Let the adventure begin

picture credit: hookedonhouses.net

Last time I wrote a more personal post was when things weren't working out the way I would've liked. This time however, it seems like I have finally found the right path and good things are coming my way. First of all, I got a job! Sure, it's a part-time cashiering job but it's a start and a possibility to set my own schedule. Then, the most incredible thing happened.

I am moving to my own little shoebox apartment in the beginning of next month. Less than three weeks to go.

My future home might be small and not situated in the city centre but I don't think a penthouse in an old 1910s building could make me happier than my little shoebox does. Got to start somewhere and at this stage of my life, a little studio apartment is all I need.

The thought of living on my own is very exciting. My initial reaction to the news was pure joy but soon it was changed to freaking out. Change is always a little scary and I've been worried about everything from beds to finances. Now I'm getting excited again and I've been browsing IKEA catalogue and such almost non-stop. You can expect a lot of interior decorating themed posts in the near future.

As good as this all is, the timing isn't the best. I should be putting all my time and energy into studying for my entrance exams but with all this excitement and meetings and training I've been doing for my job, I have barely opened my study book this week. Definitely not good as I need to know the book and the other study material by heart by early June, preferably earlier. Last year only 10-11% of the people who took the entrance exam got accepted. The pressure is on, but I'm ready to face it. Unlike last year, I'm actually motivated to do my best.

Why Breakfast at Tiffany's? Other than the fact that it's my favourite movie, I somehow feel like my own little Breakfast at Tiffany's adventure is starting to happen. Sans the call-girl looking for a rich husband part, and I'm afraid I won't get a cat. I'm no runaway teenage bride either. (and D isn't a kept man) But I will be looking for my own place in the world, trying to make the ends meet, dreaming of a place where I will feel safe. (not to mention that my little apartment will probably filled with mix and match thrift-store finds and hand-me-downs just like Holly's is) Too bad there's no Tiffany & Co store in Helsinki. However, I will drink milk from a champagne glass.

So there's the reason why it's been a little quiet on my blog. Big changes require a lot of processing but now my head is a little lighter again and I can get back to blogging and cramming for the exams. Good news for a change.

Checkers and tulips

A funny thing about this outfit: only the shoes were bought by me. The rest is donations and borrowed. This sort of mix and match is very dear to me, I get to use my imagination.

I wore the outfit to a job interview on Tuesday and while my mother thinks the skirt is too short, I thought it was doable with the otherwise prim look. The shirt is actually my brother's, he was kind enough to borrow it to me when I couldn't find anything to wear.

The skirt I got from Trang. Orange isn't really my colour but combined with other colours it's not too bad. I think I pulled it off rather nicely.

This week my life has been all about reading and stuffing my face with candy. Okay, I did have the job interview on Tuesday, and I'm quite hopeful about it, but other than that, losing my public transportation card has been the most remarkable event this week. Luckily that's about to change because today I'll be going to town to get a new transportation card, and to buy the new expansion pack for the Sims 3... and I'll be meeting Maria for a coffee too! Tomorrow I get to spend the whole day with my littlest brother and it should be fun because he isn't sick this time. A trip to the library is in order perhaps... and the playground too, depending on the weather.

How has your week been?

What's in my make-up bag?

I love doing my make-up. It's so much fun to accentuate the good features and hide the not-so-good. However I can go outdoors and see my friends without feeling the need to do my make-up. I have no problem posting make-up free pictures of myself here on my blog. Make-up makes me feel prettier and more confident but some days I couldn't care less about it.

When I buy make-up I tend to buy things recommended to me by friends or by other bloggers. Make-up can be so expensive at times and if the product doesn't prove to be worth the money... well, I'll get extremely annoyed. So I try to stick to products others have tested for me, even though I still wind up disappointed every now and then. Things that work for others might not work for me.

I've always had a love-hate relationship with foundation. Usually they are the wrong shade, they feel too caked on the skin, they aren't good for my skin etc.  Currently I'm using Diorskin Nude by Dior in the lightest shade (Ivory 010) and it's pretty much the perfect match to my own skin tone. I'll probably stick to this one for the rest of my life. (or at least as long as they manufacture it) I also use a highlighter/concealer, my current one is True Match Touche Magique by L'Oreal. I got it as a freebie from somewhere and I've been using it even though it isn't the perfect shade for me. It's a tad too yellow but it's doable. We'll see which one I get once this one is finished.

I'm not as picky with my mascaras as I'm with foundation etc. I got the Extra Super Lash Mascara by Rimmel as a freebie and I could actually consider buying it when I need a new mascara. The Chanel mascara I got from Trang, because it's brown and not water-proof. I quite like it though, it's perfect for those natural looks. A lash curler is a must for me, otherwise my lashes will stick to my glasses.

Considering that I love eyeliners, I haven't invested much in proper eye-liner products. I have tried so many eyeliners: liquid, gel and what not, yet I haven't found the perfect one. My current liquid eyeliner is from Primark and I got it as a Sinterklaas gift. It works surprisingly well, it's easy to apply but it gets a little dry and cake-y. Luckily it doesn't flake as bad as many other products I have tried. The black kohl pencil is by BeYu, a cheap German make-up brand. It's not too bad, even though it does smudge a little. I also use a white kohl pencil by We Care Icon, which is a Finnish household brand for one of the biggest Finnish department stores. It works well enough and it was quite cheap. Nothing extraordinary.

Ever since I learnt to do my make-up somewhat properly, I've been a fan of subtle eyeshadows. For a long time I kept on switching brands, looking for the perfect one until D got me the Naked 2 palette by Urban Decay. I truly love it, except for a couple shades and I can't imagine how I did without it.

I love Dior lipsticks and I would love to get more of them. I usually start by applying some vaseline (brand doesn't matter) and then I apply lipliner (also by Dior) and then lipstick. My go-to lipstick is Rouge Dior in Ara Red (999) but when I want to get a little more vampy look, I choose for the Dior Addict Extreme in Sunset Boulevard (829). I'm dying to get a lovely pink shade for spring and summer and I'd love to get the infamous Dior Addict lip glow.

Finally, there's my only perfume. I'm not a perfume-lover, as scents give me migraine but I got a sample of Nuit Pour Femme by Hugo Boss at the Vogue Fashion's Night Out in Amsterdam and I found myself liking it a lot. I actually liked it so much that I decided to buy it too! So whenever I go out of the house or even when I just feel like I want to be more glamorous, I add a whiff of the perfume.

Of course I have some other tidbits in my make-up bag but these are the products I mostly use. This post was not sponsored by anyone (I can only dream of being sponsored by Dior... that's the stuff dreams are made of!) and I am only sharing the links so you can find out a little more about the products in case you get curious.

What's in your make-up bag and are there any products you'd recommend to me?

Make a statement

1. H&M, 2. ModeMusthaves, 3. Pieces via Boozt.com, 4. Day Birger et Mikkelsen via Boozt.com

Lace motive: Lace mix by ~NadinePau-stock on deviantART

I know I know, we've been seeing statement necklaces ever since last summer but I am still looking for the perfect one, probably in vain, being as picky as I am. So here's an assembly of a few necklaces I came across while browsing the web.

The first one is from H&M, a pretty cute one, and cheap to boot. Definitely not bad, although I might be able to make one myself if needed.

The second one is a more sparkly one, from Mode Musthaves, a Dutch online store I hadn't discovered yet. This one isn't too expensive either but I'm not sure whether I should order it or not. After all, I should stick to my no shopping rule.

The third statement necklace is from Pieces, and otherwise it's lovely, but it's golden and I wear gold very rarely. No idea why, I just happen to be more of a silver-lover.

Last one on our list is is the most expensive one but it is very lovely. It's by Day Birger et Mikkelsen and I really like all the details even though it isn't quite as sparkly as I have been visioning.

Do you have any tips on where to score nice statement necklaces?

My picks from Samuji FW13 Seasonal collection

The Finnish fashion designer Samuji (Samu Jussi Koski) posted pictures of their FW13 Seasonal collections on their Facebook page on Monday and even though I normally don't do this kind of posts, something about the collection struck a cord and I had to share my favourite pieces with you.

I do not own any Samuji pieces yet, but I have heard good things about their quality and I do like the fact that they manufacture most of their products in Estonia. (Finland would be even better but Estonia is better than Bangladesh or China)

The simply chic silhouettes and subtle colours of the collection, along with the use of different fabrics and patterns are something I would love to wear. Pure perfection!

So, what is your opinion on the pieces? Had you heard about Samuji before or is he a new acquaintance to you?