tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17718604390207498552024-03-05T17:46:38.241+01:00Marine BlackbirdAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383104896661663339noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771860439020749855.post-27887023919995897682016-09-20T14:09:00.001+02:002016-09-20T16:43:51.972+02:00Spain Away From Spain<img src="http://image.noelshack.com/fichiers/2016/38/1474373247-shutterstock-340505432.jpg" width="700" /><br />
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Brighton has such a big food culture that after living in the seaside city for three years, I have become a typical Brightonian always on the look out for new restaurants to try. The multicultural aspect of the city is reflected in the variety of Mediterranean restaurants from Italian, Greek and Spanish. As a French native from Lyon, I particularly enjoy the cultural aspect of food. I was not disappointed when I went for a dinner to <i>Olé Olé</i> on a Thursday night where I experienced an immersion into the Spanish culture. <br />
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Located in the South Laines, tucked away in a little street, you might miss it if you don’t know your way around the Laines. Olé Olé made its reputation upon this authentic flamenco show, which brings many enthusiasts to the restaurant. The crowd is a mix of Spanish people, locals and mostly group of friends coming for the fantastic flamenco show, which runs from Thursday night to Saturday night. It is best to book a table, as it is often full on those nights. The atmosphere is intimate but quite lively due to the warm and festive ambience. The decoration could be described as rustic and simple but it is truly the food and performance that take centre stage.<br />
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The menu is simple and includes the traditional tapas from a plate of chorizo to patatas bravas as well as the regular selection of paellas. As an appetizer, I would personally recommend the fried goat cheese croquetas with honey and sesame that you can easily share. Then, I tried the flavourful and perfectly cooked chicken paella, which I would strongly suggest as well. The icing on the cake was the heavenly crème brûlée, which was probably the best I have ever eaten. In order to experience both the Spanish flavours and dance, make sure to come before 9pm, which is around the time the performance starts. <br />
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The night I went to watch the show, two musicians accompanied the performance of one dancer. The flamenco performer was a man, which is not usually common. It was very interesting to see a male dancer perform the flamenco. It was simultaneously elegant and masculine and it seemed like a fast and challenging performance. Customarily, flamenco shows can be quite theatrical with colourful costumes. However, it was in the simplicity of the setting that the true Spanish authenticity shone. The mood was festive as the audience was cheering and moving along to the music. During the performance, I got swept away and transported to Spain and I even forgot that I was in England. <br />
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<i>I had an amazing time and I cannot recommend enough this wonderful little restaurant to discover the authentic Spanish culture without having to travel to Spain. </i><br />
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<i>Bisous</i><br />
Marine</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383104896661663339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771860439020749855.post-26120383031925929212016-09-20T12:11:00.000+02:002016-09-20T16:40:47.637+02:00The Royal Pavilion: a peculiar architectural construction or the epitome of Brighton?<img src="http://image.noelshack.com/fichiers/2016/38/1474368614-shutterstock-49289752.jpg" width="700" /><br />
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Although the Pier might be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Brighton, the<i> Royal Pavilion</i> is a significant part of the heritage of the city. Having lived in Brighton for three years, the Pavilion had become a familiar landscape in my daily commute to university. I would see many tourists stop in front of it to take the traditional picture from the gardens with the palace in the background. Strangely enough, I had passed in front many times and even took some pictures of the architecture but it is only recently that I finally got to discover what was hiding inside such a peculiar building. I did not know what to expect and I was in for quite a surprise when I discovered the exotic and extravagant decoration and pieces of art. Unfortunately, pictures are forbidden inside, which could also explain the mysterious character of the edifice. I would really recommend taking the audio guide as it gives such an insightful take on the decadent lifestyle of George IV at the palace. <br />
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Indeed, the Pavilion is intimately linked with the monarch. The 21-year-old Prince of Wales took residence in Brighton after being advised to stay in the seaside for his health. Rapidly, Brighton became the perfect location for the young prince to lead his extravagant and indulgent lifestyle. From the modest lodging house George had purchased, he transformed it into the exotic palace that we know today. He threw lavish receptions and parties and the building became to be known as the pleasure palace.<br />
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The architect John Nash was hired in 1815 to transform this elegant villa into the sumptuous architectural vision. It took 8 years to be completed. George was a lover of French decorative arts and oriental style, which characterise the palace. The decoration of the Pavilion is a perfect example of a Western view of Chinese art. The entrance hall is surprisingly but purposely the less extravagant room of the palace as it prepares its visitors to be amazed by what follows next.<br />
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The key features to look for are firstly the clever decorative techniques displayed in the Long Gallery such as cast iron used to imitate bamboo as well as all the wonderful Chinese pieces which often are Western reproduction. Secondly, the Royal Pavilion’s centrepiece is most certainly the jaw-dropping dragon chandelier at the centre of The Banqueting Room. This room in itself is truly spectacular with the imposing dining table and the rich decorations surrounding it. Thirdly, the walls are decorated in many trompe-l’oeil tapestries and paintings that give it a particular charm and fun atmosphere. Towards the end of your visit, do not miss the Tearoom, which offers a beautiful view of the gardens from the balcony. It is the perfect spot to take a memorable picture of the Pavilion from a different perspective. <br />
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Not only the interior decoration captures the eyes of the visitors but also the Indian inspired exterior architecture of the building creates a one of a kind wonder. The gardens have been left in a natural and bucolic state in order to give it this countryside essence. By sitting in the grass areas and enjoying the view from the gardens, you can experience the city like a local. <br />
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I have always asked myself how this exotic building could possibly be related to the history of Brighton. But in fact, after visiting it I came to understand that it captures the character of Brighton as an eccentric, indulgent and unique city. The Royal Pavilion is truly a vestige of the fashionable Regency era. George’s influence is noticeable everywhere in the city from the Crescents to the seafront squares. It is not a coincidence that the royal palace belongs to the city itself, which was purchased from Queen Victoria for only £53,000 in 1850. Indeed, the ‘people’s palace’ has been used and converted for different purposes. Nowadays, you can even hire the palace as a venue for your wedding and celebrate it in the extravagantly decorated Music Room.<br />
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<i>If you ever visit Brighton, I would strongly suggest you to stop to take a look at the original and opulent oriental palace. </i><br />
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<i>Bisous</i><br />
Marine</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383104896661663339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771860439020749855.post-86742729667051508132016-03-16T16:41:00.003+01:002016-03-16T20:43:15.741+01:00Current playlist / a walk somewhere else<center>
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<i>Long time no see.</i> The hardest thing about university is to juggle your studies and your free time. In my course, I do not have a busy schedule and I have a lot of ‘free time’ that are meant to study more than to do others things. What happens to me is that I tend to tell to myself that I need to study and I exclude anything else. I know, it’s a bit intense but I am in my final year so I feel even guiltier if I take some time for my hobbies. I’ve realised that I haven’t written (apart from essays) or made graphic creations since I got to uni, which saddens me. The thing is that lately, I feel that I cannot just study all the time and that in the end I don’t even study that much because I am always frustrated that I cannot express myself in a creative way. That’s why I am coming back on here to write and post about things that I love because I need it. I have a notebook filled with ideas of blog posts but I always tell myself that I have no time or that my studies are more important. The truth is that I need to find my balance between uni and hobbies.<br />
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Well, <b>music</b> is something that I will never give up because it literally helps me in every aspect of my life. I cannot study or write in silence and at the same time in my little free time I escape by listening to music. Music is like breathing, it’s essential to me. So I thought I would share what I have been listening to lately. I’ve put some recent discoveries and some old favourites that I will never get bored of.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>HEAL</i> ~ ELLIE GOULDING</span> / Ellie is one of my favourite artists but I must admit I am a bit disappointed by her new album that do not have such heartfelt lyrics and felt more like ‘dancing music’. Halcyon Days was pure perfection. However, I found this gem and I’ve put it on repeat many times.<br />
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<i>HERE</i> ~ ALESSIA CARA / I’m probably the last one to discover her music. The lyrics are just epic and resonated with my introvert side. Plus, I love the soul influences.<br />
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<i>KEEPING YOUR HEAD UP ~ </i>BIRDY / I just love Birdy’s voice and this song takes me to somewhere else. When I feel down, I like listening to the lyrics. <br />
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<i>QUEEN OF PEACE + WHAT KIND OF MAN ~ </i>FLORENCE + THE MACHINE / I could put the whole How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful album and it has been on repeat since it came out. Florence’s music is so cathartic; it expresses so many intense feelings. I really get lost in her music and I am even more in love with her videos for this album. <br />
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<i>A BAD DREAM ~ </i>KEANE / Same as Florence + the machine, I could put their whole Best Of album because my favourite song changes everyday. I have been listening to Keane for 8 years at least. I don’t really know how to describe their music. I feel their music something that takes you on a journey and their lyrics resonate with people.<br />
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<i>ALL OF THEM DREAMS + FORESTS ON THE WAY THERE ~ </i>TOM ROSENTHAL / Oh my god, I am so in love with his music. It’s so peaceful and poetic in a way. It’s like a little walk in a magical landscape. I discovered Tom Rosenthal music through <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeD3VwVu0HzIkPbLwl1D_VA">Will Darbyshire</a> youtube videos which are amazing by the way. <br />
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"><u>Credits</u>: creation by <u>me</u>. Tested a new style with brushes and filter, what do you guys think? And yes, it's freezing in England so I'm dreaming of palm trees. :)</span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383104896661663339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771860439020749855.post-60419487987547070372015-07-26T17:09:00.000+02:002016-10-27T13:04:58.137+02:00summer scent<img src="http://image.noelshack.com/fichiers/2015/30/1437922632-summerscentarticleimage1.jpg" width="700" /><br />
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Before I ever got into makeup, there was my first ever perfume. Since then, perfume has always been a symbol of femininity. Of course men do wear perfume but it was my first gift as a teenage girl so I associate perfume with womanhood. Scent is a very personal thing and I wore the same perfume for 7 years. It was a fresh orange flower perfume from a luxury brand that I would get as a Christmas gift every year. Everybody associated me with this smell and it was really hard to transition to another perfume. Two year ago, when I celebrated my 18th birthday, I had the idea to change perfume to mark the beginning of a new era. It took me one year to find a fragrance because I instantly bought a fragrance that had the same ingredients than my previous one. When you wear the same scent for years, it's really hard to let go of it. It's comfortable to wear and it smells like you. But I found a great perfume that blended with my skin. It's less known and more complex since it's from an exclusive collection. However, I don't feel like I am as attached to it than the previous one. I am getting comfortable with the idea of having different perfumes depending on my mood. I used to hate that idea and didn't understand how people could change their perfume just like that. Until, I went to Victoria's Secret store in London, one month ago during my trip with my cousin. I thought I would never like <i>Victoria's Secret</i> scents because I hate girly and sweet perfumes which I associate with the brand. Victoria's Secrets with its pink everywhere, sparkling bras and in your face femininity, everything that I'm not so fan of. Well I ended up buying 3 fragrance products and here is my thoughts about them.<br />
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<b>Bombshell</b> was the first purchase I made. I was advised by a fantastic woman who had worked at Tom Ford and other luxury perfume brands. She knew her stuff and convinced me to buy this perfume. From the whole range, it was the one that smelled the most sexy and fresh. It's still a sweet perfume but not the typical vanilla scent that I can't stand. It's gentle, feminine and not too overpowering. I feel girly and attractive when I wear it. However, it definitely has a tropical scent so I don't think I will wear it all year long. Also, it doesn't last as long and is not as unique as my luxury perfume. At the moment, it is my perfect summer duo with <i>Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan</i>* (the French version in the picture). </div>
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This must be my favourite purchase from the 3 products! Both my cousin and I fell in love with this body mist which in my opinion is the most unique and grown-up from the whole range. We tried the other fragrance mists which were all summery, flowery or sweet and a bit expected and common to be honest. <b>Amber Romance</b> is sort of an alien in the range, it had this sweet scent but rather gourmand than sickly sweet. I don't think it smells of vanilla cherry which apparently a lot of people think so. I think of it as a creamy scent with a subtle touch of caramel and amber. It feels warm and comforting and I actually think I could wear it during winter as well which is why I combined it with my <i>Résine candle from Dyptique</i> (limited edition last winter). They may both be more winter scent but <strike>I'm rebel and I won't wear fresh scents in the summer</strike> I actually associate this kind of smell with a warm summer night around a fire. Sounds nice, right? Surprisingly, its lasting power is better than <i>the Bombshell perfume</i>. <b>A great gem that I will keep in my collection!</b><br />
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Third and last product that is actually my least favorite because it does not suit my personality. After being so surprised by <i>Amber Romance</i>, I wanted to buy another mist but I was not that impressed with the others. I picked up <b>Love Addict</b> because it had blood orange in it and I love the smell of oranges. I tried it recently at work and the smell was really strong at first but then did not last as long as <i>Amber Romance</i>. I felt like it did not blend with my skin and was way too fresh which seemed like I was wearing a deodorant spray. The wild orchid scent is too strong for me and I'm not a flowery scent kind of girl. <i>Maybe, it would suit someone that love flower scents like the one of roses.</i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 16px;">Have you ever tried Victoria's Secret fragrance products? What are your favourite summer scents?</span></i></div>
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<i>Bisous</i><br />
Marine<br />
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"><u>Notes</u>: * I've only just started this book but it seems really good. A friend of mine recommended to me and after reading reviews, I can't wait to get more into the story. It's a story about the life of rich families from Hong Kong. So far, I find that it is really pleasant to read and you actually learn some Chinese words.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"><u>Credits</u>: pictures by <u>me</u>, background images from <u>French Glamour July 2015</u>.</span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383104896661663339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771860439020749855.post-26837760356057719502015-07-16T15:53:00.000+02:002015-07-16T15:56:26.505+02:00diary n°001 - A good summer<div align="justify"><img src="http://image.noelshack.com/fichiers/2015/29/1437054669-bannerforagoodsummerpost-titre.jpg" width="700" /><br />
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BOOOO I didn't post as frequently as I planned and trust me it's not because I don't have anything to post because I have a long list of ideas. I just had a crazy busy month of June and first half of July. It was a good kind of busy and it left me more motivated and energized than ever! It feels good when your life is starting to get exciting and good stuff happens. To be honest, I had been frustrated for a while that nothing was happening. I have always been quite anxious about the future in general and I worry so much that my life is going to be boring. I think that's a common thing for teenager and young adult. Because of social media, you see even more what people are doing in a sort of distorted fairytale. They are all going on fabulous vacation, interning somewhere amazing, going on road trip, scuba diving and whatnot. And you are sitting in your bedroom wondering when it's going to happen to you. I have felt that for a long time so if somebody feels the same way, trust me, it will change but only if you do something (cheesy but true). So I picked myself up and starting taking steps towards my dream life. Here's what I did while not posting on this blog.<br />
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On 27th June, I got to see Taylor Swift in concert at Hyde Park which was and still is the best day of my life. I got to go with my cousin and we will remember this day in London forever. I bought my tickets back in November and at that time where I wasn't feeling good so I wanted to do something nice for myself. Well, let me tell you I felt amazing after this concert. In short, Taylor is so much more beautiful than in the pictures if that's possible, she looked like an angel in her moving runway which is the best thing to connect with fans, her male dancers are so hot it's not fair, I loved her new version of We are Never Getting Back Together! I think she should do a Pop Rock album next. Oh and Sam Smith and my queen of life Ellie Goulding were opening acts!! Taylor's concert was really inspiring and uplifting. Taylor is such an empowering person especially towards women and I really felt like she had this girl power thing underlying her whole concert (she had videos of most of her girlfriends in-between songs). You go Taylor!<br />
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Then, I spend a week in Brighton with my cousin to show her around. I did lots of beauty and clothes shopping so posts about those British products are for sure going to be uploaded soon. I just don't want to do a big haul kind of thing because it feels too 'show off' in my opinion. I'd rather talk in topics like hair care, cheap drugstore finds, etc. What do you think? <br />
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Finally, I got a summer job back in Paris which was not an easy thing to do after sending many CVs for both internships and student jobs. I have to say goodbye to lazy days relaxing on the beach and probably getting a tan (although, I'm tempted to try a wash off tan product). But more importantly, I'm getting experience so I hope it'll be a good step towards my future.<br />
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Well, that's just a short post to share a little bit of my life and tell you I'm still around and will be posting soon.<br />
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<i>Bisous</i><br />
Marine</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383104896661663339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771860439020749855.post-54057379728643632932015-06-06T16:43:00.003+02:002015-07-16T00:02:18.047+02:00keep calm and carry a small makeup bag<img src="http://image.noelshack.com/fichiers/2015/23/1433364220-makeupbag700px.jpg" width="700" /><br />
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Beauty is a big passion of mine which started in high school and truly expanded three years ago. Now I'm totally hooked and I follow way too much beauty blogs, makeup artists and beauty writers. I actually never wrote about beauty on my previous blog (<i>I was all about fashion at that time</i>) but this is about to change. You can be sure to find a lot of beauty related articles here so hopefully you'll like reading them. My approach to beauty is quite minimalist, I either like a smoky eye or a bright lip, but not together. Yes, I'm very French that way. But most of all, I adore skincare and hair products. Hello French pharmacies!<br />
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But, let's focus on today's topic: <b>My small makeup bag I carry with me everywhere I go</b>.<br />
I cannot be without it. Every time I forgot it (<i>which is rare</i>), I suddenly need to touch up my makeup and I have to spend the rest of the day in a bad mood with a makeup that is running down my face. Not a pretty sight. Thanks god, it doesn't happen that often when I have everything I need in that tiny bag.<br />
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<b>The Bag:</b> Like I just said, it is tiny which is actually good for me otherwise I would bring half of my makeup collection with me. I don't really like shopping for a makeup bag (I'd rather put my money on the products inside), I'm the type of person that love receiving them as gifts from the makeup brands. Same goes for the beach bags, they give them out in Sephora when you purchase some 'summer products' before the holidays. Don't tell me I'm the only one that love the gifted bags? This one is a gift from Chanel that I got when my mom purchased a perfume for Christmas. If you're in Paris, I strongly advise you to go to their store rue Saint Honoré which is entirely dedicated to their beauty range. It's paradise! As regards the bag itself, it's red, simple and really sturdy as I've got it since 6 months now. Most importantly, I can fit a fair number of makeup items in it.<br />
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<b>Foundation:</b> The foundation stick - or anything packaged in a stick is probably the best invention for a carry on makeup item. I would never carry a foundation before that because it's way too messy to apply on the go (and I'm not a fan of compact foundations or powders) and can break inside your bag (<i>horror!</i>). I would just hope that my complexion still look decent at the end of the day. Well now, I just can't get enough of my <i><u>Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick</u></i>. Oh my goodness, it's so good! I apply it so often that my best friend is always saying "Here we go again!", laughing at my ridiculousness. The texture is buttery which at first scared me because my skin is combination but when applied it is quite matte. The coverage is medium to full which is why the consultant advised me to buy <i><u>Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face brush</u></i>. This brush is not only amazing (blends foundation like no other) but fits perfectly in my tiny bag.<br />
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<b>Concealer: </b>Concealer is the one makeup item with mascara I would not leave my house without. I used to have very bad under eye circles (<i>they're much better now so maybe I can do a post on my eye routine</i>). They were blue-ish and hollow especially during deadlines. I had found a magic duo of products from MAC that covered my huge bags. However, for summer I wanted something a bit more practical, light and easy. I have recently discovered <i><u>Bobbi Brown</u></i> well-known <u style="font-style: italic;">Creamy Concealer</u>. One concealer and a fixing powder are compacted in this little product that still delivered a good coverage. It's perfect concealer on the go. Personally, I'm not a fan of the powder, just because I don't like to apply powder with my fingers.<br />
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<b>Mascara: </b>I know that most people love drugstores mascara and find stupid buying from a high-end brand. However, I can't seem to find one that isn't too volumizing. I have tried a lot of <i>Maybelline</i> mascaras, for example <i>Volum' Express The Falsies Black Drama mascara</i> which is really nice but too much for me. I like to have well-defined and lengthened eyelashes and I haven't found a drugstore mascara that competes with my <i><u>Sublime mascara from Chanel</u></i>. I am a eye makeup kind of girl so mascara is super important for me. But I am still looking for a cheaper alternative, I have my eyes set on L'Oréal mascaras.<br />
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<b>Eyes: </b>For eyes, I pack only one product that is super easy to apply. High-end version (in the picture) : <i><u>Charlotte Tilbury Classic Powder Pencil in Audrey</u></i> that I blend out with one finger and delivers the most easy long-lasting soft smokey eye. Drugstore version: the gorgeous <i><u>Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr in 35 On and on Bronze</u></i> which is the most beautiful cream eyeshadow and I believe is a dupe for <i>Chanel Illusion d'Ombre in Mirage</i>.<br />
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<b>Lipstick:</b> or should I say <u>lipsticks</u>. I usually carry 2-3 lipsticks with me. Only one can fit in my makeup bag which is usually the one I'm wearing that day and then two others are flying around my bag. I always have a day color (currently looking for my summer lipsticks - help needed) and an evening color (<i><u>Nars Shrinagar</u></i> is my favourite lipstick, it's a sheer dark pink with a purple undertone).<br />
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<b>Perfume Sample: </b>Who didn't freak out when they realized they forgot to put perfume or worse deodorant for the day? Well, I have a few times and I won't fear of smelling bad ever again because this little perfume sample is forever in my makeup bag. <br />
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</b> <u>Downside:</u> My bag is too small to carry a blush and let me tell you I am quite fair so that's mean I sometimes look like a ghost. I haven't found a cream blush (no powder blush since it requires a brush - too big for my bag) that isn't too big or heavy. Any recommendations guys?<br />
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Hope you like this little overview of my makeup bag on the go. Excuses the bit of high-end makeup in this post, I bought those products sometimes motnhs apart and have finally created my dream kit. Let me know in the comments what you carry in your own makeup bag. :)<br />
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<i>Bisous</i><br />
Marine<br />
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<i><span style="color: #222222;">Credits: picture by me</span></i><!--3--></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383104896661663339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771860439020749855.post-79877250446697793372015-02-04T00:56:00.000+01:002015-06-03T22:14:35.633+02:00style inspiration: masculin/féminin<div align="justify">
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Visually, I am often inspired by youthful, romantic looks. I guess I like a sort of dreamy vibe (think Sofia Coppola's movies and Annie Leibovitz's photographs) and my graphics have often soft tones. However, when it comes to my outfits, I love to mix feminine and masculine elements. That is why if I had to describe my style, I would answer <i>rock chic</i>. I have never feel comfortable in a total feminine look. As a child, I don't remember being in a dress but I don't feel like I was masculine either. I am certainly not now especially as I have become quite the beauty and makeup enthusiast. But, trousers have always been my best friends in life. From a purple velvet trouser (this one was my favorite in elementary school), I evolved towards skinny jeans.<br />
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Here are two looks that are inspired by what I would wear without thinking twice about it.</center>
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<tr><td>A nice sweater and/or blouse, a pair of grey skinny jean and a pair of relaxed leather boots have become my uniform. Then, I throw on a tailored coat and I'm ready to go on with my day. I love this campaign Isabel Marant did with Kate Moss a few years back. It epitomizes coolness.</td></tr>
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<tr><td>I find that a mini skirt close to the body looks better on me than a skater skirt for example. However, I recently found this shape to be really flatering and quite easy to style. The trick is that the skirt is close to the body and then is flared at the bottom. As always, I would pair this girly skirt with a sweater and a pair of boyish boots. There is something quite charming about a skirt paired with buckled boots. I am a bit obsessed with Fiorentini + Baker's shoes at the moment. I am lucky enough to own two pairs. I will definitely talked more about the brand in a future post.</td></tr>
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If you want to find more inspiration to embrace the masculine/feminine look, I would suggest looking up to brands like <i>The Kooples, All Saints, Stella McCartney, Isabel Marant</i> and <i>Saint Laurent</i>. We can't all afford those brands (I sure can't afford the last three) but I love looking at their lookbook for style ideas. We can always dream, right?<br />
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I would love to know what is your go-to outfit? Let me know if you like that kind of post, I'm also trying this type of collages.<br />
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<i>Bisous</i><br />
Marine<br />
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<i><span style="color: #222222;">Credits:</span></i> Pictures from Net-A-Porter and Fiorentini + Baker website.<br />
<u>Look 1</u> / <i>The Kooples</i> shirt, <i>Frame Denim</i> jean, <i>J.Crew</i> coat, <i>Isabel Marant</i> boots. <u>Look 2</u> / <i>J. Crew</i> turtleneck sweater, <i>J.Crew</i> skirt, <i>The Row</i> coat, <i>Fiorentini Baker</i> boots.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383104896661663339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771860439020749855.post-223874652873649722015-01-30T20:40:00.001+01:002015-02-04T01:13:14.927+01:00back to the start<div align="justify"><br />
So...I have been absent for a long time. Actually, I did not really get to post much on this new blog. I guess I got really focused on my studies and I had to adapt to a new life. But I have missed having a personal space where I can express myself. I don't consider myself as a blogger like they are these days -what I mean by that is that they have become quite professional really. I am not even sure I have a readership on this blog but if I do, I don't want to promess you a post every Tuesday, etc. I have always been relaxed about it, it is my daily escape.<br />
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But what I can tell you about this blog is that it is going to be my personal space where I share my thoughts on fashion, beauty and also show my Photoshop graphics. I hope you will feel inspired by this written and visual gallery of mine.<br />
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<i>Bisous</i><br />
Marine<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383104896661663339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771860439020749855.post-16507730864946084252013-06-10T16:54:00.001+02:002015-06-02T20:51:27.845+02:00tenue du jour #1<center>
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<b>Outfit of the day #1.</b> <i>Maje</i> Top (summer'12) / <i>The Kooples</i> Neoprene Skirt (winter '12) / <i>Repetto</i> "Zizi" Brogues / <i>YSL</i> La Laque Couture in Bleu Majorelle (Nailpolish) / Bracelets bought on holidays (the orange one is one of my fav' and I brought it from Florence last summer)<br />
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When I stay at home and the weather is cloudy like today, I like to bring a little bit of sun with my outfit. I also experiment with my clothes to have some ideas for this summer. I particularly like the combination between my bright yellow top and the Klein blue nail polish that I bought recently. The shape of the skirt is very unusual but also very feminine so I like to keep it simple and pair it with a large tee. This skirt is from the winter collection of The Kooples, though the fabric is quite light. What do you think about this outfit guys ?<br />
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<i>Bisous</i><br />
Marine</div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222;">Picture from : Marine Blackbird</span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383104896661663339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771860439020749855.post-29115791111314075372013-06-09T23:22:00.000+02:002015-06-02T20:51:21.468+02:00how to - be a cool girl this summer? (part one)<br />
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During the crazy month of fashion week, I sit on my couch at home <i>(nope, not in the vip list)</i> and check out everyday style.com <i>(aka the fashion bible)</i> for the newest shows. I enjoy the creativity and excitement happening there. But it is only months later that I can relate to the shows and see what I can take from them and then adapt what caught my eyes to my actual wardrobe. After a never-ending cold spring, summer has finally come (well let’s not be so enthusiastic) and it’s time for changes. Since I was frustrated by the weather for so long, I already went through fashion shows, spotted new things that I found interesting and I even went shopping for new stuff <i>(yeah)</i>. Here is the part one of the series “How to – be a cool girl this summer” or at least the girl I would dream to be this summer.
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<b>Crop Sweaters:</b> It's one of the biggest trends out there. Carven (1&2) have sprinkled their collection with these adorable sweaters that I admit were not something I would have seen myself embrace. Until I realised that I’ve already worn a crop sweater during the entire past summer and I absolutely adored it. Mine looks like the one from 3.1 Phillip Lim (3) with short sleeves and black lace. I’m not lying; I wore it with almost everything from my closet. It makes a look more special especially on top of a simple tee with a pair of denim short and sandals. One thing I love love love (…) from Phillip Lim (3) and haven’t tried yet, is to combine my sweater with a check shirt/top. This year, I added the knit and long sleeves version in my closet and it is even more versatile. There are a lot of other ways to pair these two sweaters but I will show you how in another post.
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<b>Light Pants:</b> This is not something I already figured out since I’m still looking for a pair of cool pants. I just love the attitude of the second and fourth girl; it’s kind of Paris nonchalant vs New York nonchalant. It’s just so hard for a young girl to find the right pant that is still fresh and playful and not so much “ladylike”. What I would keep in mind during shopping is to look for a colour that pops or for a mix of prints with a neutral colour. The last look (5) is from Rodarte <i>(you will soon realised how much I’m obsessed with this brand)</i> and it’s not about the pant <i>(not so much wearable in real life)</i> particularly that I’m so fond of but it is more about the overall aspect of the look that is interesting. For this summer, I’m looking for something easy, yet intriguing. The combination of the silk blouse, the big necklace and the sporty high-heels is a right balance between feminine elements and street ones.
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<b>Gold/Metal Accessories:</b> A Canvas Bag is really cute for summer but it doesn’t add something unique enough to the outfit to be noticed. I just fell for Phillip Lim’s golden bag when I spotted it on the runway. It makes the look (3) stands out by simply adding something precious. In summer, jewellery is more relevant since we can’t dress up so much. I usually have a bunch of bracelets that I like to buy when on vacation in the local shops <i>(great as gifts to your girlfriends)</i>.
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Guys, have you spotted these trends as well? Have you tried them? I’d like to know as well what you would love to wear this summer.<br />
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<i>Bisous</i><br />
Marine
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<i><span style="color: #222222;">Credits : <a href="http://www.style.com/">Pictures from Style.com</a> / Carven, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Rodarte (Brands)</span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383104896661663339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771860439020749855.post-62108039927158287872013-04-13T14:03:00.003+02:002015-07-26T17:49:10.708+02:00bienvenue<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<center><img src="http://image.noelshack.com/fichiers/2013/24/1370880208-logo1.png" width="300" /></center>Welcome to <b>Marine Blackbird</b>! After almost two years without blogging, I come back with a new blog, new ideas and a lot of motivation to keep it going.<br />
I hope you'll enjoy my blog. And If you want to laugh and look at what I was doing two years ago, go there: <a href="http://birdysdream.blogspot.fr/">http://birdysdream.blogspot.fr </a><br />
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<i>Bisous</i><br />
Marine<br />
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/14311141/?claim=4au29yddewc">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383104896661663339noreply@blogger.com