Today I thought I would initiate a share post which can include anything from movies, blogs, YouTube channels or even the restaurant around the corner. In this particular case, it will be a Brazilian blog called Um Ano Sem Zara which means 'A Year Without Zara'. And yes, by Zara it does mean the brand. With the trend of capsule wardrobes, minimalism and massive clear outs happening at the moment, I thought this was a great opportunity to introduce you to this inspirational blog. If you have been trying to save money, go on a shopping ban and simply just use and work with what you already have in your wardrobe then keep reading. 

Joanna or Jojo (the blogger) started this little space back in 2011. If you read her very first post, in the funniest of ways, she explains the whole reason for creating A Year Without Zara. Long story short, she founds herself nearly being kicked out from where she lives but also, in a lot of debt with credit card bills. In her words, she makes a mention to how a 27 year old should invest in more important things rather than clothes; it's questionable - she says. However, low self-esteem coming from having gained a few extra pounds and as an appreciation to those with savings accounts, she promises to not shop (in any store, not just Zara) for a whole year. Lucky her, that was also a leap year so the calender included 366 days without clothes shopping. The blog is then used a space for posting the outfits that she creates with whatever she already owned and also to write about a bit of her everyday life. 

More than a year has obviously passed and the blog has grown a lot; but, she accomplished her goal. If you're looking for inspiration to keep yourself right, go back and have a read. Unfortunately she doesn't write in English; you could probably translate the website using Google but even if you just want to look at her outfits and take some ideas .. fashion is universal. 

I hope you enjoy having a look through this or even be inspired by her success story. We buy so many things that we don't actually need or grow out of so fast. Re-think your purchases. I personally tend to give it a few days before going back to the store to buy something. My motto is: 'if I don't stop thinking about it, then I'm going to buy it'. A spending ban or a clear out is never easy but it's so worth it in the end. 


All pictures belong to Um Ano Sem Zara and all copyrights are reserved © 
For the past year or so my skin reached the worst state it has ever been. Nothing I did seemed to work. Today I think I can finally say that I've got a skincare routine in place that actually works. I follow it, I see results and that's all you really want. Now, we can all agree that mornings are hard on everyone. Even though I consider myself to be a morning person, it doesn't mean that the process of having to get out of bed and getting ready is any easier. The way I see things, if I'm awake, I want my skin to look awake too, and the following is what I find that works best for me.
As for cleanser I am loving my Origins GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser. I was using The Body Shop Vitamin E Gentle Face Wash for quite a long time but it just didn't work. I've used many products from The Body Shop, including skincare items and they're all fantastic but this one just doesn't seem to make the cut. I simply didn't feel like it was doing anything for me; after using it I didn't feel any difference on my skin. Therefore, about a week ago I went back to the Origins GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser and the results were immediate. My skin felt purified, looked brighter and my blemishes or any other concerns were being reduced. There's a full review for this here. 
To target any imperfections and blemishes I use the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo; I now reach for this on a daily basis; it really helps with scarring and dark spots and your skin tone becomes more even. This product doesn't need any presentations but anyhow, there's a more detail review here
Next logical step, moisturise. Due to my tendency for oily skin, I feel that a very light moisturiser is more than enough for me. I used one from The Body Shop Aloe range and now I'm using the Vitamin E Moisture Cream. You can easily tell by the texture that this is a really light moisturiser. Sinks well on the skin, it's not greasy at all so it doesn't affect my make up application. 
What products make up your morning skincare routine?
Although Scotland has been fairly grey all summer long, October has finally arrived and Autumn feels now more real than never. I guess I could say that I definitely belong to that group of people that see September as a new beginning; like a brand new year. If you're starting/going back to university or school that is even more noticeable. It's the getting back or the starting of a new routine that plays a determining role in that feeling. In the spirit of new routines and new starts, I felt it was time for another round up of things and bring to you a October issue and what's in for me throughout this month. 

1 | Everyone around me seems to be planning or booking a holiday at the moment. Paul and I unfortunately don't have anything on the cards as we finally got round to go to the bank and get some more details regarding getting a mortgage. No holidays for us until we get our own place. We plan to do it in the next six months so right now, I'm counting down the days and saving (almost) every penny. 

2 | Since the start of university my days don't seem to be long enough. I've always been great at keeping everything organised in my little brain: dates, times, appointments, things to do ... but now it has taken a real turn and I find myself relying on a planner for every single thing. With working, volunteering, studying and everything life related I am definitely trying my very best to stay organised. This is also something that has been affecting my post schedule; at the moment is pretty much non-existent as I just can't get around to do everything. Soon to be more consistent though. In the spirit of organisation, I cannot wait for the 2016 planners to come out in the Novelle Daily shop. Yay new stationery. 

3 | Declutter. I need a cleaning/throw out/sell/give to charity or friends spree; I feel that I've got far too much. Maybe I'm just itching for minimalism, I don't know. I'm planning on packing lots of decoration bits we have on the flat. There are things that I want to keep and bring with us to a new home but 
as for now I can't seem to feel that they belong here and I haven't found the perfect place for them. The same goes for clothing. I definitely need to get moving and sell or give the pile of clothes I've grown out of. 

4 | I am trying to make an effort and eat more healthier but having an other half around that enjoys every piece of bad, unhealthy food under the sun makes things so much harder. I was a gym bunny in the past and I really miss it. I'm guilty of not going back to it as I know that the hardest part is just to start. Once you get into the swing of things, you won't want anything else. 

5 | Glasgow has such a big music scene, it's unreal that I don't actually ever go to a gig. Must try and change this. No holidays to plan .. the perfect excuse to spend some money on the music culture. 

What will you be up to this month? 

I am still trying to come to terms that the month of September ended yesterday. It lasted 5 minutes, honestly. It was such a busy month with the start of university, friends coming back to Scotland and what not. My favourites really speak for themselves and this is going to be a short and sweet favourites post.

On my face I've been adoring anything from Bourjois as you can see. Fell back in love with the Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation (which could be gone by now as I've literally been scrapping the bottle to get some product - sad, I know). Another beautiful base is the Healthy Mix Foundation. Both give you flawless, dewy look without caking in any dry patches or blemishes for that matter. If you're looking for an affordable, light, medium coverage foundation I would definitely recommend one of these; they don't need any further presentation, really.

You can also probably tell that September has been the lip month for me. Finally purchased Nuxe RĂªve de Miel lip balm and up until now I keep wondering why did it took me so long to buy this. It real does wonders for your lips. I apply it every night before bed and my lips feel so much softer and you can even feel the dead skin coming off (as gross as it sounds, but the aftermath is so worth it). Next on my list is my recent addition from H&M beauty in the shade Brunette Ambition, a beautiful purple brown I would say. It really is gorgeous. My other lipstick love is a Revlon Super Lustrous in the shade Smokey Rose; an amazing dark brick colour. Finally, my Colorboost Bourjois in Sweet Macchiato. I have been full on the autumn shades, don't you worry. 

Skincare wise I fell over heels for an item from my recent order with CultBeauty; the Alpha-H Liquid Gold with glycolic acid has been brighting up my skin and successfully targeting some lumps I had going on my forehead. They are finally disappearing or becoming much less visible. As this is concentrated skincare, you should only apply it every other night. I've seen results since the first application. 

How was your month of September? What products have you been loving?