Posted by Luana | 13 Comments

Feel As Special As You Are

Oh, it’s so good to be Queen — don’t we know it! Purpurine realms of fabulosity and self love, of amber inspiration and ruby gems and lemon soda. A darling world at our feet, ready to dazzle if we let it. Let’s celebrate!

• Know that you are enough; seek only inspiration from others and be not jealous! Stop comparing yourself to others, it isn’t productive.
• Celebrate those you love. Show them what it means to you to have them in your life.
• Throw yourself an Unbirthday Party!
• Pamper yourself; invite a friend to come along. Get your nails done. Yummy candy apple, mint green is in!
• Redecorate your space. Have an inspiration wall of photographs and writings, and very importantly, with a mirror so that you can appreciate your beauty (even in the morning.)
• Buy some lingerie. For the smitten: give your partner a sexy dance! For the single: dance to your favorite song and eat all the sweets your heart desires!
• Sit next to someone you love. Breathe together.
• Try something new. Anything! Pat yourself on the back for your adventurousness.
• Take a self portrait and hang it up somewhere.
• Watch a friend shine. Encourage them, congratulate them — sparkle together.
• Remember the importance of laughing at yourself once in a while.

So even if for a day, drop your musts and your lists. Stop to appreciate yourself, go ahead and feel special, and don’t forget to spread the love wherever you go!

Posted by Luana | 7 Comments

My Life is Average

This was too damn cute not to post. Via Caroline, ages ago!

Four years ago, when i was 18, i noticed that at night my front window is very reflective so i was pretending to dive in slow motion and shoot, dual pistol style. Suddenly a really hot girl walked past and i was startled and fell over. Embarrassed i waited for a bit and then stood up. As i stood up i saw her slowly shooting an imaginary rifle from behind a car. We then proceeded to do this for 10 minutes until she did an extremely dramatic death. She wasn’t getting up so i went outside to meet her. Once i got to where she was, there was nothing but a piece of paper with a mobile number on it. Today, we are getting married. MLIA.

Posted by Luana | 10 Comments

LDR Valentine’s Day Ideas!

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We all know the deal — in a relationship, every day should be Valentine’s Day. Designating a specific day of the year to celebrate your love is redundant and the Hallmark Holiday is bound to drain your pockets. Some of us used to be rebels, but somewhere along the road we became smitten with someone, and now Valentine’s Day seems like a good excuse to maybe show a little bit more affection than usual; cuddling with some popcorn and a movie, exchange of hand-made gifts or even a fancy dinner out.

Unfortunately, there are still those who despite wanting to be extra cheesy with their significant other, can’t due to a slight problem: living in a different country (or state/city.) Here’s what you can do for your sweetheart for a long distance Valentine’s Day:

• Send them a video of you singing to them, reading poetry, or just talking about how amazing they are. Be creative with editing!
• Make them something cute on Photoshop (follow tutorials if you’d like) and post it on their Facebook for everyone to see! If you’d like to keep it more private just email it to them.
• Send them a package with all sorts of goodies: a mix CD/tape, handwritten letters, candy, a personalized bookmark…
• Text them at different times during the day with cute quotes.
• Set up a Skype date! Dress up, have some champagne and watch something together.
• If you have been saving up (and if you haven’t, keep this in mind for future reference), buy yourself a ticket to your love and show up unannounced the morning of Valentine’s Day. Have their friends or family help you out if needed.
• Send them a sexy self portrait along with some coupons for possible activities on your next encounter!
• Prepare a gift, any gift, to send. Have it sent to their friend or relative and have them help you hide it. Next, send them clues (a letter per day two days before Valentine’s, or through email, Facebook, texts…), of where to find it. With each clue, include information on what this might be. If everything goes well they should find it on the day :)
• If you are close enough, send them a cake or small cupcakes with a note!
• Send them a box of candy. Wrap each individual candy in a little note where you tell them something you love about them.
• Whatever you decide to send, do it without previous warning!

Last year I spent Valentine’s Day in Miami with my mother while Tom was still in Beijing. Luckily, this year I get to spend it with him in Barcelona :) It has obviously been planned, but on the actual day we have decided to cuddle, have room service and get drunk on wine.

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?

Posted by Luana | 4 Comments

Spread the Love

• If you’re next in line to put your week’s worth of groceries through, let the person behind you with two sodas and a bag of chips go first.
• Give up your seat on the bus so that two friends can sit and chat together.
• Spare some change or be as generous as you’d like with street musicians; when you tip them make sure you tell them how well they play/sing.
• If you see someone looking confused or lost, ask if they’d like some help.
• In controversial matters, speak your mind but agree to disagree so as to avoid useless confrontations (you will not convince anyone against their ideals and they will not convince you against yours.)
• When someone expects you to rise in anger, do the opposite.
• When working on projects, encourage your teammates by complimenting their bit of work.
• Be welcoming to ‘the new kid’.
• Hitting your computer won’t help. Hitting anything won’t help. Calm down, assess the situation and ask for help if needed.
• Say thank you. Sounds simple but we don’t say it enough.
• Treat your parents or friends to dinner or a movie, just because.
• Give because you want to, not because you expect anything in return.
• Leave uplifting quotes inbetween library books.
• Confide in a good friend. Let them do the same.
• Throw a party to celebrate your friend/boyfriend/brother/sister.
• When someone is talking to you, ask more about their story. (If you want to be interesting, be interested.)
• Apologize. Even if it wasn’t your fault to begin with, there is nothing worse than being in a fight with a loved one.
• Be confident in yourself and others.
• Be happy for your friends when they shine.
• Don’t insult others; it is neither classy nor useful.
• Never wish badly upon someone.
• Grab a flyer passed on to you on the street. Even if you end up throwing it away, at least take a glance at it.
• Set up a local fundraiser for a cause (who doesn’t love bake sales?)
• Make everyone feel like they count.
• Hug often.
• Donate even if just a few dollars to artists, web developers and fellow bloggers just to show your support.
• Smile in photos!
• Leave a good tip, even if you are a broke student (like me.)
• Spend time with kids. Learn from them (and their brutal honesty!)
• Tell your mother how amazing the meal she cooked was.
• Empathize.
• Talk to your pets.
• Pamper yourself. Love yourself, feel pretty and help others feel beautiful too.
• Every day should be Mother’s Day/Father’s Day/Valentine’s Day.

What do you do to spread the love around?

Posted by Luana | 13 Comments

Lovely Bows

How was everyone’s weekend? I definitely could have gotten more work done, but it has been so relaxing to just lay around that I don’t mind rushing things a bit starting tomorrow. Mainly I’ve been obsessing over cute bows :3 I’ve been wanting to get bow tights and a bow headband, but I’m super picky about these things so it may be a while before I find the perfect ones. I think it’s Lady Gaga’s fault.

What have you guys been obsessing over lately?