February Favorite Bag: Dior Bucket Bag

It is funny how some designer bags become best sellers and some other are almost unnoticed. That was the case with this Dior bucket bag. I only saw it on the catwalk, and on the fashion blogger Song of Style. And to be fair, I instantly loved it. It was not the usual bucket bag, not as delicate as the Mansur Gavriel one, more bulky, out there. But for a reason that I don't understand, nobody really cared for it. The pattern that you can see on the strap, however, became an it-girl's favorite. Yet not in this shape. Trends are funny sometimes. But it is still a favorite of mine. 

xo

Amy

Read more »

A Week in my Life

Monday 12th February: Just went back from home. Time to meet again with the reality of my student life in Amsterdam. A reading afternoon at the library is needed. Yet finishing just early enough to run to the movie night, meeting by boyfriend and a couple of friends for the projection of an old French movie in the basement of a bar. 

Tuesday 13th: March will soon be there, and I need to write more and more. Spending the morning working from home, and the afternoon writing at university. Leaving early for an impromptu date night. 

Wednesday 14th: No time to celebrate Valentine's, need to go back to the library. The Contemporary Art Museum library this time. I do not mind biking on such a sunny day. On my way back home I stop in a nice café, and drink my matcha latte while planning for the blog. A little bit of me time. 

Thursday 15th: In need of a break after such a hard start of the week. Slow morning, late wake up, sweet breakfast. Just enough time to get ready and meet my girl friends in time for a gossipy lunch and a shopping trip in town. 

Then, back to reality, back to the library. 

Friday 16th: After such a hard working week, it is not the weekend yet. I have a meeting with my thesis supervisor. Even more stress, always more work. After that, back to the library, the Fashion Institute one this time. For a change. 

Need to chill a little bit after such an intense day. Sex & the City nigh at home. 

Saturday 17th: Finally the weekend, but still got to work. From home however. Leaving early, to meet my boyfriend and friend of his. Time to have dinner in town and catch a rather late night. 

Sunday 18th: Enjoying a lazy morning after such an intense week. Staying in bed with him for way too long, before going for a stroll in the park, on this sunny day. Back home for a massive brunch, before heading to the spa for a relaxing afternoon. 

What a week.

xo

Amy

Read more »

A Springy Look

I am very fed up with Winter. Let's be straight forward. I cannot stand the cold anymore, and even if the sun has finally come out in Amsterdam - hurray! - I still have to wear layers and layers of clothes if I want to survive. I a dreaming of a nice and sunny Spring, where I could wear my favorite combination: a chunky sweater, and a pink blush scarf. How precise and how weird, I know! But few weeks ago, I decided to go shopping in the sale section of H&M - what??? - which is something I never tend to do. Too much mess and horrible pieces. But you know, when you need a break from the library, even the business of H&M during sale season is a nice getaway. And there I stumbled upon the most beautiful pastel tones scarf. It is warm, it is soft as hell, the colors are amazing - completely in love with the pink blush side - but the shape is a misery. A square. I mean, obviously it is stylish, but well, you cannot knot it around your neck. Not so wintery. Yet I bought it, too in love with the colors to leave it behind. After that, while browsing through the new collection - the colors of the sweaters in sale kind of scared me - I stumbled upon the most gorgeous chunky turtle neck sweater. So soft and so warm, just enough oversized, in the most beautiful of grey. The combination of both those items completely got me, and now it is a look I am wearing a bit too much... But under my bloody coats that I cannot stand anymore. Please Spring, come soon, I want to rock my Springy look, to show it to everyone, to go out in the street with a pair of blue jeans, my white Converse, and only my beautiful sweater toped on with my lovely scarf..! Spring, you are needed!

xo

Amy

Read more »

Weekend Inspiration IV

xo

Amy

Read more »

Valentine's Day

I guess I was never good enough for love

I always was afraid

Afraid of the first words

Afraid of the first smile

Afraid of the first kiss

I guess I was never brave enough for love

How weird, meeting a stranger

Talking to a stranger

And then one day

Letting the stranger kiss you

Letting him in your life

I guess I was always too stupid for love

Not understanding how to love one

Not understanding how to be a loved one

Not getting why, me, why, now, 

I was living that

I guess I was never conscious enough for love

I did not want to change

I was myself, 

I was going to be the same for ever

I didn't get that once you're loved you change

That once you love, you molt

I guess I was never ready for love

Took by surprise by a stranger at a bus stop

Took by surprise when he kissed me on this bench

Took by surprise when he told me he loved me, for the first time

I guess I never believed in love

Valentine's day was just a stupid holiday

Love was just a myth

But the stranger changed my mind

I am still not good enough, I am still not brave enough

I am still too stupid, I am stil unconscious, 

I am still not ready

But it does not matter anymore

Now you are no more a stranger to me

You are my loved one

And I am yours

Happy Valentine's Day

xo

Amy

Read more »

Better Habits

As I told you in my first post of the year, I am not the kind of girl who takes resolutions. And even less the kind of girl who keeps them. But everyday, I try to do a bit more. To fix myself goals. I did not really want to write this article at first, because I thought that all of my new good habits will soon disappear, but as the days went by, I saw that for once I was keeping up with them. It can be very simple and silly habits, but if I had to set myself a goal for 2018, I would certainly say that I want to feel better. Both physically and mentally. So I do baby steps. Little by little. I try to drink more water, to have a clearer skin, a healthier body, to appreciate myself a bit more. I try to eat better food, but at this, I am failing for now. Digestives biscuits are still part of my diet apparently. Yet I try to work out. Biking everyday for at least 30 minutes, and this ridiculous 7 minutes work out app, a new daily habit I will try to stick to. I also wake up earlier in the morning, and then have to go sooner to bed at night. A beauty and healthy sleep. 

But the body is far from being my number one priority. My mind is always on my mind. My anxieties are no history yet, they are still part of the present, of the every day. So I continue keeping my diary. I write all of my frustrations, all of my stresses, my anxious thoughts, and life goes on, without all of this negativity on my mind. I also try to do more things. To be more active in my everyday life, to see more people, to be a little bit more adventurous, social, but also to enjoy the moments I spend by myself, without seeing them as bad things. This does lead me to my new better habit. More self love. More self care. Trying to put myself first. Trying to understand that I count, and that sometimes, I can come first. Trying to accept more of who I am. Also trying to accept my bad habits. The ones I have trouble getting ride off. Just trying to get used to better ones.

xo

Amy

Read more »

A Day in... Haarlem

Last December, my boyfriend and I decided to take a day trip to Haarlem. We went because of the annual Christmas market that I, as a very Christmassy person, really wanted to go to. We were not disappointed. But the market was far from being the only nice thing about Haarlem. It is very true when they say that it is a "little Amsterdam". Smaller, but then cutter, and far less busy. This little town has a lot of charm, and every street reserves a very nice sight, something picturesque on every corner. We did not spend lot of time there, yet we will for sure go back soon. Unfortunately since we went to visit the market, we also did not have time to visit a lot of places. The main thing we did was walking around the cute streets of Haarlem, enjoying its typical Dutch architecture and charm. 

Nonetheless, I do have some recommendation. First of all, shopping wise. We did visit some shops, when we were getting way too cold and needed some warmth in between the Christmas stands. Around Grote Houtstraat, there were many little shops, selling diverse items, from clothing to home decoration and jewelry. Those independent stores are definitely worse a visit, here you could find many more treasures than you would have expected. Number Nine, on Kruitstraat, is also a good place if you are looking for good quality and trending fashion. Finally, Olivia & Kate does gather many bits and bobs, that trends hunter will fall in love with. 

When it comes to food, I would recommend Magador, on Gasthuisstraat, for lunch; and an amazing place if you want to eat a really good pizza for dinner would certainly be Nolita. 

But whatever you do in Haarlem, it is for sure a good place to create amazing souvenirs. 

xo

Amy

Read more »

My Skincare Routine

Today I would like to talk you through my skincare. I never did any blogpost about it, and maybe I actually needed time to find the right products, the right routine. To be completely happy with my skin. For around six months, I have followed the exact same routine, morning and evening. I obviously, sometimes, fail, and go to bed with my make up still on. Yet I am trying to get rid off this rare, but bad habit. Also, I try to keep the list of products I use as small as I can. To mix too many things on your face is definitely not a good way to take care of it. Another lesson that I learnt, is that for skincare, you should definitely go away from cheap products, and not even turn to high end makeup brands, but rather go for pharmacy products. French pharmacy is for sure the best when it comes to skin care. It is a little bit pricy, but still affordable, and a good value for money. 

My morning routine is very simple. I clean my sleepy face with the Micellar Water Crealine H2O by Bioderma, with a coton pad. Then, the following step depends on the state of my skin. If I have pimples, I will use the Mario Badescu drying lotion, just apply some on them, and let it dry for a couple of minutes. After that, time for moisturizing. I never miss this step, whether it is for the face or the body. On very bad days, when my skin is terribly dry (especially in winter) I use the Ictyane Anti-Dryness Cream, very rich, pretty heavy, but it does feel very good and leave your skin extremely nourished, a real savior. I actually use the body cream version all over my body after the shower, it leaves my skin nourished and smooth. 

However, if my skin feels all right, I will use the Avène Tolerance Extreme Emulsion. It is also very hydrating, but it is far lighter and perfect as a base for make up, to avoid direct contact of your foundation with your skin. After this step, I can go on to my make up. 

At nigh my routine is almost the same. I remove my make up with the Bioderma Micellar Water, with a cotton pad. It is a very good make up remover, and even leave my lashes completely free from the 'Better Than Sex' Too Faced Waterproof Mascara, which can be a real hell to get rid off. If I have pimple, I will use the Avène Cicafalte Repair Cream. I apply it on my active pimples and let it sink in. Most of the time, the morning after they will be completely dry. For my scars, I will then go for the A-Derma Dermalibour Repairing Cream, which contains copper and zinc, two needed elements in order for your skin to repair. I let it sink in, and most of the time two applications are needed for the scars to really disappear. 

That is it for my skincare routine, pretty simple and quick, but I am very happy with the results. My skin is most of the time clear, hydrated and smooth. I think I have finally found the right combination!

xo

Amy

Read more »