How To Deal With Stress | Lifestyle

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Seeing as my finals are coming up next month, I figured that a lot of others are probably struggling with just as much stress as I am right now. I mean, I'm literally running on a couple cups of coffee (I have seriously lost count) and loads of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
Oh the sweet life of a student.

In all seriousness, though, I think that most of us don't really know how to deal with stress properly - and I'm not at all excluding myself here - and might start feeling overwhelmed once a certain amount of pressure is put onto their shoulders, so I thought it would be a good idea to share a few ways to wind down when the entire world is constantly winding you up.

1. Fresh Air

Whenever I feel like I'm starting to drown in the workload that's pilling up on my desk, I try to get fresh air in one way or another, whether that's by simply opening the window or even going for a walk.
It's amazing how much calmer you'll find yourself to be after you have taken a few deep breaths of fresh air and cooled down a little.

Also, going for a walk can feel like an actual for of therapy when you feel like you're going nowhere with your tasks because you'll get to see something else than your workspace while also physically moving - which leads me to my next point...

2. Exercising

Don't panic, I'm not telling you to go for a run every time you feel stressed out - I bow down to people who can keep up with running, because I sure as hell cannot.
Anyways, fret not, because it is proven that literally any form of excersise, from aerobics, to boxing, to yoga, can act as a stress reliver, so even if you consider yourself to be rather unfit, there will be something for you.
I myself have found yoga to work best for me when I need to calm myself down, and swimming when I desperately need to move and let out some negative emotions that have been pilling up over time.

Doing any form of sport will bump up the production of endorphins in your body, which basically act as your brain's feel-good neurotransmittors. It usually also needs you to completly focus on what you're doing, which obviously takes your mind off whatever is stressing you at in that moment.

3. Treat Yourself

I feel like there are a very few things that a hot bath can't cure, especially if you add one of Lush's bath bombs. The hot water will not only relax your muscles, but also your mind - especially when you, like me, love a good read while you're soaking in all the goodness.

Afterwards, I love to do my nails and out on a face mask, all while sipping ona hot chocolate and binge-watching one of my favorite shows or jamming out to some Spotify playlist.

You wouldn't believe how good a proper pamper session will leave you feeling!

4. Writing

This might just be the creative gene in me, but over the years I've realized that writing about the things that bother me in a way helps me deal with them - do you realize why I'm writing this right now?

Laying out all of the thoughts that are tangled up in your mind, the things that keep you awake at night or haunt you while you while you try to relax - write them down on paper, or even type them out. Seeing them right in front of you can help you think about your problems and even possible solutions to them.

5. Put Yourself First

In an achievement-oriented society like ours, it's very easy to just ignore the signals your body's sending you when you're working on a challenging task, but something you have to remember that no matter what it is that's causing you all this stress is much less than your health.

Take me as the best example - I'm such a damn perfectionist, I can literally not rest peacefully until I have gone through with something and I will literally find myself waking up at night in cold sweat because my stress followed me into my dreams and turned them into nightmares.
Don't do that to yourself. This might sound totally stupid, but getting not that much of a good grade or not getting that promotion you wanted or handing in that project a week late will not define your worth as a person, but stepping back from something that is making you feel negative in any way can only bring profits for you and your mental health with it.

How do you deal with stressful situations?

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Christmas Wishlist

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Once we hit mid-November, my family starts decorating for Christmas and cracks out the Christmas cookies and mulled wine, so there was no way I could escape the rising excitement and warmth in my stomach. So I'm typing this while looking out at the lights I put up on my balcony and munch on some gingerbread. I'm not even ashamed at this point.

I've also found that it was really hard for me to make up my mind on what I could wish for this year. Usually I'll have an at least one foot long list by early September because whenever I'm broke, I just chuck the things I'm lusting over on there. However, there's only a few things that would make me cry were they to land under the tree - and here they are!

1. Yankee Candle Christmas Cookie (27,99€)

I've been lusting after Yankee Candles for the longest time, but as they're pretty hard to get a hold of in Germany and on top of that, quite expensive, I never had the courage to commit to pruchasing one.

However, I stumbled across their Christmas themed scents when I was downtown the other day, and I fell head over heels for this one - it was basically love at first sniff. I had to have it.

Christmas Cookie smells, as the name suggests, like delicious, sweet cookies, without being overly sweet or sickening, but very much making my tummy rumble.

The jar is also huge, so this one will definitely last you for quite some time.

2. Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Camera (90€)

How cool are polaroid cameras? I'd love to take one of these to a special event and just snap away - without getting to see the outcome on a screen, or editing them, or pressing 'delete' 99% of the time. Those would be some damn rare and real photos.

The only reason I don't own one of these yet is their price tag - ninety Euros is quite a lot for a stundent who is barely scraping by. I'd have to live off of toast and cereal for much longer than two weeks to both pay my bills and afford one of these.

3. iPhone 6s in 'Gold' (849€)

It's so beautiful. And so shiny. And just checking the price tags downtown made me see stars.

Truth is, I'm a true Android girl. I've never ventured into the world of Apple before, simply because I'm not made of money and holy hell, these things are so expensive. Especially when you, like me, need at least 64GB of memory because you simply can't delete any of your pictures.

Even though this is by far the most far-fetched wish on this list of pretty things, I could not not put it on here as I've literally been oooh-ing and aaaah-ing at it ever since it's been released.

4. Lancôme La Vie Est Belle EdP (106€)

I actually mentioned the 'Intense' version of this perfume in my fall wishlist, but somewhere along the way, I started to realize that it was way too overpowering. Overpowering in like, I spritzed some of it into my hair when I checked it out while shopping and then went home to wash my hair - only that it still smelt of the perfume after I had washed it. What even?

La Vie Est Belle is both a sweet and a fruity smell and has notes of vanilla, pear and pralines in it. It's such a wonderful perfume for the colder seasons and could both be worn during daytime and for a night out.

5. Benefit 'Do The Hoola' kit (37€)

I've only ever tried one of Benefit's products before, which is their Erase Paste, a concealer that I loved so much that it became a staple in my daily routine. Other than that, I've always admire the Benefit counter from afar.

The 'Do The Hoola' kit, however, does make my fingertips tingle just a teeny tiny bit. It includes the 'Dew The Hoola', a product exclusive to the kit (which is a good enough reason to get it, let's be real), as well as minatures of their infamous Hoola bronzer, They're Real mascara and the Benebalm, which means that you get to try out four of the brand's products for a relatively small price - compared to what they'd usually cost - and make up your mind about them before you go ahead and buy a full size!

6. Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Palette (28,99€)

It's no secret that I'm in love with Urban Decay's much talked about Naked palettes, and while I sadly didn't get the opportunity to pick up the smoky one, I have been eyeing up the second of the 'Basics' palettes for a while.

I love that it's so small and compact which makes it very well suited for travelling (unlike the pretty bulky other palettes) and also the shade selection, which is right up my alley.
Also, with Urban Decay, I know that I'll get good quality, so this definitely is money well spent.

7. 'The Rose Society' by Marie Lu (8,70€)

This book right here is the long awaited sequel to 'The Young Elites', which was one of my favorite reads this year - I even wrote an entire review on it here.

Ever since finishing that book, I've been waiting patiently anxiously for its follow-up because I was so desperate to find out how Adelina's story continues. The wait was actually physically painful - that's how dedicated I became to this story and its characters, woah.

And on top of all the goodness that Marie Lu's books are anyways, I haven't had the time to read in months, so having a good book to sit down with over the holidays would be really freaking nice.

8. Ted Baker Reubin Large Zip Around Purse (~99€)

I don't know what it is about Ted Baker's bags and purses, but somehow I'm magically drawn to them. Everytime I pass them in a store, I just have to take a look at all the pretty, shiny goodies - only to leave with a sigh.

I've wanted to get a Ted Baker purse for so long now, but I never really had the spare money to do so - or, when I actually did, I thought I'd feel way too guilty about spending so much money on a purse that I didn't. So I totally added it to the Christmas wishlist, because who knows, maybe someone who loves me might have less inhibitions than me when it comes to being so spendy. (If only.)

9. The Sims 4 Get Together (39,99€)

I grew up with the 'Sims' franchise, and I've been obsessively playing it ever since 'The Sims 2' came out. Major throwback, right?

The Sims 4 is definitely the reason why I never get shit done. I love the game so much that I like to accidently let it consume next to all of my free time - I'll sit down to play and suddenly it's two hours later. Woops.

So, being the addict that I am, there was no way I would miss the new expansion pack that's coming out at the end of November, which is called 'Get Together'. 

I'm so ready to pull an all-nighter, and I wish I was joking.

Which lusted-after products made your Christmas list this year?

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Lush Christmas Haul | Beauty

I've had the past week off and should feel all refreshed and chilled out, but no, Mrs. Perfectionist over here obviously can't sit down until all the work is done. Essays, presentations, studying for exams - throw it at me. Also, hosting parties and going out to meet people? Sure. And all the cleaning up afterwards? Whatever.

Keeping up an academic career as well as a social life is impossible and if you manage to do it, please let me in on your secrets.

So, stressed out student I was, I decided to take yesterday off and treat myself to a day downtown with my Mom and how could I not drop into Lush while I was there?

I have to admit that when I saw all the products from their Christmas range, I might've been a little overwhelmed. All of them were so cute, and all the products smelt divine (I felt slightly high after leaving the store, not gonna lie) so picking out which of them I wanted to take home with me turned out to be quite the challenge.

So, how about we have a look at the ones that made the cut?

Candy Mountain (Bubble Bar) 4,95€

I've been dying to get this all year! 'Candy Mountain' is my all-time favorite Christmas product out of all the ones Lush offers and I've been purchasing it for years, so obviously I had to get this. I think I smiled like an idiot while smelling this. Yes, I'm a nutter.

This has an insanely sweet smell of vanilla which I believe is either exactly the same scent as the 'Snow Fairy' shower gel or at least a fairly similar one - so if you love that one, you'll be guaranted to fall in love with this product as well! The scent also sticks with you after you get out of the bath for a couple of hours, so this could be perfect for a bath before a Christmas party.

And, on top of all that goodness, it is also a bubble bar, which means that I'll get at least two, if not three uses out of this so it's definitely worth every cent. I shall get more of these.

Father Christmas (Bath Bomb) 5,95€

I'm no stranger to this product either as I first picked it up shortly before last year's Christmas and absolutely loved it, so I was also looking to stock up on more of these this year.
It's also a really suprising bath bomb because it looks quite rosey on the outside, but once you plop it into the bath it'll turn the water a vibrant shade of green! On top of that, with this in the bath my skin always ends up feeling insanely soft afterwards, so that's another plus.

This actually has a really similar smell to Candy Mountain, only that it's not as strong - so if you don't like sicklish-sweet scents, you might want to look into this one rather than my beloved bubble bar.

Peeping Santa (Bubble Bar) 5,50€

How cute is this little guy? I could simply not leave him at the store, he was too adorable.

The 'Peeping Santa' bubble bar is a new product that Lush brought out this year and due to it's scent it was definitely the most appealing new product to me! It smells of strawberries, one of my favorite scents, and has some bergamot and geranium oil thrown in there, so it's not your typical sweet Christmas scent, but rather fruity and fresh!

I'm really looking forward to get a few baths out of this one and watch my water turn red and full of bubbles! Oh so festive.

Butter Bear (Bath Bomb) 2,95€

Much like with the 'Peeping Santa', the cutesy factor was strong with this one.

I don't expect this to have a massive effect once it's thrown into the bath, but it's described to make it feel creamy, and it also smells of cocoa, so it'll definitely have a 'feel-good' effect on me.

Also, it has a pretty low price for a Lush product, so there's another reason to totally go out and pick this dude up.

What's your favorite product from Lush's Christmas range?

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Why It's Important To Love Yourself First | Lifestyle

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If you are one of the people who happened to meet me for the first time this year, I'm probably a bubbly, happy go lucky person in your eyes. A girl with a tongue so sharp she might cut herself on it, always a witty comment on hand to make those around her laugh.

But that wasn't the case all the time.

Like a lot of pre-teens, I was pretty darn miserable from the ages of twelve to around fourteen or fifteen.
It's that time in a lot of young girls' lifes when they realize that there are plenty of other fish in the pond, and damn, they're so much better at everything they do.

I used to compare myself to others my age a lot, even when, quite frankly, my life was not half as bad as I made it seem to myself.
But how could I be satisfied when that one girl had such a pretty face? When my crush's new girlfriend had such a nice body? When I was getting beat even at my favorite sport?

And if that wasn't bad enough, we all know that kids are horrible, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who had even more horrible things thrown at their head - right in my face, or even worse,  things voiced behind my back.

And because I know from talking to friends and family, I'm definitely not the only one who was once stuck in that kind of situation (even though I definitely believed myself to be), I'm left wondering why the hell all of us keep putting others and even more so, ourselves down instead of building ourself up.

If, back then, someone told me about self-love, I would've probably laughed. In my eyes, if there was anything loveable about me, someone would certainly love me, but as I felt so alone a lot of the time (even though I was and to this day still am friends with some of the most amazing people), that couldn't have been the case.

Looking back at it, I can feel a migrane coming on. Sometimes, I wish I could go back in time and tell myself that obviously, you'll get knocked down by life every once in a while, but eventually you'll have to get up, and the amount of time you spend lying in the dirt is entirely up to you. No one will drag you up with all their force. They will try, but the most important person in that progess is you.

Putting the pieces back together is a long and maybe painful process, but you need to make it happen. I've found that to be truly happy, you need to make peace with yourself and who you are before anything else. And you need to embrace who you are, even with all those little things that nag at you at 2am.

I used to think that someone else's love would built me up, but that's not the case. One of my relationships dissolved mainly because I was too broken and my significant other was too overwhelmed with trying to fix me when all I did was crawl into my deepest, darkest hiding places.

And this is why you need to love yourself first.
You need to be the one who picks you up when you're sitting in the shower crying, who wraps you in a warm towel and makes you some tea.

You need to be the person who can take care of you in the best way possible, the one who knows when to push you and when to leave it be.

Because falling in love with yourself first doesn't make you vain, or even selfish. It makes you indestructible.

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October Favorites | Beauty

I actually can't believe that October - and with it, the majority of fall - is over. I'm already longing for Pumpkin Spice Lattes, warm days and comfort food, but it's bearable, really, because we're very well onto Christmas now!

I really enjoyed playing with loads of autumnal colors during the past month, like golds and red and sometimes even purples, and that defenitely shows in my most used products from October.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in 'Light Porcelain' (12€)

If you've been here with me for a while, you might know this foundation right here was my holy grail base product in spring, but once summer came around and I got my first sunburn of the season, it was suddenly two shades too light for me. Sad face.

Now that my tan has faded and I've gone back to my original pale self, I finally got to crack it out again - and I fell back in love with it instantly.

This foundation adds that bit of glow to my skin which it's lacking during the colder and darker months of October due to the tiny specks of shimmer included in it, but it's also insanely easy to blend and sinks into the skin very quickly.

And as my days get longer as my schedule grows and grows, this one's very practical as its lasting power is insanely strong, even when worn by itself, without any primer or powder. When the latter are used in combination with the foundation, it lasts pretty much all day without needing a touch-up.

KIKO Smart Lip Pencil in '712: Rose Mauve'  (2,50€)

It's no secret that I adore next to all of KIKO's products, so their lipliners, especially the 'smart lip pencil' line, is no exception.

I originally picked this one up because I found it to be a next to perfect match for MAC's Twig, which I still think it is, but I've found that lately, I've been wearing this one on its own much more than the combination.

That's probably due to the fact that it's so easy to work with - if you applied a little bit of lipbalm prior to the liner itself, this glides on smoothly, without any tugging or struggling.

It's also very pigmented, which means that it works very well by itself - and its staying power outlives those of a lot of my lipsticks, due to a matte-like finish.

And all of that for merely 2,50€. That's less than I pay for lunch on a daily basis.

If that's no great quality for money, I don't know what is.

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in '610 Red Zin' (8,99€)

As I mentioned in my fall nails post, I never owned a Sally Hansen product prior to this one even though I've read quite a lot of rave reviews about them.

In fact, my Mom picked this one out for me because I'd talked to her about how I wanted to incorporate more autumnal colors into my make up collection. (Love you, Mom!)

This nail polish has suprised me on so many levels, I'm not gonna lie.

For one, the finish of this is so pretty. Once you've applied two coats, you achieve full coverage and, on top of that, a super shiny finish that makes your nails look like you just had a super expensive manicure.

But, even more importantly, the longevity of this exceeds any of my expectations. I went an entire week, going swimming multiple times, cleaning the flat, cooking and doing all kinds of work and only on the seventh day, it started chipping. I have no clue how that is possible, but I was so amazed that I instantly wanted to check out more shades with this formula.

Essence Lipliner in '06: Satin Mauve' (0,99€)

Essence is one of those hit-miss brands for me - they have some amazing products that give you great value for money, but then you have products that you buy because hey, it's a budget beauty brand, and you end up with either a nasty rash or, at least, pretty crappy results.

But as one of my friends recommended their lipliners, and the shade 'Satin Mauve' in particular, to me, I thought that at less than one Euro, there really wasn't a lot for me to loose did it turn out to be horrible.

Turns out, I was yet again very wrong - for one, the pigmentation of this, as the name suggests, mauve shade is amazing so that it can easily be worn by itself, which I usually do, on the other hand, application also isn't much of a fuzz with this product because it glides on rather smoothly, much like the KIKO liner.

What product(s) did you love in October?

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