Astor Pro Manicure Already Dry! Quick Dry Topcoat

Today I want to show you my favourite topcoat, which I've been using for the last six months.

For years and years I never even bothered with topcoats as I wasn't keen on adding yet another step to my manicure. One of the things I find most annoying about painting my nails is waiting for them to dry. In my mind, adding another coat of something would probably not make my wait any shorter. I was so wrong however. I ended up picking up the Astor Pro Manicure Already Dry! Quick Dry Topcoat on a complete whim one day and haven't looked back since.

Now, I have to add that I used to have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this at first which was completely down to me using it wrong. It is important to give the nails some time to dry a bit and not to apply the topcoat too early, otherwise you will move the nailpolish around which then creates gaps and makes the natural nail visible again. Once I found that out (silly me!) I started to love it and like how it finishes off my manicure and gives my nails a nice shine. I will definitely repurchase this once I run out.

Which is your favourite Topcoat?

Julie xx

Instagrammers to follow: Preppy fashion and lifestyle

I'm a huge fan of Instagram and love looking at my feed for inspiration and happiness. There are so many interesting accounts with a whole range of topics and I thought I'd share some of my favourites with you.

Today I'll share some wonderful, preppy accounts with you that I love for their outfits and preppy lifestyle.

@sarahkjp

First of all Sarah Vickers from Classy Girls Wear Pearls. How could I not include her in this list. I love her style and think she is absolutely beautiful. I also live vicariously through her because she and her fiance Kiel just get up to so many cool adventures.

@carly

Carly is the lovely lady behind the blog The College Prepster which I have been reading for a long time now. I love her style and love following along with all the adventures that she, her boyfriend Garrett and her cute dog Teddy get up to.

@classysassywhit

I absolutely adore Whitleys Instagram feed because it is so colourful and stylish. I love that her outfits are super classic and wearable without being boring. The only problem is that I want all of her outfits for my own wardrobe now.

@robinvancrabb

Robins feed is full of super preppy outfits and I like how she combines various pieces. She also has enviable hair which I always very much admire. (Damn you thin hair...)

 @summerwind41490

I love Sydneys account for her beautifully preppy and sophisticated outfits and lifestyle. I think she always looks incredibly classy and happy which is what draws me to her blog and Instagram account more often than I care to admit.

So there you have it. This list is by no means a complete list of all my favourite preppy and sophisticated Instagrammers but these are definitely the ones I browse most often.

Which are your favourites?

Julie xx

Autumn nails

Today I wanted to share some of my favourite autumn nailcolours with you which I have been wearing in turns over the past few weeks. At this time of the year I really love deep reds, berry tones and stormy greys, as well as more shimmery and glittery polishes. Essie nailpolishes are (as usual) my favourites and I can't wait to add to my collection this autumn and winter :-)

Essie - Dress to Kilt (Limited edition)
 Essie - Bahama Mama

P2 - 017 Elegant

P2 - 991 Satellite Dreams

Which are your favourite polishes this season?

Julie xx

Kiel James Patrick Pieces I Love

Atlantic Pearl Bracelet 

 Catesby Jones Bracelet

Barnstable Bag 

 Briggs Capeside Docks Belt

Brooke Creek Sleeveless Scallop Oxford Shirt

Anchor Navy Blue Boatshoes

I've been a big fan of the KJP products ever since I've come across Sarah Vickers blog
'Classy Girls Wear Pearls' a few years ago.

Over the years Sarah and her financé Kiel added more and more beautiful accessories and now even shirts and shoes to their collection. I really like the whole classy-New England- nautical theme and definitely want to add some of their pieces to my wardrobe soon.

Julie xx

Dr. Scheller Organic Apothecary – Organic Thyme Moisturiser

Today I want to give you a quick review of the latest addition to my skincare routine, the

Dr. Scheller Organic Thyme Moisturiser.

I picked this up a few weeks ago on a whim and because it was on offer.

I had already been interested in the Dr.Scheller skincare range for some time but always ended up buying cheaper products instead.

First I couldn't decide whether to get the lavender or thyme day cream, but then chose the thyme one as it seemed to be more suited for my skin type.

Dr.Scheller products are mostly made from natural ingredients and some of them are organic which probably explains the price. ( 8,95€ for 50ml)

After using it for some time now I can say that I absolutely love the cream. It is not too greasy to break me out but somehow rich enough to moisturise my dry cheeks and forehead.

It sinks in relatively quickly and doesn't feel sticky. At first I wasn't too impressed with the scent because it is a bit too sweet for my liking but it is bearable and I got used to it.

I also like the packaging as it looks slightly old fashioned ( in a good way) and quite fancy too. Of course this isn't the most important aspect, but I'm a sucker for pretty looking products.

I'm keen to try more Dr. Scheller products in the future, that is , if I can find another shop that sells them as my local drugstore stopped stocking them now. (typical ha!)

Have you already tried any Dr.Scheller products?

Julie xx

Life Update

I thought it was time for a little life update so here goes.

Since I finished Uni I've been trying to find a job which turned out to be much more difficult than I first anticipated. I left Uni with a Bachelors Degree in History and English which isn't the most useful combination of subjects as I found out. I don't desire becoming a teacher (also I would have to go back to Uni to get fully qualified for that) which seems to be the most suitable profession with this kind of qualification.

Before I started my uni course I was unsure of the direction I wanted to go in so I tried to gather information about different subjects and prospects for the future. In the end I opted for the History and English degree as they were some of my favourite subjects in school and I was told that I would be able to find a job in loads of different areas of work like media and journalism, trade, administration and so on.

Unfortunately this hasn't been the case as the German job market is very "hot" on additional qualifications and there is loads of competition as well.

After trying to find some kind of an entry level job in administration and other fields and failing miserably I now decided to go back into education and start a further education course to become a foreign language assistant.

This decision hasn't been an easy one because part of me still just wants to find a job and finally start earning money. The prospect of another 6 months of studying combined with having very little money doesn't fill me with much joy at the moment. I know however that I have to take action and improve my chances on the job market in order to find work and finally start living the life I imagined.

I had big plans for my blog as well but my situation has been dragging me down in recent months so I lost a lot of my motivation for writing blog posts. I really want this to change again and will hopefully get into some kind of a blogging routine.

Thanks for reading everyone. See you soon for my next regular post.

Julie xx

Some new skincare bits

Today I want to show you some skincare bits that I picked up last time I went to the shops. I was on the hunt for a new cleanser because my usual one was about to run out and I fancied trying something new.

After I'd done some research online I picked up the Yves Rocher Hydra Vegetal Refreshing Gel Cleanser.  I already used it a few times and like it so far.

I also got another bottle of my favourite toner from LUSH

Last but not least I popped into TK MAXX (which is always dangerous for my bank balance) and found this cool book all about skincare and written by Liz Earle the skincare expert and maker of the ever so popular Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. It is a very interesting read and teaches you all about different skin types, skin conditions, which foods are great for your skin and all sorts of other useful things. It was also only 7,49 € which I think is quite a good bargain.

Julie xx

Boden Wishlist May 2015

In recent months I've come to really love the Boden Clothing website. I don't exactly remember anymore how I came across it in the first place but I fell head over heels in love with the brand and haven't looked back since. I love how classic, yet stylish and fun all of their pieces are and find myself perusing the website way too often. One of the best features on the site is the 'Outfit Maker' which is super handy to create outfits and see how the different items look together.
Unfortunately it also makes me want to buy EVERYTHING and makes me long for an entirely new spring and summer wardrobe. For now though I made this wishlist of some of my favourite pieces, some of which I will definitely add to my wardrobe soon.
 

Casual Weekend Dress  Breton Top  Floral Sandals

Pretty Embroidered Shorts  Evelyn Shirt  Blackberry Dress

Vienne Point Flats  Evelyn Shirt

What do you think about Boden? Have you tried the Outfit Maker yet? Believe me it's great :-)


Have a nice day

Julie xx

February Favourites 2015

Today I want to share my favourite products from february with you, so here they are:

Garnier Micellar Water

I was over the moon when I discovered this in the drugstore because until recently it wasn't available in Germany. It works so well for removing my make up and refreshing my skin without irritating my sensitive eyes. A little goes a long way with this too.

The Body Shop Body Butter Satsuma

I love the Body Shop Body Butters in general but this one is particularly nice and satisfies my love for fresh and citrusy scents. It makes my rather dry skin feel baby soft and the smell is just divine. The only downside is that it takes a bit longer to sink in which I don't mind too much.

Revlon Lipbutter in Pink Lemonade

This is such a nice everyday colour which makes the lips look nice and glossy while feeling absolutely non sticky on the lips.

Manhattan Khol Kajal Eyeliner in Nude Couture 51D

I love using this on my water line to make my eyes look bigger and more awake without the eyeliner standing out too much. It is quite long lasting and doesn't irritate my eyes.

Catrice Glamour Doll Mascara

I love everything about this mascara. The slim plastic brush seperates and elongates my lashes very nicely and it only costs about 3,50€

Which were your favourites in february?

Julie xx

My Favourite Make Up Brushes

Today I wanted to talk you through my favourite make up brushes which I use on an almost daily basis.
At the moment I only use drugstore brand brushes since they do exactly what I want them to do so I never felt the need to splurge on really expensive ones.

1. Real Techniques - Powder Brush

My favourite powder brush as it is so big and fluffy and soft and therefore perfect for applying powder on top of my foundation. This brush was very kindly gifted to me by my friend Alice as well as the blush brush that's coming up next.

2. Real Techniques - Blush Brush

Again a very nice and soft brush that is the perfect size for my cheeks. I also love how easy to clean these brushes are.

3. Real Techniques - Stippling Brush

This is my very first Real Techniques brush. I've had it for a few years now and still love it. I use it whenever I want to achieve a medium to light coverage.

4. B-e-cosmetics - Foundation Buffer

I first came across this brand on Youtube on the channel of Rebecca Floeter
who is the owner of the online shop www.b-e-cosmetics.de. I love this foundation brush a lot because it blends in my foundation very smoothly without making it look too cakey. It washes very well too and I'm quite impressed with the quality.

5. Ebelin - Concealer Brush

I picked this brush up from the local drugstore (ebelin is their own brand) and I'm really impressed with the quality considering its price of under 5€. I like using it to apply concealer under my eyes and around my nose. I occasionally use it to conceal blemishes and afterwards give it a good wash as to not spread bacteria.


What are your favourite make up brushes?

Julie xx

A sunday walk and some Italian food

Last sunday I went for a nice walk with some of my family and their dogs. The weather was absolutely gorgeous with the sun shining all day and the temperatures being nice and mild.
We encountered many other dogs and their owners, amongst them two super cute puppies who were playing with each other. Our walk took us along fields and through woods and I really enjoyed getting out of the flat and having a good ol' chin wag with my family.

After all that walking we were quite hungry so we decided to have some food at the local Italian. I ordered some rather tasty pasta with cherry tomatoes, garlic and parmesan topped off with some fresh rocket. It was absolutely delicious and the perfect ending to this wonderful sunday.

What did you get up to on the weekend?

Julie xx

Stationery Wants

Amongst my family and friends it's really no secret that I'm a huge stationery lover. I can spend hours browsing the web and my favourite stationery shops for nice notebooks, colourful pens, pastel coloured post-its and any other desk accessory that takes my fancy (despite having way too much already).

Buying new stationery always makes me want to write and be super productive which is a very good feeling.

I thought I'd share some of my most recent finds with you, so here's my latest stationery wishlist.

1. Emma Bridgewater Notebook 2. Kikki K Magnetic Pagemarkers 3. Pilot Pastel Pens

4. Personalised Mouse Mat  5. Do Your Chores Notepad 

6. Caroline Gardner Set of 3 Notebooks 

7. WHSmith Notebook 8. Cath Kidston Ballpoint Pen

Which are your favourite shops to buy stationery from?

Julie xx

Favourite Winter Reds

left to right: Essie-dress to kilt, Essie-forever yummy,Essie-bahama mama,Barry M-raspberry

I don't know what it is but this winter I've been craving red on my nails more than any other colour in my collection. Maybe that's because red brings some life into those dark, grey winter days, maybe it's just the simple elegance of it. No matter what the reason, here are my four most reached for winter reds:

Essie – dress to kilt

A deep dark red from a recent limited edition which is just the right shade. Neither too bright nor too dark.

Essie – forever yummy

A very classic red from the main Essie range which is an all year round favourite of mine. I love it around Christmas time as well as in summer paired with nautical outfits and navy and white stripes.

Essie – bahama mama

A firm staple in every bloggers collection and rightly so. I love it because it is such a beautiful and vibrant colour. Depending on the lighting it sometimes looks like a dark wine colour or toned down purple.

Barry M – raspberry

A pinky red that is somewhere in the middle between Essie dress to kilt and Essie bahama mama.

Which are your favourite reds?

Julie xx

A Parcel from Alice

The other day a lovely parcel arrived on my doorstep from my friend Alice (Pretty Wonderful on Youtube and her blog).
The things she sent me came in this cool Union Jack box (an old glossybox) which I think is such a nice personal touch as she knows how much I love Great Britain. She also wrote the nicest card. :-)

Everything was beautifully wrapped and I just had to snap a picture of it before I unwrapped anything.

First off she got me the Facial Scrub, Cleansing and Toning Lotion, as well as the Face Mask from the
Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel range which I had been interested in trying for some time.

She also sent me another Revlon Lipbutter in the colour Pink Lemonade and a Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick in Rose Tweed. They both apply like a dream and I really love them.

I also I received a sample of the John Frieda Sheer Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner, a super sparkly
Barry M glitter topcoat, a Barry M blusher (I don't own any Barry M blushes yet so I'm very pleased to be able to try one), some Invisibobbles (you know how much I love them from my last favourites post) and last but not least the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (so handy as I just ran out of mine and can't buy a new one in Germany).

I'm really happy with everything I got so THANK YOU so much Alice. :-)
I hope my parcel for you will arrive at yours soon and in one piece.

Have you tried any of these products?

Julie xx

Some TK Maxx Goodies

In the last couple of years I've become a real fan of TK Maxx. Although I mostly don't bother with the clothes department as this can be a bit too messy for my liking, I always check out their homewares and beauty products as well as sportswear. I hardly ever leave the shop empty handed as there's always something that takes my fancy. 

This time I found these two notebooks which were 5,99€ each as well as this nice, spotty storage tin which was 3,49€.  I saw loads of other nice things too but I managed to contain myself at least a bit and didn't make my bank account cry too much. 

Do you like TK Maxx as much as I do?

Julie xx

January Favourites 2015

I know I'm probably not the only one who's thinking 'What? It's the end of January already?' With the new year being in full swing again I discovered some new favourite products and reached for some old favourites that I now want to share with you.

Got2Be Guardian Angel Heat Protection Spray

I've been using this for several years now and really like it. After using a different product for a few months now I repurchased the Got2Be Guardian Angel. It smells nice, makes my hair feel super soft and is also quite cheap. As far as I can tell it also protects my hair well from the heat, which is the main purpose of a heat protection spray really.

Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2 in 1 Wash and Mask

Another oldie but goodie product that I've been using on and off for the past years. Whenever I use it as a face wash it leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean and is very refreshing too. Occasionally I put it on as a face mask which feels particulary nice in summer when my face is super oily. The only downside to this product is that it can sometimes leave my skin feeling a bit “tight” and it mustn't get into the eyes because that really isn't a very pleasant experience.

 

Garnier Pure Anti Shine Moisturiser

This is definitely one of my favourite drugstore moisturisers as it works a treat on both my oily areas and my dry patches. I'm very pleased that it doesn't make my face break out in spots ( like so many other moisturisers do) and that it keeps my face nice and shine free just as it promises. It also smells very nice and fresh like cucumber which is always a winner with me and sinks in really quickly too.

Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil

One of my favourites in winter to soothe the dry areas on my face. I won't say too much about it though as I reviewed it here already so feel free to have a look at this more in depth post.

Ebelin Express Nailpolish Remover

When these type of nailpolish removers came out I thought them to be a bit gimmicky and wasn't very interested at all. This month though I finally caved and picked one up on a whim. Let me just say, I'm a total convert now. It works really quickly and is super clean without the need to waste loads and loads of cotton wool pads. Just make sure you don't tip it too much and therefore spill half of it on the floor (not that this would ever happen to ME ahem...)

P2 Lipstick in 006- friends forever

I really liked wearing this nice pinky colour on my lips this month because it is light enough for everyday wear and to get me used to wearing more colour on my lips in general.

Although it doesn't have the most amazing staying power I've ever seen I think it is quite ok considering that it is on the more budget side.

Invisibobbles

The Invisibobbles have been around for some time now but somehow never really interested me all that much. That might be partly because they were rather hard to come by (only online or in certain hairdressers) and also because I thought them to be just another marketing thing.

I ended up buying them at the beginning of the month when I discovered them in my local drugstore and happened to have a voucher too so I thought why not give them a try.

They promise to avoid split ends and be absolutely traceless. (oh how I hate getting that stubborn kink in my hair after wearing it in a ponytail...)

A pack of three costs 4,95 € and they come in loads of nice and bright colours. I however opted for the see through option as I wanted them to be as invisible as possible in my hair. The only issue with this is that they are harder to find whenever I've misplaced them ha!

Since I bought the Invisibobbles I haven't once reached for any of my other hairbobbles. They hold my hair firmly in a high bun even on first day ,usually rather slippy, hair which is great in my book and I definitely recommend them.

So there you have it. Which products did you love in January?

Julie xx