All you need is ... SUN! (:

-By Natalia-

Hello everyone!

Haven't posted anything for a while here, so I thought it's time to share some new pics with you :) After all my summer exams and high season at work I got a chance to go on a vacation to an amazing place, called Cyprus!! I was so excited about going there, you can't imagine! Though I couldn't believe I was REALLY going to Aiya Napa till we got in the plane! hehe

The weather was amazing all 7 days there, we were sunbathing, swimming, visiting karaoke-bars, simply enjoying life (: It's such a great feeling when you don't have to rush, really.
We went to Aiya-Napa with my good friend, Katya, and we had lots of fun together (:

Here are some pics from the trip, hope you like them :)

Sun&sea - nothing else needed...

This place is called "Blue Lagoon" due to the colour of water... Beautiful,isn't it? (:

The flowers  in Aiya-Napa are simply gorgeous... 

I bought this blue top in New-Yorker just before the trip, but decided to wear it as a dress in Aiya-Napa (though I know it's rather short to be called a dress,hehe)

Those were 7 amazing days. Thank you Aiya-Napa !!!! (:

The wait is almost over...

By C.Elizabeth

There are two things I am very excited about at the moment: my holiday in my home country and my new Ted Baker dress.

I haven't been home for roughly a year now so I really can't wait to see all my family and to simply be in Canada. I am almost all ready to go despite the fact that we are leaving only Tuesday. My suitcase is mostly all packed and the same for my hand luggage. Bits and bobs and whatnots are still to be added but I am quite proud of myself for not being too "last minute"!




A while ago, I found the cutest name tags on ebay,very retro and colorful! I took pictures of the two we will be using but it actually came as a pack of four. I just don't know where in my suitcase I put the other two, which I am taking with me in case I lose one. After all, we all know how careful luggage handlers are!



A few days ago, I received a package I was waiting for impatiently. My new Ted Baker dress. I decided to wait until we get to Canada before wearing it... to make it even more special! But anyway, here it is:







The lovely Imogen gave me an award in July! She is such an adorable girl and her blog is one of my favorites... so I'm very flattered. Thank you!




The winner must list seven interesting things about themself:

1. I can hardly sit still... I either need to shake my legs or rock the chair in the living room. It kinda annoys Andy when he's trying to watch TV.

2. I worry a lot and very easily and often about silly things.

3.I used to moan about snow all the time... now I miss it. I used to enjoy rain... now I hate it.

4. I mostly only wear dresses and skirts due to the fact I really dislike wearing pants. I find them very uncomfortable.

5. I'm quite an impatient person, especially if I am excited about something.

6. I have always wanted to live somewhere down south but I somehow ended up in England. That simply shows how unpredictable life is!

7. I would have loved being a teenager in the 1950's and a young adult in the 1960's. I simply love those two decades...


I am giving it to:


Passionate Star

Hanne from My Life

Diamondcanopy

Resplendent Tranquility



I am leaving on Tuesday for just under three weeks, so this is probably my last post until I come back! Take care. -xXx-

Polka dots and Melanzane Parmigiana

By C.Elizabeth








Last Saturday we went out for a meal in honour of a member of the family's birthday. To my greatest pleasure, we all decided to eat Italian! I feel I never can go wrong with (vegetarian) Italian food as it is always very tasty. I had a meal called "Melanzane Parmigiana" and it was delicious. It's mainly made of aubergine,tomatoes and cheese. It looks pretty much like a lasagna.





It was the perfect occasion to wear my pretty new dress which I bought in a shop where I almost never go as I don't usually like anything they sell. It's called "Wardrobe" and it's in the little town where I live at the moment. I even found some gorgeous shoes! I think that from now on, I might visit this shop a bit more often... we never know!
It was also a good occasion to wear the beautiful ring my mom gave me a few years ago. It's the first ring my dad bought her in the 1970's, even before they got married! It has a perfect pearl on and I simply love it.

In a vintage shop's treasure chest...

By C.Elizabeth

As our trip to Canada is getting closer, we went to Manchester in order to finish buying little presents for my family. It can be a bit tricky as we want each find to be special but also practical to travel! Therefore, we haven't quite found everything... but we still have two and a half weeks.

Of course, now that I know where they are, I had to go to some vintage shops. I saw a lot of pretty things but nothing really took my eye except for a lovely hat. I wasn't looking for one but couldn't resist it when Andrew showed it to me. Luckily, it looked perfect with my outfit so I could wear it right away!

Treasure hunt & bargain buys

By C.Elizabeth

On Sunday, Andrew, his dad and I went to an antique fair near where we live. It was the first time I ever went to one here in the UK. I saw so many beautiful things that I could easily have spent a real fortune in there! Though, I'm one who thinks there's no need to spend a big amount of money on things just for the sake of it... Which is why I always keep my eyes open for some good bargains! I was especially lucky on that day as I bought several items, all antique and vintage.

Here's what I found:

An antique silver jewellery box.



The most beautiful apron I have ever seen.



A lovely vintage dress.



A very cute bow necklace.



Some pearls.



And a very pretty brooch.

Tasty treat

By C.Elizabeth

I really wanted to write something earlier on this week but due to still not feeling very well, I never really had the energy nor the desire. I am still a bit swollen and on top of that, I had a bit of a rash on my cheeks and on the collarbones area... Hopefully (and probably!) it will all get better soon!

Also, as many of you enquired about my vegan brownies, here's a picture of my successful attempt! It was very tasty and easy to cook. I am not vegan as such (don't think I could ever stop eating cheese nor chocolate) but when I cook, I like to use alternative to dairy products as I personally believe it's healthier.

For obvious reason, I didn't really feel like having my photo taken lately so I decided to make a collage of some of my favorite family photos. I miss them a lot as we are all very close. I just can't wait to see them in September!

The untitled one

By C.Elizabeth

Today was a typical British day. Yes, you guessed, it was gray, wet, dull and chilly. Therefore, I had to dress accordingly as I met Andrew at a shopping area near his work (overtime!). We decided to start buying little presents for my family in Canada for when we go over in just under a month and a half. I always enjoy doing so!

Tomorrow, I'm going to make some Vegan brownies for the first time... I remember cooking brownies with my grandma when I was a little girl and it always was so much fun! Well, licking the spoon at the end was my favorite part actually. I will let you know how it goes and if I succeed, I will take some pictures.

Here are a few pictures of what I wore today. I feel the need to add that over the last few days, I had an allergic reaction to the medication I was on following a bad pneumonia... Therefore, my entire body was swollen. Despite the fact it's better now, I still look like a sumo fighter!

Countdown to Canada and the quest for the perfect holiday bag

By C.Elizabeth

As my trip home to Canada is getting closer, I thought it would be a good idea to start getting ready for it. Despite being a well organized person, I also can be the "last minute" type so I decided not to take any chance! Therefore, Andrew and I hit the road very early this morning to go to The Trafford Centre, a very pretty shopping centre in Manchester. It's a veritable kaleidoscope of colors and themes!

I just realized my outfit today is very similar to the one I wore when I went to Blackpool last month! That skirt is so comfortable and light... perfect for shopping!

I wanted a nice holiday bag to take with me on board as I'm tired of those plain black ones I've been given throughout the years. I first thought I'd buy one from the Cath Kidston's collection but after looking at them, I decided against it. It looked so different there in the shop from what it did on the internet... I was very disappointed. It was totally shapeless and oversized. I was very happy with my decision of looking at it before buying it! We then decided to go for a wander... and some pancakes. Me, the vegetarian, had a mushroom and cheese one while Andrew, the carnivore, picked a chicken, bacon and cheese one. It was so delicious! Nothing better to get over my letdown.

After walking for a little while, I finally saw it. The perfect cute little bag, waterproof, resistant and perfectly sized. I found it in Debenhams, an unexpected place for me.

While we were there, I also bought a new foundation, "Hello Flawless" by Benefit. I've never tried it before but I know I can always trust that brand. Especially with my sensitive skin!

Since I haven't written on here in a little while, I haven't mentioned all the pretty things I bought lately. I'm trying not to spend too much at the moment though since the priority is to save up before my upcoming holiday in my lovely home country. Though, while the sales are on, I decided to buy some new bras and underwear as it's always the best time to buy very good quality ones at very affordable prices!
On that same day, I bought an adorable new purse from Urban Outfitter. It's so feminine and the retro look makes it even more attractive!
That day ended up in a very nice way, by seeing "Ice Age : Dawn of the dinosaures" in 3D, which I truly really enjoyed.

Goodbye, Uni...

-By Natalia-

Hello hello :)

Last week it was my last day in Uni. We finally got our diplomas (yaaaay!!!) after 6 years of studying! Luckily the day was sunny and we had a chance to wear our dresses :)

Here's my uni

I didn't wear anything special for this day actually...a classic black dress and black shoes. Also took my mum's jewellery - a necklace, a bracelete and earings :)

Me and girls from my group...

After the official part we went to a restaurant!

Still can't believe it's over!! no more exams, lectures.... F.r.e.e.d.o.m. :)))

Lovely awards

By C.Elizabeth


Recently, I have received those lovely awards from Tia Cherie . Those are actually my first awards so it's even more special!




The same lovely person also pass me to Honest Scrap Award, which I find quite interesting! I am really looking forward to read it all on your blogs!



10 honest things about myself:

1. I've moved so many times in my life that I can barely remember where I've lived and for how long.

2. I always thought I'd end up living somewhere down south... How did I end up in England?

3. I'm a vegetarian. Which is actually crap when you go to someone's place to eat. It always make me feel uncomfortable.

4. I worry a lot and very easily. Which makes me a stressed person. Then again, we live in a stressed world.

5. I'm a bit of a cleaning freak. Well, not just a bit as some people would say. Let's just say I like it when it's tidy.

6. I'm very sarcastic. People very often don't get me and think I'm rude. Though, they're occasionally right.

7. I miss my lovely North America like mad. I love traveling but I now know where I definitely want to be. Home.

8. I'm getting very bad at writing in French... and even speaking it from time to time. That really annoys my mom.

9. I've always wanted to have natural dark hair... why o why am I blond while my sister is very dark?

10. I started figure skating just before I turned 4 and lived for it for years. My favorite activity at weekends was to pretend I was an Olympic Champion... lots of jumping about on tasteless songs in my living room.


Requirements:

-I must thank the person who gave me the award and list their blog and link it - I must list 10 honest things about myself.

-I must put a copy of The Honest Scrap Logo on my blog.

-I must select at least 7 other worthy bloggers & list their links - I must notify the bloggers of the award and hopefully they will follow the above three requirements also.


For all those awards, I tag the lovely:

I would like to pass those to:

The Fabulosity Factor

The Sydney Girl

Sweety P Style Files

Strawberry Kitten

Pearls and Sands

Almost Stylish

Diamondcanopy

Qin At The Disco

A day in Blackpool

By C.Elizabeth

Over the last week, my friend Ariella was here, visiting. It was really nice to meet up again after two years! This time we took a lot more pictures... we learned from our mistakes!

One of those days was spent in Blackpool. It's a seaside resort on the North West coast of England. Being from Canada, it was also the first time I went there so it made it even more exciting!

I thought the beach was very beautiful and the sky was breath taking! It reminded me of a beach somewhere in Florida (without the palm trees and very warm weather obviously). The weather was so nice that we walked along the beach our feet in the water.

Here are some pictures: