My favourite things in May

I am sorry there is so little going on here at the moment. I promise this will change very soon (the blog's relaunch is finally about to happen – stay tuned!). You might think that starting a freelancer career will give you enough time for blogging, but since I do not work as a fulltime-blogger my jobs keep me pretty busy. And there is, of course, another reason why I do not have much free time to blog. If you follow me on Instagram you will have read about it (wink wink). 

But let's start with my favourite things in May! 

1. Cherry blossoms in full bloom

Number one will have to be the abundance of blossoms you can see everywhere now that spring is in full bloom and it isn't very long (we hope) until summer. Every year I am newly gobsmacked and captivated by the fluffy pink and white wonders the trees turn into. I am sad to see them go – but then again this means we're moving towards summer.

2. Femtastics

Here's the reason why I have been neglecting this blog a little bit lately: I am starting a new digital magazine together with two friends/colleagues. It is called Femtastics and it is due to launch on Monday! Naturally, we are super excited, a little nervous and very busy right now. Please follow us on Instagram and make sure to visit our website on Monday!   

3. Tiny tri-coloured ear stud

You know I am the worst magpie and an ardent jewellery collector. This tiny three-dot-ear-stud is just perfect because it goes so well with my other ear studs – and it's so minimalist and cool. It was made by Stefanie Sheehan, a jewellery designer from New York.

4. Menorca sandals

I wear my Espadrilles as soon as the sun puts in an appearance and the temperatures rise above 15 degrees, because they remind me of holidays in France and Italy and bring a little bit of that "La dolce vita" feeling into everyday life. And these Menorca sandals do the same, while providing a sole that's a bit thicker and more suited for asphaltic roads. I love the classic version by Avarcaria. These Avarcas are handmade by the Spanish family-owned company RIA and the soles are made from recycled tires.

5. Deliciously Ella's healthy granola

I am a big fan of Ella's blog and pre-ordered her cookbook as soon as I read about it. I love experimenting with vegan, clean eating recipes and I soon got hooked on Ella's healthy granola. I have re-made it several times since I got the book and I eat it almost every morning with my oats, chia seeds and fruit. You have to try it!

6. New same old same old

No matter how much fun it is to play around with new trends, shapes and materials, there are some items which will always stay in your wardrobe and make you feel comfortable. I own five or six Breton shirts and never tire of wearing them. I know that this striped T-Shirt by Cake and Tee will become a new wardrobe staple (did you notice the little print that says "Hello"?).

7. Beautiful toothpaste

I always fall for products that make my bathroom/kitchen/office look prettier (good packaging design  is definitely a sales argument for me). I love that the design of Couto toothpaste still resembles its original look from 1932. But why change something if it's so successful and convincing? 

8. Mini Maple tree

I wish I lived closer to my parents' garden and the woods. Whenever I visit them I cannot wait to see the garden and go for a run or bike tour around the forest. Of course a backyard garden or balcony in the city can never be a substitute, but it still makes me happy to have miniature trees like this little maple tree on my balcony. 

My favourite things in April

I would like to introduce a new category to Rosy Cheeks. Since I always come across so many things that make me happy – when travelling, through my work, when I browse the internet, ... – I thought I should't just post them on Instagram or Pinterest but give them their own little section on my blog. So from now on, I will share my favourite things that I have (re)discovered or currently enjoy with you every month. 

1. Glitter iPhone case

I am slightly embarrassed about just how excited I can get over cute iPhone adornment. When it was still possible to attach little pendants on your phone, I used to carry around a whole bunch of (mostly Japanese) phone charms. Now I only switch my phone case on a regular basis (and enjoy phone stickers quite a lot). My newest case: this one with glitter and stars floating around in liquid that I found on eBay. It makes me so happy! 

2. Kilim cushions

When in Mexico, I loved the patterned cushions you could find everywhere, but I thought most of them were somewhat too colourful for my own home. I found these Turkish Kilim cushions on Etsy. Now I can't decide whether I want them on the balcony, in the hallway or in my dining room - they look good everywhere. 

3. Mexican skull

Here's something I couldn't leave in Tulúm: one of the many many brightly painted "Día de los Muertos" skulls. It's spreading Mexican vibes in my home now. 

4. Ballet flats by Next

The perfect flats for this spring! Since the luxury version by Aquazurra was sold out almost everywhere – and wasn't within my budget this month –, I was thrilled to find these very similar flats by Next. I love wearing them with my vintage Levi's 501. You can get them here, for example.

5. Bangles

I wear my bangles from Monica Vinader and Sophie by Sophie pretty much every day. Last week I got a new addition that looks great together with them: this minimalist bangle by Madeleine Issing, a designer from Hamburg. (The fourth piece in the photo is a Saami bracelet from Sweden). 

6. Shaping body lotion by mio skincare

Especially after my workouts I love the feeling of a shaping body lotion that stimulates the body's circulation. I have tried many different products, but this one by mio skincare is really special. You can actually feel its effects as soon as you have applied it, kind of as if somebody was scrubbing your body with ice cubes. And, honestly, I think it has a tightening effect on my legs and arms.

My kind of "do"

 

What can I say, I'm not a "hairstyling person". Attempting a blow-dry, putting some "texture spray" on my hair, or wearing my hair in a chignon is as good as it gets when I try to style my hair. Maybe I am not patient enough or I simply lack the talent. But then again I like messy, kind of undone looking hair.

Here's some styling inspiration for easy and cool hairdos. I really want to try out the low, messy braid. ... And remember those tiny braids from your primary school years?

Photo sources.

Beauty favourites

I love trying new beauty products and I must admit I rarely stay true to cosmetic brands (I always fall for new promises as well as textures and scents). But there are some products which have made it onto my winter beauty toplist and which I will definitely buy again once they're used up. Of course I need to share these with you. 

From left to right (first photo): Aesop's "Damascan Rose Facial Treatment" (I do not use this every day, but only when my skin feels particularly dry). Estée Lauder's famous "Advanced Night Repair Serum" (I use it every night before my night cream). "The Express Anti-Fatigue Eye Contour Solution" by Evidens de Beauté (this is basically an eye treatment in a pen, which I apply whenever the contours of my eyes feel like they need some extra love). Caudalie's "Beauty Elixir" facial spray (refreshing and highly addictive). "Ageloc Transforming night" by Nu Skin (I like how this night cream makes my skin feel, plus it's neither too heavy nor too light).  

Something for the hair: Revlon's "Uniq One Coconut Treatment" (a leave-in treatment I use after washing my hair. If you love coconut you have to get this!). 

Lip balm by Diptyque Paris (I use this before I go to bed). Two hand creams because they are equally great (both in textures as in scents): Byredo's "Blanche" (I love love love this scent and I am so happy I can now get it not only as perfume but as hand cream, body wash, body lotion, ...), and "Arabesque wood" by & other stories. 

Click on the images to see them larger.

Budget Beauty

Of course I like to indulge in luxury cosmetics from time to time, but there are some everyday products that have become favourites over the years and that really do not cost a lot.
Above are four of my beauty staples that I wanted to share with you. I have been using Maybelline's liquid eyeliner for years -  maybe because I have gotten so used to its brush and texture, for me it works best to create that cateye line.
When it comes to lip colour, in contrast, there isn't one brand that I like most. You can find anything from YSL, Chanel and Armani to drugstore brands in my bathroom. I own several lip sticks from the "Color Sensational" line by (again) Maybelline and, if you ask me, "Coral Pop" is one of the best colours among them.
I only recently came across the LCN blusher "Peaches and Cream" and it quickly became a favourite. It smells amazing (nomen est omen, I guess) and has a lovely discreet shimmering effect.
Last but not least, if - like me - you are a person who is never patient enough to wait for nail polish to dry, you simply must try out Astor's quick dry topcoat. It has made my life a lot easier.

L'eau d'été

When I was younger I used to think eau de toilette or eau de cologne was nothing but an inferior version of perfume. After all it's cheaper, has less oils and thus the scent lasts shorter. How wrong I was (the ignorance of youth!). Thankfully with age sometimes comes a little bit of wisdom, so now I know that eau de cologne is simply perfect for summer. When it's warmer and you want to wear light, airy scents anyway what's more fitting than an eau de cologne?

I'm so happy that my favourite scent, Byredo's Gypsy Water, comes in a cologne version, too. <3

Fragrance love: Verveine

Let's talk about home fragrances. Seriously, why only focus on your body – doesn't your home equally deserve to smell nice? My obsession with room perfumes and scented candles began when I walked into a little boutique in Aix-en-Provence and it smelled so incredibly nice that I wanted to stay in there for hours. I found out that the scent was a fig perfume. Since then I have been using fig room perfume, fig scented candles, soap, liquid soap ... (I highly recommend the one by Savon de Marseille) and I never got tired of it. But currently I'm in the mood for something a little fresher. Enter Verveine. I love its slightly herbal, refreshing scent! My new favourites: Marseille soap from the market, the Diptyque Verveine candle, bath products by Acqua di Stresa and - an oldy but goldy – the Nesti Dante "Romantica" liquid soap. Give it a try! 

Wanted

You know what I love? Fantasy wishlists. This year, I'll try to save up (again) for the bag of my dreams – Louis Vuitton's "Sofia Coppola" bag in cobalt blue –, but I also wouldn't mind the following: a loose-fitting pair of jeans (since I'm only wearing skinny jeans this would be something entirely new in my wardrobe), this leather belt by The Kooples, "Poppy Pumps" by Isabel Marant, "Juste un clou" bracelet by Cartier (this is a fantasy wishlist, after all!), a French phrase book, and – something to add to my beauty cabinet – a hair brush by Mason Pearson, the Estée Lauder "Advanced Night Repair" serum, and "The Eye Balm intense" by La Mer.

For the twill of it

A great colour for autumn: Essie's limited edition "For the twill of it" – a shimmering purple and green. More of my favourite beauty products here.

The world of diptyque

Maybe you can tell from my Instagrams that I'm a fan of the diptyque scented candles (but who isn't? They're so chic!), yet I only recently tried the diptyque perfumes and body care. There are three fragrances that I particularly like: "Philosykos", "Ofrésia" and l'Ombre dans l'Eau. Sooo nice! Especially the first two. You have to go and check them out. They're divine. 

Gypsy Water

I first heard about Byredo when I went to visit my sister in Sweden. As I love black and white designs for my home I was immediately drawn to the beautiful puristic packaging. When I received "Blanche" as a Christmas gift it quickly became one of my favourite everyday scents (it's so descreetly nice, like linen that's just been washed). Now I found a new companion for summer: "Gypsy Water" – isn't the name enough reason to make you want to use it? To me it seems perfect for the carefree summer spirit.

New beauty highlight

Probably you've been using this product for years – but I only discovered it on the weekend. MAC's "Mineralize skinfinish" leaves a very pretty subtle shimmer on your skin. I guess it's what you call "sun-kissed".

Let go

I've always admired long, wild hair (unfortunately due to its nature I could never wear my hair as long as I wished to) ... but lately there's been a thing going on. Elin did it, Leandra did it - Alexa has done it a while ago ... everybody's suddenly wearing short hair. Well, I call it short, but it's actually just above the shoulders. I really want to try it but I need to wait until my layered cut's grown out.

Images via theyallhateus.

Holographic nails

The moment I saw this nail polish I knew I had to get it. Ziggy Stardust nails! I've always loved holographic material. This "psychedelic holographic nail polish" comes from the Danish brand FNUG. (You can also order it here or here.) They recommend a special base coat to make the holographic effect stronger. I love it!

Nail Fetish

Some of the nail polish that I like this autumn: glitter by Nyx, "Lapiz of Luxury" by Essie, silver nail polish by Malu Wilz, holographic silver/blue by Anny, "HAM" by Uslu Airlines and holographic greens/blues by essence.

Green autumn nails

Of course I have not just changed my wardrobe from summer to autumn – I have also found the perfect nail polish colour: the dark greenish shade which Chanel calls »Black Pearl« but which you can also find from various other brands. I like it a lot.

First photo by me, second photo by intothegloss.

Figs & Rouge

New in my handbag: lip balm by Figs & Rouge. It feels nice and I really like the retro packaging. I discovered it because it was included in the current Glossybox, which I received as a gift.