Monday, December 28, 2015

winter weekend in munich.

Highlight of the trip: drinking Gingerbreadmilk at the Christmas market!


My first glimpse of the Marienplatz Chrismas market.
Saw so many beautiful churches on this trip.
Snack break! I'll never turn down a fresh pastry.

Stopped into a quaint cafe for a spot of tea!

Is this not the prettiest tea setup you've ever seen?

Saying that Munich's architecture is impressive is a massive understatement.
Loved seeing these beautiful nativity displays throughout the city.
Perhaps the best thing I ate on the trip - pancake pieces with plum compote.

Munich is full of gorgeous architecture.
I got ridiculously excited when I saw these Christmas trees for sale!
Santa!
The Medieval Christmas market was beyond cool.
My Christmas present to myself was a trip to Munich at the beginning of December. The city is home to the oldest Christmas market in Europe. I couldn't think of a better way to kick off the holiday season!

I visited four different Christmas markets total, including one at the airport and one with a medieval theme. They were all fantastic, and I was fully excited for the winter season by the end of the trip. The stalls are all so charming. I was enchanted by the Christmas decorations and displays strewn throughout town.

Of course, I was also blown away by the food. I had everything from sausage and pancakes to gingerbreadmilk and pretzels. Everything was delicious, and I was more than a little sad to leave such a food haven.

All in all, Munich was a dream destination at Christmastime. Marienplatz is magical, especially with a massive Christmas tree next to it and a beautiful holiday market inside it. I loved spotting all the nativity displays and twinkle lights around town. It was the perfect spot to spend the season!

xoxo

Sabrina

P.S. Did you read about my last trip to Bologna? It was amazing!

Monday, December 21, 2015

leopard backpack.

My trusty Jansport is a travel essential!

Aeropostale jacket, American Eagle shirt and belt, Abercrombie and Fitch jeans, Vintage and Forever 21 rings

Burberry glasses and MAC Ruby Woo lipstick

H&M scarf and Forever 21 earrings

I've been experimenting with different styles of braids recently.
This leopard backpack was one of those purchases that you don't go out looking for, but you can't resist once you lay eyes on it. I have always been a huge Jansport backpack lover, and when I saw this LEOPARD PRINT one on sale (!), I knew I had to have it. I don't think there is a more perfect backpack on the planet for me. I love the shape and how light it is. Plus, the leopard material is very soft and the tassel on the pocket is a cute addition.

Needless to say, I'm in love.

xoxo

Sabrina

P.S. This outfit is from my trip to Bologna! Check out all the details here.

Monday, December 14, 2015

beauty rules for 20-somethings.

Winged eyeliner and a bold lip are two of my go-to looks.
I didn't get into makeup until the end of high school. From that point on, I became quickly obsessed. Of course, my entry into the world of makeup also introduced me to skincare and general beauty practices. Over the years, I've learned what works for my skin and what doesn't. As I get further into my twenties, I want to prioritize good skin habits that will help me in the years to come. Here are a few of my tried and true beauty rules. Obviously, what works for me may not work for others. Overall though, I think these are good tips for everyone to follow.

1. Drink lots of water!
I know that I didn't drink nearly enough water in high school. In fact, it wasn't until my senior year of college that I began to focus on getting enough water in each day. Now, I make sure to hydrate regularly. Not only does it keep away headaches and help me to feel energized, but it is good for digestion and skin too. My skin used to get really dry during the winter. Since drinking water regularly, I've noticed that my skin stays normal even in the colder months.

2. Remove your makeup before bed.
This is something I've always been good about doing, mostly because I don't like the idea of mascara stains on my pillow. Beyond that, washing your face every night gets the chemicals off your skin and helps your pores to breathe at night. I am lucky enough to be pimple free the majority of the time, and I think washing my face every night that I wear makeup has a LOT to do with it.

3. Be gentle with your skin. 
I think this idea can get overlooked easily. When I have a breakout, my first impulse is to do whatever it takes to get rid of it. I've learned to ignore this in favor of more natural and less drastic methods. For instance, I try my best not to pop my pimples (although sometimes I succumb). I also use natural face washes and gentle exfoliants so as not to overwhelm my skin. When it comes to face care, my motto is "gentle is better."

4. Moisturize.
This one is a must for me. I start my beauty routine every morning with some sort of lotion or face oil. Moisture is so important. It keeps your skin soft and hydrated. As I mentioned in this post, I use a variety of moisturizers, from standard lotions to hydrating gels and eye creams.

5. Experiment with your look.
Your twenties are the perfect time to figure out what makeup works for your face and your style. One of the best parts of makeup for me is that it allows me to switch up my look according to my outfit and my mood. I love having fun with different colors and products. I'll wear a bold red lip one day and a strong winged eye the next day. Of course, I've also learned what doesn't work for me. For instance, you'll probably never catch me with a baby pink lip, simply because it doesn't look great with my skin tone. I will never wear a heavy coverage foundation either, since I prefer natural coverage to a full-on face.

Do you follow any of these tips? Do you have any others you would add to this list? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Sabrina

Monday, December 7, 2015

christmas gift guide 2015.

christmas gift guide 2015.

Christmas is less than a month away!! I've been counting down since November. Now that the holiday season is in full swing, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite gift ideas for the year. Obviously, these are all on the girly side of things, but I think they are great ideas in general too.

When I do my holiday shopping, I always try to get people special things that they wouldn't normally purchase for themselves. My favorites are things like holiday gift sets, pretty notebooks, and statement jewelry.

If you don't want to spend as much, but you still want to gift something nice, I'd suggest a cute phone case or a key chain. Whoever you give them to will remember you whenever they answer the phone or pick up their keys.

Or, if you really want to embrace the season, go for the coziest options on the market. A warm scarf or a furry pair of slippers make the perfect present. They are ideal for spending the day at home with a cup of tea and a good movie. Home Alone anyone?

Which gift is your favorite? What will you be buying for your loved ones this month?

xoxo

Sabrina

P.S. If you want even more shopping ideas, check out my last gift guide!