What I’ve been up to #10

Time for a new diary in pictures again. I last updated you on my life this summer and loads has happened since then. Curious to see what I did the past 3 months or so? Then keep on reading! 

Fall time in Leiden

The leaves started turning and I had to capture my view one last time. The move was coming closer very quickly and by the time you’re reading this I will have already moved into my new place. WAH!

I found this while clearing out stuff. My grandfather painted this tree outside his house several times. As a kid I loved it and he made me one. He handmade the frame and painted it my favorite color. He sadly passed away years ago, but this one thing that I will never get rid of!

My cousin got married! I decided to try on a dress I had bought but had not yet been able to wear. And I loved it. I paired it with some navy blue heels to play up the dark blue in the dress (and it was raining, else I’d have gone for my baby blue suede pair). The dress is from Closet, a brand available via Asos. I bought it last year though, so I don’t think you can still get this.

Over summer, some new albums were released that I wanted to get. Arcade Fire’s newest release quickly went on repeat. Oh Wonder’s new album I liked, but not as much as their first album. I also bought the first album by Royal Blood. They already released their second one and I hadn’t even bought the first one yet.

In my summer vacation I worked, but there were plenty of days off as well. I treated myself to a trip to the cinema. I hadn’t been since February. I saw Baby Driver and loved it.

Summer vacation is always the time of the year I like finding inspiration for blog posts. Many of the posts you see throughout a year have been concocted during my summer vacations. What often helps is to just lay out loads of clothes and makeup. These are all of my Sleek I-Divine palettes laid out in one satisfying flatlay.

And blog pictures have to be taken too. Another chore that I don’t mind one bit. I simply busted out my entire makeup and nail collection and got shooting away. Lighting is best in the summer time too, so this way I have some pictures to add to blog posts for some time to come.

And when I have some down time, I like spending some extra time on my makeup too. I was particularly chuffed with this look.

Coffee time! I’ve taken to drinking coffee on my days off. I drink it at work now too, but I’ve also been busting out my Nespresso machine more when I’m home. Never thought I’d live to see the day.

When washing brushes, my large stipple brush by Sigma suddenly decided to call it quits. It served me well though. This was one of my first more expensive brushes I bought, so I must have had this for 6 years at least.

I already mentioned the move in the beginning of this post and most of the past few months have been spend preparing for it. That of course also meant looking at paint swatches.

September quickly rolled around which meant new fashion magazines! I love the September and March issues as they give the big trend overview for the season. I no longer have a subscription, but I always make a point of buying a few of my favorites. I also keep magazines around for when I need some more inspiration.

Excuse the blurry picture, but I went to see Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in concert. What that means is that they play the movie and an orchestra plays the music live. We did Philospher’s Stone last year and on the way out this was given out. We already got tickets for the next one!

I decided to film a fall lookbook. One of the items featured is this coat. I found it on a whim. I wasn’t planning on getting a new winter coat, but I saw this and fell in love. It fits well and has enough room for a chunky knit to be layered underneath.

Last but not least, a present from my workout buddies. It says: Maaike we’ll miss you! It was my last day at the gym a few weeks ago. I’m moving too far away to stay here. The goodbye was sad but sweet though. I know I’ll be able to go back for a one off every once in a while.

What have you been up to?