Galos de Joanie

Hi there you,

Long time no see. I'm back for a blog post, you guys.

I want to start by asking you how you are all doing.

What's going on in your life and how's the weather where you are?

Here it's just about getting a bit warmer. Last week it snowed basically every day, but finally the sun is out and you only need a regular spring jacket.

I wanted to write this post and let you all know about a brand that I only recently discovered (not sponsored though). I might have been late to the party (it's amazing that I even arrived at the party at all), as it seems to be a pretty popular brand on instagram.

The brand is called Joanie Clothing and wow!

I want everything they make. They have vintage and retro inspired clothes that have a south European feel to it, with French-inspired tops and this lovely dress that I'm wearing with a Portuguese Galo de Barcelos print. About this dress, I adore the warm summery colour and the detailed print. The little bow is like icing on a cake. It has become my favourite dress and I got plenty of compliments when wearing it this weekend.

Had you heard of Joanie?

Dress: Joanie Clothing (here)
Lipstick: Besame Cosmetics (here)
Necklace: Edblad

I wish you all a happy rest of the week. Take care.

Much love,

Mona

Crystal clear

Hello you,
Hope you are all doing great and that you're keeping warm or cool depending on where you live.
Where I live in northern Sweden it is cold (not very, but enough to not be able to photograph outdoors), and I'm keeping warm with blankets and hot cups of tea.

When I was a kid I loved rocks, stones and crystals of all kinds. I used to collect some and at times I would get them all out and arrange them in order of colour, just look at them and be joyful. The little things really make me happy, and I was like that as a child too. The littlest thing could amuse and preoccupy me.

Top: Book of Deer (here)

Jeans: Forever 21 (old)

Lipstick: Bésame Cosmetics (here)

This lovely top from Book of Deer with a crystal print reminded me of my box of rocks, and I went searching for them in my old stuff, and to my surprise, my box was still there, with crystals and stones of different shapes, sizes and colours - all living in harmony. It made me happy.

This unique and dreamy top also makes me think of the 70's, and I imagined that it would be what I would wear on the cover of my soul-rock record. Arms outstretched above me, my curly mane billowing behind me, a cross between Freddie Mercury and Erykah Badu. Well, I sure wish anyway...

I think I'm going to go arrange my rocks now.
I hope you all have a fantastic week, take care of yourselves.

Much love,

New Year, Good bye 2016

Once again it is New Year’s Eve!
I hope you all have a very Happy New Year and I wish you all the best!

Last year I summarised the year that had passed in a blog post, and I thought I’d do the same thing this year. But before that let me just mention my outfit of tonight!

I am wearing this skirt that is ridiculously beautiful and I feel fantastic in, from Tatyana. I saw this skirt on Instagram and knew I had to have it. It reminded me of something... I couldn't quite place my finger on what, but I was serious about owning it.

I was lucky enough to get it on sale, and I was even luckier to have it arrive in time for NYE. As I was getting ready I put on this V-neck top and bam! It hit me! It reminds me of the beautiful outfit that Grace Kelly wore in Rear Window (which happens to be one of my favourite Hitchcock's). Google it! It's uncanny!

I decided to keep the rest of the look completely 50's, so I wore my perfect Besame Red lipstick from Besame Cosmetics and finished it off with a loose powder (Vanilla Brightening Powder, also Besame). You'd think I was sponsored by Besame Cosmetics but unfortunately I'm not. Their products just feel very authentically vintage.

To top it all off I actually googled retro hairstyles for natural hair and got a brilliant hit. I found this blog post on the blog Bobby Pin, and I adore the hairstyle. It is really hard finding vintage and retro hairstyles for naturally curly hair. Most hair tutorials start with much looser curls than I have. So if you have any ideas for retro hairstyles for natural hair please leave me a comment!

On to the 2016 round-up...

While 2015 was one of the hardest years of my life, 2016 has been one of the best years! I have not recovered from my illnesses, and probably never will as they are all chronic, but I have gotten to a point where I manage my mental illness in a way that enables me to live my life.

I’ll be honest - I’ve had crap times in 2016 (as those of you who have followed me might remember). Days where it’s been impossible to get out of bed. Weeks where my anxiety has been so high and my OCD has made it so hard to get out of my apartment. I’ve even had months during this last year where I’ve felt so very low and uninspired in life. But it has all been isolated times surrounded by, in large, better times.

Top: Topshop (old)

Skirt: Tatyana (here)

Heels: B.A.I.T. Footwear (here)

Pearls: Borrowed from Mum

I started this year feeling better than I had for a decade. Last year ended with me being on a high. I was on good medication and I was continually working with a psychologist fighting against my OCD, anxiety and depression. In 2016 I have been entirely free from suicidal thoughts, and that, my friends is a major step in the right direction. I am back to work, full time! Which makes me so happy I could cry. I have bad weeks, and days, but all in all I am back to my previous self. I recognise the person that I am.

I still have OCD. I still have my obsessions and perform my compulsions, but as I mentioned - it is manageable now. I can lead a life at the side of being sick. It’s not all about my illness anymore. All of this, getting back to being happier and healthier has made me realise how important health is. And I’ve decided I want to end this year with a message of hope.

If you are doing unwell, whether physically or mentally, believe me it can get better! It’s not impossible! Get as much help as you can, and be as open as you can be - a healthier life is possible. I went into 2016 feeling hope and joy, and it has treated me well. I will continue to fight in 2017 for a happier, healthier life. And I wish all of you find your joy and happiness the same way I have.

Thank you so much to everyone that I’ve interacted with! You are all incredible! It still means everything to me that you are here and are willing to listen to my story. I also want to say that I am here and willing to listen to your story too! If anyone suffering from any mental illness feels the need to talk, I’m here! Talk to me! Because talking about it really eases something.

Here’s to 2017! May it be all you hope for and more!
And for the last time this year - Much love to all of you,

Add a little rouge

Hello all!
Hope you are doing great!

I am wonderful, mostly because I have spent the majority of my time curled up with a book in my armchair. Or listening to music, watching old films and baking. Ah heaven!
And in case you were wondering; Yes, I have always been a grandmother.

I got this lovely blouse (that ties in the back, photo of that will come) at sale from ModCloth. I love the little collar it has, and you can never go wrong with polka dots, can you?

Initially I had planned to wear this blouse with these trusty trousers, pedal pushers, from Vivien of Holloway. These trousers run quite long, I had to roll up mine several times before they were the "intended" length, but I suppose there's not much to do about that when you don't even reach 1.60 m.  Then I added my plain old black flats and hoop earrings, but I felt something was missing to the outfit.

Before heading out the door I put on some red lipstick, and saw that it was quite nice with the monochrome outfit. So I quickly added some blusher (because I've learnt not to wear red lips on their own - it drains the face) and concluded that the red indeed was a success. So I grabbed my new belt from Vivien of Holloway that gives a lovely little cinch to the waistline as well (I'm in love with small waists). And then I was actually really happy with this happenstance outfit!

I only wish I'd put on some more makeup... My eyes look so bare.

Blouse: ModCloth (here)

Trousers: Vivien of Holloway (here)

Flats: Asos (here)

Lipstick: Bésame Cosmetics (here)

Earrings: Aquanetta (here)

Belt: Vivien of Holloway (here)

Have a great rest of the week!
Much love,

Lips as red as blood

Konnichiwa!

Lately my blog has become popular in Japan, which I think is amazing! I love Japan, but it makes me think... Lindsey - is it you?

I am feeling poorly, with an infection and fever, but it's only a cold, so it'll be over soon. I was lucky to escape colds all spring, so it's only fair that summer brings one. I hope you are all doing well though!

I rarely write about makeup even though I love makeup! I especially love lipstick, and mostly red lipstick. Well let me tell you something exciting - I think I've found the best red lipstick out there!

It's from Bésame Cosmetics, and the colour is 1920 Bésame Red. It is a blueish bright red that is a replica on a true colour from 1920. It's very pigmented but still feels creamy on the lips - I love the texture! I can't believe I've gone so long without this magnificent lipstick.

Another thing that I really love about this lipstick is that it leaves a lovely stain on the lips after wearing it. It makes me think that it would look lovely to tint the lips with.

For people in Sweden and probably the rest of Europe, it's unfortunately not possible to order cosmetics from Bésame's own page (really, needs to be fixed imo), but I managed to get the lipstick from Beauty Bay.

This is not a sponsored post, I just really like this lipstick and wanted to share that with you!

Do you have any favourite lipsticks? Any favourite red lipsticks? I'm always looking for different shades of red lipstick. I just love the Snow White look it gives.

Much love,