My fashion trap

Hi lovelies,

Today, I world like to talk about my style journey, where did I started and where am I at the moment?

Back in my childhood my parents bought my clothes and shoes- usually before school year, for Christmas, namedays or birthdays we have received some clothes as well. With my siblings we have had a lot of local made items from the market or from small boutiques (there were such a great quality), then some from Chinese stores and later on from Shopping Mall brands. I did remember when the mall opened in my hometown it was full with local businesses back in 2002, but by 2010 most of the stores where Fast fashion brands there.

Being in high school I did not really spent my time at the mall, it was bare that I did shopping without my parents. So I was not such a huge shopper addict back then or I just had so many other things to do: studying, training and volunteering.

As I went to college and moved to Budapest with my friends we loved English secondhand shops and the sales at shopping mall. Thanksfully we did not had so much money to afford so many things from H&M or Zara and I was too proud to ask some extra money from my parents… Even in this case we consumed a lot of fast fashion :english secondhand stores was full of Primark clothes with tag, it was rare to find something real bargain and of course the sales at Mango, Zara and H&M. Honestly I am not assamed of myself, because we were just uneducated in this fashion trap.

Then I went for my Erasmus semester in Portugal, for that of course me with my friends bought quite a few new pieces at Zara- lots of these items are so memorable to me due to Portugal and still have them- before to go, but I had to pack my life into a 35 kg suitcase, so I was not aware of but that was my first capsule wardobe ever. During this 5 months in Portugal we went to Primark a few times, that was the point when I realized all of the English Secondhand shops are so over priced in Hungary, as most of the items were even pricier than new at Primark. As I had to be careful not to overweight my luggage I bought maybe 10-12 items.

Returning back to Hungary, I decided not to go to these girl sessions of secondhand stores and fast fashion sales, slowly these bit toxic relationships ended. After college I have strated to work at a hotel as a receptionist, which took me back from wanting to go to crowded places after work such as shopping malls and honestly I had a uniform so my clothes lasted longer, even if they were fast fashion.

Then I started to shop with my boyfriend (then husband) who were always had the same local stores such as Heavy Tools for his Polo T-shirts and shirts, Tisza for shoes, Levi’s for jeans and Mountex/Dockyard stores for anything else (they do sell Patagonia, The North Face etc.). He barely shops any fast fashion stores – might be if only needed something to use for bare occassions- I remember he was shocked how cheap is Zara and H&M and how fastly wore out everything from fast fashion stores. His mother used to work Mustang when he was young, so might be he was not aware but he often told me by touching a garment how cheap it is. I do remember how he was convincing me buying my first ever pair of Levi’s (which I accually still have).

As I was not educated in this field, I was still shopping fast fashion. As I did not wanted to spent all of my salary on clothes I must not be a such addict, for example I did not had any unused tag on clothes, but I still had quite a few wore onces.

So 2 years ago I have decided to educate myself and creating a wardrobe that reflectmy lifestyle, which contains 100% I love and carefully curated- it is like a strategy. So 2021 was my second year of low buy. I learn a lot along this journey: sometimes it is hard but I have never thought about thinking about my style can be that liberating.

Come and enjoy how I do build my wardrobe in the next year as well.

Creating my ultimate wardobe: Underwears

Hi lovelies,

I have started to build my dream wardrobe, so I have writtena lot about declutter and low buys… Today I wish to share my first plan, which is starting everything from the base: intimates. I am going to focus to refresh my collection, so I am not going to buy everything now, but going to explane you category by category.

7 bras you should own

Everyday bras- I am always looking for comfort, non or light padded ones and in light natural colors. Please note that my advises are great for everyone from A-B-C cups, as a reference I do wear EUR 75B or 75C.

  1. Organic Basics- Tencel Lite Bralette: I have ordered it in dusty rose pack, soft, breathable and wears like silk which I really love.
  2. Oysho- Invisible laser cut microfibre top with low back: evry girl need a laser cut bra in their life, so this is my choice for now, low back is so good for so many summer dresses and tops.
  3. Intimissimi- Tiziana Lace Triangle Bra: I have it in soft beige, but I would also consider silk, so beautiful lace bra without wires and light pads.

Occasion bras- If you go for a special event and your basics are not good enough:

  1. Intimissimi- Gioia Lace Super Push-Up Bra: some times we need something to push our girls up and that bra do it with maximum comfort.
  2. Oysho- Adhesive fabric cups: it is not something that I wear so often, but it has been saved my life so many times, even on my wedding day.

+ others:

Oysho- Lace bralette: it is great as an underwear,but also as a summer top.

Sport bra- Nike Swoosh: This is my favourite sport bra,so I do suggest you to have at least one of them.


Pants

No explanation needed, but here are my favourites links:


Everything else you need

Pyjama: I am always going for short with strappy tops, but you might need a long one go for it. Dressing growns I always have 2 one from cotton for the hot weather and one fleece for cold, I do often use them as my daytime home clothes. Biker shorts are important during summer it is ultimate under dresses and skirt if you cyling in the city and of course you can use it as a bit of shape wear. Cotton leggings are so basic, hosery you do need if you spend your life in skirts like me, go for shape wear or compression ones even if it is summer or winter. And socks

And there you have it 🙂

xoxo,

Hello 2021

Hi lovelies,

I hope you all had nice holidays. I do not want to say “Thanks God 2020 is over” as I know 2021 will not be easy too, specially the upcoming 3 months. I do not want to be in the competition of who’s year was harder as 2020 was so hard for all of us in different manners. I rather wish to write down what I have learnt of this year:

  • Health is the number 1 priority! You have to take care of that, otherwise you cannot live a life you wish. In 2020, I was diagnosed with Insulin Resistance, so I have to take a serious diet forever. I am so proud of my result, as I took the diet and the exercises so gravely that after being on a 160g CH diet, my results dramatically improved so I do not need to take any medicines only keeping this lifestyle with vitamins.
  • Life matters! I know tons of healthcare workers fight against Covid around the World and they are real heroes. I am so thankful for them.
  • Money matters! I had the unsavoury opportunity to experience the life with a lot less money, it is depressing and sucks. Even thought my budgeting, which I am enjoying so much, I would see a much higher savings account, which would give us less worrying. I am still thanks for to have an underpaid job, because at least I have some income.
  • Less is more! It is reflecting to my low buy year, which I am so proud of becoming a better consumer. I have learnt what is spark of joy, who I can live with less and better quality items and I can afford much things (from less money) which I have just dreamt of.
  • Lifetime learning! I am so thankful, that finally I had the time to learn something new: the tour guide school, my low buy journey were all great experiences and now I want to know even more.

I am so thankful to had the opportunity for a great summer holiday in 2020.

Photo by Olya Kobruseva on Pexels.com

What are my plans for 2021?

  • Keeping my heathy lifestyle and focusing on things that are matters.
  • I know I do have to change my career to be able to get paid better: I might start some freelancer projects or get another job- I do like my current one, but it does not pay me well at the moment and it is nether challenging for me, due to the pandemic I cannot even see the opportunities for manager jobs inside the company:(.
  • Study something new.
  • Go on a holiday.
  • Continue budgeting and simplifying my lifestyle would be really great.

Well the rests are let me kept in secret. In my next post I am going to introduce my 2021 closet challenge, which I hope you will enjoy.

Xoxo,

Photo by Olya Kobruseva on Pexels.com

Sézane review

Hi lovelies,

Well most of you are probably familiar with the Parisian clothing brand Sézane. I heard, read and watched so many good reviews on them, so I was dying and eying for their products for a while. I do think Morgan Sezalory and her team really creates beautiful and quality pieces, that are made to last so they believe in the whole fundamential of slow fashion and concious shopping. The prices are higher than fast fashion, but they are well priced if you compare them to other brands in this league. I was saving up quality pieces and finally they had a free shipping before Christmas, so I went ahead and placed an order from my wishlist. I have registrated and saved my favourites on their site for a while, but I decided to go for the ones I was most wanted.

Yeah, the biggest disadvantage of online shopping that you never really sure what you will get until it arrives to your home. I have find their website simply stunning and well organized (I have used their French one), easy to use and order. So I have placed my order on the 15th December, it is took them to prepair 3 days, I have received a shipping notification from DHL on the 18th and received the package today, so on the 21rst. I’m obsessed with the super cute packaging, which I tried to photograph …

solid touch of personalization, also a great marketing tool
Box inside with a prospect and gift cards

I have find the packaging really attentive and eco friendly, even the tags (see it below) draw your attention to the recycling, the materials they used (also recycled) and their return policy. Everything here made of recycled paper. 10/10


N°1

GASPARD 

Gaspard is French for Sexy.

Our signature jumper is perfectly versatile. Reversible, it can be worn as a cardigan or as a jumper to reveal a sublime

glimpse of your back with its ‘joli décolletage.’

I was their number 1 essential knitwear the Gaspard in Ecru. I wanted to have a versitle, wearable and soft cardigan for a while due to its pearl bottoms I was looking for the nude or the ecru, but a few months ago I was decided and voted for the Ecru. I have choosed my usual size, S. I love to looking behind the label, I read on their site that is more than 70% from ntural fabric and it is made in Italy.

grandma like cardigan in ecru

Gaspard is really a classy, timeless piece of Sèzane, also lightweight, super soft but warm. Quite versatile as you can wear it vice versa, I even loved more the back with the bottoms. The length is perfect, till the hips, it is a bit off the shoulder, so slightly boxy on me, but the selves are long enough to a taller person like me. I would absolutely recommend to anyone.

N°10

PALOMA

Paloma is French for Perfection. Meet our silk top that goes with everything. Pair with smart trousers, jeans or a floral

skirt… it suits every season.  

My other pick was an othr essential: a black silk camisole. I wanted to upgrade my old H&M top and replace the polyester with something nicer, silk. I was looking for a lot of basics v-neck camisoles, then I have find this tiny little twist on the Sézane one the openwork embroidery along the neckline, which make this basic piece so special. I have selected my usual size too: 36.

Embroidery and the tag
embroidery without the tag
Look on try

Maybe size 34 would be more fitted on me, but I would like to wear it tacked into high waisted skirts or trousers, so this will be more casual but yet chic. I have read a few comments complaining about the straps, long and tithe, for my height it is perfect. I love the embroidery on it, it is a delicate twist to a simple camisole. I did not look for shiny silk, so it has been carefully chosen for my wardrobe. Absolutely would recommend that one too. I am really satisfied with my order so cannot wait to have others from the brand Sèzane.

So, What are the others from them are on my wishlist? To tell you the truth, I am not sure when I will get to buy them as they are rather on the spurge side.

Farrow Bag

Mathilde Coin Case

Dino Skirt

Ellie skirt

Calvi Skirt

Tomboy Shirt

Florence Shirt

Black friday while your low buy year

Hi lovelies,

I was started to write that post right before Black Friday. Some people love it, others just have it and defining it as an evil enemy or the symbole of overconsumption. Let me tell you something intention shopping is really depends on you. Do the same as you would do on other days: plan- wait- think- act. Try to find the deal. If you are eyeing on something like I do with my wishlist, you will be able to decide the best deal.

If you have a list of your planned Christmas gifts, than it is a great time to go shopping… or just simply do some online one. By prioritazing your relatives you will not end up with a lot of clutter. You might have saved up for something that is the time to buy it.

What am I going to do?

I did 100 items decluttering November challenge, so I know what I have, checked my wishlist and decided that I will have to choose only one item for myself and further more this item will be one of my Christmas present. I am considering to buy a bag from Furla or Coccinelle, jeans, Veja sneakers or the Sezane pulover, depends on the deal. I will have to purchase my skincare items from La Roche Posay and my Pixi Glow Tonic. The rest will be gifts like persolized calendar from Cewe.


And guess what happend? I only purchased the 4 annual Cewe calendar, which we do every year. I was so overhelm by this whole on sale thing as most of the items I was looking for neither was on sale nor was in stock. So I decided to give up searching… I have to admit I was working and my mood recently is not about getting into crowded shopping malls at all. In the whole month I have purchased a book and repurchased my beloved skincare line from La Roche Posay.


So you might recognized that these are said to be not cruelty free products. Firstly they do their job much better than the alternatives which I have found. Secondly, there are clean products, so they will not irritate my skin. Finally, they are made in Europe, so even if they test in China these are coming from their French factories.


In November and December I was quite busy with some of my health issue, so I kept myself away from writting and posting. I have to admit on the top of the pandemic I am having an emotionally heavy period of my life, which I am not ready to post about now.

Take care!

Low buy October

My hardest budgeting month of the year

Hi lovelies,

I can not believe that it is my 10th low buy haul (9th if we do not count my no buy September), so I was back to the track and had some nice things, but first let me write about my budgeting.

If you remember, I have written that 25% of your income should covers your fixed costs. To cut a long story short. Even that I am working full time, this month it was impossible due to our reduced salary since March, but I was still able to save and fit my expenses. Of course I am looking for a job quite a while…


Annoncement: I am working on my budgeting sheets, which will be launched soon and will be free and downloadable on my homepage, so stay turned! I am working on to improve the site too.


So about the haul: I have purchased so many drug store things as we were run out of a lot of cleaning and toiletries. I have ordered to heap up a bit of shower gels etc. as we had some sales going on, so in long term it will be better.

The Ordinary items were finally back in stock so I have repurchased my holy grails: 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG and Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. Some of them was empty, but they still had some items out of stock… and I did not wanted to get a 60 ml package too.

Wardrobe improvement: I have purchased a dream thing: Silk Shirt from Mango with a 20% off coupon so it was a great deal. Okay you can say: why it is fast fashion, well it is from their Selection, which is a more premium line with mulberry silk and I have already worn it a handful of time and I do not have money for a more expensive one at the moment, but I think it will last me for years as I usually give a good care of my items.

Mango

Silk Shirt

in Off White

100% silk
Soft and shiny, silk is one of the most valuable naural fibres on the planet.
REF:77035131

* not affiliate link

And I have taken my Chelsea boots to a cobbler, he repaired it nicely, so I hope it will last me at least till January. I have that boots for 5-6 years and it was the first time since I had to ask someone to repair them. It was not cheap as you can buy a faux leather pair from the price of the repairment, bt I am so proud of myself not makeing any other purchases.

Photo by Dmitry Demidov on Pexels.com

Finally, I have bought a T-shirt and a shirt for my hubby from a local brand, Heavytools.

How was your October? Andddd…. the annual November 100 items decluttering is coming…

Xoxo,

Low buy #10

September no buy

Hi lovelies,

So there was a really great initiative in this month by Oxfam’s Second Hand September:

Throwaway fashion is putting increasing pressure on our planet and its people – it’s unsustainable. Every week 13 million items of clothing ends up in UK landfill. And did you know it would take 13 years for one person to drink the water needed to make one cotton t-shirt and a pair of jeans? Choosing to shop second hand can help.

Join Second Hand September and pledge to shop only second hand for 30 days or more. You’ll give clothes a longer life by keeping them from landfill. And by shopping with Oxfam, you’ll be reinvesting your money into helping the poorest people on the planet earn a fair living and beat poverty.

Oxfam
Photo by Burst on Pexels.com

I can truly agree their aims and commitment; however, I did not participate as I was decided to do a no buy September in my low buy year at the very beginning of 2020 so I wanted to keep my process going as it planned. I also think that the best second-hands are the ones which you already have in your wardrobe, so I decided to switch my autumn pieces on the 18th September and tried on everything, decluttered a bit, took the good ones to the charity shop. I think I can say I have shopped the rest of my wardrobe, which was so much fun: paired summer clothes with jackets, but suddenly the weather changed…

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Pexels.com

The biggest challenge was the wedding, which we were invited: I was so fed up with tights and also it was too cold to on repeat my navy dress without it and I did not want to change clothes too (I was not the bride, nor the bridesmaid so I felt impropriate to change), so I borrowed a jumpsuit from my sister. Story wise it was the first wedding, which we were invited since the pandemic, it was so strange wearing mask while dancing and the events spun faster as all had to finish by 11:00 PM.

Still without any “extra” spending, I was just hardly come out of my salary due to my budget system as I had to spend quite a lot of health exams. Yes, even if we have a state health care system it does not covers a lot… I will do update on it when I feel ready to share.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

I was figured out to update my wishlist which you will always find on my main page as well. I have just started to improve my blog, so really hope that you will enjoy it more.

Xoxo,

Low buy haul August

Hi lovelies,

I know I am quite late writting this post, but it is because of our fantastic holiday, which I am going to post more later.

So on my own purchases were also mostly related to my holiday and I think I have so really good recommendation for you too.

Firstly about my Cultbeauty order: I have reordered two of my favourites the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ in Light (yeah it is one shade lighter than my previous one as it will goes with my skin later on Autumn/Winter. Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara in travel size, which is the bets waterproof mascara that I have ever used I do not think I have to explain way, just say it was my bride mascara without any lashes. The last thing was to order the Versed Day dissolve Cleansing Balm, which I have to tried yet, but so disappointed with their packaging: big, double layer plastic holder for a tiny amount of products for 22 GBP… I hope at least the product will be good, but I will not cheat my Body Shop one with it anymore because of the packaging…

Than about my sunscreen issue- so once we went to a local lake and I used the same DM own marked sunscreen like last year, but they changed something: it smelled like alcohol OMG I had a serious allergic reaction, so thought it away after that. I wanted to buy a physical sunscreen, which I have choosen Bioderma Photoderm Minaral SPF 50, which is a zink- oxid based one. Also purchased their oil with SPF 30, it was the best smell ever and makes you tanned in the most beautiful bronzy way so higly recommend as well as their After Sun cream too to reach amazing bronzed skin like I have now.

The last haul pieces were from a local drug store: Ziaja Bronzing oil, which was recommended by one of my friends: cocoa butter spray, which I have used once daily with the SPF 50 as it has to put under a sunscreen to help the better bronzing for the skin and it is oily so much, it was not bad anyway. Trend It Up Waterproof eyeliner- it was a big no no: color do not play off and just not waterproof at all, okay it was cheap…

As it was my birthday month I got so gifts too and we finally received our new TV board, which is hand-made, wood and we ordered some persolized knobs on it.

xoxo,

Low buy haul July

Hi lovelies,

Actually I was so bad in July and this is not a really low buy haul, but I am in the kinda mood, that I was needed some items and I had a name day so far so …

Pandora Rose- Pavé Bead Hoop Earrings (288294CZ): I was eying for this hoops for a while and in July they had a 20% off so I could ot miss out. It is a small silver hoop with thin rose gold layer and some stones.

Some cruelty free skincare

By the time of the earring I have CF and Vegan cream haul too (that was not a gift). N.A.E. is a new drugstore brand here, which I have already tried their micellar water and packless sampoo, those I am enjoying so much, so I have decided to give a try as I have to replace a few of my empties. I have tried out the body balm, which is so lightly sented and water, but rich so it is the ideal during summer. The shower bar and the face cream I have not tried yet… as well as neither the eye cream as I still have one openned.

H&M:

I have made a bigger H&M order also with 20% off. You might wonder how I wish to improve my closet if I order fast fashion. Honestly, I am not in the position of buying more expensive items now, but I do care about quality like most of the items are linen, yeah I am absessed with linen recently, so I picked 2 linen blend white dresses: a shirt dress and an easy casual dress. If you remember I have recently thrifted a linken culottes, to my sister was so obssesd with in and the truth is that it fits her more, so I have gifted it, but I had replace it with a premium quality linken Navy jogger. During the declutter I have realized that I do have a lot of one-time or holiday dress, which is really not me, so I have decluttered over 10 items… so also this slightly longer short. The accessories is just those which you do not need to invest in.

Beside my earring I have received some plants for our urban jungle:) Well the persil not, but it is damn beautiful on our balcony.

And finally we had the chance to visit my family and hubby’s mom by the lake of Balaton. Of course we had to bad weather, but it was great for walking, hiking, eating out and tasting some wines. So I had to wait to get sunburnt by the last days of July here in Budapest…

Xoxo,

How 6 months of low buy changed my life

Hi lovelies,

So I have started my low buy journey this year, as the first half has been passed I just want to explain and list how I feel about it, what I have learnt or achived. If you are interested in the hauls and my budgeting from January to June all my hauls are linked here:

Save up money: if you set a budget and be strict to it you can save up so much money for other things which makes your life even better, likewise even I have a huge salary decrease I can go on a holiday and pay a course for myself without any debt or loan. Furthermore, together with my sweet hubby we have the opportunity to improve our home a bit all the time.

Love what you already have: I have never ever imagined how hard to use up an actual make up product and if you already have the best of the best why would you need more? A good, versatile wardrobe helps you to be ready in a few minutes and enjoy the items what you love. Let’s shop your wardrobe now.

Give away makes sparkle joy: do not force your friends or family members to hold our items what you really do not like and use. I rather suggest to say you can come and shop my wardrobe: collect what you do not use anymore- ask them if they what any of them- take the left to a charity shop. Declutter regularly.

Quality is over quantity: now you can buy less, but better quality things, which will last you longer. On secondhand sites you can even find gems, which you could have never ever afford yourself before. Less is more.

Become more educated: recently I have read a lot about sustainability, materials, lifestyle and I have learned a lot from these and all made my mindset change about shopping.

Do not send on what you can get for free: for me it was training- I enjoy yoga at home more than ever and improved much more than at a studio as I am not stressed out by seeing others, who do it for much more longer time… There are a lot of free trainings on youtube or just running which you can do so.

Write a wishlist: or just lists are really important to keep your focus even at a grocery store and to do not buy all these stuffs. Have goals what you wish to achive, keep a full image and be strict to it.

To sum up I became picky and thoughtful, in the meanwhile I realized less is more. Send more time with family and have experiences with them.

Xoxo,