Happy Hump Day %

Hey Everyone,

I hope you are having a good week? Luckily, even with all the snow troubles in London, I managed to get to the Netherlands safe and sound on Friday for a wonderful St Nicolas weekend with my family. The streets were all white, covered in snow, which is bizarre SO early for this time of the year but it did make it nice & cosy to be inside eating delicious St Nicolas treats and opening presents. See some pictures from my weekend below. If you are wondering what on earth that "head thing" is that I am holding.....Well my dad had me for secret Sinterklaas and made a "Top Chef" creation out of clay (which is supposed to be me)! I had my brother's girlfriend and made her a SuperWoman sign. Sinterklaas is a bit of a tricky tradition to explain but basically it's a time where we all get the opportunity to mock each other and over indulge on sweet treats :) I just ♥ it!

Then after my great weekend back home, I started my new job on Monday! So far, so good :) The people have all very nice, welcoming & helpful. I am busy and learning loads of new things (...a bit of information overload occasionally - but I will get there!) Plus the fact that I got a bottle of Bollinger Champagne and a brand new iPhone4 on my first day definitely put a HUGE smile on my face :)

Speaking of my iPhone4 (which I love love love btw) - I want to get a nice case for it - any suggestions?

Being Happy Hump Day....

Does anyone else ever feel like this?
Lots of love xoxo

ChapStick - What's your flavour?

As mentioned earlier, the last week it has been pretty darn freezing here in London with lots of snow piling up on the streets. Snow is super pretty but also, brrrr, cold! After living in New Zealand for almost 8 years I am finding it's taking a little while to acclimatise to all this wintery weather. My skin and lips are feeling the cold....Therefore I was pretty happy when a little gift popped through my letterbox a little while ago! A Chapstick! How perfect to keep my lips healthy and soft during these minus zero temperatures.

What Chapstick says:

"Keeping your lips looking & feeling healthy is quick and easy with ChapStick Flavours. With a choice of Strawberry, Cherry or Apple, ChapStick Flavours offer a fruity way to protect your lips. Why? ChapStick Flavours have been uniquely formulated to soothe, soften and nourish lips while preventing moisture evaporation. ChapStick Strawberry includes SPF 15 sunscreen to protect your lips against the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. The formulas include:

Strawberry: Vitamin E, Camphor, Carnauba Wax and SPF 15 Sunscreen

Cherry: Carnauba Wax, Beeswax and Camphor

Apple: Carnauba Wax and Beeswax

When? Apply frequently throughout the day, especially before exposure to the sun, wind or cold weather." 

Me & my Strawberry flavoured ChapStick in snowy London!

My thoughts: 
It's been fabulous wearing the lip balm in the cold weather. It's really soothing and healing for my dry and slightly chapped lips. It's not glossy or sticky, which is nice when your lips are chapped and maybe a little sensitive. However I have to admit, I am not a huge fan of the strawberry flavour. Strawberry flavoured things just aren't my cup of tea. Even things like strawberry flavoured yoghurt, milkshakes or icecream - nope I don't like it haha. So think might have to check out the other flavours or the original version to help heal and prevent dry, chapped lips this winter :)

When I checked out the Chapstick website they had this funny little test you could do to see 'What does your ChapStick say about you?" I did the test and I got:
"You're a Genuine Original!

We reckon you’re the honest, straightforward and dependable type. There’s no hidden agenda – you’re simply a really good mate. Your ideal partner is the caring and sensitive type (and no – we don’t mean "dull"). Favourite food? Something tasty and natural – like a simple salad or tomato and basil soup. In other words, nothing that hides the real flavours. Your wardrobe is the same – full of classy items which mix and match beautifully, rather than anything “high fashion” or loud."

Not far off reality I think, well done ChapStick ;) Take the 'What's your Flavour' test here now for a laugh! 

Plus a quick photo of me in the snow!  

I've been keeping my feet nice & warm with my black Topshop buckle fur booties! Loving them :)

The small print: PR Sample.

Life is good...

Hey lovelies,

I have to admit, life is pretty damn good right now and I'm feeling very happy!

I am stoked to announce that I am officially no longer unemployed! I found a great new job in London and I start on Monday :) I will be working in the city for a Management Consulting company and the people all seem lovely. I can't  wait for this new exciting phase in my life to really take off!

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life" Confucius

What else is new? Well I am off home (Netherlands) tomorrow to celebrate Sinterklaas (St Nicolas) with my family. Sinterklaas is a fabulous Dutch tradition that we celebrate on the 5th December - it's like our Santa Clause and Christmas time. We get presents and eats loads of yummy sweets/cookies! I can't wait! Well that's if I make it there....... It's been snowing like mad here in London and as much as I love this pretty wintery white weather, it's not ideal when you are trying to leave the country! I have my fingers and toes crossed that my travels will all go smoothly this weekend. Can you cross your fingers and toes for me - it might help?? ;) Not sure if I will be able to blog much the next few days so hope you all have a great weekend! xoxo

H&M Shoping Haul

Oh how I adore London shopping! I recently checked out the fabulous new One New Change Shopping Centre in Central London and just loved it. I was so lucky to be there whilst everyone else in the city was slaving away at their desks (this being one big bonus about being unemployed, haha) so it was very quiet - which is very rare anywhere around London at this time of the year. They also had an H&M in the 'mall' which was SUPER quiet. It was a strange put very pleasuring experience. I ended up picking up the following goodies:

Wraparound dress with gathers at the shoulders & removable elasticated belt with metal buckle. I ♥ the colours of this dress and think it will be great to wear out with heels, boots and tights or even to work with a black blazer as pictured (blazer by ZARA) You can get this dress on SALE online here now at H&M for only £7.99!

Bright red figure-fit jacket with small puffy sleeves & a hook-and-eye fastening at the front. They also had it in black but I liked the bright red, especially for the holiday season! This cropped blazer is part of H&M's Holiday 2010 Collection and available online here now for £29.99. 

Left: A simple black knit roll neck jumper/dress which can be worn with jeans or leggings. Perrrfect for this cold snowy (!!) weather. Middle & Right: warm long sleeved  v-necked knit dress (just above the knee length) in black. Sorry the photo is a little dark so you can't see the nice knit detailing in the skirt part very well. I will wear this dress casually with boots & tights/leggings and can be accessorized with belts, scarves and cardi's. (Both items were UK Size 8 at  £14.99 each)

I also found these tan (or they seem to call it cognac brown LOL) imitation leather ankle boots with side zip and satin lining for only £7.99! I liked the nice and sturdy not too high (8cm) heel. Check them out online here.

Have you picked up any items at H&M recently? I am still dying to get my hands on some Lanvin pieces but fear I have missed the boat on that by now.... xoxo