Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream Review

Hey there beauties!

Today you're in for a little review, as you might have guessed from the title. As I already mentioned, I spent last year in Cambridge, and I got to experience what real cold is (at least from what I've experienced, maybe when I go to Russia or something, I'll comeback and rephrase that). It was the first time I had snow in my backyard. It is quite fun the first few days, you get to do snowmen, and throw snowballs, and everything, but then, everything changes. *The drama!!!* Then the cold just starts to get annoying, especially when you have to leave the house, everyday of the week, at 8 in the morning.

One thing for sure, my skin didn't like it! I took with me my Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, one of my old favourites, but it certainly wasn't enough. I was getting dry patches and redness as never before. I even had to stop using foundation for a while because the ones I had accentuated the dryness. It was quite frustrating. Then, after reading some reviews online, I decided to try the Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream.

My first though was that it was kinda of pricey, 43£ for 30 mL, while most moisturisers bring around 50 mL, but quickly I realised that a little goes a long way, so it lasts for approximately the same time. Also the smell was disappointing, for something called Rose Day Cream, but I guess that's the price to pay for the all natural thing.

Yes, all natural. That was one of the things that sucked me into trying it. According to the listed ingredients, it's natural and organic, free from chemical/synthetic fragrances, dyes, preservatives, and also from mineral oils, parabens, silicone and PEG. (Pfiuu that was a long sentence) Not that I am one of those who thinks that mineral oil is the product of the devil, but these kind of claims are always catchy. Even though I know, as a biochemist, that just because something is natural, doesn't  always mean it's better than something synthetic, but hey, I'm a human too.

Now onto the results.Well there's not other way to put it, this thing saved my skin. Ah the suppleness! Finally I wasn't feeling like a dried peach anymore and I could face the cold with a smile on my face (and with foundation!). But beware, I know this seems like a stellar review (and I love it for sure), but if are even the tiniest bit oily stay the hell away from this. Don't even get close to it, you might immediately feel oilier. It's very emollient and rich, and for dry skin I think. Even I, now that I am back to the warmer weather of Portugal, only use it when it's really cold outside, or restrict it to my cheeks. And definitely can't use it at all during spring/summer.

I know there's a light version of it, and I'm tempted to buy it when the winds start to change, and shorts and tank tops season come, but until then I can't say anything about this one.

Anyway, long story short, if you're suffering from dry skin, it's worth giving it a try, and you can apply it topically too if you're combination.

That's it for today, hope you started your week in the best way possible, and know that I love you all!

Stay Gorgeous!

V♥

American Liberty City Haul

 Hello fabulous people!

Probably not feeling that fabulous right now, after all is Monday (oooh the drama...) unless you're one of those weird, mildly annoying, creatures (probably from a different specie) who are joyful, energetic, and overly excited, on Mondays, or on any morning really. I should have the right to enjoy my dread and sorrow, and overall feeling sorry for myself, in peace.

But what am I talking about? Tsk Tsk... Already rambling... Today's post is a little haul of random goodies! Actually, who am I kidding? Not random, food goodies, mostly guilty inducing sweet treats!

Well, I live in Portugal, a long way from the US, in a different continent, so off course we have different products, but through movies, youtube, ect, I am exposed to a lot of American stuff that makes me curious.

So you can imagine how excited I was when i knew about the opening of a shop specialised in *drumrolls* American Products that we don't have here.

The other day I went there and got some things to try, things that I've heard of before.

I almost let out a little scream when I saw the S'more Pop Tarts! However, now that I have tried it, I have to say I was a little disappointed =s I think my expectations were too high, but I pictured marshmallow gooey goodness flowing out of the cracker. Still can't say I don't like it, it's chocolate and marshmallow after all.

And because S'mores Pop Tarts isn't sugar enough, I bought a little sampling of chocolates, because one cannot live in the ignorance. I hope I made good choices! I got me some Hershey's, Butterfingers, Reese's Nutrageous and Snickers Peanut Butter. This last one I already tried, it's good (I mean, peanut butter... duh...) but I wouldn't be able to eat the entire thing in one go. Still prefer the original.

Also I got Hershey's Unsweetened Cocoa powder. This one was because I remembered Estée from EssieButton talking about it. Already made some of my special hot chocolate with it, and it's really nice.

I got some Extra chewing gum, again, because so many people talk about it. And some Nerds... for my boyfriend... (^.^)

Finally I got some panko. Was totally surprised to find it there! Not the most American product... But I was so happy, since I've been eyeing a few recipes that ask for it. And this particular panko is so good! Definitely my favourite purchase. Right that day I made an Asian inspired dish, with sea food, and squid done two ways, one of them with the panko. Huuuummm... So good!

Ok that's it for today =) I know I've been lacking on the beauty posts, but I haven't bought that much new beauty products lately...

I have yo go now, my dog is sleeping so cute right in front of me, I need to go and cuddle it. I'm having withdrawals, seriously!

Stay Gorgeous!

V♥  

Fitness Blues

Hello beauties! (yes, no cute animals today)

Are you ready for a little heart to heart with some fitness involved?

So, like so many people out there, I deal with anxiety. I don't think it's that severe in my case, but it does come through sometimes, and it has been worse lately. Like, a month or so ago, I had a huge crisis and I spent an entire day in bed, alone, in complete darkness, no eating, no nothing, with random urges to cry. Fun times...

Another symptom is my unwillingness to do anything that involves leaving the house, unless I really have to. I can always find things to clean and organise to avoid going outside (still I swear I am quite normal, really, I swear). This, off course, affected my fitness routine. I can do cardio at home with an Insanity video, but it's not quite the same, and for weight lifting there's no replacement.

I've been missing some days, which really annoys me, because when I think back, when I was in England, I wouldn't miss a day, even with rain, snow, freezing cold, whatever... So where did all that motivation went? Don't know, but it definitely took some vacations, and I need it back asap!

The result is that I lost weight, which again, annoys me! (I'm a very annoyed person right now) I actually started going to the gym, 6 years ago, because I wanted to gain some weight in a healthy way, and it was not easy! So obviously I don't want to see it go!

Right now I have 66 cm for my waist and 94 cm for my butt, so the plan is to keep the waist, but I want to increase on the legs a little bit. But for that I need to get my focus again! Today was raining like hell, but I mind slapped myself, got into my rain boots and forced myself to go! I felt so happy afterwards... Lets see how it goes... Now that I have written about it, I can't fail publicly =3

And that's it for today. Have the bestest weekend =)

Stay Gorgeous!

V♥   

Healthy Pizza?! Whaaat?!

Hey there peeps!

How you all doing? It's almost the end of the week so hang in there just a little while longer!

So here I am, waiting for my boyfriend (story of my life) so we can go to the movies. Meanwhile, why not write a super fun blog post?! (not really, don't get your expectations too high)

Since I am hungry, we are gonna talk about food (I kinda do that, it's my thing). But not any food, just one of the best foods in the world! Pizza!!!! *slobbering* Who doesn't like pizza?! Is that even possible?! The only downfall is the calories, also it's not the healthiest thing in the world, so we can't go around eating pizza everyday... well, we can, but unless you are Michael Phelps, and you swim zillions of pools a day, I wouldn't recommend it...

So imagine my joy when I came about something called "Healthy Pizza". I saw it for the first time in Sorted Food (if you don't know what that is, go check it out on youtube (but only after reading my post, of course)). It's still not the healthiest thing in the world, but it is way more healthy than the actual deal.

But Vanessa, what is this healthy pizza?! you may ask. Well is a pizza in which the base in naan bread, and then you can murder that naan bread with whatever you want, but ideally with healthy things (that's kinda the idea). The recipe in Sorted Food is awesome, but a little bit time consuming if you are in a hurry.

So I made some alterations. I make the naan bread and then I freeze it, so it is ready when I need it, just need to defrost. Then I spread some tomato sauce on top of it, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomato, salt and pepper, oregano, some basil, and that's it. Puuurfection! Just pop it in the oven for like 15 min and enjoy. It's delicious, really quick, and not that unhealthy.

Ok, so now I have to go see the Wolf of Wallstreet!
Good night to you all!

Stay Gorgeous!

V♥ 

2013 in Review

Hey there little squirrels!

So... 2014... I'm getting old (sight)... But anyway, how was your NYE? Hope it was amazing! This year I ditched the glamour, and the 10 minutes long fireworks, for a house in the countryside. Sounds fancy, right? It was really not that fancy, but it was fun, with all the friends reunited around a fireplace, which is a very important thing to have, at least if you're like me and can't stand the cold!

I can't say 2013 was a super good year for me, but it was an important year. For most of it I was in Cambridge, doing my Master's Thesis. Back in 2012, when I received the email saying I was chosen to go I was happy, and I knew my parents would be proud. But it ended up being really bad. I didn't like my project and I was miserable. Also, I was away from everyone I cared about, and from my dog, and England is very different from Portugal in pretty much everything (I don't say this in a bad way, it's just different from what I was used to). On the bright side I did meet a lot of really cool people.

But eventually it was over and I returned home, turned in my thesis, did my oral presentation and voila, I was done with University. I finally had my Master degree and for the first time in my life I didn't have a plan. I could do anything!

So I got enrolled in a MUFE professional makeup course, which I finished this December. I feel it was the first step towards being able to do what I really love! Makeup and beauty!

I also started this blog, and a youtube channel, which for me was massive, because I'm quite shy and anxious about public exposure.

For this new year I just hope it will be better than this last one. For you guys I hope it turns out to be the best year so far, and that all your dreams and hopes come true. If you are someone who makes NY resolutions, I hope you can stick to them, and if not... well... you can make new resolutions anytime you like.

Don't let anyone put you down and always follow your dreams! Believe me, that's the best advice I can give. Now I think I will end the motivational/emotional speech =)

Stay Gorgeous!

V♥