In the last year I learnt that if you want to make the most out of life you have to go out and get it. If you have an idea of something you would like to achieve, places you would like to go, or a fun day out with friends and family jot it down on a notepad and then make it happen :-) The longer that you wait to do something, the less you will be motivated to complete it whether that be a piece of homework or saving up money to go travelling because at the end of the day if it something you either have to do or really want to do you are going to do it at some point so why not start right now?
There are all sorts of books you can get to inspire or motivate you such as ones with lists to fill in or a scratch off map to help you discover new places to explore. My favourite book is called One Line A Day where you write down a snippet of your day every day for five years. I find that this really motivates me to do something interesting in my day or week so that when I look back in the future I can remember all of my accomplishments and exciting memories.
This year I feel like I have really lived up to one of my favourite sayings, carpe diem, which translates into seize the day. I have been waking up earlier, doing yoga, saying yes more, trying new things, exploring new places and becoming more fearless. It is the little changes that you make which will help you make the most out of life. I know you can do it :-)
I will leave you off with one of my favourite quotes:
"She turned her can'ts into cans and her dreams into plans"
Sarah Marie x
Over the past few months I have become rather accustomed to wearing a full face of make-up in warm and deep berry tones, so in the new year I decided that I wanted to strip back and go for a fresh and more minimal make-up look.
Once I have completed my usual skincare routine, the last item that I apply is my & Other Stories Day Cream which offers my skin a very soft and smooth base to begin applying make-up onto. I then sweep the shade 'Walk of Shame' from the Naked Basics Palette across my lid to brighten up the eye area and sometimes add a little bit of 'Naked 2' into the crease for added definition. To really make my eyes look awake my number one beauty tool would be my eyelash curlers followed by my Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara which really helps to keep my eyelashes stay curled.
To obtain a fresh glow onto my skin I dab Benefit's Girl Meets Pearl Highlight across the high points of my face including cheekbones, bridge of my nose and cupids bow. I repeat this step twice: once under my concealer and foundation and once over the top as the product is very light. To finish off my face I place Tarte's Glisten Blusher (a gorgeous baby pink with a gold shimmer) onto the apple's of my cheek and hydrate my lips with EOS lip balm. The last product I use before I began my day is a spritz of Marc Jacob's Daisy Eau so Fresh Perfume which has a light florally scent.
At the end of the day, there's nothing more relaxing and comforting then taking a nice bubble bath. I begin by removing my make-up with my trusty Garnier Micellar Water with a cotton wool pad and pop Lush's Butter Bear into the bath as it is running. To create a calming atmosphere I sometimes light a candle, and Anthropologie's Capri Blue Candle has a lovely citrusy fresh scent.
What are your favourite beauty products this month?
Sarah Marie x
On Monday I was lucky enough to attend the Menswear Burberry Show held at the lovely Kensington Gardens. The mood set for the show was very dark with deep brown curtains surrounding the interior, wooden floors and low lighting giving it a masculine yet sultry feel.
As the models began to walk the runway it was clear that the clothing was a mix of classic tailoring interjected with sporty casual wear. There was also the occasional splash of sequins adorning some of the garments.
Bomber jackets, duffel coats, puffer jackets, pea coats and of course oversized trench coats were favoured. Tall funnel necks, contrast piping, exposed zips and shank buttons were common details used throughout the collection. The colour palette for the collection consisted of pure blacks, wine reds, ochre yellows, burnt oranges, army greens and dark greys with bursts of canary yellow and true reds coming through. Checks, Tartans and Plaids were used on the garments and scarfs to bring the colour palette together.
Christopher Bailey also paid tribute to David Bowie by placing glitter on the faces of some of the models and one model also took it upon herself to write 'Bowie' on her hands and presented them as she walked down the runway.
It was an amazing collection and a very surreal and memorable experience :-)
Sarah Marie x
Copenhagen is a beautiful city filled with lots of lovely independent cafés and restaurants which quite often makes it difficult to decide where to eat. To make things easier for those who might be visiting or planning a trip there, here are my top picks:
Breakfast
If you are looking for breakfast that has a mixture of offerings such as banana pancakes, Danish pastries and yoghurt with fruit this cafe is a must for you. Unfortunately I am not sure of the name as it had only just opened but it is located on 16 Peder Hvitfeldts Stræde, just off of the square past the round tower. The café is cosy and also offers tea, coffee, hot chocolate and juices. Prices for breakfast were around 40DKK and 25DKK for drinks.
Brunch
Nyhavn is lined with colourful and original buildings with many adorning a restaurant underneath. Skipperkroen features a black exterior and rustic interior with each table holding a candlelight. It also offers tables by the window so you can look out at the view whilst you eat. The brunch consisted of scrambled egg, bacon, sausage, ham, toast, salad, cheese, grapes, melon, juice and tea or coffee for 99DKK. A smaller portion was also available for a lower price.
Dinner
Café Flottenheimer is the most quaint, idyllic place with a simple yet tasty dinner menu including chilli con carne, quesadillas, steak and more. It is situated in the latin quarter not too far from Strøget shopping street. The food is very good value for money with dishes starting from 79DKK and is the perfect location for date night.
For those seeking familiar dishes with a bit of a twist Tight is the right place for you. The food is cooked to perfection and I would personally recommend getting the Australian Salad to begin, the Pork Schnitzel coated in garlic and mustard with potato gratin for main and the warm chocolate cake for dessert. It it situated just off of Strøget and a must to go to. This restaurant really is high quality food for an unbeatable price.
Sarah Marie x
A few days after you read this I will be hopping on a plane to Copenhagen for my boyfriends 21st birthday and christmas present and I cannot wait! I think short breaks are the perfect amount of time to explore new cities and learn about another culture.
The Flight
When travelling my number one essential item would be a pair of headphones so you can listen to music and relax whilst on the plane. As a nervous flyer, I find it to be the perfect distraction and some of my favourite current tracks I will be listening to are Love Yourself - Justin Beiber, Lay It All On Me - Rudimental feat. Ed Sheeran and Eighteen - Dive In. I also like to bring a snack with me in case I get a bit peckish during the flight and a small bottle of perfume to freshen up once I have got off the plane and can also use during the holiday.
Day-Time Exploring
As the weather will be very cold, windy and potentially rainy an umbrella, gloves, scarves, and a hat are a must! I have never been a hat person so I am borrowing my mums lovely Khaki Faux Fur Pom Beanie Hat from Topshop which will do just the job at keeping my hair at bay! To protect my lips from becoming chapped I always carry some vaseline in my handbag and the Rosy Lips Tin also doubles as a lip tint.
A wide purse is a must to bring on holiday with me to store my money in and I also think it is a great way to temporarily store attraction tickets and so forth. This Michael Kors purse is also very secure because the zip fastens all the way around the opening.
I love taking photographs on holiday - I mean who doesn't? As well as using my phone and a camera, I think polaroids give a great rawness to images. It would also be a nice idea to hang them up on a bedroom wall when you return so your memories can be on display :-)
Night-Time Adventures
To transform my make-up from day to night I love a good pink and purple toned palette and a flick of eyeliner for a bolder look. The Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette has great pigmentation and staying power so I can ensure that it will last me all night.
When the night-time adventures come to an end, theres nothing better than snuggling down into the covers and divulging into a book. I received the Millie Mackintosh: Made book for christmas and look forward to continue reading it.
"One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure" - William Feather
Sarah Marie x
I want to begin by wishing you all a very happy and positive new year! Two thousand and fifteen was everything I could have wished for and more so here is to another inspiring and challenging year. Last year I created a blog post sharing with you my goals for 2015 and I have decided to continue that on this year as it is something that I love to reflect on.
Karma
This may sound slightly cliché but I adore the message that came with my necklace and I want to fully live up to it. The message says "what goes around, comes around… wear your necklace as a reminder to keep the circle positive, peaceful and loving…" In 2015 I stated that I wanted to become more charitable and giving which I believe I achieved and will carry this forward in 2016.
Try Something New
It's very easy to get stuck in a rut in day to day life so I am going to challenge myself to try new things this year. This could be anything from trying out a new hobby to a type of food which I would have previously dismissed. We only live once so there is no harm in challenging yourself; the worst that can happen is that you don't like or enjoy something and the best thing that can happen is that you add something new to your pile of good things and let it grow.
Be Fit and Active
I am being very stereotypical here but lately I have been very inspired by those who are physically fit and strong and I understand the many benefits that come from it. After following Elle Fit Active on Instagram for a while, I have been very interested in her E-Book Guides based around stretching and getting 'bendy' and am very tempted to purchase one to begin in January.
Drink More Water
When it comes to drinking water I am one of the worst. It is not that I don't like it, in fact it is my favourite drink, yet my body simply never feels thirsty. I think water is amazing for your skin, body, brain and so forth and I want to take full advantage of its benefits. To encourage myself to drink more I am going to invest in a water bottle perhaps that has a fruit infuser in it or one that has lines with the time of day on it.
Go on More Adventures
There is nothing more I love to do than explore new places, cultures and cities whether they are far away or on my door stop. The world is brimming with areas I have not explored waiting for the foods, fashion and lifestyle to be discovered and I will do everything I can to make this happen!
Sarah Marie x
