sunday sound #4

This week has been uncharacteristically quiet. Since my laptop charger has broken, im officially out of action when it comes to blogging. I am patiently waiting for my amazon shipment, but to be honest patience is wearing thin.

There have been none of the regular features this week and I have officially read all the magazines in my apartment. To make matters worse my kindle is now running low on battery - and obviously the only way to charge it is to plug it into my laptop. And just as my book started getting good!

Thankfully the boyfriend was able to bring his work laptop home this weekend im taking the opportunity to update my little old blog.

So, over to the soundtrack for this sunday.

it's all so quiet

My laptop is my link to the outside world. It's my communication channel. It's my shopping outlet. And it's my way to blog.

Silly old me has only gone and broken my charger and in Cyprus, Apple Mac chargers might as well be covered in gold, they cost that much! So until amazon kindly despatches a new charger to me, blogging will have to wait.

I will be back.

sunday sound #3

I am in full hibernation mode this weekend (except for a small outing for groceries and coffee and a chocolate making exercise which we will talk more about later) and have been in sweat pants with the heating on, swathed in blankets and surround by cushions and cups of pomegranate tea pretty much since Friday afternoon. Ah. It. Is. Bliss. The soundtrack to my weekend has been along these lines.....

something for a friday #2

I woke up this morning hoping and wishing it was Saturday. It wasn't. 

I knew it was going to be one of those days that nobody should talk to me. 

The list of things to do this week has got bigger and bigger and I feel somewhat swallowed up and spat out. 

With the boyfriend away working this weekend, I think it's the perfect excuse for me to stay in my sweat pants, organise the apartment, make a blog button (i'll let you know how that one goes!) and watch Sex and the City.

And maybe live off grilled cheese and pesto sandwiches a la pinterest!? It's acceptable right - it is the weekend after all. 

midweek mix 16/01/2013

source

source

source

source

source

source

a bit of encouragement

January is a long, cold month.

And while my achievement list sits there in black and white somewhere further down this page, practically untouched, I am wondering why I seem to have lost all my oumph. 

Not to get all emotional but the start of the year always feels a bit of an anti climax; the new year is meant to bring with it a whole host of exciting adventures and new projects but they can be kinda overwhelming. Where am I meant to start? 

I'm a worrier, I constantly think about things and part of my goal for 2013 is to worry less and live more. So far, not so good. Maybe all I need is a bit of encouragement....... 

source

......well that should do the trick!

smells like snow fairy

One of the strongest memories I have from my childhood was the medicine my mum used to give us when we were sick (we are starting off a bit random but stay with me, I do have a point, I promise). Calpol was this bright pink, creamy medicine in strawberry flavour that tasted more like sweets than medicine. 

I think I am probably too old to head into Boots and purchase Calpol, especially as I quite obviously do not have children old enough to be consuming the stuff. Lucky for me, my memories live on through my nose (I promise you havent been drinking any Calpol tonight!) thanks to Lush.

Snow Fairy is a super creamy shower gel that usually comes out around christmas and then disappears again into the depths of Lush makers minds, not to see the light of day again until christmas rears its sparkly head.

The fact that this product is so illusive makes it so darn  want-able. Luckily for me, a wonderful friend (who saw me writing about this product on my blog way back when) grabbed a little bottle for me and gifted me with it on my recent trip to London. You should have seen the sheer joy on my face as I ripped open the tissue paper. 

The bright pink gel foams up into a wonderful smelling wash and literally leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean, soft and smelling gorgeous all day long.

The wait is on til next christmas but anyone who has a Lush store nearby, this is a must purchase at least once.

So I did have a point after all. With such a great range of products, I loved to hear your Lush must haves!

sunday sound #2

This Sunday sound is not my usual choice of tune, but there is something about the beat that has had me hooked from the start and I just cant get this song, nor the girl that goes ayayayay, out of my head. So i've taken it as a sign.... this song is just meant to be in my life and therefore yours too.

something for a friday

IT'S. COLD. 

My heating is not adequate to heat anything.

My toes have been cold for 3 days straight. 

My bathroom is like a freezer (damn tiles). 

My hair is unwashed because of the previous item. 

 

I'm using all of the above as excuses for a weekend that I hope will contain much sitting under blankets watching films with hot tea. Making soup. Making soup. And making soup. Oh and eating fresh bread and pasta. 

Because when its cold carbs are the way forward. Right? (dont spoil my illusions)

And after my little moan. Something to send you on your merry way this Friday evening. 

source

don't you worry - I have an anthem for 2013

As I grow older I seem to be developing a deeper connection and passion for music. 

When I was younger, my parents were never particularly "stick the kids in-front of the tv" sort of parents and I didn't have a TV in my room. But somewhere in my teens I fell in love with the TV. And while I still love a good series and a discovery channel session on a cold and rainy Sunday afternoon, music seems to be taking a bigger part of my heart.

And whatever I do I cannot get this song out of my head. Its starting to be my anthem for 2013. And as I seek to take a big step back and let life just takeover instead of worrying about it, the words seem to be more and more poignant.

"Dont you worry dont you worry child....see heaven's got a plan for you"

While I dont believe in heavan as such, im starting to believe that there is a bigger picture out there and someone or something has a plan, so maybe I dont need mine......

midweek mix

Midweek my brain always feels a little numb, maybe the effect of the limbo feeling Wednesday ultimately brings with it. The week feels like its just begun, although we are halfway through, but Friday is just a mere glistening light after Thursday. 

Basically my brain needs a day off right about now, especially this first full week back at work since all the festivities wound down and the real world came knocking at the door. 

But positivity is the key and while this week has been hard on my head, there has been much laughter thrown in for good measure. My wonderful co-workers keep me highly amused with daily snippets of wisdom (note the sarcasm) and as such my positive attitude is blossoming. 

So for a rather chilly Wednesday, I bring you a new and possibly reoccurring (we will see how it goes) feature. The midweek mix. Some images that have been filling my mind with joy.

source

source

source

source

source

source

A Kindle sort of Christmas

I always thought I didn't want a Kindle actually. 

I'm one of those people who absolutely adores books; the smell of a new book, the feel of the pages and the boldness of the images. Sitting on the beach with a book as the pages flicker in the breeze and gather those little grains of sand in their spine really makes me happy.

But my world has changed forever. 

The boyfriend gifted me with a Kindle for christmas. And after seconds of opening it I was converted. I have to say it is one cool little piece of technology. Its light, its portable and I can have multiple books to hand. It is probably one of the best gifts I have ever received. I have already been trawling the Amazon Kindle section for my next reads. I got especially excited when I stumbled across a fashion theory book I'd been eyeing up for a while. Now it's sitting just a few inches away from me in this handy little device. 

I was the biggest Kindle critic, so if I can convert, anyone can.

And the sexy leather cover adds a bit of glamour to the otherwise slightly dull black tablet.

the year of the facebook page

I decided it was time to expand in the social media department. Im already hooked on bloglovin, hello cotton, twitter, always have a window open for the better blogger network and trawl the expats blog forum on a daily basis. 

So it felt just about the right time to set up a little page on facebook for this here blog. Its humble beginnings but everyone has to start somewhere right?

So a shameless request for some love - please head on over and like the page which can be found here. 

Im sure there will be some good karma vibes for all you ladies (and genltemen) in 2013 that take the time to support each other. 

Now time to embrace a rainy Monday evening, take my make up off with the best product ive just been rambling about here, and eat the remaining quality streets which travelled all the way from England.

Bioderma Sensibio H2O

I never really understood the fuss going on amongst beauty bloggers about French pharmacy products. Maybe thats because I dont have easy access to such products.

But many beauty blogs regularly talk about the wonders of a brand called Bioderma and as such I was pressured into making my first product purchase. No we dont have French pharmacy's in Cyprus but we do get shipments from Ebay thankfully.

And im so glad I succumbed to the pressure of said beauty blogs -you ladies know your stuff. Since receiving my little package, my world has changed. From first use Bioderma micelle solution has really upped the anti of my beauty buys. 

The reviews for this have been nothing but fantastic and after my first use im sold. My eye make up was gone in seconds and in such a gentle manner it felt like the only thing on the cotton wool was water. But no. It was a fantastic little solution which im sure will make my life a lot easier. 

And thats what beauty products should be about. For me anyway. I love mascaras and blushers but when they wont come off at the end of the day, it can feel like your fighting a never ending battle. 

sunday sound #1

friday means...

letting go of the week
having that extra glass of wine)
lying in the bath a lot longer than your skin can handle
staying in sweat pants till the pm
emptying your mind of stress
eating toast with a ridiculous amount of butter
watching sex and the city whether its morning or night
painting your nails without getting bed sheet imprints
ditching the make up routine
ebaying half your wardrobe to make room for more (well Zara has a sale dont you know.)



from pinterest



the downside of a short week...

When work begins on a Wednesday and Friday appears before you quite know what's hit you, it does funny things to ones brain.

I mean, I love a couple of days off to start the week, but Wednesday was technically Monday and tomorrow should only be Wednesday, which means next week is going to be a painful experience for mind, body and soul.

The dog is sleeping on m feet and has just burst out with a tremendous snore, so she obviously isnt fazed by the situation at all.

Maybe I need more sleep.

the starting sound for a new year

It's easy to start the new year, diving head first into one of those bleak grey patches of life. Maybe it's the hangover or maybe it is just January. 

So, instead of wallowing in the negative, it is time to search out that positive attitude and what better way than a little energetic tune to serve as the backdrop for January. I cant help but feel more alive when I hear this.

Happy 2013

Its a new year (that old one went by pretty quick didn't it)!

source

And while I don't particularly believe in making new years resolutions -  especially not documenting on them in black and white - there are some things I'd like to "achieve" this year. I know I will probably look back at this in December 2013 and think "oh wow why did I ever formulate that list", but in the spirit of a fresh start....here it goes.

1. Learn Greek

After two years in Cyprus my Greek is less than perfect. I understand a lot and while reading food packaging and watching the news have taught me well, I cant help but think I should make more of an effort to actually master this language.

2. Shop Less (more meaningfully)

The lure of ASOS gets me every time. My basket piles high with so many items and it is always such a challenge to edit. This year, things will be different [maybe].

3. See more

There is a whole world out there to explore, but I kinda want to start closer to home. That means Europe. This one has probably come from reading so many wonderful blogs written by amazing ladies around the region. So my list looks something like this: Barcelona, Croatia, Poland, Germany, Paris and Amsterdam.

4. Worry less, Live more

I worry. Not in a drama queen kind of way, but more in a sensible, practical kind of way. I have always been the "responsible" one who is older than her years shall we say. But this year I turn 25 (and no this isn't an early mid life crisis sort of resolution). I want to enjoy every second of this year, take advantage of every opportunity and worry less about the what if's, what could have been's.

If 2012 taught me anything it is that life is too short and we should enjoy it while it's here.

5. Be a better blogger

I want to be more organised with the blog and more organised with my posts! As someone who loves organisation and making lists for that matter, you would think this would be easy. Ah ha. You would be wrong. When it comes to the blog its always complete chaos. I like the element of blogging what is really in my mind at that time or what inspires me (thank you pinterest). But really, in 2013, I want a better schedule.

6. Send more mail

I love letters. There is something so personal about receiving mail in the letter box, with a hand written envelope that means someone really thought about you and took the time - not to send a quick email - but actually write a letter! So this year, I will send more little notes and letters, to let people know I still think about them.