Saturday, February 20, 2016

TRAVEL GUIDE: BRUSSELS

The Grand Place with on the left City Hall

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Monday, February 08, 2016

VEGAN QUINOA POWER BOWL

This might just be the easiest recipe I have ever posted. But that doesn't mean it's boring. Look at all the colorful ingredients. This lunch idea makes me super happy! I'm going to divide this recipe into two parts. First we're making a tomato salsa! This will be one of the mail fillers of the quinoa bowl. But because the salsa needs a little extra preparation and because it can be eaten by itself, it deserves a little more attention.
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Thursday, February 04, 2016

THE ESSENTIAL BURT'S BEES KIT

I've known about Burt's Bees for the longest time. Remember when I was around 12 years old going into town with one of my best girl friends. We only had the littlest amount of pocket money and so buying something was way more special than it is nowadays. We put a lot of thought into what we were going to buy and we were prepared to first visit all stores in town that sold the product we wanted before actually purchasing one. This way we could decide where it was most profitable #cheapskates . This one time my friend got a lip balm by Burt's Bees and I really wanted one to but I sticked with my good old Labello.
 I'm not sure why but I never got around to trying Burt's Bees products. Until yesterday. The kit I got was on sale for €12,95 now which made this the perfect opportunity to try out Burt's Bees products for the first time. What I love about this brand is how they've perfected their story to the bone. When a company adds their history to the product, it's not always one that interests me but Burt's Bees story is a crazy cool authentic one:

"Beekeeper Burt was selling honey from the back of his truck. But fate had other ideas for our co-founder. It was the summer of '84, and Maine artist Roxanne Quimby was thumbing a ride home (back when you could still do that sort of thing). Eventually a bright yellow Datsun pickup truck pulled over, and Roxanne instantly recognized Burt Shavitz, a local fella whose beard was almost as well-known as his roadside honey stand. Burt and Roxanne hit it off, and before long, Roxanne was making candles with unused wax from Burt's beehives. They made 200 dollars at their first craft fair; within a year, they'd make 20.000 dollars. Pretty auspicious beginning, but just the beginning all the same. From those first candles to the iconic beeswax lip balm we all know today, Burt's Bees has stayed true to a very simple idea: what you put on your body should be made from the best nature has to offer. We invite you to stick out a thumb and follow us on our uncommon journey, it's been one heckuva ride." 
This Burt's Bees Kit contains a little booklet with its brand story and product information along with the five products:
- Burt's Bees soap bark & chamomile deep cleansing cream
- Burt's Bees coconut foot cream
- Burt's Bees milk & honey body lotion
- Burt's Bees hand salve
- Burt's Bees beeswax lip balm

Burt's Bees now sells over 180 products, all guided by a single principle: Nature has the best answers. On average, our products are 99% natural and over half our products are 100% natural. Our relationship with nature defines and inspires us every day. We make people's lives better every day, naturally.

I've already tried the hand salve and the beeswax lip balm and the first thing that I noticed was the incredible smell. Peppermint! So good! I love supporting brands that use sustainable all natural ingredients and I can't wait to try the other products from the kit. What is your favorite product by Burt's Bees? I'm guessing mine is gonna be the lip balm!



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Wednesday, February 03, 2016

STELLA MCCARTNEY FALABELLA CROSS-BODY LOOK-ALIKE

I know I already have a blogpost on my favorite black bag. But you gotta understand this is my NEW favorite black bag. And it totally looks like it could be one of Stella McCartney it-bag designs. Good reason for this post, right?! ;) Wait until you hear how little I paid for this black beauty!
So I went into town the other week and I was about to pay for a white coat (will be up soon!) when something inside me told me to take a quick look at the accessories section which is situated downstairs at the mens department. And there it was. Almost as if it was waiting for me, the last of its kind. My new black bag. To me it very much resembles Stella McCartney's iconic Falabella range of bags. Absolutely loving its chain trim (Stella McCartney sprinkles with chains like I do with maple syrup over my granola) and the fabric looks but doesn't feel like faux suede. Edgy meets elegance!
I first saw the Falabella bags on Stella's instagram and later on over at Mimi Ikonns account who loves supporting Stella because the brand is cruelty-free (bonus points!) Completely fell in love until I saw the prices at which these bags are sold at. I cannot afford that amount of money at this point in my life, I am a student after all, and I am still in doubt if I would ever pay this much for a bag but I just might. Someday...
I'm not a big fan of copying but taking inspiration from high-end fashion designers is definitely something I would encourage! I want to stress that this is a look-alike in my eyes and definitely not a dupe. And I'm also not a big fan of dupes but look-alikes often take inspiration from the real deal without plain copying. I think the bag I bought looks most like a mix between the Falabella Purse and Shaggy Deer Crossbody Bag. I plan on wearing this a lot. It's also the perfect way to decide if you're really sure about splurging on that designer bag you've been eyeing: first try a more affordable but similar bag.

Black bag by NewYorker| €16,95 €9,95 via New Yorker (can you believe it?!)


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