hope you had a fantastic weekend and a lot of relaxation. Are you ready to start a new week?? I’m actually excited to see what this week might bring. Making plans for new posts & projects for my blog, as i’m feeling very enthusiastic these days. What about you? It’s monday and that means, we are going to have another {Friendly Bunch Blog Hop}!
To make it even more successful, than the last time, you’re all invited to participate! Don’t be shy!
This week, we are really excited to have such an amazing lady as our co-host. She is a Scottish Girl, who is a self confessed shoppaholic, polka dots, sparkles and lipstick lover, with a passion for beauty and photography. She is always up for a fun challenge or an exciting tag (and knows exactly how to rock a red lipstick!).
If you’re a fan of Clarins, MAC and Chanel, you’re going to love her product reviews & monthly favorites posts. I would highly recommend to look at her 30 before 30 challenge. And what should also be mentioned, is that her monthly giveaways have been legendary! Meet our co-host for this week: {A Scottish Lass}
If you are interested in co-hosting the blog hop, please email Nia.
Now in our share section today, we have an interesting beauty secret to share. Quite a number of you most likely have at least 1 MAC lipstick. Well, not everyone has access to them or can justify paying for them at that price. So we found a post about MAC dupes on Life Unsweetened which seemed like a must share. Take a look.
Isn’t that awesome?! Getting almost the same shade for half the price. We would definitely not say no to that. If you would like to see the entire post, please visit Life Unsweetened.
On to the Blog Hop!
Rules:
1. Please follow the Hosts & {possible} Co-host via GFC {or wordpress} and/or Bloglovin’ and/or email
2. Visit the other links and don’t forget to say hi.
3. Add your link
We would also really appreciate it if you:
– Share this blog hop’s button on your blog – Share this blog hop with other bloggers on your facebook/ twitter/ google+. The more the merrier. {Use hashtag #TFBBH on twitter}
– Follow Nia andLuchessa on Twitter for updates and fun.
it’s sunday again and you know what that means. It’s time for our weekly {Sunday Read}, where i share with you some great posts, written by my fellow bloggers.
Sometimes it’s just a mix of random beauty & lifestyle topics, or like today – a special subject. As usual, you can always go ahead and take part in this sunday read event. Grab this Sunday Read photo! The rules are very simple: Pick out some of your most favorite posts written by others & tell me exactly why you picked them. Then all you need to do is to link up down below.
I have always been a big lover of homemade face masks and body scrubs, but if i find a really great sheet mask or a clay in store, i will go for it. 😉 So let’s talk Face Masks. (I think it suits the “sunday pampering” mood anyways.)
My treasures this week:
1) So there is this Korea-Canada blog, ( i guess the writers name behind it is Sonya) that i just recently discovered and stumbled over an interesting topic: {Paper face masks: A Korean beauty secret}, which apparently hit the US-market last year. You have to know, that these affordable paper face masks, are incredibly popular especially in Korea and target busy women, who want great & fast results for very friendly prices are totally in love with them. Of course we have that type of masks here in Europe as well (I bet same in the States), but i have to admit, the clay type of masks are actually more represented in stores. Every woman wants “hydration, brightening, wrinkle fighting or pore tightening” effect and it was interesting to see how forward the korean market there already is.
2) Sophia from Tattooed Tea Lady wrote a great Skincare Series post, where she talked about her favorite {Masks}. I liked the variety of different brands and types she described. All of them “do different things, targeting different skin concerns and issues.” I think it’s important to pick the right type of face mask, focusing on what you’re actually wanting to improve.
Sophia shared her detailed opinion on Origins, Dr Jart+, REN and other brands, so there should be something for everybody.
3) Kelly and Gemma fromPages and Perfumeshared their thoughts on{‘Love Lettuce’ Face Mask by LUSH}that “contains something called ‘fullers earth’, an ingredient consisting of a number of clays which is meant to absorb grease and debris, and also tighten the skin.” For all you LUSH lovers out there, this should be a product, you already heard about. If you are up for an easy pampering and exfoliating experience, that could be your go-to product.
4) Meghan fromPainted lady– besides being an aspiring medical esthetician, is also a lover of great face masks, so when i saw her post on {Face Mask Friday! Wild Rose and Honey}, i knew i had to share it with you. I have to admit, i have never heard of the brand Wild Carrot Herbals before, but a “mild exfoliant + loaded with enzymes” definitely sounded good to me. It’s a thick great smelling honey based mask, with an antibacterial & calming effect. If you are a honey scent lover, you might enjoy this one!
5) And as i love fresh homemade masks, i’m going to share with you one more post, that i found on another “new to me” blog – Carpe Diem For All (how great is that blog name?!). I spotted this {At Home Oatmeal Face Mask}with organic and healthy products in it. The pictures, that have been used for the post are lovely and the actual recipe seems to be like something everyone should already have in the kitchen.
So if you like “your skin soft and glowing” – take a closer look at that blog post and say “YES please” to oats, mild & honey! (Pictures taken from each of the sites, all rights on these belong to the mentioned bloggers.)
There you go, my Beauties. That was our Sunday Read for this week. Hope you like the idea of one topic post.
Say HI to everyone, when you visit their blogs and enjoy the recipes & mask ideas.
What posts’ did you like over the past week, my gorgeous readers? Please link up and let’s all benefit from it.
happy monday! You know what that means, right?
It’s time for another fresh week of the exciting Friendly Bunch Blog Hop action. It was a big success last week and we are happy to invite you ones again to a fun journey through the blogosphere. Stop by all the lovely blogs and don’t forget to tell them how they were found! Spread the word & let’s enjoy the ride!
This week we are glad to be joined by a lovely lady as our co-host. She has a gorgeous blog where you can find many different posts on beauty, fitness and knitting. So we highly recommend that you stop by her blog.
If you are interested in co-hosting the blog hop, please contact Nia.
Now, in our share section this week we have a DIY glass jar pen holder for $1. Or in better relation to the beauty world, brush holder. It is a really simple process shared by Jenna at SAS Interiors, plus it costs almost nothing.
If you want something a little bit more fun for your brushes, you can put labels on them, cover the section you want in glue and add glitter, or even spray paint them. There are so many different options. So, if you would like to see the full post on how to make these, please visit SAS interiors.
On to the Blog Hop!
Rules:
1. Please follow the Hosts & {possible} Co-host via GFC {or wordpress} and/or Bloglovin’ and/or email
2. Visit the other links and don’t forget to say hi.
3. Add your link
We would also really appreciate it if you:
– Share this blog hop’s button on your blog
– Share this blog hop with other bloggers on your facebook/ twitter/ google+. The more the merrier.
{Use hashtag #TFBBH on twitter}
– Follow Nia andLuchessa on Twitter for updates and fun.
happy sunday to you. Another week went by and so much has happened in the bloggers community. Of course i have found a few really great posts, written by talented bloggers, that are worth sharing. 🙂 So grab your favorite smoothie and let’s get started with our weekly {Sunday Read}.
As usual, you can always go ahead and take part in this sunday read event. Grab this Sunday Read photo! The rules are very simple: Pick out some of your most favorite posts written by others & tell me exactly why you picked them. Then all you need to do is to link up down below.
My treasures this week:
1) When it comes to our jobs, we often think back of th every first one and how we felt, when we made those little mistakes, from which we learned afterwards. Am I right? We all learned how to become a better team player and worked on our social skills, which are as important as all the needed IQ for the particular job. And as little as it looks, we learned to smile that confident and friendly smile, that makes us a “human colleague”. Jade from Jade Isabelle talked about these and many other interesting topics in her {5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started My First Job} post, that i found really worth sharing with all of you.
2) Most of us love to travel. It’s a great way to experience new cultures, great local food, meet people and get inspired by the way they see life, even fashion and beauty tendencies can be incredibly different from what we see day by day in our own countries. Traveling opens your eyes to the important things in life, if you give that destination a real change to show its whole beauty to you. That and what discovering of great new landscapes can really mean, is whatOrganised Cluttertalked about in her {Why You Should Travel Out of Your Comfort Zone}.
3) While scrolling down my Blogroll a quote caught immediately my eye. It was saying: “Comparison is the thief of joy”.
So i had to stop and look at that blog post.
The quote consisted of just a few words, but there was so much meaning behind them.
It basically challenges you to believe in yourself, your knowledge and power to move things, to come forward in life and by being just yourself – being happy.Tiannafrom Storybook Apothecarymade her point very sharp and clear and left me somehow very inspired for the rest of the day. Read for yourself: {Stay Inspired}.
4) What do you think about challenging yourself to go a whole week without complaining and being negative?
What about trying to see all what’s happening around you in a bright and positive way?
I came across this great {7 Days No-Negative Challenge}over on Brooklyn’s blog This little Blondeand thought, that i had to share this with my readers and remind myself to go more positive through my working week and take things easy.
Try it, challenge yourself and have a wonderful & happy new week! (Pictures taken from each of the sites, all rights on these belong to the mentioned bloggers.)
I hope you find the motivating posts interesting to read and enjoy checking out these blogs. Don’t forget to say HI from me.
What posts’ did you like over the past week, my gorgeous readers? Please link up and let’s all benefit from it.
Until next time – stay beautiful!
ps: To celebrate the week of motivation and positive thinking i’ll be giving away 1 (english) copy of Elizabeth Gilbert’s book: “Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia” How liberating it would be to just cast off the reins of your current life and go on a year-long trip to three far flung countries of the world? Elizabeth Gilbert does that in Eat Pray Love, by embarking on her journey with specific purposes – one country for pleasure of the senses, another for spiritual enlightenment and the third to restore balance in her life.
How to enter: Leave me a comment saying what are the motivating things in life, that help you in your sad moments.
What makes you feel better? (Please write a little more than just 5 words, would love to hear about your “remedy”!) Winner will be chosen on friday May 31st via random.org
it’s Day 21 in the May Photo a Day challenge and the topic is: “I care about this“. Seriously, i could have talked about so many different things, that i care about in life, like dear people, my goals and values… But i decided to talk about this blog and it’s news today.
So first of all this is a big Thank you to everyone who participated in all the little and big help to make this blog grow little by little. I know i’m still in the beginning with it, but i feel that it’s going up the right way.
Some of you helped me with tips and tricks about the social media in general, other gave their expertise on the transition from basic WordPress to a self-hosted site, which i’m seriously thinking about as well. (yes i’m slow with this, i know.) And one of my very favorite bloggers Donah from SweetJellyBeanwent even further and lent me her helping hand with the blog design. So everyone who was saying nice words about the new banner – i’m forwarding all the credits to Donah.
(Thank you dearest!)
Recently i hit over 500 blog followers (via WordPress and email) as well as over 20.000 views, which is fabulous. I know to some it might not seem like a huge deal, but i’m really really thankful for that.
Here is also a big shout out to my over 1000 Twitter followers. Many of you i literally got to know over the Twitter platform and we became friends and blogging buddies. I seriously love this vivid and informative exchange with you, my Beauties.
After HelloCotton had to shut down (i was really sad about it), most of us have moved to Bloglovin’ – another great platform to follow your favorite bloggers from all around the world.
A big Hello to my (almost) 400 Bloglovin’ followers there.
Thanks for readings my posts & all your comments.
As i dont want to bore you with all the stats, i’m going to tell you about my two newest projects on the blog,
which some of you might already been seeing around. First is my “Sunday Read“ – that will provide you with exciting posts, that i find over the week, that are definitely worth sharing with my audience.
As well as my “Friendly Bunch Blog Hop“, that i host together with Nia from Cherryfashion, starting every monday. A fun way to link up, spread the word about your own blog/shop and get an easy connection with new fabulous bloggers and their lifestyle, beauty and fashion posts. Everyone is invited to participate.
Last thing i would like to mention, are the two wonderful blogs, that i have the honor to be a sponsor of this month. I’m sure most of you already know these two beautiful ladies: Nykki from Nykki talks Beauty and Miss Angie from My so-called Chaos. Left column is from Nykki talks Beauty (see, even in this Nia & I are together!) and right column is from My so-called Chaos.
Visit their blogs and say Hi from me.
I hope it was alright to share the recent updates with you, my readers. If you have suggestions or ideas for upcoming posts, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below or send me an email.
Love to hear from you guys! Until next time – stay beautiful.
Last time i co-hosted this Friendly Bunch Blog Hop, its was a real success and many of you left me a great feedback
about how much fun it was, so keep linking up with us and don’t forget to check out the other blogs. Welcome to edition #13 of our blog hop.
When Nia had the idea of making me the second permanent host of this great project,
i instantly knew it was the right thing to do, since i love to connect with you on the blogosphere and via Twitter.
And since i started blogging, i came across many talented new bloggers through different kind of blog hops.
So i already knew, that Blog Hops really do work, if done right!
It’s just a fun and really simple way to find and follow people with similar interests from all around the world.
As from today i have the honor to be one of the actual hosts of this Friendly Bunch Blog Hop.
If you are ever interested in co-hosting, please email me.
Today we are sharing with you 2 DIY hair masks which will leave your hair feeling much better than chemicals.
If you want to read the entire post, please visit Hair Spray and High Heels. Rules:
1. Please follow the Hosts & (possible) Co-host via GFC (or WordPress) and/or Bloglovin’ and/or email
2. Visit the other links and don’t forget to say Hi.
3. Add your link
We would also really appreciate it if you:
– Share this blog hop’s button on your blog
– Share this blog hop with other bloggers on your facebook/ twitter / google+. The more the merrier.
{Use hashtag #TFBBH on twitter}
– Follow Nia and Luchessa on twitter for updates and fun.
welcome to my weekly “Sunday Read“, where i share with you some of my favorite blog posts, that caught my eye during the past week. In case you don’t know those bloggers or simply didn’t have time to read their posts, this is your chance to catch up on different subjects! Hope you enjoy! You can always go ahead and take part in this sunday read event. The rules are very simple:
Pick out some of your most favorite posts written by other bloggers and tell me why you picked them. Then all you need to do is to link up down below.
My treasures this week:
1) I know we ALL are looking for that one great mascara, that is going to make out lashes super long, curly and full like a fan. But as everyone has different kind of lashes, it’s hard to tell whether it’s going to work for you, if it’s working for me.
But every now and then a good tip can make your decision easier what to look for. Tina from What Tina LovesdiscoveredMaybelline The Hyper Curl Volum’ Express Mascaraand shared in a review her thoughts on a product, that seems to actually do what it claims to. (We know it’s not always the case!)
2) Let’s stay with the Mascara-theme for a moment. Some of you might know, how much i love using blue, green or purple mascara. Mostly for my lower lashes, to spice up a toned down eye look.
So when i discovered Jacqueline from A Brilliant Brunette and her recent makeup look wearing a bold & bright sky blue mascara from CK One, (CK One Mascara in Electrify) i thought YES, i’d have done the same thing. That’s a great look for spring time, that will make your eyes pop.
3) Let’s be honest. Everyone loves Freebies. Especially when you’re a beauty junkie and there are free beauty items to have! You simply need to know how and where to get them. Ange from Hairspray and Highheelswrote down a few ideas on where to hunt for beauty and entertainment goodies in a How To Get Products For Free post. Keep in mind, that most ideas in her post can be applied in the United States, but i’m pretty sure each country has their own “Sephoras” and different kind of “coupon systems”, so just keep your eyes open.
4) By now everyone knows how important it is to keep our skin moisturized, so finding your most suitable (facial) cream became one of the goals, when it comes to cosmetics. Stacey from Beautiful Solutions shared her thought & experience on expensive (eye) creams vs. affordable ones.
She talks about studies on the effects of creams from different price ranges. I thought it was a good reminder to really read what’s on the ingredients list, when buying a new product in general, since most of the times the expensive items don’t carry a “magic solution” in them and your drugstore product will leave your skin fresh & moisturized just as good. I agree with Stacey’s verdict, that it’s always worth to invest in a solid eye (or facial) cream, but the key is to find what works for you & your age and your skin type, instead of running after brands and internet hype of them. (Pictures taken from each of the sites, all rights on these belong to the mentioned bloggers.)
I hope you find a few interesting posts to read this time and enjoy checking out these blogs.
Don’t forget to say HI from me.
What posts’ did you like over the past week, my gorgeous readers? Please link up and let’s all benefit from it.
Until next time – stay beautiful!
ps: Don’t miss your chance on winning in my mini Giveaway!
as you can see, there is a lot going on in the blogger land these days. Different challenges, tag’s, reviews and giveaways. So today i’m sharing with you some mega exciting news.
My fellow beauty blogger and friend Ange from Hairspray and High Heels celebrates her 1st year blog Anniversary with a big and fabulous Giveaway. (Congrats dear Ange, you deserve some applaus!!) And you as my dear readers will only benefit from that. Ange teamed up with some of her favorite bloggers, to make one lucky winner a really happy Sephora shopper.
$250 gift card! I guess you will be able to find some really great goodies there. Do you know, what your number ONE item on the list would be? Some new spring & summer perfume? A long-lasting foundation or maybe a fancy palette?
This Giveaway is open to International residents ages 18 and over and ends at 11:59pm EST on May 20, 2013. Go ahead & enter the Rafflecopter below:
this week i’m teaming up with the wonderful Nia from Cherryfashion to give our fellow bloggers and amazing readers the chance to find new exciting blog’s and people to interact with.
Nia wrote:
“Once again it is time to join in with the friendly bunch for our 5 day hop. If you would like to know more about this blog hop, please view the 1st post here.
This week I am excited to have a co-host with us. She is an amazing lady who speaks 4 different language and has become a great friend to me through blogging.
I am really looking forward to her trip to Riga so we can hang out.” – Awww how sweet. I’m honored.
If you are interested in co-hosting the blog hop, email the host.
don’t you feel like weekends have the tendency of going by way too fast?
I definitely do, but to make sunday evening a bit sweeter for all of us, i want to share with you a great blogger and a her lovely milestone giveaway.
First i have to say, that blogging isn’t about reaching huge numbers, it’s more about passion and doing what you love and enjoy.
But if that passion connects you with many other similar minded people all around the world and makes it easy to have new wonderful friends, reaching a milestone, like 1000 Twitter and 800 Blog Followers is a big thing.
That’s what happened to my dear beauty blogger friend Laura and her fresh & fun blog A Scottish Lass. As you might imagine, she is from Scotland and is a “self-confessed shopaholic” that loves Polka dots, cocktails, cake and coffee.
Laura was so excited about people loving her blog and the daily support,
that she decided to do a generous M.A.C. Giveaway. Believe me, you’re going to (❤‿❤) this:
The winner will be recieving:
Mac Lipstick (colour of your choice)
Mac Pro Palette x4 + 1 Mac Pro Eyeshadow to start of your collection (colour of your choice)
How amazing is that? I bet all you M.A.C. lovers out there just shouted: Wohoooo!
So if you want to check out Laura’s blog & the giveaway, you’re more than welcome to do so.
(You got 19 more day’s to enter) For the Giveaway –CLICK HERE and don’t forget to say Hi to Laura from me.
Btw: Lately there were two really nice posts on A Scottish Lass, that I would suggest taking a look at:
1) Maybelline Colorsensational Vivids review – some great ideas for your new spring lipstick! 2) April Favorites – where Laura talks about a few products, that i’m personally interested in trying, like the Organix – rejuvenating Cherry Blossom Ginseng Shampoo & Conditioner and also the Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation.
Hope you love Laura as much as I do. Until next time – stay beautiful!
Beauty expression by Luchessa 