HELLOW YELLOW - SPRING 2014 FASHION TREND

Only 21 more days and winter 2014 is officialy gone. Are you excited to exchange your wintercoat for a summer jacket? I actually can't complain, since the weather has been pretty good in Belgium this year, we've been spared from freezing temperatures or heavy snow storms unlike previous years. A little bit sad I didn't get to make long walks in the snow with matching wool scarf, hat and gloves, but also grateful for the many sunny days.

Back in September 2013 Fashion weeks revealed what fashion for Spring 2014 was going to look like. The black/white combination, hints of pink and orange, pastels were all popular amongst many brands. 

But the color that absolutely stood out to me was yellow. Yellow screams sunshine and happiness to me and I'm very happy the bright color is making its way into 2014 to lighten up street views! 

Blumarine

Etro

Ralph Lauren

Some celebs are as excited as me for the new trend and are already popping out yellow loveliness. 

Nicole Guerriero

Rita Ora

Khloe Kardashian

As you can see, all types of skin and hair match well with the sunny color.

 But if you're not quite sure which shade of yellow will suit you best, here's a guideline:

If you have fair skin, with most likely lighter eyes, you need to go for deep yellow (think yellow cab) shades. Light or lemon yellow will wash you out because it doesn't stand out enough to your transparent skin. If you are a darker type, or you have invested in a (fake) tan, you can opt for both light and bright yellow shades. 

Some more ideas how to rock this trend in Spring...

Pull&Bear Quilted Bag

Urban Outfitters Flannel Shirt

ASOS Midi Skirt

Next time I'm going shopping, I'm definitely looking out for this yellow trend! 

Have you worn yellow already this year?

x x x

SNACK OF THE DAY - CRUNCHY APPLE TOWER

So I recently discovered Pinterest and all its wonderful pictures and ideas it has to offer. I know I'm very late with it, but hey it's hard to keep up with all the different social media nowadays! But I very much wish I had discovered this one before. I find myself amazingly inspired in all types of subjects, from hair and fashion inspiration to fitness videos and healthy (or indulgence) recipes. 

Yes, you guessed it right, another Pinterest addict is born! 

One of the recipes I came across looked so easy and healthy that I wanted to try it out myself. 

Looks yummy right? It almost looks as good as the original pic, if I say so myself! The apple creation is an ideal afternoon snack that will give you an energy boost to keep you going until dinner and will also satisfy your sweet tooth!

What you need

1 apple

some peanut butter

muesli (or oats, cereal, dried fruit, raisins, nuts...)

How to prepare

Core the apple and cut it up in equal slices. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on the slices and sprinkle the muesli over them. Staple the slices to form a delicious fruity tower. 

Hmmm, one of my favorite new snacks! 

x x x 

KATY PERRY DARK HORSE VIDEO MAKEUP LOOKS

Katy Perry has transformed herself in many characters for music videos, just think of the Geeky girl in Last Friday Night, the Soldier in Part of Me and the Candy girl in California Girls. Yesterday the singer revealed her latest makeover in the video for her new single "Dark Horse". Katy looks like a badass Celopatra with colorful accessories, clothing and makeup. 

Miss Perry chose three similar Egyptian looks that captured the magical feeling of the song. 

A black, red and blonde wig completed the three transformations. 

The makeup looks all contain a key element, that is the intricate liner. It is based on the Egyptian Eye also known as The Eye of Horus, an ancient Egyptian symbol for protection, royal power and good health. 

Wonder how Katy was transformed into this look? Jake Bailey, Katy's trusted makeup artist reveals how he created the piece of makeup art, saying: 

"I used Covergirl Bombshell Intensity Liner in Pitch Black Passion #800 to draw the intricate design around her eyes. It was an adaption of several references that I found online, but I liked this one the best. It was important that I used a long lasting liner as it was a long day under hot lights and I needed it to stay in place. Once the liner was complete I added some sparkle with the Bombshell Shine Shadows. I used the Shine Shadow in Gold Goddess on the center and inner area of her lids and Ooh La Lilac on the outer corners. Before the Shine Shadow dried completely I tapped a bright purple glitter on top of the Ooh La Lilac and a peach glitter on top of the Gold Goddess areas. I finished the look with a strip of false lashes and two coats of Bombshell Volume Mascara. The first coat is a rich volumizing formula that works Katy's own lashes into the false pair and adds extreme volume. The second end was used to add depth with a wet looking laquer finish"

The second redhead look

The dramatic eyeliner is kept the same, but the color palette has changed. The puple eye shadow has been replaced by a blue one and the lips are covered in a peachy natural shade.

The third blonde look

Again heavy black liner and blue eyeshadow, but combined with a glossy nude lip.

Of course this kind of makeup is a bit too much to wear in your every day life, but you can definitely alter it to wearable looks. Just tone down the glitter and leave out the bottom black liner and you're left with great party makeup looks. 

Or if you're celebrating Carnival this month you might as well copy the festive looks as a whole!

x x x

HOW I FILL IN MY EYEBROWS

You might not know it but your eyebrows are the frames of your face, they can add a lot of power to your eyes and can make or break an entire makeup look. However, many women are still scared to fill in their brows. When you say filled in eyebrow many think of the harsh drew on black lines a la Cruella De Vil, well it certainly doesn't have to look like that! You can shape and fill in your brows in a very subtle way so they will look natural and neat. I'm personally a big fan of this look. Since a year I've been doing my brows in a specific way and I've noticed a huge difference in pictures and have also been getting a lot of compliments!

Keep reading if you're curious about my eyebrow routine! 

 The tools

An eyebrow pencil from Catrice in the same or a slighly lighter color than your eyebrows.

A non-shimmery eyeshadow or any powder in a similar color as your eyebrows. I use the color S07 of the Une palette Yeux Universelle.

A sharp angled brush.

The steps

1. Draw on a bottom line with the eyebrow pencil. Make sure it's straight and it follows the natural line of your brow.

2. Repeat the first step but now on the top part of your eyebrow. 

3. Elongate your brow. Create a sharp edge at the end of your brow using the pencil. If you don't know where your brow should end take a pencil and put it in a diagonal line across your nostril and the outer corner of your eye, where the pencil ends your eyebrow needs to end. 

4. Draw a vertical line on the beginning of your brow to give it more definition. 

5. Take your angled brush with some eyeshadow and start filling in gaps in your brows. Don't use too much product, it's better to build up than to overdo it.

6. Brush out the hairs. You can also use an eyebrow gel to keep all the hairs in place all day or night.

Before

As you can see my eyebrows have clear gaps. 

After

The gaps are filled in and my eyebrows have a defined shape.

Sometimes I will fill them in even more, for example when I wear a dark smokey eye or when I go out and pictures with flashes might be taken. But on a daily basis I keep it soft and go for this natural groomed look! 

x x x

TMI TAG

It's been a long time since I did a tag, so I converted the TMI YouTube tag to a blog one and am answering 50 fun and fast questions!

1. What are you wearing?

Sweatpants and a sweater.

2. Ever been in love?

Yes, many times.

3. Ever had a terrible breakup?

Yes, my first and second relationships were heartbreaking. I got dumped both times and it felt like the end of the world!

4. How tall are you?

5ft8 (173cm)

5. How much do you weigh?

Rude question!

6. Any tattoos?

No

7. Any piercings?

Yes, my ears and my bellybutton

8. OTP?
Carrie and Mister Big

9. Favorite show?

The Real Housewives Series

10. Favorite bands?

Blink 182, Incubus, No Doubt, Foo Fighters,... I love to listen to music from when I was younger, it brings up a lot of nice memories.

11. Something you miss?

Some people that I used to see daily, and now only once in a while. And also ice cold cocktails on hot summer days! Hmm..

12. Favorite song?

Drunk in love - Beyonce ft Jay Z

13. How old are you?

24

14. Zodiac sign?

Sagittarius

15. Quality you look for in a partner?

Humor!

16. Favorite quote?

"If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you" and "Who cares what people say behind your back? They're behind you for a reason"

17. Favorite actor?

Denzel Washington, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Leonardo Dicaprio, James Franco, Benicio Del Toro, Will Smith, Jason Statham, Tom Hardy,... Too many great actors to choose from! 

18. Favorite color?

Blue

19. Loud music or soft?

Loud

20. Where do you go when you're sad?

To the gym or to my bed

21. How long does it take you to shower?

10 - 15 minutes

22. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

30 minutes

23. Ever been in a physical fight?

Yes, a couple of times with my sister when we were younger. We would fight about silly things while we were playing, but most of the time we got along ;-)

24. Turn on?

Humor, intelligence and nice perfume.

25. Turn off?

Cheap guys that take themselves too serious and want to be the center of attention all the time.

26. The reason you started a blog?

To have a creative outlet

27. Fears?

To loose a loved one and to not be successful in life.

28. The last thing that made you cry?

The movie "Definitely Maybe" that was on TV last night. I get emotional very fast, and cry almost everyday with things on TV or in movies. Weddings, deaths, love,... I'm an emotional wreck!

29. Last time you said you loved someone?

This morning.

30. Meaning behind you blog name?

I'm a fan of everything that involves beauty; hair, fashion, makeup, fitness,... Smoothies are mixed, so it refers  to a mix of these topics. And then I changed the last letters of beauty to make it more fun.

31. Last book you read?

"Principles of marketing" by Philip Kotler

32. The book you're currently reading?

Not reading a book at the moment

33. Last show you watched?

The Big Bang Theory

34. Last person you talked to?

My boyfriend

35. The relationship between you and the person you last texted?

My best friend

36. Favorite food?

Sushi and pizza

37. Place you want to visit?

The Maledives, Thailand, India, Canada, New York

38. Last place you were?

At home

39. Do you have a crush?

My boyfriend is my crush! And of course James Franco, hehe

40. Last time you kissed someone?

This morning

41. Last time you were insulted?

I don't remember

42. Favorite flavor of sweet?

Chocolate cake, apple-cinnamon, Piña Colada

43. What instruments do you play?

None

44. Favorite piece of jewelery?

A silver ring with little rhinestones my boyfriend got me

45. Last sport you played?

Running

46. Last song you sang?

Show me - Kid Ink ft. Chris Brown

47. Favorite chat up line?

"Do you sleep on your stomach? No? Can I?"

48. Have you ever used it?

No

49. Last time you hung out with someone?

Yesterday

50. Who should answer these questions next?

Everyone who reads this!

x x x

3 VALENTINE'S DAY OUTFITS

The 14th of february is either a day you have looked forward to since the Holidays ended or is either a day you dread the whole year.  I personally never celebrated Valentine's Day. I thought it was nothing more than a marketing stunt to boost chocolate and flower sales and I was too stubborn to participate. This year I've started off in a positive mindset so I'm joining the kitch. It is also the third Valentine's Day with my boyfriend and we're actually doing something in honor of Cupid's birthday. Nothing too fancy, we're just going out for a one on one dinner to a sushi restaurant!

For many girls the most fun about Valentine's Day is probably dressing up and looking forward to your dinner or party plans. I've put together three outfits for three different occasions that might not guarantee a romantic night, but certainly a fashionable one! 

The first outfit is for girls who are going on their First Date. I opted for soft pink and golden colors for a girly and romantic look, WARNING, your date might fall in love instantly. 

1. Jones and Jones Vicky Lace Dress With Pleated Skirt - €90.92

2. Zara Fabric Blazer - €59.95

3. Michael Kors Mid-Size Rose Golden Stainless Steel Parker Chronograph Glitz Watch

4. Mango Crystal Thread Bracelet - €19.99

5. ASOS Hit It Off Heeled Sandals - €48.62

The second outfit is for all the women who need to pick out that Freakum Dress once in a while. When you're in a longterm relationship it's important to spice it up sometimes! A sexy dress, some high heels and a layer of red lipstick will do the trick. Before you know it your inner Beyonce will take over the night.

1. ASOS Textured Deep Plunge Tabbard Bodycon - €38.89

2. New Look Brown Leopard Print Metal Tip Flap Clutch 

3. Missguided Vendy Two Finger Love Ring - €9.80

4. Missguided Reiko Leopard Ponyskin Heeled Sandals - €49.04

5. Zara Coat With Ruffled Hem - €139.00

The third outfit is for those who are often forgotten on Valentine's Day, the Singles Ladies. Girls, I feel your pain. I've had my share of Single Valentine's Days and didn't like the 14th of february at all! The best way to cope with all the lovey dovey couples and FB posts? Call your single girlfriends and hit the club! Wear your favorite party dress, dance like there's no tomorrow and you'll have an unforgettable Valentine's Day. Who knows, you might even share your hangover with a cute single guy...

1. ASOS All Over Sequin Bodycon Dress - €76.40

2. Missguided Bertalina High Heeled Embellished Sandals - €42.03

3. Drune Eliza Xrystal Clutch With Chain Strap - €187.52

To everyone a lovely Valentine's Day! 

x x x

KARDASHIAN SPRING KOLLECTION LIPSY

The Kardashian have been building an empire and it seems like they're not ready to slow down anytime soon. Despite some negative publicity and an addition to the family in 2013, the Kardashians kept working hard and launched their clothing collection in collaboration with Lipsy in December. The collection mainly contained festive dresses in classic colors such as red, white, nude and black, perfect for the holidays. 

This week Khloe, Kim and Kourtney are back with more, as they launched the Kardashian Spring Kollection for Lipsy. The collection was even doubled in size due to the large demand. That huge fanbase is definitely paying off! 

The sisters sticked to their classic monochrome colors but added some floral and colorful pieces perfect for the upcoming warmer days. Khloe says: "Our spring collection really has a little something for everyone. If you're still all about black and white looks that were popular in the fall, we've given classic monochrome a fresh makeover with our jumpsuits, jackets and bodycon dresses."

Let's take a look of some of the pieces. 

Wrap Front Blouse

Cut Out Bodycon Dress

Lace Cami Dress

Cheetah Print Trousers

Lace Top Jumpsuit

Floral Playsuit

Pave Triangle Bracelet

  

Eye Charm Cuff Bracelet

Ella V Court Shoes 

I really like the collection. I find it reasonable in price (going from £32 to £85) and contains pretty pieces that can serve as basics to many outfits and styles. I also love the jewellery items, but would want to see them in real life before purchasing. Only because I've noticed that colors and materials of jewellery often looks different online than in real life. 

I also find the line a tad safe, I would've liked to see some more special pieces or prints like the Cheetah Print Trousers. 

If I were to purchase any items it would be the Lace Top Jumpsuit, Cheetah Print Trousers and the Cut Out Dress in orange. 

Are you planning to purchase items from the Kardashian Spring Kollection? (To check out all the whole line go to http://www.lipsy.co.uk/store/just-in/just-in-kardashian-kollection)

(PS: for the Belgian readers, does anyone agree that the model looks a bit like "Totally out of control" Astrid Bryan?)

x x x

FITNESS UPDATE - SPARTACUS CHALLENGE

When I was younger I was a master sprinter, I would outrun girls and boys in record times. Long distances on the other hand weren't my cup of tea. After 60 meters I was exhausted because I started too fast and couldn't spread my energy correctly.  I was more of a power and speed kind of girl! 

Since I've started my gym membership six years ago I haven't been a fan of the treadmill either. Three, maybe four times I've been seen on one of those. I've always preferred the elliptical machine or spinning bikes. Partially to avoid injuries on my knees and ankles, since running is more burdening because of the shocks everytime you land on the ground, and partially because I find it so much more exhausting! I can do the elliptical for 60 minutes straight, but on the treadmill I'm beat after 10. I found out this is due the fact you run on own strength, there's no machine to help you whatsoever so you really need to rely on your own muscles and feet. 

Since I've always looked up to runners and hear people enjoy morning runs in sunny weekends so much, I've decided to accept a new fitness challenge. Besides keeping my fitness routine on track, I'm going to add runs to my weekly training schedule. The ultimate goal will be participating in the Spartacus Run the first of May. What's a Spartacus Run you ask? Well it's a 10K (6.2 miles) race with 10 obstacles on the track. Some examples are swimming in cold water, passing a football team, getting through a maze, climbing over obstacles, crawling under ropes and so on. 

It might sound a bit unrealistic for a newbie to participate in an extreme race like this, but it's all about having fun and keeping myself moving. The Spartacus Run serves as running motivation, but is not the actual goal. The actual goal is to improve my fitness and stay healthy. 

How I am preparing

Diet
I want to loose some last pounds of fat, about 5 to 6, to be able to run faster. I'm sticking to 1400 calories a day with one cheat day a week. Since I'm working out 6 days a week, I do need to consume enough calories to keep me energized. On the cheat day I can have a big cheat dinner, some cocktails or some sweets. Basically whatever I'm craving but not overdoing it.

Weight training
I've added more weight training to my fitness schedule so my muscles and body will become stronger. I will definitely need more strength (mainly in my arms and core) to overcome the obstacles. I train my arms, legs and core each two days a week.

For my arms and legs I follow a training schedule I've created myself, for my abs I'm been doing Jillian Michaels: 6 Weeks Six-Pack Abs Workout that I found on Youtube. It's a great program for beginners and focuses on core exercises mixed with some cardio to shred that belly fat!

Running schedule
I found a running schedule online that seems very realistic. It basically teaches you how to run 10K in 10 weeks. http://running.about.com/od/10kracetrainingschedules/a/10Krunwalktrainingschedule.htm

I will always try to run outside and not on the treadmill since the race will be outside as well and I feel it's completely different to run outside than in a gym. I really want to prepare myself in the best way possible.

Of course I needed new shoes to help me reach my goal (wink wink), so I got some new Nikes! These are the Nike Pegasus +30 shoes. They are very comfortable and offer enough support on the outer side of my feet. 

I also love the neon yellow - grey color combination! They brighten up any gym outfit, especially since I wear a lot of black leggings and shirts.

Some tips I gathered going into this challenge: 

Breath naturally or focus on a breathing technique that works for you. 

Leave two days between runs in the first weeks. Your muscles need to recover, this ways you will avoid injuries. 

Stay hydrated. 

Eat light before running. 

Stretch when you get home. 

I'm so excited for this challenge and will keep you updated regularly. Has anyone tried something like this before? How was your experience? And got any other running tips for me? 

x x x