May Photo a Day Challenge – Day 17 (FMSphotoaday – Season)

Hello my Beauties,

we made it through another week and it’s friday again. I have to say, it’s a really lovely sunny and warm day here and i’m totally in the mood for a picnic or a walk somewhere nice in the nature, outside of the city. Aren’t you?!

Besides that, it’s Day 17 of the May Photo a Day challenge and the topic is: “Season“.
17. Season: What season is it where you are? How can you share it in a photo?

It’s spring here in Germany and finally it even looks like one. 🙂
Although i’m really more of an autumn kind of girl, after a really long and cold winter i do enjoy this spring so much.

One of natural wonders that i love during spring are flowers. But not just any flowers, i’m talking about Syringa vulgaris, better known as common lilacs. I prefer the actual lilac (or purple) ones, even though the whites are pretty as well. 
When i see the lilac bushes in full bloom, i know – spring has finally arrived! And since i remember these flowers from my childhood so vividly, they are definitely my favorite spring flowers. And they smell just heavenly!

As far i know lilacs are the european version of Wisteria, that can mostly be found in Eastern United States, China, Korea and Japan, which i find incredibly pretty as well. Maybe that’s why i love my Wisteria eau de toilette by Crabtree & Evelyn during spring so much?!

(Photo taken form Crabtree & Evelyn site)
If i was a scent, i’d be Wisteria. I think it was love on the first smell. 

“The composition is built around top notes of mandarin apple, nashi pear, apple blossom followed by notes of wisteria, gardenia, jasmine, galbanum, ylang ylang in the heart before signing off with base notes of airy musks, cashmere wood accord, sandalwood, white pepper”.

What does spring mean to you? And what season are you in right now?
Share your photos and links below or via Twitter using the hash tag: #FMSphotoaday 

Until next time – stay beautiful!

ps: last chance to sign up for the Sweet Summer Swap!

TAG: I ♥ Spring!

Hello my Beauties, happy sunday to all of you. The sun is shining here today, birdies are singing and it almost feels like our warm spring is finally here. 

That made me really want to do this I ♥ Spring tag, that has been going around a lot these days. 
So without further talk, let’s get down to business.
1. Favorite Nail Polish?
I really love my Meet me at coral island by Catrice. It has the right amount of pink and orange in it to create a beautiful smooth coral color on the nails.
2. What is your must-have lip color this spring?
First of all a must-have to me is a good lip balm, which is a Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment with PSF 15 at the moment and in terms of color. i’m going to stick with my current love, that made it into my last favorites post, a nice sheer coral – Tarte LipSurgence in Glisten.
3. Show us your favorite spring dress!
I have to admit, i’m that big in wearing dresses at all and even less when it comes to spring & summer dresses. The only ones i find cozy, are those wool knitted dresses for the winter time. 
4. What’s your favorite flower?
I really love the light blue and purple Hydrangeas. When i was traveling to Italy a few years ago they were right at their bloom and i remember taking a tons of pictures…i wish i had them in my home all year around…
5. Favorite spring scarf/accessory?
You have to know, i’m actually more of an autumn girl and do not have that many “spring inspired” clothing items and accessories, but i picked 2 things, that i will totally rock this spring. One is my beautiful fresh orangy coral crossbody bag from Accessorize and my somewhat  Chanel inspired chain scarf, that you might have seen me wearing both HERE.
I was very much inspired by Lodis Accessories Del Rey Daria Crossbody, Banana Republic Red Leather Handbag, and especially Kate Spade Flicker Scout Bag- Flo Coral , so when i saw a similar style bag at Accessorize, i had to get it.
6. What spring trend(s) are you most excited about this year? (Makeup, Fashion or both!)
I think i’m very much excited about all the new nail polish trends, like the textured and mirrored polishes. Makes it really interesting to try them. Neons aren’t really my thing, but i see all the fun ballet flats for summer in stores already and it makes think, that spicing up a neutral outfit with some really bright blue or coral ballets wouldn’t be that bad at all.
7. Favorite Spring Candle?
Well, don’t be surprised, but it’s literally Spring by Slatkin & Co, that Bath & Body Works brought out in Spring 2012.
I love how it combines many floral scents and smells still very fresh and “happy”.
8. Favorite body spray/perfume for spring?
I always go with my mood. One day i like to use a nice body lotion, like the Berry Flirt by Bath and Body Works and the other day i’m going for my wonderful Angel Gold perfume by Victoria’s Secret.
9. What is spring like where you live?
Well right now, it’s still very cold, but at least sunny. Today we have +5 °C, which is definitely way too cold for April, but i’m hoping it’s going to chance soon to the better & warmer. Usually there are much more blooming trees here and the air is full with flower scents.
And all you want to do is to sit somewhere outside in the sun with your big cup of coffee and just BE. 🙂
10. What’s your favorite things about spring?
I’m more outgoing and on the road during spring and summer, so i can’t wait for the warmth to come. And from the girly perspective of spring i will have to say, finally be able to wear cute booties and pumps, that are still sitting in my closet right now…
11. Are you a spring cleaner?
Funny enough i’m more of a winter and summer cleaner when it comes to my wardrobe, but of course i will be cleaning my windows soon (ok maybe in a few weeks…) and plant some flowers on the balcony, just like mama teached me to. 😉

There you go, my Beauties. I hope it was fun for you to read and as always you are very much invited to do the tag as well to welcome the spring 2013 season. 🙂

I would like to tag a few of my fellow beauty bloggers:

Caroline from The Girl in the Yellow Dress

Ange from Hairspray and High Heels

Zenorah from Zenorah Blog

Irene from Reenie Blog

Melissa from Pink Lady Beauty

Girly Blogger from Girly Blog Seattle

OLGA K’AY from Water.Color.Silk

 

Until next time – stay beautiful!

Featuring Sabrina and a Spring Manicure

Hello my Beauties,

it’s weekend. Let’s celebrate with a fun fresh and very much spring inspired manicure. 
Today i would love you to meet my sweet blogging buddy Sabrina from Polish Alcoholic. I got to know her in the very beginning of my blogging days and she has always been a very supportive person, with a great attitude and not to mention the most well taken care of nails i have seen in a long time.
I asked Sabrina to do a step-by-step tutorial on a simple & sweet nail design and this is what she came up with:

Hello everyone.

My name is Sabrina, a 27 years young girl from The Netherlands.
I have a serious addiction, an addiction to nail polish. I can’t help myself 😉 I love to collect them and I’m constantly on the ‘haunt’ for my lemmings that are mostly hard to find and/or discontinued.
I am so honored that the sweetest Luchessa is willing to dedicate a little space of her amazing blog to me. Thanks dear! *mwah*

Even though it’s still rainy, grey and even snowy outside… I created a Spring themed mani for you beauties.
Let’s get started!
The tool’s you are going to need:

– large dotting tool
– medium striper
– Butter London “Jasper”
– Zoya “Blu”
– Zoya “Purity”
– WIC “Minsk”
– OPI “Forrest My Case”

First design:

When your base coat is dry, paint your nails white and let it dry completely.

Use a medium striper with a green polish to create blades of grass.

Make sure the tip of the nail is covered with ‘grass’. Then create a little bit depth by slightly ‘swiping’ a lighter green polish on and between the darker green polish.

Create two tiny ‘leaves’ by using a medium striper and dark and lighter green polish. Give the design a bit time to dry and add a top coat.

Second design:

When your base coat is dry, paint your nails light/pastel blue and let it dry completely.

Use a white polish and a medium striper to create a cross.

Repeat step 6 so that you’ll get a ‘star’.

Gently fill in the spaces between the white lines.

Create a big yellow dot with your largest dotting tool and wait for the design to dry.
Use a top coat to get a smooth finish 🙂
After finishing all those steps, your manicure should look something like that.
Feel free to stop by and leave a comment.

Beauties, i don’t know about you, but i feel like painting my nails now 😉 Since not everyone has many nails art tools at home, this is a cute design that you can even create with a thin nail polish brush, so just give it a try!!
I hope you visit Sabrina’s blog or connect with her on Twitter.

Until next time, stay beautiful.