Good Hairdresser gone Bad

The last couple of weeks have been insecurity galore for me. I went fringe/bangs and it gotten me a bit self-concious again. My hairdresser gave me some horribly chunky highlights and the flow of my cut was not brilliant either.

I'm neither self-secure nor insecure, normally. I'm in the middle of knowing what my good features are, and my flaws. I know that I like a feminine look because I'm not the most dainty around: blame my Dutch Polder heritage and Frisian roots for it, we are sturdy women! But I'm not feeling the tomboy vibe out there, and as I said to my hairdresser: I still like to attract men for it.

My hairdresser probably gotten slightly pissed on me for that remark, and also for not 1. going shorter 2. not wanting to become brunette. Or, some women can be pissed when you want to look as pretty as them, or they might be afraid you might upstage them. And some hairdressers are such control freaks that they might give you lousy hair when you have your own say about it. So she gave me bad hair for about $160.

I normally don't rant about a company but I feel awful about this, especially as she gave me gorgeous highlights in Feb '14

That explains that I was with really long virgin hair for so many years: I didn't want anyone to butcher it up. (Ps: this doesn't just count for women hairdressers only: some of the men doing hair might do similarly)

These days I'm partly dyed/highlighted because I wanted to look prettier after my relationship ended. For me it was letting go of my older self. I really regret that my hairdresser refused to see that part while she was doing my hair.

Shortly, it was not the bad hair that spurred me into insecurity, it was the fact that someone young & beautiful herself with a succesful life found it necessary to mess up my hair.

Lovin' this Winter

Just a few things I'm loving this winter...

a Bikini a Day keeps the Doctor away

Bodytalk:

Recently I've discussed the idea of selfies with some friends. Personally I tried to make faceselfies, but I prefer bodyselfies. This is where the feminists step in for the fact I might be "sexualizing my body by showing it bikini-clad online" but who are they to judge? Sometimes, a pouty/boobtastic faceselfie has more erotic value than the one I showed above. 

This autocam-selfie is to celebrate the strenght & femininity of my body. It also shows pride in the effort of working-out. But most of all, it embraces the idea of portraying a body that falls out of the boundaries of either being either young, flawlessly pretty or superskinny. This is a body that has had some mileage but is able to climb rocks, swim unapologetically in a rough ocean, and can eat a good amount of healthy food. Because a body that takes care of its owner does deserve food and not starvation! So who can tell us our body is not perfect like the skinny models when we might be better off with our healthier ones in the long run? 

In this sense, perfection is what you decides it is, not anyone's else perfection.

Personal blahdiblah...

Hi guys,

Time goes on: tick tock in Amsterdam.

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It's getting more autumny so let's share something personal. I'm kind of having a 'I remembered to forget' mode about my hair during this summer: I've gotten all into the curling/braiding/my-little-pony-colouring hair thingy. Sort of wanting to be Barbie because I felt I needed myself a proper Ken -> the buff guy with the plastic white smile. 

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Now I distanced myself from wanting a Ken and I gotten into flat shoes again: and polkadot socks. I don't think any Ken likes to see his Barbie in flats outside the gym where she has to work out to keep her hourglass figure, right?

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But I've been influenced by the Fashionweek and decided I needed a Céline top: ok, it's a sorta bargain from Yoox but still Céline.

Fashionweek Influenzias

Insta-fluence & shows:

 Etro: I love everything about this look but I really covet her natural looking hair. After going faux-blonde for a while I like this kind of idea for upcoming Bohemian spring.

Food of the day:

I'm cheating because this is my breakfast and I do this even before and after Fashionweeks. Your standard juicing in that awesome juicer spiced up with a lotta superfoods. But I feel like working out more and getting toned more during fashionweek season: I wanna be able to wear all looks on a toned body.

 

Getting into the closet [again]:

Ok, not of being [un]queer but finding similar items as the shows in my stocked away wardrobe. I DID I DID for dress no 4 @ Etro.

Finding guys from Milano sartorially fashion for no particular reason:

 

Ladies, he's got tongue...He was actually as Italo-camp as you could find but he's a person from a fashioncity. Oh, the tongue, right? 

"I'm having a boner" or Bony Knee staring:

Knees: Cara's sister Poppy

I don't wanna start the debate of how thin some people are. Some people are indeed naturally thin and who am I to see whether it's beautiful or zombie-like. Then there was Nicky Minae's video which showed some difference. I'm not someone who thinks Nicky's enhanced curves are holy grail either but it seems like I prefer someone who feeds herself (beside silicones).  

But heck, it's entertaining...enhanced bodies, dancing sticks, the music...

In what way are you influenced or having fever about during fashionweek season?

New mistakes are better than old ones

How ya people, no time no blog. I've been in blog-limbo about whattowriteetcetc and was completely bored about my latest stream of bloggerness. I've met this sympathetic photographer guy/kid who had potential for my outfits and me, but in Shakespearean lingo: Alas. He was more abour drinking 'coffee' than making good photos. Don't we all know this type? At my age it's almost flattering, but not really...

Brings me to my sexiest bodypart, my brain. And my fantastic power to make comic mistakes and blog about it shamelessly.

Hence, new mistakes are better than old ones!

Let's discuss hair: I had this ongoing project going on to become the Celine blonde. Unlike the flamboyant Versace blonde, she is groomed and expensive without being prissy. Nor is she overcoiffed like some Gucci blondes can be. And she might have a day whe she resembles the post-grunginess of the contemporary Marant blondes, but not oftenly.

Celine blondiness

Hence I decided to go to a Spanish hairdresser to get to the levels above: I chose him on the premises that he was "quite fit" and looked like a good hairdresser too: I don't let beauty get to my head too much when it comes to my own beauty, teehee. But looks count when you're waiting in dye... (& waiting to dye, pun intended)

Somehow my Celine blonde plans ended up me having hair that is 'informal' instead of 'muy cara'. His fetish for the ombre look gotten my hair reshizzled into something that looks like Giselle lost in Costa Rican jungle for 6 months on a very good day, and on a bad day like a buried up Kurt Kobain.

The lesson about this story: know your language well before going to a foreign hairdresser, but new mistakes are always better than repeating and regretting older ones.

I've Seine It...

Travelling or playing tourist can be a lot of fun. Sometimes people like to impress their Facebook friends by listing the most exclusive and hard-to-reach destinations: or "haven't you been icediving in Antartica? You should!" type of posts.

Then there are the classics that are not just  clichés...Paris, for example...or the Colloseum in Rome. And sometimes you might not 'get it' either: perhaps you have to get older 'n wiser or you just couldn't care less about the #mostphotographed in the world.

In any case, it's your experience which can be a pleasure or maybe a disapointment. As long as you watch your wallet not being taken by those pesky pickpockets..

My Essentials

Hi Babes, 

Sorry for being absent for a while but I haven't been feeling the *fashion vibe* for a while. I'm starting to 'recover' from this indifference and I will show you my essentials even when I'm totally 'out of everything fashion'.

Kitten Booties:  Even if I am slacking it, you will never see me in Uggs, sneakers (only holidays) or any other 'slumpy shoe'. I just pick up a sleek bootie with a walkable heel. These babes are from & Other Stories and I believe they give Givenchy & their likes a run for their money.

Primer for Foundation: I almost never face the world without 'tinted moisturizer', concealer or some foundation. That needs a primer and Laura Mercier makes a reasonable one.

Laura Mercier Brow Powder in Deep Blonde: Not always, but when I want to look stronger and more polished I add a natural but more defined brow. Otherwise I'd look like Lara Stone's uglier sister (-> no eyebrows, not that pretty and still Dutch).

Mirror Mirror: I never asked this question when younger so no wicked stepmother associations. But it's more when I drank coffee and I do not want to have 'extra dark shadows' around my mouth' etc.

Powder Foundation: I'm a bit of a snob  so I love to pick up my Givenchy powder foundation. It's a good powder foundation too for topping up on the road.

B.A.G: Yes, you know me...Even when totally 'out of it', I'd still have a good bag. It doesn't have to be expensive as this & Other Stories one was under $100. But it has to be a statement one.

Cream Blush: I am a blush-addict and I have more than 50! It's often 'youth potion' or it brings some life to your cheeks. This one is my Bobbi Brown Pale pink. A cream blush works differently and more natural than a powder.

Powder blush: I use a powder blush when I want a 'statement face' or a more 'make up' look: some people want to see you "made an effort" so it shows a bit more. This one is NARS Deep Throat, still natural but more visible with a heavier hand.

MAC Patina: This is such a classic eyeshadow: I think everyone has this neutral. I love it on days when I do not want to think too much about makeup, but still be polished.

Foundation Brush: I often skip the brushes/foam pads in foundation compacts and bring a professional brush along with me. This one is from Adesign and totally perfect for a flawless application. L♥ve it!

For the rest, I love to make fashionphotos again but this time my excuse is that I gained weight (3 kg)! I have been really healthy lately so I blame the excess of advocados blended in my umpteenth smoothies. I know there are more normal sized fashiongirls on the block but I don't like people to giggle and think "ahh, good...MlleWanderlust gained weight...!". Not everyone is so nice as the comments I get. Although I love most of my commenters a lot ♥♥

The 8 Of 2013...

2013 has been the year of changes...And some things stayed the same:13 3

1. Dressing up

I love dressing up: it's like grown-up dress up party picking up your fave character. I really would like more dresses like the type I wear in "After we Met", so whimsical. Only if there were more parties to show them off...
Ps: I do not dress up as extravagant in real life...I sometimes wear black & neutrals too, but don't tell otherwise my blog-reputation will collaps.

2. Blogging

My blog grew organically and I should tweak something about the layout. Then again, it's a clean layout right now and I often feel overwhelmed by other blog's references to every little part of their online life. Mmm, the header?

Do I feel ego-proud enough to put something like the one this one on?Not sure. Then maybe the one above with the circles.

3. Friendschips:

Let's talk about the girls! I love to be 100% open about my friendships but I keep the privacy on for them. I've met some wonderful women this year that helped me entering the modern dating scene, making me drink more alcohol, cry & laugh, and just having a ball with them.

4. Travel

There has been more travel than I blogged about: I'm already such a spoiled brat with all my luxury and designer brands, right? I cannot mention a favourite country as every country and city has its charms.

 

5. Blondes have more...(ehm, I forgot)

 I've been a blllllloooonnndeee for a while this year.

The blonde will get you more male attention: and we're talking quality and often not quality. I does come with complications that I have to hide my brunette intelligence otherwise some guys are too shocked to know I have an opinion. So I should practice twirling my hair like Cara over here:
As for women, they think I am a sweet girl with the blonde and that is actually really cute. I'd might change haircolour again: it's like fashion so maybe it will be brunette or purple...who knows?

6. Less Fashion, more style

2012 was the year I stocked up on a beautiful stash of Equipment blouses, a whole lot of 'cult-jeans' and a kaleidoscope of colours. I wouldn't say I have my core-wardrobe right now but the quality in the basics I bought in 2012 helps...

I was not too happy about 2013 trends: tartan? Just two pieces. The Pink coat? Everyone has one: I'll take lavender instead. Balenciaga?  I absolutely miss Ghesquière's aesthetic feel. So I browsed the Zara and I thought: "Meh, nothing appeals to me". 

But seeing the Pantone colour scheme of 2014 gets me exited again: hopefully in a variety of bags & dresses...

7.  Seven .....?

My 'dating' number!

This Cinderella's still waiting for her prince, or those shoes...

I kissed 7 men this year after becoming single. But modern dating has been complicated for me: I'm actually "such a prude" instead of slutty promiscious; I really had to think "what would other girls advise/do?"  Then again, as an older girl I think I can refrain from any duckfacing #selfies. I might pick up sexting and that means to keep up working out for 2014 so I can look like a Victoria's Secret model (her older sister)...

8. I give a hoot

 

About people, blogging, Christmas, fashion and life...& Xmas owls ofcourse...

 

So what have been your top moments of 2013?

Friday's Instas

1. I'm such a typical Dutch, so another bouquet
2. More red lips for the holiday season
3. The umpteenth time of bra-shopping
4. Food: I eat...and good stuff too!
5. 'Fashion is instant language'
6. Diptyques: shopping for holiday presents
7. At the hairdresser's
8. My own tomato relish!
9. Wardrobe fitting of Hudson jeans

 December, I'm not sure if I like the month or not but it keeps you busy. 

I'm not too fond about the cold so I don't wanna make fashion-pics right now. Also, I need a photographer-cum-hairdresser to make me look as perfect as the rest of the fashion-posse on the blogs. Easy? I wish!

  ❄  

But I like the act of giving and receiving presents is fun too. And sparkly dresses, shoes and too much make-up  

❄ 

Vanity Friday: My Current Faves

1. I have owned the Clarisonic MIA for about 2 years: The motorized brush is aimed to prevent the face from ageing and diminishes the sizes of your pores. Nice.

2. My first Unearthed Cuff in monochrome Snakeskin.

3. Intelligent Nutrients Harmony Shampoo: I've lost my intelligence so I try to shampoo some new in my scalp again. I wish, but I prefer a natural shampoo as my scalp is sensitive and it's perfect for all those highlights that need softness.

4. Highlighter powder: this one is Goddess from Rouge Bunny Rouge. Or...Brush on, & I'm gonna channel my inner Giselle with my created (cough) 'natural' cheekbones.

5. Michell & Peach Shower Gel: I love fresh & natural scent when showering. This bottle is so minimalistically pretty as well.

6. Balenciaga obsession: this one is from last year's collection in Cassis.

7. YSL Belle de Jour wallet also from last year...Coins, lipstick & other tiny elements to tote around in my bag.

8. YSL Le Rouge Vernis. Longlasting lipcolour with a glow: perfect for plumping my smaller lips so I do not have to do those scary lipfillers (yikes)

9. Too many nailpolishes: my faves are from Essie and Dutch brand Herome

10. Armani Cosmetics Maestro Fusion Foundation: I like to look like I have really good skin instead of a foundation-face.

11. Prada Infusion de Tuberose. Tuberose looks like such a dainty, white flower. In fact it's quite heady and seductive. Prada perfumes make some excellent blends without going too expensive.

Born to blog...

I have been blogging for almost two years, and I have been slightly mysterious about my intentions, so there you go:

The blogname "Mlle Wanderlust': Wanderlust as travelling has been a part of me since a young girl. Slightly spoiled and with a couple of bohemian parents, they took me places! Even a born and raised Dutch girl, I've spend so much time swimming in Spanish pools and later in Florida seas that I feel like the proper world-person. My first non-Dutch words were 'helados' (icecream), towels (after swimming) and later 'sawadee Kah' (hello in Thai).

I've started out being a mademoiselle (girl) and now I'm reaching the madame (woman) territory. I think I'll keep the Mlle name as my personality is still more girl than polished woman.

Style is more important than fashion, but I like fashion for playing with personal imagery. I'd prefer a feminine look over tomboy: however, Dutch cold will often get me into trousers & sweaters instead of my beloved dresses 'n skirt. Effortless is not really my game but I won't go into too much pain for beauty either: the middle way perhaps.

I often read the word 'nice' in the comments and I am truly flattered to be seen as a nice blogger. Truth is that I can be terribly honest at times being. I'm also one that stands up for herself and if I do the word 'nice' would not easily pop up again. Nevertheless, I aim to be nice as niceness is underrated.

The blog is not just narcisstic imagery: for me its about looking unexpected, fashion savvy and making people laugh and feel good about themselves. Perhaps people 'feel' this when they visit my blog, and that might be a part that I have some regular readers!

♥That was a bit of background story... xoxo for the rest of the week ♥

the Female of it...

 

A  picture of being in Amsterdam: do you notice something funny about the picture?  Besides for always having wind when automatic camera goes off?

Yep, the middle. I'm not gonna go all 'Vagina Monologues' on you but being a woman has its merits and its pains...So I have a womb and it's not always telling me jokes.

I don't think I'd even wanna be a man if I could. Ofcourse, women have it a lot tougher and I do not always connect to being dainty and stuffed with makeup, but I still am attached to the range of emotions that are part of being a woman.

Ps.: how do you feel about femininity?

LFW: What to pack/Do?

I have always wanted to go to London Fashion Week and this year I will be able to do so! Hurray!

Now my only level of discomfort is based on the fact of what to pack/do?

• La Riche Direction Turquoise hairdye? Yeh, I know I know...Dipdye is sooo 2012 but I haven't taken the plunge at that time being and I just loooove turquoise. Why limit myself to the idea of what's hot at a time being?
  

I'm loving these as I can remove them later, or just dipdye my ends that already needed a trim 2 weeks ago.

• Cumcumber-mask? Yes, undereye circles are more a PFW thing.

• Maison Martin Margiella for H&M wedges? Actually, I don't like wedges. They're too inbetween to have the allure that either heels or flats can have. However, the glass heel made me buy them in the first place, and think about the miles I can walk with them and still have height!
• Comfy but sequinny sweater for lounging slightly fashionable at nighttime? Yeh, it beats my hoodies, though I would be liking this sweatshirt from Forever21 too.
  • 

So what would you suggest I'd bring along or do before London Fashion Week? (bit clueless)

Harboured

I remember one sweet commenter who said to me "don't be afraid to go tomboy". I actually have, especially when dresses become more common during this time of year.

Btw, happy summer.  I'm practicing my 'moody-but-beautiful' expression over here, and my conclusion is that I look better with a genuine smile.

So what have you been up to this summer?

Fashion Fatigue

Short story: I'm slightly bored of being a fashion-orientated blogger

Longer story:
When I started this blog I wanted it to be multidimensional and travel orientated with a stylish undertone. Shortly, my blogtitle and header sums it up: being the hummingbird that spreads out creativity from other blogs, and digesting some of her own.

I was really hesitant about posting images myself online. I know it can become addictive for some fashionbloggers, but it never was in my case. When younger, I suffered from insecurity and had a period of having an eating disorder due to that. Posting my images online and the projection of being thin and glamourous made me question if I needed to be thin again. A woman like me who has a curvacious build, that is not always the best option. Nevertheless, it rekindled into not-so-good eating habits that I had to correct again.

I am being a 30+ blogger and I was surprised insecurity about my body image would hit me again. But it did, and I decided to step back from posting images from myself. Instead, my frequent display of fashionsets to keep the regular readers entertained and posted upon fun deals and lovely combinations.

In contrast to this, I have become more proud of who I am and how my body looks like thanks to images of Beyonce in advertisements and other women who show that curves can be beautiful. I like my last images: I know I have a good porportion of glutes (bum) around and that makes me feminine instead. If you noticed: I never do back-shots because I feel that it looks better in real life than on camera. That is not about being insecure but about knowing what pose suits me better. Moreover, I do not like the "great post" comments that have an undertone of mockery underneath...being "great". I am not being a "great" and my body has a good BMI rate: neither being skinny nor overweight.

Basically, women like Chiara (the blonde Salad) were models in the past and have become famous by blogging afterwards. They are used and trained to be skinny and skinniness is not always an easy task to maintain. Remember, if you read Chiara's "about me" she states that she's a student in the first place: priorities! Modelling or fashionblogging is interesting for a while, but the future is not always secure based upon our looks and the way we dress. Fame is something that can strike suddenly, but dwindle again if yet another new-and-happening face/body/fashionwearer turns up!

I know that some women can get addicted to the amount of comments they will get and will try to keep the rate high or get higher. I often had the opposite of feeling slightly embarrased by a photo of me and posted something new after it quite quickly. Even though the comments were often really lovely.

But fashiontired: yes! I feel I'm exhausted of images to post up or things to say on this blog. I'm thinking about becoming more passive and start to post when I feel connected to this space again. However, the blog has taught me a lot and I suspect there are more women out there that feel the extra pressure of being thin because they are fashionbloggers. The camera can be brutal even if photoshop can be sweet (still: try to put yourself into the skinnytool and not having your face wrinkled up vertically...then the ageism will kick in instead of the fat-ism).

However, it has also been about communication! I think that 'talking' by images and style has been a way to connect to other blogger women and some men. Sometimes it has been funny to see that "great minds think alike" when you notice you had a similar style as another blogger for that day. So it has been positive as well.

Insta-chatter

I haven't done the Insta-update for a while! So, in order not to bother you with a boring fashionset...

Top:

1. Good Food: this salad had a plentitude of tomatoes and...ehm...not much else

2. Shoe-stagraming: I jumped illegally on a boat in one of the Dutch Canals for the photo ;)

3. Tools of mass-destruction seduction: eyelash curlers

Middle:

4. fragancia...

5. Freja, got him to match the carpet (or was it the other way around?)

6. Sock-stagraming: Dandy brogues 'n Pugs

Bottom:

7. Cultureboat Utrecht: it sells marihuana...it's Holland so we consider that culture

8. Flowery bike embedded by flowers in Amsterdam: Spring!

9. YES, the Great Gatsby: swooned away by romance and 3 D experience. I still think Leo is cute and Carey is the perfect Daisy: especially her voice that "sounds like money". Tobey always is so good in playing that naive innocence that cannot be corrupted...love that.

Fragonista

I'm actually a bit of a mad fragonista...I love fragance and I like to try out lots of scents...

I have some favourites that I have in larger bottles. One of them is Miller Harris Noix de Tubereuse.

Sometimes I spend as much time on my outfit as on my fragance-wardrobe....it's the perfect accessory: having the matching scent to your outfit.

Or, perhaps unpredictable, pairing up something tomboy with a highly feminine fragance.

Do you have a perfume planned that will match or unmatch your perfect Christmas outfit, or will you be spontanious about it?

LowMobbed Friday

I see the instagram fridays done so much on other blogs that I go for a LowMob Friday instead. It's a fun photoapp that you can get on the Iphone too. I sticked to the photocard (1,2,3) variety for this format:

1. It's a bit of a cliché but I love Diptique and I prefer the travel candle in case I really want to travel. I often find hotel rooms lovely but to get that homely feeling can be difficult, so if you bring the scent-memory of your home to your hotel-room it makes it easier to feel cozy.

The peonies I  bought after seeing them on Lateafternoon. I am a lousy representation of a Dutch woman for not liking flowers in the home (but I love them in nature) and they hardly survive my lack of flower-fingers but I figured that these were too lovely to pass.

2. Sales: I could't resist the Shopbob extra 15% off. They're shoe-gasmic, I can already tell you that.

3. The classic: Sushi.
Healthy food and still tasty: that's why they are classics.

4. Digging up the harems
This one has some memories: they are my Gasolina-pants! The last time I wore them were with my ex on a holiday to Jamaica in 2010. We were going from Negril to Kingston and I needed some slackness in the pants-department (I hope they still looked iri enough). Anyway, the ex decided to put Diesel in our rental car. You might guess it was a Gasolina car and we were stranded in a smaller Jamaican village for 2 hours and everyone in the village maked fun of the two white people from Europe who put Diesel in the Gasolina car (but they were so lovely to help us for not that much cash, so don't believe the tourist tales that they are only after your cash because there some lovely people over there).

5. Snarkycards on etsy sells these: 'nuff said!

6. Sale too:
Yep, how can I give out advise on bikini-shopping and not taking them myself. I finally bought my wishlist Pucci on sale: they can match my headband.