.SOMETIMES RAW.

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

When it comes to makeup and other beauty products, I am pretty easy. My beauty routine is simple and I found that the less products I use, the better my skin is. Sometimes, however, I like to put on makeup and basically use everything that is pictured above and nothing else. This way my makeup is done in five minutes. I have to thank my mom and grandmother for having amazing skin. Read my makeup routine here if you would like. 

My makeup bag  is an old small grey leather bag that I found in one of my mom’s drawers years ago. Read about it here. The bag is not important I think. More important however is what chemicals are hidden in the makeup products you use. All this science behind many products and ingredients are just horrifying. If you know what to look for and which products to avoid, it is actually pretty easy. Does “organic and natural” really mean organic and natural? Here is a little list of things I learned; things that are in my makeup bag and some natural alternatives. All explained with a minimalistic perspective. Enjoy! 

Honestly, how many eyeshadows do you own? And how many do you actually use? I was fourteen when I started using makeup and collected whatever beauty products I was able to purchase. Most eyeshadows are loaded with toxins. My eyes burnt and itched constantly. When eyeshadow, then Dr. Hauschka products.  They are great! 

Later, I went through my entire makeup collection and threw out everything that was expired. I did not toss all my makeup at one shot to replace it with more natural, organic and better brands. Slowly but surely my makeup bag got a little makeover and products were replaced with a greener, healthier approach. Research products online. I found this website pretty helpful. Re-think lip products. There are so many toxins and chemicals in red lipstick, it is insane. And lip products are closest to your mouth; so easy access to get directly into your body. Yuk! Chemicals they use in lipsticks to avoid are synthetic dyes and colors, hydrozytoluene, petroleum, fragrances and parabens. Most Foundations are loaded with chemicals as well, and those we put on our face and they stay on the entire day. Now since it is hot outside I use nothing on my face. When I have itchy skin or in cold weather, I use a bit of  Dr. Hauschka oil on my face and body. Also a bit of Sheabutter or Coconut butter work really well. I just want to keep it as natural and minimalistic as possible. 

I am not a scientist and don’t know which chemicals would be indeed okay to use; but when I cannot pronounce half of the ingredients on the beauty products I am using, I don’t use them. Simple as that. It was difficult for me in the beginning to stay away from certain beauty products that were in my makeup bag for a long time. I loved CHANEL products for example. Then I tried free samples of organic products before purchasing anything and realized that I don’t need that much makeup anyway. 

Lately, an eye-opening and thought provoking documentary if you would like to watch. 

Hello and Happy Sunday! 

“Girlfriends, let me tell you exactly how it is. The worst problem every woman faces is called: Man!” 

Cora Hübsch is waiting. For a phone call from a man she spent one night with and had the best sex of her life. She waits for a long time. And what happens if women wait too long for a phone call? They begin to doubt and question the entire dating/relationship thing. So she patiently waits. The phone remains silent. In the meantime and while waiting,  Cora could find a cure for AIDS, split an atom or prepare her tax return. Maybe she can throw away the old christmas tree that sits lonely and sad on her balcony since December. It is going to be a long night. 

A great funny little book when the reader gets the chance to observe how Cora’s life changes through this period of waiting. At some points I could not stop laughing and at others I had to nod blankly because the author, Ildiko von Kürthy is so right on and entertains the reader with tons of irony. I also like Cora’s monologues. “Shouldn’t I just call him back if I feel like it,” she asks her best friend Jo. Jo simply responds “after you had sex with someone and he didn’t call you back for three days then this night meant nothing more to him than leveling out his hormones. Don’t ever call him before those three days passed. Never. Under no circumstances“. Personally, I don’t agree with some of these problems Cora and Jo explain and have; however, Mondscheintarif shows clearly one problem that most women have: to make decisions! Any decisions. Also, some parts are a little exaggerated and you might know how things will turn out pretty quickly. But I loved it nonetheless.

This novella is fun and entertaining but personally even though  I don’t want to follow any “rules” when it comes to relationships. If I want to call someone I do exactly that. Simple. But for Cora and Jo, it is necessary for a woman to live by the rules. The more complicated, the better. Otherwise it would be boring, right? 

I read this book a couple of times already. I even bought my sister a copy and she loves it. Same for the movie. We both know entire passages by heart. It just makes me comfortable and happy when I read it. 

Is this book something I would enjoy? 

First of all, the movie or book is only available in German. However, if you want to practice German, watch the movie. This book is for you, if you are waiting for a guy to call you back after a first date/night. Also, if you love a special mix of humor, sarcasm and melancholia, read this book. Then you will love Cora and the plot for sure. The book is written in the present and switches back to three days ago, the past, which makes the story more interesting and catching. The protagonist Cora has a very refreshing way of telling her story and of course tons of honesty and humor. The book or the movie are just like good friends. Friends you like to turn to if you are not feeling well, if you are lonely or want to talk. 

Book and movie highly recommended. Order the book here. 

Enjoy and have a great week! 

Hello and Happy Thursday!

I love to try new things and when I found out about Blue Tée I had to try it. I am not a big tea drinker but I do enjoy my cup of Winder Castle English Breakfast Tea every morning. Blue Tée is something special, something not only for the taste but also for the eye. With its mild flavor and this awesome bright blue color this tea works great in cocktails or just for a wow-effect. A friend visited me the other day and I made a pot of Blue Tée and she was amazed and loved it. Even Petit Joel tried a sip just because “it changes to reeeeed”. Picky Eater. This tea is also very high in Anthocyanin Antioxidants. Enjoy some insights and pictures of my recent tea ceremony. Stay a while and drink a cup. 

What is Blue Tée?

“Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea) is a climbing vine native to Thailand. Its vivid blue flowers have been used int rational food and medicine for centuries. Traditionally served as a special iced tea to welcome guests in Thailand called Nam Dok Anchan. It is made how with 1/2 teaspoon honey, 1/2 teaspoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, allowed to cool & served over ice. When the lemon juices is added it magically changes color from vivid blue to royal purple! If you add more lemon it will turn bright pink. This color change is from the powerful Anthocyanin Antioxidants which change color depending on acidity. In water, they are bright blue, in sour drinks they are bright pink. You can learn more online www.b-lure.com. In Thai herbal medicine Butterfly Pea is used for improving memory, circulation & eyesight. The floral extract is also used to color rice, deserts and crepes. This butterfly pea is sourced from a family owned farm in central Thailand where it is lovingly grown using traditional techniques without the use of pesticides or chemicals”.

When the lemon is added you will see the tea magically change from vivid blue to royal purple. If you add more lemon it will turn bright pink! Adjust honey/sugar to taste.

Are there different options to drink this tea? 

You bet! There are so many. I tried both recipes described on the tea box. You can even color rice with blue tée. And freeze the tea and use it as ice cubes. The traditional recipe: 

Nam Dok Anchan

Add tea bag to 1 cup boiled water

Add 1/2 teaspoon honey

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

 Blue Ice

Infuse 2 teabags in 250 ml hot water, allow to cool. Add to ice tray and freeze. Add lemon and watch the blue ice melt to pink. Great for lemonades, mojitos or any other cocktails.

You wonder that this vivid color cannot be achieved through sun dried butterfly pea flowers (Clitoria ternatea) alone? Read more about the tea and order here if you are inspired. They claim to be 100% organic and use 100% pure butterfly pea flowers! You can also order the Liquid flower extract. Just add a few drops to your drink. Flavor and Color your water of cocktails. Enjoy!