Modest favorites from Lindex

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I find it extremely challenging to find modest clothing in ‘regular stores’. Either things are too short, see-through or are just not covering enough. But with a bit of smart thinking and layering, you can get there. And when retailers make it so easy that the fit is already loose and modest, well then you’re half way there already.

Use code: summer19 to get 25% off at Lindex, online and in store. Valid from 21-23.June 2018.

1) Striped jumpsuit 2) Black dress 3) Orange dress 4) Denim skirt 5) Yellow pants 6) Green dress

Happy shopping!

Elizabeth

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Premier jour à Paris

A week ago I was strolling the streets of Paris. I was finally travelling again, even though it was only for 3 days. A little getaway is always nice – no matter the length. This was also the last month for me to travel since I am in my last trimester, as we speak. So here I am, a week later with lots to share with you.

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11th of March 2019 – Notre-Dame & Crepes

My day started a little bit after 5 am, way too early for my inner clock, but since I knew I was being picked up in an hour I made my way out of the bed. I packed my last belongings and ate a bowl of fruit. Right before 7 am I was in Oslo meeting up with my mum. We were finally on our way. At the airport everything went smoothly and we awaited to arrive Paris at 11.05 am. Starving we went to a cafe at the airport in France. After a short break we found our taxi driver and arrived to our hotel at 1 pm. A cute, modern hotel called ‘Hotel Pratic‘.

We freshened up and after an 1 hour nap we wanted to explore the streets of Paris. We weren’t far from Notre-Dame so we decided to take a city map and get on our way. The sun was shinning and the wind blowing. We saw the beautiful church from outside and decided to save our 10€ for a late lunch.

We stopped at a restaurant just next to the well-known church and enjoyed our first proper french meal. Even though I had a greek salad and my mum had a hamburger. Later we made our way back to the hotel. But before the day was over we stopped at a local boutique where I was gifted a Paris mug from my mum. We also stopped by the supermarket before we got our dessert at ‘La Cedrerie du Marais‘. A lovely lady catered us with nutella crepes and a steaming hot coffee. What a great way to end our first day.

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Elizabeth

Pregnancy & Body Image

You’re suppose to feel this overwhelming sense of joy when you’re pregnant. And anything else would just be unusual.

Well, it’s not. Your body goes through A LOT of changes in only 9 months. And even though you might be the only one knowing it for the first months, you’ll rapidly start to grow and show. And you can’t make your body stop getting bigger. You can exercise and eat as healthy as one only can with daily cravings, but in the end, you’ll get big.

You’ll hear comments like; “You’ve gotten so big. Are you sure there aren’t two in there”. It’s frustrating cause it’s like no one knows what you’re actually going through. And who knows if you’ll ever get back to the size you were before. The invisible pressure is definitely there.

Even as this is my second child I’m much bigger than what I was with my first. I keep telling myself that I’ll get back to my ‘normal’ self and this in it self is a miracle. But as much as it is a miracle, and I am truly grateful to be a mother again, I can’t help to feel like I’m not myself.

I don’t feel sexy in my body, I don’t feel as confident. Most of the time I feel bloated and like I have to pee every hour. I’ll never have my abs back to normal and my bellybutton will most likely not go back to it’s normal self. And I feel guilty for feeling this way. Because my body is getting bigger and I don’t like looking at myself in the mirror, even though I’m creating a human being inside of me.

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Elizabeth

Spring is on it’s way

Can you believe it’s already April? My winter shoes are finally packed away and the mountain of snow outside our driveway is finally melting away. I hope I can keep my boots packed away until November and fingers crossed – spring is on it’s way!

I know I haven’t posed anything for a while. It often becomes too much and I get overwhelmed by the weekly things I want to accomplish. Unfortunately my blog is the one suffering from all of this. But I do have to say I’ve missed the typing sound while my fingers glid over the keyboard. I defiantly want to continue on writing and sharing my journey here as well. At the moment tough I do upload twice a week on my YouTube channel – once on Sunday where I do fashion, beauty or life related videos and once on Wednesday where I upload a weekly vlog. But I must say that the bar is set up high for us beginners and when I see all of these bloggers doing the most out of an instagram profile, I never feel like my contact is good enough. But in time, insha’Allah, I will get there.

For now this has to do – using my son’s stroller as a tripod and setting my camera on self timer mode. Now I can’t wait to get my head down on my pillow and get a good nights sleep.

Elizabeth

My top 5 make-up products – are they cruelty-free?

I change favorites as quick as I change my clothes cause there is always something new and exciting to try out. And even though I want to minimize my make-up collection I still have some trys and errors left. With that being said I want my make-up to be ‘cruelty-free’, and that’s why I’ve made it a goal for me to check out every brand before I buy it. I’ll start with make-up and slowly move over to hair products, perfume, shower gels – you name it. It is in fact 2018 and I can’t believe this isn’t a law already that applies to every brand out there. But I must say there are surprisingly a lot of brands that already have joined the movement.

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I’ve picked out my TOP 5 FAVORITE make-up products at the moment, and these are my go to products whenever I wear make-up.

L’Oréal True Match Foundation & L’Oréal Volum Mega Lashes

Founded in 1909 by Eugene Schueller, Loreal is most likely the biggest name of them all. They have it all, from make-up to hair products to sun lotion and protection to skincare. Other products within the L’Oréal family are: Kerastase, Garnier, Redken, Maybelline, Lance, YSL – just to mention a few.

On L’Oréal’s frequently asked questions they claim not to test any products or ingredients on animals. Never the less, L’Oréal still sells in China and by law all products must be tested on animals there. To be included as ‘cruelty-free’ with PETA for instance, is a requirement that the company does not and will not conduct, commission pay for, or allow tests on animals for any of their ingredients, formulations, and products, anywhere in the world.

From what I understand from my research is that L’Oréal only tests on animals in China. Non the less, if I where to continue to buy from them I would in a way support their actions.

Maybelline Strobing Stick

Maybelline was founded by 19 year old Tom Lyle Williams in 1915 and his first products was a modern mascara inspired by his sister. The company was bough up decades later by L’Oréal, in 1996.

Maybelline does not test their finished products or ingredients on animals except where animal testing is required by law, as it is in China. They have not made it to PETA’s ‘cruelty-free’ list, possible because of their parent company L’Oréal, and the fact that they both still sell in China.

Gosh Anti Redness Mix & Fix Colour Drops

Gosh Copenhagen founded in 1945 in Denmark by Einer Tjellesen. The goal was to focus on business opportunities within pharmaceutical companies, but quickly moved into the cosmetics industry. Today Bo Tjellesen, son of founder, is the director of Gosh Copenhagen with products sold in more than 80 countries.

The company claims to not use animals to test any products or ingredients. Neither do they commission others to perform animals tests. They also have a new vegan friendly list where products do no contain any ingredients derived from or produced by animals.

It is prohibited to test on animals in Europe which is great news. Non the less, now I have to think about what ingredients there are in all of these products.

Fenty Beauty Killawat / Hu$tla Baby Highlighter
Fenty beauty was established in 2017 by non other than Robyn ‘Rihanna’ Fenty. You probably know this company because it’s been all over social media whenever there’s a new product. Great reviews and amazing products for every skin type and tones. Her slogan is: «Beauty for all».

Fenty Beauty is cruelty-free and never tests on animals, nor do they allow suppliers or affiliates to conduct animal testing on their behalf. Most products are free from animal byproducts, but it’s not considered a vegan line.

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2/5 of my favorite products where from a ‘cruelty-free’ line, and I must say I’m disappointed. I never though L’Oréal wasn’t considered a cruelty-free brand, and because they still sell in China they aren’t considered one. My next move is to use up the products I’ve already purchased, like L’Oréal and Maybelline, but try to find alternatives whenever I’m out shopping for make-up.

‘Cruelty-free’ drugstore make-up: 

– Ardell

– e.l.f

– GOSH

– NYX (Owned by L’Oréal though)

NOT ‘cruelty-free’ drugstore make-up:

– Rimmel London

– Revlon

– Bourjois

– Cover Girl

– L’Oréal

– Maybelline

Just to mention a few. I hope this guide was a bit helpful for you who is interested in supporting brands who do not test on animals.

Elizabeth

Worst week in my life

Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating, but I’ve not had the best 48 hours. Everything went downhill since Wednesday night and now I’m sitting here on the living room floor with the worst headache since this afternoon.

I don’t want to keep on dragging this complain wagon any longer, and I will try to look at life from a more positive way.

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Even though we don’t celebrate Christmas, I do want to give something back to my family, especially my mum. And since this is a time of year where people usually meet, I ended up buying some gifts for my family.
It was most natural for me to buy something hair related since I work at a salon. So both my brothers will receive a shampoo. My oldest brother will also get a 3D puzzle I thought was so cool, maybe even something I should have bought for myself. And my brother in between will get a sports t-shirt. I still have my parents but I’ve got them covered with something.
I’m off to bed hoping to sleep away this awful headache. I have to be up, ready and back at the salon by 9 am, so good night.

Elizabeth

Life’s too short not to be doing what you love

At the moment I’m sending out my resume, in deep search for a new job. When I started high school, at 16 years old, I never imagined becoming a hairdresser. I actually wanted to go design & textile and then major in sewing and designing clothes. I can’t say I regret my decision, because having a high demanded job which I can apply anywhere in the world is great. But I can’t see myself in this business for the rest of my life. I can’t see myself at my workplace because I don’t see a future there. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t believe I can grow into a higher position there.

Life’s too short not to be doing what you love. And it’s time to implement what I say into actions. 

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These pictures were taken a while back when I filmed my autumn try on haul (link). Though I won’t be wearing light pink pants anymore – I do have the same pants in a dark burgundy color which is so perfect for this time a year.

Blouse: Lindex // Pants: Cubus // Vest: Nelly.com // Hijab: Modanisa // Shoes: Store in Miami

Elizabeth

Don’t lose your self respect

self-respect
noun | self-re·spect | self-ri-ˈspekt |
a proper respect for oneself as a human being

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Don’t dress up to seek the admiration of other people.
The glances and looks or even stares.
Do you really want this?
You say you want respect but how can you get it,
when all you do is showing your beauty to the outside world for recognition.
You say you want to fall in love with your mind but you only display our body.

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Elizabeth

Early morning walks

I just love snuggling up in cozy jumpers and this has absolute been my favorite the last couple of days.

This was taken a couple of days back when we were out for a early (late) walk. It was actually before 12 o’clock which meant not too many people on the streets. So I made sure to take out my camera, set it up on the stroller and do a little photo shoot.

Jumper: Gina Tricot // Pants: Bik Bok // Shirt: Bik Bok // Scarf: Nelly.com

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Before I forget there will be a new video up on my YouTube channel today at 14 pm. I’ll be taking a look at my old diaries and reading some of the stories from way back in the days.

Happy Sunday!

Elizabeth

The weight of the world on my shoulders

I’m already on my second cup of coffee which I usually never drink but today it’s absolutely nesaccary. With only 8 hours of interrupted sleep and a nap where I couldn’t even snooze off for two minutes, it’s safe to say I’m very tired. My body is so stiff and I feel this heavy weight on my shoulders. Probably a mix of stress, too little sleep and in much need of a long massage.

Having a 7 month baby is so much more work then what it was four months ago. I love every minute spent with my son, but I feel like I’m running on my last battery here. When and how I will be able to recharge will only be shown in the future. For now I wanted to share my outfit pictures I took the other day.

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Abaya: Norwegen Designer // Pants: Bik Bok // Top: Vero Moda // Hijab: Modanisa // Shoes: Store in Miami

Elizabeth