The Diva gets a European Makeover...
After being in Europe for 4 months I started to become acustomed to the culture. Sure, I could not live without Starbucks, Clinique skincare, or Zara- most everything American is available there. However even though I was shopping in the same stores or occasionally ordering American food ( Yes, I did try McDonalds in almost every country I visited!) I started to embrace the different products and foods they offered. After all crossaints in Paris reign over anything you get in the States.
So here are my top 5 European inspired finds that you are sure to love!
1. Boyfriend Jeans.
It's almost like our obsession with tight leggings and well, tight everything else. Europeans love baggy. And it is so much more comfortable. I picked up a pair at Zara and love throwing them on with cute, graphic tees or a funky jacket and booties. It all depends on your personal style but these jeans are flattering rolled up and belted, with a simple top and loads of boho jewelry. Day look with flats and a lacey top; Night look with heeled boots and a blazer.
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| Citizens of Humanity "Dylan" Boyfriend Distressed $238 (www.anthropologie.com) |
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| 3x1 Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans $265 |
2. Bunny Friendly Beauty
One of the coolest things about Europe is that they just passed a law that banned animal testing!! As you know this is one of the biggest life goals and passions, to create a culture that embraces animal rights and to make animal testing ILLEGAL in the United States. So this country needs to take the lead from the UK, Germany, and all other European countries and work on making all household and beauty products, cruelty free. Anyways some major brands in the U.S that promote this are Lush cosmetics and The Body Shop. Both offer products that are made with natural ingredients good for your skin and that are ethically tested- no bunnies or beagles are harmed!
(see more about EU's new law: http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/values/eu-bans-animal-testing.aspx)
Some of my fav, cruelty free products:
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| LOVE this light weight day cream- does not clog my pores and is perfect under sunscreen and makeup. I used it abroad and got some more for home! $16.50 The Body Shop |
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| This scrubbie is great for the shower after a day at the beach or lots of sweating. It gets your face really clean, and tingles because of the vodka and lime in it that kills all the icky bacteria and crap on your face. A little cosmetic cocktail...fabulous! $21.95 Lush |
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| I love a devine drugstore miracle...like anything St. Ives! Their products are affordable but also more natural than other brands- no phosphates or silicone- and do not test on animals! I use their body lotions religiously because they cost around $6 and last for months! |
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| This is my favorite scent- it smells like coconut and is soooo smoothing. $5.50 CVS pharmacy |
3. NUTELLA
So this is a staple for Europeans- especially in Germany and Italy ( where it was invented!)
They put it on and in everything- toast, crossaints, crepes, icecream, cookies....pizza... ( just kidding!)
I became an addict.
I know I am a supporter of healthy living and eating BUT when it comes to sweets there really is no exeception. There is nothing sassy about "sugar free"
I would reccomend you keep a jar in your house at all times, just in case you get the hazelnut cravings late at night...or early in the morning!
I am hardly the baker.
I can make some delish cupcakes with the help of my friend Betty Crocker : )
But next time you make cupcakes or cake, take the time to make a Nutella Buttercream frosting to add some pizazz to your treats!
I got this recipe from a blog called Kitchen Treaty
( http://www.kitchentreaty.com/fluffy-nutella-buttercream-frosting/)
FLUFFY NUTELLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING
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Prep time
Total time
This fluffy – and super easy – buttercream frosting recipe features everyone’s favorite chocolate-hazelnut spread, Nutella. Pure perfection.
Author: Kitchen Treaty
Recipe type: Dessert
Yield: Enough to frost 12 cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ⅔ cup Nutella or other chocolate-hazelnut spread
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch kosher salt (up to ¼ teaspoon, to taste)
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- In a stand mixer afixed with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter and powdered sugar on low until well-blended. Add the Nutella and increase the speed to medium. Beat for two minutes.
- Add the vanilla extract and salt and whip for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add the whipping cream and beat for about one minute, until the frosting lightens slightly in both color and texture.
4. Lipstick
Listen ladies ( or Gentlemen) I have been converted I was always under the impression that you had to be like 25 to wear lipstick and red lips were totally tacky. I was wrong. Everyone over the age of like 12 in Europe rocked the lavish lip trend and I was hooked. A former lip gloss fanatic, I never realized how much my lips were a major part of my face. I think it all started when I was too lazy to put on any other makeup before rehearsal and I would play around the free samples I got. Blush pink or even a nude became my new go to for day and by night I was slicking on magenta, purple, and even red! With a smokey eye and a high pony, a crimson red is just the right club look. With a messy bun and cute sunglasses, coral pink is great for a day around town. I really do urge you to branch out and pamper your pout with a burst of color.
The key: picking a lipstick or stain that doesn't dry out your lips ( in Russia's dry, cold air that was essential).
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| This lipstick is honestly my new favorite. It is so smooth and nourishing to my lips, they never get cracked and feel dry with it in. Plus some of the colors are really rich and fun. My pick: Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in 'Get Ready' $18 Bare Escentuals Trying new things, being bold everyday, and stepping outside your comfort zone will always be in style.xoxo Diva G |
