Rock bB = Change Lives

Hello!

So, long time no see! I've recently started thinking about getting back on Blogger and write some posts on this old blog, maybe re-vamp it a bit. So much has happened in the last years, months, weeks, so there should be quite a few topics to go over. Nonetheless, today I'd like to talk to you about something new that has happened in my life, and that has the capacity to impact positively so many people!


A couple of weeks ago I was asked by one of the Brand Rep Managers of BeyondBeanie to join them on their mission. Although I was a bit reticent at first since this was not the first time I was approached by a brand (and turned it down, just 'cause afraid of exposure...) I actually accepted and I'm thrilled! The brand's values are wholesome, and their products are just too cute. I annexed some resources to this post so that you can check their online store, mission, and even their TedTalk!


I've only now really started to get more into this commitment, but it has already been so rewarding. I was given a discount code that you can use for 25% off: NESI25; so that's just another reason to go pay them a visit, learn how they are helping to fight poverty by empowering artisans and helping children in need and also help me at the same time, in case you're interested!


Thank you so much for reading and I hope to find you reading my rambles in the near future!

● Inês ●

7| Read This, Watch That

I haven't done one of these posts in forever! Honestly, I haven't been doing a lot of reading or watching any TV shows at the moment, but I did read Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn back in October, which yes, is a long time ago, but ya'll, this book is so good. I devoured it in less than 1 week, every time I opened it I knew I wasn't to get any sleep cause I was about to spend my entire night reading it. I fell in love with Gillian's writing with Gone Girl which I'm sure most of you will have heard of, so I asked my family this book for my birthday because I couldn't get enough of it!
So what is it about?

"Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker faces a troubling assignment: she must return to her tiny hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls. For years, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed in her old bedroom in her family's Victorian mansion, Camille finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Dogged by her own demons, she must unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past if she wants to get the story—and survive this homecoming." - (x)

Whomever has read Gone Girl knows that Gillian does not shy away from gory details, and this book does have a lot of trigger warnings, since the descriptions are so graphic. It's a bit traumatizing, really. This book is just good storytelling in its purest form. She is so skillful portraying how different people react to abuse through their lives, and how some even perpetrate it. That's another thing I love about her writing, she loves giving women all the wicked parts, which is so refreshing. It gives this three dimensionality to women that we don't often see. It makes them believable. In her stories, men are only pawns in their sick games and it's delicious to read about it. Wind Gap, the fictional city where the story takes place, is filled to the core with dark secrets, and as the story unfolds you're able to unravel them and get to meet really twisted people. This isn't a comfortable read, there isn't romance, there is not a happy ending. This straight up twisted, morbid, painful, dark and disturbing, but it's deeply fascinating, or so I've found. It is a bit slow paced at first, until everything starts tumbling down, then it is so hard to put down, it actually made my heart race so fast I thought I was going to have an anxiety attack. Gosh, this book made me feel things, it felt so real. It was an amazing read and definitely one of my favourite books ever.

● Inês ●

An Ode To Tea

Hello!

Now that fall is very much officially here (my very warm sweater confirms it!) it's time to bring out the big, sweet guns: tea. I am addicted, I admit, I may have a big big problem. Tea is one of the best things to ever happen to me, but I've only really started to enjoying it maybe one year ago, which is crazy! 

These have been some of the ones I've been enjoying the most this past month (and yes, those are a lot to have at the same time, I'm aware)!

• Verbena Infusion by Tetley
• Honey Lemon Green Tea by Tetley
• Mango Green Tea by Tetley (Delicate Colection)
• Herbal Infusion of Melissa and Honey, by Lipton

I have to admit, the last 2 are the ones I've been drinking the most of, and the mango one is absolutely lovely, and leaves a very fruity scent in the air, and it kind of reminds me of summer, even though tea and summer aren't thaaaat compatible, oops! I've also noticed that I've been buying more tea from Tetley then ever, since I usually go for the Lipton ones. What are some of your favourite teas? Do you prefer coffee or hot chocolate over tea as a fall/winter beverage?

● Inês ●

Relaxing/Calm Songs

Hello!

Inspired by Aida, I decided to also make a list of my go-to songs when I need to relax or at least calm down a bit. When things start to get a bit too much. I enjoy listening to either really soppy songs, or sad ones I can relate, but they're all very very soothing. I like to listen to these ones after making my homework, or before going to bed. I find all of them so so beautiful, and I really advise you to go check any of these that caught your eye really quickly cause I'm sure it'll be worth it!

From left to right:

• Ben Howard / I Forget Where We Were
• Willie Nelson / Someone To Watch Over Me
• Edith Piaf / La Vie En Rose
• Daughter / Youth
• Karen O & Ezra Koenig / The Moon Song
• Alessia Cara / Here
• The Neighbourhood / Sweater Weather
• Mac Demarco / Only You
• Low / What Part Of Me

I really need more calm songs to add to my lists, so if you have some, please do share!

● Inês ●

Kiko Milano Makeup Haul

Hey! I don't think I've ever mentioned this here, but... I've got a thing for makeup. Like, I can crush hard on a lipstick, I can daydream about an eye shadow palette, I'm literally the worst. All throughout my girlhood I've tried to stir away from it like I did from feminine things, because I thought they were stupid, meaningless and a weakness. And I just wanna slap little old me straight across the face for being so dumb and judgmental! Makeup has got to be one of my favourite things ever at the moment, and I must say I've missed on a lot. It's not all that I am, but a big part of me, since it allows me to express myself. One of the most affordable, yet of great quality products I love to fawn over, are the ones over at Kiko Milano. I've been saving for a couple of months to do something crazy, like, you know, just randomly buy a shit ton of makeup, and since fall has arrived, why not now?

From left to right: Velvet Mat Satin Lipstick in Cherry Red, Precision Lip Pencil in 312 Plum, Universal Fit Hydrating Foundation in 100N, Eye Base Primer, Radiant Touch Creamy Stick Highlighter in 101 rose, and Precision Eyeliner. 

                          

Can ya'll just give me a second to gush about these colours?! Like, honestly, what kind of fall/vampy vibes?? Also the packaging is just gorgeous.

I've made a few swatches with all of the products and I'm afraid I've chosen my foundation just one shade above mine so I'll have to mix it with a lighter one, but I'm so so pleased with all of these acquisitions! The mat lipstick is so smooth and doesn't dry my lips like some mat ones do, which is a great plus. Just one swipe of this lovely colour will do the business! The other products I've yet to try them but I'm very much looking forward to it! 

● Inês ●