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Wearing the print of the moment – dalmatian – makes me think about Cruella de Vil. Growing up in the 90s, Cruella was probably the first strong and independent female character I remember. She is lead by her desire for fashion (in her case an illegal fur coat) and liking her was a rebellious thing: She is not at all the kind of role model my parents wanted me to have. But as a grown-up woman, I must say I’m probably more Cruella then Disney princess.

Just like Cruella, fashion is my life and I’d not go over corpses (neither animal nor human) for my dream handbag, but it’s the fashion that excites me unlike anything else. Cruella’s short halted breath when she unwrapped her fur coat could as well be something I feel when I open a Moschino box. Unlike me, Cruella is a nasty woman, but what we have in common is independence in our actions and a strong will to make our dreams come true. Cruella (lucky her) found a partner who supports her in this, I am just a one-woman show, without even pets.

We are both the kind of woman that is rarely displayed in the media, I suspect it’s because we are uncomfortable and not living the life of a married woman, we take care of our wardrobe instead of screaming kids and laugh at the world when we have a new pair of shoes in our hands. This is not what earns a lot of applause: Even in our diverse society, I think the majority of people still appreciates women who go the classical way, get married, have kids and plant a tree with their husband. I often hear people admiring this kind of woman. But when did I ever hear somebody saying “Oh you independent women don’t have an easy life neither, you have to handle all by yourself and it’s so much you do”. Never, right? Yes exactly, that’s my point. Cruellas don’t get praise.

Lucky Cruella can be ok with that: She has her husband to go home to and her perfect coat, her world is at peace. I have, well…. A lot of fashion dreams in my closet but open the door to my apartment every day to find dark silence waiting there. If I want to have a surprise I have to work hard for it and then order it myself, if I mess up things I have to fix them, no knight ready to save me and nobody there to hug me when I cry at home after a frustrating day. This is what being independent means. But it also means everything I am and everything I achieved is here because of my own efforts.

I work at a design agency as a creative director 40+ hours a week, run my blog, organise shootings, edit my pictures, teach young graphic designers, go to the gym twice a week and attend a lot of events. I have friends I love to the moon and back and a big network of social contacts. I am happy with all the variety and excitement that this life I created has to offer and don’t take it for granted. Nevertheless, I feel frustrated too often about having dinner alone, about dragging home groceries and cursing my inability to carry heavy weights and about experiencing a wonderful full moon on my terrace and getting melancholic because I’d wish to share the experienced beauty so very much. But most of all I get sad that people rarely see that being alone doesn’t mean just daily party and no work.

Independence is a very ambivalent thing and if it’s love or hate can’t be answered by multiple-choice answers. Sometimes I’m happy, sometimes I’m not. When not I might treat myself with a lavish gift and have that Cruella expression on my face when I open the box and just know: It’s all mine.

My Outfit
Dress: Trendyol from Zalando, Jacket: old, Belly bag: New Look from Zalando, Sunglasses: Le Specs, Earrings: Swarovski, Tights: Calzedonia, Shoes: Raid from Zalando,
Snake Ring: Animazul, Eye Ring: Swarovski (old)

Pictures: Marco Borromeo
This post contains sponsored products.

After spending time with your families this Christmas, I know a lot of you are craving after crazy parties and louder days/nights with disco sound. Therefore my last Christmas giveaway is an Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 portable Bluetooth speaker that brings the party into your life no matter where you are.

The WONDERBOOM 2 is a powerful speaker with an incredible bass. When I experienced it for the first time in action, I couldn’t believe it was that tiny speaker that caused such a full sound.

You can take the WONDERBOOM 2 wherever you go, it’s super waterproof and dust-proof. Float it, jump with it into the pool or drop it: It’s a cannonball, built to bang on but as well stylish and of course: Pink! The battery lasts for 13 hours of sound and you can pair it with another WONDERBOOM 2 for double sound.

So what are you waiting for: Enter and let’s get the party startet after all the Silent Nights!

How to win:
Leave a comment on this post.
Please include your mail so I can contact you if you won. The winner will receive an Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 in pink.
You have an extra chance to win if you enter on my Instagram. 

The giveaway will end on the 5th of January and is open for worldwide entries.

Since Christmas is the season of giving I am happy that one of you can win this elegant necklace and ring from my favourite jewellery label Swarovski, worth 218 CHF.

This necklace and ring are perfect for a girl with a big heart who dreams of love and has a twist of vintage in her style. The design is inspired by the magnificent epoch of Baroque. Gold meets sparkling red and clear crystals, ready to turn a girl into a queen of hearts.

Omg, if I wouldn’t love to treat my followers so much, I’d keep this for myself!

How to win:
Leave a comment on this post. Please include your mail so I can contact you if you won. The winner will receive the Swarovski necklace and ring shown above. You have an extra chance to win if you enter on my Instagram. 

The giveaway will end on the 29th of December and is open for worldwide entries.

Pictures: Sara Streule
Necklace and ring kindly sponsored by Swarovski.

Two weeks ago was my birthday and I was terrified: All the beautiful plans I had for this day had disappeared and I wished the day would be crossed out of the calendar. It was my first birthday in a long time without me being in a relationship or having a date and I was afraid of this day turning into a sad and lonely occasion.

Sometimes, life changes faster than you can blink, consistency turns into chaos, what seemed to be granted is suddenly uncertain. Plans and promises burst like bubbles and it feels like what the world meant to you was just a wonderful distant dream. Being in a situation like this, I saw no reason to celebrate my birthday. What for? I’ve always been a person who loved to care for people in the family and in relationships, I defined myself a lot through this and therefore being alone tends to make me feel less myself. Do I have to celebrate myself if there is nobody? Isn’t that weird and pitiful and why is there nobody singing happy birthday for me? Don’t I deserve that?

I considered to just sleep the whole day and hopefully not wake up till it would be over. But a part of me never really gave in and arranged to see friends the whole week, dressed up and had a rebellious thought: Yes, this year you might not have a ten-course dinner in a fancy restaurant, nobody will surprise you with a sea of flowers, you will not receive pretty wrapped Gucci boxes or get hijacked to Disney Land. But guess what: It’s gonna be fine, you are so lucky and have the best friends in the world and you have yourself and all the things you reached all on your own. You are your own gift, nobody else’s! Saying so, I put on a bow, just for myself.

You are your own gift, nobody else’s!
Saying so, I put on a bow, just for myself.

Dressed in clothes I love and putting my chin up I faced the world, bringing together friends who didn’t know each other. I received a self-made vegan lemon cake, we played funny games, had Indonesian food and most of all: We enjoyed each other’s company, laughed and had fun. A warm feeling that made me feel so lucky filled my mind. Yes, I am single. Yes, nobody is madly in love with me, but that doesn’t make me worthless and I have a lot of love in my life from my friends. I feel very grateful for those wonderful and genuine people around me who care and are not scared of going out with a girl who might burst out into tears every now and then. What else do I want for my birthday?

Ok, maybe there was something little on top: So I went home with a smile on my face and bought myself a Moschino bag (sorry Gucci but this year you didn’t win). Because it’s important to treat yourself and I am worth that!

My Outfit
Shirt: Zara, Skirt: Devoi, Earrings: Swarovski, Belt: Moschino x H&M, Shoes: H&M,
Sunglasses: Gucci, Snake Ring: Animazul, Bracelet: Vintage, Headband: Zara, Handbag: Lulu Guinness
Nails: Diva Nail Studio

Pictures: Marco Borromeo
This post contains sponsored products.

You all deserve some pampering, oh yes you do! So here it is: For the second Sunday of advent, I have the ultimate beauty package to give away to one of you. A bunch of lovely smelling products for girls, including some extra treats for the guys.

What you will receive:
treaclemoon – My coconut island bath and shower gel
treaclemoon – Sugared grapefruit sunrise creamy shower mousse
treaclemoon – Marshmallow heaven hand cream
treaclemoon – My coconut island body scrub
The Humble Co. – Bamboo toothbrush
The Humble Co. – Natural toothpaste
Batiste – Dry Shampoo rose gold
Hawkins & Brimble – Post Shave Balm
Balade en Provence –Solid shampoo for men
Balade en Provence – Hand cream apple

How to win:
Leave a comment on this post. Please include your mail so I can contact you if you won. The winner will receive all the products mentioned above.

You have an extra chance to win if you enter on my Instagram too.
Good luck!

The giveaway will end on the 22nd of December.
It is open to everybody who has a Swiss postal address.

Pictures: Sara Streule
This post contains sponsored products.

Swarovski Tree Zurich

There is no Christmas without the glittering Swarovski tree at Zurich main station! Since I was a child, seeing this tree has been the big highlight of my festive season. A lot of things about how I choose to celebrate Christmas changed, what stayed is my love for the iconic tree by the Austrian jewellery brand.

Year after year, I am excited until the beloved tree with its crystal decoration is back. It’s my favourite tradition to be on the platform at Zurich main station when they turn on the lights with a show. For me, this event is the beginning of the festive season.

This year, I participated in the exciting event with my dear friend and blogger Jesca Li and Switzerland’s Next Topmodel candidate and style inspiration David Beer. We had a lot of fun and sweet mulled wine. We created our own eucalyptus wreaths and couldn’t get enough of gazing at the ten-metre high tree in awe. It’s so cool that our tree is the role model for all other Swarovski trees in cities such as Dubai, Milano and Moscow.

We were surrounded by a lot of other people in a merry mood and since Swarovski lovers gather around the iconic tree we saw a lot of jewellery sparkling on the ears and necks of the visitors. Of course, Jesca and I were wearing Swarovski too to spark delight.

I wish you a beautiful Christmas time and may all of your wishes come true. I have one wish I’m gonna share with you: I’m dreaming of being the lucky one who is pushing the button to light Zurich’s Swarovski tree one day. One may wish and dream…

My Outfit
Dress: Maria Escote, Coat: Shrimps, Earrings: Swarovski, Headband: Bombini Studio

Pictures: Debora Zeyrek
This post contains sponsored products.

I love to do giveaways with products that I use daily: So for the first Sunday in advent, one lucky winner will receive a Curaprox Black is White Hydrosonic toothbrush worth 169 CHF.

I seriously think this is the most beautiful toothbrush that exists! The Curaprox Black is White Hydrosonic is designed in matt black and has pink lights. With up to 42 000 rotations, it removes discolourations from your teeth.

The Curaprox Black is White comes with an innovative brush head, coated with activated carbon particles, which ensures gentle but effective tooth whitening. The small brush head cleans even hard-to-reach areas and this toothbrush is ideal if you have braces or implants too.

So yes you can eat cookies and keep the beauty and health of your smile!

How to win:
Leave a comment on this post. Please include your mail so I can contact you if you won. The winner will receive a Curaprox Black is White Hydrosonic toothbrush including a travel case and two brush heads.

You have an extra chance to win if you enter on my Instagram.
Good luck!

The giveaway will end on the 15th of December. It is open to everybody who has a Swiss postal address.

Pictures: Sara Streule
Product kindly sponsored by Curaprox.

This week it’s my birthday and as an 80s child, just the right occasion to bring back a little bit of the glamour of the decade I was born in. The 80s threw out the rule book when it came to fashion, this is the spirit I grew up with and the spirit I still carry in my heart.

Born in a decade of excess, today I bring back the shoulder obsession of the 80s and go big and bold. I want glitter galore, boldly coloured makeup and that expressed image of wealth that was very specific for the 80s.

Let’s dive into nostalgia, listen to Cyndi Lauper and Prince, feel (almost) as glamorous as Cher and as loved as Princess Diana. The 80s get mocked for their fashion very often, I think that’s rather unfair. Yes, there were some horrible things as in every decade, but our taste also changes over time, everything was Zeitgeist. Today’s new interpretation of the 80s translates the fashion from back then into something recent and modern.

Sometimes I wish I would have grown up in a bubbling city because I think the feeling of the 80s would have been much more intensive than in the little village where was born. I only got to know some of the great musicians of the decade in the early 90s and the next cinema was far away. But I remember how much I envied Madonna for her boldness and how I loved her outfits. We exchanged mix tapes at school and I wish I still had my blue cool walkman.

So let’s have a Bananarama moment today, happy birthday to me, an 80s child!

My Outfit
Dress: Coster Copenhagen, Belt, Handbag, Earrings & Shoes: Zalando,
Tights: Falke, Bangle: Charriol, Snake Ring: Animazul

Pictures: PRfact
This post contains sponsored products.

Coat– Shirt – Skirt– Handbag  – Shoes – Hat– Earrings

Why do I get the impression the colder it gets the less colourful people on the street are dressed? Since it’s my mission to inspire you to stay colourful no matter the weather, I teamed up with Peek & Cloppenburg to create a bright winter outfit.

Who said a coat keeps you warmer if it is black? Right: Nobody ever said something so silly! Therefore the key piece of this look is a wonderful bright wool coat. Since the use of the word colours should only be permitted in the plural, I mix it with a red shirt and red accessories. The floral skirt brings a little bit of spring into the look and unites all colours in its pattern.

If people ask me what’s important in my life they might expect me to say designer handbags and fancy shoes. Yes, that’s true, but there are more important things even for a fashion victim like me: Love and Dreams! I am following my dreams from the moment I wake up and I am not afraid to reach for the stars. Love is the fuel that feeds me and keeps me going. Love for the passionate and bold people out there, for the fierce excitement in the world and for all the incredible beauty to discover. Therefore I think the accessories of this look have the perfect message.

So when you feel tempted to put on that black uninspiring down jacket (sorry for being so blunt, but that’s what it is), maybe you hear my voice in your ears saying “No, no, no darling!”. Then you help me to make winter brighter with being a splash of colour. Keep warm!

Paid Post.
Pictures by Peek & Cloppenburg, Edit & Animation: Sara Streule

Toothpaste is not boring anymore: Curaprox brings the whole rainbow into your mouth. “Be you” is the mantra of the six exciting whitening toothpastes. The idea behind the innovation is that you can choose colour and flavour according to your mood and have fun while brushing yoru teeth.

The Be You toothpaste has the mission to transform the time you daily use for your oral hygiene from a necessary chore to something enjoyable. Be You tastes unlike any toothpaste you know and brings a sensation of gin tonic mixed with persimmon, watermelon or other unexpected flavours to your bathroom. Swiss oral health brand Curaprox developed the flavours together with Givaudan SA, the world’s largest company for fragrances and flavours.

The result of this collaboration does not just smell different but has a unique and gentle whitening formula. The enzymes, hydroxyapatite and herbs in the toothpaste do a lot for you: They protect your teeth against tooth sensitivity and decay, minimise plaque, prevent the appearance of aphthae and take care of your gums. Menthol power pearls are responsible for a longlasting extra-freshness. And yes: It’s vegan and free of microplastic too, for those who mind.

Every Be You toothpaste has a gorgeous fitting mood toothbrush. You can buy it either alone or as a set with the brush. People always fall in love when they see the cute brushes in my bathroom and my visitors love it when they get one as a gift.

Express yourself and show the world your brightest smile.

My Opinion

I’ve been using Be You for quite a while now and I can honestly tell: There is no way back! I think it’s worth its price (which might be higher than what you paid for your toothpaste right now) and the colourful tubes make me smile whenever I see them. My favourite flavours are Challenger with its gin tonic and persimmon flavour and Pure Happiness’ irresistible mix of apricot and peach.

Maybe you give Be You a try too and smile your brightest smile!

These are the six mouth-watering
and unique Be You flavours:

Rising Star
Grapefruit & Bergamot

Pure Happiness
Peach & Apricot

Candy Lover
Watermelon

Challenger
Gin Tonic & Persimmon

Daydreamer
Blackberry & Licorice

Explorer
Apple & Aloe

Pictures: Sara Streule

Samples sent by Curaprox, I was not paid for this review and the content reflects my own opinion.

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