Easter 2011. & My Trip to Croatia...

Hello girls!

I'm back from my short trip to Croatia! Even though I'm still not fully recovered from an ear infection, upon doctor's advice, I've decided to travel to Croatia & visit my family...

We went on a trip this Sunday (on Easter Day) and in a few hours I was at home with my family.

I tried to get a credit (to top up) my prepaid croatian internet account, but surprise, surprise, none of the places I went to were selling it (apparently, one can only buy the credit at the post office, or directly at Tele2 shops...)

As it was Easter and then Easter monday, those places were all closed, so I stayed without an internet connection...That's why I was M.I.A these days...

I could have bought the credit Tuesday, but honestly, I didn't want to, because I knew today I'll already be back here in Italy, with my internet flat line :) So if I already stayed without internet connection this Sunday and Monday, one more day wouldn't have made such a difference...

I'm so happy I got to see my family!

I'm always a bit depressed when I return to Italy, because I would love to be able to spend more time with my granny & help her out in daily activities.

Also, my Dad is going through a rough period health wise (he was at the E.R. almost all day yesterday and when we took him home it was already almost 22.00 p.m.)..All these things are constantly on my mind.

I wish I could do more to help them out!

My ear still isn't back to it's normal, I'm feeling much better, but still I'm not healed and have to continue my therapy...Tomorrow I start working again, hopefully everything goes well...

I'm a bit anxious as you can notice, but I'm praying & hoping everything will work out for the best!

I did manage to take some pics while I was in Croatia (I was planning to do much more, but I just didn't get a chance with all these things going on...)

So I'll just leave you to enjoy these colourful pics ;)

...

Easter In My Heart :)

My Outfit for the Easter Monday

It was raining a bit, so these are just a water marks
on my skirt, these aren't stains, so don't
you worry! :)

My clothes:

- everything is from H&M

Oxford style shoes:

- Best Shoes

Bag, Watch & Accessories:

- My handbag is by Guess

- Watch belonged to my grandfather (Doxa)

- Bold ring is from H&M, Anchor necklace is by Camaieu, DIY wrap bracelets made by moi ;)

<3 you!

xoxo

My hubby was teasing me, blowing dandelions at me! My hair was covered in dandelions!!!

grr...I'll have my revenge! :D

FOTD

Here are a few close-ups of my make up. I wanted to stay as natural as possible & be as quick as possible when doing  my make up!

For a natural, "acqua & sapone" look, on my face I'm wearing:

• boi-ing concealer by Benefit, shade 01
• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Plus
• essence All Over Highlighter in 01 Illuminate!
• Avon True Colour Blush in Russet
• Avon Super Shock mascara in black
• Avon 24k gold eyeliner in Golden Brown
• Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream lip protectant stick

I have a busy end of the week ahead of me, but I'll try to post again soon!

I'll take the rest of today's day for relaxing, doing my manicure & catching up on my youtube & blog subscriptions! I'm eager to see what were the other girls, whom I'm subbed to, up these days!

xoxo Sonja

ShopTheLook.Net Jewellery

I hope you're all spending a nice Saturday and getting all the preparations done for the Easter tomorrow!

I'm still off work, at home, sick with my ear infection. I went to have my ear examined by the specialist this past Thursday and I'm continuing with the therapy, I'm taking a whole lot of medications and everything is under control, but these things pass very slowly and I'm still not feeling well :(

The Dr. told me I can travel, so hopefully I'll get to visit my family for Easter & spend some quality time with them!

Anyway, I meant to dedicate today's blog post to doing a quick review for ShopTheLook.Net jewellery.

I was contacted by this company and they asked me if I'd be willing to choose two of the styles from their website & if I like them, do a small review on their web store & the jewellery they sell.

They have got a HUGE selection of jewellery & I was overwhelmed! It was so difficult to choose two of the items that I liked the most. After quite some time spent browsing through their website, I've finally made up my mind and these are the items that I've chosen:

Peacock Stretch Ring
(This pic was taken with a flash.)

(With a flash)
I'm loving this statement piece, beautiful cocktail ring!

(In the natural day-light.)
This ring is set in Gold with pave rhinestones.
The quality is amazing, the colour is very vibrant and
it's not fading, the rhinestones are firmly attached to the ring.

The ring came in this velvet pouch, nicely
protected.

It's a stretch ring, so it'll basically fit any finger size and
you can wear it on a finger you prefer, or even change
from time to time :)

Peacock Stretch Ring is priced 14.00 $

The next item that I've chosen is a necklace, and this is also a bold, statement piece!

Layered Marrakesh Necklace

(This pic is taken with a flash)
The necklace is set in Gold and it has got
a lobster clasp closure.

(In the natural day-light)
Dimensions 18" with 3" extender.

This necklace was featured in Redbook Magazine's September Issue.

Layered Marrakesh Necklace retails at 24.00 $

Both of these pieces can totally dress up even the simplest outfits!

Don't forget to check out my full video review here:

(just click on the play button to watch my video)

If you catch a moment to browse through their website, do let me know which jewellery piece do you like the best?

What would you choose from their web site (I'm really curious to see your taste in jewellery!!)?

Thank you 

for sending me this amazing gift & giving me the opportunity to wear

& review your jewellery!

I'm wishing you all a wonderful rest of the weekend & if I don't get to post again before Easter, then  my lovelies, I'm wishing you all a lovely, lovely Easter!!!

:)

xx Sonja

My Current Favourites (April, 2011.)

Hello lovelies!

Past week, I filmed a video featuring my current favourites & the products that I find myself reaching for on a daily basis, because I just love them so much!

I filmed this when I had a swollen tonsils, so exceuse my weird voice & tired appearance.

Now I feel even worse because I have an ear infection and it's been bugging me since past Thursday

(I may have to go to the specialist's to see what's going on. It's been 6 days that I'm taking the antibiotics and still no major improvement. I'm such a chicken when it comes to doctors- even though my Mum is one (doctor, not chicken, lol)- I always have panick attacks & the worst case scenario going on inside my head!)

Anyway, back to the beauty topic...and I'll update you on my health later!

In my video, in wearing a fishtail braid.

Whenever I wear this hairstyle, I get so many questions on how did I do this braid...

People think it's something really complicated, but actually it's not!

Doing a fishtail isn't any more difficult than braiding a normal braid (it just may require a bit more time than when braiding a regular braid, but this depends on the lenght of your hair!)

I have a video tutorial, where I explain & show how to do a fishtail!

For those of you who haven't seen it yet, just click on the play button bellow & enjoy watching ;)

And now, on to my April Favies!

- Nivea Pure & Natural Action deodorant (THANK YOU Nivea for this product! FINALLY, a deodorant WITHOUT HARMFUL ALUMINUM, that actually does its job and works in preventing body odours!)

- Dior Instant Cleansing Water with pure lily extract (Instead of removing my make it with it, I use it in the mornings instead of a toner. It is awesome for removing make up, especially under the eyes, but I just love the way it feels on my face in the mornings, so refreshing!)

- Nivea Visage Summer Beauty (My daily moisturizer with a bit of self tanner, for a sun-kissed skin all year round. I actually bought this by mistake!!! I was going for the Nivea Visage tinted moisturizer, and given the fact that these are so similar in packaging, and that I wasn't paying enough attention, I got the wrong product! It was sitting in my cabinet for a while, but now  finally I've decided to give it a go &...& I actually quite like it!)

It hasn't been breaking me out or clogging my pores. It works slowly and builds up your tan gradually.

- Essence Pure Skin Anti- Spot Intensive Night Treatment

- Essence Pureskin Spot Fighting Duo

- Essence Pure Teint Cover Stick (02 Sand)

All the essence products work miraculously on my skin! They really are effective when it comes to fighting blemishes and breakouts! They also calm my skin and never leave it dry or irritated!

I'm very happy with all these three products! Even more so given the fact that these were only 0.99 eurocents each! In March, Oviesse stores in Italy, had certain essence products in promotion for only 0.99 €.

I've resisted to buying more make up & I opted for the "Pure Skin" line of skin care instead.

Even at a regular price, these products are quite inexpensive (price range from 2.50- 4.00 €)

I definitely recommend these for all of you prone to breakouts & bad skin!

I was in a search for a good under eye cream and I'm so pleased with CLINIQUE's ALL ABOUT EYES gel- cream. It comes in a rich version as well, but I got mine in a travel kit together with other two products by Clinique. These kits only had a gel version of All About Eyes cream.

However I think this is the right choice for me now, as warmer months are arriving, I think gel version is better for me right now. I might switch up to the rich version with the arrival of Winter and very cold weather.

I bough this cream in a travel size kit, 7ml plus other two Clinique products, price 11 €.

The original size of the cream is 15 ml and just the cream alone retails at cca 30 € (You do the math here, but it seems to me I got myself quite a deal here ;) )

This month I'm also loving:

- Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid foundation (I love the shade 030 Sand when it comes to Maybelline foundations).

This foundation can stand side by side to any high end foundations!

- Helena Rubinstein Illumination natural radiance reviving loose powder 

- N.Y.C. New York Color Matte Bronzer (720A Sunny)

- Deborah D-blush (02 Peach Blossom)

- Hourglass  Superficial lash Carbon (I'm in <3 with this mascara!!! When I first saw the brush, I wasn't too excited about it, but when I actually tried it, I fell in love! Thank you Tali for sending this mascara to me!

It lenghtens, separates and curves my lashes! <3 <3 <3 !!!)

More info here

- Garnier Roll-on anti- dark circles 

Watch my full review here:

- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant stick spf 15

- MAC Irridescent powder/loose in Silver Dusk

(I have to do a separate video on this product, this is how much I like it & there are different ways how you can use it, all very interesting! I will share, I promise!)

- Born Pretty blush brush ( I use this brush to delicately apply my MAC loose powder under my eyes.)

- Divine "Oh So Special" eye shadow palette by Sleek Make Up (One word: GORGEOUS!!!)

My favourite nail polish colours of the moment are these three (all very nice, bright, girly & Springtime inspired!):

- Emily (at Schlecker drugstores) # 107 Papaya

- Kiko Make Up Milano # 147

- NARS Orgasm

That's all as far as my April favourites are concerned!

A LOT, I know!

But I haven't done my monthly favourites since when? January?

If you'd like a separate & more detailed review on any of these products, just leave me a comment, I'll be pleased to do so.

Also, about the make up that I was wearing in my CLICK HERE TO WATCH IT April Favies video...

Most of the colours are from my new Sleek "Oh So Special" palette.

This is how the make up looks like:

Would you like me to do a tutorial of this look?

xoxo, Sonja

Hair Tutorial: Carrie Bradshaw (Sex & The City) Inspired Big, Volumized Bun

Hello girls!

Today I'm bringing you a hair tutorial, this tutorial was highly requested, ever since I wore this hairstyle in my TOP Spring & Summer 2011. Fashion Trends.

I'm talking about the Carrie Bradshaw inspired big, volumized bun! I personally love this hairstyle, it's very chic & also easy to acheive!

Also, this is a great look for whenever you're experiencing a bad hair day...

I <3 Carrie!

I'm a big fan of "Sex & The City" (not so much the movies though...) and have all the 10 espisodes on DVDs and have watched them thousands of times (I'm not even joking!!!)

Here is Carrie's famous hairstyle, a tres chic big bun:

In my video I'm explaining you, step by step, how to do this hairstyle, so just click on the button play bellow, to watch this tutorial:

Here are some of the pics of me with this hairstyle:

I hope you like this look!

;)

xx Sonja

Lovely gifts from Liz & Share The Love!

Hello girls!

I'm so long overdue with this blog post & I'm so sorry about this!

I was preparing everything to film my "Products That I'm Loving Right Now" video, and I've chosen to show you quite a few things that my friend Liz had sent me, when she was in the US visiting her family & friends.

Then I've realized that I still haven't shown you our little swap! I'm loving all the products that she sent me, they're all going to be listed as my favourites! lol ;)

Please check out LizYArtur (Beauty...Inside & Out) where Liz wrote about the things I sent her (click here for the blog post).

Ciao ragazze!

Lo so, ho ritardato tanto con questo blog post e mi dispaice assai!

Stavo preparando il tutto per iniziare a filmare il mio video sui prodotti preferiti del momento, e mi sono resa conto che tantissimi dei prodotti che volevo mostrarvi, sono stati i regali che ho ricevuto dalla mia bellissima amica Liz! Allora ho capito che devo assolutamente farvi vedere i prodotti che ho ricevuto in regalo da lei, nel mio prossimo blog post. Lei mi ha spedito questi prodotti dai Stati Uniti, quando era li a trovare la sua famiglia  e gli amici.

Tutti i prodotti che mi ha spedito mi piacciono cosi tanto, che al quanto pare, dovrò includerli tutti nella mia lista dei prodotti preferiti del momento! hihi ;)

Per piacere, date un'occhiata al blog di LizYArtur (Beauty...Inside & Out) ed in particolare, cliccando qui vedrete il suo post dove ha fatto vedere le cosette che io le ho regalato.

The gifts/ I regali:

I was so excited to try out these brands! Jane, Jesse's Girl, N.Y.C.,
Physicians formula, Wet n' Wild...

Emozionatissima di poter provare alcuni dei noti brand americani come:
Physicians formula, N.Y.C., Jesse's Girl, Jane, Wet n' Wild...

<3 Liz!

-Share The Love-

Also, I wanted to share some love & mention two girls that I believe deserve to be checked out!

Hopefully you'll love them as much as I do & follow their blogs :)

The first one is Arianna, she's italian and I know this girl  personally, she's my friend in a "real" life too!

I'm so happy that she finally decided to start her blog!

We share the same passion for make up & on her blog you'll find lots of interesting product reviews!

She has only just started, she's taking her first steps in the blogger's world so she needs some love & a nice "kick" to continue writing her blog with an enthusiasm.

Please follow Arianna's blog Shiny Fairies

The second girl that I wanted to mention is Arianna Alexis, from the US.

I've been following her blog & youtube channel for quite some time know and she is a girl that I strongly believe, will have a huge success one day (soon) in the beauty community.

She's a model material & has got an amazing sense of fashion!

She takes the prettiest pictures ever & her editing skills are amazing.

She definitely deserves to have more followers & subbies!

Check out Arianna Alexis' Eau So Chic blog!

These are by no means the only two girls that I feel deserve your attention & in the future I'll have more of these "Share The Love" blog posts, to let you know all about the girls, whose blogs make my day, when reading them!

Volevo anche parlarvi di un'altra cosa..."Share The Love" la famosa frase tra i blogger, detta in inglese...

Vi presento due ragazze i quali blog adoro leggere.

Spero che piaceranno anche a voi, e che le seguirete!

La prima ragazza si chiama Arianna, è italiana ed è la ragazza che conosco personalmente anche nella vita "reale", è una mia amica.

Quando ho saputo che si era finalmente decisa ad aprire il suo blog, ero contentissima!

Arianna sta facendo i suoi primi passi nella comunità dei blogger e sono sicura che sarà felicissima del vostro appoggio ed il benvenuto :)

Sul suo blog Shiny Fairies troverete tante utili ed interessantissime recensioni dei prodotti cosmetici.

Seguitelo! :)

La seconda ragazza, di nome Arianna Alexis, è americana, ed il suo blog e canale youtube sto seguendo da tempo.

Sono convintissima che un giorno Arianna Alexis diventerà una delle "star" della nostra beauty community!

Con il fisico di modella e uno stile particolarmente "chic", cattura l'attenzione di ogni lettore.

Fa delle foto splendide, e le sue capacità nel editare i filmati sono da far invidia! :)

Merita di avere molti più iscritti!

Seguite il suo Eau So Chic blog ;)

Queste due ragazze non sono le uniche ragazze di quali vi vorrei parlare...la mia lista dei blog preferiti è lunga e perciò ho l'intenzione, di scrivere ogni tanto, questi tipi di "Share The Love" blog post. 

xx/Baciiiiiii

Sonja