tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87707439061085426952024-03-21T18:50:35.226+01:00Life: structured and colourfulTiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-56342326817268981862017-02-10T16:54:00.002+01:002017-02-10T16:54:53.990+01:00Some thoughts about a resurrection of this blogI have thought about restarting this blog for a long time and just browsed through the content I posted in this blog. While I still agree with the title of the blog(isn't it the purpose of a good life to be both structured and colourful?), I have changed my focus during the last years and would not continue posting the same kind of content. While the final few posts are much more aligned to my current values, even with those I feel like I may probably not post them again. Not in the way I posted them at least.<br />
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So, what would I write about? What am I interested in and what is my life about these days?<br />
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Well, most of all I probably am eager about learning and self improvement. I read a lot non fiction books and recommend everyone to do so as well. I am interested in habits (habit creation, changing habits, overcoming bad habits, etc), productivity such as productivity systems or techniques and I am also interested anything related to mindset (build up a helpful and positive mindset, etc). <br />
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I may write about these things soon. Anyone still reading the blog and interested in such topics? :)
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-83749841832903526632016-01-04T17:24:00.001+01:002016-01-04T17:29:17.073+01:00Trying to "fix" others is never a good ideaThis a hillarious video showing how important it is to just listen and to just be compassionate and to not try to fix problems of other they don't see as problems themselves. Enjoy! :)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-4EDhdAHrOg" width="560"></iframe>Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-83962366621123964762014-06-29T14:39:00.002+02:002014-07-20T14:33:29.204+02:00Let's make "like a girl" mean amazing things!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Long time, no see. I was very busy lately and I still am and won't be able to catch up with my blog. Many apologies, my dear readers. I just wanted to quickly pop in the advertisement video below. I want to share it with you because it moved me very much when I saw it the first time and it still does. This is a really empowering advertisement video of "Always". They nailed it and it is wonderful that the advertisement business that usually draws on a very negative image of womankind does something to build up the self esteem of girls & women. Well done, Always. I love that video. </div>
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<br />Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-16480572032018051192014-02-09T12:47:00.000+01:002014-07-06T12:53:03.214+02:00Jillian Michaels Food Challenge (Leave something on your plate)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recently I was inspired on tumblr to do this Food challenge by Jillian Michaels. In my childhood I was trained by my family to eat up everything that was on my plate independent on how full I already was. I think this is a weakness because I don't feel good when I overeat. So, this week I want to train to leave something on my plate each day. Will you join as well? </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6idgu7N4f1qhx73ho1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6idgu7N4f1qhx73ho1_1280.jpg" height="400" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">found <a href="http://www.tumblr.com/">@tumblr</a></td></tr>
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<br />Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-51688425308961935422013-12-31T16:38:00.000+01:002014-01-02T12:36:59.169+01:00Self-guided education manifestoRecently I stumbled upon the self-guided education manifesto by Scott Dinsmore. It is available on <a href="http://liveyourlegend.net/">his web page</a>. Basically, it consists of the elements shown in the picture below:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://liveyourlegend.net/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/07/Self-guided-education-manifesto-poster-image_final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://liveyourlegend.net/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/07/Self-guided-education-manifesto-poster-image_final.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">found <a href="http://liveyourlegend.net/">@liveyourlegend</a></td></tr>
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My favourite piece of advice of above:<br />
<ol>
<li><b>it never ends:</b> no it doesn't There is no aim or destination that once is reached allows you to stop and relax and enjoy your earned fruits. It is a lifestyle and as such it never ends. </li>
<li><b>learn who you are:</b> know your patterns, know your weaknesses, know what you motivates you, know what you love and what you hate (both specifically mentioned in the manifesto above as well :-))</li>
<li><b>everything is a lesson:</b> even if something does not work out as intended and expected, it was not a waste of time. On the contrary. Try to perceive it as a lesson and be sure that next time you will do better because of this experience. If you focus too much on the bad features of an experience, it will drag you down and you will miss the opportunity to grow and improve. </li>
<li><b>build things:</b> theory is important but it is more important to put this theory in practice and build things. Things that exist and are useful are the best advertisement and the business card in the world. The is nothing more gratifying than theory that has been shown to work. </li>
</ol>
Self-guided education is neither a diet nor a torture. It also never ends as it is a lifestyle and should be embraced.<br />
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And don't forget that although it surely is important to also find people who think that you are crazy, it also is very important to have like-minded people around you that support and inspire you in both who you are at the moment and who you want to be in the future. The people you are surrounding yourself with can make you or break your future. So try to find the proper environment that supports you and does not hinder you.<br />
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Our life is a gift. Let's make it count! </div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-37517520990598263662013-09-06T22:34:00.002+02:002013-09-06T22:34:54.089+02:00Art of living / Lebenskunst<div style="text-align: center;">
"Lebenskunst ist die Kunst des richtigen Weglassens. Das fängt beim Reden an und endet beim Dekolletee."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Coco Chanel<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4003/4393941019_2e7139eb1e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4003/4393941019_2e7139eb1e_z.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">found <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/espressoroast/4393941019/sizes/z/in/pool-809956@N25/">@flickr</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The art of living is the art of leaving out the right things. This starts with knowing what to talk about and ends with knowing what to show with the décolleté.<br />
- Coco Chanel</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-59590908576614919362013-07-21T13:52:00.001+02:002013-07-21T13:54:34.434+02:00Healthy Breakfast<div style="text-align: justify;">
I try to live healthy at the moment. As I don't have much time, I don't cook often, unfortunately. But the summer and the availability of fruits and vegetables allows everyone to have healthy breakfasts. For breakfast, I try to have different fruits and vegetables. For lunch, I usually go into the cantine.</div>
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The best and cheapest fruits and vegetables can be found at the farmers market. I usually go there once a week and buy as many fruits and vegetables I can in order to make sure to have my five a day (and usually I have much more than just 5 a day :-)) for the following week. </div>
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Below is my breakfast of today. I also had a huge cup green tea and a coffee with it. (I love to drink both in the morning.)</div>
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How was your breakfast today? Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-61017494012033932112013-07-01T19:08:00.000+02:002013-07-01T19:12:40.028+02:00Beauty Empties May and June<div style="text-align: justify;">
As promised, although I don't have much time, I still do share my - admittedly at the moment quite boring empties. During the last 2 months, I emptied/ decluttered 15 products - so, I am catching up. ;-) </div>
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Here is a picture of all products having left me in May and July:<br />
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Unfortunately, I don't have such a nice window sill anymore and have to take pictures on the carpet with worse light.<br />
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All the emptied or decluttered products are cleaning or soothing products. I didn't use up or declutter any makeup products this time. I don't have many products with me here, so I just have favourites and didn't get using them up yet. And as they are favourites, I won't declutter any of them either. </div>
<a name='more'></a>Here is a short summary and my thoughts about the emptied or decluttered products:
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<ul>
<li>Shower gels:</li>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><b>Lavera Baby and Children neutral washing lotion and shampoo:</b> This shower gel and shampoo stinks awefully. This is why I won't repurchase it. Otherwise it was ok, both as a shower gel and as a shampoo. My hair looked nice afterwards and my skin was not irritated. But I dislike the scent very much. It is written that no perfume is added but it stinks really awefully. And it was also quite expensive for a shower gel with 6 Euro for 250 ml. So, definitely no repurchase. </li>
<li><b>Caudalie Gel Douche Fleur de Vigne, sample:</b> Very nicely scented shower gel. It also did not irritate my skin and appeared to be quite soft to my skin as well. Probably a repurchase at some point in time because I really liked. Unfortunately, it was just a sample, I would have enjoyed to experiment with it much longer. </li>
<li><b>Life Ultimate Unwind Body Wash, Sample:</b> It is written on the back of the product that it is relaxing and soothing and smells like lime, ginger, green tea and sweet cardamom. I liked the scent very much but unfortunately, with such tiny samples, I never feel convinced. It's just not enough and if companies are so ungenerous that they provide only such tiny samples for shower gels, I usually don't feel like repurchasing. Especially when the products are not cheap. So, no repurchase here either. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Body Lotions: </li>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Alverde Lemon Love Body Lotion:</b> A true love of mine. It was a limited edition of the german organic drug store brand Alverde for mothers' day. It is sold as a set together with a shower gel. I already bought this set last year when it was available for the first time as a limited edition for mothers' day and adored it the already (see my empties of <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/beauty-empties-in-july.html">July</a> and <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/beauty-empties-october.html">October</a> last year). So, this year, when I was so lucky to find it in a german drug store at mother's day, I immediately bought 2 sets and will be using them up during the next couple of months. The first body lotion is emptied now as you can see and I still love this product. It is light, wonderfully smelling and really soothing. It's about the perfect body lotion for spring, summer and autumn. I will definitel repurchase it when I have the chance to do so. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>L'Occitane Verbena Body Ice Gel, 75ml Sample:</b> Really nicely smelling and very great body lotion with an icing/blood flow enhancing effect. It feels really refreshing when applied. It doubles the refreshing experience of having showered. The skin also feels great and well nurtured after application. I enjoyed using it up tremendously. Still, I'll probably not repurchase it because I have a lot of other body lotions to be used up and also because it is quite expensive. Maybe next year if it will be available again. Let's see. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Life Ultimate Unwind Body Lotion, Sample:</b> This Body Lotion sample belongs to the shower gel sample discussed above. I found the scent of the body lotion to be a bit softer and, hence, I didn't like that much. It was not bad and it was soothing and nurturing the skin and also scented nice but no repurchase. Somehow, if I don't like one product of a series, I am unlikely to like another one of the same series. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Hair products</li>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo:</b> A really nice shampoo that leaves the hair fluffy and untangled and moisturized. I don't need to use a conditioner afterwards. So, it is easy and fastly usable. I used it for nearly 4 months every second day. So, you can enjoy it for a long time. I have repurchased it already. Love it! </li>
<li><b>L'Occitane Apres-Shampooing Conditioner for Colour-Treated Hair:</b> This was a surprise. I didn't expect much of it but it provides a tremendous amount of volume while keeping the hair fluffy and easy manageable. I really loved this sample and have already repurchased the product during the recent L'Occitane Sale. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Eye and Face products</li>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Dadosens Regeneration E eye cream: A nice eye cream. Very soothing, a bit greasy but it sinks in quite quickly. Anyway, I think a good eye cream must be greasy. I don't know yet whether I'll repurchase it but is on the list of possible repurchases as I really liked it. </li>
<li>L'Occitane Precious Cream for the face: Nice refreshing moisturizer. The scent is lovely, very planty, like a freshly cut tree or something like that. Nevertheless, for me it does not provide enough moisture, so I'll probably rather not repurchase it.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Eisenberg Anti Age Face Cream, Sample: Nice cream but nothing special, soothing, nice scent but could be nicer. It lies on the skin and feels like it never disappears/sinks in. Hence, I didn't like it and I won't repurchase it. Didn't see any anti aging effect either.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Clarins Vita Light Night Cream, Sample: Nice cream, but again, nothing special. Rather no repurchase. I find myself drifting away from Clarins these days. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Clarins Extra Firming Day Cream, Sample: Nice cream, but again, nothing special. Rather no repurchase. I find myself drifting away from Clarins these days. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Teeth products</li>
<ul>
<li>Corsodyl daily tooth paste: This was a kind of okayish tooth paste. It cleaned well but it tastes aweful. No repurchase as I still prefer my german tooth paste at the moment. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Hand products</li>
<ul>
<li>Burt's Bees Hand Salve: Aweful scent. Really soothing but with this aweful peppermint and spice scent, I don't enjoy applying it. Hence, I decided to declutter it. Why using up something I dislike that much? No repurchase for sure. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-81926333296138811002013-06-19T11:31:00.000+02:002013-06-19T11:31:21.793+02:00Beauty Empties March and April<div style="text-align: justify;">
A bit belated again but finally here it is: my beauty empties post for March and April. As I moved to the UK in March, I was very busy with becoming acquainted with my new work and finding a nice place to live and, hence, did not have much time to use (up) cosmetics products. Furthermore, I moved with a light luggage that did not allow me to bring too many beauty items with me. The only items I brought with me were an eye cream, a face cream, very few body care items (I think these were just the Alverde shower gel and body lotion shown below and they were even just both half full) and a couple of make up essentials. My skin certainly missed the extra care it got during the last months and dried out. So, I was really glad when I finally had a permanent location and a flat for myself in April and started to use more skin care again. So, have a look at what I emptied in March and April below. </div>
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A side note: I've been in Germany in April as well and decluttered a lot of beauty items. Unfortunately, I didn't count them and also didn't take pictures because I was in a rush but I feel very releaved and it actually was nothing worth mentioning. It were products of cheap german drug store brands that didn't convince me anyway and as I am currently trying to shrink the amount of my makeup possessions to the gems I really use and adore, it was a necessary step towards a tiny beauty collection the goldilocks way. ;-)</div>
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This is an overview of everything I used up in March and April (note, however, that the Burt's Bees bodylotion was not useable as I got a really strong allergy against some of its ingredients):<br />
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<a name='more'></a>A short summary and my thoughts about the emptied or decluttered products:
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<ul>
<li>Shower gels</li>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dove go fresh nutrium moisture in the scent pomegranate & lemon verbena:</b> this was an emergency buy in the UK when I ran out of shower gel. The scent was nice, it was also a nice shower gel but it was not my favourite. I might repurchase it in another emergency or when I am not in the mood to spend much money on a shower gel. I.e. it was ok, but nothing more. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Alverde pistacio shower gel:</b> This one is one of my favourite shower gels. It scents divine like pistacio ice cream but not too strong. Just the right amount of delicious scent. It also is very soft to the skin and it just a shower gel dream come true. It was a limited edition in the Christmas time of the 2010 and 2011 and I purchased a tiny stock at that time. Unfortunately, in the Christmas time of 2012, it was not available again and this was my last item of this series. But I can tell you that I enjoyed using it up enormously and really hope that Alverde will sell it again some day. Alverde, if you read this: please do sell it again - maybe even regularly and not as a limited edition!! </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul><ul>
</ul>
<li>Bodylotions</li>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>L'Occitane Ultra rich cream body, sample:</b> very rich cream indeed. Didn't like it that much though. I don't remember why didn't convince. Maybe it was the scent. It was very nourishing though and as my skin was very dry, I liked that a lot. Maybe a bit too expensive for a repurchase but I might repurchase it some day. However, I'd first try the scent again as I think that I didn't like is very much.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Alverde pistacio body lotion:</b> This was sold together with the shower gel mentioned above and I have to say that this body lotion also is one of my favourite body lotions ever. It is liquidy but not too liquidy, light but still soothing and nourishing and it also smelss divine. Alverde, please, please, please do sell this pistacio shower gel and bodylotion set again!! :-(( </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Burt's Bees Replenishing Body Lotion (Cocoa and Cupacao Butter):</b> This body lotions smells divine, too. Really loved the scent. Unfortunately, I got a strong allergy when I was using it and, hence, I needed to stop. It was half full and my skin looked aweful. So, I threw it away and definitely no repurchase. Here is the <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7426/8921603233_d677ee2eb9_o.jpg">ingredients list</a> (I don't know which ingredient caused the allergy for me but I keep the list to check some day). </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul><ul>
</ul>
<li>Face care</li>
<ul>
<li><b>Clarins Hydraquench rich cream for very dry skin or cold climates:</b> A nice cream that I used up in April and I was lucky to have it with me in March as March was a very cold month here in the UK. Unfortunately, it dries on the skin and when I apply cream blush the residue rolls off. So, rather no repurchase - except I am desperate in Winter. However, then I'd probably rather buy the Caudalie cream <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/beauty-empties-february.html">I used up in February</a>. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Eisenberg Anti Aging Cream for men:</b> not nourishing enough, so I threw it away. Do men really don't need that much moisture for their skin? </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Makeup</li>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><b>Zoeva Eye Primer:</b> A nice eye primer that I own for 2 years now. It dried out and, hence, I got rid of it. But I used up a lot of it. And I can recommend it. It's cheap and good. Now I use the Urban Decay Primer Potion which is great, too, but more expensive. As it comes in a tube, it might not dry out that easily, however. </li>
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</ul>
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Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-64446234357237664752013-06-02T17:28:00.000+02:002013-06-17T10:14:59.218+02:00Beauty Empties February<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dear patient readers, I am really glad that you still stop by and have a
look at my blog. Unfortunately, I am incredibly busy and just don't
have enough time to blog much. Again, I am quite late with my beauty
empties of February (and still need to prepare the one for March and April), but I still want to share. It is a very much overdue post as I even tend to forget about the products. Fortunately, I kept them in a bag ready for taking pirctures. </div>
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In February, I prepared my move to the UK and was not that much into using up and decluttering beauty items (you'll see that it was even worse in March and April, however ;-)). So, let's immediately dive into the topic and have a look at what I emptied
in February below. </div>
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Here is an overview of my empties and decluttered products in February. It is 20 items altogether and I also included 3 scented candle samples I got rid of in February as well.</div>
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A short summary and my thoughts about the emptied or decluttered products:
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<li>Shower gels and body lotions:</li>
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<li>Blütezeit Bio-Mandel Duschbad: This is a really lovely shower gel of the organic brand of a rather cheap grocery store chain in Germany. The smell is lovely herbal and soft. It cleans very well and is not so soft to the skin. However, I think that it is a great shower gel and I loved using it and will surely repurchase it when I am back in Germany. </li>
<li>Blütezeit Bio-Mandel Body lotion: This the bodylotion that belongs to the shower gel and it also is very nice. It has a similar scent but it is not as great as in the shower gel. The lotion is very soothing and also a great bodylotion for dry and winter skin. Loved it, too, and will sure repurchase it as well. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<li>Shampoos:</li>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Balea Dry Shampoo: </b>Not sooo nice. Didn't like the scent and also there sometimes was left some white residue in the hair. I don't have much experience with dry shampoos, so I cannot really judge it. In general it was ok but I would not use such a product with that features that often. Maybe if I find a better dry shampoo, I'd change my mind. I'll probably rather not repurchase it. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Melvita Shampoo for frequent washes:</b> wonderful shampoo. Very gentle, lovely scent, lovely feel. Sure repurchase! </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<li>Face Care</li>
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<li><b>Caudalie Vinosource Moisture Recovery Cream for dry skin:</b> This is a difficult product. I started using it in December and at that time it was not so cold in Germany. So, it might have been a bit too much for my skin. I immediately got spots from this cream. In January, however, when it got really cold, this cream was great. It is creamy and a cream residue stays on the skin and protects from the cold. I also didn't get any spots anymore after the first wave in December healed. I also used the Caudalie Vinosource Serum in December and stopped using it January. So, I really don't know whether it was the Serum that caused my skin to get spots. A mysterium I might try to reveal next winter. ;-) </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<li>Face Cleaning products:</li>
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<li><b>Nuxe micellar water, sample:</b> I was not so impressed. Was not good but also not bad. No repurchase. </li>
<li><b>Caudalie micellar water, sample:</b> I was not so impressed. Was not good but also not bad. No repurchase. </li>
<li><b>Shiseido Bio Performance:</b> Nice cleaning and subtle exfoilation pad that has to be made wet with water before use. I liked the result and also how it cleaned. It might have been a bit too aggressive but it's a really nice product. I don't know how expensive it is but I assume very expensive. Hence, I rather don't look and don't repurchase. But maybe some day. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<li>Hand Care</li>
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<li><b>Terra Naturi Hand Cream Honey and Almond: </b>A very liquidy light hand cream. I didn't like it. For the day it didn't go into the skin quick enough and for the night it was far too light. No repurchase. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<li>Soap</li>
<ul>
<li><b>Nonique Paradise Punch Soap</b>: Nonique offers some really nice soaps with Olive Oil. This is one of them. I don't see much of a difference between them as they all have a similar olive oil scent and are all equally soothing and nice. I'd recommend them all and not prefer any of them in particular. So, this one was nice, maybe a repurchase. Maybe, I'll buy another one of the soaps as they are all similar. ;-) But I think that I'll repurchase them as they are also perfect for washing brushes. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Makeup and Makeup Tools</li>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><b>2 times the Zoeva Petit Stipling 122 brush:</b> You see the difference between these two brushes? They are supposed to be the same, actually. They have the same name and I bought them just with a time difference of 3 to 6 months. Now they are not available anymore with Zoeva. While the small one was nice, the head got loose recently, and hence, I decided to get rid of it - also because, I found a great substitute. The bigger one was always useless for me as it was too big for cream blush and to small for everything else (I don't use foundation often and if I do, I use fingers). </li>
<li><b>The p2 Spring please tapered Kabuki brush:</b> I was desperately hunting for this brush last year. It was really aweful how much I seeked for this brush. But it didn't live up to my expectations and I found myself never using it. So, I decided to get rid of it. No tapered kabuki brushes for me anymore. ;-)</li>
<li><b>MaxFactor Infinity lasting lip tint in the colour 02:</b> A really nice colour. Suits me great but the taste of the product is aweful and it also not really durable. When it fades away, it does not fade away evenly but in patches which looks aweful. So, I didn't use it and decided to get rid of it. But it was an inspiring product because I then went and looked for a good high end replacement. :-)</li>
<li><b>Zoeva Graphic Eyes Skyline:</b> too much glitter in this black eye pencil for my taste. So, away with it.</li>
<li><b>Burt's Bees tinted lip balm in Honeysuckle:</b> Apart from the fact that the colour is not very flattering for me (I'm a summer and gold tones can be difficult), it also is not a soothing lip balm. I don't know why this product is hyped that much. I know much more soothing lip balms. </li>
<li><b>MAC lip conditioner in Petting Pink:</b> I own this product for years and almost never used it. It has a nice colour but it also is not really soothing for the lips. Despite it's price and the fact that it is high end, I decided to make room for better products and to get rid of it. No repurchase! </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Scented Candles: Yankee Candle Samplers in </li>
<ul>
<li><b>True Rose:</b> didn't like that scent. No repurchase</li>
<li><b>Loves me, loves me not:</b> interesting scent but no repurchase</li>
<li><b>Garden Hideaway: </b>nice but maybe a bit too strong. I might repurchase it, not sure. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-85979116172676832702013-06-01T19:18:00.000+02:002013-06-01T19:18:42.613+02:00More current favourite drinks (Matcha tea)<div style="text-align: justify;">
After my last post on my current favourite drinks, it crossed my mind that I forgot to mention a very important new green tea discovery: Matcha tea. So, I decided to share some more information about my favourite drinks with you. </div>
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I first came across Matcha tea when Leo Babauta from <a href="http://zenhabits.net/">zenhabits</a> mentioned it in his healthy eating challenge. Once, he also drank it in one of his videos. He seems to drink it in the traditional way with a traditional bowl (<i>chawan</i>), after having used a traditional spoon (<i>chashaku</i>) and a tradtional bamboo whisk (<i>chasen</i>). I found that so interesting that I still remember it but I didn't consider to try it myself at that time yet. First, I had to witness many of the German and Austrian health bloggers I currently follow to mention it on their blogs and on Twitter. But then, I had to try it myself and I really like it. But I am an advanced green tea drinker and used to the taste of green tea anyway. Matcha tea is not much different. It just has a stronger effect and makes me more awake faster. </div>
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I am not such an advanced Matcha tea drinker. I like to drink it in a huge Guinness mug and use a normal spoon and my british milk frother instead of a chashaku and a chasen. ;-)</div>
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I have to admit, that the only shop for matcha tea that I tried is <a href="http://www.imogti.com/">imogti</a>. But as I am really happy with the products and content with taste and quality and also with price, I don't really want to experiment. Here are the products from imogti that I tried and really like and repurchase on a regular basis (well, until now I was only able to empty the Matcha tea but the other products will be repurchased when they are empty as well):<br />
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This is the <a href="http://www.imogti.com/collections/bio-matcha-und-mehr/products/50g-bio-premium-imogti-matcha-tee">Matcha tea</a> of imogti which I love to drink in a huge Guiness Mug as shown above:<br />
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This are <a href="http://www.imogti.com/collections/bio-matcha-und-mehr/products/matcha-perlen-by-imogti-1">Matcha pearls</a> which are sugary sweets with Matcha tea: <br />
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Here is a closer look to the pearls:<br />
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And I also adore the <a href="http://www.imogti.com/products/imogti-premium-bio-schokoladenpulver">drinking chocolate</a> that is offered by imogti:<br />
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This drinking chocolate provides very strong comptetion to the one by Clipper that I mentioned in my <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/current-favourite-drinks.html">previous favorite drinks post</a>. This is how I store my drinking chocolate by imogti:<br />
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Note that <a href="http://www.imogti.com/">imogti</a> also delivers to the UK (I asked recently because I really need to reorder soon ;-)) and probably also to most european countries. <br />
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<br />Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-69625414868225076682013-04-23T15:52:00.001+02:002013-04-29T13:56:25.946+02:00Current Favourite Drinks<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I didn't use up many beauty items in the last months, I thought I share my current favourite drinks with you. A drink very much worth mentioning is my recent drinking chocolate discovery. One day when I was looking around in Tesco for interesting products, I stumbled upon the drinking chocolate by <a href="https://www.clipper-teas.com/home">Clipper</a> which is a brand for organic products. They mainly sell teas and I can tell you that one of their teas also belongs to one of my favorite teas. But let's discuss one drink after the other, right? :-)</div>
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This is my current favorite drinking chocolate by Clipper: <br />
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It contains a lot of coarse-grained sugar and when mixed with milk, it needs quite some time to melt. In the picture above, you can see that the sugar still swims on top of the drink. Letting it alone for a couple of more minutes, however, will allow it to finish melting and then it tastes like heaven. At the moment, I end up having one glas of drinking chocolate each evening.</div>
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Another great drink which I adore is green tea with peppermint. I discovered it last year from Tetley in a Migros in Switzerland. Unfortunately, I am not often in Switzerland and haven't found it anywhere else. Hence, whenever I go to Switzerland, I always look around for this tea. This is a picture of my all time favorite green tea with peppermint by Tetley:</div>
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While it is quite difficult to find green tea with peppermint in Germany, I found a great green tea with peppermint by Clipper at Tesco. It is not as great as the one by Tetley, but it tastes still very good and can be used as a substitute when I run out of the one by Tetley (which I do often because I don't manage to go often to Switzerland). Here is a picture of it (it's the one on the left - on the right you can see the white tea by Clipper): </div>
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The white tea is nice but not really great. I prefer the green tea with peppermint and drink one cup of it each day. What I love about green tea with peppermint is the calming yet at the same time also energizing impact to both, the body and the mind. I love to drink it in the morning before or during work. It helps me to focus and to work in a calm and relaxed mood which helps me to achieve better results at work. I even feel stimulated and inspired by this kind of drink and work feels easier and more fun with it. If you suffer of a stressful working environment, I would recommend to experiment with green tea with peppermint. </div>
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A huge surprise recently in the Tesco nearby my home was that they sell my favorite german beer "Erdinger Alkoholfrei" by Erdinger which is alcohol free. It even cannot be found everywhere in Germany. Hence, I was very much surprised to find it in my local Tesco. Here is a picture of it besides my drinking chocolate in order to provide you with some proof of its availability in the UK (Obviously, I could not have brought it with me in my luggage. ;-)): </div>
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In case you are living in the UK and would like to try the best alcohol free beer in the world, have a look at your local Tesco. They might have it as well. </div>
<br />Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-13925937800800677832013-04-14T18:42:00.000+02:002013-04-15T08:33:56.501+02:00It's time for a reboot<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am not fit anymore, dear readers. While I did lots of sports last year and, hence, was healthy and fit end of 2012, now all these great achievements are gone again. Since December last year, I had to downgrade my sports routine more and
more until I didn't do any sports at all anymore since end of January, first due to an operation and then because I moved to the UK.<br />
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Recently, I observed that I started to feel quite weak and physically incapable. I don't like this kind of feeling. I suffered of it for many years, but last year I have experienced that this kind of feeling can be overcome with steady and regular physical exercise. It is very empowering to feel strong and physically capable for doing anything. So, I really want to start doing more exercise this month again. Also, summer is coming and it would be nice to be able to wear shorts and short skirts again. <br />
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Another thing I don't like that much at the moment is that I also don't eat that healthy anymore. When I am spending time abroad in other countries, I love to experiment with different kinds of foods from that country and at the moment - as I have moved to the UK - I am indulging myself in all kinds of unhealthy foods with far too many calories. Furthermore, I was living in a shared house until recently where I didn't feel comfortable to cook. So, I ate a lot of ready and instant meals. Fortunately, I still fit into the trousers I brought with me but I'm sure that I gained a bit of weight as they started to feel a bit tight lately. Unfortunately, I have not found any scales to check my weight.<br />
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All in all I urgently need and want to push life's reset button at the moment! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">found <a href="http://millennialleader.com/lifes-reset-button/">@millenialleader</a></td></tr>
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It is really interesting how important it is to have a nice and soothing environment in order to unleash your full potential. When I moved to the UK, I first stayed in a shared house and lived in a freezing room. Each day I was thinking about starting to do sports but the environment and the situation with the commuting just dragged a lot of energy out of me. Now, the weather starts to be much better and I also just moved into a nice flat where I feel great and where I already started to exercise a bit. Have a look at my view when I look out of the window (this is what I mostly fell in love with when I decided to rent this flat):</div>
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In April, I want to get back into my routines and into living healthy and meaningfully. My sports goals starting from Monday are:<br />
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<li>I want to finally start <b>running</b>. In the last couple of years, I tried a couple of times to start running but somehow it never stuck and it never felt really good. As I was not able to take my bike with me to the UK, unfortunately, I needed to find a substitute for my biking cardio routine and decided to start running as it is a great and minimalistic cardio training. In order to do everything right this time, I bought the book by Anja Dostert (<a href="http://www.amazon.de/Laufend-zum-Wunschgewicht-Couch-Gesundheitsl%C3%A4ufer/dp/1481051024/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365351338&sr=8-1&keywords=Laufend+zum+Wunschgewicht">Laufend zum Wunschgewicht. Von der Couch zum Gesundheitsläufer</a>) and am currently reading it (on my ipod touch as you can see below in the picture). It is a great read for running beginners. It actually even is a book for overweight people who have not done any sports for ages and it teaches all kinds of basics that help inexperienced and doubtful runners to start properly and keep running. Hence, it's perfect for me even though I am not overweight. Besides the book by Anja Dostert, I also bought a magazine I found here in the UK which looked like a really nice companion for the next weeks when I'll start running. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEj-3bkB7CyfN2RvNXHMgY_MD6WrT75dGohVxT7ec0pbqQ2hO4hZoS24OgfQa0cZb7ThIb_9GValhUlo9f5NNk-nob_bfq2kDvF5vT0qG_Y7jJQ1yMrXRbfEtIzsV4Z2EslWlg8c009XvYJtAJZf1WMJJNxd3UnvLjqdE604UxI=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEj-3bkB7CyfN2RvNXHMgY_MD6WrT75dGohVxT7ec0pbqQ2hO4hZoS24OgfQa0cZb7ThIb_9GValhUlo9f5NNk-nob_bfq2kDvF5vT0qG_Y7jJQ1yMrXRbfEtIzsV4Z2EslWlg8c009XvYJtAJZf1WMJJNxd3UnvLjqdE604UxI=" width="252" /></a></div>
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<li>I want to do <b>Pilates</b> properly and booked a course nearby. A couple of days ago, I had the first session and I like it. It is different from my beloved Pilates course in Germany, but it is not bad either and I can confirm that this "proper Pilates" as well, i.e. it is taken care that the posture is right and we do a lot of mat exercises. I was quite impressed and want to mix and match the exercises I learned in my course in Germany and the ones I learn here and try do a couple of them each morning at home. And I also started to read the book by Verena Geweniger and Alexander Bohlander on Pilates (<a href="http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/3642207790?ie=UTF8&keywords=Pilates%20Lehrbuch&qid=1365358887&redirect=true&redirect=true&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1">Das Pilates-Lehrbuch: Matten- und Geräteübungen für Prävention und Rehabilitation</a>). I can highly recommend it. It is really interesting and well written and well researched.
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<a href="http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/3642207790/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1638&creative=19454&creativeASIN=3642207790&linkCode=as2&tag=httpstructure-21"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.de/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=3642207790&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=DE&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=httpstructure-21" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.de/e/ir?t=httpstructure-21&l=as2&o=3&a=3642207790" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<li>Furthermore, I want to do <b>Qi Gong</b> probably every second day. I also already tried a course here in the UK but - as I unfortunately also expected, because I know that my old course in Germany was a true gem - I was not very content with it. It was nice but I was missing meditation and some guidance on buddhistic thinking. We just did a couple of moving exercises which were great but for me Qi Gong is so much more. My Qi Gong course in Germany was much more challenging and educational in so many ways. However, I consider to keep going to my course here in the UK as it was not really bad either. I'm not sure yet. But as it is a completely different kind of Qi Gong, I'll also try to keep practicing the exercises I learned in Germany at home on my own with the book mentioned <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/meditation-my-progress-and-my-thoughts.html">here</a>.</li>
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Dear readers, as some of you might have heard via Twitter, I have moved to the UK beginning of this month. Before that, I power decluttered my belongings and tried to get rid of as much stuff as possible which was quite successful. Furthermore, I put a lot of effort into making my office paper-free which was quite successful as well although I haven't completely finished this endeavor (have a look at <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8072/8401511576_edd6bac9b6_o.jpg">a picture showing a part of my scanning efforts</a>). Hence, I did not have any time for blogging and sharing news on beauty or life style with you, unfortunately. Beauty and life style just were not so important for me in the last months, except for minimalism and decluttering. I'd like to promise that I will blog more often in the future but - to be honest - I cannot promise that. I am very busy and try to get a lot of stuff done at the moment. However, you should get at least some regular updates on my beauty empties.<br />
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Have a look below at my beauty empties of January. In February and March, I did not empty that many products due to too much stress. In March, besides living in a rather uncomfortable shared house, I also didn't take many products with me and my skin and I, we both miss body lotions a lot! ;-) So, I am looking very much forward to using body lotions again in April. The cold, british weather has dried my skin very much and I probably should also do more sports to encourage blood and lymph flow as this helps against dry skin as well. Will start to do more sports again in April as well.<br />
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In January, I did not empty and declutter that much beauty wise. Altogether only 22 products have left me and of these only 6 were decluttered. This is not much indeed - especially considered my usual mass exodus. ;-) But it still is more than I managed to empty in February and March. Have a look at the group picture of the products that left me in January: </div>
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A short summary and my thoughts about the emptied or decluttered products:
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<li>Shower gels</li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nonique Paradise Punch Shower Gel:</b> I like Nonique shower gels. They are really soft and nurturing for my skin. Unfortunately, the scents are not that great. This one does not have an awesome scent either but it is ok. It smells a bit too artificially like fruits. However, I enjoyed using it and might repurchase it soon due to its softness. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Belmar Shower Gel, sample:</b> This was contained in one of my twist.bags. It is an aweful shower gel. The scent is terrible and somehow reminds me of medicine. It is very liquid and you have to be careful when using it because it is easily spilled. Surely no repurchase. </li>
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<li>Body Lotions and Body Butters</li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dove rich nourishment cream, Sample:</b> Quite nice cream, very rich and nourishing. I used it for the feet and I'd repurchase it for the feet. But not at the moment, maybe later. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nivea Cream, Sample</b>: Of course a nice cream. It's a well-known cream you all surely tried as well. Very rich and nourishing, but a nice staple. I might repurchase it some day, but not at the moment. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Alverde Body Butter Blood Orange and Elderflower, Sample:</b> Nice body butter. The scent is very soft and quite nice, too. Sure repurchase. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Alverde Body Butter Verveine, Sample</b>: Aweful body butter (see also <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/07/beauty-empties-june.html">my empties of June 2012</a>), but I have won it with the twitter advent calendar and then I had to use it up. Fortunately, it was just a sample. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Perfumed body lotion in the scent of DKNY Pure, Sample</b>: Very nice but no repurchase (I rather don't repurchase perfumed body lotions in genral) </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Perfumed body lotion in the scent of Signorina by Salvatore Ferragamo, Sample</b>: While the perfume itself is a bit too strong for me, the scent of the body lotion is softer and just about perfect. Really enjoyed using it up. However, still rather no repurchase as I don't like to buy perfumed body lotions in general. </li>
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<li>Hair products</li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sante Clay Shampoo</b>: This is a nice peeling shampoo and as such it of course is quite agressive and not an every day shampoo because it would dry my hair too much. I used to use it before dieing my hair in order to get rid of anything that would prevent my hair of taking up the colour. The scent is a bit strong and not really nice. But as seldomly as I used the shampoo, it was ok. I will probably not repurchase it, but as it is an organic product, I might end up repurchasing it although I didn't really like it that much. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nivea Volume Sensation Styling Mousse:</b> I don't use such kinds of products. With this one I really tried hard and kept it several months. But I just don't have that much time in the morning to extensively style my hair. Hence, I decided to get rid of it and to not torture myself anymore with it. Surely no repurchase. </li>
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<li>Face care</li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Louis Widmer Creme Contour des Yeux eye care:</b> I got this eye care from my mum last summer and I really love it. It is a very good and nurturing eye cream that provided the skin around my eyes great company during winter. Sure repurchase! </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Balea Peel-Off Mask:</b> I should use it more often. It is a great peel off mask. It works very thoroughly. It does not smell great and it stings a bit but I love how it works and I will definitely repurchase it! </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Balea Anti-Age Mask:</b> I used it immediately after the Peel-Off Mask. This is also a great product. I believe it was a limited edition, however, so probably no repurchase. However, I definitely should use masks more often. </li>
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<li>Face cleaning products</li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Rival de Loop eye make up remover oil free: </b>A nice product, suprisingly thorough, but there are better and more thorough products on the market. But it is a great alternative if you are on a budget as this product is a very cheap drug store product. Nevertheless, I probably won't buy it again but I'll keep it on my list of potential repurchases. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Ebelin Nature cotton pads:</b> I like them, will repurchase them. They are a bit more expensive than the non-green variant but I like to spend a bit more for a product when it does not pollute our environment that much.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sephora Soft touch cotton pads</b>: Really great product. Unfortunately not so easily available in Germany. But I'm sure that I'll repurchase them one day! </li>
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<li>Tooth cleaning products</li>
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<li><b>Listerine mouth wash in Freshmint</b>: Great product, as usual. It's one of my staples ... :-) </li>
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<li>Makeup</li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Bobbi Brown eye shadow in Champagne Truffle</b>: This one had a lot of fallout. So, it wasn't a good product and I got rid of it in January. (Unfortunately, it cannot be seen on the picture because I threw it away too quickly, sorry!!)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>P2 eye shadow in 040 White Connection: </b>I own this eye shadow for a long time now but I never used it. I just don't like that bright white eye shadows. Hence, I asked myself: why should an eye shadow I never use block space in my palettes? And then I decided to get rid of it. It just does not make any sense to keep something that I don't like enough to also use it. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Essence Snow Jam Cream eye shadow in 02 (Cyan)</b>: Not a colour I use regularly. It is a very bright, sparkling cyan colour which I don't like. I just bought it in January and decluttered it in the same month. But it is better to get rid of it as soon as I realize that I will never use it anyway. It obviously was a mispurchase! </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Essie Candy Mint Apple nail polish</b>: To get rid of this nail polish was a difficult decision. The colour suits me, but I find it too eye-catching and it does not fit to my every day life. I also cannot wear it to the office. There are not many occasions I would wear such an eye-catching nail polish. So, I decided heavy hearted to get rid of it. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>L'Oréal Voluminous x5 mascara</b>: This one provides really nice lashes. The lashes become more dense and more voluminous, but also a bit longer. They look great with that mascara. BUT and there is a but, namely: it unfortunately cannot deal with water, i.e. no rainy weather and no crying. When there is contact with the tiniest bit of water, it disperses around the eyes. In rainy weather and after massaging sessions, I often noticed the mascara at places where it shouldn't have been. Hence, I don't know yet whether I'll repurchase it. Maybe the water proof variant in brown if there is such a variant. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>MaxFactor 2000 Calorie Mascara</b>: really a very great mascara, very subtle and not too dominant. Unfortunately here as well: it disperses too easily under the eyes. And it also is not available anymore as MaxFactor has released a new 2000 Calorie mascara series here in Germany. But I surely will test the new series soon ...</li>
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And here is a close up of the two decluttered eye shadows: <br />
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<br />Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-46877392332472798612013-01-20T14:15:00.000+01:002013-01-25T07:45:08.971+01:00Beauty Favourites December<div style="text-align: justify;">
In December, I started to use a new face care. More specifically, I started to use the Caudalie Vinosource series: the S.O.S. thirst quenching serum and the moisture recovery cream. I love both, especially the serum because it is light. The face cream is rather for dry skin and as I somehow got some spots, I am wondering whether it is too rich for my skin in this warm winter. My eye care still consists of the same products like in <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/12/beauty-favourites-november.html">November</a> and I still do love the products a lot. Here is a picture of my skin care in December: </div>
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As makeup for the eyes, I enjoyed using the NYX nude on nude natural look kit (see <a href="http://blushoverdone.blogspot.de/2012/01/review-nyx-nude-on-nude-natural-look.html">here</a> more pictures and swatches). It is perfect for traveling and I used it while visiting my family over Christmas and also on New Years eve. On an every day basis, I also enjoyed using a limited edition nude eye shadow by Alverde and the eye shadow "My first Copperware Party" by Catrice (shown in the right upper corner of the picture below). I also rediscovered my 2000 Calorie Dramatic Look mascara by Max Factor and my MAC khol liner in Stubborn Brown. </div>
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I still loved to use my MAC BB cream. For the cheeks, I enjoyed using the <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/12/ive-been-hauling-again.html">recently purchased NYX cream blush</a> in Glow and my Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Exposed. </div>
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In December, I also rediscovered my MAC 222 brush for a very detailed crease. In the last months I ended up using other brushes but in december I fell in love again with this brush. I bought it in January 2012 and when I found out that MAC had taken it from the market, I purchased a backup for a very high price on Ebay. I am really glad that I found it and bought it - even though it was very expensive. I love this brush. There is no other brush that allows for such a detailed crease like this one. At least not in my brush collection and my brush collection is really huge. </div>
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The last product is not a classical beauty product. However, it really saved me because I somehow ended up eating a lot of garlic over Christmas and New Years Eve and the chlorophyll tablets shown below helped me to avoid the aweful scent afterwards. Great product and it really works (with me at least). </div>
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<br />Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-14463351153935017652013-01-12T06:47:00.000+01:002013-01-12T14:38:51.371+01:00Beauty inventory 2012: a beauty year in review (Tag)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recently, I stumbled upon an interesting tag on reviewing the past beauty year: the beauty inventory tag created by <a href="http://www.innenaussen.com/2012/12/tag-zur-sache-schtzchen-beautyinventur-2012.html">Paddy</a>, <a href="http://www.chocolate-bit.ch/2012/12/beautyinventur-2012.html">Jettie</a> and <a href="http://www.lookslikevalerie.de/2012/12/tag-zum-jahresende.html">Valerie</a>. Spontaneously, I decided to do this tag as well, because I enjoyed cosmetics and beauty a lot last year. <i><b>Another name for 2012 would certainly be the beauty year of my life</b></i>, because I never ever purchased so many cosmetics items (and also not that expensive ones) like last year.<br />
<br />
In 2012, I bought a lot of cosmetics items, experimented a lot with
colours, my eyebrow shape and anything related to beauty. Amongst
others, nearly my whole makeup brush collection
has been bought in 2012. In 2011 I only owned very few travel makeup brushes by MAC which I never used. In 2012 I bought a lot of high end brushes - I ended up with quite some collection of MAC brushes. However, I also bought a lot of other brushes. See my favorite new brushes below - this is just a small fraction of the amount of brushes I bought. Furthermore, I used
skin care nearly every day (eye care, face care, body care, everything
:-)) and discovered that skin care can do wonders to dry skin. I also wore makeup nearly every day (a complete set of products including several eye
shadows) and discovered looks that made me look great. I was able to use up a
lot of products (see my <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/search/label/Empties">empties posts</a>) and I also was able to use and experiment with all of my
decorative cosmetics items during the course of the last year. However,
due to the large amount, some items have been used quite seldomly,
unfortunately. <br />
<br />
Of course I still do enjoy beauty and cosmetics and I won't stop experimenting in 2013. Nevertheless, I also try to cut down a bit the fraction of time, space and attention that I invest into beauty and cosmetics. Maybe I have got a bit tired of the huge amount of items I tried and used up. As I also found a lot of favorite products, I don't feel like missing out anything when I stick to them for the most part. In addition, I feel the need to shrink the amount of beauty products I own in order to be able to keep enjoying them. More specifically, I need to use up, declutter and to not buy that much cosmetics anymore.<br />
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But let's take a look at my review of the beauty year 2012 that just passed. Here are my answers to the beauty inventory tag (Amongst others, I removed a couple of questions that don't fit (e.g. the question about the craziest PR message and the question about the favorite event don't fit because I am not a professional beauty blogger and don't get any PR messages or invitations to events.): </div>
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<b>Which new experiences and insights have you been able to acquire in 2012? (concerning cosmetics and concerning the blog) </b><br />
<ul>
<li><u><i>Cosmetics:</i></u> I read about the season colour theory and realized that I am a summer in this colour theory and that this theory is particularly helpful and inspiring when aiming at shrinking a wardrobe and a beauty and makeup collection and it also helps to prevent mispurchases in these areas. Of course, it is just a theory and not each rule has to be followed religiously. Actually, none of the rules have to be followed. But in case you aim for an elegant and decent style that fits any occasion and a very small wardrobe and cosmetics collection, you should have a look at it because the principles are pretty convincing. They made me realize what I subconsciously knew before anyway. Most of my belongings did match my season colour theory type but I also had a couple of mispurchases. So, knowing what I should take care of is a great guideline for any decluttering endeavor and also helps to avoid mispurchases. Before that, I just had kind of a feeling and feelings sometimes are blurred or not trusted. ;-) </li>
<li><u><i>Blog:</i></u> I started my blog in 2012 and when I started blogging I blogged a lot about beauty. However, I soon realized that I don't want to be a typical beauty blogger. This would cause me to hoard products and to purchase a huge amount of cosmetics items on a regular basis while already owning a ton of them. I realized that I feel too much attracted to <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/11/the-power-of-less.html">minimalism</a> and for me a beauty blogger cannot be a minimalist - each new product has to be swatched and compared to other products and hence, they all have to be kept and organized. Afterwards I was in a bit of a dilemma because I don't want to skip beauty on my blog altogether either as I still do enjoy experimenting with cosmetics. It still is a nice and beloved hobby even though I don't want to spend to much time with it anymore. So, I might try to blog about minimalistic beauty in 2013. Let's see. :-)<br />Another great insight I got with blogging is that I enjoy writing and sharing my thoughts with the online world very much. And I'm asking myself why I didn't start to blog years ago. </li>
</ul>
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<b>Which products do you not want to miss in your daily routine? </b><br />
My eyeshadow brushes (see my current favourite ones below), a well-soothing face care set (eye care, day face cream, night face cream, serum, lip care), a not too aggressive shower gel and a soothing body lotion. A strong micellar water (e.g. by Bioderma or Melvita or Taaj), a versatile eyeliner (Bobbi Brown), matching eye shadows that blend well and have a good colour payoff (e.g. by Urban Decay, MAC or Nars), a good & blendable blush and a good smudge proof black mascara.<br />
Except for the brushes shown below that I adore, there is no place for specific products here because I still change them quite frequently at the moment. The brushes shown below, however, have worked their way deep into my routine and form an essential part of it. I don't think I will experiment much anymore in this area because I already experimented a lot and these are the brushes that excelled over all other brushes I tried up to now (and I tried a lot of them ;-)). <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my favourite new brushes (I own so much more but this is the candy ;-))</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Did you use products for other purposes than the ones they were designed for? </b><br />
Very seldomly I used a lipstick as blush. I also experimented a bit with a greyish brown eyeshadow for contouring. Furthermore, I prefer to wash my brushes with hand soap that is enriched with oils than with usual brush cleansers. </div>
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<b>Oldies but Goldies – which products do you use for a long time now and have repurchased often and have proved themselves?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My Weleda wild rose eye care and face care and my Sante conditioner. Below you can see the eye care and the conditioner. I haven't repurchased the face care shown here in my <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/12/beauty-favourites-november.html">favourites of November</a> yet, but I will for sure. ;-)<br />
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<b>Which were the greatest newly discovered products in 2012 in the areas of decorative cosmetics, skin care, hair and nails? </b><br />
<ul>
<li>makeup: Bobbi Brown gel eyeliners (I own granite ink and espresso ink), Nars eye shadows (especially LHASA and BLKR), the Nars radiant tinted moisturizer, tarte blushes (I own dollface and exposed), YSL cream to powder blushes (I own the shades 01 and 02), Benefit Hervanablush, the Becca shimmering skin perfector in pearl, Clinique airbrush concealer, the Naked 1 and 2 palettes </li>
<li>care cosmetics: the anti-age Nonique eye cream, Lavera body lotions in general, Taaj micellar water</li>
<li>hair: Melvita shampoo</li>
<li>nails: Nars nail polish (e.g. Trouville and Storm Bird), Butter London Yummy Mummy, Zoya Megan, Astor Qick'n'Go in 343. </li>
</ul>
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<b>Were there any scents that gave you a special feeling in 2012? </b><br />
The scented candle Feu de Bois by Diptyque and the two perfumes Verveine by Origins and Petits et Mamans by Bulgari were scents I associate with a great time. While the scented candle provides wonderful company for a relaxed evening with a book or a journal or something to knit, the two mentioned perfumes are great every day scents. Verveine is very refreshing and reminds me of a great day at work. I love to wear citrus scents for work and this one is just about perfect. Petits et Mamans is just a cozy scent for feeling good at home.<br />
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<b>Which brand was the brand of the year for you and why? </b><br />
Nars, Urban Decay, Nonique and Alverde. Nars because it took me by surprise in 2012. I love the packaging and the products are great, too. I fell in love with the LHASA eye shadow and the Yachiyo brush. Urban Decay because I love the eye shadow primer and the Naked palettes. Nonique and Alverde because they are rather inexpensive organic brands and I loved to use some of their shower gels and body lotions in 2012.<br />
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<b>About which collection/limited edition were you most enthusiastic? </b><br />
None actually. I bought items from collections/limited editions but I wasn't that enthusiastic about them and didn't hunt for any product. I try to also buy more from the standard collection and to avoid limited editions altogether as much as possible. Of course, exceptions were allowed in 2012 but I didn't want to focus on limited editions and this actually worked out greatly in 2012.<br />
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<b>Which product provided you with the hugest feelgood factor? </b><br />
The Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector. It tastes great, feels great on the lips and soothes the skin. I love it and I love to wear it. Great product. I have it in shade 01.<br />
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<b>Which product were you chasing the most? </b><br />
The old <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8329/8353663592_8ce87e530d_o.jpg">MAC 222</a> crease brush that has been taken from the market by MAC end of 2011. I was able to buy it in the beginning of 2012 with the MAC online shop - I think I managed to get the last one - but I had to have a backup and the backup was the product I was chasing a lot on ebay and then purchased for a high price. But I love it and for me, it was worth it.<br />
I also chased for a lip and cheek colour by MAC in the colour <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8067/8176072242_fbd8a72260_o.jpg">"have a lovely day"</a>. However, I didn't like the lip and cheek colour and decluttered it already. I also decided to not go anymore for lip & cheek products in general because I find them a bit too grease and not very blendable (the lip part) and at the same time drying (the cheek part). Not all areas can be combined and lips and cheeks are obviously a good example. ;-)<br />
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<b>Love on first sight - which product was such kind of a love at first sight product? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The nail polish Tuilleries by Lex. I saw it on the <a href="http://www.lipssofacto.com/">blog of Meg</a> and had to have it and finally Jessica from <a href="http://www.gettingcheeky.com/">Getting Cheeky</a> was so kind to help me get it. <br />
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<b>Which was the most expensive product you bought in 2012? </b><br />
The MAC 138 brush. It was totally worth it. I love it<i>.</i><br />
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<b>The worst product of 2012? </b><br />
The worst products probably were the shower gel Fame by Lady Gaga (see it in my <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/12/beauty-empties-november.html">empties of November</a>) and the body lotion Womanity by Thierry Mugler (see it in my <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/10/beauty-empties-october.html">empties of October</a>). These products were aweful. <br />
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<b>What did you search for in 2012 and still haven't found it? </b><br />
The perfect muted bright blue nail polish. A bright base cream eye shadow that does have none or just a very tiny bit of shimmer. <br />
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<b>What kinds of products do you wish for in 2013? </b><br />
More organic skin care. A good organic foundation and a good organic concealer. A good freestyle palette that keeps the eye shadows in place (when I was traveling with my free style palettes, the eyeshadows were flying around, unfortunately). <br />
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<b>Which previous favourite products didn't you use anymore in 2012?</b> <br />
I learned that my eye make up remover pads that I really liked using for years and years before 2012 were not good products. When I started to experiment with other eye make up removers in 2012, I discovered how great a good eye makeup remover can be and hence, I won't use the products I used before anymore. <br />
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<b>Which product has been hyped a lot in your environment and then fastly forgotten? </b><br />
The Chanel Bronzer. Although it was even more hyped in 2011, 2012 a lot of people still talked a lot about it. Unfortunately, I just don't like to use it most of the time. <br />
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<b>Which were your favourite blogs this year? </b><br />
I enjoyed very much to read and watch <a href="http://www.essiebutton.com/">essiebutton</a> (thank you for all the great product recommendations, I now own half of your collection, too ;-)), <a href="http://www.lipssofacto.com/">lipsofacto</a>, <a href="http://www.gettingcheeky.com/">getting cheeky</a>, <a href="http://www.chelseawears.com/">chelseawears</a>, <a href="http://www.whatihearttoday.com/">what I heart today</a>. <br />
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<b>The cosmetics year 2013 in 3 words: </b><br />
<ul>
<li><i><b>Expensive </b></i>(I spent a lot of money on cosmetics), </li>
<li><i><b>Discoveries</b></i> (I made a lot of great discoveries and learned that there are really great products out there if you are willing and able to spend a bit of money ...), </li>
<li><i><b>Experiments </b></i>(I experimented with shades, textures, everything - and I finally am drifting to the perfect eye brow shape :-))<i><b><br /></b></i></li>
</ul>
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<b>What is a must in 2013 and what are you looking forward to the most? </b><br />
I definitely want to do more decluttering and using up and shrinking the amount of cosmetics I have around. However, I definitely also want to keep experimenting. But in 2013 I want to experiment much less than in 2012.<br />
A must for me in 2013 is a further look into french skin care, organic skin care and makeup from NARS, Inglot and Tarte. My first buy in 2013 was the Naked basics palette that should arrive soon. I am sure I will rave about it at the end of the year. :-)<br />
I am also looking forward to experimenting soon with the stock at Boots and to using up my stash. As I bought a lot of products in 2012, however, I will still be able to enjoy using them up for quite some time in 2013. But this is also something I am looking forward to in 2013. :-)</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-43242575855882963622013-01-10T11:07:00.001+01:002013-01-10T16:45:38.641+01:00Beauty Empties December<div>
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In December, 40 products left me. I decluttered 18 of these 40 products, the other 22 have indeed been used up. Have a look at the group picture (only the decluttered eye shadows are missing, but you can see them below - I gave them away already in the middle of December and hence, they were already gone when I took the group picture): </div>
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A short summary and my thoughts about the emptied or decluttered products: </div>
<ul>
<li>Shower gels</li>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Loodus Cosmetics Spruce Shower Gel, tiny sample:</b> smells very strong like fir. I didn't like it. The scent was too strong and the sample was too tiny to be able to judge the product - I was only able to use it for 1 leg. ;-) Hence, I won't purchase this product. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Loodus Cosmetics Lemongrass Shower Gel, tiny sample:</b> smells very strong like lemon grass. Not bad, I might purchase this one. It is not cheap but also not too expensive (10 CHF). However, again the sample was too tiny to be able to judge the product - I was only able to use it for 1 leg. ;-) Hence, I won't purchase this product that soon - maybe some day but rather not in the next months.<br />
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<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Loodus Cosmetics Cinnamon Ornage Shower Gel:</b> smells very strong like cinnamon and oranges. Not bad, probably the best scent of all Loodus Cosmetics shower gels I tried in December. I think I will purchase some day - it is a swiss product and difficult to get, otherwise I probably would have ordered it already. ;-) Again the sample was too tiny to be able to judge the product - I was only able to use it for 1 leg. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Anne Semonin All over Shampoo Verveine Exotique:</b> I don't know where this one came from. I stumbled upon it in my bathroom - it must have come together with my other Anne Semoning products when I stayed with <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/06/lait-corps-hydratant-verveine-exotique.html">Radisson blue</a>. The scent was a wonderful sweet and juicy lemon scent. I fell in love with it again and enjoyed it a lot to use it up. It dried the hair a bit, but you don't need to use it for the hair - it is an all over shampoo and in the end i used it only for showering. Now, I guess all Anne Semonin products are gone. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Sephora Cotton Flower Cream Body Wash:</b> Nothing special. Didn't like the scent although it was kind of okay for a shower gel. Don't think that I'll repurchase it though as it is hard to get and not really special or great. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Nonique Feuchtigkeitsduschpflege/Nonique moisturizing shower gel:</b> Didn't smell great: a bit like citrus cleaner. But I liked using it up nevertheless because it is organic and very gentle to the skin. I might repurchase it but the scent does not really motivate me to buy it again that soon. ;-)</div>
</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Body Lotions and Body Butters</li>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Salvatore Ferragamo scented body lotion Signorina, 30ml sample:</b> I like the scent of the body lotion (in the perfume it is too strong but in the lotion it is about right) But in general, perfumed body lotions are nothing I like to buy, so no repurchase here. However, I enjoyed using it - it was a nice but short affair that won't be repeated. ;-) </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Lush Therapy Massagebar:</b> Love it. It is something like a solid body lotion that melts with the warmth of the body and the melting oily residue can be spread over the skin while massaging the skin slowly with the bar. The scent is pretty intense and smells a bit organic but I like it nevertheless. The application takes a lot of time because the bar does not melt if massaged to quickly. It is a great treat for the weekend when I want to take enough time for a slow application. The scent is relaxing with lavender and neroli and at the same time it also is refreshing and uplifting. Many ingredients are organic or fairtrade. So it is a great product and I will definitely repurchase it! </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Kalahari Body & Hand Lotion, Sample:</b> This lotion was in one of my Pink Boxes. I like the scent, it reminds of the scent of a freshly cut tree twig. But one with a lot of green. A bit woody but not very much. Love this scent! Unfortunately, the lotion can not be applied properly, it does not blend and smears a bit. But it is soothing. It is also very expensive and I won't repurchase it just because of the scent. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Nonique moisturizing body lotion:</b> Smells like the shower gel mentioned above. It is from the same series. It smells like a citrus cleaner. But is is very soothing, non greasy, sinks quickly into the skin and the skin care properties are amazing. It also is an organic body lotion. Hence, I might repurchase it although the scent wasn't good. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Soap & Glory The Daily Smooth Body Butter:</b> It was a nice romance during <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/12/beauty-favourites-november.html">November</a> and December but I don't think that I will repeat it. It has great skin care properties but I don't like some of the ingredients. The scent was nice in the beginning but in the end I din't like it that much anymore. So, no repurchase here. </div>
</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>hair products</li>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
2 small 10ml samples of <b>L'Oreal Elvital Nurtigloss Crystal Shampoo</b>: I tried this shampoo already in September. It is a good and solid shampoo that I don't intend to repurchase. The glitter annoyed me - not because it was somehow visible in the hair, just because I don't understand why something like this has to be added to shampoo. In principle the product was good, didn't dry the hair and I didn't need a conditioner afterwards. It was shiny and the comb went easily through the hair afterwards as well. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>C:Ehko Style Jewel Hair Spray:</b> Decluttered as I don't like to use hair sprays. My mom loves to use them, so I gave it to her. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Sante hair dye in Terra:</b> I just see that I forgot to take a picture. Too bad. I used only half of it. It didn't dye my hair properly. Will never ever purchase Sante hair dye again. The hair dye by khadi is much better. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Balea Volume Shampoo Kirsche + Jasmin, sample:</b> Dries the hair. No repurchase. </div>
</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Face care and eye care and lip care products</div>
</li>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Weleda Wild rose day cream</b>: Wonderful face cream- Love it in summer and warm autumn/winter even as night cream. When it is very cold, it is not rich enough. My skin loves it, I love it. Hence, of course I'll repurchase it. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Weleda Wild rose night cream:</b> Very nurturing night cream. In the summer too rich, in the winter wonderful. When it is very cold, I like to even use it as day cream. Love it. A sure repurchase! </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Alterra Anti Age Nachtcreme Orchidee:</b> This one stinks aweful - I don't know whether I had a bad version or one that has gone bad recently. But this product was aweful. The smell was terrible, it smeared when applied. I didn't like it and ended up using it as body lotion because I wasn't able to use it on the face anymore. Surely no repurchase! </div>
</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>face cleaning products</li>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Balea Pflegende Lotion Pads:</b> These are soothing lotion pads for removing makeup. They were nice but for me they didn't clean very good. They also were a bit oily but that's ok for me. I might repruchase them some day but I'm sure that there are better products on the market and I want to experiment more in this area at the moment. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Mádara ecoface deep clarifying toner for oily to combination skin, sample:</b> Not the proper product for my skin type (my skin is dry and not oily). But I wanted to get rid of it and tried it nevertheless - even although it is winter at the moment and my skin very dry and absolutely neither oily nor combination. It suprised me because it was not so drying like other toners I tried. The scent was aweful, however, and it still was drying so I was glad when it was gone.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Mádara ecoface deep comfort toner for dry to very dry skin, 2 samples :</b> Interesting product, because it does not dry my skin. But the scent was aweful and therefore I won't repurchase it. </div>
</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>perfumes</li>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>James Bond 007, sample:</b> Not good. My boyfriend didn't like it either. So, I just threwit away. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>YSL Cinema:</b> Great perfume. It reminds me of a great time in Ireland because it there where I bought it. Will definitely repurchase it some day. But not at the moment as now I have more than enough perfumes to use. </div>
</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Makeup</li>
<ul>
<li>eye shadows:</li>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Logona mono eye shadow in 03 satin light:</b> this is a silvery eye shadow that just does not look good on me. It might be the case that it is a great eye shadow. Mine unfortunately broke and I had to press it again - this is why it is not in it's original packaging and also not in it's original pan. As it is now, I don't like it and have never used it. So, good bye. I'm better off without you. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Kosmetik Kosmo eye shadow in Creme:</b> This is a too bright yellow silvery eye shadow. Very much like virgin of Urban Decay just with a worse quality and not that subtle velvety glow. It's very similar though. As I don't wear such kinds of eye shadows that often, I decided to let go of this one as Urban Decay Virgin is much better and I don't need many of these shades. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Kosmetik Kosmo eye shadow in Toffee:</b> This is a shimmery warm brown tone. For me, it is too orangey. I don't like it and don't want to keep it as I never use it anyway. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Kosmetik Kosmo eye shadow in edelkakao:</b> This sis a darker warm golden brown that I don't like either.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Ponyhütchen mineral eye shadow sample in ON TAUPE:</b> not really a taupe colour. Very pink and redish colour and not so much brown and grey in it. Nice colour in principle and very pigmented eye shadow and it also fits nicely to MISS SOAPY but I don't like mineral eye shadows because I cannot apply them properly. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Ponyhütchen mineral eye shadow sample in MISS SOAPY:</b> Nice colour, very pigmented eye shadow. But I think it is too red and I wouldn't wear it anyway. Hence, I decided to give it away to someone who would appreciate it more</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Ponyhütchen mineral eye shadow sample in KITTEN:</b> Shimmery grey colour, very pigmented eye shadow. Really nice product but I cannot apply mineral eye shadows properly unfortunately and I always end up with too much of it on my eyes. Hence, I decided to give it away to someone who would be able to use it and would also appreciate it more</div>
</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul><ul>
<li>Blushes:</li>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks in Pale Pink:</b> I don't know, maybe the product was a bit old and dried a bit in its pan. However, it was not easily blendable. I own much better blushes (and some of them are even much cheaper and drug store brands and even much older than this product!!) The colour is great but the quality obviously is not good. This is why I decluttered it and I doubt that I will purchase this product in this or any other colour ever again. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Zoeva Mineral Sheer Blush in Peach Bouquet:</b> Nice Blush, maybe a bit too peachy for my skin tone but still nice and pretty wearable. But I don't like mineral blushes and find them difficult to apply and blend. I used it very seldomly and when I used it, I did it only to experiment. I just don't find myself reaching for this blush in general. Hence, I decided to get rid of it. I won't miss it anyway. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Zoeva Mineral Sheer Blush in Afternoon Delights:</b> Again a nice blush, nice colour. But again, I don't like mineral blushes and find them difficult to apply and blend. I used it very seldomly and when I used it, I did it only to experiment. I just don't find myself reaching for this blush in general. Hence, I decided to get rid of it. I won't miss it anyway. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>MaxFactor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Cardinal:</b> Again a nice blush, nice colour. But I didn't like the blendability and therefore almost never used it. I don't need blushes with bad quality that I never use. So, I decided to declutter this product, too. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul><ul>
<li>other eye products:</li>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Catrice Welcome to Las Vegas lashes:</b> these lashes were hyped a lot in the german blogosphere. They were contained in a Catrice limited edition and I had to buy them myself, too. However, I don't like to use fake lashes. I prefer natural looks for lashes - even some mascaras create a too strong lash look for my personal taste. This is why I decluttered this product and I won't buy false lashes again. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Zoeva Graphic eyes khol liner in Lucky Penny:</b> rusty orangy copper that does not suit me. Decluttered. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>MaxFactor Eye brightening Mascara Tonal black voluminising mascara for brown eyes in (black pearl):</b> This is one of the mascaras that create a look on the lashes that is too artificial for my taste. This is why I decluttered this one as well. </div>
</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul><ul>
<li>lip products:</li>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>The Balm BalmShelter SPF 17 tinted gloss in Dream Girl:</b> very nice and natural colour. Exactly my natural lip colour with a bit of shine. the taste is wonderful as well, like melons. Love it. I had a hard time with the decision to declutter it. However, it is already a couple of years old and I almost never used it. I usually prefer lip balms when I want to have shiny lips because I tend to have dry lips. This product dries my lips and this is why I never wore it. Hence, I decluttered it.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Essence lip stick in 53 all about cupcake:</b> I like this colour a lot. It is kind of a muted watermelon. Unfortunately, I find Essence lips sticks quite drying and hence never wear them. So, it does not make any sense to keep this lipstick even if it's colour is great. </div>
</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul><ul>
<li>Complexion:</li>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Clinique Repairwear LaserFocus sample:</b> I didn't experiment with this product often because the colour was too dark for my skin. But I tried it a tiny bit and the first impression was good. So I might have a second look at it some day. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
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<ul><ul>
</ul>
</ul>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-91797641419024496262013-01-06T11:57:00.000+01:002013-01-06T12:11:45.915+01:002013: a reading outlook <div style="text-align: justify;">
As mentioned in my <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/12/2012-year-in-review.html">review of the last year</a>, I managed to read 19 books in 2013. I want to keep up with that reading pace and hope to be able to read at least 12 books in 2013. With this post I want to share my plans for the reading year 2013 and also the thrill of anticipation I am feeling when looking at the books that are waiting for me to be read. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was inspired for this post by the wonderful book and audiobook I recently received by the lovely Sue from <a href="http://happyich.blogspot.de/">Happy Ich</a>. She organized a really great <a href="http://happyich.blogspot.de/2012/12/adventsgewinnspiel-2-advent.html">give away</a> last month (actualy she even organized a couple of great give aways) and I was a very happy winner. I usually never win anything. Hence, I was taken by surprise to win such a great gift! Have a look at the great book and audiobook I won:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sue said about the book that it touched her very deeply and I am looking forward to maybe make the same experience. I already am quite much focused on my body and started to have kind of a love affair with it myself e.g. by doing sports, meditating and taking care to sleep enough. But I think there still is a lot of room for inspiration and motivation for a new approach on body blessing. I already started to listen to the audiobook which consists of some really nice guided meditations and I do enjoy very much to listen to it. The book is on top of my To Read list of 2013. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here is a glimpse on a couple of other books that I look very much forward to in 2013:<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.de/Life-Organizer-Womans-Guide-Mindful/dp/1577315545/ref=sr_1_1?s=books-intl-de&ie=UTF8&qid=1357469001&sr=1-1">The Life Organizer by Jennifer Louden</a>: I am especially curious about that book. :-)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.de/Happiness-Project-Morning-Aristotle-Generally/dp/0062105248/ref=sr_1_1?s=books-intl-de&ie=UTF8&qid=1357469073&sr=1-1">The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin</a> (I will be reading the <a href="http://www.amazon.de/Das-Happiness-Projekt-Kleiderschrank-auszumisten-Philosophen/dp/3596189608/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357469090&sr=1-1">german version</a>): there is not much to be said about that book. It is a bestseller for quite some time now and I am pretty late with reading it in 2013. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.de/Lifehacker-Working-Smarter-Faster-Better/dp/1118018370/ref=sr_1_1?s=books-intl-de&ie=UTF8&qid=1357468898&sr=1-1">Lifehacker. The guide to working smarter, faster and better by Adam Pash & Gina Trapani</a>: I am very curious about that book. I expect it to provide me with a lot of great productivity tips and tools. In this way I hope to become even more organized and get my work done even faster than ever (and yield much more spare time that I can spend with sports and inspiring free time activities). </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.de/Buy-Not-Why-Overshop-Stop/dp/159030599X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books-intl-de&ie=UTF8&qid=1357469976&sr=1-1">To buy or not to buy. Why we overshop and how to stop. by April Benson</a>: A good friend recommended me this book. She liked it very much and made me very curious about it. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.de/Nlp-Workbook-Practical-Achieving-Results/dp/0007100035/ref=sr_1_1?s=books-intl-de&ie=UTF8&qid=1357468845&sr=1-1">NLP workbook by Joseph O`Connor</a>: I am a huge NLP fan since a bit more than one year now and I already started to read this book in 2012 and loved it but a couple of events and then a couple of other books intervened my reading progress. Hence, I want to restart reading it and finish it in 2013. It's a great book - probably one of the best books on NLP that are available on the market. I don't know why I have allowed myself to not finish it. I remember that I was quite impressed by it while reading and I also already incorporated a couple of exercises from the first pages of the book into my life. The book is a really great book. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.de/Mindset-The-New-Psychology-Success/dp/0345472322/ref=pd_sim_b_5">Mindset by Carol Dweck</a> (I will read the <a href="http://www.amazon.de/Selbstbild-Denken-Erfolge-Niederlagen-bewirkt/dp/3492252273/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357468385&sr=8-1">german version</a> because a lovely friend of mine gave it to me in German): I have heard and read a lot raves about that book and am looking forward to reading it very much. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.de/Nice-Girls-Dont-Corner-Office/dp/0446572071/ref=sr_1_1?s=books-intl-de&ie=UTF8&qid=1357469133&sr=1-1">Nice girls don't get the corner office by Lois P. Frankl</a>: This is a book that apparently has been read by any successful woman in the blogosphere. So, I will read it too and hope to get many new insights on how to become a successful woman myself. :-) </li>
</ul>
I hope that I'll be able to read them all and also a couple of more books in 2013 and I am looking very much forward to my readings in 2013.<br />
<br />
What are you planing to read in 2013? </div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-41696468293562500762012-12-29T10:17:00.000+01:002013-01-03T14:45:29.095+01:002012 - a year in review<div style="text-align: justify;">
This post is a review of 2012. It was inspired by a lovely tag. I found a version of this tag on the blog <a href="http://www.hearttobreathe.com/2012/12/2012.html">Heart to breathe</a>. And I found a really nice adaptation at <a href="http://www.selbstbewusstleben.com/2012_12_01_archive.html">Selbstbewusst leben</a>. My version is a mixture of both. </div>
<ol>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Prevalent feeling 2012?</b> Last year was quite mixed. Although I surely felt a lot of happiness in 2012 and now in retrospective it also turns out to have been a great year, I also suffered a lot of fear and anxiety due to my thesis. When I started to meditate in September, however, I found a great way to relaxation and slowly gained back control over my life and my time. So, for me meditation was one of the greatest discoveries of 2012. <b><br /></b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Done for the first time in 2012?</b> Meditation, Qi Gong, Pilates (I mean real Pilates and not just some bums-tums-and-legs training called "Pilates" ;-))<b> </b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Done 2012 after a long time again?</b> Yoga. But I didn't like it, unfotunately, because the Yoga teacher was not that great. I don't think that I'll give it a try again in 2013, but surely later in a couple of years. <b><br /></b></li>
<li><b>Unfortunately not done at all in 2012? </b>Knitting. I miss it a lot. Hopefully, I will be able to do it again in 2013. <b></b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Learned lessons: </b>Amongst others, I learned how to let go and this made a huge change in my life. But I also learned a ton of other stuff. 2012 was the year with the most insights concerning self-development, relationships and health and sports. Looking back, I feel so much wiser than before and although it was a year with ups and downs, I managed to make huge progress - even if it might not be that visible. I did a lot of foundation work and especially at the end of the year, it really paid off. :-) <b><br /></b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Insight of the year? </b>I'm the one in control and attitude is everything. <b><br /></b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Word of the year?</b> Unprocrastination :-)<b><br /></b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Gained some weight or lost some weight?</b> Lost weight.<b><br /><a name='more'></a></b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>City of the year? </b>Stockholm. I have friends there and have spent some really great time there in spring 2012. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Locations I've visited: </b>Berlin, Dublin, Stockholm, Stuttgart and different smaller towns in order to visit relatives. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Binge drinking?</b> No, I don't like being drunk and never drink too much alcohol. ;-)<b><br /></b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Hair longer or shorter? </b>no change<b><br /></b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Spent more or less money?</b> I don't know. I probably spent more because I spent a lot of money on beauty and cosmetics. Next year I will definitely spend much less money in general. <b><br /></b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>In love?</b> Totally. I'm in a relationship for over 10 years now and we had our ups and downs but in 2012 we fell deeply in love with each other again. :-) </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Most called person? </b>My significant other.<b><br /></b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Spent the best time together with?</b> My significant other, family and friends.<b><br /></b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Spent most time together with? </b>My significant other because we also share a flat. <b><br /></b></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Song of the year?</b> Breathe by Dan Gibson. Love it. So soothing and relaxing! I love it for meditating, working, relaxing. </div>
<b><br /></b><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Baa2tGOf__0" width="420"></iframe><b><br /></b></li>
<li><b>Books of the year?</b> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
Non-Fiction: My <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/11/meditation-my-progress-and-my-thoughts.html">Qi Gong book</a> (learned a lot about traditional chinese medicine; it's a really great read)<b>, </b><a href="http://www.amazon.de/Gestatten-ICH-Die-Entdeckung-Selbstbewusstseins/dp/357906763X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356731594&sr=1-1">Gestatten ich</a> (great book about conciousness and sub-conciousness and therapy ;-)), <a href="http://www.amazon.de/Golden-Rules-Selbstcoaching-Zeitmanagement-Konzentration/dp/3941193449/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356731573&sr=1-1">Golden Rules</a> (see <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/07/book-review-golden-rules.html">my review</a>), <a href="http://www.amazon.de/30-Minuten-f%C3%BCr-effizientes-Lesen/dp/3897499363/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1356731555&sr=1-1-catcorr">30 Minuten für effizientes Lesen</a> (see <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/08/book-review-30-minuten-fur-effizientes.html">my review</a>), <a href="http://www.amazon.de/Das-professionelle-Zeitmanagement-Selbstverantwortlich-Netzwerken/dp/3589235314/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356731657&sr=1-1">Selbst- und Zeitmanagement</a> (great book on managing time, work life and personal projects), <a href="http://www.amazon.de/Gef%C3%BChle-eine-Gebrauchsanweisung-Amana-Virani/dp/3940773115/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356731752&sr=1-1">Gefühle </a>(great book on emotions), <a href="http://www.amazon.de/Der-zweite-Code-EPIGENETIK-steuern/dp/3499624400/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356731492&sr=8-1">Der zweite Code</a> (great book on epigenomics)<br />
Fiction: <a href="http://www.amazon.de/The-Corrections-Jonathan-Franzen/dp/0007232446/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356731526&sr=8-1">The Corrections</a> (see <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/08/book-review-corrections.html">my review</a>)<b>, </b><a href="http://www.amazon.de/Die-Geschichte-Herrn-Han-Roman/dp/3423244887/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1356731856&sr=8-4">The chronicle of a man named Han</a> (very thought-provoking novel about the separation of South and North Korea and the struggle of both countries with anomosities againgst each other afterwards.)<br />
Altogether I am quite happy that I managed to read 19 books in 2012. 6 of them were fiction books and the remaining 13 were non-fiction books (above I mention only the ones I liked most). </div>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>TV series of the year?</b> I watched many series in 2012. I enjoyed <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1839683/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Awake</a> a lot. But I also watched the new british <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1475582/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_1">Sherlock Holmes</a> series and loved it. I also liked <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1825133/">Smash</a> a lot, too. (See a couple of Smash songs <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/07/in-my-ears.html">here</a>) And I watched all 5 seasons of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374455/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Stargate Atlantis</a> and loved it very much. <b> </b></li>
<li><b>2012 was with one word? </b>Transforming (because I made huge changes and learned a lot)<b></b></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Altogether, 2012 was a great year for me.
Concerning sports and health, I made a huge break through. For the first
time in my life, I managed to do quite some amount of sports on a
pretty much daily basis for more than 8 months. Now, I am very happy to
be able to say that I am much healthier and much stronger than
ever and that I feel really great in my body and also look great
because I lost weight and gained muscles and definition and my posture
has improved, too. Sports has also become a very important part of my
life and I don't want to live without it anymore. In 2013, I want to
continue on this path and see what I can manage to achieve with further
perseverance. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In
2012, I also made a couple of experiments with relationships, had a
couple of disappointments and learned a lot. In the end of the year
2012, however, I changed part of my environment and I also found a
couple of great new friends who do inspire me a lot. In 2013, I want to
focus more on bringing the right people into my life and I don't want to
loose too much time anymore with persons who are limiting myself in any
kind of way. (See this related <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/11/some-great-advice-for-week.html">recent advice</a>, I try to follow in 2013.) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Besides sports and insights around relationships, I also decluttered a lot and rethought my <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/11/the-power-of-less.html">approach to minimalism</a>.
I want to walk further down that path in 2013. I also became more
organized and also changed my work environment and work habits and work
processes. It is an ongoing, iterative process but I'm sure that I'll be
able to reap the fruits of my labour in 2013. :-) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And
last but not least: Another great thing I did was to start this blog. It
is a great spare time occupation that is a lot of fun. It also allows me to practice writing and
to also practice my english (I'm german and english is not my native language) and to share my thoughts with you, dear
readers. I also made great new acquaintances and friends through
blogging. Of course I'll keep this blog in 2013. However, I might blog a bit less due to my thesis (it still isn't finished) and some major changes including a move into another country. I'll tell you more about it as soon as it is done. :-) </div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-74952189290485503752012-12-16T07:31:00.000+01:002012-12-16T08:35:28.588+01:00A closer look to my MAC order (& comparison of palettes)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here are a couple of details on my MAC order of last week (I posted a summary of all hauls recently <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/12/ive-been-hauling-again.html">here</a>). Besides showing my new MAC items, I'd like to show you the differences between the old 15 palette and the new 15 palette as the new one is available in Germany only since November (and in the US it was released in August or September). Hence, it is new and I have not found any comparison yet. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/12/ive-been-hauling-again.html">this post</a>, you can see my MAC order in the right bottom of the picture. There, the palette is still in its packaging. Have a look here at my order completely unpacked (actually even more than unpacked as I already filled the palette with my bright base eye shadows :-)): </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8213/8275902384_8f4c3a8543_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8213/8275902384_8f4c3a8543_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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Before having a look at the palette, I want to show you the two new eye shadows I pruchased from MAC. It's Copperplate and Charcoal Brown. I like them both and am happy that I bought them. They are basics allowing to do a natural base eye makeup - i.e. my favourite kind of eye makeup - and I am also quite content with the quality. </div>
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<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8078/8261878578_d364acd56f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8078/8261878578_d364acd56f_b.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And here is the new palette compared to the old one:</div>
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<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8502/8261878828_4dfcd8a28b_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8502/8261878828_4dfcd8a28b_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, you can see that it is much more sturdy than the slim and elegant old palette. I use both but have to admit that I really love the new palette. While I completely refused to use the new palettes for 4 eye shadows, MAC has taken me by surprise with the new palette for 15 eye shadows. I love that it can be used easily as a freestyle palette (but also dividers for 15 eye shadows can be bought). I also love the see-through lid that allows to see immediately what is in the palette without having to open it. In addition the lid can be opend to 180 degrees and also the magnet is very strong and does not have to be glued into the palette as with the old palettes. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The new palette might be a bit sturdy and thick but it looks very elegant and I enjoy using it very much. I definitely will purchase more of them but only in a couple of months next year in the UK as here in Germany they are very expensive, unfortunately. Much more expensive than in the UK. So, if you happen to travel to the UK soon (and live in Germany), you should consider buying these palettes (and other MAC items) in the UK rather than in Germany.<br />
<br />
Here is how my MAC palettes look in my makeup organization. Not sure whether 3 new MAC palettes piled up upon each other would fit there, too, like the old ones do:<br />
<br />
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</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-80795621357627691392012-12-11T10:03:00.000+01:002012-12-16T07:39:07.679+01:0011 things (part 2) /11 Dinge (Teil 2)I have been tagged by Fräulein Kitsch to answer the 11 things tag. As it is a quite comprehensive tag, I divided it into two parts. <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/11/11-things-part-1-11-dinge-teil-1.html">Here you can read the first part</a> where I follow the first rule of the tag and write 11 things about myself. <br />
<br />
The following rules apply to the persons that have been tagged by the 11 things tag. The parts that are done are striked (klicking on the text leads you to the corresponding post): <br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/11/11-things-part-1-11-dinge-teil-1.html"><strike>write 11 things about yourself</strike></a> (done, see <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/11/11-things-part-1-11-dinge-teil-1.html">here</a>)</li>
<li>answer the 11questions you're asked by the tagger to answer</li>
<li>devise 11 questions and tag 11 bloggers to answer them (the bloggers should have less than 200 readers if possible) </li>
<li>inform these bloggers</li>
<li>tagging backwards is not allowed</li>
</ol>
<br />
Here are my answers to the <a href="http://fraeuleinkitsch.blogspot.de/2012/11/zweiundzwanzig-dinge.html">11 questions Fräulein Kitsch has asked me</a>:<br />
<ol>
<li><b>What career aspiration did you have when you were a child? Would you still like to work in this area?</b><div style="text-align: justify;">
Actually, I only started to think about having a job when I turned 12 or 13. Before that I didn't have any kind of career aspiration. ;-) As a teenager I considered two career options and both are still somehow accompanying me. Inspired by Bonnie from the TV series Knight Rider, I wanted to do something with Artificial Intelligence and to maybe create an artificial intelligence like K.I.T. Afterwards, I became interested in psychology and considered studying psychology - but I didn't have a proper vision about what exactly I would do with it. Both areas are still relevant in my life and I think that they are very much related. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teamknightrider.com/classic/cast/mcpherson/bonnie/gallery/bonnie06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.teamknightrider.com/classic/cast/mcpherson/bonnie/gallery/bonnie06.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonnie Barstow, PhD, here with Michael Knight ;-) via <a href="http://knightrideronline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17284">1</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</li>
<li><b>What was the most embarassing thing that happened to you (and that you are willing to share)?</b> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
I really don't remember (anymore?). I often blunder but I just don't feel embarrassed about it anymore since a couple of years. Shit happens to everyone, so why should we waste our precious time with feeling ashamed? ;-) </div>
</li>
<li><b>If you were reincarnated after death: how would you be reborn? </b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't know whether I already deserve to get into the Nirwana but I'd like to go there. I'd also be fine with being reborn as a human again - but I think that this one life is enough. Maybe, however, it would be nice to be reborn as a human man. ;-) I definitely don't want to become some kind of animal or plant. This would be too boring for me as I wouldn't be able to have discussions anymore. </div>
</li>
<li><b>Is there any protagonist of a book you can identify with?</b> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
That is a difficult question because I prefer to read non fiction books. Maybe Fred "Bogus" Trumper from the Watermethod man by John Irving.</div>
</li>
<li><b>Flower bouquet or potted plant?</b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
Flower bouquet. Unfortunately, I cannot take care of plants and they die very fast when I am responsible for them. And then I feel terrible. </div>
</li>
<li><b>Do you wear sweat pants or jeans at home?</b><br />Jeans. <br /> </li>
<li><b>Have you ever got a really aweful present?</b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
Not really aweful but of course I also got a lot of crappy presents. I have decluttered them all this year. ;-)</div>
</li>
<li><b>The UK or the US? </b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
That is a difficult question again. Probably the UK because it is not far away. But the US is a great country, too. For me, the only thing that matters is that I can speak English. ;-)</div>
</li>
<li><b>If your friends had to describe you in 3 words what would they say? </b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
I just asked a friend because I wouldn't know what I'd say as a friend of mine. She said: balanced, curious and helpful. I just mention it uncommented. </div>
</li>
<li><b>White or black? </b><br />grey</li>
<li><b>Do you believe in paranormal activities?</b><br />No. </li>
</ol>
<br />
And here are my questions:<br />
<ol>
<li>How and why did you start blogging? </li>
<li>How much time a week do you invest into your blog and do you think that this is too much or not enough?</li>
<li>What do you love to do most (except for blogging :-))?</li>
<li>What do you cook when you come home after a tough day and you're very hungry? </li>
<li>Which book is your favourite book and why?</li>
<li>Do you prefer to organize or rather to search for things?</li>
<li>Do you have a pet? If yes what kind of pet (and what is its name?)? If not, would you like to have one?</li>
<li>TV-series or movie?</li>
<li>What is the task you catch yourself procrastinating most often? How do you manage to get over procrastination then?</li>
<li>Living means ... <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span></li>
<li>What is the most annoying thing with other persons for you? </li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
I ask the following bloggers and hope that they all are up to the game as I'm looking very much forward to read their answers. :-) <b><br /></b><br />
<ul>
<li><b>Sue</b> of <a href="http://happyich.blogspot.de/">http://happyich.blogspot.de/</a> </li>
<li><b>Chrissie </b>of <a href="http://foreverinlovewithshopping.blogspot.de/">http://foreverinlovewithshopping.blogspot.de/ </a></li>
<li><b>Christine</b> of <a href="http://mitten-im-winter.blogspot.de/">http://mitten-im-winter.blogspot.de/</a></li>
<li><b>Molly</b> from <a href="http://lovelife-hamburg.blogspot.de/">http://lovelife-hamburg.blogspot.de/</a></li>
<li><b>Hope</b> from <a href="http://this-is-hope.blogspot.de/">http://this-is-hope.blogspot.de/</a></li>
<li><b>Angela</b> of <a href="http://www.paperlovestory.com/">http://www.paperlovestory.com</a></li>
<li><b>Millie </b>of <a href="http://mslogica.com/">http://mslogica.com/ </a></li>
<li><b>Eternal*Voyager</b> from <a href="http://www.venusianglow.com/">http://www.venusianglow.com/</a></li>
<li><b>The blogger </b>of <a href="http://soleildanslecoeur.blogspot.de/">http://soleildanslecoeur.blogspot.de</a><a href="http://soleildanslecoeur.blogspot.de/"> </a></li>
<li><b>The blogger</b> of <a href="http://www.fashionseine.blogspot.de/">http://www.fashionseine.blogspot.de/</a></li>
<li><b>The blogger</b> of <a href="http://solosogno.blogspot.de/">http://solosogno.blogspot.de</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ol></ol>
<a name='more'></a><b>========================================================================</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Ich wurde von Fräulein Kitsch mit dem 11 Dinge Tag getaggt. Da dieser Tag sehr umfangreich ist, habe ich ihn auf zwei Posts aufgeteilt. <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/11/11-things-part-1-11-dinge-teil-1.html">Hier könnt ihr den ersten Teil lesen</a>, wo ich gemäß der ersten Regel des Tags 11 Dinge über mich selbst schreibe.<br />
<br />
Die folgenden Regeln müssen befolgt werden, wenn man mit dem 11-Dinge-Tag getaggt worden ist. Was ich schon erledigt habe, habe ich durchgestrichen (Draufklicken führt zum entsprechenden Post):<br />
<ol>
<li><strike><a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/11/11-things-part-1-11-dinge-teil-1.html">Schreibe 11 Dinge über Dich selbst</a> </strike></li>
<li>Beantworte die 11 Fragen, die der Tagger Dir gestellt hat</li>
<li>Denk Dir selbst 11 Fragen aus, die Du den Bloggern, die du vorhast zu taggen, stellen möchtest</li>
<li>Dann suche dir 11 Blogger aus, die unter 200 Folllower haben, und tagge sie. </li>
<li>Erzähle es den glücklichen Bloggern. </li>
<li>Zurück-Taggen ist nicht erlaubt. answer the 11questions you're asked by the tagger to answer</li>
</ol>
<br />
Hier sind meine 11 Antworten zu den <a href="http://fraeuleinkitsch.blogspot.de/2012/11/zweiundzwanzig-dinge.html">11 Fragen, die Fräulein Kitsch mir gestellt hat</a>: <br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Welchen Berufswunsch hattest Du als Kind? Würdest Du den Beruf heute noch gerne ausüben? </b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teamknightrider.com/classic/cast/mcpherson/bonnie/gallery/bonnie06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.teamknightrider.com/classic/cast/mcpherson/bonnie/gallery/bonnie06.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Bonnie Barstow hier mit Michael Knight ;-); via <a href="http://knightrideronline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17284">1</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ich habe mir erst so ab etwa 12/13 Jahren wirklich Gedanken zu einem möglichen Berufswunsch gemacht. Vorher hatte ich keinerlei beruflichen Ambitionen. ;-) Als Teenager hatte ich zwei Berufswünsche zu Bereichen, die mich im Grunde nach wie vor begleiten. Zuerst wollte ich - inspiriert durch Bonnie aus der TV-Serie Knight Rider (siehe das verlinkte Bild ;-)) - etwas mit Robotik und künstlicher Intelligenz machen und evtl. eine künstliche Intelligenz wie K.I.T erschaffen. Danach begann ich mich für Psychologie zu interessieren und habe überlegt, Psychologie zu studieren, allerdings ohne konkreten Berufswunsch. Beides ist nach wie sehr wichtig in meinem Leben und passt auch ganz gut zusammen. </div>
</li>
<li><b>Was ist das Peinlichste, was Dir jemals passiert ist (und das Du mit uns teilen möchtest)?</b><br />Hmmm, ich weiss es ehrlich nicht (mehr?). Ich trete eigentlich oft und gerne in Fettnäpfchen, aber da mir seit einigen Jahren grundsätzlich gar nichts mehr peinlich ist, vergesse ich sowas immer recht schnell wieder. "Shit happens to everyone", warum also seine Zeit mit nutzlosem Schämen vergeuden. ;-) </li>
<li><b>Wenn man nach dem Tod reinkarnieren würde, als was würdest du wohl wiedergeboren? </b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
Keine Ahnung, ob ich mir das Nirwana schon verdient habe, aber da würde ich gerne hin. Oder nochmal Mensch sein - wobei, ich glaube dieses eine Leben reicht mir eigentlich. ;-) Vielleicht wäre es aber auch ganz nett, als Mann wiedergeboren zu werden. Irgendwelche Tiere oder Pflanzen will ich auf ke<span style="font-family: inherit;">inen </span>Fall sein. Das wäre mir einfach zu langweilig. Ich könnte mit niemandem diskutieren und Fragen stellen. ;-) </div>
</li>
<li><b>Gibt es einen Protagonisten aus einem Buch, mit dem Du Dich gut identifizieren kannst? </b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
Das is<span style="font-family: inherit;">t schwierig, weil ich am liebsten Sachbücher lese und daher nur selten zu einem Roman greife. Vielleicht Fred "Bogus" Trumper aus der wilden Geschichte vom Wassertrinker von John Irving. </span></div>
</li>
<li><b>Blumenstrauß oder Topfpflanze?</b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
Blumenstrauss. Topfpflanzen gehen bei mir leider immer total schnell ein und dann habe ich ein schlechtes Gewissen. </div>
</li>
<li><b>Jogginghose oder Jeans zu Hause?</b><br />Jeans</li>
<li><b>Hast Du schon mal was richtig Scheußliches geschenkt bekommen?</b><br />Richtig scheusslich nicht, aber ich hab schon auch eine Menge Mist bekommen. Habe ich dieses Jahr alles ausgemistet. ;-)</li>
<li><b>England oder USA?</b><br />Schwierig. Wahrscheinlich England, weil es näher ist. Aber die USA ist auch cool. Hauptsache man spricht englisch! ;-)</li>
<li><b>Wenn Deine Freunde Dich in drei Worten beschreiben würden, was würden sie wohl sagen? </b><div style="text-align: justify;">
Ich habe gerade eine Freundin gefragt, weil ich sonst nicht wüsste, was ich schreiben soll. Ausgeglichen, neugierig und hilfsbereit hat sie gesagt. Das lasse ich jetzt einfach mal so stehen. ;-) </div>
</li>
<li><b>Weiß oder Schwarz?</b><br />Grau. </li>
<li><b>Glaubst Du an paranormale Aktivitäten?</b><br />Nein. </li>
</ol>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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Und nun meine Fragen:<br />
<ol>
<li>Wie bist Du zum Bloggen gekommen? </li>
<li>Wie viel Zeit die Woche investierst Du in Deinen Blog und ist Dir das zu viel/zu wenig? </li>
<li>Was ist Deine Lieblingsbeschäftigung (abgesehen vom Bloggen ;-))? </li>
<li>Was kochst du, wenn du abends nach einem harten Tag nach Hause kommst und großen Hunger hast? </li>
<li>Welches ist Dein Lieblingsbuch und warum? </li>
<li>Aufräumen oder lieber suchen?</li>
<li>Hast Du ein Haustier? Wenn ja, was für eines (und wie heisst es ;-))? Wenn nein, wünschst Du Dir eins? </li>
<li>Serie oder Film?</li>
<li>Bei was prokrastinierst Du am meisten? Wie schaffst Du es, Deine Prokrastination dann doch noch zu überwinden? </li>
<li>Leben heißt... </li>
<li>Was nervt Dich am meisten an anderen Menschen?</li>
</ol>
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Ich frage die folgenden Bloggerinnen (ich glaube, sie sind alle weiblich :-)) und hoffe, dass sie alle Lust darauf haben mitzumachen, weil ich sehr gerne ihre Antworten lesen würde. :-) <br />
<ul>
<li><b>Sue</b> von <a href="http://happyich.blogspot.de/">http://happyich.blogspot.de/</a> </li>
<li><b>Chrissie </b>von <a href="http://foreverinlovewithshopping.blogspot.de/">http://foreverinlovewithshopping.blogspot.de/ </a></li>
<li><b>Christine</b> von <a href="http://mitten-im-winter.blogspot.de/">http://mitten-im-winter.blogspot.de/</a></li>
<li><b>Molly</b> von <a href="http://lovelife-hamburg.blogspot.de/">http://lovelife-hamburg.blogspot.de/</a></li>
<li><b>Hope</b> von <a href="http://this-is-hope.blogspot.de/">http://this-is-hope.blogspot.de/</a></li>
<li><b>Angela</b> von <a href="http://www.paperlovestory.com/">http://www.paperlovestory.com</a></li>
<li><b>Millie </b>von <a href="http://mslogica.com/">http://mslogica.com/ </a></li>
<li><b>Eternal*Voyager</b> von <a href="http://www.venusianglow.com/">http://www.venusianglow.com/</a></li>
<li><b>Die Bloggerin </b>von <a href="http://soleildanslecoeur.blogspot.de/">http://soleildanslecoeur.blogspot.de</a><a href="http://soleildanslecoeur.blogspot.de/"> </a></li>
<li><b>Die Bloggerin</b> von <a href="http://www.fashionseine.blogspot.de/">http://www.fashionseine.blogspot.de/</a></li>
<li><b>Die Bloggerin</b> von <a href="http://solosogno.blogspot.de/">http://solosogno.blogspot.de</a></li>
</ul>
<ol>
</ol>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-8428046209735423772012-12-10T07:00:00.000+01:002012-12-16T17:04:23.850+01:00Motivation for the week: Find your greatness!<div style="text-align: justify;">
The beginning is the hardest and the difficult small steps in the beginning count too - maybe they even count the most. :-)</div>
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I love these Nike ads. They really push my buttons. How do you like them? Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-69431248671538263402012-12-07T16:03:00.001+01:002012-12-10T09:34:21.898+01:00I've been hauling again<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's a bit funny and maybe I should also feel a bit embarassed to show you my huge haul right after having published <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/11/the-power-of-less.html">my post where I rave about minimalism</a> and admit that I'm hooked on minimalism. But I am not embarassed at all. Life is as it is and you gotta make exceptions! ;-)</div>
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So, this week was an exception of my general path towards minimalism and sacrifice. (I'm just kidding ;-) - of course this is no sacrifice.) Here are my hauls of the first December days:</div>
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<li>As I was running out of hair dye I purchased hair dye by Khadi and a thermometer for mixing and applying it properly. The other things were just presents by the <a href="http://www.indien-produkte.de/">online shop I ordered with</a>. (Thank you very much and huge compliments: the order arrived within 2 days.)</li>
<li>I also had to try a batiste dry shampoo that everyone is raving about and while ordering two of them I also ended up buying another blush by NYX with Douglas (but hey, I just decluttered 5 of them and this colour is really great ;-)). Besides I also purchased an eyebrow liner by NYX and a newly released Lavera shower gel. </li>
<li>In my favourite DM I stumbled upon the newly released Alverde Perfect Basics Limited edition and had to purchase an eyeliner brush, a really impressive matte bronzer and a highlighter as well as 2 mascaras (black and dark blue), 2 amazing lip sticks and an eyeliner. </li>
<li>As I am constantly <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/12/beauty-favourites-november.html">raving about the Sephora angled IT brush for eyeliners</a>, I had to order a second one and - of course as I don't order that often with Sephora - I had to buy a couple of additional things. Amongst others I bought 2 other great brushes by Sephora and a couple of other really great Sephora products like a set of 3 bags, a micellar water and cotton pads. The other items were samples that I didn't order. </li>
<li>In my favourite local book store, I bought a couple of Yankee candle samplers and a chai tea powder which I adore. This yields the best chai ever. </li>
<li>Also, as here in Germany the new MAC 15 palettes have been released - finally, everyone else seems to have them already -, I had to order one. And of course I also ordered 2 eye shadow refills: Copperplate and Charcoal Brown. Love them. And I also love the new 15-Palettes by MAC. They look sophisticated and beautiful. I'll dedicate a post to them soon. </li>
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Love my new items. The remaining days of December will be ruled by minimalism and sacrifice. I swear. ;-) </div>
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Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-25889378903124706702012-12-07T10:45:00.001+01:002012-12-07T13:11:41.599+01:00Taking notes with Dixi<div style="text-align: justify;">
In my quest to become more organized I am experimenting with different kinds of organization tools. An example of such kind of an organization tool is a notebook. Plain and old style and non digital. I keep notes digitally, too, but for quick and dirty note taking, I prefer a classic notebook based on paper. In this post I want to show you my most elegant tool for taking notes. It might not be the most practical one but there is no doubt that it is a very useful and very elegant one. <br />
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Have a look at my Dixi refillable notebook in black leather by the swedish company <a href="http://www.ordning-reda.com/">Ordning & Reda</a>. I love it and currently, I use it all the time. This is how it looks:</div>
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Here is a closer look to the features of the Dixi refillable notebook:<br />
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This is how I use it at the moment: I just put my lists in the side pockets. Currently, I am experimenting with three lists: one is my todo list (with an extra mark indicating the most important tasks that I really want to work on during the day and want to dedicate my full attention - not all tasks that have to be done are also important let alone most important ;-)), one is my shopping list (I keep it all the time with me and update it when required - it's a habit, once ingrained it works reliably) and one is my plan for the day. Keeping them in my notebook prevents me from loosing them. This is an easy but really good way to keep my lists up to date and stay organized. (With the papers in the side pocket, it doesn't look that elegant anymore but it's functional. ;-))</div>
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Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770743906108542695.post-72736802335398019612012-12-03T11:31:00.000+01:002012-12-03T12:14:44.447+01:00Beauty Favourites November<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In November, I had a lot of beauty favourites. My face care consisted of only great products. And after having used up all those unloved Bodyshop body butters, I started to treat myself with a great body butter by Soap & Glory and there were also a lot of other great products I enjoyed using in November. Have a look for yourself: </div>
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Below, I briefly discuss the products shown above.<br />
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I start with the face care products:<br />
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Currently I am using up my Weleda wild rose face creams (day & night) because their date of expiry was in September/October. But they are still good. ;-) I keep coming back to this wonderful face care series often. Especially in autumn/spring and warm winter it is just about perfect. It is a bit perfumed. My boyfriend sometimes complains about the scent, but I love it. And now that they are nearly gone, I know that I'll repurchase them. Just love them and you should see my skin at the moment. It looks so great thanks to these face creams.</div>
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Furthermore, I use the Louis Widmer eye cream. It is an eye cream agains wrinkles. I didn't know that because it is not written on the product (<a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/08/presents-and-new-stuff.html">my mom gave it to me without the packaging</a>). It is a bit greasy, so I use it only over night. As it is written on the web page of Louis Widmer, this is exactly how it should be used, i.e. in the evening. As night cream it is wonderful. Love it. In the morning the area around my eyes looks great. As day cream for the skin around the eyes, I use the Nonique Anti Aging eye cream which I already raved about in other posts. </div>
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As mentioned above, end of November I started to use the daily smooth body butter by Soap & Glory and I love the scent. It also is very nurturing without being greasy. Great body butter indeed. </div>
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My favourite complexion products of November were my cream blush by Yves Saint Laurent and the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl. While the Becca Shimmering Perfector is the most subtle and therefore the most elegant and the most natural looking shimmering product I ever came across, the cream blush by YSL is wonderfully blendable and a very natural and nice colour. Both products stay the whole day and help me to look very sophisticated and beautiful and they can also create a no make up make up look if desired. They are just lovely and wonderful products and I'm glad that I found them. </div>
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As makeup for the eyes, I enjoyed using the MaxFactor 2000 Calories Mascara with the curved brush. It is a rather new mascara and I have to see whether I'll keep liking it after a couple of months but the first impression is very good. And I used the Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner in Espresso Ink with the I.T. slanted eyeliner brush by Sephora. I adore the Bobbi Brown gel eyeliners. In my opion they are the best ones available on the market. And I also love the slanted eyeliner brush by Sephora. I just ordered a second one because I enjoy using to so much that I thought I'd need a second one. ;-)</div>
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For the lips, I currently am in love with the Clarins Eclat Minute Embellisseur levres in 2 (rose) and the Yves Saint Laurent glossy stain in number 5 (Rouge Vintage). The Clarins lip product is a gloss and kind of a lip care at once. It tastes wonderful and it nurtures the lips. There is no real colour on my lips aftrr applying it. The lips are just a bit glossy. Love this product! And the YSL glossy stain in Rouge Vintage is a wonderful product as well. It is a bit drying but it stays on my lips for 4 hours without fading. And the colour Rouge Vintage is a wonderful 40's shade. Very elegant red, not too bright red, but still red and rather the vintage style. It looks gorgeous on me as I am a summer and I'd recommend anyone who is a summer in the skin colour categories to try it, too. ;-)<br />
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On the nails, I enjoyed wearing Astor Quick'n'Go in 343. This is also kind of a vintage red and it looks great with the aforementioned YSL glossy stain in Vintage red. I still don't understand how I was considering to toss this wonderful nail polish in October (see it mentioned in my <a href="http://structuredandcolourful.blogspot.de/2012/10/beauty-empties-october.html">October empties post</a> - I reconsidered tossing it in the last minute after trying it on and falling in love again instantly. See it <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8194/8128862317_586f247ebe.jpg">here again on me</a>).</div>
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I also enjoyed using the Artdeco nail repair treatment stick. This a very greasy product that does not sink in quickly but it's the perfect care for the skin around the nails and the nails. It nurtures everything it is applied on very strongly. It's my rescue kit when my nails and the skin around my nails are very dry (and I mean very, very dry - this happens often with my nails and the skin around my nails, unfortunately). </div>
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And last but not least, I discovered a new love for scented candles and this one is overwhelmingly great. It smelles like a fireplace and I am absolutely in love with this one. </div>
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<br />Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326091650723661343noreply@blogger.com0