February 28, 2016 - crazyandfashionable Leave a comment

MY FAVORITE PERFUMES

Hello everybody and happy Sunday! Today I am going to share with you guys my favorite perfumes; the ones that make me happy and I love wearing them. For years I was a perfume addict; I was wearing a perfume every single day, because the idea of having a scent trail when I was out and about, made me feel really happy. I don’t wear perfume for others don’t get me wrong; I wear perfume because it just makes me feel good about myself. I feel fresh. That’s it! I feel like I just stepped out of the shower and I smell all lovely and fresh. I also love the associations created in someone’s head when they smell my perfume. However, a few years ago I developed certain allergies. I never had allergies in my life, but apparently the last 3 years I have developed some sort of allergies that sadly could get worse due to strong odors. Therefore, I was advised not to wear strong perfumes or too often or too much. This made me really sad because I already had a quite big collection, which I did partially give to my mom. However, I still have a few perfumes I really love and wear, plus a couple of new additions to my collection.

Miss Dior Cherie

This is an iconic perfume. It is probably the oldest in my collection and there is only a little left. It has a lovely orangey tone along with a hint of jasmine, which is one of my favorite flowers. I really love this perfume because it is not sexy and sultry; instead it is more girly and innocent. It is what a Lolita would wear. Plus the bottle with the cute bow is simply dreamy!

Lily of the Valley and Ivy by Jo Malone

I got this perfume last summer and it was part of the limited edition Tudors collection by Jo Malone. I didn’t have a Jo Malone perfume by then but I had heard many amazing things about the brand. Once I smelled the perfume at the store I instantly fell in love with it. It is the most wonderful scent I have ever smelled. Honestly and without exaggeration I love this perfume; it is the perfect powdery scent combined with the notes of lily flower. I love how it reminds me of the countryside and green fields. It is a nice light perfume that makes me feel peaceful.

French Lime Blossom by Jo Malone

Another Jo Malone favorite, I love this scent so much that I was torn whether I should get the perfume or the candle. Eventually I went with the perfume because I wanted to have the scent on me more, instead of my house. I got it on Christmas and I have been wearing it all the time since. It is another very light powdery scent, combined with the scent of blossomed flowers. I love wearing this all day round.

Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel

Another old-time favorite, this perfume is my oldest along with the Miss Dior Cherie. I have always loved Chanel as a brand because it symbolized elegance and class. This perfume is exactly that: an elegant citrusy perfume that is not as light and girlie as the previous ones. On the contrary, it has a stronger, more oriental scent. It is more feminine than girlie. I love wearing it in the nighttime more, although in the past I used to wear it in the day as well. Now I just feel it is too strong for the day time, so I use it on special occasions at night. This is the perfect elegant, mysterious and feminine perfume.

Valentina by Valentino

This perfume is one of the latest additions to my collection. When I smelled this perfume in New York about 2 years ago, I was instantly in love. It had an orangey scent combined with jasmine, kind of like the Miss Dior Cherie, but a bit sweeter. It is a soft floral perfume with a bit of sweetness, perfect for the day time or in the nighttime, when I am going for a more girly look. I am so happy to finally get my hands on this perfume. I love the scent and the beautiful bottle with the pink and white rose. So feminine and romantic! I haven’t got the chance to wear it many times yet but I absolutely recommend it to everyone who wants a classy, romantic and girly perfume.

Bon Bon by Viktor & Rolf

This is the second latest addition to my perfume collection. I absolutely love this perfume. Like with Valentina, I first saw this perfume on my trip to New York 2 years ago and I was instantly drawn by its unique bottle. Who can resist this cute fuchsia bow? It is so beautiful! This perfume has a quite sweet scent as the name suggests. However, it is not sickly sweet. It has the right amount of sweetness that doesn’t make you or the others sick, but it does linger, leaving a sweet trail behind you. Apart from the orange and jasmine scents that seem to attract me, it has a caramel tone which justifies the sweetness. I really enjoy a sweet scent, because it just makes me happy and makes me feel like I am a living, breathing candy. It feels playful and fun. Its purpose is not to seduce but to just bring joy. Whenever I wear it I feel I am simply irresistible, because who can resist a sweet bon bon candy?

I love wearing perfumes or even body mists; it just makes me feel really good and lifts up my mood. I like the powdery and flowery scents mostly, but sometimes I like a strong, almost masculine scent. I do have a soft spot for men’s perfumes as well, but I don’t really have anything like that. I enjoy wearing perfume pretty much all the time; in the morning when I go out for a casual walk and also when I am going out at night. In the daytime I do prefer to use the body mists more as they are lighter and easily dissolved, whereas in the nighttime and on special occasions, I like to spray on a nice perfume. Although I really love each and every one of the perfumes I have mentioned above, I am more excited to wear my latest additions. I know that due to my allergies, I am not supposed to wear perfumes a lot but I know I am going to add a couple more to my collection pretty soon. I just can’t resist! I would love to know your favorite perfume or body mist. Comment below and share your favorite scents and also don’t forget to pop over my Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) and Twitter (@vogueandmacaron) to say hi!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

February 19, 2016 - crazyandfashionable Leave a comment

FASHION BASICS-THE CHAIN BAG

The chain bag has always been a statement piece of a woman’s wardrobe. The pioneer who introduced it to the fashion world was none other but the amazing Coco Chanel, who was looking for an alternative, more comfortable way of carrying her bag. This resulted in the creation of the most iconic chain bag, the Chanel 2.55. In my opinion, it is the ultimate elegant bag. It is simple and comfortable, yet classy. Not every look needs to be loud; I always believed that elegance equals minimalism. A flap bag, in a quilted diamond pattern with a double chain strap, can complete any look. Even when you’re wearing a pair of jeans and a jumper or a sweatshirt, carrying a chain a bag will make you look more put together and more elegant. It simply has the power of transformation. Another thing I love about this bag, is that you can dress it up and down. It is very versatile. You can carry it in the daytime but also at night, as the perfect company of a lovely dress and a pair of sexy heels. The bag’s success and popularity have turned it into a symbol of power, femininity and class.

However, we all know that this bag doesn’t come cheap; it actually worths thousands of dollars. Even though this is a price many are willing and able to afford, there are many others – me among them – who can’t or don’t want to. However, a beautiful chain strap bag is a key piece for many looks and should be part of any wardrobe. If you long for a gorgeous chain bag but at an affordable price, do not worry; there are many quite similar alternatives at a much lower price. My personal favorite that I have, I love, have and I aspire to get in many other colors, is from Moschino. I love that Love Moschino quilted bag with a chain strap. It really reminds me of the Chanel one. It doesn’t have the number of pockets the Chanel has, but it has enough space for all the necessary items I always carry with me. It is light, stylish, simple, convenient and much more affordable. I have received so many compliments on mine!

Another, more affordable, beautiful chain bag is the ZARA Chain City bag. It is a beautiful black bag with a heavy chain detail and strap. It is very elegant but with some edge. It is much cheaper from both the Chanel and the Love Moschino ones, but it doesn’t have bad quality. I actually am really fond of Zara’s bags. I like its how stylish and modern its designs are plus some timeless pieces it has every year. The City bag is exactly that; a timeless stylish yet classy bag. And at a great price!

Lastly, another even more affordable alternative, would be the ASOS Quilted Lock Cross body bag. It is very similar to the Chanel 2.55, with the quilted design and the chain strap. Very minimal without any details, it stays true to the effortless and simple Chanel style. Plus, it is the cheapest alternative of the three, which is great. Who says that you can be stylish, classy and on trend only if you splurge on it? You can easily recreate the classy and sophisticated Chanel look with this gorgeous bag.

A plain quilted chain strap bag, is an important part of a woman’s wardrobe. It can accompany many outfits, from casual to dressed up ones. It can turn any look into classier and more elegant, without losing the relaxed and effortless vibe. Although the queen of this bag category is the iconic Chanel 2.55, nowadays there are many alternatives of different price ranges. In the end it doesn’t matter how expensive your bag is, but how you carry it. You can always look fabulous and stylish without breaking the bank. Comment down below and share your favorite chain strap bag. Also don’t forget to pop over my Insragram (@blueberrylover) and Twitter (@vickyinlalaland) to say hi!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

February 12, 2016 - crazyandfashionable Leave a comment

HOW TO LOOK EXPENSIVE WITH LESS-5 KEY PIECES

HOW TO LOOK EXPENSIVE WITH LESS – 5 KEY PIECES

Flipping through the pages of my favorite magazines while looking for some inspiration, I always come across some amazing looks that sadly cost a fortune. Therefore, I enjoy recreating those high-end looks with more affordable pieces. Who said that you can’t look like a million bucks with pieces that cost way less? Looking chic and on-Pointe doesn’t always mean that you have to spend every last penny you own; picking the right pieces at the right price can have the same gorgeous effect. One look that really caught my attention was a mixture of denim and grey. I like the simplicity of this casual look and how versatile it can be. To add my own twist to the look, I incorporated a blue denim jacket. Let’s take a better look of the 5 Key Pieces of this outfit!

Low heel shoes

Images: www.en.vogue.fr.com, www.topshop.com — Images: www.en.vogue.fr, www.topshop.com

Low heel pumps are quite the emerging trend right now. Not that they weren’t before, but lately more and more brands are coming up with statement low-heeled shoes. These Topshop Soft Glove Mid heels, are a great alternative to the beautiful two-tone Chanel ones. I love how the Topshop ones are minimal with no details and have a ballet-style design with the high front. They are perfect for the sophisticated casual look he more expensive choice has. Although I went for the light grey version of them, they come in many colors from black and grey to red and coral.

Two-tone bag

Images: www.selfridges.com, www.katespade.com

One of the hottest trends of this season, are the two-tone patterns. You can find them on shoes as well as bags. The contrasted color duo spices up any simple outfit without being too “loud”. Although I am a fan of one-color bags, this two-toned Chloe is simply to-die-for. It actually combines two seasonal trends: the two-tone design and the saddle style. Such a chic purse, which can accompany any look! A great dupe to this gorgeous bag would be this Kate Spade navy and powdery blue one. It is a lovely combination of two different shades of blue, that works really well with denim and the grey shoes.

High-waist mom jeans

Taking a break from the most popular skinny jeans, this casual, laid-back look features a pair of high-waist mom jeans. Mom jeans are an 80’s trend that in the last few years has made a comeback. I personally love how relaxed a pair of mom jeans is. They are comfortable and flattering, especially if they are high-waist ones. I love high-waist jeans because they elongate the legs and draw attention to the slim waist. Although the expensive version featured these quite pretty Whistle skinny jeans, I decided to replace them with a pair of mom jeans just to spice the look up a little bit. Skinny jeans are amazing, but a change every now and then is good. This pair of ASOS Farleigh High Waist Mom jeans in this vivid blue shade will look amazing with the blue two-tone blue bag.

Grey jumper

Image: www.selfridges.com www.asos.com — Images: www.selfridges.com, www.asos.com

Grey is my favorite winter color right after the all-time favorite black. I love wearing pastel shades of it, because they can be worn all year round. A grey jumper is a great alternative to a white or even a black one. In this look, I decided to add a switch to the usual blue and white navy style, by replacing the white, nautical-themed Max Mara jumper with this grey ribbed New Look one. I love how it matches the shoes but not in a tacky matching way, and how it just brings the look together and adds to its overall simplicity.

Denim jacket

Although the original high-end look didn’t have any outwear, I believe that a nice denim jacket would actually complete the whole look. Lately I am exploring the denim-on-denim style and I have to admit I really like it. A nice, oversized denim jacket in a similar shade to the jeans, it would an 80’s tone to this outfit. I really like this ASOS denim jacket with the fur lining. It can keep you warm like a coat would, but it is more simple and casual than a coat, which is why it really completes the look.

Although I love the lovely looks with high-end pieces that are featured in the fashion magazines, I don’t believe you can’t achieve the same style without breaking the bank. You can always recreate the look with more affordable dupe pieces and look equally dashing. This specific look is an all time classic nautical blue and white one. It is elegant and timeless. However, I decided to twist it up a little bit by replacing white with light grey. I love the combination of grey and blue! It is minimalistic and classy. I would love to know what you guys think of the look! Also don’t forget to pop over my Instagram (@blueberrylover) and Twitter (@vickyinlalaland) and say hi!

Till next time take care dolls 😉

Vicky

February 7, 2016 - crazyandfashionable Leave a comment

DIY CHANEL INSPIRED LAMP

Hello lovelies! I never was a craft-friendly person. I am terrible at drawing and at anything that involves glue, scissors and paint. Therefore, I am not very good at DIY projects, not matter how I excited I am and willing to give them a try. With that in mind, once I found a picture of this Chanel inspired lamp on Pinterest, I instantly fell in love. It is a cute little lamp that can totally transform a plain room and add some character to it. As a fashion blogger, I love anything that is brand related; from mugs and candles to pencils and paintings. This lamp although it looks easy and simple enough to make, it was a bit of a challenge to someone who hasn’t been into DIY projects much. I only just recently started to warm up to the idea of creating bits and bobs on my own for my house.

This lamp is quite easy to make and not demanding at all. You will need a canvas (I chose a rectangular one because I feel it is better for the design and also with some width), some black paint, a brush, a pair of scissors, some LED fairy lights (mine are a 12 pack from IKEA and they are battery-powered), a ruler and a pair of compasses.

STEP 1

For this step you basically design your entwined Cs. Use your ruler to measure the distance of your two Cs from the sides of the canvas. You have to be very specific and careful with your measurements because the Cs must be mirroring each other. After you measure the space and decide where you would be happy with your Cs, use your pair of compasses to design them. It is much easier than what it seems, trust me!

STEP 2

Once you have designed your Cs then you need to paint them. I used an acrylic black paint and I mixed it with some water. I didn’t mix it too much because I like the paint to be a bit on the thicker side. Gently and using a small brush paint the two Cs. It doesn’t matter much how you are going to paint them, but it will look better and less messy if the strokes have the same direction. Once you finishing painting the Chanel logo, let the canvas dry. It will dry pretty fast but I let mine for a couple of hours, just to make sure and to avoid making smudges.

STEP 3

This step is going to be a little harder. Once your painting is completely dry, get your ruler and measure the spots where you are going to put your lights. So if you have 12 fairy lights, you need to space them out equally on the 2 Cs. With your ruler you will measure equal spaces between every two lights. Once you mark the spots, get your scissors and start creating holes on each spot. You need the scissors as the canvas has fibers that you will have to cut. Carefully start creating the holes. I found that using the pointy tip of my pair of compasses and create many tiny holes at first, makes easier for my scissors to cut through the canvas. In order to avoid making your holes too big, try to insert the fairy light and if it barely fits, then your hole is ready. Once you finish all the holes, just push the lights through them and you are done! Last thing is to put batteries and tuck in the cables at the back of the painting so they are not in the way.

I know it is not a major DIY project but I love its simplicity. It is perfect for the bedroom and living room and it adds a touch of “couture” to every space. You can use other logos if Chanel is not your favorite brand but they have to be logos with plain letters and not full words, because in that case you would need a big canvas and more lights. Plus, it would look so cluttered in my opinion. Also you can use whatever colors you like although, no other color expresses Chanel better than black. What do you guys think of the lamp? If you guys create the lamp or something inspired, upload it on Instagram with the hashtag #mycooldiy. I would love to see what you guys have made! Also don’t forget to pop over my Instagram (@blueberrylover) and Twitter (@vickyinlalaland) to say hi!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

February 5, 2016 - crazyandfashionable Leave a comment

CHANEL AND LANCOME SKINCARE REVIEW

Happy February everyone! As you have probably realized by now, I am into skin care products more than make up ones. Skincare products improve the skin and help deal with any problems it may have, instead of just masking and covering them up. I like trying different skin care products from different brands, as I am always searching for something better and different from the products I already have. I don’t really have high-end brands makeup and skin care, but on January there was a huge sale on a few shopping centres and I decided it was my chance to get some high-end skin care. Therefore, I went with Chanel and Lancome. I already have a couple of skin care products from both brands and I really like them. From both brands I picked a toner and a mask, because I love toners and I always like to try new masks.

From Chanel I got the Silky Soothing Toner for Comfort and Anti-Pollution and the Hydration, Protection and Radiance Mask from the Hydra Beauty line. I used both products and I sadly have to admit I am not very satisfied with both of them. First thing’s first, the Toner is a nice toner which refreshes the skin, but it is not something that wowed me. It smells lovely, but I don’t feel it really cleanses my skin. It is supposed to be anti-pollution, but besides refreshing my skin, I don’t feel it does anything else. It’s not that I don’t like it, I just feel that the other toners I have offer something more. The Mask, as well, is not something amazing. It is a moisture mask for radiant and smooth skin, that you apply on your face before you sleep and you massage it into your skin before you sleep. It felt really greasy on my skin and my skin couldn’t absorb it at all. I don’t know if this is how the product is supposed to be, but I really hate greasy products that make my skin look shiny and they are not absorbed easily. Even once I woke up the product was still there. It had been absorbed a little but you could still feel my skin being sticky. I didn’t like the mask and I felt it also broke me out a bit. I never had acne or any skin issues but after the mask I had a couple of zits and irritation, which to be is a break out. Really unhappy with the mask.

From Lancome I got the Clarifying Exfoliating Toner and the Purifying Mineral Mask with White Clay. Unlike with Chanel, I was really satisfied with Lancome. I have two products already from the brand and I really love them, so I had high expectations from the two new ones. The Toner is amazing. I absolutely love it! It has a strong scent because it contains alcohol. Toners which contain alcohol, are not suitable for dry and sensitive skin types; they will dry out the dry skin and irritate the sensitive skin. It didn’t irritate my skin at all. I would classify my skin as a little sensitive, but not much. Therefore, the toner didn’t affect my skin negatively at all. On the contrary, It actually helped my skin a lot. Every time I use the toner, the cotton pad is quite dirty even after I have cleansed my skin. This is something I hadn’t noticed before with my other toners. I was always under the impression that I had cleansed my skin a lot and therefore there was nothing for the toner to remove. With this toner I realized I was wrong; there always was some dirt left and this toner will definitely remove it. So happy I actually got the 400 ml bottle (double the size of my other toners), because it will last me for a long time. The Mask is really good as well. It is a clay mask and as with all clay masks, it becomes solid on my skin before I rinse it off. Its scent is quite unpleasant, but it doesn’t really bother me and the results I get are amazing; my skin feels really tight and bright afterwards which I love. I used the mask on my mom, who has a different skin to mine, and it was a success as well. Her skin was so moisturized, tight and brighter than before. Such a lovely mask. The skin really feels extra clean and refreshed. It even feels tighter which is great! I prefer it much more than the Chanel one.

Recently I added some high-end products to my skin care collection, from Chanel and Lancome, as I don’t have anything almost from the first brand, and I love whatever I have from the second. I was quite disappointed with the Chanel products, because although the toner was simply ok, the mask was quite underwhelming. The toner has a nice, refreshing feel but nothing more than that. The mask is greasy, sticky and not easily absorbed. It also broke me out a little bit, which doesn’t happen often. Unlike Chanel’s products, the Lancome ones were great. The toner is amazing, because it really moisturizes and cleanses my skin and the mask is great because it makes my skin feel more plum, tighter and brighter. What more could you ask from a mask right? I totally recommend the Lancome products but for the Chanel ones I am not satisfied therefore, I can’t really recommend them. The toner is ok for refreshing your skin, so I suppose you could try it out but the mask is a let down. I would love to hear your opinion about these products and which is your favorite toner in general? Comment down below and share! Also don’t forget to pop over my Instagram (@blueberrylover) and Twitter (@vickyinlalaland) and say hi!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

vogueandmacarons

Vogue & Macarons

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MY FAVORITE PERFUMES