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Friday, December 25, 2015

Merry Christmas from Green Vogue and Glam


The gifts have been opened, the food is all ready and waiting to be feasted on, I'm thinking Christmas day outfits and enjoying Christmas songs...it's Christmas.

From your very own Miss Sinister

Have a merry merry Christmas.
Enjoy your loved ones.
Eat plenty.
Play a boardgame.
Take some pictures.
Have fun.


Kiss and Peace 
Miss Sinister

P.S. Sorry for the unprofessional pic. I just happen to love it!

Friday, December 18, 2015

My Top Ten Christmas Songs


With this week being all about Xmas lessons, Rudolph and panettone (Italian typical Xmas sweet bread), I've sang about 100 Xmas songs.

Here's my list of the Top Ten Christmas songs:
1. Michael Buble - White Christmas
2. Gene Autry -Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
3. Frank Sinatra - Let it snow
4. Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas is You
5. Wham - Last Christmas
6. Eagles - Please come home for Christmas
7. Mina and Fiorello - Baby it's cold outside
8. Chris Rea - Driving home for Christmas
9. Michael Buble - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
10. Celine Dion - So this is Christmas

I love each and every one of these wonderful songs! I've used for lessons, for parties, for commuting or simply to drive Mystery nuts with Christmas.

Tomorrow I'm going to Milan and I can't wait to soak a bit of big city vibes to last me until January!

Kiss and Peace
Miss Sinister

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

On and off

I'm having a hard time.

It is not easy for me to say that.
I've stirred all through today if I should write this post or not.

You see, I'm an only child. I was brought up to think the stars were mine to be had if only I wished for them. There was nothing I couldn't do and most of the times there really wasn't.
I've had things be easy for me for a great deal of what my life has been.
Then there have been the dark spots, the things you never really want to talk to anybody about, not friends, not other members of your family. These are the things which were difficult. For some reasons, reasons unbeknownst to you (Oh, and how I wished I did know why), some things feel difficult.

Going back to school felt like a walk in the park. It was hard, of course, but school is supposed to be like that. You're supposed to feel the neutrons in your brain stretching and bloating, making room for the sins new knowledge you are so eager to engulf. It's been more difficult than university but not impossible.

Up to now. I'm struggling. And for me that is more difficult to say than probably any other phrase in the world. I know how to do a gazillion things but failing is not one of them. My parents have taught me how to ride a bike, read, cook, clean, take photos, be adventurous, be ambitious, pretty much any sport under the sun, take care of animals, fix broken things galore, persevere...nothing about failing gracefully.
I've kept searching for a "What to do when failing" manual in my head but it seems I've come equipped without.

I have a few deadlines, all of which I've started to dread more and more the closer they are approaching. I know I just need to push a little harder, be a bit more focused, try more.
I just don't know where I'll get the strength to do that.
On my way home from work, I always pass a newly put up 2016 Christmas lights sign. It goes off, and then back on, and then off, and back on. It feels like it's a warning hanging over my head every day. 2016 is coming, take notice, do something. It looks like my grandma or mom, or best friend or Mystery, all of which know that "I can do it" while I haven't the faintest of ideas.

I'm contemplating cutting the f-ing power line to the f-ing sign.
Hey that's doing something right?

Kiss and not so much Peace
Miss Sinisterly Sinister this evening

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Xmas Fashion Wishlist

Xmas Fashion Wishlist



I've had my eye on a few fashion items to wish for for this Christmas.

1. Zara Leather Skirt. I love A line skirts and this black suede number is right up my alley. I've been eyeing for a while and am hoping somebody will gift me one this Christmas. I can definitely see myself wearing this with my leather over the knee boots and a black cashmere sweater. Burgundy lips and I'll be the happiest chicest blogger on the planner.

2. Zara Lace Top. I haven't yet decided if and how I would wear this, but with all the hype behind lace and skimpy little numbers to wear in broad daylight, I'd give it a try. Worst case scenario I will relegate it to my bedroom, much to Mystery's delight.

3. Apricot Burgundy Long Sleeve Knit Dress from newlook.com. It's festive yet easy to wear, comfy yet dressy. Do I need to add that it's under 40$? Definitely wish list material!

4. Zara Masculine Coat. They call it masculine, I call it perfect. I've tried this one on one of my many Zara excursions. It looks and feels very luxurious despite being around 130€. The material looks super nice, the cut is exceptional and all in all an awesome little coat to throw some of your hard earned career girl money on. Or point a boyfriend or mother in its direction and that does the trick as well!

5. Nira Leather Biker Jacket from Reiss. I've saved the best for last. It's also the most expensive. You'll need more than 600€ for this baby, but I have to say I fell in love as soon I saw it! The color, the leather, the bikerness, the idea of wearing it with a glitter dress and sky high pumps. I need this jacket. So do you!

As you can see, my obsession for Zara is quite obvious.

Kiss and Peace
Miss Sinister

Monday, December 14, 2015

Call me Scarlet


Bad day. In absence of will to fill post with angry, belligerent rant, I will refrain and sit quietly in my living room.
Will look at Christmas tree lights until I suffer neural blackout and forget today ever existed.

"I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow."


Kiss and Peace
Miss Sinister O'Hara

Sunday, December 13, 2015

TechGirl Xmas Wishlist

TechGirl Xmas Wishlist



If you're anything like me, you'll see Christmas as a time to express crazy wishes. My uniquely around Christmas wishes always include some technology.
Whether it's a new camera lens or an insanely intuitive milk frother, I love'em all!

So I'm bringing you a Christmas wish list fit for any tech girl out there.

1. LuguLake Teapot Ceramic Electric Kettle from amazon.com. This is such a pretty product. Since giving up coffee a few months back, I've practically become best friends with my kettle, but it's no way as cute as this one. Extra bonus? It's ceramic, so super easy to clean.
Perfect as a gift.

2. Macbook Pro. Best tool for blogging. Not much why to give you except that I should really get a new one and the new Retina screen just blows my mind. I want one. You want one. Your boyfriend wants one. Heck, even your 80 year old upstairs neighbour might want one.

3. ghd Platinum Styler. When it comes to getting our hair straight, curl, wavy or any other way one might want to be, there nothing better than the ghd. And since they are in the 3 digit price range, I'm putting this article on my wish list. Go over to ghd.com and chose yours.

4. Apple iWatch. Does this even need an introduction? If you're alive and breathing, you've undoubtedly seen the Apple ads where they explain so well why we can't live without one anymore. I want mine to be pink. It's an awesome tool and super handy for a tech girl whose phone always sits snug at the very bottom of her very large tote.

5. Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 White Instant Camera. This little gem is the perfect gift for any girlfriend or wife. It has a decent price, it takes mini pictures, develops them within seconds, is nice and compact and looks super stylish and you can find it in several colors, all adorable. I've been wanting one of these since my birthday and I'm quietly hoping Mystery is reading this post right now and I'll find one under the tree on Christmas. :P

So what technology are you hoping for this Christmas?

Kiss and Peace
Miss Sinister

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Christmas Recipe: Cozonac


We're closing in on the Big X Day and I'm getting super excited about all the things I need to do.
The eatable glitter has arrived, the sour craut has been acquired and safely stored(I'll tell you all about buying crazy Romanian ingredients in foreign countries at highly critical times) and walnuts are now proudly sitting on my kitchen counter awaiting employ.

For day 12 of #Blogmas I'm sharing a Christmas recipe, the dessert by default of all of my childhood Christmases, the final culinary challenge of my intrinsic Romanian-ness.
The Cozonac.

This typically Eastern European sweet bread type of dessert with roots in ancient Egypt and modern counterparts in Turkey and Greece, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, Hungary and the Czech Republic. 

It's delicious and incredibly popular! I've baked for all my friends and it's always been highly appreciated.

Here is a beautiful recipe from that I couldn't have explained any better myself.

INGREDIENTS300 g. sugar (1 ½ c.) 1 kg. flour (5 c.)1 T. vanilla 6 eggs½ t. salt 200 g. butter (¾ c.)2-3 T. oilnut filling:250 g. walnuts (2 c.) ½ c. rum flavoring¾ c. milk1 t. vanilla1 c. sugar
DIRECTIONSPreparing the dough: Begin by separating the eggs, reserving both the egg yolks and the egg whites. In a small pan, warm the milk over a medium flame. When the milk is warm, remove 3 tablespoons and continue heating the milk. Place 3 tablespoons of milk in a small bowl or container. Add the yeast, 1 teaspoon of sugar and a little flour. Mix until it is the consistency of a thick cream to proof the yeast (See YEAST in TIPS). Cover and set aside for about 5 minutes.
Once the milk on the stove comes to a boil, remove it from the flame. Add the vanilla and mix well. Set aside. In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, egg yolks and salt. Slowly stir the warm milk mixture into the sugar mixture and mix well. Then stir in the yeast mixture and 3 egg whites. Gradually add the remaining flour until it forms a dough, using all the flour.


Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead. In a small pan, begin melting the butter over a medium flame and stir in the oil. Once melted, remove the butter mixture from the flame. Slowly add the mixture of warm butter and oil until the dough forms bubbles and easily comes off the hands (about ½ hour). Cover bowl with a towel and let rise in a warm, draft free place until it has doubled or tripled in bulk.
Generously grease a loaf or baking pan(s). Once the dough has risen, about 1 ½-2 hours, form the dough to the shape of the loaf pan. (This is the point where you would add a filling if desired, see nut or chocolate fillings below.) Allow the dough to rise for at least ½ hour. Before baking, brush the top of the dough with some of the remaining egg whites (or beat one extra egg and glaze with the beaten egg). Bake in a medium high temperature oven for 30-45 minutes. When cooked through, remove the cozonac from the pan and let cool on a wire rack.


For nut filling: Begin by grinding or grating the walnuts. In a small pan, heat the sugar, milk and vanilla over a medium flame until the sugar has dissolved. Add the ground nuts while mixing to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. The consistency should be similar to a paste. Remove the pan from the heat. Add rum flavoring. Once the mixture has cooled, roll out the cozonac dough and spread the nut mixture over the surface. Roll the dough back up and shape it to the size of the baking pan. Bake as directed above.

Makes 2 standard loaves or 1 long thin (think french bread) loaf. Serving size is based on 2 loaves cut into 16 slices.

Number of Servings: 32

Let me know if you want to give it a try!
Kiss and PeaceMiss Sinister



Friday, December 11, 2015

Out and about


I'm having the busiest of weeks!
I spent the day shopping for fish, blush and Xmas. And not in that specific order! 
After Mystery abandoned me for a business meeting in Venice (yes, he gets to go to cool places like that for work), I spent the day with my mom shopping for Xmas, having hot chocolate, trying on glitter eyeliners (oh yeah, I need to talk to you guys about that) and looking for red Christmasy boxers (don't ask).

End of the day?
Dinner with friends with lovely Martina and myself being the only ladies in tow.

Kiss and Peace
Miss Sinister

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Just in time


3 minutes to go to midnight.

I had the fullest day ever! Last thing on my list?
Pick up handmade mini Xmas trees from my friend, the florist. 
They are gifts for friends. 
Best part of Xmas.

Kiss and Peace
1 minute to go Miss Sinister

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Christmas Lights

Yesterday evening I took Dudu out for a walk. We went to the city centre. I have the softest of spots for Christmas lights. It reminds me of when I was a kid and that was the pinnacle of Christmas preparations. There was nothing more Christmasy that you could do than wrap a gazillion little lights around your house and hit the switch at just the right moment on just the right day and make it Christmas. All at once.
One of the biggest things for me when I was growing up was going downtown to see the lights. It was pure magic. I loved it. One of things I really miss now that I'm living in Italy is the whole lights show.
I'm going to Milan next week and I'm hoping I'll find something spectacular.

I put my tree up last Sunday. Mr. Mystery can be the sweetest of men, but he is useless with Christmas. It was never a big thing in his family so he doesn't feel about it the way I do. I decorated the tree myself, with Dudu keeping me company, with Mystery giving the befitting "Uh" and "Ah" every now and again, but more or less being super focused on his game (and yes, it was soccer).

This is going to be a New Year Resolution: slowly build up Mystery's desire for Christmas until he finally gets into the spirit and is genuinely happy and excited for it!

Off to work!

Kiss and Peace
Miss Sinister

P.S. I'm organizing New Year's Eve Dinner! Yay!

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Meet MOOV, MOOV meet my Xmas Wishlist



Well, just as I had comfortably set myself on top of all these fitness trends with a Fitbit and a soon to have iWatch, smugly looking down at the people who don't know anything about activity trackers.
I've even gone so far as to very wisdomly explained how fitbit is it. There is nothing better for a non-athlete, millennial or not, moderately to highly active individual with a hundred or two to spare on such gadgets.

I felt good. I felt like I knew it all. The world was my fitbit's oyster. I've gifted my Mr. Mystery a Charge and my father-in-law a Surge. The Aria scale was on my last year's Christmas list and is now sitting proudly in my bathroom. And I have to say they are all wonderful products that have enriched all of our sports lives.

But this morning, I saw this MOOV NOW thing and I'm blown away. I want it so badly I'm ready to disappoint Mr. Mystery and revoke my iWatch wish.
I want to wear it with my pilates, when I'm yogging, when I'm swimming, heck I might even start running again just to have it correct my stride. (insert me with big puppy eyes)

Play Play, watch the vid and you'll be ready to convert to MOOV like right NOW.
Find it here for 79$. Get it while it's hot!

Kiss and Peace
Hopping for a MOOV NOW Miss Sinister



Monday, December 7, 2015

Glitter Snow Bunny For Christmas

Snow Bunny For Christmas



Hey little sinisters!

With Christmas fast approaching, I've started to think about Christmas and New Year's outfits, and everything in between. 
You wil agree with me that this is the year of glitter. We've seen it everywhere from shoes to bags, tops to pants. It's on our eyelids and nails, in our hair from DIY and definitely in our head.
I'm so excited about wearing a pleiad of glitter outfits these holidays and I've selected three different dresses that I'll be drawing inspo from.

I love red glitter and this spaghetti strap number is sure to make heads turn wherever you decide to wear it! It would also look really well with a faux fur shawl or jacket on top and a pair of black suede over the knee boots.

The gold one is just plain gorgeous and I have to say it reminds me of a slightly more festive Herve Leger type dress. Uuu. Will google that immediately and make a list of potential dresses for these holidays. The pattern in which the glitter is laid is super flattering for any body type and the color will flatter any skin type. Pair it with high heeled sensation shoes (maybe red or silver) and cover everything up in a white wool coat. Definitely a show stopper.

The black long sleeved mini is by far the most versatile. The glitter is subtle and if you have to go to your in-laws for Christmas dinner this will do the trick. It's covered enough to make it proper, yet stylish enough to make a statement. I'm currently having one just like this made especially for that occasion and I'm planning to wear it with sheer tights and ankle booties and Guerlain's red lipstick. Bouncy waves for my hair and my grandma's antique brioche will complete my look. 
Of course, if you opt to wear this to a party, put on some dark sheer tights (if possible the one's with the back seam visible) and silver or cold super high pumps and a smokey eye and you're going to be smoking hot. Or should I say, glittering hot?

Kiss and Peace
Glitter Miss Sinister

P.S. All the dresses are from johnlewis.com and they range from 360€ to 540€.



Sunday, December 6, 2015

DIY Kitsch Christmas Wreaths from MollieMakes


I stumbled upon this wonderfully different Christmas wreath by MollieMakes on Bloglovin and I just knew I had to make it! 
Please follow the link above for the tutorial on how to make this little gems! It's super simple, really well explained and with pictures to guide you through all the steps.
I actually eliminated the baubles from the two I made because I didn't have any pink, red or even white one small enough to put on them.
I have to say it was easy to make them, but boy was it difficult to find the styrofoam base. I ended up going to 5 different shops before finally finding the last (and might I say extremely dusty) two styrofoam rings in the whole city. 
Yay for me, since they were the only thing missing. 
Everything is easy and quite fast to make, but I did prepare everything a day before putting it all together with pins. 
Both these gorgeous wreaths cost me under 10 € and I have to say Mr. Mystery hardly believed I hadn't spent 25 € on each to buy them from some shop.
I can't wait to show them off to family and friends during Christmas and New Year's.


Kiss and Peace
Let me know what DIY you're doing Miss Sinister


Saturday, December 5, 2015

Crafty Saturday


Just spent the day making kitsch wreaths for my front door!
So excited to tell you all about it tomorrow morning!

Kiss and Peace
Sleepy Miss Sinister 

Friday, December 4, 2015

Budget Friendly Beauty Xmas Wishlist

Budget Friendly Organic Beauty Xmas Wishlist




I have to say that beauty wish lists are quickly becoming a December fav.

1. Mirenesse Secret Weapon Supreme 24Hr Mascara. If for nothing else, this mascara had me for the extremely glam packaging. It also comes in deep dreamy blue which I'll never buy because I'm a chicken. It promises the longest of lashes and volume galore. This website has a ton of wonderful stuff and an interesting VIP member plan where you get their stuff a lot cheaper and you also get regular gifts.
(19 €)

2. Neve Cosmetics Unicornbuki. Anything that has unicorn in its name is bound to be plain adorable. This is so tenfold. It's a cute, quirky and great priced possible gift for any girlfriend, sister, mom, fellow blogger and yourself. My order is already in.
Did I tell you they're cruelty free, vegan, made in Italy and cheap? Get it while you can still find one.
(13 €)

3. Max Factor Creme Puff Blush. Despite being a drugstore beauty product, I'm head over heals with this little gem. It's ingredients are just fine, the price is more than fair, the colors are to die for and it also lasts a decent noun of time. Definitely something to keep in mind if you're going to be someone's Secret Santa. My favorite color is "Seductive Pink" because it looks just fine with or without a tan.
(13.50 € / 15 $)

4. Inika Vegan Lip Stick. I find it super difficult to commit to organic lipsticks because high end brands make their packaging so super luxe, my eyes outweigh my brain. So when I find a lipstick that not only is organic, but looks good, wears marvellously and costs more or less half the price of a Dior lipstick, I'm buying it. This Inika Vegan Lipstick in the shade "Orchid Fields", which I found over on Ecco Verde is a must for this year's letter to Santa.
(23 €)

5. Neve Cosmetics Blushissimi Blush and Contour Palette. I love all contour palettes out there, but this vegan, organic variation on the classic high end palettes is a wonderful thing to gift or be gifted. I personally own their pressed powder foundation and it never feels too cake, never upsets my skin and I could swear it helped heal a light breakout I got from testing a Guerlain foundation. I can only imagine how wonderful this product is. I'm hopefully going to get it for Xmas and so should you!
(23 €)


Hope you're enjoying my Xmas wish lists!

Kiss and Peace
Miss Sinister

Thursday, December 3, 2015

DIY Paper Doilies Christmas Trees



I'm the biggest fool for Christmas DIYs. Like the biggest on the planet!
I'm working on a wreath for my front door right now. I'll share it as soon as I finish.

I'm sharing an adorable, easy to make Christmas decoration that I'm thinking of using as a table centrepiece.
It's from The36Avenue and you can find many more Christmas ideas if you're into DIYs.


I'll try and do this one of these days and show you guys!
If you do it before I do, please share a pic!


Kiss and Peace
Miss Sinister


Wednesday, December 2, 2015

My Favorite Romanian Christmas Traditions


This pos has been in my head for about a month now. Ever since I came back from Romania after visiting my grandparents.

As a Romanian child with a pastry chef grandma, my Christmases were borderline fairytales. 
You probably don't know this unless you are Romanian, partly or whole, live with a Romanian, are married to a Romanian or have friends who are Romanians, but Christmas for us is a serious affair. In this I've always felt a kindred connection to the US where Christmas reaches the gargantuan dimension of Romanian celebrations.
Having been baptised an orthodox (albeit now being more of an open religion person), when I was a child there was plead of half mystical, half religious Christmas traditions by which one was to  abide.
I was the only grandchild in my grandparents lives for quite some time and hence all their loving grandparental attention concentrated on me.

Christmas was magical. For a few very specific reasons:
- on the night between the 5th and 6th of December, Saint Nicholas would come and fill your boots with gifts (if you've been good) or hazel tree rods (if you've been bad). Saint Nicholas is the American Saint Nick as in Santa Claus.  Will come back to that in a different post
Saint Nicholas, also called Nikolaos of Myra, was a historic 4th-century Christian saint and Greek Bishop of Myra. He is believed to be a miracle maker and is also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker.
I loved this tradition and have only heard of it from some Greek friends and obviously in Russia. Needless to say, I always woke up to find my boots loaded with goodies and I even started leaving boots around all my families different houses so that the loot would be even greater.
I still celebrate it and surprised my very Italian Mr. Mystery with it for the first time last year and he didn't know what to make of it. :)

- shopping for Christmas gifts. My family was really big on giving gifts. It still is. So secretly shopping for Christmas so that we surprised each other was the biggest thing ever in December. 
When I was a kid, I obviously didn't know all of this was going on (I even had an argument with a classmate in 4th grade because she said Santa Claus didn't exist - I almost jumped her O.O) but when I was a little older I fell for this crazy traditions big time. I don't know if it's a specifically Romanian tradition. But I have to say I know of no other people as gift giving as Romanians - like if you go to somebody's house to just visit them, you better be packing or else your host will feel offended and you better not say no to whatever gift they want to give you (be it jam, alcohol or hand knitted slippers - and yes, the last has happened to me).

- the food. My grandma would start preparing for Christmas a month before by making homemade sausages which she would then hang in the pantry (and hence everything smelled like sausage), buy turkish delight for the cozonac (I will let you know what that is in a future post), take out her cookie cutters and buy a ton of butter.  And then Christmas would be upon us and the beef salad (salt de boeuf) would have little snowmen on it, the sausages would be delicious (and particularly funny to see my mother around them as she is a vegetarian), the desserts would occupy a whole table by itself. And don't get me started on my grandma's pickles.

- the table. If there ever was somebody who outdid me on decor, that was my grandma. With her silverware and fine porcelain table set, her serving dishes and perfect centrepieces, the wreaths and the Christmas tree. I have the fondest of memories about it. Everything would be brought out, shined and polished, set perfectly and then enjoyed. I think this is one of the reasons why I've never saved anything for later. Things are to be enjoyed, not put aside until they have no more to give. My grandma's table must have seen hundreds of dinner, dozens of Christmases and New Years, I can't count how many birthdays, and all in good spirit. If a plate broke or a fork got lost she wouldn't even flinch. 

- caroling has also always been big "business" in Romania. There are professional carollers as I call the. People who sing in the church choir or any other choir you can think of who them go around before, during and after Christmas singing the vast repertoire of Romanian Christmas carols. When I was a kid, I was transfixed by these people since Romanian children are expected to go around and carol their families friends and neighbours. You can imagine me goofily going to doors, ringing the bell and then standing there all by myself singing a carol I half knew. But everybody was really sweet and you would get some money from everybody you carolled. As a kid, it was quite a lucrative adventure, and I could only imagine how much money the formerly mentioned professionals were getting. 
The reason why people open their doors to carollers is they believe they will usher the good spirit of Christmas in with their (for the most part) holy songs.  I've started appreciating carollers more as an adult and would love to have them coming at my door, but that is not a thing here in Italy.


Hope you enjoyed hearing about some of the quirky Romanian Christmas traditions.


Kiss and Peace
Miss Sinister

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Sephora Luxe Beauty Xmas Wishlist

Sephora Xmas Beauty Wishlist




Hey Sinisters,

Are you ready for #blogmas?
I am very excited to start blogging regularly again and apologise for the MIA.

Soooo...

Let's start off with a Xmas Wishlist.
I'm a big fan of Sephora and I buy a whole lot of things there so my first wishlist blog post is all Sephora everything.

1. Dior Addict Fluid Stick in the shade "Wonderland". It's the dreamiest of pinks, super shinny, relatively non-sticky and quite long-lasting. Would so love one of these! 
( 34 €/$)

2. bareMinerals Seamless Buffing Brush. This super sleek brush has synthetic bristles and an antibacterial treatment, it's super soft and the perfect gift for a sis, best friend or your mom.(26 €/$)

3. Dior Diorific Lipstick in the shade "Diorama". Well, if there is one expensive lipstick I'm wishing I'll find under my tree, it's this one. I'm in love. Tried and tested thanks to Sephora, it's long-lasting, super soft and ultra nourishing. And those colors! (insert me all googley eyes)
( 37 €) 
(unfortunately, I've only seen this lipstick on Sephora's EU sites so I don't know what the availability for the US will be)

4. TooFaced Cocoa Contour Chiseled to Perfection. I've already raved about this product in one of my Friday Fav Five posts. I am in love! I actually don't have any contour kits (gasp - I'm out in the open now) so this is definitely on my Xmas Wishlist. I think this would make for a great gift for any girlfriend, wife or even mom. Not mine, who doesn't get contouring (and all the contour craze), but definitely some other moms.
(38 €) (if you like it, hurry up - it's limited edition and selling out fast)

5. Let it Snow Sephora Mini Multicolour Bath Pearls. This is so going under my mom's tree. I think it's absolutely adorable, the whole line is. And it smells like snow and vanilla cookies.
It could definitely also work if you're someone's Secret Santa.
( 5.99 €) 


First #blogmas post done!
Let me know what you think.

Kiss and Peace
Miss Sinister


Monday, November 30, 2015

Back - and preparing for #blogmas

I'm sorry for the long MIA.
I've been busy with work since coming back from Tanzania and even busier with the Genius Bar twice weekly visits due to my Macbook inadvertently deciding it had had enough.
With a new battery and a 200€ hole in my wallet, I'm glad to report all is back to normal.

Tomorrow I'll start posting for #blogmas and hope to stay true to it and post new content everyday. Yikes!

Kiss and Peace
Miss Sinister

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

The Great Tanzanian Adventure

I'm almost at the airport now. It's that time of the year again. Time to brush off on my Swahili, put on that scuba gear, get all of my lenses full of Serengetian dust, meet new people...
I will be late to post and internetless for the most part of my trip. 

Kiss and Peace
Miss Sinister

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Friday Fav Five


 



1. My new backpack! I joined the backpack trend but didn't splurge. I've been eyeing this Zara sleek backpack for about a month now and last week in Milan I hurried to buy it. It was the last one in the store. I don't know if it's going to join the Zara Hot List(remember the glittered boots from last Friday Fav 5? - they are so sold out even Zara Care had to step in to comfort me. Damn you Twitter for making me addicted to shouting my lamentations to the world - and in this case @zara)
I'm definitely head over heals over my new little black backpack, and apparently it's not just me. Three girls stopped me this morning while getting on with my #todo list asking where I got it. :P
You find it in stores and on Zara.com for 39,95€.I suggest you hurry if you like it!




2. This new lipstick. My friend Silvia that works for an Italian beauty shop called Galeazzi brought me this new Clarins Joli Rouge. I've never used Clarins lipsticks before so I had no idea what they were like. I am now obsessed with one of the colors from the sample palette. "Soft Plum" is just plain perfect. Darkish, pinkish, long-lasting, super comfortable. I want it super bad. This is so going on my Xmas list!  It's on Sephora if you're interested and doesn't really set you back, 21,50€ for such a delicious, long-lasting, ultra nourishing little gem.


3. My new suede boots! I know I said I wouldn't buy any more shoes, but I couldn't help myself. These caramel coloured suede boots are the most comfortable thing I've tried on in a while! I don't care if they are not super grungy, I love they're not black, I can't be bothered with buying platformed unsavoury concoctions. I like shoes that last. That go from morning to evening without looking like a vampire in the morning and totally underdressed in the evening shoe. The color is on point with fall fashion, they're super soft, super comfy and a steal for 129 €. perfect fall/winter shoe. Find them here.







4. This organic lipstick pencil. I found an organic beauty shop that just opened where I live. Needless to say, I spent about 2 hours in there testing out all the makeup I've been stalking online but haven't purchased because I didn't know how it would look on me. (What? You don't do that?)
I'll come back with some more products, but in the meantime, revel in the organicness vampy lipstick pencil from Puro Bio that's been on my lips for days now. Literally.
I bought a dark color that looks practically identical to the YSL Kiss&Blush from an earlier Friday Fav 5, sans the over-drying.  I know it doesn't look like it from the photo, but your lips will look just like the little box it comes with. Instant Cruella De Ville.
It's 100% made in Italy, soft, doesn't over-dry, looks just like a lipstick, it comes with the most adorable little Limited Edition box, costs 7.90€ and you can find it online on their website. Let me know what you think!


5. A video with CATS. I stumbled upon this while looking for a video of JLo and Ja Rule and just died. Top 10 commercials with cats.
My fav bits? Opposable kitty thumbs, Be more dog! and the rockin' kitty!



And with that, I'm off to study. Again.

Kiss and Peace 
Miss Sinister

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Friday Fav Five - just a little bit late


If you feel that I have abandoned you, please be reassured I haven't. I've just been super busy with my studies. I just went to my first live seminar in Milan last Friday and I loved it! The sessions are at the British Council Milan which is smack in the city centre, or even more accurately in the centre of the so called "Quadrilatero della Moda". I'll be posting something on that later this week.
I've been looking forward to finishing this post for a few days now. This Friday post has me thinking all week and when I can't finish it in time my mind goes into creative overload.
So let's get back to our  chickens.
Here's a belated yet totally worth-it Friday Fav Five list!


1. This woolly thing to wrap around our fashionista necks! Stella McCartney's knitted scarf for 285€ over on mytheresa caught my attention last week while perusing the site for Xmas wishlist. Better named Xmas Wishlust. (Uh. I hear a post idea bubbling up in my head).
I think it's absolutely adorable. The price could have been a bit more consumer friendly, but this is Stella McCartney and so I'll just zip it. As I hope you know, she's a major animal cruelty advocate and everything that she makes is cruelty free and usually animal products free. 800€ faux leather Farabella, I'm talking about you!
I've dutifully informed my Mystery about how gorgeous i think it is. Am awaiting male confirmation that the message has been received. Will probably take the better half of November.


2. This contour kit (insert Miss Sinister screaming). I'm a contour dummy. I've long been wondering if the "X for dummies" series will take pity on my soul and provide a manual for contouring. I've probably watched a gazillion bloggers on youtube getting it on with contouring as well as virtually stalked Kim K. To no avail. I am no good at contouring.
But I desperately want to be Chiseled to Perfection by this Too Faced Countour  Kit. It looks fairly comprehensive and simple to use and would love to review it (*wink* I'm working on videos *wink*) and see how it performs in the hand of a profane user.
37.90€ over on sephora.





3. This ultra-feminine wool sweater. Fall gets me into a woolly state of mind (just read #1) and so I thought I'd include this lovely, ultra-wearable lavender sweater from Acne. It's not cheap, costing 240€, but I have to say that this can definitely be an investment piece and something I or you could wear for many falls and winters to come. You can find it here.

4. Glitter ankle boots from Zara. Do I really need to give a reason for wanting to buy 39.90€ black glitter boots from Zara?  I saw them in Milan on Friday and was beside myself when they couldn't find my size. (Damn my anatomically appropriate size 11 feet). I just imagined I was going to hurt my credit card some more and order them online. But guess what. They're sold out. Just my luck. That's why you need to place your order like right now. Like now. Stop reading this post. Go to Zara.com. Order them. Come back and finish reading. :P

5. Halloween decorations. Being busy with my job and my studies, I've not been able to rejoice in  the yearly "complete house spookeration for Halloween". I'm big on Halloween and Xmas and I usually go nuts with decorations. This year, my jack-o-lateen is still a pumpkin and my spooky witches and fake spider webs have yet to be taken out. But I'll be working overtime this week to get the house ready and I'm starting with this DYI Jack Skellington Halloween String Garland. Give it a try and let me know how it worked out for you!



Kiss and Peace
Off to have a gluten-free pizza Miss Sinister

Friday, October 16, 2015

Friday Fav Five


1. Sea buckthorn. It's a strange, bright orange, miniature grapes looking plant that helped me get rid of my skin troubles early this year. My mom used to force me to have a spoonful of these berries with honey every morning while I was growing up and man, did I hate them. Now, they're my go to multivitamin concoction every spring and fall. They boost antioxidant properties, they help digestion and ward off the flu, but there biggest pro is that they're Skin Superfruits. Definitely worth any beauty bloggers attention.
Best use: buy about 500g/15 ounces, clean them (they have tiny stems), fill a large mason jar or two normal sized mason jar with a combo of 50% sea buckthorn - 50% honey. Take one table spoon on an empty stomach in the morning for at least 1 month. Enjoy the awesome benefits




2.  This Brow Set. I was gifted an Oriflame brow set by my mom's old friend while in Romania. Just after I bought one before going on that trip. Doesn't that happen to you? Anyway, I tried it while in Romania and I have to say I like it very much. It's got two little brushes in a sleek little drawer under the 2 shadows and 1 wax. Simple, traveling friendly, sufficient. And not bad on the budget for about 10€. Sorry for my US and Italian readers, but Oriflame is not available in those countries yet. UK readers, rejoice, you can find it on their website.










3. This beautiful Lip Crayon. I'm currently obsessed with Nars's crayon, but saw this Ilia crayon on the latest goop newsletter. It looks just as good with the added bonus of being organic and free of a lot of chemicals which are commonly found in all those beauty products we adore. You can find it on The Beautyaholic's Shop for Italy or on their online shop for US. It's in the same price range, a little over 20€ and I have to say I'm tempted to order myself on in this delicious berrylicious color.

4. Adidas All Stars. When was in high school I used to own a couple of pairs, one a pristine white and the other a perfectly complimentary black and white stripes. I wore them with everything from my school uniform to jeans skirts and flared jeans(yes, they were fashionable when I went to school). Suffice it to say that I was not considered hipster or well-dressed or even sound of mind. That was long before bloggers were a thing and being original was cool. No bright pink hair or long siren blue hair in my day ladies. No. You wanted to be Christina Aguilera or Beyonce. Sexy. Perfect.
Hence my (now they call it) fashion forwardness was laughable.
Well...as they say. Better early than late. Or is it the other way round? :)


5. Dior Addict Fluid Shadow "Univers". Sephora got me again. Somehow, I manage to plan all of my hard earned money about 2 weeks before I actually get it. Or have earned it. This eyeshadow has me waking up in a sweat at night for how much I love it. I've now swatched it about 4 times, glaring at the price. 31€ for something I'll probably use once a month. Hm. It is absolutely dreamy, this Universe color is gorgeous and it also last for quite a while. At least on the back of my hand it did.
And because Sephora always drives its victories home, they've sent me a text message yesterday saying I have 20% this month. There goes some more of that hard earned money.




Kiss and Peace
Miss Sinister