The Monday Pep Talk | 12 things HAPPY people do differently

INNER BEAUTY

A reporter for Huffington Post decided to get happy. He found that there are 12 things happy people do differently, inspired of the original study of positivity psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky. These are the things we can all cultivate at any time of life. So here it goes if you want to give it a try, or if you´re lucky to already be doing it (just keep up the good work);

1. Express gratitude.We're gonna have a hard time ever being happy if we aren't thankful for what we already have.
2. Cultivate optimism. Winners have the ability to manufacture their own optimism. 
3. Avoid over-thinking and social comparison. Comparing yourself to someone else can be poisonous. 

Bath tub [with a VIEW]

OUTER BEAUTY

My goodness. For a lover of long, hot baths, marble and NYC this is literally a wet dream...

[Image via Pinterest from http://svedasztal.pto.hu]

Simple yet elegant [FASHION]

OUTER BEAUTY

Sometimes fashion doesn´t have to be more complicated than this. Loving this simple yet elegant outfit, makeup and hair. She looks ready for a great day. 

[Image from Pinterest via french-voguettes.tumblr.com]

A new favourite skin lotion [also for Kelly Wearstler]

OUTER BEAUTY

It´s back. It´s still yellow. Still the same bottle. It´s still a bestseller. But, it is actually updated for todays demands on skincare. It took Clinique 6,5 years, 3 dermatologists, 53 researchers and 100 formula tries before they nailed the new lotion. The big thing with the new Dramatically different moisturising lotion + from Clinique is that it´s working while on the skin. It´s said to double the moisture level during the day and improves the moisture barrier with 58%. What is also new to this version, and this I personally love, is the adding of hyaluronic acid (which is pure magic for moisturising skin). I have been using this  lotion now for over a month, and I must admit, it kind of feels like I´m back to the 90´s and I´m loving it.  My main concern was wether this should be enough for my rather dry skin. I definitely think so. It feels lightweight but isn´t on the skin. So, this is a new favourite for keeps. And don´t miss the über gorgeous designer Kelly Wearstler who not only talks about this new lotion but shows a real glimpse of her fabulous life and work in LA. 

[Video via Youtube Kelly Wearstler x Clinique for Into the Gloss]

When can we check in? [Bliss at SPA]

OUTER BEAUTY

Wouldn´t it be perfect to check in at a spa right now? The Kamalaya spa and wellness resort in Thailand is a favourite by Tatler and Condé Nast Traveller for its wellness and holistic approach, and also to cure technology addiction. "You'll re-emerge fit, sleek and connected - to yourself, rather than your gadgets" Condé Nast Traveller says, calling this spa "one of the best spas 2013 for fixing issues."

Blushing NUDE [BEAUTY]

Perfect nude colours for autumn

This bronzing powder in "Sporting glow" is supposed to be a perfect match for us who loves cult colour "Laguna" from NARS

OUTER BEAUTY

Another fashion designer that has taken the leap to cosmetics is Michael Kors. I love these colours for autumn. Available in the US and England so far...

[Images with kind permission from Carolinehirons.com]

The Monday Pep Talk | What inspires successful people?

OUTER BEAUTY
What inspires some of the most successful and wealthiest people in the world? Take some advices on how to live a successful and meaningful life.

"I was set free because my greatest fear had been realized, and I still had a daughter who I adored, and I had an old typewriter, and a big idea. And so rock bottom became a solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life. Failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me." - J.K. Rowling (author of Harry Potter series)

Dreaming of on a Sunday

OUTER BEAUTY
Paris is always a good idea. Especially on a Sunday. With a café crème, a croissant [and French chic] people watching..

[Pinterest image via lextravagance.tumblr.com]

Bon Weekend! [What is elegance?]

INNER BEAUTY

I love this quote from the fantastic fashion designer Carolina Herrera.  The weekend is a perfect time to maybe spend some time alone and reflect upon what elegance is to you. What defines you? Are you satisfied with your house, otherwise take some time to move around furnitures, buy something new or declutter it from things that takes energy. Clean out the closet, the clothes you never wear, it makes wonders for the energies. (Give them to someone who needs them.) Think about what books or magazines actually inspire you, we don´t have time to read things that don´t. This is what I´m going to do this weekend. And have a Body combat class, and cook great food, and drink wine, and meet up with friends, and cherish my family. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

A lovely little hotel acquaintance

OUTER BEAUTY
One of my favourite excursions in Marbella is to drive the short way up to the little Moorish mountain village Benahavis. This is a truly picturesque, although today rather polished, village known for its many restaurants. Benahavis constantly changes. When we first came here many years ago there were one local restaurant. It´s still there and still great, but today there are many more restaurants to chose from. This year we fell in love with a new acquaintance, the adorable little Amanhavis hotel.

It´s all about Autumn

Loving these beautiful autumn decorations

OUTER BEAUTY

I must admit it. I actually really like autumn. That is after a long hot summer, of course. Now it´s high time for embracing autumn.

Home of the super model

OUTER BEAUTY

Which super model lives in this gorgeous house in Brentwood, LA? “I want to live in a place that feels like a real home, where you can put your feet up on the couch and just relax.” Have a closer look at the kitchen, and how does the model's walk-in closet actually look like...

The Monday Pep Talk | How many stairs?

INNER BEAUTY

This is something I think we all need to remind ourselves about some days. It´s far too easy today to get caught up in a thinking of fast life, fast results, fast living. This can lead to comparison with others (also known as the unhappiness formula) and a negative mindset when results aren´t delivered as fast as expected. Think about what this means to you in your life. (I know what it means to me.) 

[Original image from Pinterest via myinnerlandscape.tumblr.com edited by IOB]

Shopping, bubbles and girlfriends

DJ in work...

OUTER BEAUTY

The other night me and some friends were invited to an exclusive shopping event at Club Monaco. Since we wasn´t that familiar with the brand we decided to check it out. Also the gorgeous fashion editor Columbine Smille from glossy magazine StyleBy had chosen her favourites from the fall collection. And Champagne is always right when shopping. (And as I always say, never underestimate a little retail therapy...)

Cool Pool with a View [and WHERE is this?]

OUTER BEAUTY
This is just such a fantastic photo that I stumbled over on Pinterest. And what a fantastic place! Where is this? If anyone knows, please fill us in. If you want more pools to dream about, check out Inner Outer Beauty's Pinterest board "Pools, patios and gardens".

The simple makeup

OUTER BEAUTY

This fall it´s finally time for a beauty trend that suits me and many other busy women. The return of one single eyeshadow. Not the ordinary rule you´re always told at makeup counters that you have to blend at least two shadows for effect. Who has the time in the morning for an advanced beauty technique while juggling kids, school run and work? I was a little relieved to read in Harpers Bazaar (UK) that we should now be going for "a fresh-faced beauty that looks cool and chic and without being too polished". The model wears the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Eyeshadow in "Grey Obsession". I´m getting it. Dove Grey is the color for fall. I can also recommend three other favourite eyeshadows that goes well for this trend and are known to flatter most women. Bobbi Brown creme eyeshadow in "Slate", Bobbi Brown powder eyeshadow in "Stone" and MAC powder eyeshadow in "Satin Taupe". Maximal look, minimal effort. 

Beautiful Saturday lunch [Copenhagen]

The lobby - a very warm welcome

One of the dining halls in the restaurant - loving the lamps 

Great display of the wines

OUTER BEAUTY

A favourite Saturday is going to Copenhagen, do some shopping and have a long lunch at a nice restaurant. This is exactly what I did this weekend. After a couple of hours of shopping and just enjoying the great Danish atmosphere on the streets, we went to the restaurant Marchal at the fabulous hotel d'Angleterre at Kongens Nytorv. Both the hotel and its' restaurant is recently renovated and I can only say that I´m totally in love with this beautiful place. 

The Monday Pep Talk | The secret of following through

INNER BEAUTY
According to bestselling author and lecturer Tony Robbins there´s not enough with the big R as in Result to succeed. To achieve the real result there has to be a real sense of Purpose. Ask these four simple questions to find your purpose.

Hot Spot [beach club]

Welcome to the hot Ocean Club in Puerto Banus

OUTER BEAUTY

One of the trendiest beach clubs in Marbella happens to be located next door to us. It´s always fun to pass by, since you get a really good glimpse from the outside. 

Words to live by

INNER BEAUTY
This is something I need to remind myself of constantly. Constantly. Patience that you cannot accomplish everything as fast as in your mind. Faith that what you want will eventually happen although you cannot see the wood for the trees some days. Then it´s helpful with a little reminder about gratitude for the now.

[Image from Pinterest via theaverageteendancer.tumblr.com edited by IOB]

Tight up the skin [REVIEW]

OUTER BEAUTY
Nowadays it almost seems Clinique is launching new products monthly, and some very good products I must say. I´ve always been a little skeptical to a cream said to "tighten and firm". But Clinique repairwear uplifting actually does something like that. Hard to explain, but something happens with the skin. It´s perfect as moisturiser before foundation. The first time I used it an observant (beauty junkie) girlfriend immediately asked me what I had done differently, so it does something. Being in my 40's this is definitely a cream to hold on to. (Although I am also very keen to try out the new Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+ which is currently being raved about too...)

A great hang-out spot [MARBELLA]

OUTER BEAUTY

Coming to Marbella every summer for over 15 years makes you explore further and finding your own favourite spots. This is something we love to do while there. Since having children, this hotel has become a perfect visit for the whole family. The gorgeous Kempinski Bahía hotel is located in Estepona a few miles along the coast from Puerto Banús. We had a fantastic day there the other week. We rent sun beds over  the day, enjoy the many pools and always have a long lunch in the restaurant. It´s the perfect place to spend a whole day at, since there´s a lot to explore.  

The Monday Pep Talk | Blueprints to success [from those who got it right]

Jane Birkin - a success of her own

INNER BEAUTY
The Huffington Post, recently wrote about how to tap into your innate 
greatness, by simply following in the footsteps from the people who 
already got it right. According to Huffington Post these are the fool proof 
blueprints guiding you to success...