Tagged! | Liebster Blogger Award

Hey everyone! How’s Summer? I was just tagged by the lovely Maya from Blue Jeans and Red Lipstick(go check her out, she does incredible nail work posts and other beauty related posts) to answer a couple of questions about myself. I’ve never done these kinds of posts so let’s see how I get along…enjoy!

Claire x

1. How long have you been blogging? I’ve been blogging on This and That for over 3 years now.
2. Is there one international blogger whose style you admire most, or aspire to be like? I love Anna’s blog from Viviana Does Makeup and she seems like such a sweetheart so that’s always a plus.
3. What are your top three summer essentials? I burn really easily so sun block is the first. Flowy dresses are my second and a nice, nude lipstick my third.
4. Naked face or naked nails? Maybe both? Haha I usually love having neither but I have to say naked nails. I do go out with no makeup if I’m super tan but only occasionally where as I don’t always have time to do my nails.
5. What are you reading at the moment? Or the last book you read!  I’m reading Orange is the New Black. I got hooked on the show and this is what it’s all based on so I wanted to check it out. It’s an easy read so that’s always fun in Summer.
6. What’s your most recent beauty or fashion related purchase? Fashion related it’s basically office wear for work and I haven’t bought anything beauty related recently.
7. How do you feel about fashion or beauty trends? A definite must, or more like guidelines that you might incorporate into your own style if you like them? Definite guidelines. I can’t stand it when people who wear thing because they are on trend. I do get inspired by what’s on trend and all that but I love adding my own little touches here and there to make my outfit unique.
8. One thing you’re planning to do this summer? Learn how to dive head first. Yes, I can’t do that! haha
9. Are you strict with yourself when it comes to scheduling your blogging, or do you prefer to blog as inspiration hits you? I blog as inspiration hits. Whenever I try scheduling a post I end up hating it and feel disappointed. So it may take me a few weeks to blog but at least I know that I absolutely love the post!
10. One tip or trick you’ve learnt that helps you with your blogging? Don’t try to hard. The more you try to blog in a certain way or write about certain things the less successful the post will be and the less happy you will be with it.
11. If you had an unlimited budget, where would you love to travel to? The States, Canada and Italy. I’ve been to all 3 places, several times in the case of Italy and Canada, but I would just go there for 3 months and just explore and explore.

I sat down… | Catch-Up Session

It’s been a crazy few days, to say the least! I had my last exam on Thursday and it’s been full on Summer mode since then. I actually went to the beach twice already and plan on going tomorrow again. I can’t ever get enough of swimming in Malta. Everyone else in the world…feel free to feel envious. We get to have beaches all around us, most of them are so beautiful that they even look like natural pools.

I’m also super tired. It’s like all the stress and hard work which was always present since October is finally coming out. People always say third year is the worse, be it if it’s the final year or the one before the last. I can confirm this. I love studying and working on school stuff but this year, oh boy, at times I felt ready to give up. But now it’s over…and I can finally not think of assignments or exams for a while (this ‘while’ will probably be a week since I start work on my dissertation this Summer…but anyway).

I was all hopes and dreams for my blog this time last year and I can officially say that I’m happy with my accomplishments this year. As Summer approached last year, I was eager to take my blog to the next level. I did. I attended events, reached views which I never thought I would or could…I’m happy. I’m proud. I’m grateful and humbled. I’m also excited. And scared. I might need to slow down my posts for a while to go out into the world and be an adult with adult responsibilities. I’ll try as hard as possible to keep This and That alive. It’s my baby and it’s opened so many doors that I can’t possible shut it down. I can’t.

So that’s it for now. I have plenty of ideas for posts and all that so keep an eye out. Enjoy your Summer and don’t be scared to chase your dreams. I’m going to go all inspirational on you and share a favourite quote of mine:

Change. We don’t like it. We fear it, but we can’t stop it from coming. We either adapt to change or we get left behind. It hurts to grow, anybody who tells you it doesn’t is lying, but here’s the truth sometimes the more things change the more they stay the same. And sometimes, oh, sometimes change is good. Sometimes change is everything.

Claire x

World Cup 2014 | Not about the football…

So yesterday I was watching the France and Honduras game and because I enjoy watching games so much…I spent all second half commenting on the jersey of the team…”look at that collar”…”oh I love the fit” to the point that I drove my brother and my boyfriend crazy.

Then it hit me…I’d rather look at the fashion then the game. I mean, these guys are fit, wealthy and good looking…I’d rather analyse what they wore than how they score! The Italian team got their suits made by Dolce and Gabbana, the English by Marks and Spencers. Then there’s the French jersey which I absolutely love. The USA jersey isn’t too bad either.

 

I might be slightly biased as I love anything Italian but I think the D&G suits are to die for. The colour’s perfect and it’s a 3 piece suit with an amazing tie, so that’s even better. The English suits aren’t too bad, I can’t say I don’t like them, but there’s something missing. I love that they went for the affordable look so that the fans can get similar ones but I sort of don’t at the same time. A designer suit can never be compared with a high-street one, so Italy wins here (and elsewhere, but anyway).

Moving on to the French jersey. Would you look at that? That colour is amazing. I want to wear one all day everyday. It makes the players ooze style even as they run around after that blessed ball. The USA jersey is also a favourite. I love how American it looks…it reminds me of the Captain America costume of course and I can’t wait to see the players wearing this tonight.

I’m sure as more teams play I’ll discover new looks I love. That makes me excited for the games so I can pretend to be all interested in their technique while ogling at the different styles.

What’s your favourite look? 

Claire x

Super quick!

Super quick post today just because I’ve been missing This and That too much!

• World Cup Fever is on and I love it. All the getting together and eating and drinking and eating…love it!
• I have less than a week to go before I finish exams. Yes. Less. Than. A. Week.
• I am addicted to Orange is the New Black. I loved the Pretty Little Liars premiere…and hated the Suits one. (Harvey in slow motion though)
• I want and need fugly sandals. I haven’t had time to find fugly sandals that I like but I’ll make time this week for sure.
• I haven’t been to the beach yet. I love the beaches in Malta and I seriously can’t wait to just spend a day sipping Cisk and having beach hair and tan lines…
• Oh and Sia’s Chandelier is my new favourite song…love love love it! =)

A special shout out to my Dad today on Father’s Day..I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for his constant support and encouragement. Have a happy Sunday everyone.

Claire x

Look around…

Last week my camera was lying around while I was studying and because I was so into what I was doing, I felt like snapping away. After taking endless cute shots of my dear Mischa (that’s my cat) I decided I could …

Hey Shortie!

Here’s a quick post on some of the perks of being short. I’m 4ft10 so believe me I’m constantly teased about my height. But that’s OK, there are some pretty awesome things that only us shorties can experience…

1. We can wear any type of heels we want.

I love heels. And part of the reason that I love heels so much is that irrelevant of how high I go, chances are I’m never taller than my boyfriend and I can never look like a giant just because I’m wearing a slightly higher pair.

2. We fit in any bed.

YES! Even tiny ones at hotels where you pay so little money that you’re practically given a shoe closet as a room. Us shorties are still comfy in these beds and we get to stretch our tiny legs out no matter where we are.

3. Scaffoldings in the middle of the road are not an issue. Neither are low doorways.

No need for awkward bending or banging our heads against metal bars. We just casually walk through like nothing’s in our way and whilst everyone is ducking around trying to come out of the whole thing alive, we’re just patiently waiting on the other side, smug look and all.

4. We get to be in front in all the pictures.

So you wore a pretty outfit and let’s admit it, we all like showing off a pretty dress. Being short means you get to be part of the ever so funny joke “Shorties in front please”. Well…that’s pretty awesome if you ask me. I’m standing there, no need to worry that I’m covering the people behind me…and…nobody is covering me! HA…joke’s on who now?

5. Leg room in cars, planes, trains, etc is never an issue.

No cramps, no need to stand up every half an hour, nothing. If our legs get tired…we just stretch them out in front of us…because we can. (In my case…chances are my legs do get cramps anyway because I can’t really reach the floor…but that’s for another post on another day!)

So what do you think fellow shorties? Am I right? It’s not all bad isn’t it?

Claire x

At that point…

I’ve reached a point where sleeping and relaxing..and therefore blogging is a luxury. I have no time for anything. Please don’t come to my house unannounced because I am sure my pale face and hobo hair will scar you for life. Instead of listing all my complaints, I’ve decided to post here pictures from a pretty interesting week I had last week. No new photos really…just a little week round-up!

Claire x

Managed to fit in a little meet-up with friends!

Mischa hijacked my notes…again and again…

Bridal show at MFWA2014

Turban love! Not everyone’s cup of tea…but I was happy wearing it!

Charles and Ron show!