Sweet love

Desserts. Sweets. Candy. Chocolate. There is nobody in the world who doesn’t have a sweet tooth for anything.

Dark chocolate 

Mouth watering, melts-in-your-mouth, tastes like heaven. What more do you want from a dessert? There can never be a day when I go without chocolate. Definitely my favourite dessert, by far.

Brownies 

These soft, the right amount of sweet, appetizing and delicate make a perfect dessert for any occasion: whether you’re sitting at home watching downloaded TV shows or you’re on a date or even dinner with your best friend.

Ice cream 

Everyone loves ice cream. Whether its chocolate, or vanilla or rocky road. This is perfect for a hot summer day – it cools your system down and makes a perfect sweet treat!

Macarons

A bit unusual and rarer to find than other desserts: macarons. These French miracles are the definition of a perfect dessert.

Even if they are pricey.

Pie 

This pungent and delectable dish makes a mouth-watering dessert. A slice of apple pie or a piece of cherry pie makes an extremely flavoursome and appetizing après main-course refreshment.

Cotton candy 

This sweet and light “puff” of candy makes an amazing snack as you walk around town with your friends, enjoying the day.

The Philippines

This is kind of an unusual place to blog about, seeing as everyone blogs about the glamorous city of Paris or the exotic food of Italy.

However, the Philippines is also a beautiful country, with its sparkling beaches; and it is also home to nature’s wonders of the world.

Boracay

Famous for its white sand beaches, this island is perfect for kicking back and relaxing.

You can do a bit of snorkeling or paddle boarding and enjoy the nightlife with the endless parties that take place.

Palawan

Perfect place for island hopping across various islands and going for a snorkel or taking the kayak out onto the water as you feel the breeze cool you down.

Having a beach barbecue will be the highlight of your day, as you sit on the soft sand and feel the wind in your hair; while eating some of the most delicious food you can.

This isn’t all. The beautiful underground river of Puerto Princessa is one of nature’s 7 Wonders of the World, and it certainly exceeded my wildest expectations. Cruise in a kayak under a cave and look at all the different themes that nature has created with rock formations – a vegetable market, a garbage dump, and even the Last Supper.

Palawan is a definite go-to.

Bohol

“My humps. More fun in the Philippines.”

Bohol holds over 1200 grass-covered limestone domes – “the Chocolate Hills” – that are almost symmetrical. It is also home to the Philippine Tarsier, which is considered the second-smallest primate in the world.

Baguio

Baguio is a hill station, at the North of Luzon. It is such a perfect city to relax, look at the view with a hot cocoa in your hand.

This isn’t just all. There are many other places around the country to visit!

Overall, I think the Philippines is a wonderful country, and is definitely underrated (hey, Shay Mithell’s from here).

I am incredibly pleased to be living here and am delighted to get the chance to visit these places!

Travel bucket list: Paris

The city of lights. I know that people say that “Parisians are awful people”, and “the sights are too crowded” and “its not worth the expense,” but it is definitely one place that has lodged itself in my heart and it is one place that I will forever want to visit.

The Notre Dame cathedral, the Musée de Louvre, l’Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower are just some of the things you can visit. I want to spend a week being the stereotypical tourist around Paris and fulfilling that fantasy of mine – with someone I love.

Then there’s the bridge of locks. Going with someone you love and putting a lock just makes it that much more special.

The exotic cuisine of France: macarons, crêpes, escargots and that is just a start. I want to spend time sipping on wine, munching on croissants and living the cliché tourist life.

I have never been to France (except the airport) and it is one country I have always wanted to visit. I hope that someday, when I travel the world, I will be able to go! I want to visit the smallest ailes in the world with double the amount of people it can handle, eat the exotic cuisine – one of the best in the world and be able to speak one of the most romantic and beautiful languages in the world. Here’s to the dream vacation, in Paris.

Musical inspiration: Christina Aguilera

Being a major music person myself, I would have to say that one of my biggest inspirations for a long time now is Christina Aguilera.

She has the voice of an angel and her lyrics are so true and honest. She is truly an influence on my life, as she is for millions of other people all around the world.

In my favourite songs like The Voice Within (which I am attempting to sing but failing miserably) and Beautiful (love the classics), she truly expresses her feelings and speaks to the listener in a way nobody else does.

She is definitely someone I look up to and someone I aspire to be.

La mer

The sea. Who doesn’t love a dip in the ocean? A short paddle boat ride or even a casual stroll along the shore? 

The ocean water can do you good. When you are stressed out and you just want to cool your mind off before your head implodes? The beach is perfect. A few minutes just being in the serene atmosphere of the water and the sun and the soft, delicate sand under your feet is perfect for thinking things over and taking a little time off for yourself. 

Living in a country with an extreme amount of beaches pretty much everywhere you go, my most peaceful mindset would have to be when at the beach. It calms every nerve of my body and the water cools my body down. 

A definite go-to place, especially with my best friends! 

White hot

Just because summer is over and fall is approaching, it does not mean that we take out all our dark clothes and sweaters.

Hey, maybe wearing white after labour day may be disregarded, but for a few more days, you can rock the classic white look.

White shades

Leave it to the legendary white “Manhattan” sunglasses to keep you looking cool.

Bathing suits 

Give a slight extra boost to the colour of your skin with the ultimate white bathing suit!

White walk 

Take those heels out – everyone will be staring.

White pants 

Take those skinny jeans out and show off some of that booty!

Classics 

Take that cute crop top out while you still have time; there’s nothing like wearing that white t-shirt to a day of shopping or a simple lunch with the gals.

White mani 

Paint your nails white! An achromatic splash of lacquer keeps your nails looking young (and you looking fierce).

White blooms 

Splurge a little, you deserve it – buy yourself some white flowers to breathe life into your space. They are beautiful, and simple.

 

Go ahead: look white-hot, and wear this chic look while you still can.

Date nails/ party nails

Here’s another manicure I personally thought was just absolutely beautiful

This new take on the Ombre nail is sure to make a bold statement on your girls night out while still remaining understated! This ombre’d effect of dark to light color striping is perfect if you don’t like your nails to do all the talking, but it still attracts the perfect amount of attention.

This manicure is all about layering different colours to create different effects and just requires 5 easy steps!

Materials Needed:

• Black Nail Polish – Try Chanel “Black Satin”
• Dark Grey Nail Polish- Estee Lauder “GK Caviar”
• Silver Nail Polish – Ginger and Liz “Tuck Me In”
• White Striping Brush/ Nail Art Pen – The New Black “White Stripes Pro Nail Striping Brush”
• Super Thick Top Coat – Seche Vite

Directions:

1. On a clean and dry manicure paint two coats of solid black on your nails.

2. Take your dark grey polish paint a thick stripe down the center of your nail leaving only about 25% of black polish to be seen on either side of the grey stripe. You will need to paint the grey stripe in two separate sweeps straight down from nail base to free edge in order to create thickness of the stripe.

(Note: In order to ensure a clean sweep of the brush creating a straight line- make sure that you clean off the grey polish brush into the bottle so that there is no excess product that could potentially drip down to make a mess.)

3. Let your dark grey polish dry for a few minutes and then take your metallic silver polish. Clean off brush in bottle and then in one straight sweep, paint a brush stroke of silver down the center of the dark grey.

4. Let the silver polish dry for a few minutes and then take your white striping brush and paint a very thin line down the center of your silver polish for your final color of layering. (Note: Waiting for all your layers to dry is very important because if you paint your next color over the last layer while it is still wet- you will drag the colors and create bumps)

5. Finally seal in all your colors with a super thick and fast dry top coat.

You can then get ready and glam yourself up for the other part of the night!

F.Y.I: Twitter: @stephstonenails

IG: @stephstonenails

Classy, sassy and a bit smart-assy

One of those late hour parties, when you dress up in a short, dazzling skirt, that is very hard to miss; you leave your house with one thing on your agenda: make an impression. But think about it. Would you rather be wearing that, or a comfortable pair of jeans with a shirt?

Your body screams about losing your dignity, or your confidence. But mostly, your soul shouts that you are losing yourself. And ultimately, that is the most important thing. 

Why try to be something you’re not? Why do you try to fit in when you don’t feel like you belong?

No matter where we are in the world, we get judged. Not everyone likes what you do, and there is always something about you that ticks someone off.

Attire doesn’t define you, your attitude does. If you like sparkly, short clothes? Wear them. If you like a maxi skirt with a crop top? Wear it. If you prefer flats over stilettos? Wear them.

Comfort. That is the key to clothing. Be yourself and no one else. Make an impression that will last, and that speaks for who you are.

So chin up, princess; your tiara is falling. After all, a girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.

Summer

It is possibly the most awaited holiday ever – summer is the season where your swimsuits come out, school is closed, you hold that lemonade in your hand and you chill and loosen up by the poolside or the ocean and take in your atmosphere. Not a care in the world about homework or a paper that is due. Ahhh, its such a marvelous feeling.

Here are some things that can make your summer even better.

1. Ice cream!

On a summer day when the temperature hits 38°C, and it becomes difficult to stand the heat, this delicious treat is the perfect way to cool your body down.

2. Blueberries

There scrumptious berries are flavourful and immensely appetizing by the handful. Have them with cream or bake them into a pie and you have yourself a heavenly dish.

3. Cheesecake

This soft dessert makes a perfect summer dish; top it off with whipped cream, fruits, nuts or chocolate and it is even better.

4. The ocean

Doing some water sports, riding the waves or even adding a dash of paddle boarding to your day can make it exciting. This is also an incredibly fun way to work those muscles, and it helps keep you fit.

Even a simple walk along the shore can make you fresh; it helps you collect your thoughts and be with the peaceful ocean and the serene ambiance calms your body and mind.

5. FESTIVALS!

The world gets together every summer at the numerous music festivals that take place – in every part of the world. Dance and cheer for your favourite artists as they get together to take over summer. Come on, world. Bring it.

Two-toned nails

I found a classic Stephanie Stone nail-art design! Perfect for people who don’t have time to invest in elaborate nail-art and still use their nail as an accessory. 

Materials needed: 

• NCLA: “Eight Days A Week” Pastel Blue Polish
• NCLA “Like Totally Valley Girl” Baby Pink Polish
• Essie: “First Timer” Pastel Green Polish
• Silver Striping Tape (Available here)
• Sally Hansen Cuticle Nippers 
• Seche Vite- Super Shiny/Thick Top coat

Directions: 

1. Start with a clean and manicured nail plate and paint all your nails a solid pastel blue using NCLA “Eight Days a Week.”

2. Color Block your mani! Take your pastel green polish (Essie “First Timer”) and clean off the stem of the brush into the bottle so that there is minimal polish on the brush and stem. This is important because it will help you avoid making a mess and improve the precision of your paint job. Once your brush is clean with minimal polish on it, place your brush at the center base of your nail and paint a straight line upwards to the free edge of the nail. Fill in one entire side of the nail so that that your nail bed is split in half with both colors. Repeat this step with your baby pink polish (NCLA “Like Totally Valley Girl”) on a few accent nails to give you mani a little extra spunk! 

 

3. Once you have given your nails some time to dry apply your striping tape. If you couldn’t color split your nails perfectly straight in Step 2, that is okay because applying the striping tape will clean up your line and make it look really sharp.  When applying your striping tape lay the end of the tape at the base of your nail in between where the two polish colors meet. Unroll and lay flat on to the nail upwards to the tip of your nail. When you reach the tip use your cuticle nippers to cut off excess striping tape. Make sure to cut it short enough so that the tape is lying flat onto nail bed and there is not even a little extra tape hanging off the tip. If your striping tape is too long it will lift almost immediately by getting caught on things throughout the day. (You can find striping tape for $1.00 here)

 

4. Apply a super thick and shiny top coat like Seche Vite. Applying a top coat will smooth out any texture or bumps in the nail polish from layering the polish colors. The top coat is also very important because it will lock in your striping tape. Not to mention chipping prevention!

And there you have it! A super fun nail design for all occasions. 

 

F.Y.I: Twitter: @stephstonenails

IG: @stephstonenails