» PINCHOS
Because I'm trying to start a healthy(-ier/ish..) lifestyle and working out more (my body is so sore), I thought why not share a picture of when I had a major fat day with my best friends.
Imagine this: you go to a restaurant, you sit down, and you order/pay/book tables with your phone. I mean, we're on our phones every second of everyday, so why not when we're enjoying good food and great company as well?
Well, girlies, this isn't just an imaginary thing - it actually exists. One word: Pinchos. And I had no idea! I also don't know where I've been living; under a rock, perhaps?
It's basically teeny-tiny portions, so you'd order 3-4 things (and roll back home.. maybe stick with 3). Almost everything (not the desserts) was delicious - sweet potato fries, anyone?
Definitely give it a try!
xox,
Laila
» KEVIN HART
This year had a very hectic and stressful start. My life was all about my exams and my new courses, which took a toll on the blog. I can't wait till graduation..
But, on a brighter note, January had a great ending. My sister came home (yay to Mona!) and I saw Kevin Hart! Okay, not saw saw, as in I met him personally, but I went to his show. Let me just say that it was ah-mazing! I seriously left the show with abs (always exaggerating. No new year new me bs).
I'll try to be better with my posts. I mean I want to have something to look back at.
How has your first month been?
I can't believe it's almost February, already..
xox,
Laila
» FIKA
This weekend I've hung out with friends and family. I've watched Christmas movies (so excited!), met Santa (!), went to the North Pole and had chai latte. If you've followed my inconsistent blog for long enough, you know how obsessed I am with chai latte.
Now we just need to hold on, because it's almost Christmas break!
But first I need to study.
Let's welcome Monday with open arms, shall we?
xox,
Laila
» PRAY FOR THE WORLD
"It is not only Paris we should pray for.
It is the world. It is a world in which Beirut,
reeling from bombings to days before Paris,
is not covered in the press.
A world in which a bomb goes off
at a funeral in Baghdad
and no one person's status update says "Baghdad"
because not one white person died in that fire.
Pray for the world
that blames a refugee crisis for a terrorist attack.
That does not pause to differentiate between the attacker
and the person running away from the very same thing you are.
Pray for the world
where people walking across countries for months,
their only belongings on their backs,
are told they have no place to go.
Say a prayer for Paris by all means,
but pray more,
for the world that does not have a prayer
for those who no longer have a home to defend.
For a world that is falling apart in all corners,
and not simply in the towers and cafes we find so familiar."
I chose to share that text with you guys because I couldn't have said it better myself.
Stay safe.
xox,
Laila
» UNDER THE COCONUT TREE
I wish the title was accurate. But I'm under the studying cloud (estoy estudiando - where did that came from? Idk.. I'm telling you guys, I'm going mental with the amount of hours I'm spending studying.. Oh well, good things come to those who wait. And now this is getting two long).
Anyways, because I can't seem to get myself to post my travel diaries yet (the pictures are already uploaded, I just need to get myself to write down a few sentences), I'm giving you the raw version of my life (because it's so exciting..). There are so many exciting (apparently I don't know of any synonyms to exciting) things I'm looking forward to next year - which I can't tell you guys about because I'm too afraid to jinx it.
Also, can we talk about how this year is coming to an end? It's crazy!
I am also wondering what you guys want me to write more about; life, study advice, makeup, random things?
This post has no structure, so I'm heading back to my cloud again.
I hope you all have a good night.
xox,
Laila
» TWENTY ONE
I know I promised you guys a bunch of birthday related posts (and I did you fun things on my birthday, like having cake and flying to Poland, and being celebrated by my closest friends a couple days later), but this one is going to be different.
Today I chopped about 20 cm off my hair. Pointless, you might think, because you can't actually see my hair, but I love my hair (even though you're not supposed to say you love something about yourself because that makes you seem vain, which is weird, but that's another discussion). I drove to the hairdresser after lab today and sat on that dreadful chair, showed her a picture, told her to go shorter and she chopped it. I mean it's not her fault because I, being my controlling self, told her exactly how I wanted it.
You know how it feels when she asks you what you think and you automatically reply "I love it, it's perfect", and you walk out, go home, try to straighten the **** out of it and it makes you happy that it looks 0,5 cm longer? Well, it's either that or you literally start crying. Thankfully it hasn't happened to me since I last dyed my hair, pretended to love it, but eventually went (sobbing) back to the hairdresser because my hair was yellow.
Reflecting upon my choice of completely chopping it off, it is because I was in need of change (as I've written in a post a couple of months ago). I just wasn't realizing it until I was back home with 20 cm shorter hair.
In the end, hair is just hair. It will grow back.
xox,
Laila
» 249
Walking down the beautiful streets of Singapore
I went back in the archive to read my old birthday related posts, and I've had a good laugh. I was sixteen when I started blogging, so imagine how my posts were like back then? Everything seemed to be so much easier, but doesn't it always? I mean, while we're growing up, we don't feel like the 'age' we're in is easy, but comparing it to previous years, the answer is almost always that it used to be easier a year ago. Easier in terms of school, friendships, thoughts, and the list can go on.
Even though 21 isn't necessarily old, I feel like we're in a rush to accomplish a lot of things at a young age. If we haven't accomplished everything we would've wanted to at a certain age, it brings a lot of stress to the number, which ends up making us feel much older than we are. But despite not having accomplished everything I've planned to (yet), this is an interesting year for me. It's turning out to be a year of life-changing choices, new oppertunities and new adventures, and I can't wait to see what I'll next year is going to bring.
Stay tuned for more birthday related posts.
xox,
Laila
» SIXTY
Picture from the birthday party celebrations for uncle L
Yesterday was a makeup-experimenting, party attending, study cramming kind-of-day. And I had a blast.
On a serious note though, I'm the queen of procrastination. Instead of studying, I've been (for the past hour) reading how-to study guides on random sites. I've spent more time trying to figure out the perfect setup, lighting included, than to actually study. I've even moved an armchair from the living room into my room. Everything for comfort, right?
Let's just hope it actually works. Can this year be over and done already?
xox,
Laila
» DIARY OF A CONCEALER HUNTING GIRL
You know when you've been studying endlessly, and then you take a break and find yourself putting various (random) things in your cart (on more than one sit, I should add) and remembering how you desperately needed that one concealer a couple months ago but your shade was out of stock? It happened to me.
I've been obsessed with concealer - it's unreal. For skin concealer, I'm in love with the MAC pro longwear, but for my under eyes, I'm not so sure yet because I find that the pro longwear is too thick. That's the story about how that concealer and highlighter duo (wrong use of words, shoot me..) found their way into my cart. As for the foundation, Asos don't bring in the Bourjois healthy mix serum.. So I'm praying that this L´ORÉAL one is as good (and the right shade for me). The struggle is real, people.
What are your favorite foundations and concealers?
xox,
Laila
» ONE TAN AT A TIME
A week ago I came back from a long trip of exploring beautiful cities, hanging out with monkeys and walking on black sand. Looking at how simple people lived, yet how happy they were with what they had inspired me to write a travel diary, so that I can look back on it when inspiration doesn't strike. And maybe I can inspire you to do something extraordinary.
The feeling of sand between your toes, no makeup on your face and experimenting with your style whilst connecting with your inner self really sums up to feeling free. Free of judgment.
Why is it that we - or should I say 'I' - can truly be ourselves only when we travel?
You learn so much from traveling, that in the end you return as a changed person, conquering the world, one tan at a time.
xox,
Laila
» FOR THE LOVE OF SUMMER
Wow, I haven't posted anything for a few months! And I kind of miss it, so let's make this my comeback, shall we?
Yesterday was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and my sister and I had dinner in the sun. Am I the only one suffocating in the heat? The weather is unpredictable, going through all the seasons in one week. Sweet summer.
Right now I'll be sitting in front of the TV, to watch the royal wedding - fun times (unleashing the old lady in me). No but seriously guys, am I the only one excited?
xox,
Laila
» MEET YOU THERE
Current state: reading.
» FOR BEING EXTRAORDINARY
» FOR THE LOVE OF UNI
My beautiful sister and I
I know, I've been absent for a few weeks, and once again I apologize. Uni has been crazy, and the social life as well - the latter has been a good kind of crazy.
The hectic uni-related things are slowly reaching their end as this course is almost finished, and soon three (!) years have gone by since I was a high school graduate, not knowing what I would do with my life. I still might not be completely sure what I want to do, but I've narrowed it down a whole lot. I mean you're bound to take at least one course you're not getting any use of later on in your studies or career (hello ecology and statistics).
All that aside, I really can't believe that it's been three years since I started university. It's crazy!
I know that I'm supposed to say that I'm graduating this year, but I've decided (with the guidance of my guidance counselor and other people from my class - peer pressure haha. All jokes, don't worry) that I'm pursuing the more advanced courses prior to my final project - to make it easier to study abroad (she explained it way better though and it made sense). So right now, internships is the only thing I'm actually looking forward to (if I can get one) - and the list of advanced courses. I can't believe that makes me excited right now - like seriously Laila, get a life haha!
Goodnight loves!
xox,
Laila
» FOR THE LOVE OF CHAI
'Fika' after todays debate (yes, debate)
Life has been hectic lately (what's the blog without drama?). This has, again, affected the blog, which I apologize for. One thing I've learned during these past few weeks is that nothing is impossible - and I really mean nothing. I'm finally getting the "if you can dream it, you can do it" mantra.
If you tell yourself you can do something, eventually you'll start believing it and all that's left is actually going through with it. Remember that you're your worst own critic. The sooner you appreciate yourself, the better and then other people will do too. Nothing comes easy, but in the end it will be worth it - hopefully.
Dream big.
xox,
Laila
» FOR THE LOVE OF THIS COMPLICATED WORLD
"If we come to sleep,
We are His drowsy ones.
And if we come to wake,
We are in His hands.
If we come to weeping,
we are His cloud full of raindrops.
And if we come to laughing,
We are His lightning in that moment.
If we come to anger and battle,
It is the reflection of His wrath.
And if we come to peace and pardon,
It is the reflection of His love.
Who are we in this complicated world?"
- Rumi
» FOR THE LOVE OF FLOWERS
Life is catching up on us, but in the end everything always - or mostly - turns out to be fine.
Have an awesome week loves.
xox,
Laila
» FOR THE LOVE OF CAKE
Yesterday we celebrated my friend of six (!) years. Time really does fly.
It was a great evening with delicious food and great company - catching up and tons of gossip included, obviously.
I hope you guys had a lovely weekend.
xox,
Laila
» FOR THE LOVE OF TULIPS
Who doesn't love Fridays? Specially if you've got a late class (later as in 10) and have time to have your morning coffee.
After class I decided to head down town as I'm out of some beauty items and need to re-stock. Particularly since my skin is suffering of severe dryness and I've been out of moisturizer. Totally the end of the world.
You guys know how it is with these 'quick' trips to a department store. You go in to get one thing, and walk out with too much. Or in my case, a not-so-needed-but-very-sought-after lipliner. I mean, who actually needs a lipliner? Or another face powder to add to the never ending collection of powders?
But I did pick up beautiful tulips on my way home, walking past every clothing store on my way - including the sale at Zara. #ProudMoment
Other than that, I've spent the day with my cousin, eating very easy and absolutely delicious home-made croissant wannabes over a cup of tea and a dose of gossip.
I hope you all had an amazing Friday.
xox,
Laila
» FOR THE LOVE OF DAYDREAMS
1. I should probably be more creative when it comes to titles. 2. I should get over Paris already!
But I like the titles and I love Paris - and I have no inspiration what so ever right now, so bear with me.
This is when I could use your help. What do you guys want me to write more about? My life (which isn't very exciting at the moment), makeup, style, politics, biology? Because sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I would have a biology blog and write about the weirdest, most fascinating things ever.
Right now I think that this blog is lost in genre, and I would really like to put more time into it. So I am also wondering what makes you read this blog; what's interesting about it?
I would love hearing your feedback.
xox,
Laila