How to up your knowledge on astrology and your star sign

Anyone who knows me well will be able to tell that I am an astrology obsessive. If there's a horoscope anywhere, I will read it, if someone tells me their star sign I will instantly check their personality traits and if there's any object connected to my star sign I will buy it (evidence A and B in the picture above)

Well, I don't believe that the position of the stars can detemine how my week will go about but astrology, somehow, holds a tremendous fascination and mystery for me. I just find it icredibly interesting in what ways the planets can affect your personality and outlook on life. In my opinion, astrology is as close to magic as we can get to in real life (even though it's more science than magic). I also always felt deeply connected to my star sign and find some form of identity and reassurance in it. Taurus are known for their loyalty, dependability, stubborness but also for their will to get back up and fight and their incredible warmth. These character traits have always been the ones I was most proud of in myself and felt most deeply ankered to.

Finding out more about your star sign is also a great way of being self-aware. Even if you disagree with your horoscope you will have to think about your inner thoughts and character traits to do so. Maybe you can even discover new aspects of yourself, that you never noticed before.

I also found that being informed about astrology made me a lot more tolerant to different kinds of characters. I always found it quite hard to understand some peoples impulsiveness, unreliability or egoism simply because I don't work that way and wasn't able to look beyond my (zodiac) plate. But astrology doesn't just give you a deeper understanding of yourself but also the people around you. In hope of not sounding to esoteric (which I am very far from) I will now explain how I got to understand my sign and ulimately myself better:














One of my lovely best friends got me the Little Book of Atsrology for my birthday and I was hooked
to it from page one. I had heard about ascendants and moon signs before but what I didn't know was that EVERY planet in our solar system and its position at the time of your birth has an effect on you and different aspects of your life. It is impossible to just be a Taurus or just a Gemini. For example: Venus is the planet of love and beauty, its position at your birth determines the way you love and feel about the people that are close to you and which things you enjoy in life. You can find out about the position of your planets with just your date, time and location of birth and a little bit of googleing. You can calculate you natal chart on this website. I found these analysis on differnt parts of my life to be so accurate that I was honestly freaked out by it. I also finally found out why I am no good with money, which is something Taurus are generally known for excelling at.

If you are just as obesessed with astrology as I am or want to get more into it then I would highly reccomend investing money in the Little Book of Astrology and time into a little bit of research. I promise you, you will be astounded by what you will able to find out about yourself and the people you love.

xx Laura

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Make Up I've been loving recently

I haven't been purchasing a whole lot of new make up in the past months because in the summer time my make up gets a lot more minimal and I tend to go back to old favourites but there are a few new bits mixed into the items that I have been loving recently, but also some that I rekindled my love with.

The Catrice Liquid Camouflage Concealer has been an absolute life saver in the warmer weather. It's full coverage, yellow-toned, waterproof, affordable and doesn't crease; what else could you wish for?

The Kiko Contouring Pencil, unfortunately was part of a limited edition but there are so many contouring sticks out there now, that I'm sure you won't have a problem finding a similiar one to this. Apart from the fact that its packaging looks really good in photos, I have been loving a cream contour in general, as it blends so easily and doesn't leave any sweat marks on your face, like powder products tend to do in the heat.

I have to make a quick mention of the Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer, which isn't in the picture above because no matter how much I love it (and I really do) I couldn't get the bright packaging to look right with my general colour scheme in the picture. Anyway, I had to literally warm up to this a bit because it is a lot more cool toned than the bronzers I usually use but after testing it a few times I fell absolutely in love with the buttery consistency and the way it blends. I even like the cooler tone much more on me now as I find it looks more naturally tanned and glowy.

My final go-to product in the last few weeks has been the MAC Color Base in Hush. It is the most gorgeous, glowy, subtle highlight for summer and since I'm a little bit more tanned now, it blends in even more perfectly with my skin tone, which I absolutely love the effect of.

Have you been discovering new make up or rekindling your love with old ones?

xx Laura

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How to spend a perfect rainy sunday inside

To my absolute and utter delight the weather had a slight change of mind and it has started to cool down quite a bit, with the not-so-odd rainy day squeezed in between. For me there is nothing more appealing than spending a (sun)day cozied up inside while the rain is dripping down my window, which is exactly why I love autumn so much.

But since my friends already got annoyed with me announcing the start of autumn in the middle of July, I am willing to tone it down a bit with my Halloween party planning, wool jumper wearing and pumpkin recepies googleing until September.

BUT since there are quite a few rainy, autumny days now it could't hurt to share how to make the most out of these.


Breakfast in bed

When I wake up on a gray sunday I always have my breakfast in bed while watching one of my cozy programs like Gilmore Girls or Gossip Girl (at least the autumn and winter episodes of them).

Take a Walk

Technically I said the perfect day 'inside' but if you crave fresh air or are like me and love walks in a rainy forrest for the sole purpose of getting back inside, warming up and drinking a cup of tea, this might be for you. Of course I'm talking drizzling rain not when it's really chucking it down.

Bath time

I draw myself a nice bubble bath and pamper myself with some masks and treatments while I soak in the water. While baths tend to be quite unrelaxing for me without any form of distraction from my thoughts, I love to listen to podcasts. They have the perfect length for a bath and listening to someones voice without the distraction of visuals helps me to unwind a lot. I have been loving Ladies Who Lunch by Ingrid Nilsen and Cat Valdes and At Home With... by Lily Pebbles and Anna Newton.

Catch up on your Reading

I have to admit I haven't been the biggest reader in the last months, which is a shame really because I love it and normally devour one book after the other. I guess, I'm not in the right mind set for reading when it's hot. But since there have been some cooler days I ordered two new books in anticipation to find my reading mojo again. I've been wanting to read A Dogs Purpose for a while and before I see the movie I want to know what I'm getting myself into, emotionally; which is why I will start reading it the next time it's gloomy outside.

Comfort Food

The day wouldn't be perfect without a grande food finale. My all time comfort food favourite is some very cheesy chicken and broccoli pasta. There is just something about melted cheese that makes you feel all warm and good inside, so that you can happily drift off to sleep later in the evening.

How do you spend your gloomy sundays?

xx Laura

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How I take care of my hair in summer

I feel like I have been complaining a lot about the struggles of summer recently but it just isn't the best time for me, personally. Of course my body reflects my uncomfortableness with this weather and makes it even more annoying. One part of my body that seems to struggle the most with the damaging UV-rays and heat is my hair. So it needs my special attention in summer and I've been trying my best to take good care of it.

My hair has a really peculiar texture. It's curly and very dry (especially in summer), so it needs something to define the curls and keep them smooth and hydrated but it is also relatively fine so I can't have anything weighing it down, which is quite a struggle because most hydrating products are heavy and designed for thick hair. So I had to do quite a bit of testing before I found my ultimate combination of products that make my hair look good while keeping it healthy as well.

The first step in my hair routine more often than not is olive oil. I apply it generously all over my hair, but with a special focus on my lengths and tips and leave it for about two to four hours. This makes sure to regenerate my hair and supply it with moisture.

I use a combination of John Frieda products, which I have been a loyal fan of for years, to shampoo and condition. To get rid of all the product residue in my hair without stripping it, while keeping my curls defined I use the John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Shampoo. It smells amazing and is the only shampoo on the market I trust to make my curls look amazing.

I have tried many conditioners which all weighed my hair down and counteracted with the curl defining shampoo. Conditioners usually have the purpose to make your hair feel smooth and silky, which I really don't have a use for because my fine hair can't hold my curls properly when super soft. But when John Frieda released their weightless Volume conditioner all my prayers had been answered. This one of a kind gel-textured conditioner detangles your hair without putting unnecessary weight on it. A genius invention. 

Speaking of detangling: I use my tangle teezer for curly hair in the shower when my hair is the smoothest. It's way easier than trying to detangle toweldry or even dry hair, leaves you with less breakage and less pain in the process. 

For styling my hair I use the Pantene curl defining mousse, which truly is the ONLY curl defining product I lay my trust in. Nothing can beat this and if it ever will be discontinued I will probably suffer a nervous breakdown. It gives the perfect definiton without scrunchiness and a perfect hold for days. 

The newest addition to my hair savior team is the OGX O2 weightless oil & lifting tonic, which I have been obsessed with. I never thought an oil could give you volume but this honestly does. Two pumps are enough to make my hair feel smooth, smell great and look shiny all while giving texture and volume at the same time. This truly is an amazing product. 

xx Laura

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4 Heat-/ Waterproof Make Up Hacks

Summer? Is that you? Oh, I didn't see you there because my foundation was running down my face into my eyes.

Sooo summer is in full swing and I am a sweaty mess. People who don't 'believe' (?) in global warming just go beyond me. This heat is insane. I would say I'm not complaining but I AM actually complaining. Just yesterday I went for a quick car ride in a boiling hot car and after ten minutes my carefully applied make up had melted into a puddle on the floor. Not even air conditioning can save us now. I just want my make up to look on fleek in summer, okay?! (is 'on fleek' still a thing? I feel like it's not).

Anyway,  in my deep despair I trialled some products and methods to keep my face remotely shine and sweat free and came to the conclusion that there is no way you can keep oily skin matte in this heat. You can however minimize the shiny disaster and with a bit of luck sell it as 'glow'. So here are some of my tips for surviving this summer:

Prime

I feel like a lot of people underestimate primer but I can honestly say that without it my make up wouldn't even make it to lunch. A pore-minimizing or mattifying primer can be your life saver in this heat. My favourite is the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer.

Powder

This should't come as a suprise but powder can help. Mindblowing, I know. But instead of just setting my foundation after it's applied I took it to the next level and started applying, or even baking powder on my face BEFORE foundation. This isn't something new in the Youtube and blogging world and it's a little bit high-maintenance but oh my word does it work. I still get shiny but WAY less than usual. My trusty NYX HD Translucent Finishing Powder is helping my through this.

Waterproof Everything


Try to get your hands on anything that's labeled 'waterproof'. If it can stop water it can also stop sweat. Don't stop with mascara, reach for the stars, get waterproof concealer. The Catrice Liquid Camouflage Concealer has been irreplaceable for me this summer. Even though its heavily scented it didn't break me out or irritate my skin and it really covers everything and stays put. If anything else goes this concealer is the last one to stand.

Pray For Autumn

I get it. Summer is wonderful and all but I am an autumn baby at heart and I will always choose freezing over sweating. Even though summer technically will be going on until September for me, where I go on holiday, I am already mentally preapring for pumpkins and boots and scarfs and all the glorious things of life that don't make me sweat.

How do you keep up in this heat?

xx Laura

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Ways to improve your Happiness

I think when people met me five years ago they would't have described me as the happiest person in the world, to make a minor understatement. Partly that was because I was still in high school and I really hated it there and felt emotionally drained and depressed everytime I thought of it but parts of it were also due to the fact that I wasn't a very happy person in general. Not because there was something particularly wrong in my life but I think I didn't really know how to be happy.

You and your mind are constantly changing and evolving, especially in such impressionable and formative times like the university years after school. When you become more independent, become more aware of the world around you and start to really make up your own mind (which is what you generally do after you leave school) you also start to become more aware of youself, the situations you find yourself in and your thought patterns.

As a very self-analytic person I've always dealt with 'me, myself and I' quite a bit from a very young age on; but when you find yourself at the crossroads of carefree high school student and proper real life adult it is inevitable to search for the roots of your problems and discontent if you want to get your life together and succeed in most parts of it. So here are a few things I've learned over time that ultimately made me a happier person:

1. Don't depend your happiness on something/someone else

There are so many people who believe that they can only be truly happy if they are in a relationship or earn a lot of money, drive their dream car etc. Of course all these things can and most probably will improve your happiness but that's only temporary. If you aren't happy with yourself and the life you designed for yourself nothing and no one will be able to fix this deep discontent. If you think that your partner is your only root of happiness and that you couldn't ever attain such happiness in a life alone, there is something wrong.

2. Cut toxic people out of your life

As I've mentioned before in my recent blogpost about friendships, there have been quite a few friendship break-up's in my life. When you're younger you don't want to lose people in fright of being a loner or social outcast, when you get older you don't want to cut people out because of the possible drama it could induce and the obligation you feel to them because you've been friends for a long time. But when you rethink all of your friendships and only find one that isn't elevating you or even worse is constantly getting you down, you should consider cutting ties with that person. I've recently read very enlightening words in Lena Dunhams newsletter about just that: 'When it comes to sisters (from other misters), hang on until you can't anymore. And if you can't, it's ok'. Simple, but very true.

3. Start searching happiness within yourself

As above mentioned, self-awareness is a major part to happiness. If you're not happy with the person you are, nothing will ever make you feel truly or long-lastingly happy. I speak from experience here. A huge part of my past unhappiness stemmed from being dissatisfied with me as a person or my appearance. I am the ultimate perfectionist and not being able to actually be perfect was really getting to me. But once I've started to do some soul-searching and accepting my quirks as something that makes me unique rather than imperfect I really started to notice a change in my general mood and outlook on life.

4. Stop making other people or bad luck responsible for your unhappiness

We've all done it. Blaming your problems on someone or something else( maybe even destiny or bad luck) is the easiest way out. But reality is, even IF someone did something to worsen a situation for you, the only person who can get you out of that mess is yourself. Whining about it will not improve your mood and certainly will not help the situation. If you're unhappy with something: change it and don't wait for someone else to fix it. In Germany there is a saying which describes this perfectly: "Jeder ist seines Glückes Schmied" which can be roughly translated to: 'You create your own luck'.

5. Find happiness in the little things in life

When I was younger I believed that happiness would only come with the huge milestones in my life. Graduating, driving my own car, getting married. Even though these events will probably be the happiest days in someones life, day-to-day happiness can only be found in the little things. Only when I got older I realised that eating a good meal, laughing with my friends, cozying up infront of the TV after a long day or even seeing the first leaves fall in autumn were the things that ultimately made me happy. I also noticed that being loved and loving in return makes for a great happiness booster as well.

6. Start seeing the bigger picture

It's easy to forget how privileged we are and what people all over the world have to go trough on a day-to-day basis, which we can't even imagine. So being aware of your privilige will help to put things in perspective again. Also seeing the bigger picture in terms of time can help. If it won't matter in five years from now, don't spend more than five minutes being upset about it.

7. Humour

I've always had a knack for gallows humour and sarcasm. Making fun of the unfortunate things that happen to you is in my opinion the best and fastest way to healing and ultimately: happiness. And if you're having trouble laughing at yourself, get yourself friends who will help with that (on a loving and respectful level, of course). Sure, I deal with enough things in my life, anxiety being one of them but I ALWAYS feel half as bad about something once I made a joke about it and I got through some of the worst times of my life with just a bit of humour.

8. Find the things that make you happy and do them!

I feel like this quote is as old as time but it doesn't get less true ' Do what makes you happy'. Be it a career aspiration, a hobby or anything else that makes you feel joy. If it doesn't hurt you or anyone else just do it. Let nothing or no one stand in the way of your personal happiness. Also let no one make you feel like your way of being happy isn't valid. You do you.

There you go. These are just a few ways I personally found to improve my happiness.

xx Laura

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