» BASICS 101 - WHEN IN STRESS
Aloha beauties!
Exams, driving, birthdays, graduation; May is a busy month - maybe the busiest. School (Uni) is coming to an end, and with summer around the corner, the stress factor is ridiculously high..
If you're like me and can't walk out the door with a hoodie - even though I seriously should consider investing in a hoodie to save my life when in stress (LOL!) - this post might be helpful.
This is how I deal with stressful mornings and busy schedueles.
Printed jackets - let's face it. I live in Sweden where you go through all the seasons in one day.. So a jacket is a must. My idea: instead of getting a new summer jacket (or a summer jacket since I don't really have any - that's another story), I thought that several blazers/light jackets would be nicer.. You can change them up and invest in bold prints, pastel colors, or something simple with a nice cut.
I am obsessed with jackets like the one featured above!
White tee - I am literally obsessed with it.. I got mine from H&M and it's the most comfortable thing I own! I have one for sleep and one for daily wear and I seriously can't wear anything else (well, except for black shirts).
It's basic, affordable and very chic when paired right.
Sunnies - firstly, LOL at my word choice. When I haven't gotten much sleep, and when I can't bother trying to make my eyes look awake, sunglasses are great! Throw them on and you'll look like a whole new person. My motto: the bigger, the better.
Necklace - something I can't turn my back to. No matter how stressed I am or my lack of inspiration for outfits.. An obsession? Indeed.
Watch - life saver on exams when the exam room doesn't have a clock on the wall.. Do not - and I repeat - do not forget bringing a watch with you to your exam..
Skincare - it's that time of the month, stress is causing your hormones to go up and down, and new friends are popping up on your face.. Well, not to worry. Remember to remove your makeup before sleeping (or as soon as you get home), cleanse your face, remember your SPF and reduce the size of your friends by your favorite blemish spot treatment.
As I'm writing this post - in the living room - I got a glimpse of the very recent bloom of the siren from the window! It is definitely on my top 5 favorite flowers.. Oh the happiness on this cloudy day! Photoshoot later? YES!
I wish you lovelies a wonderful day,
xox
/Laila
» THE GIRL WITH THE WHITE JACKET
I have a confession to make..
A pretty embarrassing one..
I got a jacket, wore it four days in a row, paused a day, wore it again, and so on.. I've been loving black scarves and nude nails and huge sunnies (actually just the ones I'm wearing in the picture..).
Obsessed much? Who, me? Oh no.. (drama, drama..).
Pictures are from Instagram.
Feeling oh-so-pretty in the white jacket, black scarf (like an easterlady = påsk kärring) and necklace.
Necklace and jacket from Zara.
Better pictures of le jacket will be up!
xx
/Laila
» INSTAGRAM UPDATE
What have I been up to?!
Good question, lovelies.. I have been doing everything but blogging.. Why? I haven't found inspiration nor time to sit down and write a proper post. And writing about my life all the time is not something I intend on doing, nor have done much on this blog.
But here's an Instagram update of the past few week(s)!
I have BBQd with my gorgeous friends - thank you lovelies X.
.. and with cousins - multiple times! We ♥ it.
Childhood memories with my sister..
BABYSHOWER! :') Everything was adorable - and pink!
Birthday dinner of my dear friend.. yes, that's chicken - newsflash; I eat chicken!
Today's lunch with my sister. Yumm-O!
Driving today with the people I absolutely love - cheesy much? Haha!
What have you lovelies been up to?
Update me!
xox
/Laila
» THE GIRL WITH THE OBSESSION FOR NECKLACES
I've had an obsession for necklaces as far as I can remember..
Everything from pendant, short, statement, collar - you name it (oh and let's not forget about the good old chokers!) haha..
I guess that everyone collects something, and for me it's necklaces.
Lately, when I got this crazy, gorgeous, necklace from H&M, I've been wearing it non-stop. Literally.
I wear it everywhere and plan my outfits around it.. Weird? Indeed.
Here I am, trying to pose and look blogger-ish - did I succeed? Now that is the question..
Do you guys have an obsession for something?
Be it stickers, perfumes, post-cards, etc.
xox
/Laila
» A DAY AT THE BEACH
I went to the beach with my cousins yesterday - 'cousin-day-out'.
We BBQed - does chocolate covered bananas ("hajkbanan") and marshmallowes count as BBQ?
I'm posing with marshmallow-sticks.. Yes, pretty lame haha!
In the process of..
So... I want to "BBQ" again... I've got some left-over (actually a whole bag) marshmallows.. Yes?
It doesn't look nice - at all! BUT, it was delicious :') (and I went a bit happy with the editing...).
I wish you all a lovely SUNday!
xx
/Laila
» BIODERMA
I've devaloped a love relationship with Bioderma.
It is by far, the best makeup remover I've ever tried!
What I do: I soak a cotton pad with the product, and place it on my eye for a couple seconds while patting on it, gently - should be added. This removes every trace of mascara. And I do the same thing for the rest of my face - and voila! I have clean skin, haha!
The only downside to this product is that it takes all moisture off my skin, which makes me apply a pretty heavy layer of moisturizer - to bring the moisture back.
Wearing Essies 'Lilacism' - as usual. Picture from my Instagram.
Do you guys have a makeup remover you swear by?
xx
/Laila
» MINI HAUL?
Confession: I want, no, I need the Naked palette (Urban Decay). So when I went to Sephora yesterday to finally get it, they told me that they've never even had the Naked one (original palette).. Oh the frustration!
So I went into random shops in search of something to cure my frustration.. Of course, I couldn't find much..
But, I did find a white (?) scarf, sunnies, bracelets and a concealer I've been wanting to try out.
Skull-scarf and sunnies from Cubus, Maybelline FIT ME concealer and arm candy from Gina Tricot
(they were on sale so I just couldn't resist)..
As you can see, I'm having a thing for skulls - and a growing collection of skull scarves!
» GOOD DAY BEAUTIES
Good morning day beauties!
I hope you're all having a great day so far.
I am - in case anyone wonders haha! I'm off today - no lectures=no uni=happy me.
So I made myself a oh-so-yummy-in-my-tummy breakfast (such a long phrase..) - and need I say more?
I wish you all a happy friday!
xx
/Laila
» I HEART ICE-CREAM
It's not a secret that I'm in love with ice-cream.. and froyo (sounds more fun than 'frozen yogurt' haha!).
Since the sun was shining, and it being saturday, I went to Bar Italia with gorgeous ladies to treat ourselves with ice-cream!
I went with 'hazelnut' and 'crushed chocolate' -yum!
And I'm in desperate need of finding a new nailpolish to obsess about.. I think I'm having too much
fun painting my nails with Essies 'Lilacism' wayyy to much than acceptable - but I simply love lilac..
..and a creepy picture of my oh-so-pretty loafers. From Zara.
I hope you lovelies enjoyed this sunny day.
xx
/Laila
» ME-TIME?
I haven't been the best blogger(ess) for the past x weeks, which I apologize for.
Don't get me wrong, I've tried - so hard - to blog, but I just couldn't.. And then there's uni, and tests, and labs, and reports and people I need to deal with (that I btw haven't and really really need to).
With all of that adding up, I've been horribly stressed out - still are.
I actually cried yesterday when I couldn't handle the studies, and then I cried even more when I got an exam result (happy tears for the latter).
And you know what I realized (I need to erase that word from my vocabulary);
I can do so much with my life. I have so much potential and so much to give. I need to do something important and I kind of know where I'm headed - for once haha.
God, it feels nice to just write to you guys! Sob story; you guys are my friends, even though I haven't met you or know who you are.. But the growing number of readers makes me speechless (or writeless as a wise person have told me).
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for keeping up with my constant absence.
Take care of yourselves, beauties, and I'll be posting here sooner than you can say brushes (whaaaaat?).
xxxxx
/Laila
Instagram picture with sunnies that don't even look good (but that I absolutely love) posing with chocolate
frappino in the car on a sunny day :')
» THE GIRL WITH THE MESSY MAKEUP
I like organizing. In fact, I love it!
It make me feel that my life is organized - which is not even close to what my life is haha.
As I was stuying today, I looked over to my makeup 'station' (it's not your traditional vanity) and hated the mess.. Foundations and blushes mixed together, missing lipsticks (mission impossible on finding them.. I need Tom Cruise), etc. So I decided to re-organize it and sort out the mess (I had already gotten rid of old products a couple weeks - or month(s) - ago).
It was a horrible mess.. As you can see - nothing was in it's place (and obviously I don't keep my
makeup on the floor - I just put it there to sort it out.. It's all safely stored!).
I realized that I had many (my opinion on many - I know that my makeup collection isn't big) blushes..
And discovered products I had forgotten about.. I sharpened my liners (lip and eye), and threw empty
pots (don't know why i kept empty powders in the first place)..
And I also stored my samples - as I tend to throw them into one of the bins as I get them - in hope of
trying them out but that never happen, does it?
My little box of samples. I've actually got some really nice samples! Clinique foundation, primer and
mattifying lotion from Murad, hair samples, perfumes (the ones I tend to reach for the most since I
throw them in my bag - easier than bringing a full-sized perfume!).
XX
/Laila
» THE GIRL WITH THE HENNA TATTOO
Since my cousin is getting married on Saturday (woop woop); the hen party (yes, hen - not henna - party), was two days ago.. And I got myself a henna tattoo (I am such an arab haha!).
With that being said; I'm going to start a new 'series' on the blog - there is an upcoming bright blogging time. Did that make sense? No? That makes us two (or more..). I'm confused.
The rose was given to me by the bride-to-be, and my nails were horrible (don't judge..).
XX
/Laila
» I'M MY OWN NUMBER ONE
The journey we know as life has taught me a lot..
Patience, respect and values are things I truly believe in and try living by (still working on the patience part)..
They're extremely important and without them you're left with nothing, because you're not left with much in life - beside yourself and therefore you can only work on yourself..
Yes, you've got family and friends. But they're not always going to be there, are they?
Make yourself your number one priority, and take everything else from there.
I'm a bit old-fashioned when it comes to symphonies. I love Pachelbel (and Mozart, Bach, Beethoven - probably my favorites). But this one has a special place in my heart - since I was very young..
Isn't it soothing? It is my number one LOL!
Remember lovelies; you are your number one priority, and you are number one.
xx
/Laila
» OMBRE NO MORE?
So I've had this thing for ombre hair for the past year (?), which made me ombre my hair last summer (I did it myself), and it turned out better than expected!
But the thing is that it has faded away and isn't as 'ombre' anymore..
I called my hairdresser, to book an appointment to ombre it (professionally this time), but that won't happen...
Why? Because apparently, you can't color already color treated hair (even though mine was only colored at the tips and is natural at the roots..).. So now I'm frustrated and still want to ombre it..
Should I do it myself (again) and risk it looking like an orangutang? Or leave it as it is - and not even cut it?
Decisions, decisions..
For those of you that don't know what ombre is; it's basically dark-light hair (gradually). Like Khloe's..
Picture from here.
Now I'm gonna have a treatment day (or hour); aka. shower, facemask, hairmask and all that thing to feel better about the whole ombre thing (yes, I don't know why it made me sad that I can't have it now haha!).
xox
/L
» THREE LETTERS; WOW..
I woke up today around 7, but was too lazy to get up to start my day.. That was probably because of the fear I have towards failing my upcoming exams (note the plural.....).
I won't allow myself to fail - or I used to not.. But now I've realized that failing is part of life - and uni (apparently..).
With that being said, I'm currently phone blogging with a massive headache which is caused by the non-stop studying (except for lunch break and a short 'family time') since 9.. (Yup, I am complaining a bit - or much - and yes, I know that it's not fun to read, but I really have nothing else to write..).
So basically, what I'm annoyed with is that I've studied for both exams (one a bit more than the other), but still; I'm just half prepared for both of them! And the first one is on Monday.. Oh the excitement!
I will head to the land of unicorns and rainbows.. At least that's more fun than exams! (ugh - I should really really really (!) stop complaining!).
Goodnight beauties
XX
/Laila (as if someone else would be writing in my place..).
» LIFE ON HOLD?
Yo blog! (yup, I just said 'yo')
Guess what? My life is on hold, and I keep asking myself, why not rewind to let me breathe through this hell?!
Frustration, frustration.. But in between exam studying, dress hunting and being abnormal, I haven't had time to take a deep breath and think (!)..
Good news though;
I found a dress! Or found is a bit too harsh, since I had already ordered it, recieved it and had decided not to wear it.. But with a bit of bling and makeover it will look absolutely gorgeous OK.. I'm not completely in love with it; but you gotta make it work, right?
I'm currently studying while writing this - or was studying and then decided to let you guys suffer through my rambling :') (<-- tears of joy)..
Before I make a complete fool of myself and write down stuff I won't even understand (headache kicked in + study fever; am I allergic to studying? Please say yes!), I will say peace out (wow..)!
Todays Instagram picture.. The biologist in me is alive (!)..
Take care pretty people,
xx
/Laila
PS. I will change the blog header and the design soon (aka in a couple weeks) because the menu isn't working as it's supposed to.. I should take a course in blog designing and the whole code-system!
» DRESS HUNTING OR CALORIE INTAKE?
Since I'm (still) learning how to drive (lack of time); I drove to Nova Lund in hopes of trying to find the dress (to my cousins wedding).. But of course, they don't have the same stuff online and in store at Topshop (it was a fancy dress).. So my dreams were crushed and I left the store crying..
Joking.
I turned around (drama doesn't hurt) to find a straightner! I've had mine for six (!) years! Insane, I know..
And I needed a new one → I just had to get it when I saw it.. And it was on sale (?).. But I really do recommend it - it's amazing! (Review if requested).
So we ended up getting smoothies at the Naked Bar - yum!
And now I shall head back to studying.. We should boycott exams!
Those in favor say "AY" (?)..
xx
/Laila
» DEATH IS SO NEAR
I was planning on writing another post, but this topic immediatly came up..
Death is so near.
We will never know when, where and how we'll die. But don't we want to know that we've made everything possible to be true to ourselves, and fulfill our goals before death comes sneaking up on us?
I certainly want to make sure that I've done everything in my power to be true to myself (morals and values) and fulfill my goals - or atleast make an effort towards them.
People die when we least expect it, and even if we have been expecting it, even if we personally didn't know them, we can relate to the tragedy of losing them.
At that point, I have one thought in my head..
Is everything I've done in life; every teeny tiny mistake, every 'wrong turn', worth it in the end?
Is it really worth risking your values or losing your morals because of a wrong turn, or even doing something you don't truly love.
I've now come up with the realization that life is too short, and it can be taken away from me when I least expect it.. And the lives of the people you love can be taken away from them when you least expect it. So don't take them for granted.. Don't even take yourself for granted, and don't ever take your life for granted.. But you shouldn't let people take you for granted - they're not worthy of your friendship (or whatever) if they do.
You should do what you love, dream big and be generally happy (haven't we heard that in overdose? But it really is the way of living). Don't forget about your friends/family even if they've forgotten you - make an attempt to take part of their lives..
In the end, we only have one life; how would you like to live yours?
PS. I'm utterly sorry if this was very messy.. My excuse? It's past bedtime (drama, drama..) and organic chemistry (kill me!).
» SPRING CLEANING
Waking up to sunlight (yesterday), I decided that it was time to stock away all the chunky knits - and sort out some of those messy drawers.
What I thought would be a tiny project, ended up taking hours! I had recently thrown out six (!)bags of clothes I didn't need or want - and let's face it; those stocked away dresses will never be worn.
How do you know what to keep and what to throw?
I say keep everything that you reach for from time to time and that will never be out of fashion. Jackets, cardigans, jeans (not if they don't fit), dresses, purses, etc. But throw/give away the items you haven't worn for about a year.
Being a clothes collector (I just hate to throw away items that might become a hit one day..) - I had three (!) boxes of stocked away clothes that I never wore.. Some of them for way too many years that it'd make me embarrassed to confess exactly how many..
When I (a couple months (?) ago), decided that it was time to donate them to people in need, I was left with two boxes - that's a huge effort of donating/throwing away clothes, being me..
Today I'm only left with one box (this sounds like a commercial!) - and it feels gooooood! Note the amount of o's..
I snapped some pictures to motivate you guys to spring clean your closets!
And I'd love to see your spring cleaned closets - nosy? Yes..
I didn't snap any pictures of my drawers, etc. because that would be way too much details..
Hanging up summer dresses or any item you really love, will make you happy whenever you get
dressed.
That used to be where I hung up my dresses, but I needed more space → dresser! I brought it up
when I first cleaned my closet (months ago), and since my room is small and there's no other space
in my closet because of another "dresser", I had to remove my dresses.. But I used the rack to hang
up my favorite necklaces.. Decorating with jewelry is a great way to personalize a space.
Random rings and other stuff in this tray..
Whites, to light greys (there's a missplaced cardigan), to pinks/reds, greens, blues, blacks and then
some dresses - I mostly wear whites and blacks; not a very colorful palette.
I hung up these purses for inspiration.. Another way is to hang up pictures from magazines, quotes etc.
I've done all of the above because I'm cheesy like that LOL.
I've put my work-out-gear in this basket to remind me to work-out. I put it on the floor so I'll see it
whenever I walk in. That will make me to remember to work-out and make me feel bad when I don't!
Do let me know in the comments if you decided to spring clean your closets!
xx
/Laila
» AFTER A HURRICANE COMES A RAINBOW
When horrible things happen to us - or things that seem to be horrible at the time - we tend to forget about everything else and turn a 'selfish-mode' on (or that's what I find myself doing).I simply forget about everything else that matters in life and feel extremely sorry about myself..
Now that is horrible..
I went through that 'I'm-in-a-horrible-position-in-life'-thing a couple days ago, due to some things that happened. I had a couple 'ice-cream'-days and completely shut out the people I care about and truly love..
When I decided that I should and need to move on with my life, I was stuck.. I couldn't move forward and I couldn't glimpse back either.. I was stuck in something that you would call limbo.
"After a hurricane, comes a rainbow"
That's what anyone would have told me at that time, and I would've shrugged and laughed. "Sure", I can almost hear myself saying in deep sarcasm. It's just a saying; nothing you should look into or even think about - is what I would've told you.
Now that would probably make up your mind about how I felt and how horribly ignorant I was during that situation (?).
That phrase used to only be that - a phrase. Now it's a way of living.
You see, while I was feeling sorry about myself, I had forgotten about everything around me. I wasn't my critical self.. I didn't even follow my daily lists nor did I study as hard as I was used to.
I couldn't see my priorities clearly.
That's when it happened. That's when the rainbow came.
When I least expected it, I was put into a situation I'd call 'lie-or-die' (to be dramatic). I was really thinking about 'lie', since the 'die' would put me in an actual die-situation (being dramatic again; so you'll get my point)..
When I was choosing my words to make up my mind, it wasn't a 'lie'. I had chosen 'die'.
But I didn't die. I overwon the situation by being true to myself and to whomever it may concern (a big crowd - that's how far I could tell you about it and that it wouldn't ruin my personal life so you won't get any wrong ideas).
My rainbow was God (that's how far into religion I'll go in this blog). He helped me through the situation instantly and my 'die' didn't kill me. It was to my advantage.
So what I've been trying to say with this essay-like post is that you should never let yourself give up.
There's always light at the end of the tunnel, and there's always a way to stay true to yourself and your priorities in life. Don't let life pursue you into forgetting about your priorities..
Learn from my mistake, and from the mistakes of others.
“Only a fool learns from his own
mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes
of others."
xx
/Laila