collection really caught my eyes this year with their English rose packaging. This blush duo is ideal to add a bit of live back to the cheeks and liven up the face.

I got the Nabla Soul blooming palette last spring and completely forgot about it. I really want to use it this season to create cute pastel looks.

NAILS

OPI Kiss me on my tulips not only has the cutest name, it is also a perfect shade of pink for this season. 

Mavala Iris is also super pretty. Lilac is one of my current color obsessions and I can't stop looking at my nails when I wear it.

SKINCARE AND PERFUM

When the weather gets warmer my skin usually gets oilier, but this year it started feeling quite dry and moisturizer alone was not enough. I already used the night cream in the Rodial Pink Diamond range and I love it so much that I thought I would try their face oil to see if it helps plump up my skin.

A perfume I look coming back to when spring rolls around is Lancôme La vie est belle en rose. As the name suggests it is a nice and floral, as well as slightly musky scent.

What are your spring must-haves? Let me know int he comments!

One Minute Bliss: Face your fears!

Crazy ex-girlfriend was one of the best shows I've ever seen (A La La Land tribute song about anti-depressants? Are you kidding me?) and Paula Procter was such a cool and inspiring character. Shout out to Donna Lynne Champlin for bringing her to life so brilliantly.

This song in particular struck with me because it manages to be uplifting and inspirational while also being hilarious (Swimming after eating! God knows you have to be brave to do that after all the poolside sermons you've heard as a child!). Enjoy!