PROTECT YOUR SKIN

We all know that the sun can be pretty bad for your skin. The sun in Qatar is strong and it's pretty much always shining! My skin is very sensitive and it is hard for me to find good products. I love and want to recommend this great sunscreen lotion from Vichy. The soft, sheer lotion protects from both UV rats and free radical damage. It doesn't get better!

Capital Soleil SPF 30 Soft Sheer Sunscreen Lotion

Saving Money - Staying Trendy

During my two weeks in Sweden I realized that I needed some boots without a heel. I found the perfect pair! (I have a small obsession with boots.) Anyways, when I was daydreaming about clothes and shoes yesterday I saw these boots on www.luisaviaroma.com. (Btw, this is an amazing website.) The only two things that are different from my boots are the name and the price. These boots from Jimmy Choo are almost identical to the less pricy boot that I bought. I love the simplicity and the small details.

COPYCAT WITH A TWIST

H&M at Villagio sells a pair of blue heels that look very exclusive; they look like a mixture of Suzie Mas suede pumps and Miu Miu Swarovski crystal-embellished suede pumps. I love everything about them, and the medium heel will make them perfect for the office. The suede fabric gives them an expensive look while the steal toe gives them some more edge. What a perfect match.

MIU MIU Swarovski crystal-embellished suede pumps

SUZIE MAS Suede pumps

On the very top: No more scrubbing and rubbing

This make-up remover from Bioderma is fantastic. I have probably tried 20-30 different make-up removers in the hope of that the next one will be better then the previous one. After I tried this product from Bioderma two years ago, I could finally stop looking. A 250ml bottle costs QAR 69 which might seem pricy, but the product is not only great - it lasts for a very long time! I buy mine in the Lagoona mall's pharmacy at the foot of the iconic ZigZag towers.

Shoe Affair

Three out of three - All these pairs of shoes are perfect with jeans and a t-shirt, perfect for a casual and comfortable day, and perfect prices. The black flats are from Zara; they are very comfortable, and they make you feel like you are walking around in slippers - something they are a bit similar to. The first pair of brown boots are also from Zara, and I love the perfect sized heel. They will look amazing with some rough lighter jeans and a white t-shirt. So simple and chic. The last pair of boots in a sand/beige color are from Mango. They feel very comfortable and soft on your foot. One of those shoes you always want to wear, so it is great that you can wear them with almost anything.

Balmain Spring 2013

Vogue! Countless collections from the Spring 2013 ready-to-wear gallery impress me, but there is something special about Balmain's designs. The graphic prints, oversized high-waisted pants and huge shoulders get stuck in my mind, and I am sprung on the Nineties theme he got going on for the Spring.

Pictures borrowed from www.style.com

OLD NEWS BUT GREAT NEWS

The climate in Qatar can cause some serious damage to your hair, but a year ago I found the perfect solution for water and sun damaged hair: Moroccanoil! My first bottle of the miracle oil was the regular oil and it was great. I have a lot of hair and it is pretty thick but the oil was still a bit heavy for my type of hair (Scandinavian). However, the dramatic result and transformation of my dry and frizzy hair was very surprising. This summer I found a light version of the Moroccanoil which is even better for my hair. I love this product and strongly recommend it to everyone!

LIMITED EDITION

There is something so beautiful about bodycon dresses and the way they curve your body the perfect way. The party season never ends and this limited edition embellished bodycon dress from Topshop works for both fun dinner parties and more fancy events. I love the combination of an open back and long sleeved arms; the dress shows just enough skin without getting inappropriately revealing. The shimmer from the fabric gives the dress a glamorous and expensive feel.

Online Shopping

The shopping options in Qatar are a bit limited but there are so many great stores that ship stuff these days. One of my favorite sites is pixie market (www.pixiemarket.com). I love the easy going casual pieces you can find there. The weather in Qatar is still very hot and humid but the stores are bringing in Fall clothes which I love.

Welcome to Purse Heaven

Most women (and some men) have a very special relationship to purses. Walking around in Qatar is like walking in purse heaven. Qatari women have very good (and expensive) taste when it comes to purses. Here are the top three purses I spotted today:

JASON WU - Jourdan textured-leather tote

CHLOÉ - Marcie Mini leather shoulder bag

Céline - Classic medium flap bag

HAT-MANIA

Hats are everywhere this Fall. Marc Jacobs makes the importance of hats clear in his "Fall 2012 collection" where statement hats are taking over his show."When Marc Jacobs puts a hat on every single model, we have to take a note..." (VOGUE) Even though most of us will not go for giant, fluffy, extravagant hats like Marc Jacobs run-way models, there are plenty of less extreme hats to chose from.

Paul Smith Wool Fedora

I will go for a more traditional hat like this one from Massimo Dutti (comes in both black and beige).

Perfect Size

If you are looking for beauty products, Sephora is the store for you. They have everything you need! I found this perfect sized hair straightener/curler today. It is not only good for traveling, but also for people with thin or short hair (or if you have bangs). It will be great for my new short hair.

Studs Everywhere

This clutch can be found at H&M, Landmark mall. The studs are everywhere this Fall and they give this regular clutch a great and edgy feel. You can wear it with jeans and a t-shirt or with a simple black dress. It's perfect for both day and evening.

ACNE: Pistol Ankle Boot

Acne is a brand that was founded in Stockholm, Sweden. I bought the Pistol ankle boots in black a few years ago, and they are both nice and comfortable. I managed to walk/shop for 11 straight hours in them a few weeks ago. The heel gives them that something extra and they go with pretty much everything. Acne's style is basic, casual, clean and unique. The Pistol boots are "just boots" but with that something special. I wouldn't mind the boots in chestnut as well. Perfect addition to your boot collection. I hope that Acne opens up in Qatar one day.

Glow Salon: Ciate Paint Pots

For those of you who are just like me and have a small obsession with nail polish, Glow Salon recently announced that they now offer Ciate Paint Pots for both manicures, pedicures and to purchase! The British brand represents: Colour, Innovation, Aspiration, Trend and Extraordinary! Visit Glow to view all the fabulous colors: http://www.glowamericansalon.com There are so many beautiful colors, but here are my favorites:

Jewel

Hopscotch

The Glossip

Party Shoes

Iced Frapped

TOPSHOP JUMPER

A few weeks ago when I went to Copenhagen with my brother, Hugo, I tried this "knitted stud shoulder" jumper on from Topshop and I really regret that I didn't buy it. Villagio mall opened up again last weekend and I hope that Topshop here in Qatar will have it!

Love at First Sight: PIGALLE PLATO 120mm

I am very excited about this blog and I wanted my first post to be about something special. What could be better than the perfect pairs of shoes. I am welcoming my new pairs of the fabulous CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN shoes to my collection. True beauties. It was love at first sight. Heels make me feel and walk differently, and not just these heels, but most heels. The red bottom carries connotations of wealth and power and I think many girls/women dream of the "red bottom" shoes. In heels, my posture automatically gets better, my legs look longer and let's not forget that they often make clothes look a lot better as well. I have been looking at the classic Pigalle heels for a few years now because I feel like they are "the perfect" pair of pumps. However, every time I have tried them on, I have told myself that I can't buy of pair of -that expensive- shoes that hurt to walk in. If you are like me, the Pigalle Plato in patent leather is the perfect choice.