Beauty junkie heaven



OUTER BEAUTY
This is a favourite. COW is one of the best makeup stores in Stockholm. COW has many great brands like Laura Mercier (the Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20 is gorgeous...), Philosophy with all their great products with the cute names like bestseller "hope in a jar" (I believe it:), St Tropez bronzing, Etro perfumes and many more. COW has lots of regular clients, spending a long time in here. I know why. The staff here are always extremely nice and helpful, whatever your concerns might be. This is an important factor when it comes to buying makeup. And you can take all time in the world. They won´t look at you as if you´re indecisive. They will treat you like you are a beauty junkie. Which you probably are. If you´re not in Stockholm you can always click away on the onlineshop.

{Images 1-2 my own, 3-4 via COW}

A chill out spot

OUTER BEAUTY
This season is perfect for having the living room outside, if the weather is ok with that:) This roof is a great alternative to get some warmth and just a little sun, but you are still in the shadow. And the sofa, it´s long enough to lie down for a power nap...

Enjoy your weekend!

{Image from Pinterest/Frenchbydesign}

I can´t wait!

INNER/OUTER BEAUTY

Some lucky people have fabulous jobs, going on "inspiration trips", to amazing hotels in great metropoles. I don´t. For the moment I am at home taking care of our baby son (a job that I love doing though), and blogging. Sometimes I do wish I had this fab job with an upcoming "inspiration trip" (with three young kids, who doesn´t dream of that some days...?) So I decided that this upcoming family trip to New York is going to be "my own little fabulous inspiration trip". As inspiration for both inner and outer beauty, to bring back home.

There are new pre scheduled posts every day here at the blog, and of course I will post extra inspiration from NY, so don´t forget to look in. Take care!

HAPPY Friday!

{Images 1-2. from Goin´Coastal 3. via Pinterest further source unknown}

Creative Visualization - part 2

INNER BEAUTY
So, now it is time for the basic steps for effective creative visualization, based on Shakti Gawains bestselling book. (Here are the intro and first part if you missed them.)

1. Set your goal
Decide on something you would like to have or create. In the beginning, choose goals that are fairly easy to believe in, that you feel possible to realize in the near future. That way you don´t have to deal with the negative resistance in yourself, and instead maximize the feelings of success as you go along with the process.

2. Create a clear idea or picture
Think of it in the present tense, as already existing. Be as specific with details as possible.

3. Focus on it often
Bring the idea or mental image to mind often. In this way it naturally becomes an integrated part of your life. Focus on it clearly, yet in a light, relaxed way. Don´t strive too hard, that tends to hinder rather than speed up.

4. Give it positive energy
Make strong positive statements to yourself; that it already exists, that it has come or is now coming to you. Create a mental picture when you receive it. These statements are called affirmations, and are one of the most important elements of creative visualization. An affirmation is a strong, positive statement that something is already so. Practice affirmations in the present tense, not the future. Say; "I now have a wonderful job" rather than "I will get a wonderful job."

Continue to work on the process until you achieve your goal, or no longer have desire to do so. Goals often change before they are realized, it is part of the human process.

When you achieve a goal, it is important to acknowledge to yourself that it has been completed. Often we achieve things that we have been visualizing and desiring and forget to even notice that we have succeeded. Give yourself some appreciation and be thankful for the fulfilling of your requests.

Good luck!

The tranquillity of the moment

INNER BEAUTY
This is me by the pool, reading a very interesting book. Of course it´s not me, I would never wear that hat:) Anyway, isn´t this picture just divine? You can really feel the tranquillity, and it reminds me of how important it is to have some silence in a busy life, and to unplug, as hard as it seems. This would make a great silent spot; beautiful,  a lot of green, some glamour but though secluded.

{Image from musicteaandcandles.tumblr.com}

A short lived beauty

OUTER BEAUTY
Is there anything more springlike than cherry blossom? It´s almost sad to see it bloom so quickly though. According to Wikipedia the short blooming and the intense beauty of the cherry tree is a symbol and reminder of the short lifetime we actually have. In Japan, during the days of blooming, called Hanami, people gather under cherry trees to have picknicks. The last image here is taken by me yesterday. Some lucky people a couple of streets away...I have to pass there, every year.


{Images: 1 pinterest unknown, 2 pinterest via soupaddict.com 3:sparklesandpretending.tumblr.com 4. by me}

Get your priorites straight!

INNER BEAUTY
Many years ago (when I really needed it) I read the highly acclaimed book "Take time for your life" by Cheryl Richardson, who is a hugely successful American work-life balance coach. I think the names of her chapters in that book very much sum up some important questions that we all shall ask us sometimes in life. I think what´s draining you and what´s fueling you are extra important to ask oneself from time to time, since it probably also changes more often in life. So, what about you?

Among the sky scrapes

OUTER BEAUTY

The New York theme goes on...Welcome home to fashion designer Donna Karans New York penthouse. This fabulous and minimalistic home is featured in the all time favourite coffe table book by VOUGE. Notice how the city sort of surround the apartment. Imagine sitting there with a glass of red wine, or a cup of tea at night, just watching the busy city. Un-be-lievable.

{Poor photos by myself from my coffee table book}

A favourite colour

OUTER BEAUTY

This colour is just sooo great. It is calm, beautiful, stylish and timeless. And it goes very well with the carrera marble. A modern yet timeless kitchen for this Swedish apartment for a family of five.

{Image from Elle Interiör via trendenser.se}

From this months magazine pile...

OUTER BEAUTY
The famous girl we all want to be friends with, Jennifer Aniston, gives her beauty tip in the May issue of InStyle (UK). Jennifer uses Dr.Hauschka Rose Day Cream, "a rich, luxurious daily moisturizer", and mixes it with sunblock for year-round protection. This cream is best suited for dry, sensitive or mature skin, according to Dr. Hauschka. It has Avocado oil (then it simply must be good!) and extracts of rose petal in it. Actually 30 rose flowers goes into every tube of this cream, loved by many more than Jennifer. Have to try this out. If it´s good enough for Jen...

{Image from Dr.Hauschka}

This is art

OUTER BEAUTY
I´m obsessed with stucco. It is so gorgeous and subtile, yet bringing so much life and history to a home. This is, of course, not my home. Earlier, (pre kids that is) we lived in the city in an apartment with stucco. I loved that ceiling every day. Until we end up in an apartment again, where stucco is a must, I keep ooohing and ahhing over images like this. Think that somebody actually created this. That is art. Almost magic.

{Image from lifeofpolarnper, photographer unknown}

INNER BEAUTY

Have a great Sunday!

{Image from Pinterest}



A clutch of gold

OUTER BEAUTY
The smashing Pippa, sister of the royal Kate Middleton, seen off to a party with the perfect little gold clutch. Less is more. The clutch is from British Wilbur & Gussie. This is such a timeless model and piece, a keeper for many years. Hmmm...might have to invest in that one...

{Images from Pingoose.com}

Those shoes...

OUTER BEAUTY
I wish these shoes were mine. There just waiting to have a fun evening. It´s simply not possible to have a boring time in these. Oh well, what´s a royal ball? I´ll have to grab some of my old ones for tonights dinner party.

BON Weekend

{Image from stylemepretty.com}

A spectacular rooftop living

OUTER BEAUTY

Not only is this rooftop apartment spectacular as it is, it is also located in the tiny but oh-so-glamorous city of Monte Carlo, in Monaco on the French Côte d'azur. So the weather is set to be awesome, too. This home is featured in the latest issue of Architechtural Digest were you can see more images and read the whole story. The apartments conservatory, (not that common in the middle of a busy city...) is just amazing. I have no problem at all seeing myself entertaining there...

{Images with permisson from Architechtural Digest. Photographer: Simon Watson.

Monaco city images via Pinterest (further source unknown) and Monaco by night via Pinterest Citypictures.org}

Most important makeup thing?

OUTER BEAUTY
Could it be the concealer...? For me it is (three kids later and a busy life, I haven´t slept really well in like eight years, like many moms:). The first time I tried a concealer was rather late, after my first child. The response I got from my girlfriends at lunch the same day was enough for me to realise that 1) why haven´t I used this before and 2) note to self; never, ever, step out of the door again without concealer. This resulted in testing a lot of concealers over the coming years. Did you know there is a YSL Touche Eclat sold every 60 second worldwide? But for me, Touche Eclat brought me eczema under the eyes, being too dry in its formula (worth mentioning; after cortisone from my doctor that didn´t cure the eczema, I turned to Estée Lauders Advanced night repair for the eyes. In five days the eczema were gone. And have never returned. I still use it.) Recently Emily at the wildly popular blog Cupcakes and Cashmere had her makeup done by Tom Pecheaux at Estée Lauder. He told her to use concealer sparingly (you can watch the short film here). I think he might have a point (ok, yes, he´s a pro:). I learned from a welltrained beautician at Harrods in London two years ago that I was actually more in need of "light and illuminating" than covering. Have you sorted out what´s your need? For me the best product for that illuminating thing is Estée Lauders Ideal Light brush-on Illuminator. It does the trick. I love it. And I am not alone.

(And this is not an ad for the company mentioned enough already, I just happen to use these products:)

{Image from Estée Lauder}