A low buy year Chirstmas Haul

Hi lovelies,

With our Christmas, all the presents reflect to my low buy year, I have created a wish list, which was allowed to my family to do not buy any crap, of course me or we have still received some suprise. Of course I am always happy with some honey, good wines or chocolate (mostly sugar free as I have IR).

I am going to list them below- they were all on my wishlist- High Quality Items, however Farrow Bag have not arrived yet (since 8th December)…

Sezane: Farrow Bag in Chocolate

Charlotte Tilbury: Eyes to Mesmerise- Rose Gold

Massimo Dutti: Wool trousers

Intimissimi: Modal-Cashmere Body

Carolina Herrera:Good Girl Parfume

We have also received a sett of bed clothes from IKEA and an iPad together with my husband. Of course some traditional Hungarian Christmas chocolates, some souvenirs from UK and Amsterdam, honey and a bottle of wine.

Probably the most creative was my brother, who have written his own cookbook with all of his favourite recipies (I also wanted to gift him one, where he can collect them from Zara Home, but it was sold out).

You, might think omg, these are just items, but I have to be honest we do not buy as soon as we want them, so I am quite happy with these items- were on my wishlist for a while- , futhermore I have to update my wishlist here too.

Girl, you can give experiences too, well yes, but I think it is more persolized and so much more depends on the current pandemic- we still have 2 vouchers which we have received before and never used… probably will never use, just was a waist of money.

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: The very basics

Hi lovelies,

This is a newest update on my “Creating my ultimate wardrobe” series. Lastly you were able to read my underwear issue, now lets move one and get into the closet.

Maybe it is the most boring story, so many people write about what are the basic of the basics, the ultimate foundation of their wardrobe, which they can wear all year arround.

Maybe it is the most boring story, so many people write about what are the basic of the basics, the ultimate foundation of their wardrobe, which they can wear all year arround. These are money worsty investment items.

I wanted to be more honest and specific: I do not include any seasonal items like a roll neck top or demin short, neither accessories- these are very personal of course the later on I will share a key piecs list – nor outwears – these are ready climate dependent items, really depends on were you live in the Earth.

My favourites will be shared in the links- not affiliate

Sleeveless tops: summer they can be a top, in the other seasons a layer. I do prefer black and white silk camisoles and nude cotton body.

Tees: can be plain or with any graphic on it, but I think you can make out the most from the plain ones: Black V-neck and white crew neck.

Long sleeve: can be worn as a pulover during summer nights or a layer under a pulover in the winter months. I do love that breton.

Shirts: you need a white botton-up from cotton and an other one from silk.

Black blazer: a great wool one is timeless, it can be smart, outwear or casual and long the lastest.

Jeans: you need at least two: light and a dark– cut it does not matter, find the one which best suits you. Skinny jeans are not in the fashion anymore, however I do suggest to keep one to be able to wear them with boots… remember how hard it was to tack in bootcuts and wide-legs in the past.

Black smart trousers: there are days when we do not want to wear jeans or just simply need to wear something more elegant.

Cotton leggings: opposite of the smart trousers, but once you arrive home or going for a walk with your dog etc. you need some comfy trousers, which is not a loungewear.

Black skirt: even if you hate or never wear skirts, try a black one – it is femine, elegant and smart.

Black dress: a stample truly- try to find the one which is good for any occassions or to the office– of course you can expand the collection with different versions for other weather conditions too.

Please note I have linked some high end and affordable options (what is affordable for me, might not for you). Serie is to be continued soon and I also have a lot to work on my basics…

Xoxo,

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.

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Pants

No explanation needed, but here are my favourites links:

Intimissimi

Organic Basics

Oysho

Thisisredy

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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,

Fast fashion issue

Hi lovelies,

For a while I am trying to upgrade my wardrobe in a more concious way, I am working on to select the best pieces to have and to build a funtional closet for myself. Recently I have started to track it by registation all the items into an excel file and also by creating it in this virtual place too.

I had to realize, that like most of you I do have a lot of fast fashion items which made of polyester and other not so great materials. Earlier this year, I have take quite a few to the selective textile bin and sold some never or rarely used of them:

So since April I have sold 9 items, their original value together was arround 200 EUR, now I can made out of these ca. 90 EUR, which is pretty good, but I have to admit that the Rouje bag (which was a gift next to a purchase) and my husband’s Oneill short were the only ones, which worst more than 10 EUR on the resale market- all the other fast fashion items has no resale values.

Fast fashion is like fast food. After the sugar rush it just leave a bad taste in you mounth.

Livia Firth

If you want to read more about what is fast fashion I do suggest to read my favourite source: Good on you.

Will I buy fast fashion in the future?

YES, I want to be honest with this topic. I am not is a position to be able to buy every single thing from eco friendly brands, but I try to make better choices, like Vivienne Westwood said:

By the way here you can find my Vestiaire, where I have put many items used only once or twice, even my favourites which I am not wearing so much. Recently I have so many changes in my life, which is indicated to change my wrdrobe too.

Xoxo,

Vestiaire

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

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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

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,

March Low Buy Haul

Hi lovelies,

March here, which means that it is my third #lowbuy check and haul of 2020.

If you remember I have over spend a bit in February, but I do not mind I had to happend to be able to draw my attention and focus on my goals more. In this month I made an investment: I am going on a course to become an official TOUR GUIDE, so I have paid in once the fee of this license course, which will end in August/September. I know this business situation is not the best now, but I am positive and hoping the best as soon as possible.

This month , as we had to sent at home most of our time, I was deeply into my declutter and tide up serie, so I rather focused on items that I have already have and items that I can sell and of course I have listed a long (and expensive) home wishlist, which I will introduce you soon too.

So what about my budgeting?

Needs (50%) – as Covid-19 appeared in Hungary, most of the people went to shopping, which I wanted to be smart, but I am also stocking up a bit, so I send 17% more than I was budgeted as I had to cook a way much more than previously to avoid my husband going to stores and restaurants while he is working. Even if I am those lucky ones still having a job, we have losen most of our benefits which a hotel can offer…

Savings (20%) – so again my saving was lower, only 35% than what it should be as I had to make an investment in myself as it is above mentioned.

Wants (30%) – as the above mentioned things had happened I only sent 15% of my planned budget, just thrifted a jeans at Promod in the beginning of the  month: it is a mom jeans style in a light blue wash, called Marcel. Did purchased some macrame yarn to be able to make some plant holders. We have bought an air moisturizer too. (Halfly from gift card).

 

 

 

 

February Low Buy Haul

Hi lovelies,

So second month has been passed in 2020, so that means an other haul. But let’s start with the budgeting:

February was just a month to be finally over. I am nearly on a zero leftover now, as we had so many expenses this month, some of them was planed, others aren’t.

So we have bought our very first TV and my husband wanted a voice bar so bad for his birthday so that was his gift. I think we did send a lot of gifts for friends (dispute the budgeting) as we had 5 birthdays and a farewell party this month. I must not forget that my income was 35% lower than in January. I got sick and we had the opportunity to invest in a half pig, which would cover a lot of meats we actually eat so now it is an expense, but in a long term that was an investment…

Savings: only 34 %, but if I add that saved a bit more in January it convers to 51% of the planned one, so I will try to manage it next month somehow

Needs: Sent 16% more on my needs as it should had been…

Wants:

This month I have not bought any makeup or skincare as I am hardly trying to use them up. I went to my hairdresser as a treatment this month, which I only do like every 4 months. I had a few birtdays in this month, so did  purchased some gifts to my husband and to my parents- but these are counted to the need file. I also had to buy a new makeup counter and paper organizers as we have finally finished our glass wall and the oldies was not fitted in… + I had to clean a lot in the house so decluttered a lot too.

What I have purchased for myself:

Kazar shoe- for a while I was looking for a perfect pump, but all of the high-heels was so uncomfortable, and now I have found the perfect one with a blocked heel: elegant, comfy and easy to walk, made of a 100% leather- of course it is not the cheapest from a Polish brand, Kazar -BARI- shop it here.

Everlane– This sustainable brand, which I am eyeing on… it was coming in a paper packaging:

I wanted to upgrde my basics, these are their Basic Cotton Crew in S size and Oversized Alpaca Crew in Almond – S size.

So that is what I have decluttered in the middle of the month:

Expired Make up: Bobbi Brown Bronzer, Nars Orgasm Blush, The Balm Mary Luminizer, MAC Ruby Woo lipstick, ABH brow pomade were all so great and saved several decluttering, but some of them were over 5 years…

Then I had a looking to my jewellery box and found some never gonna use items which I was gifted to a thrift store.

Used up two parfumes and my Estee Lauder coral sun lippie.

On the wants I have sent 102% more than I would had been…. so failed.

xoxo and see you in March!

January Low Buy Haul

Hi lovelies,

I hope you are well, one month has been passed from 2020 and  I am proudly presenting my first low buy update.

Budgeting:

Thankfully my overall salary was more than I was written as a minimal monthly salary, so I have saved 22,17% of it.

The needs (50% of salary) category I was rethought and here is what I put into it:

• Utilities: Gas, Water, Electricity, Common cost, internet, bank and mobile.
• Raw materials of food: these are everything which I have purchased at grocery stores to eat and cook from.
• Food that I have spent in our work buffet (the prices are pretty low, sometimes even lower than making for home sandwich)
• Public transportation monthly pass: I live in a big city so I need to have it during the winter, as it is too cold for cycling, but any taxi, excursion or car sharing goes to my wants category.
• I have not purchased any house cleaning, neither basic hygiene products this month.

So it took my 32% of the salary.

Wants is the most requested area, so these are my monthly rules for the year:

1. One fresh beauty products per month! Try to pan!
2. One in and one out skin care, body and haircare products.
3. One new addition to my closet per month: including clothes + maximum 6  shoes and accessories!
4. Magazines and books: books I must not buy until of 6 will be read from my bookshelf, while magazines I will strict to one per month.
5. Gift cards and gifts are exceptions- finally I will have a wishlist for my birthday and nameday.
6. Only one treatment is allowed per month: beauty salon, massage, hairdresser etc.
7. Keep a no buy day per week.
8. Do decluttering per seasons.

My fresh beauty products of the month- AKA my haul of January, 2020:

Skin care product: FARMACY- Dew It All Eyecream. So technically I was paid and ordered it in December, 2019 but it is just arrived in the middle of January, so I decided to rather take it into this haul. This is a product, which Youtube made me to buying same aspect: Niki Sky(Canadian Luxury Youtuber) ,where she was mentioning that she struggles with dark under eye and she is just a few years older than me, so also has same issue with the first sign of aging. In the other hand I was looking for an eyecream for so long, which is CF, Mineral oil, parabens, fragrance free… So far it looks it is great and works much more well than my previous one…

Makeup: Becca – Under Eye Brightening Corrector. Same issue: my under eye, I used to love that concealer for it and as a eyeshadow base, I was decided to put it to my basket at Cultbeauty during the sales so it is just arrived too. And yeah how I could have forgot it? 12/1

Accessories: Furla Glasses. It is really hard to categorize whether it is a need or a want… I need to have a glass, because I am suffering from near-sightedness and I was choosing with ZEISS DuraVision BlueProtect lens as I am working with computers all the time, but of course you can buy much cheaper glasses. OK, I decided to choose by the style, how it is fits instead of the price. And thankfully it was on my employee’s discount and I can give and account to my private health fund, which gives a 20% tax refund. 6/1

Clothes: I did not buy any Yeah… but swap a pulover with 2 dresses 12/0

Magazines: I just bought one, which is two as Elle and Marie Claire was packed together (January- February issue) for the price of one Elle. 12/1

Treatment: face cleansing treatment with Hévíz Mud 12/1

I have decluttered with remixshop 5 clothes of mine and 2 of my husband’s one. Used up some of my make up: The Body Shop: Fresh Nude Tinted Beauty Balm, Mini MAC Chili lipstick, Trend It UP: Lipoil + my eyecream and my face cream

Charity: this month Les Clefs D’Or event was also a charity ball, I have dominated to Australia rescue and also was involved into a campaign like last year about the mestrual poverty.

So the total was spending 31,17 %, which is a bit high however the glasses was only a must in this month.