Natural Beauty Vox Box

If you haven't heard of the Vox Box by Influenster yet, you are clearly missing out. I am totally in love with this idea. Influenster describes itself as a "Community of trendsetters invited to share their lifestyles and show off their influence to qualify for personalized product shipments, special rewards and exclusive deals from the brands they love. Members love testing the latest products, giving insightful feedback, and spreading the word on their favorite finds!" :) And I believe in giving both good and bad feedback...because no feedback might as well mean good feedback and that's not a good point.

Best thing about it? It is free!!! No monthly or annual fees, just you being you!
I'd sign up with them...oh wait, I already have.

Let me show you what I received in my Natural Vox Box.

LypSyl Intense Protection LybMoisturizer

I had used this exact same product before and loved it. So you can possibly imagine my excitement when I received this one in my box. I use it every day and am still in love. It makes my lips so smooth and I don't have to reapply it every five minutes like other products I used. I think the Swedish beeswax and organic shea butter are doing their job right. Get it if you're looking for a new lip balm!

Clean Well Wipes

Love me some good-smelling bacteria killer. It smelled good, I felt refreshed and even after I had washed my hands, and counted to 60 minutes my hands still smelled fabulous. However, I only recommend these if you like citrus flavors and pouches. I don't like pouches. It's another item that goes into the trash and I still prefer the liquid bacteria killers!

EBoost

I never liked powder immune/vitamin drinks. They always felt too orange-y, and too sour. This one? I liked it a lot. I was very impressed that it didn't bother me to drink it and I actually wanted more when I was done with one glass. This powder drink (and easy to mix) comes in four flavors and I am definitely gonna get more soon!

GeoDeo Natural Deodorant

I'm assuming we all use deodorant daily. For weeks I had been looking for a new one to try. I grew bored with the one I used so this product came at a perfect time. It smells delicious. Have you ever said that about a deodorant? I had never until this one landed in my hands. I wanted to take a bite of it. Yes, that delicious! :) It's really good and works literally against odor protection. And it is clean, no white residue you are trying to hide or fight against. However, one thing bothered me a little and it may just be the heat we are having at the time...my armpits felt sticky in the afternoon or evening. The product worked and I was smelling like a fresh squeezed tropical fruit all day long but the sticky armpit threw me off. It will not hinder me from using it until it is finished and maybe purchase it later on. I love it.

Nectresse

The sweet and healthy sweetener! I was a bit skeptical because I love sugar and any "artificial" sugar scares me. BUT, this is not artificial. It is made from monk fruits and actually tastes like sugar. I was more than just satisfied with this product. Loved the tiny individual packets too. So going to buy more.

Maxi-Hair Pills

This is the only product I could not use. As much as I like products helping me grow strong nails, hair and all I could not swallow those pills. They were extremely huge and freaked the heck out of me. I was supposed to take two pills a day and it was impossible. I even halved the pills so I had four "smaller" pills to swallow but nope. I could not do it properly. I believe in not struggling while taking in vitamins etc and after one week of some huge swallow-struggle I had to call it quits. I was not in the mood to cut the pills each day and even then force me to swallow those down. It's not that I wasn't used to bigger pills but these just did not work for me. :(
But besides the struggle...I saw slight results. Even after a few days seeing results can just mean it actually works, and thinking of using it more than a week and seeing more results...WOW.

The Original Dish Drying Mat

Another fun coincidence. I saw this at Bed, Bath and Beyond and didn't buy it because I wasn't sure. A week later I get the box and voila...there's the mat. The mat is soft and foamy-feeling and I just love it. It's really absorbent and it makes me enjoy air dryer dishes even more. It's an affordable item that I would really recommend.

All in all I really liked my Natural VoxBox and will go out and get my favorite products again. I hope I get to participate in another box again because I think this is the best way to see what is out there and spread the word. 

Are you signed up for Influenster? If not, do it HERE.

If I were...

I have seen this on Heart Soul Inspiration and thought it was a fun idea...so here I am "copying" the idea. ;)

If I were a gemstone, I'd be a ruby.
If I were a scent, I'd be wild honeysuckle.
If I were a pair of shoes, I'd be a comfy pair of everyday flats.
If I were the weather, I'd be a mild but sunny day.
If I were a facial expression, I’d be a happy smile.
If I were a car, I'd be in good shape and sold and not too fast.
If I were a time of day, I'd be 7:00pm.
If I were a month, I'd be June.
If I were a place, I'd be a cozy cafe (Parisian style) filled with delicious smells and people.
If I were a liquid, I'd be coffee.
If I were a sea animal, I'd be blue whale.
If I were a taste, I'd be vanilla.
If I were a food, I'd be a mashed potatoes with bacon.
If I were a color, I'd be a dark magenta.
If I were a musical instrument, I'd be a 100-year-old violin.
If I were a flower, I'd be a white rose.
If I were a planet, I'd be Jupitor.
If I were an object, I'd be a book.
If I were a fruit, I'd be a granny Smith apple.
If I were a sound, I'd be ocean waves.
If I were a day of the week, I'd be a Wednesday.

What would you be?

And holy cow...September is pretty much gone. WOW.
Just realized I needed to study too. I have an exam on Tuesday! October 2 sounded so far away but it isn't....wow!

xoxo

My Birchbox - September

 So, I signed up for Birchbox, and his month in my box was the following....

1) Color Club "Insta-this" Nail polish

2) Kate Spade New York Twirl
3) Twistband Lace print hair tie

4) Boscia oil free nightly hydration

5) Mighty Tea Leaf Pouches

 6) Jouer Matte Moisture Tint

They also included a little beauty magazine as well as a coupon to Madewell. 

Cannot complain at all.

I haven't tried the moisture tint yet, but everything else is absolutely received and used with a huge smile on my tiny face. :) And I would even let you take a photo of me and if you know me I don't like being in photos.

 I am looking forward to a new box next month.
Excited to see what I get then...because, frankly, I am never fully sure if it's all worth it even though it's only $10 a month meaning I just skip on two to three Starbucks coffee a month which is fine by me.

You're the one that I want!

Funny.
I always liked this song.
Hearing this version though makes me happy. Hope you're having a great day.
It's my longest of the week and I already have a headache. Looking forward to film class though. Yes.   xoxo

My Weekend...

...Happy Monday.

{linking up with Leeann, Sami and Dana} 

I had a mellow weekend. Worked a lot for school, rented a car and drove around the area. It is so different to drive around and see places and streets in a different light. I mean, I know all these places but driving to these places makes it looks like I don't know them at all. It was one fun adventure. And yes, I rented a car. I still don't own one. I could get one, but I have my doubts there. And when in doubt I better go with my gut feeling. 

So, Baisley* and I drove around. I shopped a little while she was waiting in the shade and enjoyed being part of the southern California roads. Next time, I'm hoping to get Baisley* again so I can visit people for a coffee date or something. Who's in?! LOL

*Baisley is the name I gave my rental car. Yes, you read right, I named my car. So what. Why that name? It's a combo between the Turkish word for "white" and a somewhat cute ending with an "ley"...so there you go. It doesn't mean a thing just felt right naming the rental Baisley!

via google

Oh, and I finished reading a book called "if i stay" by Gayle Forman. For more info on the book, visit the lovely Christianna's blog and read more. She did a wonderful job reviewing it. I had bought this book and its follow up in May. As it is I also forgot those books in California and flew to Europe and was mad at myself because I really had no good books to read. Then, entering the room our lovely music blogger stayed in in July while visiting Europe (if you haven't read her recaps you should - they're awesome!) I saw that same exact book lying on the floor and just knew it was a good one. After all, I think we both have similar taste in music...so I knew we might even have similar taste in books. :) And yes, it is one heck of a good book!!!

Not much else happened here.

I did homework, read, rented a car, shopped (scarf, cardigan, blouse, new Swiffer stuff) and oh yes, watched a ton of TV...caught up on all Parenthood again. I had seen most of the episodes of last season but somewhat forgot so I decided to make a marathon out of it. It was GOOD. I am so ready for a new episode of this season...sooooo ready!! Oh, and of course...like every Saturday evening I watched SNL. I know I'm such a loser. Hahaha. But I like it. It's fun, it's direct, and a little corny at times...just the way I like it. Not to mention the great hosts they're usually having. This Saturday night was fun again.

Did you watch it?
 

What did you do this weekend? 

Share it and link up with three fabulous bloggers! I just did.

I Believe In...

I believe in...myself.

I believe in...my family.
I believe in...my friends.

I believe in...a good education.

I believe in...being silly.

I believe in...being girlie and doing whatever comes to our mind.

 I believe in...standing up for yourself.

I believe in...a good glass of red wine.

I believe in...indulging yourself from time to time.

I believe in...a great movie making me laugh and cry at the same time.

I believe in...friendships that last forever. 

I believe in...loyalty.

I believe in...honesty.

I believe in...fairness.

I believe in...sunshine.

I believe in...pink & purple.

I believe in awesome music inspiring me on a daily basis..

I believe in...doing laundry soothing your mind and soul.

I believe in...decorating rooms.

I believe in...Zumba.

I believe in...a great handshake.

I believe in...proper manners.

I believe in...hugs.

I believe in...long summer nights.

I believe in...love.

I believe in...fall colors.

I believe in...a fantastic salad.

I believe in...cocktail hours.

I believe in...sleeping in.

I believe in...bubble baths.

I believe in...ice cream.

I believe in...walking along the beach barefoot.

I believe in...rainy days.

I believe in...the ocean.

I believe in...sunsets.

I believe in...helping people out.

I believe in...randomness.

I believe in...KARMA.

I believe in...road trips.
I believe in...fun weekends.

I believe in...brunches.

I believe in...shopping with your girlfriends.

AND most importantly...

  I believe in...life!

Linking up with Erin over at Living in Yellow!

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!!
I'll be cruising around, exploring the area a little and get my drive-groove back.
And no, I didn't get a car I am just renting one. :(

xoxo

When I'm bored...

...I sulk. Yes, I admit it. I'm a sulker. I feel unloved, unwanted, you name it. The whole nine yards of being alone and sad and just blah. Very often I blame it on me being a Gemini...I always need something to do. Just sitting at home reading a book and all is not it. And watching a movie at the same time, blogging or what not is not enough. It may be enough for some people. Not for me. I want to explore new places, visit museums, walk along the beach (emmm, haven't done this at all - I now scandalous, but I can't!), and just live life and be curious so to speak. 

So while I was sulking a while back (I often do that if you are familiar with my blog, ha!) I browsed around a found a website that just made me a tad bit homesick. :) I immediately copied the URL and sent it to all of my relatives in Istanbul, or that know the city and love it as much as I do or would appreciate it.

 I know you loved my entries about my favorite city. If you didn't get a chance to read them, you can now {1, 2, 3}. So you now get a chance to see more photos or views. In a funky 360-degree-way. I loved it. 

Click { THIS ISTANBUL LINK }

It's a 360 degree view of a few parts of Istanbul.
The one I started with are the Komando Stairs. I love that part of Istanbul.

There are white arrows around and I clicked on them and got to see more...even if you don't know the city it's a fun way to look at place. At any place actually. I even looked at Los Angeles and London.

Yes, I was bored and needed to explore things. :) 

But it was fun!!!

Oh Istanbul, I missed you. :)

xoxo

Hello, My Name Is Selma and I...

...love to recycle!

Too bad I know too many people that don't.
I wish I could just open up a free class for everyone that's interested and also that isn't and make them learn the benefits of recycling. And, to make them learn and see that it can be in fact a lot of fun too.

And you can bet a lot of money, on second thought maybe don't, that I usually throw the trash out and then put my tiny arms into the trash bag full of gross stuff so I can put all the plastic bottles, shampoo bottles, and what not plastic-y out and throw it down the appropriate recycle chute. Also, separating trash that way makes the real trash bin smaller and not as bulky. Throwing out that trash bag sometimes twice a day is one waste of plastic and money. I feel bad every time. However, I gave up on teaching at the house. I simply can't do it anymore. If you don't care about the planet, so be it, curse it if you will. I do. That's also why I keep the fan on and not the AC in the house. I certainly don't want to pay more for utilities, thank you very much. And hello? Does it really have to be 70 degrees inside when it's 90 outside?! NO!! We may wish but it's unhealthy, too cold, and too expensive. 

My recycle and green-vent is over! ;)

Hope you're thinking about recycling, reusing, and cutting down on air-conditioning, water, and plastic drastically these days. One thing at a time, but let me tell you it's worth it. Get into a routine and do it. It won't kill you.

xoxo

Weekend Update - MidSeptember

Cannot believe it's already past mid September. Where did the time go?! I'm amazed.

My mom's birthday is today!! Happy Birthday Mom. Miss you and hope you are having a fabulous day!!! Would you please stop ignoring me on Skype?! Thank you.
*wish she would read my post. She doesn't. But wording it out helps a lot.

{Linking up with Leeann, Sami and Dana today!}

My weekends always start on Thursday after 12.30pm so when I link up to the weekend update I have to consider this day as well. I was picked up by my friend S. We both went to college together years ago, were even living together and after graduation went separate ways. I had to return to Europe, she stayed in California and is now married. Glad we both are back in the same state, and finally got to meet again. I missed our lunch dates. We usually would go out for lunch and discover new or old places and have a fun time - including some shopping!

This time we went to Old Vine Cafe in Costa Mesa.

My smoked salmon omelet was fabulous!

My friend got a pizza omelet which of course I forgot to take a picture of. Blog fail!

And of course, after lunch we headed out and did some shopping at South Coast Plaza, and Metro Pointe. I bought nothing which could be seen as either a total failure on my part or a win because I saved money.
I left Nordstrom Rack without a new item. WOW.

I left DSW and Barnes and Noble without an item. WOW.

You be the judge.
Good or bad?!

Not much else happened on Friday. I stayed home all day. Slept in, watched TV, read a book (not for school), went to the pool to read some more in the shade though it was TOO hot so I went inside again. 100+ degrees is too much for September. Hello? It's fall, cool down a little even here in beautiful California. Thank you. 

Saturday pretty much looked the same. Then, spontaneously, a friend (my roommate's BFF, we again all went to college together - I think I had a little reunion going!) drove down for a bridal dress hunt. I say hunt because that's how it felt like. We went to three different places all within the area, she tried on numerous beautiful and less beautiful dresses on and then we had dinner. No dress was the right dress. I had my favorites. I am though also not the one getting married. 

Before I forget, I think Blush Bridal Couture in Tustin was the best Bridal Shop we went to that day. I'm sure there are other placess you guys like more or prefer and this is totally fine. Of all the places we went Saturday that was the best in my opinion! They let you take pictures, too. ;) Just saying.  
For a few pictures go to Marjan's blog, she posted the pictures I took that day.

We went to Panini Cafe for dinner!
It's not my kind of restaurant (I like it unique, authentic and non-chain/non-commercialized) but it is a spot I consider to return to.

Oh and I received my first VoxBox from Influenster - now I'm testing and using things...I can already tell you what I like or not like at all. Stay tuned for a review ;)

Happy Monday.

Friday Fancies - Autumn Lust List

Since I'm already drooling over certain items this week...I thought it would be fun to share my love for colors too. I love fall, and I love that warmer colors are more welcome this time of year whether or not the temperatures are cooler! This week's theme on Long Distance Loving is:

I'm clearly drooling over my two outfits this week. And I can happily announce now that I am a proud owner of green pants (also of blue pants) and some polka dotted tops. Target, Old Navy, H&M and Kaitlyn's have great and  affordable items this season and it never hurts to add some color to my rather boring outfit collection. I'm the natural and neutral girl who wears black too often...or gray for that matter. So, you hopefully understand my happy face right now just thinking of my colorful items!!

Happy Friday!

Fall Outfit by crazylittleworldofmine

I want...

...when autumn arrives or fall how I like to call this marvelous season I always long for new clothes, shoes and accessories...and well today I'm drooling on a few things. Have a look!

click on image for source

Hmmm I have a theme going here...white and blue! I really don't mind, do you?

So all I need now is a birthday coming up, or Christmas.
I let you in to a secret...I sadly never get any birthday gifts, let alone Christmas. I know it's never about gifts but we all know we make wishlists and wishlists should be crossed off from time to time. I would really once get a few things crossed off my list. Hopefully one day. 

Have a wonderful Thursday lovelies!!!

xoxo

Autumn Love

 I love September.
To me it is the beginning of fall/autumn.
In southern California though leaves don't really change color...yet.

It also doesn't seem to cool down. Just experienced another 90-degree weather.
Don't get me wrong I love the heat, when an occasional breeze decides to show up that is.

Autumn to me is also the time of the year where I change colors in my life.
I don't wear pink or turquoise that often but try to go more with green or blue or purple...a little warmer and less girlie. ;) Just less, can never fully give up on that fact.

And of course, the must have drink of the season...started to be in stores again September 4!

Pumpkin Spice Latte!

Need I say more?
I doubt it.
My roommate doesn't like it though so she prefers the Salted Caramel Latte or something like that.

I just love the coziness this season offers.

click on image for source

What do you think?!
Isn't this the best time ever to just go to the movies, chill on the sofa with a hot chocolate and marshmallows, a fascinating book, coffee dates with friends, pumpkins and fall decoration?! Oh I love it.
I could go on but I gotta run.
It's presentation day.
I had to create a family tree and oh boy that family tree is long and full of stories.
I was once told I should write a book about it but I am not fully determined it's going to sell let alone me as a writer? Really. I doubt it. 

Nonetheless, I gotta run and present my awkward background to my professor and fellow students.
I feel like in grade school. I had to do this back then too. Just now I know more details and know why certain things happened the way they did!

Wish me luck.

xoxo

NYC - I Love You!

I don't talk about it much.
This doesn't mean it doesn't mean anything to me.
It means a whole lot to me. To all of us. To some of us even more.
But today eleven years ago is the day that changed the world. Not just one nation but the world.
We will never forget.

 

Weekend Update

So my lovely readers,

My weekend was...well...nothing special. I'd love to say I did major things but I did not. I stayed home, worked on homework, read a ton, wrote a ton, went to the car dealer to get an oil change (and it wasn't for my car which I don't have by the way - yes, no car for me yet!), found out one of my dear friends here in Los Angeles is pregnant and might even sell her car to me (double yay!!!), and managed to attend the Style Week Orange County :)  Okay, at least I got something fun to do but only by myself which is never fun if you know what I mean.

Without further blaaaaahhhhhhsss...here are the pictures!!!

 A fun mural-like thing at the car dealership?! Those seats belong to Subway where I ate a sandwich!

If you've been to Orange County you know where this is! :)
Style Week happened at the Spectrum and at Fashion Island!

 Not the best picture but this is my new nail polish. Got it for free thanks to Style Week!

 These are just a few photos I took.
My favorite host hosted again. Thanks Nick Verreos.

That pretty much sums up my weekend.
How was yours?

I'm linking up with Leeann, Sami and Dana today.

Fashion on a Friday!!!

Hello my lovely readers!
Happy Friday!

Today I'm linking up again with Long Distance Loving and her weekly Friday's Fancies Series. When I have time and when I feel somewhat inspired to come up with something that I would wear I am most definitely joining in. It's been difficult for me to do so in the last couple of weeks. You all know school started again and even though I am taking four classes I am balancing them quite beautifully. I still need to kick my butt from time to time and sit down and work...and NOT blog. :)  So hard, let me tell you.

Either way, today's theme is Back to School. How funny! :)

I chose an outfit I would probably wear myself, and would feel comfortable in. Granted, with 90 degrees outside none of us on campus feel like it's time to wear Toms let alone a cardigan. I usually spot dresses, super short shorts and whatever else must have been in a closet at one time. On Tuesdays I carry one gigantic sweater with me. There's this one class room that catapults you into the arctic. It's that cold. We have all been complaining (and it's only been the third week) but nothing changes. We are freezing in there and it's ugly. And yes, of course it's that one class I have to sit in for three full hours. Great. 

So when it comes to going back to school "easy and comfortable" come to my mind. And a warm sweater. What do you think?!

Back to School Outfit by crazylittleworldofmine

Are you linking up?!
Even if not, it's always fun to hop on over and look for additional outfit inspirations!

I am also linking up with Kori over at Blonde Episodes! Stop on by and see what fashion inspired post she's sharing with us.

Happy Friday and weekend.

Fingers crossed mine will be better than last! (I highly doubt it though!)

xoxo

It's Okay Today...

...to be addicted to Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

...to dislike the 90-degree weather we have been having.

...to get annoyed at people.

...to get irritated too.
...to not be perfect!

...to be a little confused about the future.

...to make decisions based on my level of stress (the less stress the better!)

...to miss driving.
...to crave BBQ chips even though I just had them last night.

...to want to do more over the weekend because being stuck at home SUCKS.

...to pout once in a while.
...to miss my independence (yeah I know!)
...to want to go on a coffee date not just with myself!
...to feel like crying most of the time.
...to be working for school and being done with HW and all before Friday.
...to want to go shopping almost 24/7.
...to feel alone most of the time. (actually NOT, but oh well!)

I'm linking up with Neely and Amber today.

Inspiration is needed. I feel like everything is slipping away.

Last week I was told good news, and then those news kind of threw me off and now I really don't know what to do. Best possible scenario for me is to wait another year and not force myself to finish school so fast. I may be afraid of change and all that (who isn't sometimes, really?!). I just don't like to rush. I hate to be rushed or not have a concrete plan. I'm a little wreck these days.  I just don't like that kind of change. I'll be still in southern California. But, I feel like the older I get the more afraid I am of change, or the possibility of failure, or what not. Where did the old Selma go?! Really.

Either way, I hope you all had a fabulous Labor Day Weekend, and a rather smooth start into a shorter week. Keep your fingers crossed so I can finally enjoy a weekend that fulfills the requirement of a weekend...I do not want to sit in my sweatpants in front of a TV again. I do, but that's not the point. I wanna do that when it's raining outside or so cold I'm afraid I'm about to freeze my toes or something. I did not like my past weekend. Period. The burgers on Monday evening were nice. But Sunday sucked, and Saturday did not turn out as planned which was a huge bummer and I feel bad for having spent money on something I could not enjoy. Great evening, really. Please add MAJOR sarcasm to this. 

...so, it is OK for me to vent and be irritated and also annoyed. Nothing ever is happy and pink and super flowery and all...we all have bad days. I just had a bad weekend. And a rather confusing start into this week. Let's really hope for something better!!

PLEASE! 

xoxo

.

The Words

I'll be watching this soon.
Not because of Bradley Cooper (yeah, sorry!), but because I like movies like that...it may be predictable, or it may not be. All I know is, September 7 I will be watching this! :) YES. Oh wow, that's in a couple of days...

...I am excited. Who wants to join me?!

xoxo

Happy September!!!

Holy cow. It's September!!! WOW.

What I am mostly looking forward to this month...is the upcoming Pumpkin Spice Lattes (hello??!!), a movie or two, hopefully cooler weather, and new sound that inspires me to do the right thing in life. May sound cliche and maybe it is but I need to make some seriously important decisions to make and I cannot come up with a plausible answer that would help me out. It's frustrating. But, I know whatever I decide will be okay and lead to new adventures!

So for today and for this longer weekend (at least here in the United States)...I need some music inspiration that literally gets me from summer to autumn (or fall how I love to call this new season!). Especially when it's around 90 degrees outside *add sarcasm*

I see colored leaves, wet streets, umbrellas, boots, and a hot drink or two when I listen to the following two songs. Not sure why. ;)

A fantastic mix of various songs can be found right on this whole album, and it absolutely gets me through the day, too. Have fun listening to all of this, and have a great Labor Day Weekend!