London Haul 2 | Boots, Forever 21, Selfridges, H&M

                                

When I went to London in June, I spent as much money as I could in the four days that I stayed there. Last time, I did have a budget. I wasn't able to go in to a Boots store last time, strangely one of the things I wanted if I ever went there again. I did have a bit of a splurge there, but in my defence, they were all on my list! I went in prepared: THE frist night we wen tot à little Boots store near St. Pauls Church, and I got their Christmas special. It took me a couple of nights to make a list of what I wanted. On the last day, we went to Picadilly Circus, what we thought was a big
 Also, I went to my favourite clothing store in the world: Forever21. Last stop (where I actually bought something) was Selfridges.

Soap and Glory had a 2+1 promotion! There was another 2+1 promotion on all Christmas-selected products. I have heard a lot of positive things about Soap and Glory, so I wanted to make sure I bought some and see for myself! They don't sell it in the Boots stores here, and it was actually pretty hard to decide what products I wanted to try. I love body scrubs, so the Sugar Crush was the first pick. I like the smell a lot, which is why I chose the normal sized pot. And who doesn't love hand cream?

Another beauty product that is not available in The Netherlands yet, lip crayons! (Yes, they are available now. When I went to London the only ones were from Clinique, and I was not willing to pay over 30 euro for it) The Ted Baker crayons were boxed in the sweetest tin!!
The lip crayons from Ted Baker are a little bit glossier then the crayons from Seventeen, but the Seventeen crayons seem to have a higher pigmentation... Hmm.. (I will be doing a blog post on both soon!)

Next thing I picket up are clear elastics. Like all of the above products, no where to be found here... There is not a lot to say about this. Only that they are very easy to use, and I am able to wrap them around my hair 3 times. They are very strong and I love wearing them!

Tangle Teezer!!! I love it. I was never able to comb my hair after a shower (with 10 minutes left to get ready before I had to leave). This is another product I have seen a lot of people raving about, and I just needed to try it myself :)

On the first day, we went to Forever 21. 'In case you need some time to think about it' my mom said. She knows me better than I know myself, and she was right. MOVING ON! haha.

I should iron my clothes before snapping pictures...

I didn't go all out this time, but I did pick up the most comfy things! Sitting at home means I was staying in my PJ's a lot, and it got a bit boring. I don't own a one piece, so I mostly chill in my Pooh bottoms and H&M sweatshirt. The shirt is slightly oversized, and a bit shorter than normal on the bottom :) The legging in the warmestest thing I have ever worn, and I finally own a patterned legging. (White girl much?)

I bought this H&M necklace at Selfridges ;)  It's a short necklace, great to wear with a collared shirt! It's not really heavy and I like that it has different parts. The parts are being held together with small silver rings, making it more comfortable to wear (and less easy to snap into pieces).

Hope you liked it! I am really sorry for not posting it on Friday, my cousin was staying here for the weekend and I was helping my mum with getting the floor done in the garage.

Love, Danielle

Out and About | Go to outfit

Happy Friday everyone!!

The temperatures have been reaching a new low in Europe: dropping to a negative at night. So I've put together my 'go to' outfit for when I leave the comfort of my warm house. Hope you enjoy!

I am wearing:

Coat - C&A Clockhouse (old)

Headband - Pieces by ONLY (€ 9,95)

Scarf - H&M (€ 9,95)

Legging - Primark (last year's collection)

Shoes - UGG Australia (old)

What is your go to outfit? 

Love, Danielle

PS. I am going to be posting a new post every day till Christmas to (hopefully) inspire you last minute! Keep a look out on Bloglovin'. 

Happy Halloween !!!

Hope everyone celebrating has a great time!

What are you doing this year? Costumes or carving a pumpkin?

Love, Danielle

Summer 2013 | Holiday

This summer vacation was one of many firsts. First new thing: I was not only going to France to stay with my friend and her parents for a week, I was going there by myself. By train. My parents said goodbye to me in Brussels, Belgium, and as my train left the station, I was on my own for the next four hours.
After being lost in my book for most of the train journey, Louise and her parents were waiting for me in Lyon and picked me up.

The first day was clouded, to say the least. It was raining, and thunder and lightning strikes filled the sky. (At one point that night, Louise, her dad and I were lined up outside trying to capture some of the weather)
The next day the sun was out, but had a hard time shining through the clouds. We packed up and spent the day in the car, driving to Aubres, where we would be staying for three nights.
After three nights of relaxing by the river and listening to the sound of crickets, we drove further south to our final campsite in France. We headed to the beach close to Nice, and spent the day there. After two nights spent on the most 'nature oriented' campsite I've ever been, Louise and I packed our stuff and broke down our tent. Our week in France was over, and before we knew it we were driving to Ventemiglia, Italy to get on the train that would eventually bring us in Pisa.

Italy was where we would be spending our second and last week of vacation, on a big campsite (it was almost a complete village) with my parents.
After arriving in Pisa, we had to drive for another 2 hours before we arrived at the campsite. The first few days were spent by the 5 pools (!!!) because of the extreme temperature. On Tuesday we woke up early and got our tourist on, by going to Pisa. Of course, the most touristy pictures were taken by the tower. In the afternoon we drove to Lucca, and visited some churches. The rest of the week we went to the beach and to a market a couple villages away. Before we knew it, the second week was almost over and it was time to pack our bags again.
On Friday, my parents drove us to Pisa Airport, and vacation came to an end.

I've had the best two weeks away from home, and learned a lot!

Love, Danielle

What's in my bag? | Holiday Edition

I want to start doing more tags on my blog, starting today!

Let's start of with my bag :) I bought a new one for this holiday since I will be going on and off trains a lot. This is the second backpack I own, I am more of a one-shoulder person. (I did read this can affect your back and posture, so I am trying to us this one more. 

It's by Dakine, and hold 15L. 

The next things in my bag are magazines, a book and a notebook. This is not only for when I am on the train, but also for when on holiday and for the flight back home. I always take a notebook with me, just in case or if I need to write down something. (Or make lists, LOVE doing that) I don't really take a lot with me when it comes to reading, because we always do a lot during the day, so it's nice to be able to relax when you're home. 

Another thing I enjoy, food :D There is not really a lot to say about food, besides that you need to eat and on a four hour train journey, you may need a lot! My train is leaving around lunchtime, so I will be making lunch and taking  it with me. A bottle of water, and some mints are always in my bag, no matter where I go. I have been trying to drink more water, and with a 0,75ML bottle it makes it a bit easier. (you don't have to refill it so much)

 Lastly, a pocket mirror, my glasses, a few pens, my ID and Health Service Card, tissues and a little make-up bag filled with mascara, consealer, eye lash curler, chaptstick, hair grips and hair bands.

Packing Tips

When packing my bags for summer holiday, which I tend to do weeks before actually leaving, I always over-pack. This summer, for a change, there is no option for me to over-pack... I will be going on the train from Brussels to Lyon, carrying my own bags, and will be spending my first week camping with my friend and her parents. After camping my friend and I are taking a train to Italy to spent a week there with my parents. After a pizza eating filled week, we will be flying back home, AKA: checking in luggage and all.
As I am starting my vacation solo, there is no possibility for me to over-pack.

SO: Google became my best friend last week and helped me (along with the book 'Style' by Lauren Conrad) to make a check list of the things I would be needing. And most importantly, what not. 

I decided to share my favourite tips with you and add a little bit of my own experiences as we go :)

Tip #1: Roll up your clothing
This will not only save space, it also leaves your clothing less wrinkly. Beware: this tip does take some practice. I have tried rolling my clothes for this summer holiday, but I have found it to be very frustrating because not all clothes are fit for rolling. I recommend trying it a few times before actually having to pack to see if it works for you. Another tip: Roll your clothes separately. (I first rolled up all my tops as one big roll, I found this to be a, let's say, not so useful way to try and keep my bag organized.)

Not this way, but roll up each shirt on it's own. (This will save you more space and will help with keeping your bag organized.)

Tip #2: Create your outfits before leaving.
This way, you will not pack things you will not be able to wear and will show that you can make a lot of different outfits with a few basic pieces. I read that taking pictures of the outfits also helps because you can check if you have used all the items you plan on taking with you. If you didn't, and you are happy with the outfits that you've created, you can leave the other things behind.

Like so. You can also wear the outfit and take a picture of it. 

Tip #3: A zip-lock bag around your washcloth

Putting a zip-lock bag around towels or your washcloth is to protect the other clothes or products that you carry around in the same bag. You might have a afternoon-flight, but want to wash your wash after you wake up. The washcloth takes time to dry, but by putting it in a zip-lock, it keeps the water in there and will not spill on your other clothes. Using a normal plastic bag can lead to leaking. You can also use disposable cloths, but I find my skin getting red and irritated when I do.

The bag prevents leaking water on other clothes you carry in the same compartment.

Tip #4: Hair grips on the package
I never thought off keeping the packaging of new products. Until I needed a box to put my make-up in for when I was travelling, and I had just bought a new cream. I used the box to store my make-up, and still use it today! I keep the 'package' of my hair grips because it prevents me from losing my hair grips (I still lose them, but not in a few weeks time). I find this easy to use to put in my handbag or my make-up bag, because it doesn't take up much space and you still get to take all your hair grips with you. And most importantly: It prevents the grips from getting lost in your bag.


Tip #5: Take a few 'summer' nail polishes with you
I am a big believer of completing an outfit with nail polish. If I have the time, I change my nail polish every day or every other day. This summer, I wanted to get a lot of pastels, but couldn't find the right colours... I did pick up the blue one (pictured below). Other than two pastel colours (purple and blue) I always take one neutral color with me (in this case, white) and a bright one (pink).  For my toes I use a dark blue with a light shimmer. It lasts me all summer, so I put it on the day before I leave and don't take it with me. IF it does chip, I take it off and leave my nails or put on the neutral colour.

Sephora Pink #19 - W.I.C by Herome #149 Rabat - Essie #1 Blanc - Maybelline Color Show #651 Cool Blue

Tip #6: Put big packaged products together. Do the same with small products.
I always lose my mascara when I put it in the same bag as my body lotion. I put my hair products, make-up removers, body lotions and scrubs in a big bag. Then use another, smaller bag for my make-up products like mascara and concealer (I put my hairgrips in this bag as well). I spent less time searching through my bags and more time enjoying the sun!! I also put my bigger bag in my normal bag, and my smaller one in my handbag.

Tip #7: Empty toilet rolls for chargers
My bag has no side pockets, so I have no 'special' place to stall my chargers. I was scrolling trough Pintrest when I saw this as a storage idea. Of course, the rolls on Pintrest were pretty and creative, mine are not. You roll up your charger and pull it trough the roll. Your wire will not knot itself, and you can even use your charger when it's still rolled in the toilet roll.

If you have all black wires, you can use a black water proof maker to write down what the charger is for. 

Tip #8: If you are taking your 'professional' camera with you, pack all belongings together.
I am only taking my Lumix camera with me this year. I also have a smaller Fujifilm camera, but the pictures are becoming blurry and it's running out of battery really fast... As I got this for my birthday/graduation, I got accessories, a second lens and super charger (it charges twice as fast, if we must believe the packaging). I have put all my camera belongings together in my camera bag, honestly, because I am too scared to lose anything! If you do have a special bag, I recommend taking full advantage because you have all your camera-stuff together!

Hope you enjoyed the tips! I found them via Pintrest on 'Her Packing List' the have loads of pins and boards for traveling :)
Credit: http://travelfashiongirl.com/60-travel-packing-tips-from-the-experts/

Love, Danielle