Summer Fashion 2013

With the poor weather recently, our gardens may be lacking colour but this certainly cannot be said for our wardrobes.  This season, summer fashion has gone bold with almost every designer on the catwalk producing their own version of summer in print.

Summer Fashion: Miranda Kerr
by Wikimedia

It’s all in the fine print

This season it’s all about sticking to the age old styles that you feel confident in, just in your favourite printed fabrics. While previous seasons have focused on individual items like the peplum or flares, this year it’s all about fabric detail like patterns and prints.

How to wear monochrome

If you want to play it safe but still make an impact, then try a simple monochrome shift dress teamed up with brightly coloured heels or platform shoes for that summery pop of colour.

Shimmer and shine like a star

Fabrics that shimmer are not just for Christmas. You can make a statement with these any time of the day or night. Keep things simple and wear just one shiny piece at a time.  A shimmering or sequined vest gently peeping out from underneath a crisp white fitted shirt, teamed with a well cut pair of jeans and killer heels will take you from day-time cool to night-time chic in an instant (don’t forget to pack your pumps!)

Floral landscapes

If you like everything floral then it’s your time to blossom. Without doubt this will be one of the more popular trends this summer. There’s no need to be afraid of colour as anything goes. Look to Moschino for inspiration then hit the high street. One of the easiest ways to wear this style is in the form of a mini or knee length dress. Keep accessories, hair and makeup simple.

Izabel Goulart by Wikimedia

Leather and lace

Leather is not usually a textile we associate with summer, and if we look back at past seasons, we have definitely seen our fair share of lace. However these two favourites have been updated. Lace has taken on a more ‘crochet meets robust’ look and leather has been laser cut to such perfection, that you can barely tell the difference between the two materials. Topshop’s lace and leather dress shows the combination at its best and without the designer price tag. You could also opt for a more colourful look similar to Zara’s red biker jacket and floral skirt combination.

Shoes and handbags

If the bright and bold prints have got you feeling overwhelmed don’t worry as there is an alternative. The new trend has not been restricted to clothes. Keep your outfit simple with one or two colours and have your fashion fix in the form of a fabulous pair of metallic high tops or an oversized monochrome bag.

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Guest post by Evelyn Cowgill

Easter customs

On easter, christians are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion. Although I’m not that religious, I like celebrating it with my family because after Christmas, this is the second big “feast” where we all sit and eat together and enjoy the nice atmosphere. We do some egg painting, have carrot cake (or this year muffins) and the house is always nicely decorated. I know you like a good photo bomb so just see for yourself

self painted eggs

lilies

carrot muffins

daffodils

easter decoration

Mr. rabbit

for a very special person

Crème brûlée ice with ice chocs on fruit glaze and mixed berries

What is your easter like? Happy Easter and until next time

Cute Easter Nails

Easter eggs are so cute, so why not wear them on your nails? Just as you would paint your easter eggs, try some colourful dots and zig-zags  on your nails for a super easy and cute easter look.

Look1: “Easter egg”

If you want something different, why not show off your nail art skills and paint a small chick and/or a bunny? Just be creative and have fun

Happy Easter!

Look2: “Chick and bunny”

P.s. If you are still looking for a cute easter gift, check out my post on Easter at Lush

How to get over a break up if you still love her / him

It feels devastating, as if you’re losing your footing, it may cause a loss of perspective that results in discouragement and despair – break ups. Almost everyone will get through this at least once in their life time and let’s face it, it sucks. You put all your emotions, time and effort into a relationship which wasn’t meant to be and now all that effort and time seems „wasted“

• Have a good cry

Sometimes all it takes is a good, long cry to finally get over someone. It is normal to remember fond memories of your ex especially after the breakup. But feeling that you still love him/her after the breakup doesn’t mean that you have to win him/her back. Sometimes you have to accept the fact that things should be the way they are now, especially if you were hurting so much during your relationship with him/her.

•  Quickly recap of all the good memories you had together for the last time

It seems contra productive but if you won’t do this, you won’t be able to close the chapter quickly so first think again of the good memories you had together. Then, go through what made you break up and you will be reminded why things didn’t work out.Look at old pictures for the last time and keep all those things in a box so that it will no longer effect in your daily activity. When you feel ready throw them away or burn them.

• Stay away from him/her

Delete him/her on all social media and his number in your phone so that you won’t be reminded of him/her anymore. Even if you still love him/her and both decided to stay friends, stay away from each other after the breakup, until you feel that you can talk to him/her on a platonic level. This means no communication at all (phone calls, text messages, e-mails). Because the longer you put off the end, the harder it is to keep up your resolve and to really get over it.

• Focus yourself on things that will make your life better.

It’s time to set new priorities. Think of things or people you have neglected while in the relationship. Are there anyone? Maybe you should try concentrating on your studies or your career, do that hobby you always wanted to do or meet with friends more often.Surround your self with friends and family who love you and will be there when ever you need them. No man/woman is worth crying over. You live and you learn but you just keep moving forward or nothing will ever be accomplished in life. It’s okay to cry and be sad but get out of the house once in a while, have fun with friends and family and take it slow and easy.

• Talk to friends/family and get out of the house

Surround your self with friends and family who love you and will be there when ever you need them. No man/woman is worth crying over. You live and you learn but you just keep moving forward or nothing will ever be accomplished in life. It’s okay to cry and be sad but get out of the house once in a while, have fun with friends and family and take it slow and easy.

Remember everyone goes through it even me. You can do it and life will go on!

New job, birthday and German carnival

Hi guys! I apologise my absence for almost a month now, but I have some good excuses… a lot has happened in this new year and because of this, it feels to me as if the new year is almost already over. Do you know this feeling when so many things happen to you that you think you have already filled the entire year with moments and events? But maybe it`s just me :p

First of all, I got a new job in a an e-commerce service agency. I`m an official marketing and editorial assistant now! Since my graduation from Uni, this is my very first proper full-time job. Luckily it is only about 40km from where I life, so I can stay here at my parents house for the moment and commute, which safes money and makes life easier for me now. On the other hand, I want to move together with my boyfriend, but well.. he first has to find a job near where I work. Fingers crossed that he will find one very soon

Carnival and birthday party with my friends

But now to the fun stuff: on 8th February, it was my birthday and at the same time, it was carnival here in Germany! For those of you who are not familiar with carnival – It begins on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday with parades  which are held during the weekend and finishes on Ash Wednesday. People  dress up or masquerade during the celebrations, which mark an overturning of daily life and on the street parade, they throw lots of free candies at you from the carnival float It`s always so much fun, especially the free candy and costume thing.

This is a fake cigarette by the way

For my birthday, we went to our local carnival party which took place in a party tent with live music, lots of funny costumes and of course-some nice cocktails. This year, me and my boyfriend went as sailors.

My boyfriend and me as sailors

Do you have any funny stories about carnival or your birthday to share? Do you want some advice on how to find a job? Let me know in the comments below.

P.s. Soon, you will get lots of posts on fashion, health, nutrition, beauty-I promise

Beauty foods that make you look more radiant

Health-Food-Beauty-everything is correlated

Radiant skin, sparkling eyes, shiny hair and healthy nails – only a healthy body is a beautiful body. Your health is directly proportional to what you eat and a healthy lifestyle is the best and most natural way to feel good from the inside and also from the outside. Remember that cosmetic products may make you look more radiant, but only temporarlily. Here are some of the best “beauty foods” that should be on top of your grocery list

•  Water: Your skin needs to always be hydrated to become radiant and 8-10 pints of water a day is recommended. Besides drinking water, fruits such as apples, strawberries, celery and watermelons are a perfect source of hydration.
• Antioxidants: If you want to protect your skin from dangerous uv rays, you should eat food which is rich in antioxidants such as prunes, citrus fruits, green tea, blueberries, cacao, leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale.
• Vitamin A and C: Vitamins A and C are equally important for your skin to build “Sebum”. Sebum is special oil produced by hair follicles that acts as a natural conditioner. Spinach, kale, Swiss chard and broccoli are some foods that are rich sources of Vitamin A and C.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Add Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet to free your cells from toxins and to maintain a healthy life.  These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and strengthen your nails. Fish oil, flax-seed oil, borage oil and primrose oil are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids.
• Lycopene: Found in tomatoes, they are natural antioxidant element and protect your skin from uv-rays.
• Vitamin E:  Acts a natural anti-aging antioxidant. Found in pumpkin seeds and nuts, especially dry roasted almonds.

And the worst food for health and beauty?

Sugar! Besides having no nutritional value, and the negative health effects such as diabetes, sugar  promotes wrinkles, sagging, acne and under-eye circles.

A guest post by Leo: A finance writer, presently writing on PPI claims. Check her website and follow her here: financeport.

My New Years’s Eve Make up, hair and German traditions

I know I’m late as it’s already the 4th day of the new year 2013, but I thought better late than never!  First, I want to share with you some pictures of the makeup and dress I wore on New Year’s Eve, before telling you something about our New Year’s Eve traditions in Germany  :)

I first couldn’t decide between 2 different outfits and make up looks. I will first share the option I didn’t go for:

1.

Option 1: Golden cat eyes (Urban Decay Naked’s half baked & smog on the lid, darkorse in the crease) and a neutral pink lip with just a gloss. Hair: Lots of big curls

Dress Option 1 : A sparkly, glittery black mini dress by Jane Norman with nude heels

2.

Make up option 2: Same golden cat eyes but with a bright red lip: MAC’s Russian red
Hair: Curls in a high ponytail

Dress option 2: Black dress with waist belt and strappy black heels by Office

In the end I went for make up 2 and dress 2 because I felt it looked more sophisticated and dress 1 was a bit too short, what do you think?

Raclette party on NYE (Sorry for the blurry picture)

I went to a friend’s house with my boyfriend, my younger sister Meike and lots of other friends It was the best NYE party I had for ages. We had a raclette party, huge fireworks, lead pouring, fortune cookies and lots of nice food! For those of you who aren’t familiar with the German traditions of raclette, I’ll explain:  cheese  is heated by a special “raclette” machine, then scraped onto diners’ plates. It is accompanied by small firm potatoes, gherkins, pickled onions, bell pepper and mushrooms. On the top of the raclette machine we grilled dried meat, shrimp and for the vegetarians tofu. I love it because it’s like a little BBQ on the table and we can all sit around the table having it – it’s very festive!

Raclette. A German NYE tradition originating from Switzerland.

Lead Pouring for those of you who don’t know is other German tradition is a form of fortune telling.  You melt little lead figures in a spoon on New Year’s Eve, pour it into a bowl of water and try to interpret the figure that comes out to see what the year ahead will bring.

A German tradition on NYE: lead pouring or “Bleigiessen”

Are you familiar with these traditions? What are your traditions?

I hope you had a great NYE party and a great start into the new year. If you want to know more about my new year’s resolutions and about the psychology of new year’s resolutions, stay tuned for my next post

xoxo Kim