My Brogue-like booties and Face of the Day!

Today I was sittin in the car waiting for hubby to do some shoppings, because Mathias was alseep in his baby seat, so we decided to let him sleep and me to stay there, instead of carrying him out... and I was bored so I took some pics! Shhhht don't tell hubby that my feet were actually there! haha He is crazy about his car! Like all guys!

I just love these booties! I got them from Deichmann like 2 weeks ago, and they are soooo comfy and cool! I remember years ago, not even knowing what brogues are or what brogue booties are, lol, I was looking for booties with lace, and I remember I was having a hard time finding any! Was many years ago actually. I got these at a great price too, I think they were around 20 euros? I don't remember exactly but I will eventually upload my Haul video to YouTube, where I am talking about these and some handbags that I've got the same day, and there I say the prices too. I need to kick my own ass and upload the videos sooner, not a year after I film them (2 weeks are as long as year these days, with everything changing so fast)! Damn editing software! Takes so much of the time that I don't have!
And now that you've seen the best part, I ama show you my face too:

I am wearing my beloved BB cream, both shades combined, black Maybelline eyeliner, pink Maybelline Lipstick (I actually already have a tutorial for this look uploaded, you can check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXwdfVQ7Y2E)
I am wearin my hair in a bun, perl earrings from Mallorca, my Swatch gold watch, Meredith Frederick gold caviar bracelet, C&A scarf, jeans from Zara (visible in the booties pics above) and the sweater is from a small peruvian manufacture store, and I love it!
That's all for today... crazy crazy CRAZY week here, I could never believe how much energy can a 5 months old have! Me and his daddy are SPENT!!

Keep smiling!
oxox
Roxana

Garnier BB Cream review!

Allright, I know that by now every beauty blogger and their grandma AND cat, already wrote a review on the new (not even that new anymore) Garnier BB Cream, but I promised one too and I will do as I promised. It took a bit long because I wanted to test it properly before I talk about it, besides, as you know, I don't really find time at this moment in my life (5 month old baby boy!).
So:

 These are my 2 tubes of BB cream! I got both shades because I happen to be inbetween them, complexion color-wise, so, as I was not sure if I wanna look too pale or too dark (lol), I bought them both and I am mixing them before application. Especially because in winter time I am using a fake tan spray, that means my color varies alot function of how the tan fades, and with this method I can be sure I am always looking natural, not like a mask, as I can make the color more pale or more dark.

 

I just mix them in my hand, I know maybe I should be using a plastic palette and a brush, but I am always in a hurry and lazy so I rather do it like this, even if at times I feel I am using up too much product cuz it gets spread on my palm. Anyways!  I have been using this for a month now, and even if my skin is prone to blackheads and breakouts, I did not have any problem with this! And the finish is fab, doesn't look like I have much, if anything at all on my face, which is what I really have been searching for, for a long time! Something that will make my face look fresh, unified and matte without being annoying like the foundation (that causes patches on my face where it wears out faster during the day, like for example on my chin because I'm touching it more), or powder (that looks cakey and gathers in the fine lines, most of the times). This is just perfect, the pigments are good and it just sinks into the skin when applied, looks dewy for a few minutes but then becomes matte and perfect, I personally don't even find the need to powder it at all, I just press a tissue on my face to absorb the excess moisture and that's it! I used to wear the Chanel Mat Lumiere foundation and to think that I depended on it if I wanted to have a luminous matte face all day long, but this bb cream proved me wrong! I don't need to spend that much anymore!! Of course, Chanel foundation is fab, but for day to day I definitely can replace it with Garnier BB Cream, with 95% same result! And more natural looking! Now that's what I call a GOOD DEAL!!
Here is a few pics of how my face looks before and after using it, but I have to warn you that it's my face with no makeup, and with messy hair, first thing in the morning. That means SCARY. Allright, you have been warned.

yeah I know I am wearing a different robe but that's because between the moment that I took the first pic.. while I was getting ready to put on the cream, my son decided to start screaming straight from his sleep so I had to run and feed him, and as usual he ate too much and spitted out some milk... on me. Oh well. It's the very same day, only like 40 mins later, I assure you! :))
Here's a closeup:

I think it's pretty awesome, for someone that doesn't have really bad skin problems. I used to have, but, after pregnancy, my skin got so much better, thank God. I still have breakouts from time to time but very small, some blackheads if I am not being careful, and some marks from the past pimple "battles" that I had to take...
Now, I find that this could be a bit more moisturizing, as it promises "24 hours hydrating care". Well, taking into account the hormonal changes that I've been through and still am, maybe my skin needs more hydration than most skin types do, now, I don't know. So for the dry skin types... you may wanna use a moisturizer before this.
Otherwise I think it's awesome, looks soooo so so natural it's impressive, is lightweight, gets into the skin so fast when applied (actually you have to work very fast to apply it evenly or you'll have to add more as it sinks right into the skin). The colors are both very nice and if you do like I do, mix them both, you will definitely be able to get your perfect shade. The price is great as well, I payed 9 euros-something for a tube, which is very worth it, in my oppinion, for being a great quality product.
It looks just as great till late in the evening, I don't even have to blot my face, maybe once if I work out,stay in a hot place, or take a nap, but I remember that with the Chanel Mat Lumiere foundation, I had to have the blotting paper or paper tissues handy at all times! And this was still better than most foundations or tinted moisturizers that I tried before, from this p.o.v. Also, I love the fact that it's incredible lightweight! After all, is just a cream, not a foundation. I love how it feels! They say it also has SPF, which is also a good thing! I can never apply spf before foundation or before other skincare, no matter what brand I use, always loks horrible on me and gives me breakouts or univen finish or a weird hue or who knows...
Bottom line, I LOVE this BB cream! I went and bought 2 more! And I will make sure I always have some in my bathroom cabinets!! It definitely won its place in my skincare and makeup routine, I just hope it stays on the market!
Hope this helped some of you, my dears!
Keep smiling!
oxoxox
Roxana

New YT Video! How to use makeup to make yourself look younger!

Finally I managed to upload this video! Whew! Took me all day to edit it! That because I was interrupted at least a million times! Babies are not understanding with beauty-related occupations or any kind of other than themselves-related occupations of their moms :(
Anyways, I saw that the videos in which I was talking rather than using background music and Annotations have got more views, so I assume you guys wanna hear my funny English rather than some nice music :) I am flattered :) And happy, because talking in a video and just uploading it with little editing is way easier for me, and like that I will be doing more vids! I wish I had time to edit like a pro like some gurus on YT do.. but oh well, thank God I have what it takes to do it as I do it anyways, because I love doin' it :)
So there you go, this is my "younger looking" makeup face that I have been wearing constantly lately, with small changes at times:

Expand the Info Box underneath the video in the YouTube page, to see the products I used and some more useful infos!
Hope you like it!
Keep smiling! oxoxox
Roxana

Girl Talk! (how to cope with heavy periods - natural remeds)

So this is gonna be a post only for girls. Guys.. don't read! Or...well, if any of you wants to be able to help a girlfriend in need with a good advice... and don't mind TMI on girls issues... you can read too, and you have my respect! :)
After giving birth, my periods started to be very heavy, doc gave me prescription bc pills that didn't do much in these regards, so I asked my mom (lol, thumbs down for docs, thumbs up for moms!) and she advised me to drink Yarrow tea (you can search on wikipedia and switch to your own language to see what the heck I am talkin about http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achillea_millefolium) and to take Vitamin C along with the Calcium that i was already takin (best is if you have the type that you can drink, you know, like Hot vitamin C drink and soluble calcium tablettes).

That worked as a charm, so I thought I should share it with you here on my blog, maybe someone is in the same situation and needs an advice! I am not sayin you should not see a doctor as well, cuz there might be who knows what problem, but if doc says you are fine, and you still are not, you might as well try this too! Shouldn't do any harm, as it's a plant, after all!
Hope this helps someone!

Keep smiling!
oxoxox
Roxana

OOTD for Fall, Mom and Baby

I really wanted to post today about something more interesting, but as my son did not agree to allow me to do much all day but stay with him, clean after him, rock him, feed him, change and clean him...and the usual stuff a mommy has to do, plus alot more huggin and rockin and singin and all that... I also tried to work..... so I am very tired at this moment and I am not able to use my brain and write a good post, I will just post another OOTD, of me earlier today carrying Mr. Mathias out for a walk. These pics were taken in front of my house, by hubby with his cell phone, so they are not very clear, not the same as the ones taken with the digital camera. But here they are:

As I was sayin in a previous post, this is the time that I can still take OOTD pics, because then the very cold weather will come and I will only wear boring thick jackets, with little exceptions :(( Booo to winter!
So, here I am wearing as follows:

Distressed jeans from Zara
Booties from Deichmann

Striped wool sweater from H&M
Puffer vest with fur trim from Clockhouse - C und A
Leopard print infinity scarf from New Yorker (I think!)

Mathias is all dressed from Zara (of course, the advantages of being a cute baby: mom gets you only cool clothes!)

Kisses! Keep smiling!
oxoxox
Roxana

Quote of the Day

"Prosperity begins with loving yourself" (Louise Hay)

Rexona Maximum Protection deo review

I tried this for a while...actually it's almost over and I guess I will finish it, even if I am not very happy with it. I will use it only the days that I go to the gym. Why am I not very happy? Well, it's TOO strong! I know, I know, it is supposed to be strong and I have been searching for a strong deodorant for quite a while as I am a very active person, I wake up at 5 or 6 AM every day, I move alot and I don't like to have to stop what I am doing and take a shower in the middle of the day (in the lucky eventuality that I am at home at that moment) just because my deodorant decides to leave me.. uncovered! I can't say that I am a heavy sweater but I am a bit obsessed with body odour, I just. can't. stand it! So yeah, I thought this was the answer to my prayers in these regards, untill I realised it was nothing but a pain in the... underarm! It is soooooooooooo strong that it stays there forever! I raised a brow when reading on the label that it was still efficient even after taking a shower.. I was like "What? You get your underarms wet, use soap, and this thing is still there??" And that is true, the thing stays there! But! It doesn't do anything anymore but feels uncomfortable! You can't even apply another! It's like.. you have to practically SCRUB the damn thing off to use it again, otherwise it will start smelling bad because it won't work anymore as it is supposed to! It is true, if you don't take a shower it keeps you protected against odours for quite a while, I guess over 24 hours (it is supposed to be effective for 48 hours!), but I never stay that long without taking a shower, anyways! I hate how it feels when you shower and you try to wash it off and it's so hard, I get that sensation, like trying to wipe the blackboard and hitting my nail on it, if you know what I mean. Does that make sense? My underarm skin feels like some weird sticky rubbery chalky glue! And looks very dry, too! Feels like it just doesn't breathe anymore, feels like all the pores are filled with that chalky stuff!
In my oppinion, this thing is good when you go to the gym, because is really heavy duty, you won't smell at all... but only then! Oh and I noticed that the more you sweat, the easier it comes off when you wash it! That's too graphic I guess but I wanted to inform you correctly! lol

 To make this review more detailed I will describe it a bit more: It smells nice, but I am not good at describing smells, for me it smells floral-clean.. something. It has a creamy consistency even if it comes in a stick-like container and you click like 2 times (turning the little wheel at the bottom) to get enough for an application.

So yeah, that is my experience with this product. See? I don't only post about products I am inlove with! lol This one I will probably not buy again unless I plan a trip to Sahara. What I normally use is Nivea Dry Comfort 24 hours Cream deodorant and it works just fine for me, so I am back to this one.

It is easy to apply, I like the creamy consistency, lasts a long time (not 24 hours but I don't even want that anymore, after the experience with the Rexona one), washes off easily, smells nice and one tube lasts forever, because you only need to use a little bit, if you put on too much is not nice anymore! lol

I really hope I helped someone with this post :)
Keep smiling, my dears!
oxoxox
Roxana

OOTD for Fall season

Sooo, no more warm weather :(( I don't like that because I know what cold weather means.. way less options for dressing up and creating outfits! I mean, how many winter clothes can you have? I have a few jackets and they fill up half of my huge closet! :( Is sad, let alone the fact that winter clothes are more expensive than skimpy summer ones! lol. But we'll get through it, and the summer will eventually be back! In winter time I rather spend my money on makeup and skincare and other things that make me happy, than on clothes, because for me, that I work from home so I don't have to look too good (and different and interesting...well, u know what I mean...) when leaving home for something, dressing up in winter is all about throwing on a pullover (or 2, or 3, cuz I am getting cold so easily! Brrrr) and then a jacket and boots and jeans of course... Only rarely I dress up differently than that, on special occasions, and I usually freeze on those occasions! So, at this time of the year, when there is still some sun left and the temperature is not yet close or below 0C, I still managed to wear a picture-worthy (in my oppinion! lol) outfit, which is this one:

 

Turtleneck sweater: "Clockhouse" C&A
Sweater dress: "Okay!" from KIK - at times you can find real good things there!! It's worth to take a look from time to time
Grey leopard print leggings: Zara
Suede booties with fur: Deichmann (love them! super comfy and cute)
Satchel (beutel) patent leather bag from Pimkie
Puffer vest with fur trim: "Clockhouse" C&A
Sunnies: Ray Ban
My usual gold Swatch watch
... and my few extra kilos that I'm hoping (but not really trying! lol) to get rid off! haha

Hope you liked my outfit! Have a sunny and warm day!
Keep smiling!
oxoxox
Roxana

New YT video! Clothes and accessories Haul!

I finally managed to upload this vid that's been waiting for a while... I have 2 more vids waiting and then I will kick myself in the butt to do more! I would be doing them so much more often if I wouldn't have to edit them...and the makeup look ones need to be edited.. or?? I don't know, most of the gurus edit them...but I am so bad at editing and it's so time consuming, and the only thing that I can't seem to ever be able to make is time!! But, because I love this too much, I will probably give up and just start filming and uploading with only very little and fast editing... I hope not to scare people off, we shall see. It's better to have some videos, with no editing, than no videos at all, I guess! lol
Hope you like my haul! I hope to go shopping again soon :-p

Keep smiling! Keep shopping! (I will write a post about shopping on a budget, which is what I always do, lately, keep an eye on this blog!)

oxoxox
Roxana