Simply Selma: 2017

I love autumn. It's my favorite season of all and it always has been but it has become a fave even more so since I started working in aviation - it marks an easier period after a summer buzz. My job is a peculiar one - that kinda hit me when I started a routine of getting back from work at 8 a.m. on a Monday while everyone's work week was just beginning. And again, going to work at 8 p.m. on a Friday night wearing a sweatshirt and carrying meal boxes while everyone's dolled up definitely screwed up any chances of me becoming a party animal.

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Originally launched in 2013., I remember lusting after the Estee Lauder powder gelee's be it their higlighters or blushes. While everyone raved about their Doublewear foundation I still dreamed of the unique gelee texture (it was particularly original back then) and the design of the pretty little pyramids. That's why it was very emotional to own this stunning piece - it definitely has collector's piece potential! The coveted heat wave highlighter by Estee Lauder finally made a comeback since its 2013 debut so I understand many were excited - and rightfully so. Estee Lauder Heat Wave Illuminating Powder Gelee ($45.00 | 7g) is a part of the summer EL collection and was touted as a super-luxurious bronzer. Luxurious it definitely is but it's definitely not a bronzer but a highlighter.

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Despite having a gazillion of lipsticks in my makeup collection, I always go back to lip balms. Low-maintenance perhaps, but there's something about lip balms I never get tired of. It might be their functionality, practicality and effectiveness - but sometimes, great scent, aroma and a cute packaging push me over to buy even more of those addictive lip treats. Rosal Macarons are and will be the lip balms of the year 2017. for me but the Rosal Perfect You Lip Balms (10ml) have been quite competitors as well.

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How many times have you purchased any old nail polish remover from a supermarket on your way home to discover how dehydrating and ultimately drying they are? I hate it when they have a strong headache-inducing smell and when they're so drying that my nails immediately turn white (yikes!). Rosal Perfect You Nail Polish Removers (85ml) have been a regular part of my manicure kit for a while now and all three variations are great and actually, each one is specified for different things. My personal favorite is the Oil based nail polish remover which is the most nourishing towards nails and cuticles. It contains oil components, tiny bit of acetone, vitamin E and cocotriglyceride. It has a beautiful and light floral scent, removes all of my nail polishes with ease (dissolves them within seconds - no rubbing!) and it never dries out the skin or nails.

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There was a time when any ol' shower gel wouldn't make the cut - now, I'm not that fussy at all. Usually I just grab whatever is on offer but I a few favorites have stood out over the course of years. Palmolive Aroma Moments Feel The Massage is my favorite during the hot, hot summer (so refreshing) and L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil is my all-time winter love, for when my skin needs some added nourishment. Barrage of random shower gels inhabiting my shower was interrupted when I made a shopping stop at Lush.

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With all the micellar waters, oil cleansers, toners, face masks, exfoliants etc. sometimes skincare feels like an overcrowded playground. To be completely honest, I'll probably add some (un)necessary skincare items come autumn because I'm a skincare junkie at heart. However, for me, summertime means downsizing and simplifying things and it's been like that year after year. Majority of products I own are actually geared towards makeup removal and face cleansing. I've run out of eye creams because I use them diligently, I pop a face mask twice a month on average and I'm proud to have only a handful of face creams in my rotation. This will be a post dedicated to one of my faves.

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There are perfume notes and combinations which change on people's skin when it's hot, some are almost unperceivable during cooler weather and some simply don't work with everyone's body chemistry. Whereas notes of cinnamon and incense are likely to evoke memories of a "winter environment" (e.g. Christmas and New Year holidays), citrus and soapy notes are more intuitively associated with a "summer environment" (beach holidays). However, there is a way to wear your favorite perfume with powerful sillage - just apply accordingly (1-2 spritzes max) while I find lighter scents to be too weak to pierce the cold. Let's set my little perfume-wearing guide aside, here's one that could make, break and rewrite all the known rules.

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I've been very good at using up my skin care and body care products lately so I felt like I can allow myself to introduce something new into my daily routine. After being quite loyal to oils, I really was keen on having a good old body cream in my rotation. Since Rosal truly wowed me with their macaron lip balms and their classic hand creams (which saved my hands from looking wrinkly this past winter), the idea of a cream and butter hybrid seemed interesting.

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Clinique is killing it lately - I've used up their Pep-Start eye cream last month, yesterday I finished my pot of their All About Eyes Rich, they announced a new range of skincare and makeup called Clinique Fit (made for sweaty active people!) and I'm absolutely in love with their smartest range to date. Alongside with just one range of skincare (about which I'll post reviews soon), Clinique Smart is one of the best things I've tried skincare-wise lately. Out of five products from the Clinique Smart range, I've been using four- so we can say I got a decent, if not well-rounded impression of what it really does. Let's start with my favorite item.

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I'm such a bore when it comes down to hair - but I wasn't always playing it safe. I used to have a pixie, a bob, a lob, all variations of bangs, honey colored hair, chestnut and dark brown (almost black) - and I probably would have ruined it if I continued to experiment, but I'm glad that I did! I got it all out of my system. For the past 7-ish years, I've settled on a simple, straight long hair style. It's practical and easy to manage - no wonder I stuck with it for as long as I have. However - I have been contemplating an ever so slight change recently. Then this cool package has arrived to my doorstep a few weeks ago and I was truly intrigued by its content - I felt like a little kid!

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If you take a look back at my beauty journey during these past five years, you've probably noticed that I've been simplifying things as much as possible. Be it age, lifestyle or type of character - I prefer products that aren't a faff to use, do their job and do it well. The Spanish brand Comodynes has extended the typical use of towelettes and they've actually simplified my beauty routine even further, in ways Marie Kondo would approve!

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How to describe niche fragrances? Long story short, niche perfumery is an alternative to mass perfume production. Niche is limited by the clientele and therefore with a limited sale range. If a company's raison d'être is to make fragrances then it is considered niche. What makes niche perfumes so special? Well, since their purpose is not to please everyone and to become best sellers, the perfumers have more freedom to create whatever they want, since the target audience are mostly people who are really into the art of perfumery and are not just seeking to "smell nice". Tom Ford perfumes are exclusive and luxurious not only by presentation, they are of very high quality and are very special scents.

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What a week this has been! We went shopping, have prepped for work, have read and discovered new books, purchased kitchen appliances, prepared delicious soups and smoothies, stashed our bathroom with fragranced treats and even went to the movies. And all that without cash! At least, without bills and coins but with a modern twist - I'm talking about contactless payments. I'm thrilled as I couldn't have even guessed how much I'll become "hooked" on my new Mastercard but it really is amazing.

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Well, this will come as no shock to anyone will it? If you've ever had a sneek peek of my Insta stories you'll know I'm a big movie lover. I've watched dozens upon dozens movies and if I can help it, every night will be a movie night! From old classics, to thrillers, dramas, horrors and action movies - I love them all. What is a bit of a change is the fact my movie night has moved from the couch to an actual cinema, for a change. A lot of films look different on a big screen than on a small screen. That's why it feels extra special to move away from the couch, actually get dressed, get out and analyze the movie and get the different opinions shared after watching.

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Books and I have a reignited love affair and I've been trying to catch up with all the reads I've missed so far. I want to write about two that have definitely stood out and one I wanted as a gift. Online book shopping is a new thing to me - if someone told me I would be shopping for books via internet, I'd never believe them! Blogging has been like a doorway to many new experiences and this one with Mastercard contactless payments certainly is one of the most unique ones yet!

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Remember my birthday cheesecake recipe and how my husband and I made the almond-date crust without a blender? Buying cheap blenders has taught me a valuable lesson so, since I have no further desire to chop up almonds with a knife - I've decided to invest in a Nutribullet, courtesy of my new Mastercard. To properly get the most out of our purchase, we've already make a few soups and smoothies while we also plan on using it to make yogurt and ice cream. Here are two recipes that kinda stood out and are on repeat.

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Since I've decided to change my lifestyle from classic sedentary and absolutely carb-licious to regularly working out and eating better than before, one of the most frequent questions I get is how to meal prep for work. Of course that it isn't easy and sometimes I forget to meal prep the night before but for most days, a simple pop to the local supermarket will do the trick. You'll see that balanced diet doesn't have to be dull or expensive. I used my Mastercard card precisely at a Bingo supermarket because throughout this month, every transaction you make with a Mastercard card, gives you a chance to go to the Sarajevo Film Festival red carpet as a VIP guest, which is, you’ll admit, a priceless experience!

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What happens when you give a brand new, shiny Mastercad to a beauty afficionado? She goes shopping, of course! This shopping was a nostalgic one since Lush reminds me of my first days of blogging which I've spent testing their fragrant soaps and creams. What I really like about this Mastercard card (besides the fact I felt free, wasn't wasting time searching my bag for change etc.) is that contactless payments don't exclude the traditional use of credit cards. After picking up my Lush favorites, I swiped it through the POS terminal and entered my PIN.

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Just when I thought this summer is going to be uneventful, pass in a rut of shift work and without anything remotely interesting to write about - an exciting opportunity has popped up which allows me to try something completely new and also be useful reporting my findings and experience. Just in time for summer holidays (and day to day use really) I was given a chance, thanks to Mastercard, to do my seasonal shopping and to test the new Mastercard contactless technology which makes every purchase a simple and safe experience. I will be using Mastercard contactless prepaid card which can also be used for online payments, but you can find Mastercard contactless debit and credit cards in different banks, so you can choose the one which is a best fit for you.

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Finding time for books in my life wasn't an issue since I always was fond of them, be it through educational literature, classic literature or work-related literature - a book was always in my hands.Somewhere along 2015. it ceased to be the case and books remained on shelves or hidden in drawers. That change was unwelcome and I didn't like it so by the end of 2016. I've made the decision to get back on track and I haven't been expecting myself to immediately start reading hefty literature - easier, even chick lit books on the regular would do the trick. One last thing, one last remaining nudge in that direction was creating the perfect reading nook.

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Considering how many blushes I used to own, my current collection is quite tame - but I'm diggin' every single piece. From MAC Springsheen, Hourglass Diffused Heat to these Clinique beauties, I am wearing them all and I honestly don't need new additions. Unless you're going to suggest a new shade from these ranges - and that's exactly the situation I have here right now. With my Clinique makeup on flatlay display, I think it's safe to say that I'm a fan. And their blushes are one of those things I'd purchase/ recommend my friends to get.

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While summer is epitome for relaxation and summer holidays, in my line of work it stands for excessive workload and I'm basically living at the airport June through September. That makes me appreciate those rare moments of "me time" even more! Regulars on my Insta stories (@simply.selma) will know that I'm a homebody by nature, preferring to stay in the evenings regardless if it's a working day or the weekend. I love my home, I love making it cozy, setting the atmosphere and enjoying all that good stuff.

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Guess who's turning 30 today? To celebrate all that good stuff I've decided to make my favorite cake of all - cheesecake! This is actually the first time I've made cheesecake and it isn't perfect but it's pretty close. And it's made out of completely healthy ingredients - us old folks need to take care of our health and figure, you know? This our own very simple version of a cheesecake - I say ours because husband helped. A lot.

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For the past year or so I've been craving a complete change in my home. After it became obvious that I spend more hours browsing Pinterest for furniture than I do for makeup, I've decided that I'm finally ready to tackle that daunting (but oh, so exciting!) task of upping my interiors game.

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Haircare is something I've been increasingly interested in although it hasn't been my forte in the past. Not that I don't like taking care of my hair - quite the contrary, I love investing time and effort in it. But I've never found my "hair identity" and this is fortified by the fact I don't have a particular hair salon I'm loyal to. Few years ago I've changed more shampoos than mascaras every month. Thankfully, alverde shampoos are now my safe harbor but apart from them - I still haven't formed a solid hair care routine I know I can stick by. But I'm open to trying new things in order to make my dream hair care routine happen.

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Since the beginning of this year, sprouts have been a small but very welcomed addition to my diet. They're incredibly benefitial and so easy to incorporate into your diet be it as an extra to breakfast, lunch, dinner or even a snack. Once you get a taste of their crunchy, tasty goodness in a salad, on a sandwich or in pasta, you may find yourself asking for this option on repeat so there's no reason not to become a sprouts person. Many refer to them as wonder food due to their high nutritional value. Natural sprouts are good for a healthy body and mind development. They ensure blood purification and strengthen the immune system.

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My skin hasn't been oily ever since I left puberty and I'm turning 30 in July so a matte and dry complexion is the epitome of what I'm trying to avoid. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation definitely isn't something I'd pick up for myself while in the drugstores as it's made for normal to oily skin and it contains powders to mattify the complexion. Having all 6 shades sent over (110, 115, 120, 130, 220, 230), I was sure I'll be putting myself through a torture. Imagine the look on my face when I applied this foundation and there wasn't a trace of a matte finish. I must admit, that's where I became intrigued.

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Every brand has their forte and I love exploring especially drugstore brands because I tend to find a few budget-friendly yet high-quality finds. Italian Debby wowed me with their mascaras, a face primer but mostly with their Contouring & Strobing Powder Palette (from the #selfie Perfect Collection). I still use that palette almost on a daily basis and I've found another winner which hasn't left my makeup bag ever since it touched my lids. This is the only eyeshadow you need this summer and it's actually waterproof (read: sweat-proof!).

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My makeup routine has changed a lot and I've managed to include an almost red (but nor actually a red) lipstick on days when I want to elevate my makeup - aaand there's a brown eye pencil I've been wearing almost every single day. There's tons of new things around here so I won't waste any time, let's get this overview started!

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Clinique is a brand I'm truly fond of but I wasn't exactly sold on their contour and highlight sticks - the contour is actually a brontour (cross between a contouring and bronzing shade) whilst the highlight seemed too pale and pinkish (I prefer a golden highlight). Sure, I'm very keen on their lip chubby sticks, matte pop lippies, pop blushes and skincare but these weren't supposed to be suitable to my needs and taste. Boy, was I proved wrong!

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What can I tell you about my diet and what have I been eating for the past six months? You know my philosophy - it's all down to balancing things out. Even when I wanted to lose 10kg I haven't been cutting anything out and every change was gradual as the worst thing you could possibly do is abruptly cut out all the carbs - that's something I'd never ever recommend. Basically, what helped me lose weight and keep all those juicy extras away is just common sense.

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This is such a spontaneous recipe - not even a proper recipe but it's more of an update of the original tuna steak recipe (here) because I've discovered the magic of broccoli-potato mash. How haven't I used this simple combo before? One night, my husband and I've been watching Jamie Oliver on 24Kitchen (as you do) and he whips up this amazingness - wow! We immediately ran to the kitchen and yup, it tastes yummy but also provides as much visual interest and nutritional value as possible. Potato is the perfect way to give your body complex carbohydrates which are key to long-term health. Broccoli meets almost all of my standards (also a complex carb) as it's loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, has beautiful color and is delicious when steamed on its own.

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Trip to Vienna | Since I'm pretty much home-bound due to my "real" job, I never get to travel much. I always say to myself that I'm going to change this but whenever I get some days off, a ton of house chores are waiting for me, I end up being exhausted (on my time off!) which coupled with chronic sleeplessness aka insomnia due to night shifts leads to a disaster. I end up having tons of nap time which is fab and exactly what I need but - when the time comes to get back to work, I cannot help but feel a bit sad that I haven't used up my time for something more exciting. That's why a trip to Vienna with drogerie markt was absolutely refreshing and a kick to the butt - I need to do this more often! I'm being realistic so I'm aiming at becoming good with short trips, for start.

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Regardless how much I'm trying to take care of my body the best I can by eating all the good foods and by working out on a regular basis - the idea of warmer weather and bare limbs on display caught me unprepared! I must admit that I sometimes forget about taking care of the skin of my body and that's a strange philosophy I have going on - even if I'm absolutely exhausted and haven't slept for 24h straight, my face needs the proper makeup removal/cleanse ritual every single time. But when I do shower, I kinda do everything in the quickest possible way - a good shower cream/foam/gel, some shaving and I'm done. I pat myself on the back each time I remember to actually oil my legs and arms. Body scrubs were a passion of mine but I haven't been using them - end result? Rather dry skin.

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This is a very interesting addition to my skincare stash and I was extremely excited to test it out mostly because I'm a big fan of both, the EL ANR serum and of facial oils. This product merged my two loves together and is aimed at skin which is showing signs of aging - a skincare issue that is becoming one of my primary concerns. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Intensive Recovery Ampoules (60 Capsules | $110) are such a luxurious treat - I consider them mini facials.

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Sea salt in the breeze, warm skin under the sunshine, tropical music in the background, cocktails, flowy fabric, shade under the palms and sweet fruit desserts - summer is definitely on my mind, summer is what my soul has been craving for and summer is what Escada does the best. From Rockin' Rio, Ocean Lounge, Taj Sunset to Turquoise Summer - each falls into the tropical fruity category without ever being too sweet or heavy. If you've been feeling nostalgic about some of those editions then Escada Fiesta Carioca is exactly what you need.

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Food is something I'm quite into - my Insta stories people will corroborate that one! And kitchen is a corner of my home I find myself more frequently spending my time in recently whether I'm actually cooking, helping my husband with his delicious dishes, prepping meals for work, just having a very exciting conversation on how to curb sweet cravings I've been battling recently and daydreaming of a new kitchen setup. Interiors have been on my mind like never before and I'm making plans of redecorating our home one room at a time. I want to make everything just the way I want it but such endeavors aren't easy to plan and/or execute so I'm taking baby steps in order to get where I want to be.

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Glorious skincare - I could go on and on about it as it's a never-tiring topic for me. I have shared my current skincare routine in this post and the only thing that has changes is the fact I've run out of all cleansers - at the same time (don't you hate it when that happens?). My Estee Lauder ANR cleansing balm, GlamGlow Youth Cleanse cleanser and alverde Clear wash paste have altogether said farewell and I'm contemplating what to purchase next. In the meanwhile, I've promised to share my The Ordinary edit, how I've picked each item, what they're for and how to combine them.

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When I was in Vienna, I knew I wouldn't have too much time for shopping but there were two makeup brands I was absolutely sure I needed to check out - Zoeva and KIKO. Since it turns out Zoeva eyeshadow palettes are an online exclusive (ladies at Douglas told me), I knew I needed to find a KIKO store. Luckily, there was a store in the SCS and I must say that ladies who work there are one of the most helpful, genuine and loveliest sellers I've ever come across (I'm not exaggerating!). They were so friendly it actually felt like I was browsing makeup with my friends. They helped me find products I knew I like and actually need in my collection and they weren't pushy at all. I am looking forward to shopping there again! I went home with (only) three makeup items but all are so, so good I will surely expand my KIKO collection.

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When the moderator announced "dm blogger event: Das Event des Jahres" I couldn't agree more. My trip to Vienna was ignited by the glorious drogerie markt event held on the 27th of April in the dreamy Vienna. I wrote all about my impressions and findings of the city in this post but the true highlight was these couple of hours which I've spent at the stunning Palais Schönburg. Its stunning decor was a perfect fit - the stairs, the flowers, the balcony! A beautiful sight, that's for sure.

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Travelling is one of the things I want to do more in my life - I don't get to travel much, mostly due to my "real job" but I'm quite determined to change this. My husband and myself have been planning a visit to Vienna - we've looked up everything from what season is the best to visit Vienna (we think it's in spring and winter), accommodation and all of the sights we wanted to see. On our Vienna bucket list we had Museum of Technology, Natural History Museum, Museumsquartier, Sigmund Freud Museum, house of Mozart, Haydnhaus - and many more. That's why I've been super surprised when drogerie markt Bosnia and Herzegovina offered to take me to Vienna to their #dmbloggerevent (a whole post about it is coming after this one!). Even now thinking about it, it was such a wonderful experience albeit a short one.

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My cooking has gone through quite a transformation during the past year so I've improved from barely coping with the most basic of recipes to making variations upon variations of dishes - and I feel proud of myself! But don't think I'm some kind of chef because my husband still is at the top of his game but I've definitely stepped up and am trying to be better with each attempt. One of the recipes on my to-do list was a homemade bread. And not only any bread - I wanted to tackle the heavenly focaccia!

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Many of you know that I'm fully committed to a healthy and balanced lifestyle - it's very much present in my kitchen, cooking and workouts with which I'm trying to do the best I can for my body and mind. Staying healthy is important for everyone and my general stance is quite old school: it's all about eating good and being regularly active. There's no magic pill, no shortcuts, I don't believe in dieting as such and I'm not promoting the idea that a skinny body is the best or only body people can/should feel good in. I prefer a healthy body with muscles, feeling strong, agile and having excellent mental focus.

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Considering that I'm a skincare junkie, I don't think I've ever used a horrendous amount of products at the same time but I must admit that (even though I love all those skincare routine steps), not all are necessary. I like trying new things but at the end of the day, I'm aiming at curating a well thought-out, streamlined routine which is efficient. This is the first time I'm not using some of my year-long staples such as the LRP Effaclar Duo. I've totally skipped on toners and face masks as such. Even micellar waters are absent so it's a pretty big change for me.

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Colorful, pillowy and deliciously flavored, macarons are elegant little sandwiches that are made with meringue, almond flour, and buttercream filling. They are perhaps one of the most famous and treasured French desserts. This meringue-based sweet comes in many tastes and colors. Having in mind how much people are in love with macarons, it's safe to say that these particular macarons will be equally loved and coveted.

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After five years of intense beauty blogging, my relationship with makeup has changed and I don't necessarily mean for the worse - it's just a little different now. I'm less keen on experimenting despite being diligent about keeping myself in touch with the latest launches. This may have to do with age *cough, cough* but I personally think it mostly has to do with the fact my taste has been formed, a quick swatch and a glimpse of the ingredients list tells me if something's of interest to me and overall - it's a knowledge I've worked towards to.

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Next week my in-depth skincare routine post is coming but I want to shed light on a few products beforehand. As I've made it clear on many occasions, skincare is a big deal to me. I may not always have the latest products on the market incorporated in my skincare routine and not all of the things I use are expensive but I always do the best I can with what I have. Also, it's been shown many times that a price tag doesn't come with a quality guarantee but it's not strange to feel affectionate, support and trust certain brands with which we have good experience.

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I got the inspiration for this awesome chocolate snack while passing by one of the stores at Baščaršija. White chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate all sprinkled with all sorts of nuts, berries and glazes. It looks so delicious and I wondered how hard could be to make? Not at all, as I've found out during one of lazy afternoons. Now, even though I do appreciate the taste of white and milk chocolate, I'm kind of on a health kick and I'm trying to hold onto dark chocolate and fruits as far as sweets go sooo - this is exactly what I've used.

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My makeup ways are known to be on the natural side and that's something I'm getting even more into as I'm getting older. Minimal makeup is my jam almost all the time. But if I want to change things up a bit and wear something more attention-grabbing, then I'm almost exclusively reaching for a good lipstick. Matte liquid lipstick trend hasn't rubbed off me as much while it was at its peak as my lips are always dry and flaky so applying such a mattifying product on them wasn't appealing. However, on a whim, I've given this cult liquid lippie a go - and in a shade which wouldn't be described as "me" at all. It was an impulse purchase but one of the best ones!

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Did you know that the most sensitive parts of your body are your hands, lips, face, neck, tongue, fingertips and feet? The sensation of touch is a fundamental part of our daily experience, influencing what we buy, who we love and even how we heal. Hands play a very important part of that experience so today we'll discuss the proper way of showing love to our hands which, in return, help us experience life. Finding a perfect hand cream is more complicated than one might think as many hand creams are too rich resulting in a sticky, tacky film and some even pill. I've encountered hand creams that leave a white cast, some are unpleasantly fragranced and some even dry out the skin. Following three hand creams are just perfect and they simply differ based on your skin type.

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