10 Ways to feel happier!

Yesterday it was birthday - yes..I´m  26  now- and gratefully I can say that in this time of my life I´m Happy. I mean, I have bad days like everyone else, but I have learned how to feel this way, because I think that happiness is something that is your choise, you can be happy for the little things of the day or complaint because one thing didn´t happen like you wish to.

Here are a list of 10 things that make me feel a little happier during the day.

1- Try to see the positive and beautiful little things of the day, like when you have a cup of tee with friends or boyfriend or when you are resting and your cat come to you like you are the only person in the world.

2- Distress yourself, have a long bath, paint your nails, do some you time.

3- Go for a long walk. Really, best thing ever.

4- Listen to some music and sing along until you´re out of breath.

5- Organize and tidying, this makes me feel really good!

6- Learn something new, so you will know that the day was worth.

7- Get a long night sleep.

8- Spend time with your loved ones, friends, family.

9- Smell a flower, I don´t know what it is but this change my mod instantly.

10- Go shopping, I know that this might sound shallow, but shopping = happiness, right-?

What things make you feel happier?

Stella XoX

March favourites

It´s March favourites time, so let´s get a cup of tea and get comfortable because we have a lot of to get through.
This is my first ever monthly favorite so hope it will be helpful because right now I´m going to show you those thing that I ´ve been loving this month and of course they have my approval, and that is a big deal!

Let´s start with make up:

Dior cheek and lip glow: I have to admit that I´ve been a little obsessed with lip products, mostly the 2 in1 cheeks and lip, really want to tried this kind with the hope that will work - come on, we all want to save space in our makeup bag if we can - and this was love at the first swatch, is a really long-lasting product that leaves a gorgeous color on the lips and a natural pinky glow on the cheeks. Definitely will be a review on this one.

Clinique lip confort oil: I´ve already written about this one on my blog, and ever since I got it I use it almost every day, it´s my lip savior. If you want a product that makes your lips feel amazing and smells like heaven, this is the product.

L´oreal Manga mascara: Absolutely my favourite mascara of the moment, the tapered brush imparts the perfect combination of volume and length with a formula that so far has boasted some impressive wear time on me.

And now the skincare:

VICHY NORMADERM  Daily Exfoliating Cleansing Gel:This month I´ve discovered this cleanser and now I don´t know how I didn´t find it earlier. It´s a gentle scrub with salicylic acid  for the daily cleansing of skin prone to imperfections. I use it mornings only and leaves my skin fresh and clean.
I will make a review about this product sooner as it helps me a lot with my break out and blackhead.

What have you been loving this month??

Spring is here

Yeahhhh the spring is here - almost-, I´ve been wishing for it. Things are starting to warm up down here in Spain and I can not wait to go walking to my job, or make my always loved bike rides on sundays.

I  no longer have to wear layers and layers of clothes, plus a scarf, plus a hat…..you know what I mean. I can feel spring that´s why lighter coats and cardigans have been purchased -I can´t believe that I be able to use lighter coats some mornings-, flats have been dusted off and the leather jacket….Yes!

Also I´ve changed my makeup for more seasonal one, more pinky shades, glow skin and pastel nails, so excited!!, I will do a spring makeup edit soon to show you my favourites products.

Are you happy about spring is round the corner?

 Stella Maris

HOME DECOR WISHLIST

Now that I live alone, well alone, I mean with my husband and my two tiny little cats, I feel like I need some home wear to make my house feel more homely.
I always though that what makes your house feel like home are those little details that you love and show your personality.

Now we are almost in springtime so I want to give my house a twist, give it some freshness with more pastel shades and some metals ( I´m loving the coppering shades in home decor), I´m not only thinking in one room, I tend to find pieces for every corner of my house, thats the best way ( for me ) to get inspired.

1- Firstly I want to introduce some plants, I´m still thinking where I´ll have them, but I found this hanging diamonds (shop here), and since I saw this, I knew that I need to include this somewhere.

2- This one was love at first saw, the H&M Metal candlestick is something that will fit perfectly in my living room. I love to put candles on the table and this is a very chic wet to do it.

3- The background pattern airprint, Yes, this is a perfect way to give a summer feel like to the house, it´s like an attention point, and I love the pattern.

4- Okay, so this is quite pricey for one Zara cushion… but look at it! I love feathers, It add such a luxe feel to a room.

5- I´m so obsessed whit this store, Oliver Thomas, I realize that I just love everything from here, and this table is a must. It adds colour and has an scandinavi vibe which is really cool.
I can imagine this in my bathroom or bedroom and maybe with a big plant on top.

An oil for lips ?

Currently I´m obsessed with facial oils, yes, me, a combination skin type that always was afraid of facial oils, now I can´t live without them in my skincare routine.
So when I first saw that Clarins lunched an oil for lip I was like……. Hurra!
It makes perfect sense, the oils seep into the skin and help to smooth the texture and improves the hydration levels so why we shouldn´t use this on the lips?

This Clarins Comforting Lips Oils come in two shades, Honey and Rasperry, they are slightly tinted and has an amazing smell.
The foam applicator fits perfectly the lips and you can really leyer on the oil.
I love the fact this isn´t a very liquidy oil, it´s a strange texture, sticky, but not to sticky, it feels lovely  on the lips.

The formula used is 100% natural, is rich in essential oils like mirabelle, hazelnut and jojoba.
You can use it as a lip balm (which is what I use it for) and also as a lip gloss as it leaves a gorgeous shine.

I have the honey one and I can´t wait to get the raspberry, it´s a bit pricey (£18) but honestly it has saved my cracky winter lips.

Xo Stella Maris oX

Valentine´s day Cupcakes

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Yes, I do have a little obsession with baking, I mean, I know I´m not Peggy Porschen but I think that I do it well and my husband loves a good chocolate cake or a red velvet cupcake.
As we are not a couple who celebrates V.day - I mean maybe we go out for a walk, but surely we don´t wanna go to the fancy all planned dinner in a restaurant, at least not this year - I always bake something pink or with hearts for that day and I though it is a good idea to share with you my red velvet cupcake recipe.


All you will need is:

RED VELVET CUPCAKES
        1 and 1/3 cups (160g) all-purpose flour
        1/4 cup (60g) cornstarch
        1/2 teaspoon baking soda
        4 teaspoons (6g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
        1/4 teaspoon salt
        1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
        1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
        1/2 cup (120ml) canola or vegetable oil
        2 large eggs, room temperature and separated
        2 teaspoons vanilla extract
        1/2 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
        liquid or gel red food coloring*
        1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk, room temperature*

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
        8 oz (224g) full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
        1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
        2 cups (240g) confectioners' sugar
        1-2 Tablespoons (15-30ml) cream or milk
        1 teaspoon vanilla extract

( or you can buy a pre-mix like the betty crocket ones )

First thing first: preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line a 12-count muffin pan with cupcake liners. This recipe makes 14 cupcakes, so you will have 2 cupcakes to bake in a 2nd batch.

For the cupcakes: Sift the flour and cornstarch together to make sure it is evenly combined. Whisk this, along with baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy.
Add the sugar and beat on high speed until creamed together fairly well. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add the oil and beat on high for 2 minutes.
The butter may look "piece-y" and not completely combine with the oil. This is normal and ok.
Add two egg yolks and the vanilla. (Set the egg whites aside.) Beat on medium-high speed until combined. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.

 Beat in the vinegar and the food coloring-- until you reach your desired color. I use 2 Tablespoons. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, and mixing each addition just until incorporated.

Do not overmix. Whisk or beat the 2 egg whites until thick and foamy, about 3 minutes.
Fold into cupcake batter, the batter will be silky and slightly thick.
Spoon batter into cupcake liners filling 1/2 - 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 20-21 minutes or until the tops of the cupcakes spring back when gently touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Make the frosting: In a medium bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar and 1 Tablespoon cream. Beat for 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and 1 more Tablespoon cream if needed to thin out. Beat on high for 1 full minute. Taste the frosting and add a pinch of salt if too sweet.

For the decoration

1.  Use a serrated knife to cut off the top of the cupcake, using the top of the cupcake liner as a guide.
2.  Use a small heart cookie cutter to cut out a heart shape from the cupcake dome.
3.  Spread frosting onto the cupcake base, in a mounded shape.
4.  If desired, sprinkle the cupcake dome with powdered sugar.  Place top back on cupcake and press down a bit.

Hope you like it!! tell me if you are going to bake something for V.Day!

                                                           

xoxo Stella Maris

WELCOME !!

Hey everyone, welcome to my blog!

I’ve been planning to write my own blog for quite some time now, so as I´m studing fashion design and living in a quite place here in La Rioja, Spain, now seems like the perfect time to start. So back to basics – I’m Stella Maris, 25 years old, love art and cats.
After 2 years of studying International marketing, I’ve decided to move on from that and actually start living! I am currently studying Fashion design, something that never even imagine, but actually                     I LOVE IT !!!!, so never is to late, right? :)
As a self confessed shopaholic – especially when it comes to makeup as you’ll soon discover! – I will include all my favourite trends and current styles, but it will be broadly lifestyle based about anything and everything, from what I’m wearing to what i´m baking and what i´m loving. I’m excited about getting this going finally…

I really hope you like it!