Super Sweet Blogging Award

Hello my Beauties,

have are you doing today?? 

I’m pretty well and in best mood, since i’ve been nominated by The Oxford Owl for the Super Sweet Blogging Award.
About a half year ago the lovely Mademoiselle Snow nominated me for this award as well and now i feel the need to say thank you and do this post the proper way. 🙂
Thank you very much dear bloggers for thinking of me and supporting my blog, i really appreciate that!! 

For the Super Sweet Blogging Award, you have to:

1. Thank the Super Sweet Blogger who nominated you.
2. Answer 5 Super Sweet Questions.
3. Include the Super Sweet Blogging Award image in your blog post.
4. Nominate a baker’s dozen (5) other bloggers.
5. Notify the nominees of their nomination on their blog.

The 5 Super Sweet Questions:

1. Cookies or Cake? Ok you know, this is kind of hard to decide, since i like both…nothing beats mom’s freshly baked apple & raisins cake, but when i see a double cookie filled with chocolate, i have to have it! 🙂 (So can i please just have both?!)
2. Chocolate or Vanilla? Sorry, vanilla lovers out there – but for me it’s a no – go. Chocolate forever!!
You see, even my cake is nuts for chocolate…;)
3. Favorite Sweet Treat? I just recently told you about my affection for crepe. That’s something i could eat every day.
But i want a little something for on the go, i will pick jelly beans.
I just recently discovered there are coffee flavored ones…omg so delicious!
4. When do you crave sweet things the most? Probably as almost every other woman during the evening, after dinner. I feel like my dinner has to end on a sweet note. It doesn’t always have to be a full dessert, maybe just a piece of chocolate, but i simply need that! Do you know that feeling?
5. Sweet Nickname? Ok don’t laugh, but i had a few people call me Ms.Coffee back in the day’s, because – well you can guess it, i was drinking so much coffee every day. Now i only have about two cups in the morning and switch to tea later the day.
I mean someone who is that tired ( see picture above )  after a shopping spread, simply needs a good cup of coffee, right? 😉

I nominate:

Sweet Jelly Bean

All That Slap

The charmed Cupcake

Glitter mama wishes

LatinoLook

Thanks again for this sweet award!
Until next time – stay beautiful!!

ps: Here is another award post, where i covered a few other ones and talked about great bloggers. 
Sisterhood of the World Blogger’s Award

May Photo a Day Challenge – Day 12 (FMSphotoaday – Mother)

Hello my Beauties,

“Mother is just a simple word
yet it’s especially dear… 
And it seems to mean much
more with each passing year…

Each word of Love and Affection
describes you mother…

It’s a word that’s filled with love, 
a word that reflects everything that’s
wonderful – Wonderful just like you.”

Today it’s not just any sunday, but Mother’s Day.
And so many of us all around world are celebrating this such important day and the gorgeous women, who gave life to us. 

Of course  Chantelle from Fat Mum Slim who actually came up with the idea for the
May Photo a Day challenge, has thought of this special day & included the topic:
“Mother” on May 12th! (btw: Here is my Day 1 in case you missed it)

12. Mother: It’s Mother’s Day. Take a photo of a mother figure, or if you’re a mum – perhaps yourself.
Or what the word mother means to you.

I really wanted to find some special photos of my mom, that really show the site of her, that i really love.
Her ability to make me laugh. 
Sometimes it can be a crazy family story or something ridiculously funny from my early childhood, that makes us sit for hours in the kitchen, have tea and laugh. I treasure moments like these so much!

This is a picture of my mom, when she was around 24 and i bet she was singing or telling a funny story to my dad, while he took pictures of her.  Don’t you just wish you could have been there, that very moment, when you see those old pictures of your parents?!

Love & respect your mother’s – they earned it! Have a wonderful sunday & enjoy Mother’s Day!
Tell me, what is your most favorite photo of your mother?

Please share your links below or via Twitter using the hash tag: #FMSphotoaday.
I would really love to see your posts!

Until next time – stay beautiful!

ps: If you would like to participate in the Sweet Summer Swap – you’re invited to sign up.

MAY PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE – Day 7 (FMSphotoaday)

Hello my Beauties,

how’s your week going so far?
Are you rocking your new favorite spring heels on the streets of London, New York, Rome, Melbourne and Singapore?
I have to say, i recently re-discovered wearing heels again. Yes, i was lazy when it came to shoes lately. I went from chic to comfy. (Shame on me…)
But now, that it’s finally spring outside, i decided to wear bold & beautiful heels again. And you know what – i’m proud of myself! 

Today it’s Day 7 of the May Photo a Day challenge and the topic is:
“Something beginning with F”.

7. Something beginning with F: Find something beginning with the letter F and take a photo.

My “F” is (fresh) Fruits. I love fruits in combination with different kind of berries for breakfast. A bowl like this, full of papaya, kiwi and cranberries can be such a refreshing starts of the day. Besides all the obvious vitamins, it’s just so very delicious.
What kind of fruits do you prefer? Is there anything that you eat for beauty reasons – like antioxidance or vitamin E?

If you’re participating in this challenge, share your links below & tweet your photos with a hash tag: #FMSphotoaday
In case you missed it – HERE you will find my Day 1 , will all the rules.

Until next time – stay beautiful.

ps: don’t forget to link up with Nia & I in The Friendly Bunch Blog Hop.

MAY PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE – Day 6 (FMSphotoaday – Broken)

Hello my Beauties,

happy new week! Are you feeling refreshed after the weekend?

It’s Day 6 of the May Photo a Day Challenge and the topic is: “Broken”.
6. Broken: Is there something broken around you? Shoot and share it.

I had to think about this one actually a bit longer, since i don’t keep things that are broken.
But the object i’m about to show you right now i still do own. That’s one of my most used face powders that i have ever purchased.
It’s L’oreal perfect match powder. It mattifies, evens skin tone and hides imperfections.

For 4-5 hours it really does a great job, at least for my skin type. (combination & sensitive skin).
And here you can already see my issue with this product. As much as i love the powder itself, i really have a love-hate relationship with the packaging. That’s just a no-go.

I guess i should mention, that THIS is my third time buying this powder and the lid does break off EVERY single time.
Which makes it impossible for me to have it in my purse on the go or while traveling.
Means i have to have at least another powder for that matter. 

Why can’t they just make a sturdy packaging? I feel like to that price range a customer can really ask for a better lid?! Can’t I?!
Does anyone else has the same problem? Tell me about it? Are there any tricks how to avoid it?

Are you participating in this challenge? Let me know and share your pics using #FMSphotoaday on Twitter.
If you’d like to see the previous post’s, you can find them here:
Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4.

Until next time – stay beautiful.

 

MAY PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE – Day 5 (FMSphotoaday – Paper – Vogue)

Hello my Beauties,

happy sunday to you. Hope you’re having a lovely day with your family & friends, enjoying the start of the grill season.
As you might already noticed from the title, it’s Day 5 of our May Photo a Day Challenge and it’s time to talk about Paper.

5. Paper: Is it a bill? Newspaper? A letter or a heartfelt card you received? Find paper around you.

This wasn’t particularly hard to decide for me, since i wanted to keep this challenge as much beauty or fashion related as possible.
And there is only one real “paper” that works any season or country – and it calls Vogue!
(I know my dear friend Heidi, whose birthday is tomorrow would be so proud of me right now.)
That’s where i got my big love for Vogue from.

                                    (click to enlarge)
For a few years now i’m collecting this wonderful magazine from all the different countries.
I like to see how different the content is and where a particular county does put the focus on.
Besides – who doesn’t like to find out who’s the cover girl is?!

The photo i’m presenting to you today is the fresh print of the Vogue España may 2013 edition.
Editor-in-Chief Yolanda Sacristán. As i speak spanish, i can already tell you right now, that i’m so going to enjoy reading this magazine over the next week!

As most of you know, Vogue is an American fashion & lifestyle magazine that’s being published monthly in many national and regional edition.
The number of the regional publications seem to unfortunatelly depend on the economic situation.
For example the greek edition of Vogue Hellas has closed it’s doors in november 2012.

Personally i find this fact very sad, since Vogue was a big contribution to the greek fashion industry and publication.
So i’m kind of happy that a friend of mine brought me a copy of Vogue Hellas back in september 2011.
These day’s it’s a collective item, i guess.
Happily giving you a peek on this one as well, even if it’s not part of the challenge anymore. But i guess it’s still fit’s the topic.
                                     (Click to enlarge)
Beautiful fashion article on Sarah Jessica Parker and family.
Thats i why i love different kind of  Vogue issues, since each one has it’s unique articles and fashion spreads.
I could definitely go on and on about Vogue, as you might have noticed.

But this is going to be it for today. 
What’s your favorite “paper” at the moment?

If you’re participating in the photo challenge, let me know and share it also on Twitter, using the hash tag: #FMSphotoaday.
For the case you missed the very first post of the challenge, where it all started, you can find it HERE.

Until next time – stay beautiful!

MAY PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE – Day 4 (FMSphotoaday – In My Cup)

Hello my Beauties,

happy weekend to you.
Hope it’s an especially warm and sunny day where you live, so you can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea somewhere outside. 

Speaking of a cup – we are coming along pretty well so far in this photo challenge, don’t you think? I’ve seen a few pretty great photo’s, that some of you have been taking these days. 
Today’s task would be to share a photo under the theme of: “In My Cup”.
I’ve been thinking about different things, that i use my cup for, like the obvious ones – tea & coffee, but also soups from those especially big cups or layered desserts. 

I’m going to share with you one of my favorite ideas of what just had to be in a cup. 
Ok i know, this is actually more than one particular photo, it’s more of a photo collage, but i really wanted you to have a good overview on what’s inside the cup.

On the left you have some of the most delicious freshly made mixed chocolate from the store Fassbender & Rausch, which makes amazing chocolate truffles and candies! The chocolate i have at the moment comes with ginger and red pepper.
I like it, when it’s a bit different. 

And on the right in my beautiful birch cup is the fresh Jasmine Dragon Pearls green tea from the Teavana store, that comes in form of those little balls and open up when you pour hot watter in.
A little bit goes a long way, you only need a few of them, to get a really great flavor. 
A friend of mine sent me this great tea to enjoy, since i’m a well known tea drinker.

What is in Your cup these days? Please share it with me.
Don’t forget to use the hash tag: #FMSphotoaday on Twitter so others can see your photos as well.

Until next time – stay beautiful.

MAY PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE – Day 3 (FMSphotoaday – This is really good)

Hello my Beauties,

how is everybody? I have to say, this is starting to be a really fun thing for me. It feel’s a little bit like during the Advent time of the year, right before Christmas, when you get to open a door or a little present each day, until december 24’s.
And every time you get excited about what might be hidden behind that door…

So today is Day 3 of the May Photo A Day Challenge and the #fmsphotoaday asks us to work on something,
that is Really Good! 
When i saw what’s under point 3, i knew i would do a food related post. Yes, i’m a beauty blogger, but as always everyone else, i love to eat. Not just anything, but the really good stuff.
You know, either eating out at your most favorite restaurants and lounges or just a good old homemade meal, prepared by grandma, momma or even yourself.

One of my all time favorite foods is sushi, but for today’s post i decided to go with something i prepared myself. It’s not haute cuisine, but one of those comforting meals, that you cook to feel cozy in your kitchen…if that makes sense.
What can i say: The vegetables fell in love with the chicken breasts and became Chicken & Vegetable Ragout with cumin and dill. 
I really love the combination of colors, it simply makes me happy. And the smell of it…oh my…
And if you add salt & pepper to taste and serve this over a bowl of mixed white & black rice, you’re not going to stop eating until it’s all gone.
Because: This Is Really Good!

What’s your favorite comfort food, that you tend to make on your “I want to feel good” days?
Share your story with me and don’t forget to keep the fun going!
If you missed Day 1 or Day 2 of the challenge, you can check it out HERE and THERE.

Find me on Twitter and send the links to your posts, i would really love to see your photos and the stories behind it.
Until next time – stay beautiful!

MAY PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE – Day 2

Hello my Beauties,

today is officially day 2 of the photo challenge. I hope at least a few of my readers decided to participate as well. Some of the day’s are going to be easy, some others will require a bit more thinking. 

Let’s see what we are up to today:
2. Morning ritual: What’s something you do most mornings. Shoot and share it.

I have to say, most of my mornings look similar. And it doesn’t even matter at what time i wake up. Even if it’s at 6:30 am, i’m still going to find a few minutes to continue with my morning rituals. Don’t we all?!
First of all, i need to wash my face to fully get my eye open. Usually i will need a gentle face wash or scrub, like the Garnier Pure Active Fruit Energy with Pomegranate, Grapefruit and Vitamin C extracts, also enriched with Salicylic Acid to deeply cleanse skin & tackle blemishes. For my quite sensitive skin, it’s one of the best scrubs i ever tried. 

I’m that kind of girl, that needs to brush her teeth before she starts drinking or eating anything. I find it much more hygienic and besides i was brought up that way. 

Coffee is definitely on my to-do list every morning. Without it something is always missing. One of my most favorite blends is the one by Jacobs Krönung. “Krönung” actually means “coronation” or “crowning” in german.   
The blend of beans has a smooth texture and a rich aroma. I read, it is available in more than 20 countries, so if you see Jacobs Krönung in your area, just give it a try. 

And last but not least, what kind of beauty blogger would i be, if i wouldn’t check all your comments & emails right away in the morning. To me, it’s a wonderful way to start my day, finding out that my posts have been read by you, my Beauties.
I always try to response on the very same day and find the additional information about a brand or product you were asking about. 
So don’t ever hesitate to come to me with your questions or even improvement ideas. 

That’s it for today’s post. Don’t forget to use #FMSphotoaday on Twitter to share your post with others.
Until next time – stay beautiful.

MAY PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE – Day 1

Hello my Beauties,

yesterday i found an interesting photo challenge, that caught my eye, while going through my WordPress reader.
There is always some kind of challenge going on, as it is a very motivating concept of making it easier for us to blog daily or at least more often… 
I’ve seen for example a huge one going on in the beauty & fashion blogger community: Blog Every Day in May. (If you look for the hashtag #BEDM on Twitter, you will find all those, who are part of that challenge.)
I think it’s great to freshen up your blog that way and have the support of other contestants at the same time. And besides, it’s simply fun to see what others are up to, right?

As i told you before, i’m really interested in looking behind the curtains, to see what’s the situation, a person or an object is all about – to see the real story behind it. 
That’s why i thought “May Photo A Day” Challenge might be something you, my Beauties, would like to see.

As far as i understand, it was created by the lovely Chantelle from Fat Mum Slim–living life inspired blog. If you go to her blog post, you will find all the additional information, in case you would like to participate in this.
And of course, if you do – don’t forget to use #FMSphotoaday hash tag, to let your followers & readers know about it. 😉

1. I bought this!: Share a photo of something you purchased, whether it be today, recent or something long ago.

Those of you who read my blog from the beginning, know that i love wearing fresh & bright colors. But there was always one of them, that i wasn’t quite sure about, if you know what i mean. 
Green wasn’t something, that i thought i could pull off. Probably because i’m so light-skinned, i thought it would make me look sick.

But this spring i have seen different kind of greens in every store. I couldn’t go anywhere without seeing it. 
So i decided i would give it a go. That’s why – I BOUGHT THIS:
Ok ok – even if it looks more like teal on the picture, believe me, it’s like really green. It’s a simple summer dress, with a low V-neck and cute pockets on the skirt part.
And because i was already so much in the green mood, i decided to get a thin cardigan, that i could wear just by itself or even with this dress. 
That’s another evidence for you to see:
What i learned is, it’s not about the actual color, but much more about the right shade of it. 🙂
Is there a bluish-green out there? Bring it on! I’ll be daring.
That’s it for today, ladies and gentlemen.

Please let me know, if you participate in this challenge. 🙂 I would love to read your little story behind a photo.
Until next time – stay beautiful.

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!