A Secret Love: Photography

Hi everyone!
I know it's late but it is still March 5th where I live and I just couldn't miss a day this early in the challenge. So today I decided to let you in on a little secret of mine.
I've loved photography for as long as I can remember. When I was old enough to be responsible for my own stuff (aka, not loose valuable objects just because I'd forget I had them) the first big gift I requested was a photo camera. Now, I no longer remember the camera I was given but I loved trying to get the best angle for a shot and then trying to get the best lighting in the shot. It is just so magical... The kind of thing you don't get with a video camera. With photos you have the time (most times!) to study what would work best and, at least for me, the first time I see what I want to photograph, the composition, lighting and angle I want to work with all come together in my head.
Today I'd like to share with you a photo I took a while back of one of those days that everything just seems to be perfect in the world...

This was actually a sculpture (the bulbs) put together near a window. I just loved the contrast between nature and man-made objects.

And so today I'll leave you with that but know this! I'll be working on something special for tomorrow. You'll have to come back tomorrow to know more ;)

Bye!

Fit Sunday

Hello everyone!
Since I'm kinda in the Health business I thought it'd be interesting to share what I'm doing to get fitter and healthier as the warmer months approach. Each Sunday I'll share how my eating was during that week as well as what I did for exercise and how I felt overall.

This week:
- FOOD: It wasn't the cleanest of weeks. I had a sugar craving most days - I blame it on sleeping little (due to loud coughing, the BF was getting over a nasty cold) and working long hours... This resulted in eating more cookies than I'd like and consuming more calories all in all because I was awake for a longer period of time.

- EXERCISE: I haven't been running much, I think the running bug kind of deserted me at some point last year but as soon as the weather gets a bit better I'm giving it a go! For now I'm sticking to DVDs that I can pop in to my DVD player and sweat a bunch right at home where it's nice and warm and rain free! This week went by like this:
Monday: Turbo Jam Cardio Party Mix 1
Tuesday: Jillian Michaels Shape Up Front
Wednesday: Jillian Michaels Shape Up Back
Thursday: Rest Day
Friday: Extra rest day - I passed out on the couch as soon as I got home...
Saturday: Rest day aka worked all day =)
Sunday: House cleaning day - with loud music pumping you along and a dance session every time that a song you like pops on makes it way more fun. Spent what was left of the day chillin' with the BF!

My favorite workout shoes: Oasics!

- ALL IN ALL I wouldn't say I had the best of weeks but considering the prior weeks I'd say it was a nice way to get back into the swing of things. I managed to get 2 cardio days in as well a 2 strength sessions which was awesome.

- GOALS for next week: I'd like to stick to 2 rest days and add some intensity to my strength sessions. If everything goes according to plan I'll be sweating for 2 strength sessions and 3 cardio sessions. I like to vary my DVDs which prevents boredom and keeps my body guessing. I'm getting super strict with my diet right now as things at work are still hectic (and should stay that way through March), I'll be doing my best to choose the healthiest option whenever possible. And to go with that I just made a batch of soup to last me all week!

I feel I took a bit of your time today, so I'll just let you go!
I'll see you tomorrow!

Share the Love Saturday!

Hello everyone!
Today (or should I say tonight?) I'd like to give a shout out to a blog that is easy on the eyes and a lovely read. Please take a stroll to sailboat. and enjoy the awesome photography and the full array of photos that Jennie May has to offer.

I discovered Jennie's blog earlier this year through a tweet by a well-known blogger and I've been hooked to her blog and YouTube channel ever since. Sometimes I search for new blogs to read and I might even read one or two posts, but most times I don't feel like I'd love it enough to subscribe and keep reading it (or even go back in time and read posts from the very beginning).

I love Jennie's blog for the variety of posts and for her honest, fuss-free writting.

I hope you take my word for it and visit sailboat.

I'll see you tomorrow

Pink is the color of passion

Hello everyone!
How is everybody doing? I hope March is treating you well.
So today I have something special to show you. It's a recent purchase of mine - I actually stalked people at my MAC counter in order to get it. It's one of the mineralized blushes that came out with the Naturally collection. Mine is in Subtle Breeze.

MAC mineralized blush in Subtle Breeze

 It's a pink color that I think would suit most skin tones. It looks cooler on the pan than on the skin. I use it with a stippling brush and blend it in. It's so effortlessly pretty!

MAC mineralized blush in Subtle Breeze

What are you using on your cheeks these days?

February Favorites 2012

Hi everyone! It's been the longest time! But not to worry! I've set myself a challenge to have a post up every single day in March. Excited? I am! It will test both my ability to get myself organized and my speech capabilities aka "will I have enough stuff to talk about during 31 days (and not bore you to tears)"? Let's wait and see, shall we? =)

For now, and since today is the first day of March here are my February Favorites.

From left to right: Jemma Kidd Light as Air foundation, Nars eyeshadow duo in Charade, Benefit Porefessional

I discovered a new love this month and it was Jemma Kidd Light as Air Foundation. I use the shade Ultra Light (because I'm just about as pale as printer paper). It evens out my skintone without completely covering my freckles, which I quite like, and it has a satin finish - which I love. It stays put on my skin and I don't use powder to set it, so that's another plus. I love how I don't even feel the foundation on my skin. I got this product from feelunique.com for £25, not exactly cheap but, to me, worth the purchase.

The second product I'd like to talk about is Nars eyeshadow duo in Charade. I've had this duo for probably over a year, and use it frequently. It's been on my eyes most days this month. These colors are so flattering on brown eyes! I got this from HQHair during a sale and no longer remember how much I paid for it but, being a product by Nars it certainly wasn't cheap. The quality is superb though, and I would purchase this again. And again. And again.

The third product of the month is Benefit's Porefessional. You might not know but I have ginormous pores. With that said this product does not make them disappear. However it shrinks them enough that I feel comfortable showing my face in public. Now, for real, it's not a miracle worker but it does what it says on the packaging and, for me, that's important. If you want to get rid of your blackheads for good this is not the way to go, this is just a cover treatment ;)

Sephora Lip Attitude Glamour in Romantic Rose

As for lips I've been loving my trusty Sephora Lip Attitude Glamour in Romantic Rose. This shade is so pretty! It's the perfect "my-lips-but-better" kind of shade and, as you can see, this has been well loved. Already have a backup waiting in my drawer.

From left to right: The Body Shop Brazil Nut Define & No Frizz hair cream and The Body Shop Fuzzy Peach shower gel

As for body products I discovered an amazing shower gel. It's Fuzzy Peach by The Body Shop. Smells fantastic, lathers well without effort and lingers on the skin for a little while. Would totally re-purchase this. I don't know if it was a limited edition product but I sure hope it isn't!

Finally, the last product of the month is The Body Shop Brazil Nut Define & No Frizz. I have wavy long hair and some mornings it feels I have a unruly mess on top of my head. So I get this out, pump a bean size (´cause a pea size just ain't enough) amount on my hand, rub my hands together, and comb my hair with my fingers from the ears down and, to finish it off I roll my hair on both sides of my head. This gives my waves more definition and, although, it doesn't look like you just used your curling iron it does look much prettier. It's great for people that prefer to sleep 5 extra minutes in the morning and skip the haircare routine altogether.

I hope you find my favorites interesting. I want to know what are your favorite products! Please them in a comment below and indulge my shopping addiction ;)


I see you tomorrow! Take care!

The Mother of Favorites of 2011

Hi! I'm TwistedFool and I'm addicted to Favorites Videos on Youtube. This time of the year I get my fix 'cause every beauty guru on Youtube turns up their sleeves, search high and low in drawers for the uber special products they got to know and love in the previous year. It's product display heaven!

So, in 2011 I found myself loving...

a) Skincare

- Cleanser: Clinique Liquid Facial Soap in Mild. I prefer foamy cleansers and this one just hits the spot.

- Toner: not really a toner kind of girl.

- Moisturizer:

    - Clinique Superdefense SPF25 Age Defense Moisturizer - dries almost to a powder finish, not greasy at all and has high SPF. A must in my routine.

     - Burts Bees Radiance Night Cream - this is so moisturizing and leaves behind the most beautiful sheen. 

- Eye cream: Benefit b.right It's Potent - trust me, you'll love it too.

- Body Lotion/Butter: Body Shop Pink Grapefruit everything. I've been addicted to this scent ever since I first sniffed it back in Spring 2011. It's not really Winter appropriate but I don't care!

b) Beauty

- Primer: I don't use a face primer.

- Foundation: I've tried a few and haven't found my holy grail foundation yet. Maybe 2012 will change that ;)

- Concealer: It's tied between Benefit Erase Paste in Medium and MAC Prolongwear concealer in NW20.

- Powder: I don't have a favorite powder yet.

- Blush: Benefit ChaCha Tint hands down!

- Eyeshadow: The Naked palette. Totally worth the purchase!

- Liner (Khol/Gel/Liquid): I used gel most times and it was MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack.

- Mascara: L'oreal Telescopic Clean Definition is still my favorite.

- Lipstick: I heart MAC Blankety for the perfect nude lip.

- Lipgloss: I heart Sephora Perfect Nude lipgloss to top my lipstick.

- Lipbalm: YesToCarrots Lipbalm in Mint is so tingly, it's awesome!

c) Nails

- Base coat: Haven't used one in ages. That's why I had a bad case of blue nails after taking off the most perfect navy blue polish... Should consider investing in one...

- Favorite red: Rimmel Stilleto Red. It's just perfect and I LOVE the formula and brush.

- Favorite neutral: Rituals Amber Stone, the perfect taupe grey/brown.

- Favorite bright: Anny Waiting for You, the fuschia pink everyone should have.

- Favorite glitter: I don't like the look of glittery nails on me.

- Favorite topcoat: Anny Quick Dry Top Coat.

d) Random

- Food: Granola and Greek Yogurt, the ultimate temptation.

- TV series: I was happily surprised with The Good Wife.

- Movie: Probably Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, it didn't disappoint me at all!

- Book: Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series has kept me busy most of 2011 and I've been loving every book in the series. If you liked Lord of the Rings you should give it a shot!

- Gadget: My iPod Touch!

Let me know what your favorites for 2011 are in a comment below!

My Resolutions for 2012

So, I was absent from the blogsphere (is it even allowed to say that word out loud anymore?!) for quite a while now which, I admit, ain't that appealing in a blog fresh out the oven BUT bear with me here!

Until recently I wasn't one to commit to resolutions because if I wanted to do something I just did it and that was that! However, the immediacy of teenage years doesn't transfer much to adult life... Bummer I know... And so the goals tend to be long term, with a level of commitment that challenge even the most methodical person, wouldn't you agree?

Without further ado, here are the goals I'll be focusing on throughout 2012 (and beyond!):

1. Moisturize face and body EVERY SINGLE DAY. This is a constant battle for me. Most of the time I'll moisturize my face (both morning and at nighttime) but get lazy about spreading those fabulous body butters (that smell lovely and feel so luxurious) all over my body. I feel that is time consuming but, oh so worth it! Waking up to baby skin every day is worth 5 min of lotion application in my book!

2. Reduce body fat to fit level (21-24%), ideally to athletic level (14-20%). Recently I've had my body fat tested in my local gym. I'm ashamed to say that although I'm not overweight my body fat levels are through the roof! This means that I have the kind of body fat that surrounds organs and impairs the ideal functioning of the body. If it wasn't for my young age doctors would be on my case to lose weight or else (aka popping pills). So I'm young and in my twenties it will be easier to get a hold on this. All that needs to get done is:

a) Clean up my diet: add more vegetables and fruits. Go for whole grains whenever possible. Drink water.

b) Commit to an intense workout routine: I've got my hands on the Insanity program and I'm mid-way through the first week of training. So far so good!

3. Study for at least an hour 5 days a week. Although I'm not a student per se anymore my job requires that I hit the books hard for my entire life. And every person that studies and works will tell you that it ain't easy. Time management is key. And family cooperation as well. I believe it is possible. My mom went back to college a few years back and with a little help from me and my dad she managed to do it quite easily.

4. Read 6 books. I've always been a reader but lately with work and putting some time aside to study, when it's time to read a fiction book I pass out. However, reading is one my favorite things to do and 6 books during a whole year will be both pleasurable and achievable.

5. Get Lil' Paws lots of cuddles! I'll explain. Lil' Paws is my almost-one-year-old kitty. Don't let the photo fool you! Yes, he is the most adorable kitty in the whole wide world BUT he also has huge amounts of energy to spend and when I don't give him the attention (aka play with him for about 30min - 1hour) he turns into a vicious, vicious animal. And this, as you may understand, is kind of a selfish resolution, 'cause playing with this little guy gets me into an awesome mood.

So, what are your resolutions for 2012? Leave them in a comment below!