vrijdag 12 december 2014

20 (slightly weird) Facts About Me

Heyhey lovelies!

A bit of a different post than I usually do on a Friday, but what the heck, I was in the mood for it.
One of the blogposts I enjoy reading the most is the ’20 facts about me’. I love reading weird and funny things about the people I follow, it gives me a warm feeling inside. 
So I decided to join in myself! Hope you like it!

o   I’m a ‘warmth addict’. I literally go look for warm places everywhere since I get cold very quickly and I absolutely HATE it.
o   I have very bad vision. I have a dioptre of -8.5 on my right eye and -8.0 on my left eye, which basically means I am blind as f*ck without my glasses or contact lenses. I’ve had bad eyes since I was 7, but I’ve been stable for almost 3 years now so I’m thinking of getting my eyes lasered in the next years.
o   My favourite scent ever since I was little is Vanilla. As a kid I always used to go sniff my mother’s vanilla powder bags.
o   I have a huge sweet tooth.  When I was little I sometimes used to sneak into the kitchen and put a whole spoonful of nutella in my mouth. (Okay. I admit, this still happens now. But not much. Like, one time a month maybe ..?)
o   I have agoraphobia. This basically means that I have a fear of wide, open spaces. I remember having a viewmaster as a kid (you know, those things you put round cards in and then you can see all kinds of scenes through the eyethingies) and me and my sister had some space scene cards. I just couldn’t look at them, not being able to see the end of something gives me the most uncomfortable feeling ever. I also HATE movies  or videos that are filmed under water because the sea is such an infinite, open space. I can’t swim in a pool that’s so deep you can’t see the bottom of it, I don’t like going to Sea Life because of the shark tunnel… pretty weird phobia, right?
o   I have Raynaud’s disease. It’s not actually a disease, it’s more of a syndrome.  Raynaud's disease causes some areas of your body, such as your fingers and toes, to feel numb and cold in response to cold temperatures or stress. In Raynaud's disease, smaller arteries that supply blood to your skin narrow, limiting blood circulation to affected areas. My hands and feet then go blue, purple, orange, and eventually some of my fingers might turn white and numb. In response to warm temperatures the opposite happens: the arteries widen up and pump a whole lotta blood through, causing my hands and feet to swell and to turn extremely red. Raynauds also causes me to get cold very quickly (that’s probably why I’m such a warmth junkie!). I’ve had it for all my life and it doesn’t really cause problems, it’s mostly just uncomfortable and I have to wear gloves when the temperatures outside drop.
o   I could live in my pink dinosaur onesie.
o    I have the best boyfriend in the whole wide world.
o   I sleep with an Elmo cuddly toy every night. I got it from a friend  a few years ago and I’ve gotten so attached to it that I can’t sleep one night without it. I’ve always been the kind of person to get easily attached to stuffed animals.
o   I’m obsessed with things that scare me. Horror movies are my favourite although I can’t sleep for weeks after watching one. There was also a time that I was completely obsessed with the black humor cartoon series ‘Salad Fingers’, I just couldn’t stop watching it and wanted to know everything about it. The storyline is just so intruiging!
o   In my opinion, pugs are the most adorable creatures ever.
o   In my next life, I’d either want to be a cat or a lion. Seriously, cats and catlike animals are my soulmates. I just FEEL them.
o   I studied Latin – Modern Languages in highschool and did a year of Sciences of Arts at the University of Ghent before beginning my journalism studies.
o   I like to dip pickles chips in beer. Not just any beer though, it has to be Faro Boon (a Belgian beer). I call it ‘Farkles’. Hashtag noshame.
o    My favourite food EVER is Greek food.
o   I can’t listen to music without headphones on. I’m addicted to the quality of sound my Sennheiser brings me and songs just don’t have as much intensity when I hear them just from my laptop…
o   I’m a HUGE metal/metalcore fan.  Yup, I’m the girliest of girls, but bands like Bring Me The Horizon, Of Mice And Men, Amon Amarth  and Dimmu Borgir make my heart skip a beat. I also listen to metal to calm me down, which my boyfriend finds very strange (and sometimes annoying).
o   I danced from the age of 3 until I was 18 years old, then stopped when I went to Uni. Still miss it every day.
o   I have an inner emo kid that loves everything black and fangirls over Vanilla Sky, Simple Plan and All Time Low.
o   I spend way too much money on things to decorate my house, especially because I don’t really have a house to myself yet. But hey, never too early to start collecting!




zondag 7 december 2014

Heyhey lovelies!

Temperatures keep dropping here in Belgium and my skin definitely feels that. The corners of my mouth are getting dry, I have chapped lips almost constantly and my eyes water every time I go outside. Time to switch up the skincare routine, I’d say!

I’ve assembled a few tips that can help you treat your skin right during wintertime. With the cold temperatures it’s very important to pay a little bit more attention to your everyday skincare, just to avoid redness and/or dry skin. Bear in mind that these tips work for me and my skin but may not necessarily work for yours. If you have more or bigger problems with your skin, I’d recommend to go see a dermatologist.

What helps my skin to stay healthy in winter:

1)      Use oil-based moisturizer
This is probably my most important tip as I cannot emphasize enough that daily skincare, especially during winter, is very important. I use water-based moisturizer during spring and summer, but switch to oil-based when the temperatures drop as the oil creates a protective layer on the skin. I use the Yves Rocher Bio daycream with 99% natural ingredients. It consists of Acacia honey (a miracle worker for your skin), chestnut extract, oats extract and sunflower oil. I am just in LOVE with this moisturizer because it doesn't feel greasy on my skin at all, yet makes my skin feel hydrated and protected.  
I also make sure to use bodylotion because when I cover up all my skin I notice it gets dry super quickly. I get those white flakes on my legs that are just hideous so I try to prevent that as soon as the temperatures drop even the slightest.



2)      Keep scrubbing
You might feel like not scrubbing in winter out of fear it might damage your skin, but it is important to keep doing it. Scrubbing not only removes the dead skin cells but also makes your moisturizer sink in your skin deeper and more easily.
For your body I’d recommend using a sugar scrub because these are less harsh to the skin and are (in my opinion) nicer to use. For my face I use the Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Exfoliator  (after my cleanser) and I LOVE it because it’s a very light, creamy scrub that doesn’t feel harsh at all.



3)      Stay away from the superhot baths
I know, it is SO tempting to climb into the bathtub and soak in it for a few hours after a long, cold day but intense heat is not gonna do your skin any good, au contraire. The heat might make your skin crack and feel itchy. Ofcourse you don’t have to take cold showers but just a normal, warm temperature should be fine.

4)      Don’t forget the lips
I’m not the type of girl that pays much attention to her lips, but recently they have just been chapped almost constantly so I invested in some quality lipbalm. Unfortunately, I thought that I just had to apply the lipbalm until my lips were healed again but with this cold weather that just doesn’t work and my lips got chapped AGAIN. So now I have added lipbalm to my daily skincare routine and as for now my lips seem fine. Same as with the moisturizer it is important to find a good oil-based lipbalm, that will create a protective layer on your lips.

5)      Eat your way to a healthy skin
As important it is to use the right skincare, all those creams and scrubs just ain’t gonna work if your eating habits are bad. Fill up your grocery basket with foods full of healthy monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, olive oil, flax, sardines and avocados.  Your skin will thank you. (source: http://greatist.com/health/healthy-winter-skin-hair)

I hope these tips help you, and let me know what you do to keep your skin bright and glowing during wintertime!

Lots of love,
LFR





dinsdag 2 december 2014

The Blogger Christmas Tag

Heyhey lovelies!

So I've been seeing lots and lots of bloggers doing The Christmas Tag lately, and I have never done anything like this before so I decided to join in. I'm in my dinosaur onesie, I've got my vanilla candle burning, my Minnie Mouse cherry pit pillow at my feet and a berry smoothie by my side, all ready for this! Hope you enjoy!

1) What is/are your favourite Christmas movie(s)?
I have to admit that I'm not the biggest fan of Christmas movies, so I don't really have an answer to this question. What I can say however is that one of our biggest tv channels here in Belgium always shows one of the Astérix & Obélix movies on Christmas Eve, and it has become some sort of tradition to watch it together with my family. I absolutely adooore these movies, they are so funny and the French cast is just incredible. My favourite is probably Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cléopatre because of the funniest scene EVER with one of my all time favourite actors Jamel Debbouze. If you haven't seen this movie yet, I recommend to watch it on Christmas Eve with your family! Lots of laughter guaranteed.

2) Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
ALWAYS on Christmas Eve. And if it were up to me, all presents would've been opened before dinner was finished. I'm just always wayyy too excited to wait! Not only for the presents I get, but to see the look on my family's face when they open their presents I gave them! So much looove in the room, I'm addicted to that atmosphere.

3) Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?
Okay, it's not technically a Christmas memory, but I have one memory of me and my sister watching a movie together and decorating the Christmas tree after our last exam before the Christmas Holidays. I don't remember which movie it was but I think I was around 16 years old and she 14 years old. I don't know why, but this is something I never forgot. It was a fun sister moment :)

4) Favourite festive food?
Anything my mom makes. She's the best cook ever and every year she slaves away in the kitchen to make us something super nice for Christmas Eve. I am so grateful for having such an amazing mom.. *cheesy alert*

5) Favourite Christmas gift?
As much as I love beauty or clothing presents, I always prefer the ones that my sister makes herself. Those could be a photo holder out of cardboard or a coupon for 10 nail painting sessions (because I'm rubbish at it). Those gifts are just more special to me!

6) Favourite Christmas scent?
Cookies baking in the oven.. hmmmm.

7) Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
As I said before, watching an Astérix & Obélix movie together has become a Christmas Eve tradition. Another tradition we have is me and my sister making some little toasts as fingerfood. Don't know why, but we do it together every year.

8) What tops your tree?
Most of the time: absolutely nothing :p We have a fake (but beautiful) Christmas tree that we use every year and the top is too weak to hold a star or a heavy ornament. Sometimes we hang a big red bow on it, though.

9) As a kid, what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?
In Belgium, giving each other presents on Christmas Eve is not that big of a thing. In my family we only started that tradition a few years ago. Here we do have Sinterklaas (the Belgian/Dutch equivalent of Santa Claus) who comes down the chimney the night from 5 to 6 December and leaves presents for the kids. The night before, all kids place their shoes at the Chimney with a carrot in it for Sinterklaas' horse Slechtweervandaag (literal translation: bad weather today) and his buddy Zwarte Piet.
One gift I really really really wanted but never got from Sinterklaas was a Baby Born or Anne Geddes doll. Too bad :p

10) What's the best part about Christmas for you?
The loving atmosphere in the house and seeing everyone happy. And the food. Always the food.

I tag the following bloggers to do this post:

Silke over at A Life Lounge
Ana Célia Wanderley over at Oh My Louboutin
Theodora Hinds over at Island MYST
Vicky Xialina over at LifestylebyVix
Everyone else who would like to take part in it!



Lots of love,
LFR





vrijdag 28 november 2014

Fashion Friday: Winter Inspiration

Heyhey lovelies!

One of my favourite things to do is just stare out of a window and daydream about outfits. I know, sounds weird, right? But I just can't help it, it's too much fun! Today was one of those days where I just wanted to let my mind drift away, and I created 3 outfits in my head that I would LOVE to wear this winter. Hope you enjoy!

1) Collar Casual

This is one of my faaaave outfits ever. A jumper with a collar, some skinny jeans and boots. Perfect for winter when you have to make your way trough the snow to get to class! And that coat tho <3

*Jumper: Flannels.com
*Coat: Chicnova.com
*Jeans: Bernardboutique.com
*Boots: Couture.zappos.com
*Bag (Michael Kors): Neimanmarcus.com

2) Business chique
This is what I would be wearing if I was a successful business woman with lots of meetings and stuff (I can dream). White loose dress, black knee high boots, a big black coat and the pink satchel to give the outfit a bit of colour (and to store all my businessy things in). Simple and comfortable, yet classy!

*Dress: Lagarconne.com
*Coat: Farfetch.com
*Boots: Forever21.com
*Satchel; Spartoo.co.uk

3) Retro and cute
My second favourite outfit of all time: A retro dress, kneesocks and some heels! I paired it with this lovely brown-ish coat and a tiger clutch to give the outfit a bit more punch.

*Dress: riverisland.com
*Coat: chicnova.com
*Kneesocks: Pacsun.com
*Booties: Farfetch.com
*Clutch: Runway2street.com

What are you wearing this winter?

Lots of love,
LFR



dinsdag 25 november 2014

My Christmas Wishlist

Heyhey lovelies!

First of all, I'm sorry for the crappy collage. I'm new at this and school is giving me such a hard time with deadlines and papers that are due and some random last-minute assignments that the theatchers just HAVE to give us so I didn't really have the time to make a proper collage.. urhg. But anyway, I think you get the point here..

CHRISTMAS IS COMING. I'm actually one of those people that likes buying other people presents more than getting them myself, but let's be honest, I would be very dissapointed if I didn't get any presents (who wouldn't be, like, duh). I'm also one of those people that just cannot hide their dissapointment when they get something they don't really like. So that's why each year I make a wishlist, just so my family can choose from that what they buy me (this sounds so wrong and picky, but you know what I mean).

All I want for Christmaaaaaaaas..


1) The Too Faced 'Natural Eyes' Eye Shadow Palette
Confession: I never ever wear eyeshadow and I don't own any eyeshadow palettes (apart from a cheap one with two colours). I know, pretty bad, right? I just think I am not good at all at applying it so that's why I never bought any palettes. But practice makes perfect, and I really want to start wearing eyeshadow because you can create such gorgeous looks with it so I think this palette is a good starter kit (if not, definitely let me know). I've heard such good things about Too Faced so I'm excited to try out their stuff, and that packaging is just to dieeee for!

2) Too Faced 'La Crème' Lipstick
Another make up 'thing' I rarely use: lipstick! I don't know why I never wear it though, because I absolutely loooove it. I adore Too Faced's Bumbleberry, Raspberry Rose and Country Star colours so those are the ones I hope to get (or get for myself, because, why not) this Christmas!

3) Essie nailpolish
It's been a while (like, months) since I bought nailpolish and I need a few more colours to put in my collection. Essie is my go-to brand when it comes to nailpolish just because the quality of it is soooo good! I fell in love with the colours 'No More Film' and 'E-nuf is E-nuf'.

4) Rainpharma sugar scrub
With the weather getting super cold it's important to moisturize your skin, and getting your scrub on definitely helps to make the cream soke into your pores. Rainpharma is a Belgian brand of all-natural beauty products and I'm a big fan of everything all-natural (especially when it comes to beauty products) so I'm excited to try out their stuff!

5) 'How to Story' by Tom Rumes, Tim Verheyden and Andries Fluit
As some of you know, I am a student in Journalism. This book is actually written by one of my teachers (Tom Rumes) and gives tips on how to 'write a good story' as a journalist. I've been hearing a lot about this concept of 'storytelling' but I don't really get how it could help me to be a better journalist, so I hope that this book will give me some insight in the matter (plus the fact that one of my teachers wrote this book is enough reason to read it). 

6) Sacconejoly calendar
Last but not least and SUCH a guilty pleasure: I really really really want the Sacconejoly's calendar. If you don't know what the heck I'm talking about: The Sacconejoly's are an Irish youtuber family living in London. There's Jonathan and Anna and their two adorable kids Emilia (2 years old) and Eduardo (8 months old). They also have 6 Maltese dogs (Sina, Albi, Bianca, Nivea, Theo and Nuvola, can you just see how excited I am talking about this) and basically they upload vlogs about their life every day. Their videos never fail to make me happy, Emilia and Eduardo are just the cutest kids ever. They recently made a calendar with suuuper cute and funny pictures and I really, really want it. I want it so bad that I asked my sister to buy me this OVER the TooFaced makeup.. That's how much I love them. #noshame

So, what do you want for Christmas?

Enjoy your evening!

Lots of love,
LFR

dinsdag 18 november 2014

Berry Vanilla Smoothie Recipe

Heyhey lovelies!

I am a very big smoothie fan. I just love thinking of which fruits go well together and what other things I can put in them. Plus, smoothies are delicious and so so so healthy, so therefore they are the perfect breakfast and/or afternoon snack. Today I tried out something new and I turned out to really like it, so I thought I'd share it with you guys!

You will need (I'm not going to put quantities here since I just make my smoothies how I think they will taste good, and then add some more things in them if that's necessary):
   * Strawberries
   * Blackberries
   * Low-fat vanilla (or any flavour you like) yoghurt
   * Almond milk or regular milk
   * A tiny bit of honey (optional)


And now for the easy part: Blend all those things together until it's nice and creamy. If you like your smoothies to be a bit sweeter you can put some of honey in it, I have a huge sweettooth so that's what I did!


Tadaaa. I just love this purple colour!

Hope you enjoy!

Lots of love,
LFR

zondag 16 november 2014

Heyhey lovelies!

'T is that time of year again: The nights get longer, the weather gets colder and the streets turn into festive lanes of Christmassy coziness. Another specific of this time of year: Lips get dry and chapped. Yup, it is lipbalm season again!
I just cannot live without lipbalm during the months of November to February. My lips are usually fine in Spring and Summer, but Autumn and especially Winter are HELL. My lips get chapped so easily and they hurt like crap. You can imagine how annoyed I was when I went visiting my boyfriend in the Netherlands last week and forgot to bring lipbalm. Fortunately we went shopping at Bataviastad so I could pick up some. We went into the only beautystore there (which turned out to be Beautyheaven On Earth, with lots of famous makeup brands at half price) and there I bought this Gérard Brinard Vitamin E 'Lip Plumping' lip balm. There were a lot of different versions of this lip balm but I picked this one up because it contains vitamin E (although I have absolutely no idea what vitamin E does to my lips, but I figured it can't be bad).



And I turned out to really love this one! It says on the container that it's highly moisturizing and softens the lips, and that it does indeed. When I first applied this lip balm I actually felt a slight tingling in my lips, almost like I could feel them repairing (this sounds weird, I know, but I swear to God I felt a tingling) and after one day my lips already felt and looked a whoooole lot better. You only need to apply one thin layer of the lipbalm, and it feels light and not greasy at all. I also like that this lip balm doesn't smell or taste like anything, I just prefer my lip balm that way. Another bonus: the lip balm comes in a tube and not in a pot so you don't have to get your fingers dirty to apply it.

Overall conclusion: I'd recommend this lip balm to anyone who hates having dry and chapped lips. It's my new favourite skincare item and I will definitely buy this one again, maybe even try out the different versions of it.

Have a good evening!

Lots of love,
LFR