Friday Fav Five from BeautyBay.com

After having totally let myself down by not publishing regularly, I'm now on a bit of a roll.

Today I'm bringing you a very specific #FridayFav5 focusing on products you can find on www.beautybay.com. I've become a tad bit obsessed with this website since it delivers free worldwide once you've gone over the 20€ mark, and honestly, I can't remember a time when ordering something online did not easily go way over that. Don't judge, look at your credit card details and you'll see you're just like me.

Yesterday I received my latest order (two Morphe brushes) and thought I'd give them a shout out, or a positive review, or a standing ovation, or just hint them over to you guys. Whatever it is, they are a kick-ass website, try to its word, with great brandiversity (Oh, this needs to become a word!).

So here is my Friday Fav Five list straight off their website.

1. Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream. 36€

This brand is organic, hails from New Zeeland, the cream comes in a jar (which I love), has awesome reviews and apparently smells incredible. I'm not the one to go gaga for a face cream, but I definitely want this in the future. I might wait and buy it for next winter since it does apparently boast a very rich and creamy texture and with spring fast approaching, might not be the best option for me. But if you have dry skin and you're looking for some night comfort, this cream might just be for you.

2. EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm - Strawberry Sorbet. 7€                                                       What can I say, if it's pink and you can put it on your lips, I will stop and stare. If you add to that the fact that it's organic, cheap, adorable, famous and smells nice, I'm basically yours. If you haven't heard about the EOS lip balms, you need to get educated fast. This little marvel ball is rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, enriched with Jojoba Oil and Kim Kardashian approved. I mean if that doesn't convince you, I don't know what will. Next on my purchase list.

3. Gerard Cosmetics Pretty Pinks 4 Piece Collection. 37€

I've been secretly stalking Gerard Cosmetics for a while now, but direct incursions have been impossible since it's nowhere to be found in the land of La Dolce Vita where I'm currently residing. 

I found this super luxurious pink collection on Beauty Bay and I'm basically obsessed. Two pink lipsticks and two pink lip glosses. They look awesome and judging by the astounding number of Instagramars our there using Gerard Cosmetics, I bet they're also super comfortable to wear. The price is fairly decent for the FOUR products you get and there is another collection option which features nude colors. 

4. Illamasqua Nail Base Coat. 15€

If this isn't the most perfect shade of nude you've ever seen, I don't know what is. I've been really getting into Illamasqua products, both for their really nice ingredients and wonderful packaging, but also for all the rave reviews I've been seeing lately on Youtube. Well, if Gwyneth puts you on her list of favs, you've pretty much arrived right?

                                                                                    

                                                                                    5. All possible Morphe Brushes. affordable€

I've basically gone on a crazy shopper binge and bought several of these beauties. I have to say I love them. Not all are equally nice and some might even qualify for the "nah*shrugging shoulders*nah" award, but generally I've found these brushes to be good quality for money, super soft, able to do the job ad overall a really good investment for any non-MUA beauty blogger. All the Youtubers out there raving about these brushes doesn't hurt either. This is the G4 Angle Blush Brush.

Let me know what you think.

Kiss and Peace

Miss Sinister

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

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

Friday Fav Five

1. This Dior-looking overcoat. I'm the biggest Dior New Look fan you could ever possibly imagine and while I was scrolling through H&M's website on the prowl for a new winter coat, I stumbled upon this gem. I'm pretty sure it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I think it's amazing. I love the color, the cut and the details. It would undeniably make one heck of a statement this winter.

                       

2. Guess Curve Skinny jeans. Just bought a pair and I am obsessed with thier strechiness! Try it to believe it. I'll come back with pics!

3. Thie core-licious video. Popsugar's Anna Renderer is one of my fav online go-to trainers alongside Cassey Ho. This video is super quick, super nice for a afternoon blast of energy and it's all done standing. Tried it myself. Have to say I loved it.



4. Stand-up galore. You put Seinfeld and Letterman together and I melt into a little puddle of stand-up joy. I hope someday Letterman will come down from Late Show Olympus and go back on iar. That would really make my day.

5. The little foundation that could. I've been using So Bio Etic BB Cream for about 6 months now and I have to say it's been my most useful well kept secret. I have super sensitive skin and it takes next to nothing for my face to rule out a foundation and break out. This little wunder bb cream, completely organic and sun-proofed, has really come through. And for a little over 12€, it's definitely something to consider if your skin tends to act up.

Kiss and Peace

Miss Sinister

Friday Fav Five

1. The new Dior Addict Lipstick. I went in Sephora the other week and literally tried on every shade available. (don't judge fellow sinisters, you know as well as I do you do the same). The new constituency definitely helps in light of the upcoming winter and other than that I couldn't really see a difference between my old Addicts and these new ones. But I did try a very lovely shimmery nude, 260-Bright, that might join my other Addicts.You can find it here.





2. Alberta Ferretti's Milan show. I snuck in some live streaming viewing time to http://milanfashionweeklive.com/live, in between studying. I'm still anxious to see the Versace one this evening at 8 pm, but I have to say I've seen some really wonderful designs for Spring-Sumer 2016 thus far.
An undeniably my fav has been Alberta Ferretti. I adore this designer and her shows was absolutely breathtaking. I'd pretty much immediately wear everything off the runway.

3. These leather lace-ups. They are locally produced, simple and clean, really soft and not bad on my finances. Love'em! Find them over on Manas for 99€.

4. Squash galore! Fall is finally here and I get to cook, prepare and eat all things squash. It's by far my fav vegetable, such a happy color, deliciously packed with vitamin E,A and C, rich in fibres and magnesium, decently protein fit and low on the caloric intake. You can soup it, bake it, risotto it, mix it with everything and anything that comes to mind. There are a myriad of recipes on the blogosphere with it but tune in this weekend for my fav squash recipe. You won't be disappointed.




5. The mother of all recycling charts from goop.com. I have to say I am trying my best to keep my Earth-polluting self from doing so more and more every year. This is also getting simpler thanks to the advent of ever so easily recyclable products and highly specialised recycling centres. Now goop just gave us a hand with a wonderfully put together chart that can stream your recycling to goopiness perfection. Please do give it a look.


Kiss and Peace
Off to study Miss Sinister

Friday Fav Five - on time!

It's Friday and I'm here to give my #FridayFav5. On time!

Enjoy!

1. My new medicine ball. I bought a 3kg/6.6lb ball over the weekend. *insert gasp* I've never owned one and I remember I hated using one when I was in school. I have to say I went for the slighter heavier one (yeah, 2kg, I'm hinting at you) because the guy at the fitness centre said I should challenge myself which could be translated into "You have puny girl arms and should do something about it". So I am. I'm already going Pinterest crazy with medicine ball workouts. Check it out if you want some inspo!
You can find medicine balls on amazon, on either side of the pond.


2. This purrfect white turtleneck sweater. It's snow white, nice and chunky, overly expensive *wink* Santa *wink*, wool and perfectly easy to style with suede, 70s jeans, skinny jeans, boyfriend jeans, boyfriends, pencil skirts, skimmed lattes and Saint Moritz. Take your pick. I'll be having all, please.
Find it on mytheresa.

3. These suede boots.
Dear Mister Rossi,
If ever you wish to just randomly gift a cooky blogger a pair of your suede, tanned, laced up brilliance, please keep me in mind.
Kiss and Peace
Miss Sinister

P.S. Should I enclose my forwarding details?

P.P.S. Little Sinisters, don't be fooled. These are what fall/winter is supposed to look like. Pair with anything or nothing at all. I am definitely saving up for these.





4. This swimming cap. Nothing says I'm taking my fitness serious like buying this cap and wearing it to my first swimming lesson back from the summer off. Only 5.95€ at Decathlon. You can find it on their website too. I'll post a silly pic as soon as I get one.

5. This beautiful dress by Unique Dresses. It even has a name that makes it pretty: Edenvale Tunic Dress. I have to say I just saw it on Topshop while casually visiting their website trying to not buy something and fell very much in love. I'm having a print year. You know, some people go grunge, or rock, or totally preppy. I'm print right now. I love this ethereal print and it's overall shape with the high dolcevita neckline and the long sleeves. Can definitely see myself wearing it with thigh high patent boots or the aforementioned brilliance of Mr. Rossi.

Kiss and Peace

Proud to be on time Miss Sinister

Friday Fav Five - late but good

1. Collistar's Top Coat + Art Pen.
Lets set things clear. I love getting a mani/pedi and schmoozing with my lovely beautician.
But. Sometimes I don't have time (to be read - when Mystery storms home and says we're going to dinner with X&Y at that fancy new restaurant and/or hey,we're going to Milan like right now). This means I have to do some of the things I'm utterly useless at. This beautiful set, bought on a whim so that I could qualify for 20% off on the perfume I was buying (please stop laughing/pointing your finger, you know you do the same exact thing!), has proven to be a little treasure.
Easy to use, cheap (14€), long-lasting. Convinced?
Find it over on douglas or pretty much any drugstore/beauty shop for around 15€/13$.


2. Sugar. This is almost as addictive as the real thing. Listen once, get stuck on repeat, spend the rest of the week singing "Sugar,how you get so fiend...Sugar...."

3. This coat over on Zara. It's handmade, 50%wool, easy on the budget, blackness perfection. Something for the long winter to look Dior.

4. Dolce by Dolce&Gabbana.
This is the description Sephora has on its US site for this fragrance:
"Dolce is a gentle, feminine mix of white flowers introduced by the freshness of neroli leaves and defined by the full-bodied scent of white amaryllis, a South African flower used for the first time ever in scent. The amaryllis is perfectly blended with a unique and opulent combination of white water lily and bold white daffodil creating a classic yet distinctly original floral fragrance."

I have to honestly say it's one of the best perfumes I've worn for a very long time. I'm a big Dolce&Gabbana perfumes fan because they're ultra feminine and they don't give me a headache (something I tend to suffer from when I wear perfume) so I've been perched up high clinging to Light Blue (in all its declinations) for years now and refused to come back down and smell...well...the Dolce roses. This is now my fav. Just love it. Make sure you try it on your skin before you decide to get it.

5. The Shoe book. Manolo Blahnik teamed up with photographer Michael Roberts and put out a magnificent coffee table book that any shoes aficionado must at least in part consider putting on full display this fall/winter season. I'm a big fan of Mr. Blahnik and this is soon going on my Xmas list!

Millenialy buyable on amazon.com.

Friday Fav Five

Brand new #FashionFav5 post. Get it while it's hot!

1. This pinafore dress. Polyvore casually sent me a list of pinafore dresses I might be interested in following my Fall/Winter Essentials: the Denim Overall post. This Asos jersey midi pinafore dress looks wonderful. I can definitely see it with my Stan Smiths or with a pair of black stilettos and a Metallica T-shirt (one that used to belong to my aunt). You can find it here for 55.30€ which makes it all the more interesting. I would be curious to see how it looks on somebody a bit curvier that the modelly girl on the Asos website so if anybody has already bought and worn it, please leave a comment with your blog post or something.










2. Urban Decay Naked Basics 2.
I don't know about you but I am avid make-up products consumer despite being totally useless at it. I get a kick out of owning all of these wonderful palettes that make my inexpert make-up skills a bit better. So I bought my first Urban Decay palette the other day at Sephora for 27.90€ and I have to say I'm pretty satisfied. I've used it twice and although it doesn't have outlandish colors or glittery ones either, it's perfect for those work days when you want to look like you don't have any make-up on but you actually do.
Here are some nice Youtube reviews/tutorials about it: Glitteralittle, Sona Gasparian(she does a smokey eye that is to die for)




3. This suede dress from Asos(again). Out of the 20 or so I've seen online lately, this looks ah-mazing. You can find it on the Asos website for almost 118€ which isn't that bad but definitely an investment.

4. These Lemaré loafers. I have a secret shop I go to every spring and autumn and load up on great, locally produced (oh the joy of living in Shoes-land) shoes. Current obsession? These loafers in jet black corrected grain leather (I had to google that - it's the patenty look of shoes when it's not patent but leather). These shoes come from near where I live and I want them big time. I can already picture a million OOTDs.You can take a look at their collection and tell me what you think.

 5. Tina Turner. Proud Mary by Tina Turner live in 2009 when the singer was 70. Seventy. A seven followed by a zero. I wanna grow up and be just like her.

Kiss and Peace

Miss Sinister

Friday Fav Five

1. YSL's Baby Doll Kiss & Blush concoction N° 10 Nude Insolent. Find it here for 40$/38,50€ in EU. This was my mom's birthday gift for me. I had been stalking the YSL make-up counter for some time now for this and she graciously purchased, packed and ribbon tied it and gifted me this awesomeness. 10X mom! It is super easy to use, long-lasting, it has a matte finish and you can use it on your cheeks (although I yet have to try it) Love it! Will come back with pix!









2. Marc by Marc Jacobs Metropoli Bucket Bag. It's burgundy perfection. I want to buy a (by now ridiculously famous) bucket bag for the fall/winter and I have to say that this one has really captured my attention. It's a great color, pretty decent size (not too big, not too small), it has that quirky little pocket on the front which will undoubtedly prove both useless and annoying at some point, but I find adorable right now. And it's 280€, which I can manage.

3. Valentino tan ankle boots. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you will have realised my obsession with Valentino by now and this wonderful pair will come as no surprise. They cost a whooping 890€ on mytheresa.com aka WhereISpendMyMoney Central, and I have virtually no idea of how they feel, look or fit. So despite wanting them desperately for no other reason than that they are gorgeous, I will refrain till trip to store to try them on. But aren't they bee-u-tiful?

4. This song. I know several of my readers are more or less my age or a little older. I know you guys will truly appreciate what I'm about to say. Those of you that either don't know who it I'm talking about or don't care, don't worry. It's an age thing.

Before the world split into Beliebers and Directioners, (insert that smiley face that sighs) there was a boy band that ruled the world. Undisturbed. A whole lot more innocent than Bieber or any of the unbeknown to me One Direction members, less drama, less girlfriends, less convictions and jail time, no Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/Snapchat/whatever other social thing. No totalled cars and no selfies while enjoying recreational drugs. And they were grown-up men.

Ladies and gents.

Backstreet Boys. I'm having a 90s month. (P.S. sorry for the crappy quality video but do you remember MTV back in the days? It looked just like this. :)) )

5. My bday! I had an awesome, super chill, family birthday. I cooked seafood and ordered sushi. We ate cake, drank champagne and took tons of pix. Next year I'm gonna go wild.

Kiss and Peace

An Older Miss Sinister

Friday Fav Five

1. My new nails. I got inspired on Pinterest by a pin and went in to do my nails with a specific chaotic image in my head. It turned out perfect. I've also discovered my hands look like Milka the cow after three weeks of playing around in the sun. :P

2. Sephora's decorated bath foams. My mom picked up a few while starting her vacation and I got this one as a present. 260 ml of Berry Perfection. It is now my absolute favourite things in my bathroom and I think that for 7.90€ it's a real steal. Give it a try or take a look at the endless other sensory exhilarating fragrances.

3. Watermelons. I am head over heals with these year's production of watermelons here in Italy. Packed with nutritious vitamins and weighing next to nothing on the caloric intake scale, this sugary fruit has me reminiscing Romanian vacations filled with watermelons stacked up to mountainous heights, grandma's desserts and my grandfather reading the newspaper in the kitchen corner. 

4. Nina Simone's Baltimore. She is one of my all time favs. And Baltimore melts my soul every time I listen to it. Just press play and let me know what you think.

5. Last but not least, Mystery's Bday. He is my most fav thing. I love him to bits and we had a most romantic night out for his bday. He simply makes my life pink.

Kiss and Peace and Sorry for the late post

Miss Sinister