At-home post

I am finally at home for the holidays. My parents are here, my sister came as well, and we are a happy family all together. I haven't met with my sister since Peru (that trip was 6 months ago), so I was so happy to see her at last!

So, first things first; hair. I had my hair cut and coloured yesterday at my usual salon by the sea. I decided to leave my light brown ombre for the winter, and get a darker colour. Much darker. I am happy with the result, although I may seem even more bitchy now, to some. Anyways, this will last me until May, enough time to master the 'tough biker chic' look. Ha.

The other hot topic, the boy. (this section has some..adult content) As I have already mentioned, at my conference trip I met a guy and we liked each other very much. We don't live at the same town, unfortunately, so we just kept in touch through Facebook inbox messages (I don't use chat). We chatted for everything and anything every single day and it was like we knew each other for years; he decided to stay a few more days in my home town so we could meet, before going to his for the holidays. I do have some juicy details for you all, it seems. Friday night we went for drinks at this terrace bar with a stunning view (so cold up there!) and we kissed a bit. But Saturday was the real deal. I don't want to sound slutty (although it seems inevitable) but I really wanted to have sex with him. And he did too. So after going to the movies with my family, I told them I had to go to a party, and went to his house. It was like a high school lie, oh god!
I wanted for 2013 to end in a better way in that aspect of my life, and it really did. No dramas, no attachments, we both knew we really liked each other (so that it didn't seem raw) but couldn't work a relationship out (so that it wasn't that romantic). I couldn't (and didn't want to) sleep over, so after waking up the next door's dog (it wasn't THAT good, but it was pretty good), I got a taxi, kissed him for the holidays (and forever in general) and I went home.
I think this is the most adult situation I have ever been in. We are both aware of the situation. I mean, if he comes earlier from his holidays we could meet again, but if he doesn't (he probably will tho) it's fine as well. We both know that if we lived closer, that could end up in a relationship. But there's no point in starting a long distance one. No point at all.

Although I will post again, Merry Christmas to anyone that celebrates it! To all the others, enjoy the holidays :)
xx

Life Update

I've been feeling weird again.

I tried to make a blog post couple of times this weekend, but I just couldn't come around to write something. Maybe it's because I was getting my period four days earlier than expected (thank god to that, keep reading) and I wasn't prepared for the period moodiness. Usually by the third day the grumpy hormones settle down and I can be a normal (?) person again. So hopefully tomorrow is the day.

Tomorrow morning is pretty packed. Today I had three hours of classes and then visited my old lab to help decorate this year's Christmas tree. I am very happy they didn't forget about me :)

Tomorrow, as I was saying, I've got an early class and then a quick meeting with my professor from the old lab. She is the one pulling the strings to do my internship and she is also the one helping me out to choose my master's course for next year. So I have to update her in person or via email. Then I have booked a 'me' time in a beauty salon -because no one was available to join me, apparently. I will have some waxing to be done and a Shellac manicure for the holidays. I picked a new place, mostly because of the low waxing pricing and the black and white interior. As for the mani colour, I am thinking a dark red or deep cherry.

On Wednesday I fly home and I can finally give in to some Christmas spirit, until I start revising for my finals on late January. I will also go out with the 'last night guy' if you guys remember him. He was the guy I met during my conference trip? Yeah, we've been talking every day now and he is staying a little bit longer so we can meet (he's going to his home town as well). He told me something about a party at his place, so I will let you know if there will be any kinky details (*typing while laughing at myself*).

this is pretty cool

but I wouldn't go into all this trouble for a manicure

Another New In

I can't help it. I know I should sit the fuck down, make some savings, start studying my ass off and all that, but I want to go for shopping. So I do.

It's not that I am spending much money, but now is not a good time to spend much money on yourself just for the heck of it (there's gonna be christmas presents, manicures, drinks, etc). But now it's cold outside and I feel the urge to wear pretty clothes. A long time has passed since I was liking my body this much and I feel I DESERVE some nice clothes and accs. So I do.

This week's new ins, Zara and Regal Rose.
I will say it one more time. Zara has taken (relatively affordable) fashion to another level this year. I mean, if you try you could end up with a Celine- inspired look! There's clean, fine lines, rich material, lace, and black. Lots of black!
Regal Rose is a UK jewellery (online only?) store, and I have made already two orders -and two posts here- from it. They have quite edgy pieces, but they're rings are lush! This time I had a 15% off code so I took the opportunity and got some goodies.

I strictly resisting from buying everything, and just got two items from each store. Now the jewellery will arrive on Thursday (along with my sister, I didn't want to pay 8-9 euros more for just two days earlier). But I couldn't wait to make this post so here:

I found this shirt randomly, alone in a hanger with other things. I fell in love and got it, even though it was an S size, which I almost never buy.

I saw these on their website and thought 'hey, these are a cool winter colour!'. So I tried them on, but couldn't decide if they're worth 50 euros. So I went with my friend to try them on again and at first she thought they were Michael Jackson's style :p But when I tried them on (with my total black outfit otherwise) she told me to get them hands down. I thought so, too. Size 38 (yeeeei)

This might seem simple, but since I don't wear lots of gold jewellery, I think it can be a good layering piece.  I may snap a picture when it arrives!

 We are looking at the tragus cuff here. I know, I wish the earrings were available too in this colour, but I only got the small silver triangle. I think it's very minimal, yet gives a vibe to an outfit (if you notice it, that is).

That is all for today. I am off to a meeting with a professor for masters-in-the-UK advice!!
Love you all.

Current Favourites

I decided to make a different kind of post this time. Lately I feel like I am using the right products for my skin, which is very difficult to achieve sometimes (the variety of products out there for the same thing is big!). But after reading reviews -I always do that- and taking my actual needs into consideration, I present you some of my favourite products that I use almost daily.

This is a glimpse of my desk drawer. I use it as a beauty stand, where I keep my make up bags and the stuff you see. So from the left to the right:
Victoria's Secret Noir Body Mist. I got their little black make up bag probably 6 years ago from Heathrow where they had some travel sizes of this scent. It was a sexy, interesting yet girly smell. Playful, if I had to use one word. So when I came home last week (along with the Mac lipstick fiasco) I bought the 50ml perfume and this mist. Love!
Garnier BB Cream for oily/combination skin.  I linked you the review of this product (Make up alley is SO helpful in these things). I really love this product for a daily use. I was introduced to BB creams last summer, when my sister called me super happy to tell me that there's such a product :p (she knows I love all-in-one products, since I am a minimalist in all aspects). So not knowing much about these creams, I got the one she told me. Idealia BB cream from Vichy. it's a nice product coverage-wise but it did leave me my skin shiny. With the Garnier one I am super happy!
Benefit POREfessional . My holy grail. This is maybe the best 'discovery' I have made for my make up. It basically is a primer that gives a mat effect to your skin (10/10) and minimises the pores (6/10). I bought my second tube long before my first one was gone. It lasted me about 4 months with everyday use so it's good value for money, in my opinion.
Apivita Hand Cream with mastic and balsam oils. The perfect care for your hands during winter.
Urban Outfitters Fig and Pear scented candle.  This smells so good! Even though it is such a small candle, and I am afraid to lit it in case it finishes (lol) it smells lovely just leaving the case open! I would buy it again and again.
Toni and Guy Cleanse Dry Shampoo. My latest purchase. I had run out of my Batiste one, and since it is not available in my country to repurchase, I got of of the next best things. It has a very fresh smell and using it only once, I can say I like it- not as much as my Batiste though.

Jewellery-wise, I got my rose gold Michael Kors watch and my silver rings that I got from Asos, random clothes boutique and NYC.

That's about it!
Please comment below if someone has tried these products and your opinion, as well as your most favourite current beauty item!

xx

'Business' trip

I guess it's time to write down my memories from the symposium. So let's start from the top. Me and my uni friends decided to attend a Neurobiology meeting, one hour away by aeroplane, 7 hours by boat. Every one of us travelled differently, but we all managed to be there on time.

I had two days off so I took the chance to visit my family, get my bikini and legs laser(ed) and catch up with some friends.

Day 1- arriving
I went for drinks with my male friend, telling him to 'surprise' me with the location. So he did! We went to this underground alternative bar where it also happened to be a live this night! I was such a sucker for this, and even though I had to drink beer, I had an amazing night. The two bands were great and the place was such a great break from my usual ones down here.

Day 2- thursday
I had my beauty salon appointment and then went with my best friend to Wagamama for my favourite pad thai. We talked uni, relationships and random stuff and then rushed off to Zara and H&M, where I got this amazing cardigan (in black marl). Then I spent some quality time with my family and got ready for the symposium.

Day 3- first day of symposium
I woke up so freaking early to get to the train and travel one hour from my house to the event. I met my girl friends there and we all registered happily. It was a long day, with speeches and coffee breaks and got home really late and so tired.

Day 4- saturday
Same routine to get to the symposium, got there an hour early and drank a cappuccino all alone.. When the lectures were over, we all headed to my friends house for dinner. I ate so so much, but it was so good that I don't even feel bad about it. (Oh, and several people commented on me having lost so much weight, I feel like achieving a long desired goal!) At night, we got together for drinks in this molecular cocktail bar -interesting!- where one of my friend's boyfriend came bringing some of his friends.
And then there was him. A very cute but beautiful guy, wearing nice clothes. We all introduced to each other, and I couldn't be more relaxed -after the first drink. I didn't even think of getting to know him better (I don't know why) but we spent the rest of the night talking, laughing and making every one on the table wondering. I had to leave early though, Sunday was the last day of lectures, so even though he told me not to leave so early, he didn't ask for my number or anything. Leaving it at that, it was a happy surprise to meet someone that interesting to me.

Day 5- sunday
Last day of the symposium, not so interesting topic-wise. I had lunch with my family and then had a nap to make up for all the lost sleep during these days. So when I woke up, I found a Facebook request from the last-night guy! Where did he find me, as we had no common friends. I didn't ask though, I was happy enough that he tried to find me that it didn't matter. Sadly I was leaving early the next day, so we could not meet. We decided to meet for drinks when I get back. I went to Starbucks for a last chit chat and then visited my aunt and uncle.

The trip was ending and I was smiling the whole 5 days. Now that's what I call success.

C Monday

It's Monday and I am back home. Catching an early morning flight is always a nightmare, especially if you live far away from the airport and you haven't really slept for four days. But what tops the nightmare is the early class you have to attend once you set foot on the ground. I managed to manage everything, including a mobile check-in (that was very high tech of me, a mobile boarding pass and a carry-on, I am like a businesswoman- not!

What I failed to accomplish is correctly buying my first Mac lipstick! Yes, this is a thing. The plan was to replace/dupe my two favourite lipsticks with Mac ones. She was oh-so helpful and we found the perfect shades!
Of course me without coffee and a sleep deprived mind, I didn't double check the actual tubes so of course I ended up with two reds (as opposed to one red and one light pink). The problem is that the wrong one is a classic red and I don't think that even suits me at all. So, to save the situation (and 15,80 euro), and because I cannot return it in-store, this will go into my sister's Christmas gift box! Sounds like a nice present, right?
Luckily I remember the name of the shade I didn't get (Faux) so I will double check it on my next flight, which is like 16 days away.

I feel like this will be a longer post than I intend to, so I will probably update you on my trip on the next post. Don't miss it! (hint: neurobiology symposium, drinks, shopping, a band and a new boy)

I cannot express my love for this photo, I don't know why. I feel like everything falls into place. xx