Fall Favorites Tag

I find it amusing that I've had three labels here on my blog for years that come together pefectly to make up the name of this tag :) It's been making rounds on YouTube for a couple weeks now, and I had actually been planning to write a general lifestyle post about my current favorites (which are definitely influenced by the seasonal change), so I just decided to do it in this format. Keep reading to find out if I tagged you at the end of the post!

We live in a one bedroom apartment so there isn't a whole lot of space to go all out with seasonal decor, but I put together this little centerpiece with a small pumpkin and some maple leaves I've had for a long time, which I also use as a background for my blog photos.

1. Favorite Candle
Without a doubt and for at least second year running, the Bath and Body Works Marshamallow Fireside. It's just the perfect blend of sweet carmelized marshmallow orbs contrasted with a warm, smokey, woodsy background. I find a lot of BBW candles very overwhelming and get tired of the scent quickly, but this is just delicious. Every. Single. Time.

2. Favorite Lip Color
I've been really enjoying my berry pink Inglot Gel lipstick no. 58 that's in my Project Make A Dent this year. When I picked it out before the Project's beginning, I was already expecting that I'd primarly want to wear it in the fall and winter, and that's exactly what's happened. I sometimes just pat a very thin layer with my finger for that stained look, sometimes wear it full-on, sometimes pair it with a darker lip liner (shown here) or Revlon Back Cherry for a deeper, more vampy look.

3. Favorite Drink
I haven't had a Starbucks latte in over two years, I think, so no PSL for me - I don't rate Starbucks coffee at all. Our rediscovered favorite this season is Adagio's Thai Chai flavored black tea with just a small teaspoon of sugar and soy milk. It's both refreshing and creamy, with lemongrass, ginger and lots of coconut. Both me and the husband often make it in the morning and take it to go in our insulated Klean Kanteen bottles/ thermoses.

4. Favorite Blush
My perennial favorite is NARS Sin, but I've been more focused on rotating through my less used blushes recently and trying to weed out the ones I don't like as much anymore. For a warmer-toned blush, I also really like NYX Powder Blush in Mauve.

5. Favorite Clothing Item
Well, I've obviously dug out my thicker sweaters and scarves now, and even had to pull out my winter coat this past weekend, but one of the newest items in my wardrobe is this little leather crossbody my brother got for me during our Tuscany trip. It's a very simple shape and doesn't fit much (my iPhone 6 Plus barely fits, and I can't carry a wallet, just cash and cards), but I'm a huge fan of the classic feel and the cognac color.

6. Favorite Fall Movie
I don't really rewatch any movies seasonally, but I sure love Hocus Pocus for Halloween, even if it's the most predictable answer on the planet.

7. Favorite Fall TV Show
Okay, you guys are going to laugh, but we recently started watching iZombie on Netflix, and you know what? It's not bad. Sure, the premise is ridiculous and the plot doesn't hold in many spots, but it's actually pretty funny, and I love the realistic attention to detail: in one episode, the main character turns into this hacker/ gamer persona, and her entire apartment is littered with Dorito bags and Sprite cans, which apparently (husband told me) are the proverbial gaming snacks. Other than that, we've also been watching The Voice, although we couldn't stand the frequent commercial breaks on the free version of Hulu anymore, and subscribed for the commercial-free plan - which makes for a MUCH improved viewing experience.

8. Favorite Thanksgiving Food
Being born and raised in Poland, we don't celebrate Thanksgiving. I even tried cooking 'Thanksigving-inspired' food a couple years ago, but since I've actually never participated in a real Thanksgiving feast, I don't know what it's supposed to taste like. I do however have a few dishes in my repertoire that I always make in the fall, like a creamy pumpkin soup with lots of cumin (or any other spicy soup - love hot soups in the cold season!), or the Polish apple pie called szarlotka, with cinnamon, meringue and crumble on top.

9. Favorite Halloween Costume
Again, I'm not into celebrating Halloween at all, it's not a traditional Polish holiday, although it is becoming increasingly popular with how prevalent American culture is all over the world. The one year we dressed up for a Halloween party as a Mad Hatter and Alice (click here for photos), our friends had no clue who we were supposed to be. Big fail. But I'll probably paint my nails a very dark vampy shade and top with some glitter for a festive look!

10. Added in by yours truly: Favorite Perfume
I mean, the question about favorite fall perfume clearly must have been omitted by accident. My last year's cold season favorite was Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan, which I received in the full size for Christmas - and I still love that heavy, warm, jammy oriental. But when we visited Lucca in mid-September, I noticed a cute apothecary shop (Erborista) in one of the city's beautiful squares, and promptly fell in love with Ambraliquida (clearly, I have a thing for amber) from an Italian brand L'Erbolario Lodi. It's a spicy and sweet scent with notes of sandalwood, incense, patchouli, bourbon vanilla and honey. It dries down powdery and musky, and has incredible sillage and lasting power (probably because it's more of a base-note heavy fragrance). It's definitely not for everyone, but I love it, and my dad loved it so much that a couple hours later he decided to buy a bottle for my mom too. I paid about 22 euro for a 1.7 fl oz/ 50 ml EDP, but you can also purchase it in the US for $45 on CyberCucina and The Herbarium, their authorized US retailer.

That's it for my answers, I hope you enjoyed them! I would love to see the following bloggers answer these questions: Tracy at Beauty Reflections, Larie at Eye Heart It, Liz at So Lonely in Gorgeous, and Claire at The Land of Lorp - as well as anyone else who would like to join in! If you decide to post this, please leave me a link to your blog in the comments :)

Blush Fiends Unite: Addicted to Blush Tag

While I may not have been officially induced into the #blushfiend society, it is no secret that I love blush. Yes, I used to be one of those sadly unaware people who didn't see the point of wearing blush ('I already have redness in my face, I don't need any more!'), but once I tried my first pot of Bourjois Rouge, there was no turning back - so when Emma graciously tagged me for the 'Addicted to Blush' round-up, it took me a mere, hmm... 6 weeks, to come up with my answers (I have excuses if you want to hear them. No? I thought so).

1. What color blush suits you the most?
I believe we all know the answer to this one - peachy pinks. I have the most peachy pink blushes in my collection, and I always have at least one on regular rotation. I think the balance between the warmth of the peach and the brightness of pink perks up my skin without making it look too made-up or bringing out too much of the redness I struggle with. Peachy pink blushes are also so cheery to look at in the pan!

2. Pressed, cream or loose blush?
Definitely pressed powder (see the line-up of powder blush compacts in my happy place... I mean, my blush drawer). While the skin on my cheeks is normal and doesn't eat up cream blush too bad, I still struggle with finding formulas that feel lightweight on. And loose blush... No. That's just asking for trouble.

3. Favorite shimmery blush?
NARS Sin. I thought long and hard about this one, and realized I don't actually own very many shimmery blushes; I do have a lot of satins, but I have to be careful with obvious shimmer in cheek products, as it tends to draw attention to textural issues (bumps and scars). Somehow, NARS Sin is quite forgiving in that department, and it has a beautiful balance of cooler plum tones and warm golden sheen.

4. Favorite matte blush?
Again, not very many purely matte blushes in my stash, but here are three formulas I enjoy a whole lot: Inglot Blusher no. 72 (please note that these come in a variety of finishes, some shades have quite a bit of sparkle), the Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten in Boysenberry (again, some of the blushes in this range are highly shimmery, some are matte; why so confusing?!), and the recently reviewed Catrice Defining Blush in Rose Royce (I have no idea what the finish is on the other shades in the range - sorry!).

5. Favorite cream blush?
This award has to go to the Canmake Cream Cheek blushes in the clear finish, reviewed and swatched here. The beauty of this tag is that it has reminded me of some abandoned blush favorites - I forgot how much I love these as I've been focusing on putting a dent in my Stila Convertible Color, and need to pull them back out for spring and summer. If you still haven't tried these, do yourself a favor and order one on evil Bay.

6. Favorite drugstore blush?
Hmm, my blush stash has veered a bit more into the high-end territory over the past couple of years, but I still enjoy wearing my collection of five NYX Powder Blushes. However, having recently tried the Catrice Defining Blush, I have to say I love the formulation of the latter a bit more, though then again it's difficult to judge based on just one shade. I shall rectify that next time I'm in Europe.

7. Favorite high-end blush?
Thus far, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes (I have the LE palette with three shades, but I'm assuming the singles are just as good). The pigmentation is fantastic and the luminous finish brings beautiful dimension to the cheeks. However, I have to say I haven't ventured into the really high-end end (lol) of the blush universe and I'm intending to change that this year, so we'll see if a new favorite formula shall emerge in the next couple of months.

8. Favorite bright blush?
How bright are we talking? I do have some eye-searing shades in my stash, but to be honest, they're quite hard to apply properly on my fair skin. I do however find these Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelees in Pink Escape and Red Getaway very easy to pull off, because despite being scary/awesomely bright and juicy in the pots, they sheer out quite a bit and give off just a flush of color on the cheeks.

9. Biggest blush disappointment/ regret?
I don't have any of these anymore to show you because I've given them all away to friends and family, but both Benefit Coralista and theBalm Hot Mama! blushes were ultimately disappointing on me. Not only did they have the kind of shimmer that emphasized pores on me, but the shades were just way too warm/orange and clashed with the cool undertone of my skin. I've never tried NARS Orgasm, but I'm sure this one would be a fail too. Funny how these three are often touted as the perfect blushes for all skintones - not so much for me.

10. Best blush packaging?
I really enjoy minimalist make-up packaging, and I think Laura Mercier's Second Skin blush packaging is pretty perfect: cute, small, equipped with a mirror inside and the option to depot into a palette. I dislike bulky designer compacts because I don't really have the space to store them, and they're a pain to travel with, even though the elaborate cases look beautiful and luxurious.

11. What's on your blush wish list?
I haven't been tempted by a lot of blushes recently, but I've always had it in the back of my mind that one day, I would really like to try the grand dame of powder blushes, Chanel Joues Contraste - and see, Emma's raving about them too! I don't have a specific shade in mind quite yet but I'm thinking I may swatch them at the counter soon and pick one up as a treat for my name day in May. I've also heard great things about Armani Cheek Fabric Blushes (and I love their packaging too!) and Clinique Cheek Pops - the newly released shades are especially enticing.

12. Number 1 Holy Grail blush?
Whyyy do you torment me sooo?! How am I supposed to pick a favorite between all my babies? I really don't know - I think if I had a clear Holy Grail, I wouldn't be buying so much blush :) However, some of my top favorites would definitely include Laura Mercier's Lotus Pink, NYX Angel, and, and, and... uhm, maybe bareMinerals READY Blush in The One? All of these are really good.

Well, this has been difficult - but fun! Thank you for tagging me, Emma; and now I guess it's my turn to tag a few fellow #blushfiends. I'd love to see Claire's, Belly's and Kar Yi's answers - show us the dark depths of your blush stash!

The Make-up Addict Tag

This is a very vague tag name for a beauty blog, don't you think? I would probably rename it somewhere along the lines of 'A Nosy into My Make-up Collection and Storage'. I always think that ONE DAY I will show you a little tour of my vanity, but in reality, that day never comes - so better a little glimpse than nothing, right? Thanks to Larie from Eye Heart It for tagging me, it was fun!

1. Which product do you still keep buying more of despite having plenty in your collection?
Leeeepsteeecks. And eyeshadows. And blushes. I'm a touch more tame when it comes to mascaras, eyeliners, primers, foundations, concealers, face powders, bronzers and highlighters - I'm happy with finding just a few that work and sticking to them over and over again.

2. What's the one product you can't live without?
Concealer - the first make-up product I started wearing regularly as a teen. My skin is still plagued by spots and scars, so I'm usually embarassed to show my bare face in public without concealing all the imperfections first. I know it's probably very silly and vain of me, but that's the truth.

3. Favorite makeup brand?
Is that even a legitimate question to pose a make-up addict, I ask you? I actually enjoy buying products from brands I've never tried before, so my collection tends to be pretty eclectic. I like Guerlain for lipsticks (but only have two because uhm, pricey), Inglot, Fyrinnae and Rouge Bunny Rouge for eyeshadows, Pixi for eyeliner pencils. At the drugstore, I like Revlon and Maybelline. Can we stop this torture now?

4. How big is your makeup collection?
Big for normal people, small for hardcore make-up addicts; so I guess somewhere in the middle? It all fits into this ----->

5. And how do you store it?
A small IKEA chest of drawers and half of a vanity drawer (also IKEA), the other half being taken up by jewelry. I store my nail polishes, skincare and so on separately, some in our tiny bathroom, some in a set of drawers in the bedroom. I'm not completely happy with my storage; while the IKEA box on top of my vanity is quite sturdy and functional, the built-in drawer is not - it only opens about halfway, and storing excessive amounts of eyeshadow palettes inside has caused the bottom to warp, threatening to spill the contents on the (hardwood!) floor. I'm very jealous of everyone's Muji storage, so I may try to justify that purchase at some point.

6. How many items of makeup have you got in your handbag at the moment?
Lessee: six. Two lipsticks (Lancome Color Design in Wine Party and NYX Tea Rose, which is part of my Project Make A Dent), Palladio blotting paper, Peter Thomas Roth Mineral Powder SPF 30, a Miss Sporty concealer pencil and a sample of Le Blanc de Chanel from Macy's that I forgot to take out of my purse.

7. If you could raid another blogger's stash, who would it be?
Is it totally predictable that it would have to be Driveller Kate's? That would give me access not only to some Japanese brands I've never laid my mitts on before, but also base make-ups possibly too light even for me. And lots of glitter for the eyes and fabulously bold shades for the lips. Kinda salivating just thinking about it.

8. How long does your usual makeup routine take and how many products do you use?
I've been teased before about how much time I spend doing my make-up, but what my tormentors fail to understand is that I treat it as the time out for ME. I like putting on my slap in peace and quiet without anyone looking, so if I can prolong the process, it makes my day a lot happier. Yeah yeah, I know what you're thinking now - blah de blah, put a NUMBER on it. 30 minutes is a safe bet; mind you, I don't have the usual 'need to get out of the door in the morning' time constraint when I get ready. If I do, I CAN make my routine shorter and simpler; same goes for the number of products, with the minimum being about 6 (powder foundation, concealer, brow product, mascara, blush, lipstick) and the maximum... Ooooh buddy.

The make-up filled half of my vanity drawer, with the shameful box of back-ups hiding in the back.

9. Have you ever bought makeup knowing you wouldn't use it?
Nope - like Larie, I buy make-up to enjoy using it, not just looking at it. Although I will admit that I've started doing this thing where I won't open certain 'back-up' products until the one I'm using at the moment runs out. You would think it's a reasonable process, especially for products like mascara, liquid eyeliners or maybe even foundations. EXCEPT I also do it for lipsticks that aren't even the same brand or shade as the one they're supposed to replace, as well as face powders, primers, concealers... It's quite silly, because now I have mild anxiety that my back-ups will go bad before I even have a chance to get to them. Something to work on next year for sure.

10. Tag a few other makeup addicts to do this tag! 
I have a feeling this is an older tag and a lot of people may have already done it, but I'd love to see Belly of Wondegondigo, Claire from The Land of Lorp, Liz of So Lonely in Gorgeous and Louise of Lilting Grace give it a go - I want to see where you keep your make-ups! Thanks for reading, everyone :)

The Autumn Tag

Blogging is NOT coming easy this month for some reason - sorry, folks. Which is why I'm even happier to have been tagged by Marianna from Marianna's Beauty Room over in the land of YouTube to do the Autumn Tag, which will hopefully bring some of the mojo back. If you're looking for an honest, sweet and relatable beauty YouTuber to watch for a change from all the popular gurus, who are all currently whipped into frenzy over various Fashion Weeks (yawn), do check out Marianna's channel - she's great :)

1. OK, we're talking coffee's - what's your favorite seasonal drink from Starbucks or another coffee shop?
The only reason I now go to Starbucks is when I'm stuck in the airport; I don't rate their coffee at all and don't patronize any other big chain coffee shop, although I admit Pumpkin Spice Lattes have their own spicy sugary charm that's far removed from the taste of actual coffee. I make simple lattes in our Breville Espresso machine at home, using the Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mountain whole beans, and I very much enjoy Stumptown's lattes in their NYC locations in the Ace Hotel and West Village. Other coffee shops that have recently impressed me: Toby's Estate Coffee in Brooklyn, where you can watch the roasting process, and Thinking Cup in Boston's Back Bay area - they have delicious almond croissants too.

2. Accessories - what do you opt for: scarf, boots, or gloves?
Scarves are my biggest love, and I have quite a collection - I just find them to be the easiest way to dress up a simple outfit of skinny jeans and a T-shirt. Here's a little unsolicited tip, in case you have limited closet space like me and you're looking for an idea to display your scarves: I attached a big 3M damage-free hook on the inside of our closet door and put a scarf hanger on it (like this one from The Container Store), looping my favorite pieces through for easier access, and to save some space on the closet rod. I have way more scarves than the ones you can see in the photo, so I store the rest of my collection folded on a shelf, and rotate the scarves seasonally.

3. Music - what's your favourite music to listen to during Autumn?
Strange question; do people really alter their music choices seasonally? I don't, but for the sake of answering the question, here's what I've been listening to recently: Sylvan Esso (I especially like 'Hey Mami'), Fleet Foxes (mostly their eponymous first album), Haim and St. Vincent.

4. Perfume - what's your favorite scent for this time of year?
The heavier fall/winter perfumes are actually my preference year round, and this season I'll mostly be wearing TokyoMilk by Margot Elena Dead Sexy No. 6, which is a 'romantic and ethereal' scent with notes of vanilla, exotic wood, white orchid and ebony. I don't find it ethereal in the least; to me, it's lingering, heady, sweet woods with a sexy cologne feel. I'm also working on finishing my bottle of Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Heavenly fragrance mist (better than expected), and when those two become too boring, I reach for a cute mini of Kenzo Amour, which is definitely worthy of a full-sized bottle purchase.

5. Candles - what scents will you be burning this season?
I haven't been massively into candles recently; I've started to find the usual Bath & Body Works offerings a bit too artificial-smelling, although I enjoyed burning Leaves and Marshmallow Fireside in the past. I still have a few candles left from last year so I'll try to satisfy myself with what I have - I'd love to explore other candle lines but I'm not looking forward to spending my money on home fragrance. In the meantime, I also like to burn essential oils in our wax warmer; my favorites for colder weather are orange & cardamom and vetiver.

6. What do you love most about Autumn?
Lots of things to love about fall: the colors, the air, the scents, the cozy-up-under-a-warm-blanket-with-a-good-book-and-a-cuppa weather. But if I had to choose just one thing, it'd be the quality of sunlight in early fall - the warm orange glow and slightly more diffused rays that make autumn walks the best in the whole year.

Wearing some greys and the light blue from Shiseido's Static eyeshadow trio on the eyes, NARS Sin on the cheeks and Buxom Dolly on the lips.

7. Favorite makeup look?
Nothing new here: vampy berries for the lips and tips, nudes and plums for the cheeks, and cool taupes and greys on the eyes. I'm actually planning a separate post with my fall make-up palette, so this general answer will have to suffice for now. Recently, I've also rediscovered neutral mauve shades for my lips; Buxom Lip Polish in Dolly has been a firm favorite.

8. What are you looking forward to most in Autumn?
We'll be entertaining a lot of house guests in the next month and a half, and I'm looking forward to enjoying the rest of September with my brother (especially our upcoming trip to Chicago!) and October with my best friend, Mariya. I'm also looking forward to leisurely walks in Central Park and watching the trees change colors from green to gold to copper. What more could you want?

Tell me - what are your favorite things about fall? Or maybe you hate the cold, the grey and the drizzle?

30 Random Facts About Me

Following on my New Year's promise to bring you more personal content, here's a rather rambly post that I was tagged to do by the lovely Kar Yi at Angelic Betrayal. Get yourself a cup of tea (or a glass of something stronger... consider yourself warned) and dig in!

1. According to old wives' tales, I'd been fashion-obsessed since the tender age of three. My mum remembers that I loved playing dress up and would try just about anything on, preferrably all at once: ski hats, long scarves, dresses, coats, sunglasses - size really wasn't an issue. Having switched my attention to make-up, I can't quite say I still display the same attitude towards my clothing... but I do have some interesting choices in my closet.

Apparently, I also loved unique headgear, and liked to smirk from a very young age.

2. I don't watch horror and war movies because I get too scared. I always get very emotionally involved in whatever I'm watching (or reading), I just can't help it. I am the person who uncontrollably weeps in a movie theater; but hey, at least I'm a silent weeper.

3. I hate people leaning on or even just touching the back of the chair I'm sitting in; it makes me want to pull my hair out. Oh, and the worst of all: tapping or kicking my chair... I think the feeling of vibrations travelling through the wood into my body because of someone's mindless habit is just pure torture. I need space, man!

4. When I was in primary and middle school, stationery was my crack. I loved visiting various stationery and craft supply stores in the neighborhood, looking at pens, pencils and notebooks, and sometimes buying a silly knick knack. I especially loved cute erasers; I remember having a stiletto-shaped one, a neon coral one and a set of eraser tools - a hammer, a screw driver and a paint roller. I still love beautiful stationery and prefer handwriting notes and lists whenever possible.

5. I'm a coffee snob and I fully admit it. My favorite kind of coffee is a classic latte with a teaspoon of sugar, no flavored syrup, no caramel sauce on top (coffee drinks are something I tend to frown upon). I'm very particular about the quality of espresso shot (love my crema!) and the quantity and perfect consistency of foamy, velvety milk. The best latte I've had so far in the United States was at Stumptown Coffee Roasters, and I use their Holler Mountain beans at home to make my coffee. I'm not a caffeine addict though, so if I can't have my coffee just the way I like it, I generally prefer to skip it altogether.

Photo from my Instagram (shameless plug): the only time I ever succeeded at creating latte art, and yes, it was a complete accident.

6. My heart beats quite a bit faster than an average person's, especially when I'm running or hiking. I actually started to be a bit worried about it, so I went to see a doctor, was treated like a proper hypochondriac and in the end learnt that some people's (mostly women's) hearts are just naturally set to a higher heart rate. For this reason, I dislike the whole theory that a person's heart only has a preordinate number of beats to use up in their lifetime.

7. When I was a little girl, I really wanted to be an actress; my dad actually used to be an actor so that's probably where I got the idea. I went to different acting classes for a good couple of years, won first prize in a recitation contest when I was 8, and even got a tiny part in a Polish movie when I was 12. Around the age of 14 though I became too introverted and uncomfortable on the stage to continue my acting passion. I turned my attention to writing and drawing, which required a lot less public attention.

8. I'm neither city folk or country mouse. I grew up in big Polish cities, but moving to Pacific Northwest marked me with a deep appreciation and awe of the natural world; I still think Vancouver, BC, Olympic Penninsula and the San Juan islands are some of the most scenic and breathtaking places you can visit. I do love living in New York though and revelling in all of its unique culture and history, and I can't wait to get to know East Coast a little bit better.

In the Olympic Penninsula. Yes, it's that beautiful.

9. In the past year or so, I experienced a couple instances of sleep paralysis. In case you've never heard about it, Wiki describes it as a phenomenon in which people, either when falling asleep or wakening, temporarily experience an inability to move. My bouts of sleep paralysis have always occurred when I was napping (another good reason not to) because of jet lag, always upon waking up. The feeling of being trapped in your own body is quite possibly one of the most terrifying experiences I've ever had.

10. I like to think I'm a decent cook and I definitely come from a long line of excellent cooks: my mum, both of my grandmothers and even my paternal grandpa can all cook (and bake!) absolutely delicious food. The challenge in my kitchen though is having to adapt to my husband's food allergies, which include but are not limited to cow's dairy, eggs and garlic. I think I can still do an ok job, even with these limitations, although I tend to get very bored of my own dishes. I like variety!

11. Libraries are some of my favorite places to hang out. Although I generally research what I'd like to read at a given time and then place a hold for my book online, I sometimes like to roam aimlessly and get lost between the shelves. There hasn't been a library I visited so far that I didn't like - be it a tiny local library at my parents' suburban town, a majestic Warsaw University Library with its rooftop gardens, or my current Midtown Manhattan library, right next to the historic 5th Ave Stephen A. Schwarzman building.

12. Although I'm not a very small person (I'm 5ft 6', or 167cm), I'm often regarded as one. I think it has to do with the fact that I have quite small upper body and a small head, and combined it can somehow give the impression of frailty. I'll never forget when a much shorter friend, hugging me hello in the highschool classroom, would exclaim 'You're so tiny!'. I'm much curvier now but I used to be quite willowy as a child/teenager.

13. My best friend's name is Mariya and she lives in Seattle. She's the most beautiful, smart, funny, kind, positive and compassionate person and I'm very grateful to have her in my life. For me, one of the biggest cons of moving to NYC was being separated from her and I still very much miss her, even though we try our best to talk on Skype at least once a week. Love you, Mashenka!

14. The subject of my highschool graduation presentation in literature was the poetic tools utilized by French Symbolists, and the subject of my master's thesis was translation errors in children's literature on the basis of Polish translations of 'Just Patty' by Jean Webster. I still very much enjoy Symbolist poetry, and my favorite poet is Rainer Maria Rilke. I also still very much like, read and reread children's books. So there.

15. I am by no means an atheltic or physically active person. Although I occasionally hike, play tennis and snowboard with my husband, my preference is to bury myself under a warm blanket with a good book, and maybe stretch my muscles by reaching for the tea mug. From different sporty activities I've tried in my life, dance/cardio classes like Zumba were my favorite, and I also like taking long walks.

16. My feet get cold very easily, which is why I love wearing fuzzy slippers at home and like to buy my winter boots in Poland, where you can get real leather honest-to-God cute boots with an insulating fuzzy on the inside (my newest pair has a sliver of silver on the toe cap and an exposed silver zipper at the back, and they're very high).

17. I have one brother who's older by 5 years and lives in Warsaw, and he's currently starting his own law practice. In terms of looks, none of us took very much after our parents and we don't really look much alike either, but we're always told that we have the same smile. I'll take that because I think my brother has a really cute smile - doesn't he now? I wish I had his blue grey eyes and loose curls too!

18. For a woman with a small-ish frame, I have a pretty good tolerance for alcohol. I've never tested it fully to the point of passing out (and I don't intend to, ever!), but I can hold my liquor without making a complete fool out of myself, be it wine, champagne or vodka. I'm quite sure it's all thanks to my Eastern Slavic genes passed along from my dad's side of the family. All that being said, I very rarely drink any alcohol at all.

19. My Zodiac sign is Virgo, and while I don't take much stock in horoscopes, I have to agree that I share some of the typical characteristics of this sign: I'm more of a rational, analytical thinker that needs to bring order to chaos (or you know, organized to the point of OCD), I'm quite independent, and I like to be precise and reliable in what I do. In the Chinese zodiac, my animal sign is Tiger, which is supposed to be a charming, self-possessed, courageous but rather sensitive and moody personality. I can definitely agree with sensitive and moody, but not so much with the 'charismatic leader' part. Well, Virgo & Tiger is an interesting combo anyway!

20. I like sour foods a whole lot; my favorites include lemonade, freshly squeezed orange juice, raspberries, red currants, kiwis, gooseberries, a bunch of those weird Polish fermented foodstuffs like sauerkraut, dill pickles or sour rye soup (especially zalewajka), and I love things marinated in vinegar, like cornichons, sunomono, wild mushrooms, plums or pears spiced with clove. Yum! (I'm sure half of you is salivating right now, while the other half is seriously grossed out #sorrynotsorry)

Recent Whole Foods acquisition - tastes great in salads.

21. I often can't say my exact age from the top of my head. It's something that started when I was in my early twenties, and when I'm asked about my age, my mind tends to go blank for a second or two - am I twenty-six? Or twenty-eight? Oh right, I'm still twenty-seven. I had always been very aware of my current age when I was a teenager but I guess now it just doesn't matter that much anymore; that, or I'm in denial.

22. For a beauty-obsessed person, I very much dislike having things done in the grooming department; I hate facials because I stress out and hold onto the esthetician's bed for dear life, barely tolerate pedicures because my feet are tickly, object to hair styling because duh, boring. I do like beauty rituals in the safety of my own bathroom though, and I like relaxing in a hot tub or sauna.

Squirrels in Poland are definitely red, with a super fluffy tail and extra tufty ears.

23. My highschool friends nicknamed me Squirrel, or rather Polish variations on the word, like Wiewióra, Wiórcia, Wiórka, Wiórek (the Polish language seems to have almost infinite possibilities for diminutives, which I love) - it was allegedly because of my beady brown eyes and a bushy reddish ponytail. When I was little, I was also called Mysza (mouse) for my small size and buck teeth, and in the family, I've been called different variations of my first name: Monia, Monisia, Nisia, Niśka or even Nizioł (from niziołek, which is Polish for hobbit).

And a surreptitious drawing of a hobbit, from David Day's book.

24. I love me a good comedy TV series, and we have many favorites in the fam: obviously Monty Python, 'Allo 'Allo, Fawlty Towers, Wings, Keeping Up Appearances, As Time Goes By, My Family, and more recently, Frasier. Well, truth being said, I just love a good TV series full stop; on Kate's recommendation, I've just started watching Miss Korea. I'm always on the lookout for new ones to add to my list, so let me know if there's something I absolutely have to watch!

25. Often when I'm thinking hard (or just lost in thought, aimlessly staring into space), I tend to move my feet subconsciously: I wiggle and turn my ankles, rock my leg from knee down, tap my toes on the floor. Funnily enough, my dad and brother do it too, and we jokingly compare it to the leg movements of a chirping cricket (uhm, I stand corrected: apparently crickets chirp by rubbing one wing against the other, not their legs... who knew?).

26. When I was in college, I learnt by way of an experiment at a non verbal communication class that I sometimes intimidate people by staring them down when they're speaking. I was quite confused to learn that anyone at all can find me intimidating, and I don't do it on purpose in the least - I think I just listen a bit too intently to what the other person has to say, and it helps me to understand their meaning better if I can look at them - which is one of the reasons I hate talking on the phone.

I swear I don't mean to stare... or do I? 

27. I enjoy collecting obscure and phonetically interesting words in different languages, like tchotchkes (which comes from Yiddish through Polish!), zarzamora, kerfuffle, Saperlipopette!, małżowina or harapuć. I also have a separate list of interesting town names, especially in Poland: Czachy Kołaki, Krzyczki Żabiczki, Tłustomosty, and obsolete first names: Mściwój,  Krzywosąd, Apollonia, Scholastyka or Melchisadek, Digory, Eulalia, Kerenhappuch. What are your favorites?

28. Speaking of collecting, I had some very interesting collections when I was a child: stickers, pages from cartoon notepads, little toys from Kinder Surprise, stamps, printed napkins, seashells, silver necklace charms, small tins and giftboxes. I'm obviously a collector at heart but I now try to avoid amassing too many things; apart from make-up though, I like buying tea cups, books, scarves and earrings, and we also receive a variety of fridge magnets from our families' travels in Europe and beyond.

Newest addition: a tiny espresso cup, handmade in Bolesławiec

29. I'm more of a dog than a cat person (sorry to all of you cat people out there, I'm allergic!). When I was maybe six or seven, my family adopted an incredibly friendly and energetic Welsh terrier puppy, Dina. She was a bit of a naughty but intelligent dog, and she used to greet me with a wagging tail, jumps and doggy kisses every morning and every time I came home from school. We loved her. She sadly passed away at the venerable age of 14 and she's buried in the woods behind my parents' house.

30. I carry a scale from our Christmas carp fish in my wallet for good luck. Every year, my mum puts some scales aside for us at the request of my dad, who then makes sure they're being carefully stowed away in wallets and purses. I'm not a superstitious person but I regard it more as a family tradition that I'd like to pass along one day.

Gosh darn it, this was hard, you guys - hopefully you're not bored to death now and at least you had a good laugh looking at pictures of me as a kid. I don't usually tag anyone, but I'd love to see some random ramblings from Driveller Kate at drivel about frivol, Bellyhead at Wondegondigo, Liz at Beauty Reductionista and everyone who feels like it. Spill it, ladies!

Tag: 5 Product Face

I was tagged by the awesome Seattleite (not satellite, mind you) blogging friend Larie from Eye Heart It to do a full make-up face with only five products, and since I haven't done any tag posts in donkey's years, I decided to go for it!

I particularly like this tag because not only does it show everyone's bare make-up necessities, but it also forces you to really get the most out of your products by multitasking as much as possible. For me in particular, the 5 product limit also means being very strategic towards my base; I don't have perfect skin by any means so skimping on coverage is absolutely out of the question - on normal non-tag days, doing just my base takes at least 4 products. Can you see the difficulty?

But, well, sacrifices must be made in times of desperate need (or, blogging frenzy): the Graftobian Hi-Def Glamour Creme, due to its opacity and denser formula, can be used as both foundation and concealer. For the foundation part, I tried to sheer it out as much as possible with a very damp make-up sponge, and for the concealer, I dabbed with a blending brush on any offending spots and under the eyes. I decided to use Rouge Bunny Rouge Unforgettable Oriole eyeshadow on the eyes to brighten and disguise veins, and I dusted some on top of the cheekbones and Cupid's bow for a good measure as well. I also couldn't skip doing my brows with the trusty ybf Universal Brow Pencil, which also doubled as an eyeliner on my upper lashline. I then applied copious amounts of mascara (Guerlain Cils d'Enfer Maxi Lash... no wonder they refrained from literal translation from French - Lashes From Hell, anyone?); I feel that any minimal make-up attempts warrant liberal use of black mascara. I finished off my face with theBalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen on lips and cheeks.

Some notes on the look: a minimal eye + berry hues read very porcelain doll on me; not necessarily a bad thing but I would say the Stainiac was a bit too sweet-looking for my liking, so I would play some more with other coordinating lip/cheek shades next time. The Graftobian Creme foundation unfortunately looked quite cakey under my eyes and a touch too shiny on the rest of the face, but hey - I do normally use a separate under eye concealer and set my face with powder. But overall, I thought this wasn't too bad for a first attempt. It's also worth observing that while this look might be minimal in products, it's not necessarily quicker than a more elaborate routine.

What would your 5 Product Face look like? Do the tag or let me know in the comments, please!

5 products I regret buying

I have to admit that I very rarely get products that I later regret buying, because I always try to research everything carefully before hitting the stores. However, like most of us, sometimes I also take those spur-of-the-moment decisions, or simply get something that works for most gals but not me.

Anyhow, here's the list of 5 products that didn't really do it for me:

1. Sephora Professionnel Zero-Shine Base


Sephora claims it's an instantly mattifying primer that lasts on the skin for a long time. I agree that it has a nice consistency and smell, spreads well and gives your skin a matte and smooth finish right away. Does it last though? No, not on my oily skin. It does get shiny at the 4 hour break as usual, plus I find that putting a moisturizer and a primer under foundation is just too much for me. It's also jampacked with silicones, alcohol and parabens. Good news is that I've just swapped it on MUA, so no more buyer's remorse!

2. Miss Sporty French Manicure nail polish


It's a beautiful baby pink shade, but a nightmare to apply. This polish is streaky, bubbly and very sheer. The argument that you can't expect much from a cheapo varnish doesn't really stand when you think about brands such as Barry M. I was quite disappointed with this one, especially that I have two other Miss Sporty polishes and they're both great quality!

3. Maybelline Shine Seduction lip gloss in Pink Whisper (110)


I like the idea of the slanted applicator, but in practice the tiny holes which dispense the product get stuck and you just get a random blob out of one or two. I really like the shade, on the lips it's pretty much transparent, but with multidimensional sparkles in gold, pink and blue. What I don't like is how incredibly heavy and sticky this feels on the lips. Don't get me wrong, it's not a terrible product, but annoying enough to throw it to the back of my make-up drawer.

4. Max Factor Colour Perfection eyeliners in Olive (70) and Ice Blue (60)


I got these pencils before my make-up obsession started and I thought back then they were the best thing since sliced bread. Now I think they're impossible to use: poorly pigmented, flaky and incredibly hard and tugging on the skin. I admit they might have hardened over time, but they just don't compare to some other and often cheaper brands I tried. They're both broken now, plus the sharpeners they come with simply don't work. Max Factor, you've got a long way to go!

5. Wet n Wild MegaGlo Face Illuminator in Blushing 341 (discontinued)


Actually, I like this cream highlighter per se... I just don't like it on me. Granted, it imparts a beautiful, pearly light pink glow to my cheekbones, which looks very natural on my pale skin, but I have a strong suspicion the mineral oil in it breaks me out in tiny but numerous bumps. Also, it does feel quite thick and oily on the skin, so I think I should rather stick to highlighting powders for now.

What are the products you regret buying? xxx

My Hair History

I think we all know these posts are in fact an excuse to show some childhood photos... ok, and maybe compare and contrast to see which hairstyle suited you best throughout the years. Hope you enjoy my story :)

Right in the beginning I have to admit I've never had my hair color treated apart from some subtle highlights and so the story is quite predictable, with my hair alternating between longer and then shorter and then longer again. Well, anyway...

I might be 2 or 3 years old in this picture, so the choice of haircut wasn't actually my own. I think I looked quite cute and this length was a good solution back then since I hated having my hair brushed or combed, and unfortunately my mum loved styling it in a ponytail at the top of my head, which resembled a lightning-struck palm tree. (The other personnage captured is my brother, of course.)

For my First Communion when I was 8, I had my hair braided the night before and then the waves were slightly brushed through. At the time, I considered those little waves to be utterly glamorous and sported them for any bigger event. The reddish hue of my hair is quite visible here as well.

Right after the Communion, I decided I wanted to have my hair cut to chin length. I remember it was probably my first time at the hairdresser's and I felt very mature having my hair done by a professional. It seems my hair is a completely different color here, but with my hair color, it has always been a matter of light: sometimes it looks reddish, sometimes it looks darker blond.

When I was 12, I grew really long hair and usually wore it in a ponytail or a braid. During summer, my hair was always full of highlights, especially round my face (and that hasn't changed). I remember I liked it that long (we're talking waist long here), but it was a mess to detangle.

Then when I was maybe 14 I cut my hair quite short in a style resembling an upside down pot, as it looks to me now, but (un)fortunately I have no digitalized photos to prove that.

Then, in high school, I grew it out again and had a side swept fringe together with some subtle layers. I got a lot of compliments on this haircut from my friends.

When I was 20, my hair got really long again and when I wanted to look pretty and add some volume, I just put it on some rollers to get those loose curls. Shortly after this photo was taken I became trimming it shorter and shorter...

... and then, some 1,5 years ago, I had it cut really short again. I loved how easy to style my short hair was, but I didn't like the lack of versatility.

So here I am, growing it out again. This time, I want them as long as 3 years ago with lots of layers for added volume, not as straight as I used to wear them. My hair grows quite fast so I'm hoping to achieve the goal in maybe 2 years time, which is not that bad... For now, I'm thinking of layering the style to add some definition. Do you think it's a good idea? Which style do you think suited me best?