I've been thinking about writing about this blog for quite some time. But after this week's revelation (I'll talk about it later) I thought "okay...it's now or never". I got this book last year for my birthday and I committed a small sin: I read this before reading Fangirl. But let me tell you: it was worth it. Like really worth it!

So in case you don't know, Carry On is written by Rainbow Rowell (from Fangirl, Elanor & Park, Landline and she is also currently working on a comic book series with Marvel as well I believe!) and is a follow up book to Fangirl. In Fangirl we are introduced to the world of Simon Snow and Baz, where they appear as altered version of the Harry Potter series (I'll get back to that). After the success of her previous book, Rowell apparently couldn't let go of Simon Snow and ended up writing this marvellous book. (In case you are wondering how we know it, it is stated at the end of the book. At least in my version)  

The summary, via goodreads is as it follows

I also ended up placing an order at Beauty Bay filled with The Ordinary Goodies. It started with me wanting to repurchase The Odinary's Natural Moisturizing Factors +HA as my night moisturiser. It is a simple moisturiser that makes me wake a really glowing and moisturised. I also repurchased The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 because it is the best hyaluronic acid serum I've tried considering it's price point. Alongside with the moisturiser, it makes my skin free of dry patches and any weird texture. 

The new kid on the block is The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, which I'll be using as my day time serum. I got this after seeing how much Jael from Coquete à Portuguesa loved it and because I wanted something extra for my day time routine. I am yet to try it so I don't have an opinion about it so far. 

"More makeup? Yeah kinda"

Probably the last thing I need is makeup but, all of these have a good reason. Starting with The Ordinary's High-Spreadability Fluid Primer, since I was looking after a new primer. I mean, I still love my beloved Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot primer but I've been feeling my skin changing and wanting different products. I also want to test how this goes alongside a foundation like Fenty Beauty's. I've worn this once I really love the look and touch it gave to my skin although...it appeared to leak a bit? It was a bit strange and I need to try it out more for sure. 

To finish off my Beauty Bay haul, I finally got The Ordinary's Serum Foundation in the shade 1.1 N. I heard it's a really lightweight foundation - Ruth from A Model Recommends described it as a tinted moisturiser kind of product - and that's what I was looking after. I still love to wear my Fenty foundation for big events and such but I wanted something more natural for when I have classes and other earthly events. I've worn it once and I really liked it! Although I still want to used it more before reviewing it.

I also ended up going to NYX's store after reading Jael's Favourites Blog Post to pick up these two goodies. (actually I picked 3, but the third one is for my friend) The NYX Can't Stop Won't Stop Concealer was a really nice discovery and surprise! I am proud to say that my beloved Makeup Revolution concealer has found it's match. This ended up looking more yellow than what I was expecting but somehow it helps with concealing the purple of my dark circles. And lastly but not least, I got my self a mini NYX HD Finishing Powder because I wanted to get a new powder to have on my makeup bag but I didn't want to get anything big or overly expensive. For 3,5€ this does the job and I am now temped to get the Banana powder version to try out as well.
 
Having this said, I also ended up ordering a few books from Bookdepository. I've been reading more lately and I'll probably take a week this month to post a few reviews here as well. Spoiler alert: the ACOTAR saga is coming. 

There are day when I want nothing more than just a bit of colour on my lids and run to get the bus. I'll always start by using the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Shadow, because otherwise no eyeshadow will look good. I am so happy I decided to do the investment and get this guy last year.  As a wash of colour, I've been loving the Colourpop Super Shock Shadows in La La, which is a lovely Cooper Brown shade with golden reflexes and Weenie, which is a more Red-Brown. I love to blend these all over my lids and I am seriously thinking about getting more shades on my next colourpop haul! 

For eyeliner, I've been playing with the NYX That's the Point hella fine eyeliner and although I like it very much has been a favourite, I have to admit that I don't see my self repurchasing it once it's done. To be hones, as soon as I finish it, I'll be back to my beloved Clio Kill Black eyeliner (which costs practically the same). On my under eye area, I've been loving the NYX Faux Whites in Mintcream and I've been thinking about getting either the pink or the lavanda version in a near future. This eyeliner gives a really bright effect, making my eyes seem bigger (which is appreciated, specially when I haven't been able to sleep that well...)

Although I've been enjoying really simple looks, I still enjoys a bit of colour here and there. That is why Colourpop's Give it To Me Straight palette has been a ultimate favourite since I got it. I love the really warm shades like Candid, Be Blunt and TMI and how compact this palette is, alongside the really pleasent eyeshadow formula. I am seriously thinking about picking up another of these palettes in my next colourpop haul! 

As for blush, although I've been switching around my collection, the one I've been picking up a lot it Benefit's Rockateur. It is a gorgeous Burnt Rose blush, which although it might sem odd, it really goes with most of my looks without making me seem strange or weird - specially If I go for a more colourful look. I hope they don't discontinue it!
And for lipstick, I've been sticking up for this lovely Makeup Revolution x Soph Lipstick in Fudge. It's a gorgeous brown nude shade that goes with everything and has been providing some 90's vibes I really enjoy. The formula is super comfortable and I want to pick up the other shades before someone decided to discontinue it (please don't!! They are amazing!!) 

What have you been loving? 

This mindset probably comes from the fact that I've been really curious about the Hygge lifestyle and I've recently read a book that described it in a very simple way - so simple that made me rethink some of my life choices and how I was embracing things. Simple things like drinking a good cup of tea and reading a book that I love every night before bed have been so simple and so nurturing at the same time. I still want to read The Little Book of Hygge : The Danish Way to life well, alongside other lifestyle book (like the one about Ikigai, lagom and Lykke)

I believe that most of us have this idea that taking time for ourselves is either selfish or a waste of time. It's neither. It's about nurturing ourselves and recharge our soul-batteries in order to face our tasks and challenges. It's about finding inner-peace when the world is always raging everywhere at any given time.

Self-care is probably one of the most important things we can do. It's more than okay to stop and take care. So, take care of yourself! Read that book that you love, take that long bath that you've been wanting to do. Drink that good cup of tea, do that spa session at home that you've been wanting and dreaming about. Because no one can operate non-stop. There used to be a milk advertisement growing up that said "if I don't love myself, who will?" And in today's environment, that's more important than what we realise.

I'll start by talking about my recent pride and joy: my Tiger Bullet Journal! I've been wanting one of these for the longest time, but they were really hard to find here (most notebooks only have lined, blank or grid paper and I really wanted doted) and whenever I did the price point was way too high. On a recent trip to Tiger I saw this and decided that it was a "now or never" type of situation. I had completed my Happy Planner and wasn't really keen on spending another 20 to 30€ on a planner at the moment. The bullet journal will help me to stay on track and to spread my wings in terms of creativity. I've started to fill it and although not everything is rainbows and sunshine, I've decided to see this as a process. Things aren't always as pretty as we see on blogs, pinterest and instagram. Mistakes happen and that's okay. 

I am planning to write more about my bullet journey on the blog, specially since I also ordered a pack of Zebra Mildliners and I am contemplating ordering a few stickers and washi tape in the future as well. 

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

One of my resolutions for this Christmas was to finally get my new book shelf and a new desk (actually I just got a new table top, but it looks like a new desk anyway). This meant I had to do my trip and then step up everything with my dad. (Plus the fact I had a friends dinner scheduled for the renovations day!!)

Everything is finally done, with just a minor thing to be done eventually. My room feels bigger and more accommodating to my needs. I am planning to do a few changes on my vanity as well (which I will explain next). Oh and did I mention I ended up also having to travel for a New Year's Eve party with a friend? Yes, a very busy week!

And if you thought things got slower when I got back....not really! I ended up doing a second IKEA trip in order to get myself a new mattress and I got the flu! Which made me super tired and crankier because I've been coughing for the longest time and not being able to sleep very well. I am finally recovering and looking forward to tackle some projects.