CHANEL Poudre à Lèvres / Lip Balm and Powder Duo

Sometimes you can find some outstanding products at the beauty counters of Sephora.... This Lip Balm and Powder Duo is one of them. It's not practical, but special very special. As a makeup collector I was really interested the first time I saw it, because I'm passionate about the history of beauty. The fact that a lipstick is presented in a powdery form reminded me of the vintage makeup from the 20's like Cake Mascara. 

The packaging, is very elegant and classy, beautiful to have inside your handbag because it comes with a handy mirror that can help you with your touch ups throughout the day. Divided in two, one of the first squares is a lip balm and the other one is a vibrant pigment. I have always been fascinated by the intensity of pigments and how beautiful they are when applied on the right places. Many makeup artists during fashion shows and editorial photo shoots add a final touch to the lips with pigments for an extra pop of colour.

Rosso Pompeiano, the limited edition shade that I chose, could be described as an intense true red. I have to say that it's one of the prettiest colours that I have ever tried, it instantly gives light to your complexion and paired with the right mascara it makes you look more awake in the morning. The finish is very glam and matte and you can create a blurred lip effect that it's now very trendy. It's definitely very buildable, so you don't have to be afraid of the colour. You can only pat very lightly the powder for subtle healthy lips or if you prefer you can add progressively more colour to achieve a dramatic look. 

I personally use my clean fingers to apply it, but it comes with two little brushes for a more precise and hygienic application when you are on the go. It's not long lasting but that's ok for me. I used to be obsessed with lipsticks that stayed like wall paint on my lips for hours and that were impossible to remove. It mustn't be very good, right? If you have very dry lips like me I highly recommend to use your regular nourishing lip product, because the one that comes is only enough to blend the product, but not to prepare the surface. I see myself wearing this all the time, specially now that the sunny days are coming. It will certainly look beautiful with a tanned complexion.

Three Books to Feel Cosy

The last couple of days have been very rainy. I can say that I'm a Pluviophile, I feel good when it rains, very relaxed and serene. Where I live is very dry and it's rare to see regurlaly raindrops hitting my roof, which is for me, one of the most satisfying sensations in the world. I really enjoy to stay in, lit a candle, read a book and sip a cup of tea, that's my definition of Happiness.

These three books are precious guides to appreciate small but important pleasures in life. They also have helped me to be more present in the moment and ultimately to feel great.

The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking

The author of this book, Meik Wiking, is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, what a dream job, huh? The Danes are the happiest nation in the world and that is due to their magic ingredient, Hygge.

Hygge is a very difficult word to translate or even explain, it could be described as the feeling of togetherness, comfort and warmth.

This book is always on my bedside table, I like to read it again and again as I'm fascinated by the Danish way to live well. The cover is beautiful, very Scandinavian and retro in blue, orange and gold colours. Inside you will find an illustrated guide on how Danes find happiness: good lighting, comfort food, style, decor, closeness to nature and good ideas to enjoy life all year round from going to a ski trip in winter to organize a picnic during summer. What I like the most about this book is the way it's written, with numbers that say it all about the studies that were made in different countries asking the respondents how they really feel in different situations. I am very inspired by all the good ideas that it gives you to enjoy life on the cheap. I'm a self-confessed addict to Instagram and sometimes I find that you are constantly pushed to spend money in order to feel great or have a good time, but the truth is that the best things in life are free and can be achieved on a short budget. Enjoying simple pleasures like good company, spend time on your favorite hobbies, tv nights, organize a barbecue or go hiking into the wild are the key ingredients of Hygge and can be done with very little money.

The Year of Cozy by Adriana Adarme

This book is the epitome of the word cozy. Adriana Adarme suggest a wide range of activities to full your days with the joy and satisfaction of doing by yourself. It's important to never stop being creative and find the comfort of loosing for a bit the notion of time with entertaining activities like baking some cookies or painting beautiful ceramics. I love the fact that it's divided by seasons, so you can adapt the ideas according with the time of the year or the weather. This book is great to find some inspiration and to do more things like crafts, because when was the last time that I did one? I can't even remember, but what I know, for sure, is that I used to be so happy gathering all the supplies and finally observing carefully how everything came together. I remember how good this sensation made me feel! So now, I'm trying to plan also my free time in order to do more fulfilling activities like start a collection, do homemade soy candles, make a time capsule box, build an original flower arrangement or give someone a diner box. All of this because happiness comes from creating time to savor life's little moments.

Lagom by Linnea Dunne

This book describes the Swedish art of a balanced living. Lagom means not too little, not too much, just right. With my excessive and intense Mediterranean personality this wisdomness that comes from the North is very welcomed. 

To find the perfect balance isn't easy, who is not tempted to eat the entire bar of chocolate when you open it? Well, Swedes don't. They refrain their selves, because very often they take time to indulge and have a cup of coffee with cakes. This is what they call Fika!

Balance is the answer to find happiness in the long term and Swedes take this very seriously and apply it to any situation in life: work, food, consumerism, wellbeing...What I like the most about this book is its earthy approach. It encourages you to grow your own food or go foraging. Activities that make you happy because you are outdoors in contact with nature, but are also beneficial for the planet. Lagom is the opposite of the multinational machinery of consumerism, it's being aware of the environment and feel free having a lightweight attitude to material possessions. Just the guide that I needed!