The trench life

 
 

Some weeks ago, I was unpacking my winter clothes and found this sweater - I haven't seen it for 2 years, since a huge Beyoncé power crush. That song isn't as viral today, but the feeling remains. So does the provocative sentence. Wearing a sweater saying "I woke up like this" when you have a full face of makeup and hair done is a provocative way to send the message: criticizing the establish idea that women have to always perfect. We all wake up full of dark circles, bed hair and bad mood.

Love you all ♡

Sara

The golden hour - a tale of light and shade

 

Sometimes, in this bloglife world, some pictures get lost or delayed. They don't fit in the perfect feed, you're not wearing the major trendy piece, there's that stupid sock getting out of your loafers. You know what? Just deal with it. We're not oh-so-perfect products of the online. Be an imperfect human.

Love you all ♡

Sara

Lately on Instagram | October

This week is one of those that knock you off: a lot of uni work, few hours of sleep and a lot of responsability. I didn't have time to shoot a new outfit post for this wednesday, but here you have some of my October instagram feed. You can follow me on @sarapcn.

Love you all ♡

Sara

Reasons why you should plan your week

This week I didn’t post. There was a lot going on in my head, I was frightened by all the troubles happening in my country, I was anxious because I’d start my appointments with patients at the uni clinic and everything went crazy – I haven’t planned my week.

I usually choose weekends to catch up and note down what I have to do on the next week: there’s always work as a makeup artist and my facebook page to run, posts to edit and a lot of school study. It took me some time to understand how planning worked out so let’s make this simple for you:

- Write down your obligations: start with those things you cannot forget or miss out, this will make you get a real idea of how much your week is scheduled; for me it’s mainly school exams/work deadlines and work with makeup clients.

- Note your extra activities: you’re going to pilates this week? Writing it on your agenda will make that happen (this is a personal tip, I tend to miss gym when I don’t plan for it). Dinner with friends, birthdays, a romantic date – all listed.

- House chores: these are boring but part of your week too, why would you clean everything on Saturday when you can break it down and do small chores during the week? Thank me later! Don’t forget to plan meals too.

- Resting time: nowadays we live so fully and so fast that we forget to take some me time; if it helps, put it on your diary, there’s always time for a good cup of tea and candles.

Love you all ♡

Sara

5 Autumn Basics | The checked blazer and other stories

 

 
 
  

 

My relationship with this trend started as a love/hate one. Honestly, there’s something in me that repulses a piece when it gets too trendy – everyone will use it, the originality will be lost and it goes from trend to a random boring piece. That happened with straw bags, mules and so many other pieces that spammed my instagram daily. But when I entered H&M and bumped into this blazer, it all went away. The shy red details lining the pattern were pure perfection. I saw myself wearing that jacked in 10 years, in 20… In that day, I surrendered to the checked blazer. And end up using it on Lisbon Fashion Week.

Once this is my favorite season and we are rebranding our closets, I chose 5 ultimate Autumn Basics.

1. The checked blazer – You can find this piece in any fashion department these days and my reasons to buy it, here.

2. A golden necklace – Debora Rosa and Aimee Song made me do it! It’s unbelievable how such a simple piece can complete your outfits and give it a twist. It goes almost with everything and the best tip is to wear it layered. My favourite are from CINCO store.

3. The basic white T – Who the heck doesn’t have a white t-shirt? Good, now you just have to pair it with the right pieces. During the transitional season it’s all about mom/straight jeans and a nice blazer. This is a good piece to invest in, but if you prefer cheaper options, Zara makes them just as great.

4. Leather skirt – This piece is one of those problematic things in fashion, along with the leopard print. But fear not, this season there’s nothing more elegant than a leather skirt – it’s all about dressing it up: choose a sweater for some comfort or a shirt for a more office vibe.

5. Sock boots – Looks weird at first but then you get used to it. If someone told me that I would be craving some Balenciaga sock boots some years ago I would doubt that very much. The truth is that I really do. For a less expensive option yet still luxurious, go for a walk on Lefties or Zara.

Love you all ♡

Sara

How to live your dream life - 5 tips to start doing it now

 
 
 
 

The past year and half, I’ve been extremely lucky to be able to travel a lot, be part of important projects, have a full makeup artist agenda monthly and watch my work grow. But how did I get here? Believe me when I say I’m no overnight success. Unless you’re blessed to be born with Kardashian as a last name, you gotta work hard to get some. These are 5 things I learnt:

1. Always trust yourself and your dreams.

When I arrived Lisbon on 2012, I was nothing but a country girl full of dreams. I knew I wanted to be part of the fashion industry but that seemed impossible to achieve when you’re new in the city and have a full college schedule and hundreds of Med School bibliography to study. Although the impossible, I didn’t lose my focus. I’d be lying if I said I was full motivated and trusting all the time. But you know, bad times come and go. In the end, only perseverance matters.

2. Monetize your passion and talent.

I strongly believe we all have a talent, but sometimes is difficult to discover it. My main passion was always fashion design but I was aware it required a lot of time and money. I didn’t plan to become so fond of makeup as I am. I started watching youtube videos and using makeup on my acne skin problems, for some confidence. After doing my friends&family makeup I understood that I liked it even better than doing it on myself. This was fun, very natural for me and an option that I could monetize.

3. Search, learn and apply.

If there is something that we all need to keep doing for the rest of our lives, that is learning. I search a lot about blogging, advertising, planning, knowing what to do and how to do it. It’s a constant process and helps you guiding your plans and future projects. Find your niche and know everything about it. Find your passion and get to know how you can make it part of your life.

4. Don’t underestimate planning.

In my third year of college, I had absolutely no free time. That was when I understood that I needed an agenda. Nowadays, everyone expects perfection and professionalism: you gotta do what you gotta do – perfect and on time. Having a planner is precious help for not forgetting events, work and deadlines. It’s extremely important while thinking about future projects. I prefer the 2 pages monthly log and week pages for more detail. Lists are also great for daily tasks.

5. Surround yourself with good-hearted, supportive people.

Let’s make this one very clear: people who love you won’t bring you down. True friends will support you even if your dream is to become USA President (if it is yours go for it, they need a new one)! Show people around you how important your dreams are and that you are willing to work till they come to reality. Toxic people and relationships won’t get you anywhere.

Love you all ♡

Sara

Travel | Milano for a day

Milan is the main city when we talk about italian fashion and has been on my travel list for years. This summer, my boyfriend and I went on a roadtrip from Portugal to Spain and France (yes, we even been through the Pyrenees!). During our stay we found an amazing opportunity to buy flights to Milan for 9,99€! We've stayed only for a day and half but it was worth every second. I absolutely loved it and I know I'll be back.

Milão é a capital da moda italiana e uma cidade que já estava na minha travel list há bastantes anos. Este verão voltei a fazer uma roadtrip por Espanha e França - desta vez, aventuramo-nos pelo norte e pirinéus - e descobrimos uma promoção com voos para Milão a 9,99€! Só estaríamos lá cerca de 1 dia e meio mas valeu por cada segundo. Adorei e tenho a certeza que voltarei.

Love you all ♡

Sara

Trends Autumn/Winter 2017 | Checkmate

A primeira tendência da compilação que aí vem, directamente das semanas de Moda para as nossas casas. 

Inspirem-se e digam-me o que acham desta primeira sugestão!

Love you all ♡

Sara

Wishlist | AW 2017

Pumps | Blusa | Planner | Brincos | Loafers | Saia
Apesar de não admirar profundamente a próxima estação, tenho de admitir que fashion-wise tudo se torna francamente mais interessante. Podes sobrepor texturas e camadas, usar sapatos fechados elegantes e adoptar novamente os sobretudos mais estruturados. É tempo de renovar o roupeiro, o que me fez voltar aos desfiles correspondentes à estação e tirar alguma inspiração. Estes são os itens que mais me chamaram a atenção e que, certamente, acabarão no meu closet. Estou a preparar uma compilação de tendências e peças que podem adquirir dentro destas, mas isso conto-vos num próximo post.
E vocês, já escolheram as vossas trendy pieces para o outono?

Love you all ♡

Sara

About doing what you love...

Felicidade é fazermos o que mais gostamos. Fazê-lo de coração cheio. 

É assim que me sinto quando maquilho ou dou formação. 

Deixo-vos algumas fotos do último workshop, pela lente da Rute.

Happiness is about doing what you love. Doing it with a full heart. 

That is exactly how I feel when I makeup clients or teach classes. 

Here you have some pics from the last one.

Love you all ♡

Sara

Um novo capítulo!

Um novo capítulo! Se o blog sempre esteve arrumadinho, o mesmo não podia dizer da maquilhagem que se perdia entre posts pelo facebook. Mas hoje é um dia novo e foi o dia - já tenho site para a minha actividade de maquilhadora. Por lá podem encontrar toda a informação que necessitam, portfólio e serviços prestados. Estou muito feliz com o resultado final, espero que gostem!

Love you all ♡

Sara

Dream Home | The office edit

Images credits here 
Em vésperas do início de mais uma semana de trabalho (e que bom foi este fim de semana!), deixo-vos alguma inspiração para os vossos espaços de trabalho. As tendências mandam forrar as paredes de arte e calendários, quotes, moodboards, os cestos trazem a arrumação que precisamos e há sempre espaço para uma jarra de flores que nos alegre nesta missão.

Weekend is about to finish so here you have some inspo for your work place. Hanging art or calendars is super trendy right now, baskets bring some organization that we need and there's always a corner to some flowers!

Love you all ♡

Sara

DIY | How to prep meals for the week in 2h

Cozinhar não é das minhas tarefas favoritas, muito menos depois de um dia de trabalho e antes de uma noite que será de estudo. Além disso, o meu intervalo de almoço é francamente pequeno para me deslocar até à cantina e prefiro levar a lancheira comigo. Descobrir o sistema de meal prep foi a minha salvação para cortar no tempo e paciência perdida a cozinhar todos os dias. Sábado é  normalmente o meu dia de meal prep e termino esta tarefa feliz por saber que vou comer saudável e delicioso durante a semana! 

O primeiro passo é planear: a ementa e os produtos necessários, o que temos na dispensa e o que necessitamos de comprar, o que podemos confeccionar ao mesmo tempo ou no mesmo recipiente (menos gasto em gás/luz, menos loiça para lavar!). Faço o meu plano no meu bullet journal pois é mais simples de consultar sempre que necessito. 

O segundo passo é colocar tudo o que precisamos em cima da bancada da cozinha: vegetais, utensílios para cortar ou cozinhar os alimentos, especiarias, azeite, óleo, soja, etc. De seguida, lavam, cortam e dividem em taças todos os ingredientes - isto vai ajudar-vos bastante a simplificar o processo e não baralhar what goes with what. O que for ao forno, pode ser colocado numa só travessa (vale a pena forrar para evitarmos 1h extra a lavar o tabuleiro), neste caso os vegetais, temperam ao vosso gosto e colocam um fio de azeite. Enquanto estes estão no forno, preparo molhos ou marinadas e coloco a carne/peixe/vegetais nestes. Este é também o momento de colocarem o arroz/massa a cozer. Depois de tudo cozinhado e pronto, é só dividirem por recipientes e colocarem no frigorífico ou congelador. Uma semana de refeições confeccionada em menos de 2h!

First 3 images are mine | Last image & recipe credits here

***

Cooking is not one of my favourite tasks after a long day of work and those times when exams are coming. But after I found meal prep, it totally saved my day! Saturday is usually my meal prep day and I'm happy to know for sure I'll be eating healthy ad clean for the rest of the week. First, I plan what I want to eat, based on what I have in my pantry and make a grocery list. I also check what I can cook in the same recipient or at the same time to save energy, time and have less dishes to wash! Then, it's time to rinse, chop and divide all the ingridients we'll need for the recepie - this is a very helpful step not to mess what goes with what. Try to get all that goes to hoven in on tray and drop some oil and spices on it. While this is cooking, I prepare marinades and souces for the meat/fish and also cook rice or pasta. After all is ready, you just have to divide it in your recipients and put it in the fridge or freeze. A full week of meals ready in less than 2h!

Love you all ♡

Sara